He shared the news on social media earlier this week, revealing the song would be out October 17 and would feature the “legend” on the piano. He also shared the artwork for the single.

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Elton John responded on his Instagram story, sharing the post and writing, “Incredibly excited for this,” as well as commenting on the announcement post, “Love you, Sam. This is a special one”

The pair have previously performed together and have spoken highly of each other, and this announcement comes after Sam Fender had teased a collaboration with his “good friend playing piano” on Instagram.

The collaboration was first teased last week, with an advert that also confirmed the news of  a deluxe edition of his latest album ‘People Watching‘.

The advert read, “Track 02. Talk To You (ft.)” before a blank name, which led fans to question who the featured artist could be.

“We’ve always sung together,” the siblings shared in a joint statement. “And we want to celebrate that in a simple way -celebrating songs we love and the way our voices come from the same place and the same memories. We’ve been talking about doing this for a long time.”

The forthcoming project will include both original songs and covers, inspired by the folk, acoustic, and traditional music they grew up with. The project is described as deeply personal – an exploration of sibling harmony and the storytelling that binds them as artists and family.

Johnny Flynn is well-known for his dual career as a musician and actor. He is the frontman of Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit, a band that has released six studio albums blending folk, indie, and poetic lyricism. He has also collaborated on the 2021 album ‘Lost in the Cedar Wood’ with author Robert Macfarlane, and composed the theme for the beloved BBC series Detectorists.

On stage and screen, Flynn’s performances have earned wide acclaim. He portrayed David Bowie in Stardust (2020), Mr. Knightley in Emma (2020), and most recently took on the role of Richard Burton in Sam Mendes’ The Motive and the Cue, which premiered at the National Theatre before moving to the West End.

Though less widely known, Lillie Flynn is a seasoned performer with a strong background in theatre and music. She has worked with innovative theatre companies including Kneehigh, Punchdrunk, and Shakespeare’s Globe. Her vocals have occasionally featured with her brother’s band, where audiences have praised their uncanny harmony and emotional synchronicity. The upcoming project promises to put that front and centre for the first time in a studio setting.

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This upcoming music project is the culmination of years of behind-the-scenes collaboration. Their musical bond was forged through singing traditional songs around the family home, and later, through collaborations on stage. The siblings recently discussed this musical upbringing and shared love for performance on the Relatively podcast.

Set for release later this year, the project is expected to be accompanied by a short run of live shows including two performances at London’s Open Air Theatre in September . With a stripped-back, acoustic focus and a reverence for shared memory, this project will offer listeners a rare and intimate glimpse into a musical relationship that has been decades in the making.

The link to buy tickets for Johnny and Lillie Flynn’s performance in September can be accessed here.

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Lead singer Thom shared in an interview with Contactmusic.com: “We’re working on ideas with him. We’ve been sending over little ideas to each other and putting them together. And he’s a great writer. He’s so good, he’s so witty, and his lyrics are great and his melodies are great. So I just keep sending bits of music, he keeps sending bits back, and before we know it, we’re going to have a summer hit with Robbie Williams. I’ll just literally tell him my every thought, and he kind of tells me his, and we just try and make each other laugh. He’s become almost my therapist, which is so weird, like, ‘Robbie Williams is my therapist.’ ”

The Greater Manchester band is set to release their new album this Friday March 21, an album on which they have collaborated with artists such as Reverend and the Makers, Shed Seven, and Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger.

The lead singer shared some more about his experience working with the Nickelback frontman: “It was weird because I had to find our middle ground, I had to find the Venn diagram of Nickelback and Lottery Winners and then write a song that fit directly in the middle there. And luckily, I am a genius, so I managed to do it very easily [laughs]. But then when Chad came into the room and and put and put his parts on it, man, it just came alive!”

The band formed in Leigh back in 2008 and were discovered by music mogul Seymour Stein in 2019. Their third studio album ‘Anxiety Replacement Therapy’  saw them collaborating with Frank Turner, Shaun Ryder and Boy George and was placed number 1 in the Official UK album chart.

The first song known to be included in the album is the single ‘Never Too Late’ which was released as John and Carlile’s first song collaboration last year. The song was used in Elton John’s documentary which came out in the same year and was titled, just like the album, ‘Who Believes in Angels’. The song peaked at number 47 and only spent a week on UK charts.

About the record, John said: “This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life. It has given me a place where I know I can move forward. Who Believes In Angels? feels like going into another era and I’m pushing the door open to come into the future.”

Carlile joined in commenting on the announcement, and said: “I’m still reeling from the fact that I got to do it. I think all ships rise with Elton John’s standards for songwriting, and it was an incredibly challenging and inspiring environment to work in, everybody throwing in ideas, everybody listening to everybody else’s ideas. It felt like a family.”

Here are all the tracks included in the upcoming release:

1.    The Rose Of Laura Nyro
2.    Little Richard’s Bible
3.    Swing For The Fences
4.    Never Too Late
5.    You Without Me
6.    Who Believes In Angels?
7.    The River Man
8.    A Little Light
9.    Someone To Belong To
10.    When This Old World Is Done With Me

To celebrate and promote the album, a special show was also announced: Carlile and John will be gracing the London Palladium Stage in Central London for a one night only special set to take place on March 26, 2025, only a couple of weeks before the release of the album. For a chance to access tickets, fans are encouraged to pre-order the album here.

John and Carlile have also created a special video for fans which narrates and illustrates how the album was born and created.

The ‘Famous Order’ meal was an initiative set up by McDonald’s for fans to try the favourite order of their favourite artists. Known for its iconic concoction of McDonald’s classics, the ‘Famous Order’ has been a limited edition fixture on US menus, featuring the favourite orders of J Balvin, Travis Scott, Saweetie, BTS and Mariah Carey. Stormzy joins this legendary lineup, having the first ‘Famous Order’ to come out of the UK and Ireland.

The ‘Big For Your Boots’ performer will see his famous order drop on February 12. Consisting of 9 Chicken McNuggets, fries, two BBQ dips, a Sprite Zero and a choice of either an Oreo McFlurry or an Apple Pie – the meal will only set fans back £7.99.

Photo credit: McDonald’s UK

Commenting on the upcoming collaboration, Stormzy stated: “I am so gassed for my McDonald’s order to be the first ever ‘Famous Order’ in the UK and Ireland. Never thought I’d have my own order on the official menu. That’s mad.”

Stormzy first gained traction within the underground music scene in the mid-2010s for his enticing freestyles over classic grime melodies. With three No. 1 albums, ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’, ‘Heavy Is The Head’ and ‘This Is What I Mean’, the first of which achieving the status of the first grime album to ever reach the top spot, Stormzy has taken the world by storm, with his clever wordplay and bodacious flow. Most recently, the Croydon legend collaborated with Chase & Status for ‘BACKBONE’ a high-energy electronic-grime anthem, up for ‘Song Of The Year’ at this year’s BRIT Awards.

Stormzy’s icon status means he’s more than a worthy person to have the UK and Ireland’s first ‘Famous Order’ meal. Ben Fox, McDonald’s UK & Ireland Chief Marketing Officer, said: “Stormzy is a McDonald’s fan through and through, and a true global icon. This makes him the perfect superstar to bring to life the fact that no matter how famous you are, everyone has a favourite, go to, McDonald’s order. Introducing Stormzy’s signature order is an incredible moment for the brand; two icons colliding, giving everyone the chance to eat just like Big Mike at McDonald’s and, if they are lucky, to nab some exclusive branded merch.”

@itvnews Stormzy has become the first celeb to get his go-to McDonald’s order available as a meal deal in the UK #itvnews #mcdonalds #stormzy ♬ original sound – itvnews

As specified by Fox, Stormzy’s limited edition set-meal isn’t the only thing fans can get their hands on from February 12.

McDonald’s and Stormzy superfans will also get the opportunity to earn themselves some exclusive merch via the McDonald’s app, which includes pin badges, posters and a tumbler. For those local to the ‘Vossi Bop’ performer’s hometown Croydon, fans will be able to get order Stormzy’s ‘Famous Order’ meal two days prior to its national release on February 10.

Tom Grennan is a British singer-songwriter known for his powerful voice and emotionally charged pop-soul music. His rise to fame began with his feature on Chase & Status’s track ‘All Goes Wrong’ (2016), followed by his 2018 debut album ‘Lighting Matches’. Grennan’s subsequent albums, ‘Evering Road’ (2021) and ‘What Ifs & Maybes’ (2023), earned critical acclaim, with hits like ‘Little Bit of Love’ and ‘How Does It Feel’ solidifying his place as one of the UK’s leading artists. ‘Little Bit of Love’ (2021) reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, earning Grennan his first top-ten single.

In addition to his collaboration aspirations, Grennan has been focusing on his own music. He released a festive single titled ‘It Can’t Be Christmas’ this year and has been working diligently on a new album set for release in 2025. He describes the upcoming album as a reinvention of his sound, adding, “I wanna try and reinvent myself, and my sound, and put out music that I really love.”

Raye is open to collaborations and has a history of working with various artists across different genres. She has collaborated with notable musicians such as Lewis Capaldi, Tom Walker, and Rag’n’Bone Man. In a 2021 interview, Raye mentioned writing with Lewis Capaldi and planning sessions with Tom Walker and Rag’n’Bone Man, expressing her interest in exploring new perspectives through these collaborations.

Raye gained recognition with hits such as ‘You Don’t Know Me’ and ‘Secrets’, showcasing her versatility across pop, R&B, and dance genres. In 2023, she independently released her critically acclaimed debut album ‘My 21st Century Blues‘, featuring the global hit ‘Escapism’. It reached number one in January 2023, becoming the first chart-topping single for both Raye and 070 Shake.

Additionally, Raye has contributed her songwriting talents to other artists. She has written songs for Little Mix and Rihanna, showcasing her versatility and openness to working with a diverse range of musicians. Given her extensive experience and enthusiasm for collaborations, it is likely that Raye would be receptive to working with Tom Grennan on a project like a cover of ‘Fairytale of New York’.

In a harmonious collaboration, the choir and the death metal band joined forces and recorded three captivating tracks together. The village hall in the county became a sanctuary of creativity as forty choir members lent their voices to the band’s new tunes for the mesmerizing Riddles of the Sycophants album.

Since then, the band has been on an exhilarating musical journey, captivating audiences across Europe with their symphonic melodies. From enchanting performances in France, Switzerland, Germany, to the captivating landscapes of Finland, Ghosts of Atlantis has left an indelible mark on the hearts of their listeners.

Colin Parks said, “You think death metal and stuff, you think maybe some alcohol, but it was tea and hobnobs.” He went on to say, “They are a community choir, and we are obviously from Suffolk as well, and it was nice that two worlds collided to do something a bit unique that no-one else was really doing. It has given fans a chance to listen to something that our fans wouldn’t have normally experienced and vice versa and I think we have seen quite a nice crossover which breaks down barriers and that was important.”

Pop Chorus director Yula Andrews said, “We’re always trying to create memorable experiences for our singers…sometimes opportunities you’ve never even dreamed of jump out at you. I couldn’t resist putting us forward to record with Ghosts Of Atlantis. Our singers are always keen to embrace a new challenge!”

With a staggering fan base of over 6,000 followers on Instagram, the band’s popularity continues to soar. Their second album, accompanied by the enchanting harmonies of the Pop Chorus, was released just last week. The pop choir featured on “Lands of Snows”, “Empires Burn at Dawn”, and title track from the album “Riddles of the Sycophants”

Merky FC was inspired by the lack of leadership positions held by those with Black Heritage. The partnership currently “creates a multi-year career programme, and opportunities for those who do not currently have fair access and representation within the industry.”

Amidst the launch of their second season on the programme (beginning October 2023), Stormzy and Adidas have released a report that highlights the importance of allyship within the football industry.

In a recent report published by Merky FC, the partnership announced their expansion, as they increase the number of football industry positions they recruit for from 15 to 50. Both Stormzy and Adidas are calling on their allies to form part of a career programme, which will commence in January 2024.

#Merky FC is back, but this year, we’ve got to go bigger.

Share one of the 50 #MerkyFC roles with a friend now to change the game. https://t.co/pllMjqO5zv@adidasfootballpic.twitter.com/qXSodEy07V

— Stormzy (@stormzy) October 5, 2023

All roles will include placements with leading brands, that will offer work experience in an effort to change the game for Black and Black Heritage youth. The Merky FC partners offering placements in this season of the programme are:

Adidas
Arsenal FC
EA
Football Co (GOAL)
Fulham FC
Guild
Hill & Knowlton Strategies
Homeground
IMG
ITV
JOE
KSS
LADbible
Manchester United
#Merky FC
Scottish FA
SI Games
Sky Sports
Soccerbible
TEAM
The Midnight Club
Transferroom
Twelfth Man
Veo
Wasserman
Women In Football

According to the report, 56 per cent of young Black and mixed-Black heritage people aspire to work in the industry, yet only 6.7 per cent of senior roles in football are occupied by someone from this community, and this partnership aims to break through these barriers to entry and provide more representation within football.

A press release states “adidas and Stormzy understand that allyship alone cannot tackle the disparities within the industry, however by using the #Merky FC approach – referring candidates, mentorship programmes and establishing role models, believe this can be replicated across the industry to help boost representation. “

Those interested in registering their interest in the roles Merky FC are offering can do so by clicking here. The deadline for registering interest is October 19th.

After Peter left the band Genesis in 1975, he joined the Peace Choir and performed in the single “Give Peace A Chance.” As a prominent figure in promoting peace. He has participated in many ‘human rights’ campaigns. Significantly, Amnestry International 1988 Human Rights Now.

Artist for Action to Prevent Gun Violence, is said not to be a political stand, but rather to encourage America’s to volunteer and vote to eradicate gun violence in the US. With over 470 mass shootings in 2023 already, their voices will be needed more than ever.

Peter Gabriel said in an interview “This needs to stop. So many needless deaths. So much needless suffering. It just needs a little common sense.”

Behind the voices of Artists for Action is the founder Mark Barden. Whose son was tragically and fatally wounded in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December 2012. As a former professional guitarist himself, he put it all on hold, to dedicate his time to preventing gun violence in the US.

Mark launches the series of united and passionate artist, with it’s first event taking place in New York on September 22nd. Presented by AFA (Artists for Artists) who are known for their support and advocacy in social impact events.

This was their message, “Artist For Action: We are a coalition of artists, musicians and influencers who are taking action towards eliminating the epidemic of gun violence in America. Our platform makes it easy for artists to activate their fans in taking 3 simple steps to prevent gun violence – Volunteer, Donate, Vote. Artist For Action To Prevent Gun Violence is a non-political movement that has come together as one to help prevent future tragedies. We must act now!”

No further dates have been listed as of yet and currently Peter Gabriel is touring in Canada and the US promoting his latest album in 7 years called i/o, which began in May 2023. 

Peter Gabriel has a profound and unique empathy that he communicates through his music and lyrics. His voice will be a invaluable against the prevention of gun violence, due to his knowledge and understanding of the world around him. And that is clearly demonstrated when hearing Peter describe the meaning behind the songs on his new album and the deeper mindset that we must adapt and move forward.

This collaboration is to help build a platform were artists can inspire their fans to get active in the prevention of gun violence. A web page is set up for those who wish to volunteer, donate and vote in this prevention of gun violence and purchase tickets to each show of ‘Artists for Action.’

We come across such an artistic crossing of paths after The Lottery Winners spent a good effort trying to catch his attention. After 55 tweets, the 61 year old icon gave them a chance, and decided to give the song a listen, which led to him vocally contributing to the track.

Rylance, the frontman of the band, held his persistence in trying to work with George after researching how a pop song should be written to be considered a classic. Having listened to many of the pop artist’s songs for inspiration he came to the realisation that his creation of “Let Me Down” had been written to be sung by no other vocalist other than the man himself. Which he heroically achieved.

The single has been released, previously, as part of their upcoming album Anxiety Replacement Therapy due to be dropped on the 28th April this year (2023). They’ve also released two other singles of the album, the opening song “Worry” and “Money” featuring the Happy Mondays lead singer Shaun Ryder.

Rylance describes the song as such: “The song has a light and sunny ‘80s feel, with a lot of the same colours as other Boy George songs.” The album is to be received as the reflection of a year in the writer’s life. A typhoon of his mental health struggles and how he dealt with it. He shares his concern for others in similar situations and wants listeners to use it as a self-help tape.

The single comes hand in hand with a music video, which is supposed to pay homage to to George’s legacy of equality and paving a way for the younger generation of artists.  It showcases a young boy sadly getting home from school who turns on the television and gets inspired by the band and Boy George’s fexpressive freedom.

They have also just announced a UK tour set to start next month. Kicking off o the 4th April in Sheffield they will make their way through the country, with a couple of cheeky gigs out in the Netherlands and Amsterdam, until the 19th August finishing in Cornwall.

Get your tickets here.

UK Tour dates:

04/04/2023 – Leadmill – Sheffield
12/04 – O2 Academy 2 – Liverpool
13/04 – Epic Studios – Norwich
14/04 – Bullingdon – Oxford
15/04 – Clwb Ifor Bach – Cardiff
16/04 – Corn Exchange – Hertford
18/04 – Mama Roux – Birmingham
19/04 – Room 2 – Glasgow
20/04 – Brudenell – Leeds
21/04 – Empire – Middlesborough
22 /04 – Parr Hall – Warrington
23 /04 – Rescue Rooms – Nottingham
25/04 – Phoenix – Exeter
26/04 – Thekla -Bristol
27/04 – Patterns – Brighton
28 /04 – Engine Rooms – Southampton
29/04 – Lafayette – London
02/05 – Sugarmill – Stoke
03/05 – Docks Academy – Grimsby
27/05 – The Park Festival – Leeds
28/05 – Neighbourhood Festival – Manchester
15/06 – Isle of Wight Festival – Isle Of White
12/08 – Boardmasters Festival – Cornwall
19/08 – This Feeling By The Sea Festival – Bridlington