Dame Shirley told PA News, “Receiving the Order of the Companions of Honour is just one of the most wonderful feelings. Music has always been a constant companion throughout my life. As a young girl growing up in Tiger Bay, I would dream of exploring the world, never imagining that my voice would lead me to where I am today. Every step of my career has been about taking risks, believing in myself, and seizing opportunities.” She further added, “Singing is my passion, and performing brings me immense joy. Entertaining audiences for over 70 years has been an absolute privilege. My heart is filled with emotions, and I am truly humbled.”

Born as the youngest of seven children in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Dame Shirley initially worked in a factory’s wrapping and packing department while performing at working men’s clubs on weekends. After touring the UK in various revues and variety shows, she achieved her first major success in 1957 with the calypso-style hit, “Banana Boat Song.” In January 1959, she became the first Welsh singer to top the charts with her single “As I Love You” from the album ‘The Bewitching Miss Bassey.’

Throughout her career, she has achieved numerous milestones, including being the first recipient of the Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist in 1977 and receiving the Freedom of the City of Cardiff. Her success has been unparalleled, with her records spending more time in the UK charts than any other British female artist. Between 1961 and 1991, she had an impressive 29 albums registered as best sellers. In 1964, she gained international fame with the iconic James Bond theme song, “Goldfinger,” and went on to record the theme songs for “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Moonraker.” In 1997, she achieved another notable hit with the Propellerheads and “History Repeating.”

She became the first female music artist to receive a dedicated stamp issue, marking a significant milestone in her career. The stamps showcased various iconic moments in her musical journey, including her performances at renowned venues and events. These included her captivating performance at the Pigalle nightclub in 1965, her memorable appearance in Bournemouth in 1974, and her electrifying presence at the BBC Electric Proms in 2009. Additionally, the stamps highlighted her powerful rendition of “World In Union” alongside Bryn Terfel during the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup in 1999, as well as her enchanting performance at the Oscars in 2013.

Furthermore, this powerful and sultry performer paid tribute to her extraordinary talent by releasing a limited-edition series of coins. These coins featured a design that showcased her name and silhouette, capturing her iconic arms-outstretched pose. The coin also honoured her connection to her roots with a depiction of the Welsh dragon, while the names of her three James Bond theme tunes were elegantly embossed on the coin’s surface. This commemorative coin serves as a timeless tribute to her remarkable contributions to the world of music.

Interestingly, this is the first time that George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s song has reached number one during Christmas week. Ridgeley expressed his delight and humility at achieving this milestone, stating,“It’s marvellous and humbling to have got there. Top of the pile is a great place to be.” He added that Michael, who died in 2016, had always wanted the song to be a Christmas number one.”He felt any great songwriter should be able to write a Christmas hit to order. Unfortunately, it’s taken too long for George – but he’d be absolutely over the moon.”

The Top Five Christmas Songs

1. Wham! – “Last Christmas”
2. Sam Ryder – “You’re Christmas To Me”
3. Mariah Carey – “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
4. Noah Kahan – “Stick Season”
5. Ed Sheeran and Elton John – “Merry Christmas”

For the past five years, the charity campaigners LadBaby have secured the coveted Christmas number one spot with their singles aimed at raising funds for food-related causes. However, this year they decided not to participate, leaving the title up for grabs. Out of the top 40 songs this week, a total of 33 were Christmas-themed, including popular tracks like Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” and Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.”

“Last Christmas” was written by George Michael in his childhood bedroom in February 1984. In an interview with Smash Hits in 1986, he confidently stated, “As far as I was concerned, it was a number one.” The inspiration for the song struck unexpectedly while the singer was spending time at his parents’ house in Hertfordshire. According to Andrew Ridgeley, Michael’s bandmate, “There was a footy match on the telly and he suddenly jumped up and disappeared upstairs where he had a little four-track studio. About an hour later, he came back and said, ‘Andy Andy, you’ve got to listen to this’. I rarely saw him as excited or as animated as that. And as soon as I heard it, it was so apparent that it had all the hallmarks of a Christmas classic. It was a jaw-dropping moment.”

@smoothradio The story of Last Christmas, told by Wham!’s Andrew Ridgeley #lastchristmas #lastchristmaschallenge #georgemichael #andrewridgeley #smoothradio Last Christmas –

The song was then recorded in August at London’s Advision Studios, which Michael adorned with Christmas decorations to create the right atmosphere. When the duo played the song for their families, Ridgeley recalled, “It claimed its first victim. One of my mother’s friends had a romance at Christmas, which is what the song is about. She got jilted and when she heard it, she burst into tears.”

The iconic and cheerful music video, featuring Wham!’s backing singers Pepsi & Shirlie and model Kathy Hill, was filmed later that year in Switzerland. In addition to the memorable chunky knitwear and the prominent silver brooch, the video also marked the final time Michael would be seen without his trademark designer stubble.

Sam Ryder emerged as a strong competitor to Wham! this year with his track “You’re Christmas To Me.” this track received a boost in the charts thanks to support from Amazon. Despite an extensive publicity campaign, Ryder couldn’t surpass Wham!’s dominance but remained enthusiastic about his achievement. The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl also made a bid for the number one spot with “Fairytale of New York,” landing in sixth place.

The album features three original songs by the Grammy award-winning jazz and soul performer as well as jazz-age standards and soulful tracks from the 1960s. He mentions “In my writing, there are elements of Bill Withers, there is a song from Stevie Wonder..from Marvin Gaye”. There is also a guest performance from the American, Grammy-winning Samara Joy on Broadway songwriter Frank Loesser’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve”.

Listen to the album here

Following his summer stint playing three sold-out shows at “London’s Most Iconic Venue”, Royal Albert Hall this June, the singer is returning for a fourth and final performance of the year on December 13th – get tickets here (There is only standing availability on offer now). The London show will be part of his current winter tour in both the UK and internationally. 

Described as “a jazz singer of thrilling presence, a booming baritone with a gift for earthy refinement and soaring uplift”, Gregory Porter has become known for many things: his outstanding voice, his ability to bring audiences to joyful tears and ‘lo and behold’ his hat, which he wears every time he performs. 

Porter responded to curiosity about the hat, stating ‘I’ve had some surgery on my skin, so this has been my look for a little while and will continue to be for a while longer. People recognise me by it now. It is what it is.” 

Years later he added that it has become his style. He thought “Actually, this is comfortable, this is a look. I started to sing and people were like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s the guy with the hat.’ So it became a thing.” However, the vocalist reported that he would like his fans to focus on “his heart and sound” rather than the accessory. 

Porter was on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ earlier today, speaking of his first-ever festive album and also joining in some festive cooking. Whilst getting into the Christmas spirit, he showed viewers how he makes his family’s festive favourites,  sweet potato pie with crumbly shortcrust pastry.

Ex-Saturday’s singer and presenter Rochelle Humes questioned him on why he hasn’t put out a Christmas album before. Jestingly, he replied, “I wanted to start my career off with a Christmas album and they didn’t let me!…so now is the time”. He talked about elements of influence on him and his sound “Stylistically I’m using gospel, blues, soul to tell the Christmas story” 

Then on his mum’s influence, the woman who taught him how to sing, he says “There were 8 of us, 5 boys and 3 girls, she would cook food… Turkey, greens… sweet potato pie… filled the table with food. We thought we were gonna eat and we loaded it into the truck and we went around and fed the homeless people” “Then we brought the food back and we ate the leftovers…..she was teaching… she did it from her heart..that’s the kind of thing you do on Christmas day”. 

In a harmonious collaboration, the choir and the death metal band joined forces and recorded three captivating tracks together. The village hall in the county became a sanctuary of creativity as forty choir members lent their voices to the band’s new tunes for the mesmerizing Riddles of the Sycophants album.

Since then, the band has been on an exhilarating musical journey, captivating audiences across Europe with their symphonic melodies. From enchanting performances in France, Switzerland, Germany, to the captivating landscapes of Finland, Ghosts of Atlantis has left an indelible mark on the hearts of their listeners.

Colin Parks said, “You think death metal and stuff, you think maybe some alcohol, but it was tea and hobnobs.” He went on to say, “They are a community choir, and we are obviously from Suffolk as well, and it was nice that two worlds collided to do something a bit unique that no-one else was really doing. It has given fans a chance to listen to something that our fans wouldn’t have normally experienced and vice versa and I think we have seen quite a nice crossover which breaks down barriers and that was important.”

Pop Chorus director Yula Andrews said, “We’re always trying to create memorable experiences for our singers…sometimes opportunities you’ve never even dreamed of jump out at you. I couldn’t resist putting us forward to record with Ghosts Of Atlantis. Our singers are always keen to embrace a new challenge!”

With a staggering fan base of over 6,000 followers on Instagram, the band’s popularity continues to soar. Their second album, accompanied by the enchanting harmonies of the Pop Chorus, was released just last week. The pop choir featured on “Lands of Snows”, “Empires Burn at Dawn”, and title track from the album “Riddles of the Sycophants”

Attention was drawn to the topic of musicians’ touring methods during the summer, with Beyoncé supposedly opting for a private jet to reach her concert in Cardiff, while Coldplay’s Chris Martin chose a more environmentally friendly approach by taking the train to the same city a few weeks later.

Chris Roberts, from Cardiff, said, “We’re not at all suggesting that everyone should give up driving and walk to all their gigs because it has completely taken over our lives, but things like choosing more sustainable routes (should be considered).”

The guitar player said the 27-year-olds had discovered “how little stuff” they need to gig, each carrying a 15kg (33lb) bag. Seth, from Gloucestershire, said, “I’ve got kind of a medium-sized backpack and using an elaborate system of carabiners, my fiddle is strapped to the back of a bag, and I’ve also got the mic. Chris has got his sort of massive guitar, which has got various bag straps on the outside of it and clothes stuffed in with the guitar.”

In the diverse city of Birmingham, Seth and Chris convene to create harmonious melodies inspired by the rich folklore of their respective origins, Wales and Gloucestershire. Operating under the name Filkin’s Drift, this musical duo seamlessly merges traditional and modern elements, skillfully intertwining the sounds of the fiddle and guitar with their captivating vocal harmonies.

Their intricate interplay on the fretted instruments evokes a sense of ornate beauty reminiscent of the Baroque era, while their lively fiddle and guitar tunes ignite the passion of audiences throughout the United Kingdom.

In addition to performing alongside Filkin’s Drift, Chris Roberts embarks on tours alongside pop singer Tanita Tikaram, collaborates on composing lullabies with new parents, and conducts workshops in SEND schools.

Seth Bye, an accomplished violinist, composer, and educator, has graced the stages of prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Cecil Sharpe House. He has also been a part of renowned festivals like Boomtown, Greenman, and Shambala. In addition to his solo performances, Seth is a member of the highly acclaimed Balkan band, The Destroyers, who were recently featured on BBC 1 for their performance at the Commonwealth Games. He has also toured with Giffords Circus, showcasing his skills on the fiddle, banjo, and accordion.

The latest scheme to provide such support is ‘Ride for Music’ a campaign recently launched by mobility app FREENOW. Under this scheme, the app pledges £1 for every taxi ride to the UK’s Music Venue Trust, a charity that works towards safeguarding and enhancing venues in the UK. FREENOW has committed to a minimum pledge of £200,000.

“FREENOW’s Ride For Music initiative will donate £1 for every taxi ride booked through the app to MVT, at no extra cost to the customer.”https://t.co/VLonynxwXS @BigIssue @FreeNow_UK

— Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust) October 18, 2023

Michelle de Maat, Head of Marketing at FREENOW UK said, “Music has such a positive impact on people’s lives and on their mental wellbeing, so supporting live music and preserving venues is key to making city life more vibrant for all. By contributing to the resilience of these vital spaces during such challenging times, we aim to ensure that the stages remain lit, and artists have a place to showcase their talent. Ultimately, this supports our users, drivers and all those who rely on these exceptional venues and a thriving nightlife throughout the country.”

Mark Davyd, Founder and CEO of Music Venue Trust, added, “The Ride for Music initiative gives every music fan in the UK an opportunity to play a role in directly supporting grassroots music venues. It’s exactly the type of joined up, creative thinking that we need to tackle the crisis facing our grassroots sector. People can make a genuine difference helping to prevent venue closures, support artists, crew and staff. FREENOW have made it simple for you to be part of the solution, and help the whole music and night time economy.”

Ed Sheeran said “Like so many musicians, I started out playing in grassroots music venues. They are such a vital part of the music ecosystem. Without them, I definitely would not have had the chance to hone my craft and become the artist I am today. I applaud the Ride for Music campaign and hope it raises loads of money for Music Venue Trust, who work tirelessly to both protect and promote these wonderful spaces.”

In 2008, Ed Sheeran relocated to London with the intention of pursuing a career in music. He began by performing at small venues and engaging in busking. The success of Sheeran and the necessity of grassroots venues in providing a crucial stepping stone for all musical talents is evident. This has led to the global stardom of artists such as Ed Sheeran.

With support from big ticket companies such as Ticketmaster and WeGotTickets along with the governments investment pledge of £5milliion back in June this year. There is hope for the survival of grassroot venues, which play a vital role on  metal health according to recent publications from the Big Issue, they stated “The UK is a nation of music lovers – in a new survey, 89% said live concerts have a positive effect on their mental health – yet the spiralling cost of living crisis has caused many to forgo that wellbeing boost.”

By using FREENOW for their taxi rides, individuals can contribute towards the promotion of live music across the country. Further information on downloading FREENOW can be found on the official website. You can also click here to donate and help support Music Venue Trust in it’s pledge to aid the survival of grassroot venues.

Leo Sayer, who was born in Shoreham-by-Sea near Brighton and Hove, England, gained popularity during the 1970s and early 1980s, spending a total of 151 weeks on the UK Singles Chart. His first seven hit singles in the UK all reached the Top 10, cementing his success in the music industry.

In a recent Facebook post, Leo provided an update on his health, revealing that he was still receiving treatment in an Australian hospital for kidney, bladder, and prostate complications. Despite not having shared his condition publicly before, Leo expressed his gratitude for the support and well wishes he has received from his fans during this difficult time.

He said “I’m so sorry to have disappointed my fans but these things can happen to us 75 year olds! I’m still in hospital now but well on the mend. I will take a necessary short break from activities and be back fighting fit for shows in 2024. – particularly my UK and Ireland tour next autumn. Thank you everyone for all your concerns and good wishes…”

Leo’s fans took to Facebook to comment on his post sending their well wishes. One fan had this to say,“Take care & take your time to get really well and strong again to rock the stages…. Best wishes.” and another said, “Wishing you a speedy and full recovery Leo. Looking forward to your next UK tour whenever that takes place.”

His last significant success came in 2006, when DJ Meck remixed his timeless track “Thunder In My Heart”, propelling it to the top of the UK charts

but Sayer remained in the limelight when in 2007, his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother garnered a new generation of fans, as he became part of one of the most memorable moments in the show’s history. This occurred when Channel 4 declined to provide him with clean underwear.

Sayer’s latest album, Selfie, was released in 2019, recorded in the peaceful surroundings of his Queensland home with his wife, Donatella Piccinetti.

Leo is yet to confirm when he will be back on the road, along with new tour dates for 2024.

We’ve never headlined a festival three times, and @aclfestival, we still can’t get enough.

Thank you Austin High and Huston-Tillotson concert choir for sharing your talent and joy with us. The future of Austin is in fine, fine hands. pic.twitter.com/6VKCQKQyoy

— Mumford & Sons (@MumfordAndSons) October 10, 2023

Adding to the excitement, the band welcomed surprise guest Noah Kahan to join them on stage. This remarkable performance was reported by The Austin-American Statesman, leaving fans in awe of the band’s talent and spontaneity.

Mumford & Sons is widely recognized as a folk rock band, known for their unique blend of bluegrass and folk instrumentation. Their music prominently uses acoustic guitar, banjo, piano, and double bass, all played with a rhythmic style that draws influences from alternative rock and folk genres.

In 2009, Mumford & Sons signed a deal with Island Records, marking a significant milestone in their career. The release of their single “Little Lion Man” that same year propelled them to new heights, quickly climbing the charts. This success was further solidified with the release of their debut studio album, Sigh No More. The album sold over a million copies in the United Kingdom.

Throughout their musical journey, Mumford & Sons have achieved numerous accolades and awards. Notably, Sigh No More earned the band the prestigious Brit Award for Best British Album in 2011, as well as a nomination for the esteemed Mercury Prize. Additionally, the band received six Grammy Award nominations, further cementing their status as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Their live performance at the 2011 Grammy ceremony alongside Bob Dylan and The Avett Brothers proved to be a pivotal moment, catapulting them into even greater popularity.

During the performance, the lead vocalist Marcus Mumford and Kahan exchanged vocals on a simplified ballad, with Mumford providing additional support on the electric guitar. Here are some of the lyrics they sang, “Maybe I’m halfway out the door, this wasn’t what I was expecting, maybe I’m spoiled, maybe I’m getting old, maybe I indulged too much before. This wasn’t what I was expecting.” before both artists harmonized together, “Will you stop your screamin’ just for a second, I really don’t care what you think, But I care how you feel. And I want to be there and in your arms, just sit here together for a time. Let’s watch the world go ’round, let’s watch the tykes with the light in their eyes.”

Mumford & Sons’ highly anticipated release of “Maybe” marks their first single since 2020, following the success of their fourth and latest studio album, Delta, which was released in 2018. Kahan proves to be a good debut match for Mumford and Sons with his musical repertoire encompassing 21st-century folk compositions. Lead vocalist Marcus Mumford had previously hinted at the band’s commencement of work on a new album in November of last year and had this to say, “I’ve got a bunch that are kind of ready to go. And then we’ll make a record, and tour it, and get to do what we love.”

According to their claims, Holmes borrowed $20 million (£16.3 million) from the promoter in 2015. Holmes has been instrumental in managing Coldplay’s recordings and live performances since their third studio album, X&Y, released in 2005. Throughout his tenure, he contributed to the successful production and release of seven albums and six tours, including the highly lucrative Music of the Spheres worldwide tour.

Additionally, Coldplay has accused Holmes of insufficiently overseeing and managing the financial aspects of the extensive 165-stop tour. Consequently, the band alleged they were burdened with the responsibility of covering expenses incurred for costly equipment that ultimately proved to be either unnecessary or unusable. They allege that the production of 16 custom-made stage pylons amounted to a staggering €10.6 million, yet they were never utilised throughout the tour. Similarly, they claim a visual projector named the Jet Screen, valued at £9.7 million, was allegedly constructed with incorrect dimensions and could only be employed for a mere 10 performances.

As per the lawsuit obtained by Billboard, Mr. Holmes has alleged that he was responsible for organising recording sessions, samples, and string arrangements for Coldplay’s 10th album and their potential 11th studio album release. Additionally, he has claimed that he is entitled to commission for the advances made towards Coldplay’s upcoming albums, including the £35m paid by Parlophone Records, a subsidiary of Warner Group, for their 10th album.

Annie told the House of Commons committee that an alarming number of stories have yet to emerge. Her further comments on the music industry were that it was a “boys club” and “the system is kind of rigged against women.”

Author of the new book The Mess We’re In, Annie Mac, gave evidence to the committee at the House of Commons, where she told them of a young singer and a record producer who kept asking her not to go home, and “then when they go out in the street, he sexually assaulted her,” she said.

@itvnews DJ Annie Mac says music industry has ‘tidal wave’ of sexual abuse cases and is ‘boys’ club’ #itvnews #anniemac #music ♬ original sound – itvnews

Musicians Union published survey evidence to UK Parliament in 2022, were the idea of the music sector being a “boys club” was reported in the latest stats. They MU published this statement, “Respondents to the MU 2022 snapshot survey commented on the lack of women in workplaces across the sector and a distinct lack of female role models and women in leadership positions. More than one participant commented “it’s a boys club”. This emerged as a main theme and one of the reasons why respondents felt that many cultures and working environments in the music industry are misogynistic by nature” “The 2020 UK Music Diversity Taskforce survey found that in there is an underrepresentation of women in senior positions within the sector. Women represent 40.4% of the sector at senior level. “

Musicians Union is the UK’s trade union for all musicians across the UK, working in all sectors of the music business. They help members negotiate with major employers in the industry and offer a range of support services for musicians; however, most are unaware of them.

Annie further comments, “There needs to be some sort of a shift in women feeling like they’re able to speak out without their careers being compromised.”

Further reports from the MU snapshot survey presented statistics on sexual harassment. At 48%, almost half of the 800 musicians surveyed reported sexual harassment; 58% said they had witnessed sexual harassment; 85% had experienced sexual harassment but did not report it; and 40% did not report it for fear of losing work.

Macmanus told the MP’s “That is that women, especially young women in the music industry, are consistently underestimated and undermined, and freelance women are consistently put in situations where they are unsafe.”

Findings by the Musician Union allegedly found that there were power imbalance’s between freelancers and the people who engage them. The common views of many members during the survey said “When a freelancer relies on an individual for work, they are less likely to speak out.”

Misogyny in the music industry, suggests it may spread further than just alleged claims of a sexual nature but to supposed pay gaps, mental health, a lack of access to professional training and development, and being passed over for promotions. These alleged claims come from Be The Change case study of sexual harassment in the music industry in 2023.

The UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee launched its ‘Misogyny in Music’. This brought in evidence from the BBC, that last year only one in ten headliners were female at the UK’s top music festivals. It also has MP’s asking questions about the safety of female musicians at UK music festivals.

Annie Mac said she has not “experienced or witnessed any sexual misconduct firsthand.” and believes her 19 years working with the BBC provided her with a “shield of protection to talk about such issues.” but most concerning she added “The thing that worries me the most is the rapes that are going unreported. That’s what concerns me the most – the fact that women feel like they can’t speak up.”

To purchase Annie Macmanus’s new book click the link here.