Because Faithless have announced their first live shows in eight years.

The band, who was originally comprised of,  Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo Armstrong, had incredible success during their time in the limelight. And despite releasing new music in 2020, the dance music band has been relatively quiet since the passing of singer Maxi Jazz in 2022.

Returning after an eight-year live music hiatus, the English electronic legends are set to embark on a four-date run in June – a tour which will culminate with a homecoming show at London’s Roundhouse. The tour, dubbed as ‘The Champion Sound Tour’, will make stops in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Amsterdam, which will see Faithless joined by a seven-piece band as they perform a mixture of music ‘old and new’.

Speaking to DJ Mag about Faithless’ return to the live arena, founding member Sister Bliss said: “These shows are going to be a celebration of all our years in music – what we love, what we stand for as a band, and a real tribute to Maxi as well.”

“We’ve been working on this for months now so there is a theme, there is a feeling, there is a vibe to the show, and it’s exciting,” she continued. “It will still have the rawness and edge that our shows are known for, and I think that’s because we’ve thought really hard about what we want to say both sonically and visually.”

The shows themselves will pay tribute to vocalist and bandmate Maxi Jazz, who passed away in December 2022 at the age of just 65. “Obviously he won’t be there with us, but he’ll be there in spirit, and so the whole thing is a very new and different thing for us,” Sister Bliss shared. “I really hope people are going to get stuck in and dance, and really lose themselves in the music, because that’s what people have always done at a Faithless gig.”

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In their own words, Faithless write:

“As many of you have noticed, we’re back…Some shows have already been announced but we couldn’t start the summer without a little personal note. Maxi died just over a year ago and obviously we miss him every day. Thank you all for all of your kind words of support over this last year. It has really, really meant a lot.

In the meantime, we never stopped (couldn’t stop, never wanted to stop!) making music. Even during Maxi’s long illness we recorded and released ‘All Blessed’ and now finally, eight years after our last live performance, we are returning to festival stages across the summer and are planning some of our own shows later this year…”

The band will also return to the UK this summer for festival season performing three special sets at Glastonbury, Wilderness, and Bestival.

Faithless have also confirmed that a new full-length album has been completed.

Sign up today for pre-sale tickets here. General sale tickets will be available on 26th April.

The EP has been highly awaited since the release of her single ‘Feels Right’ in 2020. ‘Feels Right’ as a single contributed to the artists varied and powerful discography, which has been developing since her first EP ‘Big Fan of The Sesh, Vol.1’. The same and more can be said for the inclusion of ‘The Sky Is Bleeding’.

‘The Sky Is Bleeding’ shows Biig Piig’s ever-evolving production of original and nuanced music, but this time with a lustful, intimate touch. The tracks, from ‘Remedy’ to ‘American Beauty’ are a production of the experiences of youth, contributing to a personal yet relatable narrative.

In speaking about her EP Smyth described it as “one about secrets; kind of written for myself, but putting them out into the world. No shame and guilt – it’s healing thinking it’ll be out there”.

Smyth’s reputation for unique and experimental music is evident in her new EP, which was released on May 21st. Mixed with the alternative, indie genre that Biig Piig is most commonly associated with, the artist can be seen developing music in genres such as jazz in the track ‘Tarzan’. This experimental take on music is all achieved whilst Smyth maintains her effortless, 90’s grunge image.

Biig Piig is an unforgettable name, with a unique image and sound. In an interview with Loud and Quiet Smyth explains the origin of the name Biig Piig. Originally a name she read on a pizza menu; the name stuck. In the same interview, Smyth said:

“I feel like the more I hang out with myself, and the more I hang out with my music, it’s becoming more apparent that’s what I am. I’m just a big mess, in a nice way…Everything, my whole life, has been a big scramble. The big pig…the big mess… but in a way, that’s the sweetest thing”

There is no doubt that ‘The Sky Is Bleeding’ proves the evolving talent of Smyth and the music world can only expect to see a lot more of her. Biig Piig is set to be performing across the UK this summer at festivals such as Bestival and Tramlines. She is also supporting Glass Animals on their UK tour in November this year.

You can listen to ‘The Sky is Bleeding‘ on Spotify now.

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Last summer saw the cancellation of music festivals and live music events, but with the roadmap to recovery and the COVID vaccination programme in place, things are looking positive. News of the return of Bestival has set everyone’s heart aflutter and with a strong headline line up of music icons, Kelis, Fatboy Slim and Groove Armada, and artists including Sophie-Ellis Baxter, Friendly Fires and Tim Burgess as well as the comic styles of 1993 novel ‘Trainspotting’ author Irvine Walsh, tickets are sure to sell out. Bestival is set to return with a bang, with new attractions including a new comedy tent called ‘The Giggle Box’, a Full Moon cinema and a Cirque Bijou High Wire performance.

The festival which takes place at Dorset’s Lulworth Castle from July 29th to August 1st has been on the summer calendar since 2004 when it was held on the Isle of Wright and moved to Dorset in 2017. Run by husband-and-wife duo, BBC 6 DJ and producer Rob da Bank and Josie. Da Bank famously started the festival from his music label Sunday Best Recordings established in 1997, which in turn was originally a club night begun in 1995. Da Bank was also given the huge shoes to fill when broadcasting legend John Peel died, stepping in to host his show for a short period. It is with Da Bank’s passion and love that Bestival has become such a success and a high point of British summers. Da Bank recently spoke to BBC about his excitement for the return of the festival, “There is literally nothing [my wife] Josie and I like more in life than standing in a field surrounded by family and friends, dressed in daft outfits dancing to amazing bands and DJs and Mr Tumble.’’

Bestival is not the only live event that has been given the green light for the summer. Ready & Leeds tickets sold out just two days after the announcement which could make or break summer music events from the Prime Minister. Other festivals set to take place include Green Man and 2000 Trees, the award-winning festival held at Cotswold Hills from 8th July till 10th July. With the news from Melvin Benn, boss of Festival Republic, confirming the importance of the vaccination programme to this summer’s live music events, UK festivals are getting ready to go on with the show.

Festival anticipation and excitement is in the air after the promising news from Number 10, the country is crossing their fingers that the roadmap set out to recover from Covid and lift restrictive social rules is a success. And with many other artists including Hip Hop pioneers The Sugarhill Gang and the Furious Five as well as DJ Jo Whiley spinning some classic and new tracks, Bestival is sure to make up for the lost summer of 2020. Although the health and safety of ourselves and others are important and vital during these times, the announcement brought hope to many that this summer will be full of good friends, good music and good times again.

Click here to buy tickets.

Broughton, from Enfield, north London, “bumped up” her dose of the drug 2-CP and filmed her as she died. Michie is reportedly the first fatality of the rare hallucinogenic drug. She had also taken ketamine and MDMA before her death.

Winchester Crown Court was shown videos Broughton took of his dying girlfriend who was described as screaming like a “wild animal” on the class A drug. Broughton was told by Michie’s family many times to get her to medical attention, but he refused to do so because he was serving a suspended sentence at the time for two charges of knife possession.

The incident was initially viewed by Michie’s family as a “tragic accident” However, following the trial, it was discovered that Broughton took pleasure in providing women large doses of strong hallucinogenic drugs and filming their frenzied reactions. He was also described as having a “morbid” obsession with death and hoarded pictures of corpses.

In a statement read to the court, Broughton had this to say, “Sorry I didn’t do more to save Louella. Sorry for the suffering I caused to everyone. I want to make things right.”

Michie, whose body was found dead in the woods just hours before her 25th birthday, was the daughter of Holby City actor John Michie. Michie made this statement outside of court, “Regardless of the outcome of this harrowing trial, there were never going to be any winners.We began our life sentence on what would have been Louella’s 25th birthday, Ceon’s life sentence is knowing he didn’t help Louella to live.”

Giving evidence during the original trial, Mr Michie said, “I think Louella loved Ceon, but I’m not sure he loved her. I don’t know how you can say you love someone who you left to die in front of you. If I was in Ceon’s situation, I would have taken another human being – let alone my girlfriend who I was supposed to love – to a medical tent to save their life.”

“You would have done anything possible to save the life of another human being, being in the distressed state she was in. I felt that I needed to get down there and help my daughter. His voice was slow and he didn’t seem to be concerned and any normal person would be.”

In response to the incident, Besitval issued statement ensuring the festival has a “Zero Tolerance drugs policy”. You can find a link to the statement here.

So far London Grammar and M.I.A have been confirmed as toppers of the bill, with the festival set to take place from August 2-5, at Dorset’s Lulworth Estate. M.I.A will close the show, with the Nottingham trio performing the night before. Both performances will be festival exclusives for both bands over the course of summer 2018, and tickets are on sale now.

Jorja Smith- fresh off the back of a breakthrough year in 2017, will headline the Big Top on the first night of the festival. On top of this, Smith was recently confirmed as the Critics Choice for 2018 BRIT Awards.

Elsewhere on the bill, there is the traditional mix of the new and the classic, with fellow musical breakthroughs Mura Masa, Kelela, and Steflon Don taking to the stage over the course of the festival, contrasting nicely with the classics, such as Grace Jones, Chaka Khan, and a DJ set from dance icons Faithless to boot. You can see the full list of performers below.

Castle Stage: London Grammar / M.I.A. / Grace Jones / Plan B / Chaka Khan / Special Guest / Mura Masa / Sundara Karma / Thundercat / Jimmy Cliff / David Rodigan & The Outlook Orchestra / Stefflon Don / Kojey Radical / Dubioza Kolektiv / Gentleman’s Dub Club / Songhoy Blues / The Cuban Brothers / IDLES / This Is the Kit / Chaka Demus & Pliers / OMG! It’s the Church / L.A. Salami / Son of Dave

Big Top: Jorja Smith / Django Django / IAMDDB / Kelela / Mike Skinner & Murkage pres. Tonga: Holy Goof, Donea’o & Jaykae / Mabel / Not3s / Kojo Funds / Charlotte de Witte / Agoria (Live) / Ghetts / Mr Jukes / Casisdead / Lotto Boyzz / Sink the Pink / Phil Taggart pres. Slacker: Ratboy, Shame, Superfood, Black Honey, Confidence Man, Touts & whenyoung / We Are Scientists / Nilüfer Yanya / House Gospel Choir – Frankie Knuckles Special / Hak Baker /Adrian Sherwood / Caravãna Sun / Grace Carter / Mellah / The Correspondents / Kitty, Daisy & Lewis/ Blossom Caladron / Beans on Toast / Dutty Moonshine Band / Digital Love: A Tribute to Daft Punk / London Astrobeat Orchestra Perform Talking Heads / Elvana: Elvis Fronted Nirvana / Park Hotel

HMS Bestival (AKA The Port): Faithless (DJ set) / East 17’s Christmas Party / Jaguar Skills / Chali 2na & Krafty Kuts / So Solid Crew, Wookie & Matt Jam Lamont, Shogun Audio pres. Alix Perez, Technimatic, Pola & Bryson, Glxy & SP:MC & Visionobi / Bez’s Acid House / Stanton Warriors / Big Freedia / DJ Brace / Jodie Harsh & Friends / Kiddy Smile / Savage / Schlachthofbronx / Buttmitzvah