Formed in 1995, Orange Goblin built their reputation on a foundation of no-nonsense, hard-hitting heavy metal, blending elements of stoner rock, doom, and classic rock ‘n’ roll. Over the years, they have released ten studio albums, from their debut ‘Frequencies From Planet Ten’ (1997) to their latest and arguably most accomplished work, ‘Science, Not Fiction’ (2024). Throughout their career, they have been a staple in the metal community, earning respect for their relentless touring schedule and unwavering commitment to their craft.

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In a heartfelt statement, frontman Ben Ward reflected on the band’s journey, saying, “We feel that now is the right time to step away. We have always given our all to the fans, and we want to go out on a high note.” The reason for the split? The band’s instagram cited perhaps the most important reason of all: family. “It’s not been an easy decision for any of us, we have all given 30 years of our lives to this incredible band, but we feel that now is the right time for us to focus our attention on our families and other interests outside the band.” Despite their decision to part ways, Orange Goblin assured fans that they will fulfil all scheduled commitments, including appearances at major festivals such as Bloodstock and Hellfest. 

The departure of long-time bassist Martyn Millard in 2020 marked a significant turning point for the band. His replacement, Harry Armstrong, brought fresh energy and contributed to the songwriting process on ‘Science, Not Fiction,’ which many fans and critics consider a fitting swansong for the band. Orange Goblin’s music has always resonated with themes of perseverance, rebellion, and camaraderie, values they have embodied both on and off the stage. Their live performances, characterised by raw power and unrelenting energy, have been a testament to their passion and dedication. “We’ve always been an honest band,” Ward remarked. “We know what we are, and we’ve never tried to be anything else.”

Not a chance they call it a day imo,too much a fantastic band will definitely get the odd tour and special show to celebrate album anniversary’s.

If they are the last shows then it’s been a fantastic journey and they have made brilliant music along the way.

— mark skelton (@Skelly2505) January 22, 2025

While this chapter of Orange Goblin’s story is coming to a close, the band has not ruled out future one-off appearances or special projects. “Who knows what the future holds?” Ward teased, leaving a glimmer of hope for fans.

As they prepare to take their final bow, Orange Goblin’s legacy is secure. They will be remembered as one of the most steadfast and genuine acts in British heavy metal, leaving behind a catalog of music that will continue to inspire generations to come.

2005-2025
This is the end.

Thank you for being the heartbeat of this band.
Final live shows taking place 2024/2025.

Sign up at https://t.co/TKQnwP6bLchttps://t.co/lhDcsDxBC2

— You Me At Six (@youmeatsix) January 31, 2024

After releasing a suitably emo video statement filmed in a graveyard, You Me At Six announced that the time has come for them to bid farewell to the band. However, after keeping this a secret for some time, Franceschi told BBC “I’m grateful that we’re in a position where we can celebrate, in real time, with our fans.”

Throughout their career, the “Stay With Me” singers have released 8 studio albums, 2 of which (2014’s Cavalier Youth and 2021’s SUCKAPUNCH) reaching number 1 status, toured extensively and received glowing recognition through a variety of awards. These accomplishments have not gone amiss with the band members, as frontman Franceschi told NME “The thing that mattered the most is longevity, getting closer and closer to that 20 year mark. We don’t need this band for self-indulgent reasons. We’re all really satisfied with what we’ve done, let’s just tie a nice little ribbon or bow around it. You don’t want to be the last ones hanging around at the party. We want to be a band that bowed out, not one that was kicked out.”

When asked about plans for their upcoming farewell tour, the 33-year-old stated “We’ve worked out that our final gig is going to be 20 years to the day since our first ever band practice, which is wild. It wasn’t even deliberate.” However, fans will have to be patient for any more information regarding the tour, as dates are set to be announce in “a couple of months”.

Whilst dates for You Me At Six’s final tour are still unknown, you can ensure you receive information regarding the upcoming shows by signing up here. However, the Surrey based five-piece have some upcoming performances this month, as well as their appearance’s at this year’s Slam Dunk Festival to serve as their penultimate shows. For more information and tickets, click here.

Tour dates:

09/02/2024 – KK’s Steel Mill – Wolverhampton
10/02 – UEA – Norwich
11/02 – O2 Academy – Bristol
13/02 – O2 Academy – Oxford
14/02 – Town Hall – Middlesbrough
15/02 – P&J Live – Aberdeen
17/02 – Liverpool University – Liverpool
18/02 – Guildhall – Portsmouth
25/05 – Slam Dunk Festival South – Hatfield
26/05 – Slam Dunk Festival North – Temple Newsam

Most people must be questioning whether it may stand against the original piece from 50 years ago, which contained the whole bands instrumental work. There is no doubt that Waters was the back bone of the famous band, however, the essence of the ensemble wouldn’t have been completed without Gilmour’s and Mason’s contributed engrace. Water’s writing was the substancial building of the 1973 album. But this will be a version, having taken away the musicality and delicacy from the rest of the bands input, of Water’s interpretation toward the piece.

The band first formed in 1964 and remained active until the split up in 1985 due to Waters departure. They became one of the biggest progressive rock bands of all time, and still are, were they to get back together. Known for their philosophical – and occasionally political – lyrics, their experimental procedures, innovative album covers and elaborate live shows. Gilmour and Roger were simply a pair of musical geniuses with colliding creative ambitions to do so.

Having said that, the ex-Pink Floyd singer songwriter has come forward with his very own execution of the album; “Because not enough people recognised what it’s about, what it was I was saying then” he explains. We’re expecting to see a couple of collaborations with the American producer and multi-instrumentalist Gus Seyffert, a “baptist minister” set to play a Hammond organ and the singer Bedouine, Seyffert’s partner. Having received hints from reports, some tracks will be seasoned together with a bass solo from Roger and fresh lyrics re-imagined on previously instrumental songs.

Long story short, the reconfiguring of such a classic album comes down to such simplicity. It is solely Waters proving that the work is his, as he states in an interview with the Telegraph “Let’s get rid of all of this ‘we’ crap! It’s my project”. He has taken the opportunity to insert his ageing talent and knowledge into a much younger piece of his work.

The album is set to come out in May alongside a live performance of the rework.

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The Instagram post includes a statement which officially confirms their split, the post also cites the reason for their disbanding and confirms that frontman Baiyewu aims to focus on his solo career. The post also apologies for their withdrawal from the event, Tucker states that they are sorry to miss the hometown show. The Lighthouse Family were billed to perform on Saturday 9th July 2022, the festival organisers have confirmed that they are looking to fill the missing slot and details concerning their replacement will be made in due course.

The show must go on, despite the Lighthouse Family being unable to perform on the Sat Night at the Mouth of the Tyne Festival.

Anyone with tickets will be contacted by the site they bought them from

We hope to announce a replacement soon

More info https://t.co/cuxVn0sG0F pic.twitter.com/r49fFlC3Nm

— North Tyneside Council (@NTCouncilTeam) June 7, 2022

North Tyneside Deputy Mayor Carl Johnson has given the following statement concerning the band’s cancelled set, “We were extremely disappointed to hear that the Lighthouse Family are no longer performing together and will be unable to play their headline slot at the Mouth of the Tyne Festival. A sell-out audience have held on to their tickets throughout the pandemic, and like us, they were looking forward to the performance. However, the decision to pull out of the show has been made by the band leaving us all bitterly disappointed.”

Baiyewu and Tucker formed Lighthouse Family after meeting at university, since their formation the duo have become one of the UK’s most beloved acts. The pair first rose to fame after the release of their debut album, Ocean Drive was released in 1995 and sold over 1.8 million copies within the UK. The group continued their success with a collection of top selling tracks such as “Lifted”, “Lost In Space” and the global record “High”.

After establishing themselves as a top selling act the duo first decided to call it quits in 2003, they reformed in 2010 and embarked on a UK and Ireland tour in 2011. The group released their fourth studio album eighteen years after their last full release, Blue Sky In Your Head was made available on 5th July 2019. The album reached number three on the UK album charts and is now regarded as the artist’s last studio album as the Lighthouse Family.

The Mouth of Tyne Festival is organised by the North Tyneside Council and has been a staple of any music fan’s summer since its formation in 2005. Due to Covid and its subsequent restrictions the event was last held in a traditional live format in 2019, the sold-out festival included performances from Sam Fender, Rick Astley and the Proclaimers. This year sees the festival make a triumphant return after its two-year hiatus, the three-day festival will take place on 8th-10th July 2022 at Tynemouth priory and castle.

Set to headline on Friday are British indie rockers Keane, the Brit award winning band will also be joined by special guests and Eliza Shaddad. The event has confirmed that Sophie Ellis-Bextor will headline on Sunday, the “Murder On The Dancefloor” singer will be joined by Newton Faulkner plus many more acts yet to be announced. The festival will also hold a single day event on Monday 18th July 2022, welsh musician John Cale will perform live at the Playhouse Whitley Bay. Along with the confirmation of the band’s exit from the festival, the event organisers have confirmed that refunds are available upon request

Click here for information concerning tickets.

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Although the group have confirmed a hiatus, they insist that this is not a breakup and that new music and tours are on the horizon. The band recently became a trio after the departure of ex-bandmate Jesy Nelson. Since Nelson’s departure at the end of last year, Little Mix has consisted of members Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards.

The group were formed in 2011 with four members via the music competition TV show X Factor. Since their formation the band have charted in the top ten at least once a year and have become one of the world’s most successful girl groups. Their debut single “Cannonball” was released on 11th December 2011 and became the group’s first number one single. The band’s debut album DNA was released on 16th November 2012 and sired their second number one single “Wings“.

The “Black Magic” singers will start their break once their Confetti tour has concluded. The tour will see the trio play thirty-five shows across the UK including many sold-out dates. The tour is set to begin on 9th April 2022 with a sold-out performance in Belfast. The Confetti tour will conclude also with a sold-out show at London’s O2 Arena. The string of live dates marks the group’s seventh concert tour and marks their first without Nelson. The UK tour is in support of their sixth studio album Confetti, the album was released on 6th November 2020 via RCA Records and was the last album to feature Nelson.

BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat spoke with fans of Little Mix to gauge how the news had been received. Ashton Braithwaite has been a long-standing fan since their genesis a decade ago. When giving his view, Braithwaite expressed support for the group, “I think most of us saw it coming anyway. Ever since Jesy left, we thought this would be the route that they took.”

Newsbeat also spoke with Kirsty Hillitt who voted for the group during their formative time on the music competition show, X-Factor. She also expressed an understanding viewpoint concerning the announced hiatus, “I’m so, so gutted really. I love their music and I’m gutted we won’t be hearing it from a while, But coming from a personal level, I can completely understand the girls needing to recharge, they’ve grown so much in the last 10 years. They’ve got to have a dabble at other things.”

The “Shout Out To My Ex” singers recently released their first official greatest hits album. Between Us was released on 12th November 2021 via RCA Records, the album aimed to celebrate the group’s decade of success and hits. Along with their back catalogue the release also featured four new tracks, “No”, “Between Us”, “Love (Sweet Love)” and “Cut You Off”. Also, in celebration of their tenth anniversary, the band were immortalised in London’s Madame Tussauds. The singers’ waxworks were unveiled on 28th July 2021 and included all members of the band’s original line-up.

Little Mix UK tour

09/04/2022 – SSE Arena – Belfast
10/04 – SSE Arena – Belfast
12/04 – 3 Arena – Dublin
13/04 – 3 Arena – Dublin
15/04 – Utilita Arena – Newcastle
16/04 – Utilita Arena (Matinee Show) – Newcastle
16/04 – Utilita Arena – Newcastle
18/04 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
19/04 – Flydsa Arena – Sheffield
21/04 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham
22/04 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham
23/04 – Resorts World Arena (Matinee Show) – Birmingham
23/04 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham
26/04 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
27/04 – The SSE Hydro – Glasgow
28/04 – The SSE Hydro – Glasgow
30/04 – First Direct Arena – Leeds
02/05 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff
03/05 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff
0405 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff
06/05 – AO Arena – Manchester
07/05 – AO Arena (Matinee Show) – Manchester
07/05 – AO Arena – Manchester
09/05 – Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham
10/05 – Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham
12/05 – The O2 – London
13/05 – The O2 – London
14/05 – The O2 – London

Click here to purchase tickets.

The band released a statement on their social media that reads “The time has come to bring Black Peaks to its close,” the band’s statement begins. “Over the past four years, we have dealt with some incredibly hard and demanding situations which we have done our absolute best to work through. Unfortunately, we have reached a point where we don’t feel we can continue in a way that is healthy for us.”

Black Peaks then went on to thank all their fans “Thank you for being the greatest support network we could’ve ever hoped for. We have achieved things that we never thought would be possible when we began this journey. So, for supporting our vision, we owe you our utmost gratitude.

They then finished with “A special thank you to our team, who we believe to be some of the best in business. It has been our pleasure to learn from and grow with these wonderful humans over the last 10 years and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

Important announcement pic.twitter.com/9WG63hAsfu

— Black Peaks (@blackpeaks) July 26, 2021

Black Peaks were first formed in 2012 and released their debut EP titled ‘Closer To The Sun’ in 2014. The band’s popularity hit its peak following their signing to RED Music and the release of the highly-regarded full-length album ‘Statues’ in 2016.

Consisting of Will Gardner on lead vocals, Joe Gosney on guitar, Dave Larkin the bassist and Liam Kearley on drums. The band were well known for their soaring, powerful music, brought to fruition, by Gardner’s seemingly endless ability and vocal range.

The group released their last work earlier this year a live album titled ‘Live At The Brighton Centre’, which was recorded during a recent Livestream show at the named venue.