Let’s not forget Suede’s competition, Blur, Oasis and Pulp to name just a few rivals in the ‘Britpop’ era of British music. However, Suede often fall an unsung hero in conversation about the champions of the 90s, despite it being them who very well started the entire ‘Britpop’ movement.

At a time when bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains were drowning others out with their grunge and heavy raw musical prowess, it was Suede who dug their heels in and offered a glamorous, romanticised alternative.

Suede’s debut album won a Mercury Prize for their 1993 self-titled debut album. Mind you this is a feat neither Pulp, Oasis or blur ever achieved.

After the release of their tenth studio album ‘Antidepressants’ , Anderson has claimed that in the present day, Suede stand at the top of the podium when it comes to vital music making. To be fair to him, it does seem the band are set to walk the walk. The Official Charts have announced they are on course for a first number one in 26 years.

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“I’m really proud of the kind of position we seem to have found ourselves in, in the musical landscape. I don’t think there’s any other band of our generation that are still making records as vital as the records we’re making.”

We currently live in a Music space where Oasis are dominating the headlines by simply belting out their bangers from the past, though this is a rather special tour, Suede have always been set on rolling with the punches and making music in the present.

“We can talk about the 90s, but I’ve not got anything interesting left to say about it,”

“It doesn’t interest me that much. The last thing I ever wanted Suede to be was a nostalgia act. I’ve always felt like we’re out on our own. I felt like we were out on our own in ‘92, when no one wanted to sing about British life, and we were the only people doing it. I think we survived and now we’re out on our own.”

The one thing Suede may not have on the three headed dog of ‘Britpop’ is longevity. Suede’s flame doesn’t seem to burn as bright as it used to, especially compared with Cocker and the Gallaghers.

Suede’s upcoming tour is definitely one for the people as they take to intimate venues across the country. The band will begin their travels in early 2026 as they take their new record on the road.

Tickets can be found here and the dates are as follows:

• January 30: Folkestone, Leas Cliff Hall
• January 31: Portsmouth, Portsmouth Guildhall
• February 2: Bristol, Bristol Beacon
• February 3: Guildford, G Live
• February 5: Edinburgh, Usher Hall
• February 6: Liverpool, Mountford Hall
• February 7: York, Barbican
• February 9: Lincoln, The Engine Shed
• February 10: Norwich, The LCR, UEA
• February 11: Cambridge, Corn Exchange
• February 13: Sheffield, Octagon Centre
• February 14: Newcastle, O2 City Hall
• February 16: Coventry, HMV Empire
• February 17: Bath, Bath Forum
• February 19: Nottingham, Rock City
• February 20: Southend-on-Sea, Cliffs Pavilion
• February 21: Brighton, Brighton Centre

Speaking in a brand new interview with NME, Cocker is celebrating the release of Pulp’s first album in 24 years, ‘More’, which received a 4 star review from the publication.

The 61 year-old musician was asked about his thoughts on the upcoming ‘Britpop renaissance summer’ with comebacks from the likes of Supergrass, Suede, and obviously Oasis.

Speaking about the term which defined 1990s British indie music, Cocker said: “I’ve always hated that word. I would never associate myself with it.

“It was an exciting time before they came with that definition of indie bands starting to make waves on the mainstream scene. It felt like a revolution could happen. If people are feeling like that again – that they can make their own thing and can be taken notice of – that that would be great.”

He concluded by saying: “If that kind of attitude is coming back, then I would be very excited about it, just not the ‘BP’ word – it’s a terrible word.”

Although the ‘Common People’ singer stopped short of naming specific bands who are “bringing that attitude back”, it’s safe to say that the likes of Fontaines DC and Wolf Alice fall under that bracket with the momentum both bands have recently gained.

One band who are certainly “bringing that attitude back” are Oasis. The Gallaghers and co. are now less than a month away from kicking off their massive sold-out reunion tour.

Cocker was asked about his feelings on the tour and whether he’d be going to see them, simply saying: “If I can get on the guestlist, I would love to see what they do!”

Pulp have already began their tour to mark their new album, with upcoming dates in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Dublin. Any remaining ticket can be found here.

They kicked off the shows at the OVO Hydro arena in Glasgow last Saturday (June 7) where they performed numerous new tunes as well as the usual hits such as ‘Disco 2000’ and ‘Common People’.

When asked about a potential follow-up to ‘More’, Cocker stayed coy but kept the door open for new material, telling NME: “I had this weird thing that when an album was mixed and finished where I’d think ‘Oh, I can die now and it would be OK.’

“That’s a terrible way to think about life, really. I didn’t feel that with this record… Hopefully not in another 24 years, but maybe in a couple years, there will be something else to say.”

Pulp’s new album, ‘More’, is out now and available to listen to everywhere including Spotify and Apple Music. Check out the album in full below and catch tickets to their upcoming shows here.

The Better Man star shared the details of his first album in almost a decade, harking back to the iconic sound of 90s British rock.

Although there is no specific release date yet, the record will hit the shelves in Autumn 2025 and will include more rock-influenced tracks, as well as the pop sound fans have been accustomed to hearing from Williams.

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Speaking in a press release, the former Take That star stated how he wanted to create the album he initially set out to write after leaving the pop group in 1995.

He said: “It was the peak of Britpop and a golden age for British music. I’ve worked with some of my heroes on this album; it’s raw, there are more guitars and it’s an album that’s even more upbeat and anthemic than usual. 

“There’s some ‘Brit’ in there and there’s certainly some ‘pop’ too – I’m immensely proud of this as a body of work and I’m excited for fans to hear this album.”

Before the new album, Williams will head on tour throughout the summer, where he said he can’t wait to “perform a song or two from it [the album] on my upcoming ‘BRITPOP’ tour”.

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Opening up at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on May 31, Williams will then head to London, Manchester, Bath and Newcastle as he performs his old and new material to adoring fans. Any remaining tickets can be found here.

Those eager to hear this new guitar-based sound have been given a glimpse into it with the release of the single ‘Rocket’. Featuring legendary Black Sabbath guitarist, Tony Iommi, the blistering single will be sure to leave fans purring for more.

Teasing the song late last year, Williams told NME: “The track is massive guitars, as you can imagine. It’s adrenaline-filled and balls-to-the-wall.” The music video is set to be released this Friday (May 23).

The album’s cover artwork is a notable nod to an iconic look of Robbie’s from the 90s. A red tracksuit worn by Williams at Glastonbury Festival in 1995 where he famously partied with the Gallagher brothers.

The 90s British icons will now tour at the same time 30 years later, as Williams heads around the country at the same time as Oasis.

Speaking on the Oasis reunion, Williams had this to say: “The soap opera alone will either be exciting and or ghoulish to watch. As for the shows? They’re gonna be incredible, off-the-scale special.”

The 51-year old has had a storied history with the Mancunian brothers, but it seems as though they may all be mellowing out with age… if only ever so slightly.

Head here to pre-order Williams’ upcoming album, where you could get the chance to win a meet-and-greet with the former Take That man if you order before midnight on Tuesday 27th May.

‘Antidepressants’ is Suede’s 10th album, and their first since 2022’s ‘Autofiction’, recorded with producer Ed Buller, who’s been working with the band since the early ‘90s. It’s set to be a dark and moody record, exploring how detached the modern world can be.  

Lead singer Brett Anderson shares in a statement: “If ‘Autofiction’ was our punk record, ‘Antidepressants’ is our post-punk record. It’s about the tensions of modern life, the paranoia, the anxiety, the neurosis. We are all striving for connection in a disconnected world. This was the feel I wanted the songs to have. The album is called ‘Antidepressants’. This is broken music for broken people.” 

Their new single ‘Disintegrate’ perfectly encapsulates this idea, with gritty black-and-white visuals of the band’s performance, intercut with clips of decaying plants.  

In addition, Suede have announced ‘Suede Takeover’, a four-night concert series spread across London’s Southbank Centre. The first two concerts will be held at the Royal Festival Hall, the third — a “unique and unamplified experience”, will be an off-mic performance at the Purcell Room, and their final show will be their first full orchestral headliner, held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.  

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The full tracklist for ‘Antidepressants’ is as follows: 

1) Disintegrate 

2) Dancing With The Europeans 

3) Antidepressants 

4) Sweet Kid 

5) The Sound And The Summer 

6) Somewhere Between An Atom And A Star 

7) Broken Music For Broken People 

8) Trance State 

9) Criminal Ways 

10) June Rain 

11) Life Is Endless, Life Is A Moment 

‘Antidepressants’ drops on 5 September and ‘Suede Takeover’ runs from 13-19 September. You can pre-order ‘Antidepressants’ here. 

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  Jarvis Cocker and the rest of the band joined Laverne in the studio on Thursday morning to reveal the news, as well as discussing various aspects of its creation, inspiration, and what the future may hold. Asked “Why now?”, Cocker said, “The live shows were a big influence, and the songs seemed to come back to life. We just thought we’d carry on and see what we can conjure up.”  

Fans of the Stone Roses will understand exactly what the single, ‘Spike Island’, takes its name from. The infamous 1990 gig was already the subject of Pulp’s ‘Sorted for E’s & Whizz’, written by Cocker after hearing the phrase from a girl he met, despite not going to the show. ‘Spike Island’ shares a similar inspiration, written after Jason Buckle recounted a story to Cocker about a DJ who repeated the phrase “Spike Island, come alive” between each song.

Along with the album’s title and first single, we also have the tracklist. According to their Instagram announcement, fans will be treated to 11 new tracks, including ‘Spike Island’, though no order has been confirmed as of yet. The album was recorded in three weeks, produced by James Ford, and has contributions from longtime collaborator and occasional tour member, Richard Hawley. Of the announced tracks, ‘Farmer’s Market’ has already been played to fans, debuting at a September 2024 show in Los Angeles.   

Fans could have predicted the announcement, especially after their planned tour dates for 2025 were revealed in February. They posted six shows in the UK as part of the You Deserve More tour, as well as telling fans that dynamic pricing would not be used, with the band saying “We’re doing our best to make this fair and transparent”. They also revealed plans to play in Korea for the first time, as well as potential Australian shows on BBC Radio 6. The radio show also gave listeners a chance to ask questions, one of which was about a return to Glastonbury, to which Cocker said “Glastonbury has a very important place in our hearts, but there are no plans to play there.”

In other news, the new Pulp single is phenomenal. Great to have them back!

— Iain Jenkins (@iainjenkins.bsky.social) 10 April 2025 at 19:27

‘More’ will be Pulp’s first release since the passing of long-time bassist Steve Mackey, who passed away in March 2023. “People who you’re close to, you never forget them,” Cocker said. “But you can do things to remember them by.” The album is dedicated to Mackey’s memory.

 

 

 

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The upcoming release makes Pulp the third out of the Britpop “big four” to release an album in the 2020’s, following on from Suede’s ‘Autofiction’ in 2022, and Blur’s ‘The Ballad of Darren’ in 2023, both of which were well received. Meanwhile, Oasis are less than 100 days away from embarking on their eagerly-anticipated reunion tour, proving that even 30 years on from those heady days, Britpop is alive and well.

To celebrate 25 Years of Starsailor we’re heading out on a UK and EU Tour in October and November!

On sale from 10am local time on Friday

Register for UK pre-sale access for access to tickets from 10am on Wednesday: https://t.co/PmlNBdc6NB#25YearsOfStarsailor pic.twitter.com/3oN96DtnZT

— Starsailor Official (@Starsailorband) January 27, 2025

Starsailor emerged as one of the most influential British bands of the post-Britpop era. The band is best known for chart-topping singles such as ‘Good Souls’ and ‘Alcoholic’ from their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Love Is Here‘ (2001), which solidified their place in the UK music scene and continues to be a favourite amongst fans. Their most successful song on the UK Singles Chart is ‘Silence Is Easy’, which peaked at No. 9 in 2003. This remains their highest-charting single in the UK and was the lead track from their second album, ‘Silence Is Easy‘ (2003). The song helped solidify their presence in the British alternative rock scene.The band said on Instagram: “Join us for six European shows in October and nine UK gigs in November as we play a career-spanning set in recognition of our two-and-a-half decades together. We cannot wait to return to some of our favourite cities and play to fans who have followed us since the early days.”

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Tickets for the general public will go on sale on January 31, while pre-sale access will be available starting January 29. Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early, as demand is expected to be high for the anniversary tour. For more information on tour dates and ticket availability, visit Starsailor’s official website or follow their social media channels.

‘Whatever’ is 30
To mark the occasion, a limited-edition, numbered Pink and Blue Splatter 7” including remastered audio has been announced!
The vinyl includes B-side ‘(It’s Good) To Be Free’.
Released February 21st 2025, pre-order nowhttps://t.co/3YS19llGrb pic.twitter.com/59NBS9Ihy4

— Oasis (@oasis) December 19, 2024

‘Whatever’ was originally released on December 19, 1994, as a stand-alone single between the albums ‘Definitely Maybe‘ and ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?‘. The song spent 51 weeks on the singles chart, longer than any other Oasis song. It was written by Noel Gallagher, the band’s primary songwriter. The song is about freedom and individuality, encapsulated in the line, “I’m free to be whatever I, whatever I choose”. It is notable for its optimistic lyrics and orchestral arrangement, which was a departure from the band’s typical guitar-driven sound.

‘(It’s Good) To Be Free’ offers an intimate counterpoint to the grand, anthemic style of ‘Whatever’. Musically, it is raw with an acoustic-driven sound complemented by subtle electric guitar and harmonica parts. The minimal production gives it a reflective, stripped-back vibe. Together, they showcase the duality of Noel Gallagher’s songwriting, the ability to be both deeply reflective and universally resonant.

Oasis was an iconic British rock band, formed in Manchester in 1991. Known for their role in defining the Britpop movement of the 1990s. Oasis disbanded in 2009 after a heated altercation between Liam and Noel Gallagher. The brothers’ tumultuous relationship had long been a subject of public fascination, contributing to the band’s breakup. Oasis is celebrated not only for their music but also for their raw charisma, bold attitude, and enduring influence on rock and pop culture.

To further celebrate the milestone, the official video for ‘Whatever’ has been newly upgraded to 4K quality, with remastered audio.

The band has previously commemorated the 30th anniversary of their debut album, ‘Definitely Maybe‘, with a deluxe reissue released on August 30, 2024. This special edition features remastered tracks alongside previously unheard recordings, including sessions from Monnow Valley and outtakes from Sawmills Studios. Notably, it includes an alternative version of ‘Sad Song’ with Liam Gallagher on vocals. In conjunction with this reissue, Oasis announced a reunion tour, ‘Oasis Live ’25’, marking their first UK and Ireland shows in 16 years.

The tour is set to begin in Cardiff on July 4-5, 2025, followed by performances in Manchester, London, Edinburgh, and concluding in Dublin on August 16-17. Tickets became available on August 31, 2024, and due to high demand, additional dates and international shows have been added. This reunion has generated significant excitement among fans, eager to experience the band’s classic hits live once more.

Pre-orders for the anniversary vinyl of ‘Whatever’ are currently available through various retailers. However, some outlets have already sold out due to high demand. Tickets for the ‘Oasis Live ’25’ tour can be found on Ticketmaster.

‘Whatever’ turns 30 tomorrow!
To celebrate, the official video has been upgraded to 4K with remastered audio and will premiere on YouTube at 10am GMT!
Be first to watch ithttps://t.co/mvBRXwobbS pic.twitter.com/QZXDnaW6tc

— Oasis (@oasis) December 18, 2024

The band, known for their anthemic songs, swaggering attitude, and sibling rivalry, became one of the most successful and influential bands of their era. Oasis’ influences include bands like The Beatles, The Stone Roses, and The Rolling Stones. Their rivalry with the Britpop band Blur, especially during the release of singles ‘Roll With It’ and Blur’s ‘Country House’, dominated media headlines and epitomized the Britpop phenomenon.

The song was written by Noel Gallagher, the band’s primary songwriter. The song is about freedom and individuality, encapsulated in the line, “I’m free to be whatever I, whatever I choose”. It is notable for its optimistic lyrics and orchestral arrangement, which was a departure from the band’s typical guitar-driven sound. However, a lawsuit arose over the chorus’ lyrics and melody similarity of ‘Whatever’ to Neil Innes’ song ‘How Sweet to Be an Idiot’. Noel Gallagher acknowledged the similarity, and Innes received a co-writing credit.It reached #3 on the UK Singles Chart and became one of Oasis’ most beloved tracks. Its release during the holiday season and its feel-good nature helped cement its reputation as one of Oasis’ enduring classics. Despite not being tied to an album, it has been included in Oasis compilations, such as: ‘Stop the Clocks’ (2006) and ‘Time Flies… 1994–2009’ (2010).

Oasis have officially announced their reunion and a global tour titled ‘Oasis Live ’25’, marking their first performances since disbanding in 2009. The band has scheduled multiple performances across the UK and Ireland for 2025:

• Cardiff, Wales: Principality Stadium (July 4 and 5, 2025)

• Manchester, England: Heaton Park (July 11, 12, 19, and 20, 2025)

• London, England: Wembley Stadium (July 25, 26, 30, August 2, 3, September 27, and 28, 2025)

• Edinburgh, Scotland: Murrayfield Stadium (August 8 and 9, 2025)

• Dublin, Ireland: Croke Park (August 16 and 17, 2025)

Tickets for the initial dates sold out rapidly, with additional dates added to meet the overwhelming demand. Aside from the UK and Ireland, Oasis have expanded their tour to include dates in North America, Australia, South America, and Asia, reflecting their global fanbase.

The tour is set to kick off in Leeds on March 27, 2025, before moving on to major cities such as Birmingham, Sheffield, London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Liverpool. It will wrap up by late April. Fans in Ireland can also catch Ocean Colour Scene in Dublin, but Kula Shaker won’t be performing at the Irish dates.

Ocean Colour Scene, known for their anthems “The Riverboat Song” and “The Day We Caught The Train,” have been captivating audiences for over three decades. With their three Top 5 albums and nine Top 20 single. Their sound has evolved over the years, incorporating elements of soul, folk, and blues into their Britpop roots, ensuring that their shows remain fresh while still delivering the hits.

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Formed in Birmingham in 1989, OCS emerged from the ashes of several indie bands and the city’s thriving music scene. Their big break came in 1996 with the release of their second album, Moseley Shoals, which catapulted them to Britpop stardom. The album featured some of their most iconic tracks, including “The Riverboat Song,” “The Day We Caught The Train,” and “You’ve Got It Bad.” Moseley Shoals sold over a million copies and became a defining record of the Britpop era. Notably, NME praised the album as “a fine, occasionally stunning record,” cementing the band’s status as one of the decade’s essential acts Kula Shaker, who will support Ocean Colour Scene throughout the UK portion of the tour, first rose to prominence in the ’90s with hits like “Tattva” and “Hush.” The band took a hiatus before returning to the music scene, most recently releasing their seventh album, Natural Magik, in 2024. Reflecting on their long-standing friendship with Ocean Colour Scene, Kula Shaker said: “We go way back with OCS – great musicians and even better friends. Some of our earliest gigs were with them, including shows at the Splash Club in London before Kula Shaker were signed.”

UK TOUR NEWS!

Kula Shaker will join @OCSmusic as very special guests on their 2025 UK tour! 

 General sale: Fri, Oct 4, 10am.

Pre-sale: Wed, Oct 2, 10am (sign up below).
https://t.co/yvhk4O2eLf

See you in 2025! pic.twitter.com/AI6ih9JekH

— Kula Shaker (@kulashaker) September 27, 2024

This tour isn’t the first time Ocean Colour Scene has shared the stage with other notable acts. In 2018, they hit the road with soul legends Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Simon Fowler, the band’s frontman, reflected on that experience, saying, “We couldn’t quite believe that Martha Reeves was supporting us, it seemed absurd. But our crowd loved it, she went down really well.”

Tickets for the 2025 tour go on sale at 10 am BST on Friday, October 4. Fans eager to secure their spots can also access pre-sale tickets two days earlier, on Wednesday, October 2, by signing up online here. Both bands are expected to deliver crowd-pleasing performances, with Ocean Colour Scene’s life-affirming sing-alongs and Kula Shaker’s dynamic psychedelic rock making for a nostalgic yet refreshing combination.

As part of their This Is What We Do for an Encore 2023-2024 tour, charismatic front-man, Jarvis Cocker introduced the track to 3,000 enthused fans, which is brand new take on an old demo from 1999.

This follows a spate of new material to come out of their recent North American dates. On Sunday 8th September, fans were played Spike Island at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom. Shortly, after they had premiered My Sex on Tuesday 10th September – the first of two Toronto shows – at History (an aptly named venue).

Playing through their hits, Pulp have kept their setlist fairly unchanged. With the most amount of songs played live coming from their critically acclaimed and number one album Different Class (1995). Their setlist mainly but not exclusively consists of: I Spy, Disco 2000, Something Changed, Pink Glove, Weeds, Weeds II (The Origin of the Species), F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E., Sorted for E’s & Wizz, This Is Hardcore, Do You Remember The First Time?, Babies, Sunrise.

So far, on this tour, they have followed their 13-track main set with two encores. The first of which has three tracks remaining (mostly) the same every gig: Like a Friend, Underwear and their biggest hit Common People. Their new material is saved for their second encore and, as they deliver mysterious new tracks, as their first song before Razzmatazz and Glory Days ending their gig.

Fans have also noticed a song called Farmers Market being listed but has yet to be played.

It has been over 20 years, since Pulp’s last album We Love Life (2001) and was produced by the late Scott Walker. The album was an absolute triumph.

With the potential of Britpop resurgence, it would seem fitting to have Pulp make a timely appearance. The summer ended with news of Oasis reforming for a live tour and Blur released their Blur: To The End documentary along with their performances from 2023’s Live at Wembley Stadium reunion. Out of all the bands from the naughties, it is Pulp we have missed the most.

A lot has happened in the last two decades and, more than ever, we have need for Jarvis Cocker’s wit and keen-eyed observations.

If you need a refresh, here’s a handy list of Pulp’s studio albums:

It (1983)
Freaks (1987)
Separations (1992)
His ‘n’ Hers (1994)
Different Class (1995)
This Is Hardcore (1998)
We Love Life (2001)