mxdwn.co.uk » Bananarama https://www.mxdwn.co.uk all that matters in music in the UK Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:12:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 DJ Boys Noize Releases Turbo-Charged Rework Of Bananarama Classic Hit ‘Venus’ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/dj-boys-noize-releases-turbo-charged-rework-of-bananarama-classic-hit-venus/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/dj-boys-noize-releases-turbo-charged-rework-of-bananarama-classic-hit-venus/#comments Mon, 21 Aug 2023 19:18:09 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=63751 Critically acclaimed DJ and producer Boys Noize has dropped a new rework of Bananarama’s hit 1986 classic, “Venus.” The German born DJ has previously remixed a number of other artist’s work including Depeche Mode and The Chemical Brothers.

“Venus,” itself a cover by Dutch rock band Shocking Blue, was a considerable hit for Bananarama, making the dance floor hit a global sensation and earning the trio a top ten place in the UK charts. Now, Boys Noize has taken a turn reworking the single and has added his own, high speed spin on the track-ensuring the song is a hit on the dance floor once again.

Boys Noize of his newest release, “when the request came in I was quite excited to take this on. I really enjoyed the challenge making the classic work in my DJ sets, speeding it up and making it pop on new sound systems. Besides the vocals, some of the original worked really well in my new musical dress too-it’s really fun to play this one!”


Formed in London and Ireland in 1980, Bananarama were an unprecedented success for an all female pop/dance group, announcing themselves on the scene with a top ten collaboration with Fun Boy Three on “It Ain’t What You Do (It’s The Way That You Do It).” The group would have similar chart topping success throughout the 80s with songs such as “Cruel Summer,” “Love In The First Degree,” and “I Want You Back.”

By the early 1990s, the group became a duo, continuing on with original members Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward-the pair remaining active as Bananarama to this day. The group released their latest album Masquerade in 2022. Celebrating 40 years, Bananarama have released a re-mix of their hit song “Cruel Summer” as well as “Venus” by Boys Noize.


Boys Noize, also known by his given name, Alex Ridha, is a German-Iraqi record producer and songwriter. Having notable success as a DJ, Boys Noize has received high praise from a number of music outlets, with many citing him as one of the best currently active DJs in the world. Boys Noize has also produced records for Kano, The Black-Eyed Peas and Kelis as well as winning a Grammy Award for Lady Gaga’s “Rain On Me,” featuring Ariana Grande.

Boys Noize will be playing a live show in London this October with VTSS. Tickets can be purchased here.

Boys Noize Tour:

27/08/2023 – Solomun + 1 – Ibiza, Spain
15/10 – E1 x Percolate – London

Bananarama Tour:

16/09/2023 – Radio 2 In The Park – Leicester

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/dj-boys-noize-releases-turbo-charged-rework-of-bananarama-classic-hit-venus/feed/ 0 Jamie T Claims First-Ever Number One Album With ‘The Theory Of Whatever’ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/jamie-t-claims-first-ever-number-one-album-with-the-theory-of-whatever/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/jamie-t-claims-first-ever-number-one-album-with-the-theory-of-whatever/#comments Sat, 30 Jul 2022 16:24:42 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=57685 Indie rocker Jamie T has claimed his first ever UK number one album, the singer’s recent release The Theory Of Whatever has been named this week’s number one. After a six-year hiatus from the charts, Jamie T’s new album has also topped the Official Vinyl Albums chart by selling the most copies on wax.

Speaking on his recent win, Jamie T told OfficialCharts.com, “Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for the support on the album. Thank you for the Number 1!“. The “Calm Down Dearest” singer took to social media to announce his award; within the post, the singer also confirmed the date for an upcoming show. The concert will see Jamie T headline a homecoming show at London’s Finsbury Park; the singer will perform to an audience of 45,000, marking his biggest show to date. The singer-songwriter will be joined by a roster full of special guests, further details concerning the event will be announced in due course.

Otherwise known as Jamie Alexander Treays, the singer’s number one album was released on 22nd July 2022 via Polydor Records. The Theory Of Whatever was proceeded by three singles, “The Old Style Raiders“, “St. George Wharf Tower“, and “Between The Rocks“. Before its release, Treays began to tease and promote the album’s release; on 27th April 2022 the singer confirmed The Theory Of Whatever’s release. The Theory of Whatever is the first release of new material since Jamie T’s break; the singer’s previous album Trick dropped in 2016.

Although The Theory Of Whatever is Jamie T’s first number one album, the singer has cracked the album charts top 5 four times before. The songwriter’s debut album Panic Prevention was released in 2007 and reached number 4 within the charts; the release was praised for its use of themes concerning youth culture and lyrical content. The singer’s second album Kings & Queens dropped two years later and charted at number 2; the album’s lead single “Sticks’ n’ Stones” also sired chart success and position within the singles charts top 20. Jamie T scored a hat trick in 2014 when Carry On Grudge reached number 4 within the album charts; Trick also charted well and placed at number 3.

Elsewhere within this week’s album charts, pop icons Bananarama have scored their highest position within the UK Official Album charts in 34 years. The duo’s twelfth studio album Masquerade has charted at number 22; the album marks their first top 20 release since The Greatest Hits Collection. The compilation album was the band’s first Greatest Hits LP and was released via London Records in 1988; via its original release, the album placed at number 3 on the UK Albums charts.

Earlier this month, Jamie T confirmed that he had added further dates to his upcoming The Theory Of Whatever Tour. Due to start this November, the headlining tour originally consisted of 10 dates and was initially meant to start on 10th November 2022 with a set in Newcastle. Due to popular demand, the singer added two more stops and will now kick off the tour on 8th November 2022. The second new date has been scheduled to close the series of live shows on 23rd November 2022 at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse.

Prior to setting out on his UK tour, Jamie T will perform a series of album release shows in celebration of The Theory Of Whatever. The string of intimate live shows are set to start today with a set at Southampton’s Engine Rooms in partnership with Vinilo Records, the seventh and last show will take place on 8th August at Bristol’s Thekla with Rough Trade Records.

Jamie T UK Tour Dates

Acoustic Record Store Tour

30/07/2022 – Engine Rooms/Vinilo Records – Southampton
01/08 – Chalk/Resident Records – Brighton
02/08 – Empire/HMV – Coventry
04/08 – Brudenell Social Club/ Crash Records – Liverpool
05/08 – Liquid Room/Assai Records – Edinburgh
07/08 – Hanger 34/Jacdranda Records – Liverpool
08/08 – Thekla/Rough Trade Records – Bristol

The Theory Of Whatever UK Tour

08/11/2022 – O2 Academy – Glasgow
10/11 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle
11/11 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
12/11 – O2 Academy – Leeds
14/11 – O2 Academy – Glasgow
15/11 – O2 Academy – Sheffield
17/11 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
18/11 – Alexandra Palace – London
21/11 – University Great Hall – Cardiff
22/11 – Guildhall – Portsmouth
23/11 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester

Click here to purchase tickets.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/jamie-t-claims-first-ever-number-one-album-with-the-theory-of-whatever/feed/ 0 Melanie C and Mark Owen Confirmed To Join Lineup For BBC Radio 2 Live https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/melanie-c-and-mark-owen-confirmed-to-join-lineup-for-bbc-radio-2-live/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/melanie-c-and-mark-owen-confirmed-to-join-lineup-for-bbc-radio-2-live/#comments Wed, 15 Jun 2022 21:02:45 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=56737 The line-up for this year’s BBC Radio 2 Live event has now been confirmed, the announcement was made on the morning of Tuesday 14th June 2022 via The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. The annual live event is usually held at London’s Hyde Park but this year sees the two-day event held in a new venue. Set to take place on 17th-18th September 2022, the global network’s beloved celebration of live music will be held at Leeds’ Temple Newsam Park.

Leader of the Leeds City Council, Councillor James Lewis has given a statement concerning the event’s new home, “It’s hugely exciting to see such a star-studded line-up of world-class artists being announced and we can’t wait to see them in Leeds for what will be an incredible occasion for music lovers and for the city as a whole. It’s also a massive endorsement for Leeds and its growing reputation as the place to see some of the biggest names in music. Temple Newsam is the ideal stage for this kind of spectacular event too and we can’t wait to give these amazing acts a proper Leeds welcome.”

The impressive line-up announced by veteran DJ Zoe Ball reads like a who’s who of popular music, set to take the stage on Sunday are Melanie C and Mark Owen. Joining the Spice Girl and former Take That band member are George Ezra, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Emeli Sandé, Olly Murs and M People frontwoman Heather Small. Further legendary British artists are set to perform on Saturday, scheduled to perform on the event’s first day are Simple Minds, Tears For Fears, iconic girl group Bananarama, Ella Henderson, “Ruby” hitmakers Kaiser Chiefs, Craig David and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Concerning the upcoming event, Head of Music for Radio 2 Jeff Smith has given the following statement, “We’re so pleased to be announcing the stellar artist lineup for Radio 2 Live, as our annual event spreads its wings for the first time across the UK. This year we will be in Leeds with two days of incredible music from an amazing lineup of musicians. Having been without it for so long we all really appreciate how important live music is to all our lives and so we invite everyone to join us for Radio 2 Live in Leeds at Temple Newsam Park or to listen or watch our weekend via BBC Sounds or iPlayer.”

The annual event will be returning to a traditional live format this year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced previous years to be reconfigured to meet the then-established guidelines. In 2020 and 2021 the event was renamed BBC Radio 2 Live at Home and consisted of concerts held in Cardiff, Manchester, Belfast and Glasgow. Further details concerning the lineup are yet to be announced, BBC radio 2 have established that two more acts for both dates will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

For those unable to attend, the event will be broadcasted live across the BBC’s network stations. The live music extravaganza will also be made available to watch on-demand via BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer. Music fans will also be able to catch the festival’s highlights on 24th September 2022 via BBC Two. Tickets will be available to purchase from Thursday 16th June 2022 at 8 am via this link.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/melanie-c-and-mark-owen-confirmed-to-join-lineup-for-bbc-radio-2-live/feed/ 0 First Wave of Acts Announced For Coventry’s Godiva Festival https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/new-acts-announced-for-coventrys-godiva-festival/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/new-acts-announced-for-coventrys-godiva-festival/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2022 08:35:47 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=56371 After a glorious hit at this years BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Coventry will be also be hosting  ‘Godiva Festival’ later in the year. The festival is set to take place on the 2nd-4th September, in War Memorial Park. Since 1998 the festival has been held at this venue in Coventry. The three-day event will provide fantastic live music from big artists and bands, family entertainment, broad selections of food and drink, a craft village and a fun fair suitable for children.

Godiva Festival prides itself on offering the best of Coventry and Warwickshire backed up by top national artists and performers. Craig David, The Human League, Supergrass, Sister Sledge, Kano, Sophie Ellis – Bextor, The Fratellis and Kasabian are just a few of the established names who have entertained the crowds in the past. Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council and Cabinet Member for Events said, “Our aim with Godiva has always been to have acts that have diverse musical styles that appeal to all the family. I’m happy to say that this year’s line-up continues that trend”.

This year’s headliners include, The Libertines, Tom Grennan, Bananarama, LUUDE, Beardyman. There are also set to be performances from Katy B, A1 x J1, Gracey, Neville Staple (from The Specials), Georgie Riot, The Feeling, Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club, Idle Noise, The Subways, Caitlin McCarthy and The Dirt Road Band. More details about the lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.

Andy Williams, who is the Director of Business, Investment and Culture at Coventry City Council said: “We’re incredibly thrilled to be able to announce the first wave of artists for this year’s festival. Godiva Festival has long had a reputation for mixing top name acts with some of this city’s finest talent and this year’s line-up is no different. From indie-rock and pop to ska and dance, there really is something for everyone here. It’s shaping up to be another fantastic festival and we’ll have more exciting announcements in the months to come too. We are also very conscious of the challenging times financially that lots of people are facing at present, so I encourage everyone to get their tickets early to save money and avoid missing out.”

The announcement of the first wave of artists comes at the same time as early bird tickets for the festival go on sale. 3-day earlybird tickets are currently selling at £15. They can be found and purchased here.

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