In an episode of the BBC soap that aired on Monday September 4th, characters Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) and Ricky Mitchell (Frankie Day) welcome their first child, a girl they have decided to name Charli.

After the birth of baby Charli, maternal Grandmother Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) asks the name of the child, and immediately presumes the name Charli has been chosen in honour of her late Uncle Charlie. She is soon corrected as she is told she had in fact been named after Cambridge born pop star Charli XCX.

The clip from the long running soap immediately went viral, even catching the attention of the 31 year-old singer herself. The day after the Eastenders episode aired, Charli XCX, who has a large following among the LGBTQIA+ community, re-shared the clip on Twitter with the caption “shout out my gays in the writers room!”.

shout out my gays in the writers room! https://t.co/ghOer7fI9K

— Charli (@charli_xcx) September 5, 2023

In response to the singer’s shout out, Eastenders story producer Kyri Zindilis replied to her tweet saying “It’s a pleasure Miss XCX”

It’s a pleasure Miss XCX… #EastEndershttps://t.co/MxXrC3j0uf

— Kyri Zindilis (@KyriZindilis) September 5, 2023

Since she came on the scene in 2010, Charli XCX has released 5 studio albums, featuring smash hit singles such as “Boys” and “Boom Clap”. More recently, the pop star has released the single “Speed Drive”, which featured on the soundtrack for Greta Gerwig’s 2023 blockbuster hit Barbie.

In addition to her successful music career, Charli XCX announced earlier this year that she will be embarking on an acting career as she is set to feature in a remake of the 1978 horror film Faces Of Death. She has previously done some voice work for the animated films The Angry Birds Movie and UglyDolls. 

Both Eastenders and Charli XCX fans were beyond excited by the writer’s decision for Lily Slater’s baby name, and filled the internet with comments and praise over the soap opera/music worlds uniting. One entertained fa commented “This is the most British crossover ever”

This is the most British crossover ever

— esra (@1989healy) September 5, 2023

Moreover, musician and Silver and Gold podcast host Ras Ali tweeted “This is so iconic!!!!!!”

this is so so iconic!!!!!!

— ras ali (@rasalistair) September 5, 2023

Eastenders airs every Monday-Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.

Billie Eilish: One night only in London. pic.twitter.com/XawToR5z6D

— billie eilish (@billieeilish) August 26, 2023

Much to the delight of her scores of UK fans, Eilish teased a last minute performance at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, London-a far more intimate setting than the star is accustomed to. Releasing a poster to go along with the announcement, the show is a one night only performance and will be followed by her brother Finneas performing a headlining show at the same venue the next night.

One night only in London! Tickets on sale this Friday at 10am BST https://t.co/86to0ZmLX6 pic.twitter.com/6Nbi0tD5rg — FINNEAS (@finneas) August 2, 2023

Eilish, speaking via social media, said, “London! Doing a special lil performance for you. If you signed up for email alerts at my pop-up this week, you’ll get an email with a unique code to access tickets.” Finneas, Eilish’s brother and notable for his award winning production work on her records, will play a sold out show the following night.

Eilish is fresh off her headlining gigs at Leeds festival (25th August) and Reading last night (27 August). At her show in Leeds, Eilish became the youngest solo headliner ever to grace the famous festival’s stages at only 21 years old and can now boast  both Reading and Leeds festivals and Glastonbury headlining slots. And the young performer certainly dazzled the crowd with a set that will live long in the memory for those in attendance.

The last time Eilish was at Reading and Leeds festival, the singer was only a teenager but, in the time since, she has become arguably one of the biggest pop stars on the planet-her albums and tours routinely garnering rave reviews and awards. Together with Finneas to accompany her on multiple instruments, Eilish treated the crowd to a massive setlist- containing a staggering 20 song set during both performances, which included the hit Barbie soundtrack song, “What Was I Made For?.”

But the singer showed a shrewd understanding of what her audience wished to see from her and peppered her setlist with career-spanning numbers that was sure to please both the uninitiated and die-hard fans. The set showcased what Eilish is both known for and what has shot her into super-stardom, particularly shining vocally on the more softer songs but then ramping up the excitement when belting party tunes that also had the crowd on their feet, jumping and dancing.

Those lucky fans that have been able to grab tickets to Eilish’s special Electric Ballroom performance are almost certainly guaranteed a once in a lifetime experience, the likes of which may not be repeated by a star who is only getting bigger and brighter. Tickets can be found here.

Billie Eilish Tour:

29/08/2023 – Electric Ballroom – London
01-03/09 – Electric Picnic – Stradbally

The incomparable Aphex Twin closing Field Day 2023 with mind-bending visuals from @weirdcoretv.

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s festival one for the history books.

Until next year pic.twitter.com/lyvWA6ygRh

— Field Day (@fielddaylondon) August 20, 2023

Charli XCX took to social media to post a one sentence response to Aphex Twin’s use of her face, tweeting, “i’ve officially made it.” And Charli XCX was not the only one included in Aphex Twin’s mesmerising visual display, with late producer SOPHIE, Dua Lipa and Stormzy all used in a similar fashion.

i’ve officially made it. https://t.co/9uuQQeWSa8 — Charli (@charli_xcx) August 20, 2023

Aphex Twin, whose real name is Richard D James, closed out London’s Field Day-as part of the All Points East Festival-in Victoria Park, East London on Saturday night. With a set that lasted an hour and a half, the British DJ hypnotised the crowd with his catalogue of electronic hits that included a staggering 39 song setlist.

Often regarded as one of the most influential artists on the electronic scene, Aphex Twin is well known for his mind-bending visual displays that add a surreal yet fascinating glamour to his live performances. For Field Day the artist continued his flair for visual extravagance, morphing his face onto notable figures in British culture.

THIS WEEKEND.
FIELD DAY, LONDON, UK.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE MERCH DESK. pic.twitter.com/dHdCmkC3pO

— Aphex Twin (@AphexTwin) August 18, 2023

It is little wonder why Charli XCX felt flattered at the use of her face, as the pop artist joined the likes of the England football team, the King and Aphex Twin’s fellow festival headliner, Stormzy among others-all having their faces manipulated to match the DJ’s. With the crowd delighted by the display, the performance is sure to live long in the memory for those who were in attendance.

Raised in Cornwall, Aphex Twin came to international prominence with hit singles “Windowlicker” and “Come To Daddy”-both of which reached the top 40. In 2014, the DJ won a Grammy Award for best dance/electronic album with his sixth studio effort, Syro . Last week, Aphex Twin released a new augmented reality app called YXBoZXh0d2lu. When decrypted, the encoded title translates to ‘aphextwin’ and features a collection of landscapes with a soundtrack sampled from the artist’s latest EP Blackbox Life Recorder 21f/In A Room 7 F760.


For Charli XCX, the artist is enjoying a prolific and busy period, having just appeared on Addison Rae’s new single, 2 Die 4 and released a new video for “Speed Drive” which featured in the new Barbie film. Along with these releases, Charli XCX also co-composed the soundtrack for the upcoming comedy film, Bottoms.

Listen to “Speed Drive” here:

The Barbie movie has been taking the internet by storm ahead of its release, promising to be all things camp and iconic with its star-studded cast and effective promotional campaigns. Starring Margot Robbie in the titular role, accompanied by Ryan Gosling as everyone’s favourite airhead Ken, the movie has already spawned a major fanbase and multiple memes before it has even hit cinemas.

Accompanying the movie will be Barbie The Album, produced by Mark Ronson and featuring some of the biggest names in music, including Dua Lipa, HAIM, Nicki Minaj, Lizzo, Ice Spice and Khalid.

Dua Lipa recently released her track “Dance the Night” from the soundtrack, followed by Nicki Minaj and Ice’s Spice’s collaboration, “Barbie World.”

Sharing a snippet of “Speed Drive” on Twitter, Charli XCX wrote “this barbie likes to vroom,” referencing the Barbie promotional posters as well as her own beloved track, “Vroom Vroom.”

this #barbie likes to vroom speed drive out now https://t.co/3km77uq5nK pic.twitter.com/YkqU2mILkW

— Charli (@charli_xcx) June 29, 2023

Charli XCX also took the opportunity to share an exclusive clip of “Speed Drive” in the movie, in which we see Barbie running through the real world accompanied by the track.  

umm ok cute speed drive drops in 30 minutesssss pic.twitter.com/bMkrcDfv5j — Charli (@charli_xcx) June 29, 2023

“Speed Drive” samples Toni Basil’s classic 1981 track “Mickey,” with Charli XCX telling Rolling Stone that she flipped the track to “feel quite bratty” and to be “about just being hot.”

Charli XCX also revealed to Rolling Stone that she was one of the first artists that Mark Ronson approached when beginning work on the soundtrack and discussed her personal relationship to the Barbie franchise. She said that she’s “always loved the escapism my Barbies provided with me and it’s kind of a full circle moment to be a part of this soundtrack and movie.”

Speaking about the track itself, Charli XCX shared, “I’ve always really liked singing about cars. For me, there is this intrinsic link between driving and music and feeling like you’re a star when you’re in a car.” The star opted to have her track accompany a chase scene in the movie for this very reason.

Ahead of the official release of Barbie The Album, Mark Ronson has curated a Barbie inspired Spotify playlist, which can be found here:

Listen to music from and inspired by Barbie, curated by @MarkRonson Follow the official @barbiethemovie playlist on @Spotify https://t.co/vO3kOx2Wmq pic.twitter.com/xqhhZJDWxT

— Barbie The Album (@barbiethealbum) June 26, 2023

The album will also be available to purchase on vinyl, with Barbie and Ken themselves showing you the pink and blue formats that are available for pre-order now:  

Calling all Barbie’s & Ken’s Pre-order Barbie The Album on Vinyl in Exclusive Hot Pink, Sky Blue and more https://t.co/v7ZU1n4dG5 pic.twitter.com/Vox6snmVXX

— Barbie The Album (@barbiethealbum) June 16, 2023

In the meta new video, Dua stars as herself making a music video. Dressed in pieces from her new clothing line, La Vacanza, in collaboration with Verscace, the star weaves between giant falling disco balls, pink polished cars, and shimmery clothing rails whilst singing “I’ll still keep the party runnin’, not one hair out of place”. Watch Dua dance the night away below:

Chatting to Dazed this month, Dua Lipa revealed, “Greta said that the whole film was inspired by disco. There’s a lot of very glittery and pop moments in it.”

One of the most anticipated films of the summer for lovers of kitsch, Barbie is set to arrive in cinemas worldwide on 21^st July. With the elite team of Margot Robbie in the titular role, Ryan Gosling playing the beloved himbo Ken, and Ladybird director Greta Gerwig taking the reins, Barbie’s live-action debut seems to be in good hands. Watch the third trailer, released on Thursday the 25^th May, below:

The supporting cast is also jam-packed with A-listers including Helen Mirren, Will Ferrell, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ncuti Gatwa, and Emma Macke.

Dua Lipa will make a cameo in the film playing a mermaid Barbie. It was announced last month that the singer would be in the film when a poster of her in character in costume was released.

More details surrounding the rest of the soundtrack were also revealed this Thursday alongside the newest trailer. Ava Max, Charli XCX, GAYLE, HAIM, Ice Spice, KAROL G, Pink Patheress, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, and Tame Impala are just some of the artists joining Dua Lipa on the cheery pop soundtrack. Mark Ronson is the executive producer of the soundtrack which will be released on the same day as the film.

In other news, Dua Lipa will be hosting a live recording of her podcast, At Your Service, at the famous Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales on the 3^rd June. Unfortunately for fans, Dua’s event at the literary festival is now sold out.

Dua Lipa is currently working on her third album which she’s previously told The Wall Street Journal, “I’ve done a big chunk of writing: It’s starting to take shape; I’ve got a lot of it recorded”.

See below for details of Dua’s appearance:

03/06/23 – Hay Festival – Hay-on-Wye