From Some Friendly to Wham! The Singles.
1,366 albums that we heard together, over 1,213 days from March 23rd 2020. The Twitter @LlSTENlNG_PARTY was a beautiful thing. Thanks to everyone who joined us x x pic.twitter.com/RrZpClawf5

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) August 31, 2023

Tim Burgess, a member of The Charlatans, created this unique listening experience when the UK was plunged into lockdown in March 2020. Realising the loss of live music, he wanted to recreate this experience.

Tim used his Twitter platform to create the incredible show at the end of March 2020. Tim’s Listening Party saw huge success and in March 2023 he took the show to Absolute Radio.

Content Director for Absolute Radio, Paul Sylvester, said “Tim’s Listening Party has become a phenomenon. Giving audiences the chance to listen to the music and conversation while engaging with other fans on social media ties everything together.”

After 3 years of amazing success, at a time when the UK was down on its luck, Tim brought new meaning to live music. Inviting listeners to stream the album and follow along with him, joining other like-minded souls to converse about the songs and albums in real time.

Following on from his recent tweet, Tim reminded fans that there are over 1000 listening parties available to replay on their website.

He also added a further tweet, confirming there would not be a show on Absolute Radio this coming Sunday the 3rd September; however, the former Charlatan member told his listeners that next Sunday the 9th September at 10pm, there would be a special episode and he would be filling that guest spot and the show would be hosted by Danielle Perry.

It is still uncertain, if this will be the final Tim’s Listening Party show or not.

There’s no @LlSTENlNG_PARTY on @absoluteradio tomorrow but back next Sunday at 10pm with a special episode. @danielleperry will be the host, I’m the guest and Tellin’ Stories is the featured album. Join us… pic.twitter.com/q0OV2nRT9U

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) September 2, 2023

Fans and listeners took to Twitter in reply to Tim’s recent news, that it would be the end of Tim’s Listening Party.

One listener tweeted “A sad day if this is how it ends. You made a beautiful thing, Tim. I don’t think any of us who ever took part will ever forget it. A true beacon in dark days. Thanks so much and all at @LlSTENlNG_PARTY.”

A sad day if this is how it ends. You made a beautiful thing, Tim. I don’t think any of us who ever took part will ever forget it. A true beacon in dark days. Thanks so much and all at @LlSTENlNG_PARTY HQ ♥️

— Graham (@GrahamCD272) August 31, 2023

Another fan added to say, “Aye, a wonderful experience! The very best thing to rise from 2020 without a doubt.

Aye, a wonderful experience! The very best thing to rise from 2020 without a doubt.

Congratulations , you should all be very proud

— Alan C (@Konn63) August 31, 2023

No further details have been release by Tim Burgess. at to what those new endeavour’s may be. Only to tune into Absolute Radio next Sunday for that special episode.

Music industry organisations such as Music Venue Trust, Night Time Industries Association, UK Music and LIVE have emphasized the urgent need for new measures to be put in place, to save the arts and entertainment industry amidst the energy crisis. As the newly elected prime minister Liz Truss was appointed, along her list of challenges she plans to tackle, she stated that she planned to call for a reinstatement of VAT cuts for events and hospitality that were in place during the COVID pandemic.

Chief executive of UK Music Jamie Njoku-Goodwin congratulated Truss publicly on her victory before urging Truss to follow procedures the government had in place during the pandemic, which provided aid to the entertainment and hospitality industries. He stated “Congratulations to Liz Truss. During the campaign, Liz Truss rightfully talked about the need to tackle the crippling cost of living – and she must now deliver on that commitment immediately. Without urgent action to help venues, studios and other music businesses, there is a real risk that many will go to the wall”

Goodwin continued to suggest a solution to the impending crisis regarding the industry, which is that “the government should make a significant cut to VAT from its current 20% rate to 5%- just as it did during the pandemic”.

As energy costs rise and the cost of living increasing rapidly it comes as no surprise that music companies that narrowly survived COVID are fearful they will not be as lucky during this crisis. The impending fear clouds over the industry as they dread of permanent closures to venues, clubs and recording venues within the next few months.

Music organisation LIVE is also joining in demanding action to be made, suggesting reintroducing the HMRC Time to Pay scheme as well as regulations to be put in place to help minimise energy usage.

CEO of NTIA Michael Kill is also calling on the government to act, as well as suggesting that Truss takes responsibility for the energy crisis. By putting energy caps for businesses that will be affected highly by rising fuel costs this will lessen the impact. Kill emphasises “It is now vital that the new prime minister takes this opportunity to be decisive in tackling the cost inflation crisis, over the coming days, by reducing VAT across the board, extending business rates relief and implementing an energy cap for small medium enterprise businesses”

This statement was also supported by Music Venue Trust’s Mark Dayvd who stated he had personally witnessed a grassroots music venue’s energy bill increase by £134,000.

Goodwin expressed with urgency that “Without urgent support, there is a real chance that the billions keeping businesses and venues afloat during the pandemic will be wasted and that would be a tragedy.“

R.I.P.
finally we will come back to your country next month for the first time in 3 years. pic.twitter.com/KVdhWkWBj8

— Kawabata Makoto (@SpeedGuru69) September 9, 2022

Like the rest of the music world, the worldwide pandemic put paid to their plans to tour outside of Japan. Earlier this year, Makoto told Psychedelic Baby magazine that the band were able to organise a tour in Japan during the Tokyo Olympics, explaining, “ When the Tokyo Olympics were held last summer, we organized “Acid Mothers Olympic 2021” at 5 venues in 4 cities, an insane production as the Tokyo Olympics. We played music and also original athletic sports, like guitar archery, drums, rhythmic gymnastics, bass ball, guitar tennis, et cetera on the stage! [Laughs].”

Asked how he dealt with lockdowns, the guitarist told the magazine, “ I live in a Buddhist temple on the top of the mountain. Only 6 old farmers live around here. So it looks like natural quarantine. I don’t see neighbors often, but I see deers and raccoons, and also many wild animals everyday. I set up my recording studio in my temple. So I recorded a lot of new stuff, and overdubbed and mixed many previous recordings that I couldn’t before the pandemic, because I was too busy and I started playing acoustic guitar solo.”

He went on to explain, “When I drink in my dining room or kitchen, I start to play acoustic guitar by improvising. In November 2020, one promoter offered me a solo show at a small venue. He said there are no amps there (usually all venues have a backline in Japan, so musicians don’t need to bring backline), so I decided to play an acoustic guitar solo. Many people loved this show, so I continued with an acoustic guitar solo. It’s a totally new thing even though I have played electric guitar since 1979”.

Speed guru, Kawabata Makoto and his band mates, Higashi Hiroshi/fishing god (synthesizer), Mitsuko Tabata/maratab (moog guitar, voice) Satoshima Nani/another dimension (drums, synthesizer) and Wolf/space&time (bass), playing as The Acid Mother Temple & Melting Paraiso U.F.O, released Demi-Demoniac Daemoog on January 3^rd of this year. The band started recording the album in London in 2017 and finished it at Acid Mothers Temple in October 2021.

Makoto told  Psychedelic Baby how it came about, “Our booking agent Tom Relleen offered us to record with a wall of Moog synthesizers in London when we had a European tour. I think Moog Lab organized this recording and prepared all the synthesizers. We recorded all the tracks in two days at the recording studio in London.”

Continuing, “On the first day, we (mainly I and Hiroshi Higashi) tried to find any interesting sounds from the wall of Moog synthesizers. First we recorded all synthesizer playing, then we recorded basic tracks by the band with all instruments by improvising. On the second day, I started to edit basic tracks and also Moog recordings. Then I placed edited Moog sounds on edited basic tracks and overdubbed some instruments and voices, so we had done this recording in two days in London. When I decided to release it on AKTI Records last Autumn, I overdubbed some instruments, and mixed again.” You can listen to the album here.

Acid Mother Temple UK tour dates:

06/10/2022 – Elsewhere – Margate
07/10 – Rubicond Space – Falmouth
08/10 – The King Arthur – Glastonbury
09/10 – Nortons – Birmingham
10/10 – The Crescent – York
11/10 – The Hug & Pint – Glasgow
12/10 – The Star And Shadow Cinema – Newcastle
13/10 – The White Hotel – Manchester
14/10 –  Club 85 – Hitchin
15/10 – Norwich Arts Centre – Norwich
16/10 – The Continental – Preston
17/10 –  The Cellar – Cardigan
18/10 – Trades Club – Hebden Bridge
19/10 – The Lanes – Bristol
20/10 – Komedia Studio Bar – Brighton
21/10 – Studio 9294 – London

An important message regarding the planned upcoming tour dates. pic.twitter.com/iuZcxGWtrk

— Dead Can Dance (@DCDmusic) September 6, 2022

Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry planned to play 12 shows across Europe this coming October and then head to Canada and the US to play 17 shows in 2023, including stops in Washington DC, Toronto, Los Angeles, and New York. These north American dates would have been their first in over a decade, their only performance on the continent coming at 2013’s Coachella festival when they were on tour supporting their eighth album, Anastasis.

The band last played in Europe in the spring of 2019, playing a triumphant sold-out two-legged European tour, which ended with a spectacular show at Athens’ beautiful Odeon of Herodes Atticus Amphitheatre. The pair had initially wanted to return to tour the US and Canada sooner, but the pandemic forced them to change their plans. The ‘Celebration of Life & Works 1980 -2021’ tours were meant to celebrate the Aussies’ three-decade discography. The set list included “The Host Of Seraphim”, “The Carnival Is Over”, and “Yulunga”, some of their most famous and loved songs, up to tracks from 2018’s Dionysus.

Dead Can Dance got its start in Melbourne, forming in 1981. The following year, they moved to London. Through the years, their music has been categorised variously as, Neoclassical dark wave, world, ambient, art rock, avant-garde, gothic rock and post-punk. After splitting up in 1998, they temporarily got back together in 2005 for a global tour and then reformed in 2011 to promote their new album Anastasis.

Their eponymous debut album was released in 1981, All Music saying it was “as goth as it gets”. Their albums weren’t widely available till the early 90s, when their label 4AD made a distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records. The band’s sixth album, Into the Labyrinth, sold 500,000 copies, making them 4AD’s best-selling act. The pairs concerts are legendary, and many songs were only performed live, leading to a healthy bootleg economy. The duo has released two live albums, 1998’s Toward the Within, which had chart success, and 2013’s In Concert. As of now, no other information has been provided about plans to reschedule the 2022 and 2023 dates.

The 27-year-old artist has released a statement concerning the news, “To everyone in Australia and New Zealand, I can’t believe it’s been four years, I can’t wait to see you again, but unfortunately it is just not possible at this time. I will be sharing news soon about new shows. Love you all so much. I miss you, and I can’t wait to see you.”

Live Nation also published a statement on their website that confirmed the cancellation and informed ticketholders that a full refund will be given, “Due to the continuing challenges for international touring, the Harry Styles ‘Love On Tour’ is unable to be rescheduled for Australia & New Zealand in 2022. The current arena tour will be cancelled whilst we work towards a new tour, with all ticket holders receiving a full refund accordingly.”

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The former One Direction member has confirmed that the tour dates for the UK, Europe and South America will be going ahead as scheduled. The tour’s support acts have already been confirmed, for the UK dates Mitski will be opening for the singer. For the Dublin show, Styles will share the stage with Mercury Prize award-winning artist Arlo Parks, and for some of the singer’s European dates, he will be joined by British rockers Wolf Alice. Throughout the tour’s Southern American leg, the singer will be supported by Koffee, the 21-year-old musician who is best known as the youngest person and woman to win the Best Reggae Album prize at the Grammy Awards.

The singer’s second tour sees the Style perform in his first stadiums, including London’s famed Wembley Stadium on 18th June 2022. Styles is set to begin the 32 city tour with a performance in Glasgow on 11th June 2022, the singer will conclude his four-date UK leg on 22nd June 2022 in Dublin, Ireland. The tour’s European run is set to begin on 26th June 2022 in Hamburg, Germany, after 19 performances across the continent Styles will perform on 20th November 2022 in Mexico, the tour will end after 9 dates with the concluding show on 10th December 2022 in Brazil.

The “Watermelon Sugar” singer joins a list of artists who recently announced the cancellation of their Australian and New Zealand tour dates. Other artists including Sir Rod Stewart were also forced to cancel shows due to the complications and restrictions brought upon by COVID.

Harry Styles UK Tour Dates

11/06/2022 – IBrox Stadium – Glasgow
15/06 – Emirates Old Trafford – Manchester
19/06 – Wembley Stadium – London
22/06 – Aviva Stadium – Dublin

Click here to purchase tickets.

The “Maggie May” singer has released the following statement concerning the announcement, “My thoughts are with all your families at this difficult time as we come out of the joyous and hopefully safe holiday season and I look forward to returning to Australia as soon as the health situation permits. I’m absolutely gutted with disappointment and when I do eventually get there we‘ll have the party to end all parties. Guaranteed.”

No further announcements have been made concerning the rest of the singer’s 2022 tour schedule. Sir Stewart’s UK and American tour dates are currently active and tickets are available to purchase. The singer’s North American leg commences on 15th February 2022 with an appearance at Hard Rock Live in Florida and concludes on 3rd September 2022 with a final performance at Florida’s Amalie Arena.

UK fans will get to see the singer live this winter; Sir Stewart will begin his UK tour on 16th November 2022 with a set at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena. The schedule consists of thirteen live performances within ten different UK and Irish cities, the tour wraps up with a set at Belfast’s The SSE Arena on 20th December 2022.

The hitmaker has been a staple of British music since the 1960s and was awarded a CBE and Knighthood in honour of his contribution to the arts and science. Sir Stewart has participated within many genres of music and has achieved ten number-one albums within the UK. The singer’s upcoming The Hits 2022 concert series marks Sir Stewarts 32nd tour and is in support of his newly released album The Tears Of Hercules.

Ladies & Gentlemen I bring you ‘The Tears of Hercules’

It’s been a wonderful time making this record and I’m so pleased we can finally put it out!

Make sure you grab your copy here: https://t.co/mk9O88iHLb pic.twitter.com/IU4csJmqjW

— Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) November 12, 2021

The album was released on 12th November 2021 via Warner and Rhino, the release marks the singer’s 32nd studio album. The release is co-produced by Sir Stewart and long-term partner Kevin Savigar, the pair began their successful musical partner in the early 2010s with many of their projects becoming profitable releases. Sir Stewart’s latest album has sired three singles so far, the first single “One More Time” was released on 16th September 2021 and was accompanied by a music video shot in London. The album’s second single “Hold On” was released on 15th October 2021 and the latest and third single “I Can’t Imagine” was released on 5th November 2021.

The recent surge of Covid activity and subsequential change in social and live entertainment rules has affected the singer’s Australian dates, however, the singer’s Las Vegas dates have remained unchanged. Sir Stewart is set to begin his residency in America’s sin city on 13th May 2022, the singer will follow in the footsteps of many legendary acts who have taken the stage at Caesars Palace’s The Colosseum.

Sir Rod Stewart UK tour dates

16/11/2022 – Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham
22/11 – The O2 Arena – London
29/11 – Ovo Hydro – Glasgow
06/12 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
09/12 – Utilita Arena – Birmingham
13/12 – First Direct Arena – Leeds
14/12 – AO Arena – Manchester
17/12 – Utilita Arena – Newcastle
18/11 – 3Arena – Dublin
19/12 – 3Arena – Dublin
20/12 – The SSE Arena – Belfast

Click here to purchase tickets.

Click here to download The Tears Of Hercules.

In a tweet, Anderson wrote: “Due to increasing Covid restrictions, we are postponing the EU/UK tour to May. Tickets are valid for the new dates, refunds available at point of purchase.”

The artist went on to explain that her US tour dates would stay the same.

Due to increasing Covid restrictions, we are postponing the EU/UK tour to May. Tickets are valid for the new dates, refunds available at point of purchase No changes to my cozy little US tour.

I’m sad but I can’t wait to sing with you this Spring !!!! pic.twitter.com/MePuBoAEkS

— MØ ∞ (@MOMOMOYOUTH) December 17, 2021

Fans will likely get to hear her latest hits such as “Kindness” and “Live To Survive” which were released earlier this year. Along with those releases the musician also revealed that her third album Motordrome will be released on January 28, 2022, so it is likely many of the tracks from that album will also be featured in the tour.

Motordrome is the follow-up to MØ’s 2018 album Forever Neverland. Speaking on her latest album Andersen stated “I hope that people will feel that (this album) is genuine and that there are stories there that they can connect with. For me this album represents a huge change in my life. Even though I’m still doing what I love doing, it does feel like a new chapter. An era of my life is over and I’m entering a new one. That is scary, but it’s freeing.”

You can view the new tour UK and EU dates below:

05/12/22 Parkteatret – Oslo
05/13 Debaster – Stockholm
05/15 Niebo – Warsaw
05/16 Kesselhaus – Berlin
05/19 Heaven – London
05/20 Le Trabendo – Paris
05/22 Melkweg – Amsterdam
05/24 Orangerie Botanique – Brussels

The American rapper, actor and songwriter is best known as a founding member of the pioneering hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. The “Liquid Swords” tour is to celebrate 25 years since the release of the artist’s second solo studio album Liquid Swords, the album was released on 7th November 1995 and has remained a vital part of HipHop’s cannon.

The tour was meant to start this March with the original first date at Electric Brixton located in London, the tours initial last performance was to be held in Edinburgh. However, due to the ongoing impact in which COVID-19 has had on live music and social events, the tour will now start in February 2022. Consisting of eight dates, the tour will commence with a set in Brighton on 25th February as well as a newly included performance in Sheffield.

Liquid Swords has been certified platinum and features samples of dialogue taken from the famed martial arts film Shogun Assassin, released in 1980 the film was directed by Robert Houston and David Weisman. The album also features guest appearances from Wu-Tang Clan members and the group’s extended member Killah Priest. Sometimes referred to as The Genius, GZA has remained the eldest member of the Wu-Tang Clan as well as the group’s first member to obtain a record deal. The artist’s original talent is recognised through his individualistic lyrical topics which include philosophical themes, the rapper’s lyrics hold the second-largest vocabulary within HipHop

Wu-Tang Clan consists of nine members including GZA and is known as one of the most influential groups in music. The group comprises of HipHop’s most distinguished artists, RZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa. The collective was formed in 1992 within Staten Island by GZA and his cousin RZA, the group are an essential part of the East Coast Hip Hop style and are regarded as a pioneers within the genre. In 2019 tragic news was announced that the group’s mentor and long-term collaborator Popa Wu had passed away at the age of 63, GZA and other members posted emotional tributes to the artist.

The group’s first studio album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was released on 9th November 1993 via Loud Records and was produced by RZA. Similar to Liquid Swords, the group’s initial release takes inspiration from two martial arts films, Enter The Dragon and The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, both films acted as inspiration for the album’s title. The album further popularised hardcore Hip Hop within the 1990s and is recognized for leading the way into the East Coast Renaissance, a movement that paved the way for the next generation of East Coast Hip hop rappers such as The Notorious B.I.G and Nas.

The group are also known for their philanthropic acts, last year Wu-Tang Clan released the campaign “A Better Tomorrow” in aid of the charities Ottawa Mission, the Ottawa Food Bank and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. The collection included two products, the printed guide entitled “Protect ya’ neck against Coronavirus” and a hand sanitiser called “Protect ya Hands”.

It has been announced that the original tickets bought for the tour will be valid for the rescheduled dates next year. Full details of the UK tour can be found below.

25/02/2022 – Concorde 2 – Brighton
26/02 – Electric Brixton – London
27/02 – SWX – Bristol
28/02 – Riverside – Newcastle
01/03 – O2 Institute – Birmingham
02/03 – O2 Ritz – Manchester
03/03 – Belgrave Music Hall – Leeds
05/03 – Foundry – Sheffield

Dominic Harrison as he’s also known rescheduled his tour dates earlier this year and is now set to begin in Nottingham on August 6. This will be two weeks after the UK dropped all of its coronavirus restrictions.

Scotland however still has restrictions in place next month, meaning Yungblud’s two Glasgow dates at the Barrowlands have been rescheduled for December. Yesterday evening (July 27), the Doncaster singer provided information regarding entry into the shows on the tour, revealing that he will offer free complimentary masks that are “fookin sick”.

Yungblud’s statement on Twitter reads “august tour news!!! ive waited for 18 months for this moment but as always safety and well-being is always my priority, these shows are gonna be fookin history, let’s do it right !!! you’re my blood and guts. i love you!!! are you fookin ready?!?”

august tour news!!! ive waited for 18 months for this moment but as always safety and well-being is always my priority. these shows are gonna be fookin history, let’s do it right !!! you’re my blood and guts. i love you!!! are you fookin ready?!? pic.twitter.com/T42L8LeRTc

— YUNGBLUD’s on mars (@yungblud) July 27, 2021

Only one of the following criteria needs to be met in order to gain entry to the shows:

• Proof of a negative NHS COVID-19 lateral flow test, taken within 24 hours of entry
• Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, both doses received at least 14 days before entry
• Proof of natural immunity based upon a positive PCR test, taken within 180 days of the show (including 10-days self-isolation following the result)

The singer will then depart on another tour, titled the ‘Life On Mars’ tour, later this year, beginning in Brighton at the end of September.

‘OCCUPY THE UK’ TOUR

06/08/2021 Rock City – Nottingham
07/08 Rock City – Nottingham
09/08 Kentish Town Forum – London
10/08 Kentish Town Forum – London
12/08 Kentish Town Forum – London
13/08 Kentish Town Forum – London
14/08 Kentish Town Forum – London
07/12 Barrowlands – Glasgow
08/12 Barrowlands – Glasgow

In an announcement, they wrote “We’ll be running the first ever 2000trees vs ArcTanGent live event in Bristol! 80-Trees…” and continued “That’s right two days and nights of ACTUAL. LIVE. GIGS showcasing some of the best bands from Trees and ATG past, present and future.” 

The statement also added: “As you know we’re all super gutted that both ATG and our sister festival, 2000trees, can’t go ahead this summer. Last year we couldn’t all meet face to face so we put on our very first virtual festival – three days of awesome music recorded in lockdown by some of our favourite bands… But can watching bands on your laptop or phone really keep you going for another summer??? Na us neither!”

All the details for the festival were uploaded to their social media sites, with the line-up set to be announced next week with tickets on sale now here.

80Trees – ArcTanGent vs. 2000trees on sale NOW from https://t.co/x95FBs81XS.

On Saturday 31st July and Sunday 1st August, we’ll be running the first ever 2000trees vs. ArcTanGent live event in Bristol… 80Trees! (say it slowly)

1/4. pic.twitter.com/ziA1IlCdOs

— 2000trees Festival (@2000trees) July 16, 2021

2000trees and ArcTanGent are among a growing number of UK festivals that have been cancelled this year due to the ongoing concerns caused by the pandemic. A recent survey has revealed that at least half of UK festivals have now been cancelled this year. Despite this, there are still some events set to go ahead, in July fans will be flocking to Latitude and Tramlines, with both of these events taking part in the next stage of the government’s Events Research Programme (ERP).

The ERP has seen audiences attend a weekend of events in Liverpool, the BRIT Awards and Download Festival to investigate the safety of large crowds returning to events after the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, Green Man Festival announced that it will go ahead with its 2021 event, taking place in the Black Mountains in Wales in late August.