Posting on Instagram, Dodie wrote: “put her in a bath! She’s lost! Do something with her because she’s doing anything she can to feel something and she just feels nothing but sadness. And loneliness and shame and fear. God I rly love this song! I’m so so so glad it’s out. US ur next! It’s out at midnight wherever you are. What do u think lads!!!? What’s ur fave line!? Ur fave sound! AH.” 

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She also said about the new release: “‘I Kissed Someone (It Wasn’t You)’ is set in the aftermath of a newly-single person’s messy night out. It’s the feeling of trying to patch over a broken, lonely heart by indulging in a revenge fantasy of promiscuity – sadly only resulting in feeling lost, lonelier and shameful. I wrote the song to take place in a drunken, dark mindset – teetering on the edge of sinking deep into the bad thoughts that alcohol can amplify, before snapping back in the verses to a slightly more grounded, but still sad, place.” 

Build A Problem is available for pre-order now. Dodie’s hotly-anticipated debut album has already had its release date pushed back twice, after delays due to Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. Singles already released from the album include Guiltless, Boys Like You, Cool Girl, Rainbow and Hate Myself. 

Also known as Dorothy Miranda Clark, Dodie rose to fame after posting covers and original songs on YouTube. She released her first EP Intertwined in 2016, which hit number 35 in the UK Albums Charts. Her following EPs You and Human charted at number six and number five respectively. She has collaborated with other musicians such as Jacob Collier, Julia Nunes, Thomas Sanders and Tessa Violet. 

Sleaford Mods took to Twitter to write: “Yoo. Chuffed to be Headlining the Saturday for this badness at @SouthFacingFest at Crystal Palace bowl, August 7th. Loads of other wick acts on too. It’s gunna be fucking wick. Come down, say hello. Dance. Scream. Get twated.” 

Yoo.

Chuffed to be Headlining the Saturday for this badness at @SouthFacingFest at Crystal Palace bowl, August 7th. Loads of other wick acts on too. It’s gunna be fucking wick. Come down, say hello. Dance. Scream. Get twated.

https://t.co/46XYNJT5tF

— Sleaford Mods (@sleafordmods) April 15, 2021

Marcus Weedon, the director of the festival, said: “After what’s been an extremely difficult 12 months for the live music industry, we can’t wait to put on a fantastic series of events that people can really get excited about.”  

“Not only do we have some amazing artists who are itching to put on a great show, we also have the privilege of being able to stage the festival at an iconic and important outdoor London venue, which has sadly been dormant in recent years. We’re all working incredibly hard to make sure South Facing is a fitting return to glory for the Crystal Palace Bowl!” 

Other artists set to perform as part of South Facing Festival include Dizzee Rascal and The Outlook Orchestra on Saturday 14th August, Supergrass on Friday 20th August, and Max Richter on Saturday 28th August. Tickets for the festival are available to buy here. 

Sleaford Mods, made up of vocalist Jason Williamson and musician Andrew Fearn, began in 2007. They are known for lyrics focusing on politics and working-class culture. Their most recent album Spare Ribs, released in January this year, hit number four in the UK Albums Charts. They are set to tour the UK in November and December 2021, visiting cities such as Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, and Brighton. 

“ANCIENT DREAMS IN A MODERN LAND”⁣
⁣
JUNE 11TH.⁣
PRE-ORDER NOW. https://t.co/9d6WCoz7kk pic.twitter.com/TepqL8MHh1

— Marina (@MarinaDiamandis) April 14, 2021

The upbeat, guitar-heavy song covers a number of themes, including feminism, capitalism, the pandemic, and the climate crisis. The track is Marina’s first to be released in 2021, after 2020 brought About Love from the To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You film soundtrack, and Man’s World, the first single from the upcoming album. 

The music video has also been released. It was directed by Weird Life Films, who have made videos for Audrey Mika, Twin Peaks and Ravyn Lenae. The video stars Marina and shows her in a variety of weird and wacky outfits. It also features references to multiple films, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Wizard of Oz. 

Fans were very excited to see new material from the Welsh singer. 

chris.mackey_ posted: “Ahhh it’s so short that means each ones gonna be amazing . I hope there’s a deluxe too!!” 

Alexandragavillet wrote: “FROM EVERY DISASTER // YOU ARE NOT MY MASTER ILYSFM!!!!! ICON.” 

godseb_ added: “yes mama serve it ancient city style.” 

Marina said about her new music: “A lot of my motives were coming from a place of ego as opposed to creativity or love, but then I lost that feeling and it worried me because I thought all artists have big egos, or at least really good ones do. I thought, if I don’t have that feeling anymore, maybe it means I’m not a good artist and I should just stop.”

“A shift took place and it just felt like that identity had taken over, everything stopped feeling fun. I just didn’t feel comfortable anymore with this very stylised persona that I was building with my imagery.”

Formerly known as Marina and the Diamonds, Marina Lambrini Diamandis rose to fame after coming second in the BBC Sound of 2010 poll. Her four previous studio albums have all placed in the top ten of the UK Albums charts, with Electra Heart hitting number one. She is well-known for songs her Primadonna, Hollywood, and I Am Not A Robot.   

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Skeletons premiered as BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record in the World on 13th April. Speaking on the show with presenter Jack Saunders, the band mused: “I think we kinda got a bit fed up of playing really slow, sad songs all the time live. It was definitely from the touring… there was a gap in our set that Skeletons could fill quite nicely.”

“The lyrics for me, in this one, just kinda describe getting familiar with somebody but you know they’re probably bad for you – but you wanna go there anyway. I think we can all relate to that.”

Lead singer Murray Matravers said of the track: “‘Skeletons’ plays with the idea of a slightly mysterious and potentially terrifying past. Everyone has baggage and everyone has skeletons. Falling head over heels with somebody who may be bad news, we’ve all been there.”

The band are set to play the track on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in what will be their debut American television performance. Easy Life also recently announced that they will be touring the UK and Ireland in November 2021, and Europe in March and April 2022. They will be playing in cities including Glasgow, Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield and Brighton.

 

 

 

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Easy Life formed in Leicester in 2017, with bassist Sam Hewitt, guitarist Lewis Berry, drummer Oliver Cassidy and keyboardist Jordan Birtles joining Matravers. The group performed on Later… with Jools Holland in 2018. Their 2020 mixtape Junk Food hit number seven in the UK Albums charts, and they came second in the BBC Sound of 2020 poll.

#TRΔMPOLEИE
Big & Bouncy NEW ALBUM
‘Love No Less Than A Queen’
Pre-order now https://t.co/aOSsFhFoag
LIVE IN AUGUST: 18th Manchester/19th Cardiff/20th London
XxX @StrapOriginals Records, CDs and Tapes #FugaUK @This_Feeling @MetropolisMusic @petedoherty pic.twitter.com/ngtviK8R0z

— T R Δ M P O L E И E (@Trampolene_Band) April 12, 2021

Lead singer Jack Jones said of the release: “The album was a way of me summing up my life so far. It made me search into myself and understand that life really is a gift after all and that being at peace isn’t wrong or something you don’t deserve and it actually makes things better that way.” 

 “We’re all told we can be better, we can do more. It’s not always true. Repeat it so often it becomes hypnotic and surreal and loses any sense or meaning. Then you’re free to relax and be yourself.” 

The video for the new single was directed by Roger Sargent, who has also directed videos for The Libertines, Parma Violets, and Echo & the Bunnymen. The video shows the trio in the countryside, with fog and helmets adding an apocalyptic vibe. The band have also released an album trailer to give fans a sneak preview of the album. 

Trampolene is formed of bassist Wayne Thomas and drummer Jay Bone alongside Jones. Their first singles, My Bourgeoisie Girl/Under the Strobe Light and You Do Nothing For Me/Adrenaline, came out in 2013. Their debut album Swansea to Hornsey was listed as number 10 in The Independent’s 30 Best Albums of 2017. In 2019, the band played in support of Liam Gallagher and The Libertines. 

Gotta Do More Gotta Be More follows tracks Oh Lover and Come Join Me In Life, released in March and February respectively. Trampolene are set to perform three gigs in August 2021 –  at Deaf Institute in Manchester on 18th, The Globe in Cardiff on 19th, and Moth Club in London on 20th. 

Writing on Instagram, the English singer-songwriter posted: “It’s an honour to have P!nk on this record and I’m so glad she is able to be a part of it… ‘Anywhere Away From Here’ with @pink is out now.” 

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Pink commented on the collaboration: “… I had already fallen in love with his voice, and when we met in person I quickly learned he has a beautiful soul, too. Since then, I knew I wanted to work with him one day. ‘Anywhere Away From Here’ couldn’t be a better song for us to sing together. I’m so honoured to be a part of this collaboration.” 

A music video for the track has also been released. It was directed by Joe Connor, who has directed videos for Sam Smith, Biffy Clyro, and Coldplay. The video shows Rag’n’Bone Man and Pink in a theatre which has been taken over by nature. Rag’n’Bone Man described the song as “an honest reflection of wanting to disappear from uncomfortable situations – about the vulnerabilities that we all face.” 

Real name Rory Charles Graham, Rag’n’Bone Man rose to fame after the release of single Human in 2016. His debut album of the same name hit number one in the UK Album Charts and won the BBC Music Award for British Album of the Year. He has previously collaborated with artists such as Bastille, Calvin Harris, Gorrilaz, and Kae Tempest. 

Rag’n’Bone Man is scheduled to tour the UK and Ireland in October and November 2021. He is due to visit cities including Brighton, Dublin, Belfast, Leeds, Bristol, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Manchester and Plymouth. He is also set to play a string of three dates at the Jazz Café in London in June. 

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Festival organiser Matt Harrap said: “It’s so good to be back and we’re over the moon to finally announce our first wave of artists! After the 12 months we’ve all had, to have the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club, The Kooks, and Royal Blood to close off the Sunday night, Truck Festival 2021 is already proving to be one for the history books.” 

“We’re also thrilled to welcome back Idles to the main stage sunset slot, Little Simz closing the Market Stage and, of course, personal favourites Chubby and the Gang. It’s humbling to see all tickets have already sold out and it’s going to be a weekend to remember – see you at the bar?” 

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Bands took to social media to express their excitement at performing at a festival once again. 

@idlesband wrote: “We can’t wait to come back, last time was something truly special.” 

@royalblooduk posted: “We can’t wait to headline @TruckFestival this summer. It’s been almost two years since we last played a festival, it’s going to be quite a show.” 

@thekooksmusic added: “So excited to be playing @TruckFestival this summer. After last year’s cancellation, we can’t wait to get back on stage and celebrate with you all properly. It’s gonna be the biggest party ever! 

HERE WE BLOOOODYYY GOOOOO!

— Truck Festival (@TruckFestival) April 8, 2021

Although tickets are already sold out, you can sing up to the resale waiting list here. Other acts to perform at the festival include Little Simz, Circa Waves, Vistas, Sundara Karma, The Pigeon Detectives, Sports Team, and Orla Gartland. 

Speaking with presenter Jack Saunders on the show, the singer said: “The idea behind it is, lyrically, I just pictured post-apocalyptic, Earth-is-dying… really, really positive stuff! And you get to pick one thing to go and leave it with, and sometimes it may not be the thing that you thought it was or the person that you thought you would leave Earth with. And that was the idea that I was going with.”

The single was accompanied by a music video. In the ethereal video, Marten travels through a forest and across a lake in a Victorian-style dress, making her way towards a mysterious green light. The video was directed by Joe Wheatley, who has also directed for bands TV Priest and Do Nothing.

The singer posted on Instagram: “We made a video of whimsical canoeing for you to accompany COM, and we are really really proud of it. Thank you especially to the carp fishermen who helped me in and out the pond.”

The artist, real name Isabella Sophie Tweddle, shot to fame after a cover song she performed was posted on YouTube and quickly gained thousands of views. She released her first single Ribbon in 2014, was she was just fourteen years old. She has produced two albums – Writing of Blues and Yellows and Feeding Seahorses by Hand – and was nominated for the BBC Sound of 2016.

Marten will be touring the UK in September 2021, and is due to perform in Leeds, Glasgow, London, Leicester, Sheffield, Oxford, Birmingham, Cambridge and Manchester. Tickets go on sale on Friday 9th April.

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In a statement, the band said: “Hey Gunners, unfortunately we need to ask for your patience one more time. Our summer European tour dates will be rescheduled to 2022, but with the added bonus of new shows and special guest Gary Clark Jr.” 

“We continue to be thankful for your understanding and support during these unprecedented times. Light is at the end of the tunnel and we are looking forward to getting back on stage later this year in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and next year in Europe and more!” 

Guns N’ Roses formed in 1986, and currently includes lead singer Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan, guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and keyboardist Melissa Reese. The band released their first album Appetite for Destruction in 1987, which went on to become America’s best-selling debut album. It featured popular tracks Welcome to the Jungle, Paradise City, and Sweet Child o’ Mine. 

Guns N’ Roses have been teasing their hotly anticipated seventh album since 2018. In a 2020 interview with Guitar.com, Slash revealed: “There’s been no definitive answer on anything and I’ll just keep keep to that. Stuff is happening, but there are no specifics. More than anything, it’s because of the nature of the industry right now… I mean there’s material and there’s recording and there’s shit going on, but we’re not really sure what we’re doing with it right now.” 

Jedward posted on Twitter: “Every contestant on the Xfactor was a slave to the show and got paid Zero while they made millions!”, followed by “The fact that every contestant has to act like their judge mentors them! When in reality all they care about is their pay check!” 

Every contestant on the Xfactor was a slave to the show and got paid Zero while they made millions!

— JEDWARD (@planetjedward) April 5, 2021

They also wrote: “There’s a reason Syco is called Psycho! 1D and Little Mix are legally fucked in contracts and can never speak out so we are!” and “There’s nothing MODEST about their previous management dictating their every move from Relationships to how they live their own lives! Justice for 1D & Little Mix.” 

There’s nothing MODEST about their previous management dictating their every move from Relationships to how they live their own lives! Justice for 1D & Little Mix

— JEDWARD (@planetjedward) April 5, 2021

Jedward are not the first X Factor artists to speak out against poor treatment by music management. In March 2021, singer and X Factor finalist Rebecca Ferguson tweeted: “I am not even being silent anymore, You forced me to sign contracts, blackmailed me, bullied me, robbed me, I am not even being scared anymore I have looked back and I am disgusted in how you all treated an innocent young woman! who just wanted to sing! shame on you!” 

2012 finalist Lucy Spraggan said in a recent interview with OK Magazine: “There was absolutely no offer of support for anyone’s mental health, or really their physical health… They have a lot of questions to answer about duty of care across the board, not just ITV but the people behind it.” 

After placing sixth in the sixth series of The X Factor, Jedward went on to release four albums, the most recent being 2019’s Voice of a Rebel. The pair also represented Ireland in the 2011 and 2012 Eurovision Song Contests. They have also featured in a variety of documentaries and reality TV programmes, including Celebrity Big Brother. They have recently been known for being outspoken on current issues such as women’s rights, trans rights, and the Black Lives Matter movement.