From Some Friendly to Wham! The Singles.
1,366 albums that we heard together, over 1,213 days from March 23rd 2020. The Twitter @LlSTENlNG_PARTY was a beautiful thing. Thanks to everyone who joined us x x pic.twitter.com/RrZpClawf5

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) August 31, 2023

Tim Burgess, a member of The Charlatans, created this unique listening experience when the UK was plunged into lockdown in March 2020. Realising the loss of live music, he wanted to recreate this experience.

Tim used his Twitter platform to create the incredible show at the end of March 2020. Tim’s Listening Party saw huge success and in March 2023 he took the show to Absolute Radio.

Content Director for Absolute Radio, Paul Sylvester, said “Tim’s Listening Party has become a phenomenon. Giving audiences the chance to listen to the music and conversation while engaging with other fans on social media ties everything together.”

After 3 years of amazing success, at a time when the UK was down on its luck, Tim brought new meaning to live music. Inviting listeners to stream the album and follow along with him, joining other like-minded souls to converse about the songs and albums in real time.

Following on from his recent tweet, Tim reminded fans that there are over 1000 listening parties available to replay on their website.

He also added a further tweet, confirming there would not be a show on Absolute Radio this coming Sunday the 3rd September; however, the former Charlatan member told his listeners that next Sunday the 9th September at 10pm, there would be a special episode and he would be filling that guest spot and the show would be hosted by Danielle Perry.

It is still uncertain, if this will be the final Tim’s Listening Party show or not.

There’s no @LlSTENlNG_PARTY on @absoluteradio tomorrow but back next Sunday at 10pm with a special episode. @danielleperry will be the host, I’m the guest and Tellin’ Stories is the featured album. Join us… pic.twitter.com/q0OV2nRT9U

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) September 2, 2023

Fans and listeners took to Twitter in reply to Tim’s recent news, that it would be the end of Tim’s Listening Party.

One listener tweeted “A sad day if this is how it ends. You made a beautiful thing, Tim. I don’t think any of us who ever took part will ever forget it. A true beacon in dark days. Thanks so much and all at @LlSTENlNG_PARTY.”

A sad day if this is how it ends. You made a beautiful thing, Tim. I don’t think any of us who ever took part will ever forget it. A true beacon in dark days. Thanks so much and all at @LlSTENlNG_PARTY HQ ♥️

— Graham (@GrahamCD272) August 31, 2023

Another fan added to say, “Aye, a wonderful experience! The very best thing to rise from 2020 without a doubt.

Aye, a wonderful experience! The very best thing to rise from 2020 without a doubt.

Congratulations , you should all be very proud

— Alan C (@Konn63) August 31, 2023

No further details have been release by Tim Burgess. at to what those new endeavour’s may be. Only to tune into Absolute Radio next Sunday for that special episode.

Arlo Parks announced the exiting news of her award to her fans on Instagram two days ago, stating that she remembers uploading her ‘DIY Soundcloud Demo’s to BBC Introducing,’ at the age of just 16. She went on to state that she hopes her story ‘acts as a reminder that beautiful, big dreams can and do come true.’ Parks, who is a Singer-Songwriter/Poet from South London, was in good company at this years awards with fellow Londoner ‘Celeste,’ picking up the award for Sound of 2020.

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A post shared by Arlo Parks (@arlo.parks) on Oct 27, 2020 at 5:04am PDT

The BBC Introducing awards are an important reminder that, when given the right opportunities, anyone can make it in the music industry if they have enough talent. As Arlo Parks wishes for her audience, many are hopeful that seeing artists like her and Celeste breaking through and becoming successful will inspire more young musicians to follow their dreams and make the most what opportunities they can get their hands on, BBC Introducing being one of these.

Arlo Parks’ latest single ‘Green Eyes,’ came out just a few days before she received the award, the video for it premiering on Youtube on the 20th of October. The song has a laid back Rhythm and Blues vibe and blends smooth melody with lyrics laced with social commentary. The song talks about trusting ‘how you feel inside,’ and is critical of the judgemental nature of society and the difficulty people face when they find themselves existing outside of the ‘norm.’

The single comes in advance of Arlo Parks’ debut LP album which is available to pre-order in physical formats at various independent record stores, fans also have the option to pre-save the album on their preferred streaming platform if a physical copy is not for them. As well as writing her own songs, Parks is also known for her creative covers of songs some might not immediately expect from her. For example, in June this year she released on her Youtube channel a very stripped back, piano and vocal interpretations of Alternative Rock band Radiohead’s classic ‘Creep.’ 

Despite the ongoing coronavirus restrictions across the UK, Arlo Parks does have a tour planned in support of her upcoming album ‘Collapsed in Sunbeams,’ which covers a number of interesting venues across the country and commences in summer 2021. Full UK tour dates for Arlo Parks in 2021 are as follows:

12/05/2021 – Gorilla – Manchester
18/05 – The Mash House – Edinburgh
19/05 – Saint Luke’s – Glasgow
21/05 – Chalk – Brighton
25/05 – Hare & Hounds – Birmingham
26/05 – Belgrave Music Hall – Leeds
28/05 – Exhibition Park – Birmingham
29/05 – The Rescue Rooms – Nottingham
30/05 – Thekla – Bristol

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Lovely stuff. New album #E3AF out October 30th pre order link in bio.

A post shared by Dizzee Rascal (@dizzeerascal) on Oct 10, 2020 at 11:25am PDT

Dizzee took to his Instagram to comment on the award, saying ‘Lovely stuff’, and to remind followers that his highly anticipated new album E3AF is due for release on October 30th. Dizzee Rascal is no stranger to awards. His sensational debut album, Boy in da Corner, made him the youngest person ever to receive a Mercury Prize at 19 years old.

His contribution to the UK grime scene is unquestionable. Though his main achievement is surely bringing grime to the mainstream with Boy in da Corner, he also started Dirtee Stank Records in 2003 with a view to promoting promising artists with ‘social problems’ that might make major labels reluctant to take them on. Dirtee Stank has released several successful artists like Klass A and Newham Generals.

When Dizzee self produced his first single, aged 16, it was clear that he was operating in a different league from his musical contemporaries. I Luv U, with its glitchy beat, rapid cymbals and furious flow, put Dizzee on the map. The tonality of his voice here sounds like an instrument in itself, and his lyrics – although pretty derogatory by todays standards – feel entirely authentic.

This talent was first spotted by a music teacher at Langdon Park school, who was thanked in in the credits on Boy in da Corner‘s album sleeve. Dizzee wrote: ‘Special thanx to Mr. Smith, da best music teacher Langdon Park ever let go (you fools). I’ll never forget da way you kept the faith in me, even when things looked grim.’

Since then, Dizzee Rascal has released six albums, each one more innovative than the last. His most recent, Raskit, saw him ‘reclaim his crown’. It definitely signified a departure from the cocky lyricism of his earlier work, with tracks like Wot U Gonna Do? sounding like the concerns of an artist worried about fading into obscurity: ‘What you gonna do when they won’t play your records// And you don’t get booked ’cause your buzz is all gone’.

But Dizzee doesn’t have to worry about that. October 2nd release Body Loose, that sampled its beat from 2000’s garage classic Body Groove, was a catchy and inventive party-track and the rest of E3AF will be sure to deliver too. His MBE award is a well deserved reminder that the East London rapper is still very much relevant.

The news has been announced in an Instagram post with the following statement:
‘We’re so sorry to announce that Reading and Leeds 2020 will no longer be taking place. Please read our full statement above. Keep safe and see you all next year’

 

 

 

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A post shared by Reading & Leeds Festival (@officialrandl) on May 12, 2020 at 8:29am PDT

Liam Gallagher, Stormzy and Rage Against The Machine had been set to headline this year. Other artists included in the program were MIGOS, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Fender, Solardo, AJ Tracey, Tom Greenan and many more.

The tickets bought for this summer will remain valid, while refunds will also be available, assures the organisation.

The history of the two festivals goes back to the 1960s. Initially Reading and Leeds festivals were known as rock festivals. Over the years, however, the events became more versatile, attracting fans from many different genres.

Last year’s headliners included Post Malone, The 1975, Twenty One Pilots and Foo Fighters. Other acts included Pale Wave, Billie Eilish, Bastille, Blossoms and The Distillers. Billie Eilish’s live performance can be seen on the JmusiCall  YouTube Channel.

 

YUNGBLUD recently released a new single called ‘Weird!’. Like many other artists, he also addressed the difficult times of social isolation the world is currently living in.

In 2019 the young English artist was awarded with the NME Award for best music video for his song ‘Original Me’, featuring Dan Reynolds. YUNGBLUD was also nominated for Best British Solo Act and Best Solo Act In The World.

Earlier this year YUNGBLUD made a guest appearance in the Live Lounge Allstar performance of Foo Fighters’ ‘Times Like These’. This rendition of the song also included artists such as AJ Tracey, Paloma Faith, Rita Ora and Dua Lipa.