Konnakol, by definition, is the art of preforming percussion syllables vocally originating in South Asia. Not only did Malik name his album after this technique but implemented it in his new album. While Malik’s music has always been culturally inspired, this album overtly fuses identity with his sound. The opening track ‘Nusrat’ is intentionally named after musician Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a direct association to his Pakistani roots. Not only is his music influenced by his heritage, but so is the album cover. The symbolic cover art, which can be seen above, shows Malik’s face merged with a snow leopard, an animal native to South Asia.

In an interview with Elle India he explained this process: “We started with a click, didn’t even have a drum, which gave us the starting point, and built the track around the ad-libs and Konnakol influences, and then wrote over the track in English.” Explaining, “It’s always important for me to bring my culture into things because I feel that’s what makes me, me. There are not many Indian-Pakistani artists here in the West that the world knows, so it makes it unique and individual.”

The former One Direction member announced his tour back in February, being his first headline arena and stadium tour. The ‘Konnakol’ tour will begin on May 12^th kicking off his UK leg, he will perform in Manchester, Dublin, Glasgow, Birmingham, and London. The American leg will then start from the 14^th of June.

Unfortunately, Malik was rushed to hospital on the same day as his album release. He took to Instagram to say “To my fans- Thank you to all of you for your love & support now & always- been a long week and am still unexpectedly recovering. Heartbroken that I can’t see you all this week.”

“I wouldn’t be in the place I am today without you guys and am so thankful for your understanding. Thank you to the incredible hospital staff of Drs, nurses, cardiologist, management, admin and everyone who has helped along the way and continue to. You are all legends! Big big love xx z”

Although his illness remains a mystery, he is still scheduled to perform his first show in Manchester in the coming month. Tickets can be bought on Ticketmaster as well as other websites, and the new album can be listened to via all major streaming platforms.

This is without a doubt her biggest ever tour, which will take to central Europe after Britain.

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Last year, Dean’s ‘Messy’ tour was of an astonishingly small scale comparatively. It included venues like the Eventim Apollo in London, the O2 Academy in Bristol and the University Stylus in Leeds. None of the venues on that tour breached a capacity of 5,000.

She even performed to 70 people in a 2017 show. Next year she will play to over 20,000 fans per night as she visits London, Manchester and Glasgow on her sold out journey around the UK. the tour will head into central Europe following these dats, before finishing an Encore at Fairview Park, Dublin.

The 26 year old Londoner has had an impressive rise, particularly taking off within the last 6 years. In 2021 she was named as Amazon Music breakthrough artist of the year. She then bagged BBC Introducing artist of the year in 2023, a prestigious award that’s been won by names like Catfish and the Bottlemen, Declan McKenna and Nia Archives.

The artist also conquered TikTok earlier in the year with the release of the hit single ‘it isn’t perfect but it might be,’ which featured in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad about the boy.’ Fans fell obsessed with the nostalgic romantic feel of the song, often using the song a theme which can be heard across Dean’s discography.

@oliviadeano_it isn’t perfect but it might be! (live from rak studios) for bridget jones the movie directed by jake erland♬ It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be – from “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Olivia Dean

Dean’s 2023 debut album ‘’Messy’’ was nominated for a Mercury Prize and rightly so. The album is an eclectic masterclass. Unrestricted by the borders of genre, it dips into soul, r&b, pop, jazz and many more. It’s a journey of love, heartache and a real look into an empowering young woman embracing what life is throwing at her. It felt new and refreshing at the time, it feels even more so now.

Earlier this month we saw the same story after the singer released her third song from the upcoming album: ‘‘Man I Need’, this follows the songs ‘Nice to Each Other’ and ‘Lady Lady’, the first of which has done incredibly well.

Even more recently she collaborated with Sam Fender on a duet of his song ‘Rein Me in’, which was unveiled in front of 80,000 fans at St James’ park. Olivia Dean is a gem in the heart of the UK’s music scene, that is no longer a question, (if it ever was).

Speaking to Elle earlier in the year Dean comically pointed out one example of how she’s had to adjust to life as a star. “‘I used to be on the Tube saying all my personal business.’ She laughs, holding her phone up to mimic sending a voice note. ‘I’d be like, Sis, so basically, he said that…’ Then I realised I probably shouldn’t be doing that.’”

If you still want to see her you can, but you’ll need to catch a plane, train or boat to go with that ticket. The tour will showcase the eponymous album, which is set for release on September 26.

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The tour will hit some impressive venues with their biggest ever show at London Roundhouse. Along with them will be standout openers Liz Lawrence, Good Health Good Wealth and GANS. Good Health Good Wealth posted their excitement to join Big Special having supported them a week prior to the announcement.    

 

 

 

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The headline spot has come from a surge in popularity and growth for the band since their debut album ‘POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES’ in 2024. In an interview with Dork Magazine after its release, they found themselves struck by their newfound fame, stating: “We never thought we’d get out of the Birmingham scene, to be honest […] people in the South understanding what we’re on about just never occurred to me.”

The band’s roots have been important to the culmination of their sound and discography. Hicklin explains this with his lyrical inspiration from the poet Liz Berry. Hicklin says: “She’s a poet from the Black Country who writes in our dialect, and it made me think about using that a bit more.”

‘POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES’ is a soulful punk declaration from working class born voices featuring 15 raucous and vulnerable tracks.

Big Special are making their mark in the media with political rawness. Their song ‘Shithouse’ has recently featured in the latest season of hit speculative-fiction Netflix series Black Mirror. Known for its showcase of the underbelly of society, the show was a fitting place to home their stark, hard-hitting single. 

In an interview with Buzzmag, the band shared their thoughts on being labelled as a working class band and the trend of claiming these identities in the music industry. They share their experience, explaining “you’d have the awkward ‘Yeah I’m from Birmingham’ thing. Now, the funny flip is that when we meet other bands, they’re really embarrassed to tell us they’re from Surrey…”. Moloney goes on to say: “We never set out to be a working-class band. We’re just a band that’s giving an honest reflection of our lives.”

Big Special’s live performances are standout punk experiences that embrace authenticity with the band performing vulnerable tracks without glamour or gimmicks. The band have posted videos from their live gigs on YouTube.

Big special has an incredible set of tours and performances ahead with tickets available here.

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While Stewart made it clear this wasn’t the end of his live performances, the shift marks a significant change in the scale and style of his touring. He plans to focus on performing songs from The Great American Songbook series, and Swing Fever, an album he recorded with Jools Holland, in smaller venues starting in 2026.  

“Smaller venues and more intimacy,” he explained. However, Stewart left fans guessing, adding with characteristic cheek, “But then again, I may not [stop touring]…”  

Although he hasn’t explicitly detailed his reasons, Stewart hinted at age playing a role in his decision. In a recent interview with The Sun, he admitted, “I am more aware of my health now than before. You should be when you’re getting on.”  

In the summer, the singer cancelled three dates at his Las Vegas residency after contracting COVID-19, with one show cancelled only a few hours before he was set to take to the stage.

Stewart has spent decades on the road, beginning his touring career in the late 1960s as a member of the Jeff Beck Group. His first major solo tour came in 1977, where he performed 51 dates across North America, 10 in Australia and New Zealand, and 6 in the UK.  

Source: Setlist.fm

Fans have been overwhelmingly positive about the announcement, celebrating Stewart’s commitment to performing despite stepping back from arenas.   

Thanks for the memories Rod – all the way from the Glasgow Apollo in 1974 onwards . Looking forward to whatever comes next — Margaret Gray (@Stoneygray1) November 20, 2024

Stewart’s decision aligns with a trend among veteran musicians seeking more personal and stripped-back performances. Jonathan Richman famously transitioned to intimate acoustic shows to protect his hearing, and others, such as Sting and Noel Gallagher, have performed at smaller venues like Halifax’s Piece Hall, a historic location not traditionally associated with headline-worthy acts.

For now, Stewart has a busy schedule through 2025, with two American tours and a European tour culminating in his last large-scale show on August 15 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St Louis. Beyond that, fans will still be hoping for setlists filled with iconic hits like ‘Maggie May’, ‘Young Turks’, and ‘The First Cut is the Deepest’, even if they are more streamlined.

Rod Stewart’s move away from arena tours marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new chapter for him. His pivot to smaller venues promises a more intimate way to experience his timeless hits, and at 79, Rod the Mod is proving he’s still as energetic and unpredictable as ever.