The Secret 7” initiative first launched in 2012, with the goal of amalgamating the interests of vinyl collectors and art enthusiasts by merging both artforms. Each year, seven different artists will release a different track which will each feature on 100 different 7” vinyl pressings. The 700 vinyls are all unique, as each sleeve is designed by a different creative, whether that be a renowned artist or a newcomer. Each version will only be available to purchase via auction, where the artist’s identity will be revealed after each record is sold.

Last year tracks from ‘War Child Present Secret 7”’ featured many legendary musicians: from Celeste’s ‘Stop This Flame’ to Paul McCartney’s ‘Pipes of Peace’ it was an unforgettable year for the initiative, as Aurora, Hozier, Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Chemical Brothers and The Specials all joined forces to raise money for the charity.

War Child presents #Secret7 is back!

This year you can design artwork for unique vinyl releases from @thecure, @frankturner, @GregoryPorter, @JessieWare, @keaneofficial, @scissorsisters and @SophieEB

Listen to the 2025 tracks and submit your design: https://t.co/OybXHXQrU5 pic.twitter.com/tO5NEu5v2H

— Secret 7” (@Secret7s) January 13, 2025

This year joining The Cure and Sophie Ellis-Bextor are Frank Turner, Gregory Porter, Jessie Ware, Keane and Scissor Sisters.

The forthcoming Secret 7” will include:

The Cure – ‘Warsong: Troxy Live 2024’

Frank Turner – ‘Be More Kind’

Gregory Porter – ‘Merchant of Paradise’

Jessie Ware – ‘Beautiful People’

Keane – ‘Black Rain’

Scissor Sisters – ‘Return to Oz’

Sophie Ellis-Bextor – ‘Devotion’ (Brand new exclusive track for War Child’s Secret 7”)

The unveiling of this year’s musical contributions for Secret 7” marks the opening of public submissions for each track’s artwork. All creatives are invited to submit their digital submissions between January 13 and February 28, here. Last year saw submissions from Stanley Donwood (renowned for creating cover art for Radiohead’s LPs), fashion designer Paul Smith, Gorillaz visual creative Jamie Hewlett and more.

Charlotte Nimmo, the Fundraising Engagement Director at War Child UK revealed motivations from this year’s Secret 7”: “This year has been horrendous for children caught up in conflict, but the money raised here will help us provide immediate emergency aid, and specialist long term support where it’s needed most”.

Continuing: “We pride ourselves on working with the best in music and creative arts to create something brilliant that ultimately changes the lives of some of the most vulnerable children around the world, and we can’t wait for everyone to see and hear, what has been created this year for Secret 7”. We are so grateful to the artists, both musical and visual, for supporting our work, and everyone that donates to help us do what we do”.

Secret 7″ brings together 7 iconic tracks from 7 of the world’s top musicians, each pressed just 100 times onto 7” vinyl.

Creatives everywhere are invited to reinterpret these tracks, producing 700 one-of-a-kind sleeve designs.

Find out more: https://t.co/JmnBcyvBHn pic.twitter.com/UXEh9gSkAQ

— Secret 7” (@Secret7s) January 13, 2025

This year’s Secret 7” edition reveals the music industry and War Child’s ongoing collaboration to raise funds for children in war stricken locations. Just recently Kate Bush released the anti-war animation ‘Little Shrew’ (which features her track ‘Snowflake’) to raise money for the charity, while The Lumineers are set to play an intimate gig at London’s Hoxton Hall on January 17 in partnership with War Child. The presence of music and art has been fundamental for War Child to bring their ethos and charitable initiatives into mainstream consciousness.

Following technical issues at one of Manchester’s most famous arenas, huge artists such as: Take That, Olivia Rodrigo, and Keane, have been forced to postpone or cancel their performances on extremely short notice, leaving thousands of fans angered.

Usually, the arena can hold up to 23,500 people, and these seats were expected to be filled on the 20th April, as Rick Astley was due to perform in a test concert, and was the first show since the arena’s original opening. However, according to NME, only an hour before the show began, thousands of unfortunate concert goers received the fatal email that was cancelling their tickets. The arena claimed that this was in order to reduce the venue capacity to 11,000 for safety measures, however it did not appease attendees, some of which had already began on their travels to the show.

From here, the situation only worsened as A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s show on May 1st was cancelled ten minutes prior to the doors opening. It has been revealed that a component of the air conditioning system had fell during soundcheck, resulting in the abrupt cancelling of his show. As a result of the worsening difficulties with the venue, artists including A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Take That, have managed to change their shows to the Co-op Arena’s rival venue, the AO Arena.

The arena has stated that they are hoping to re-open on May 14th, despite recently undergoing work. According to the BBC, the venue had been warned in February that construction plans were around 35 weeks behind schedule. Nonetheless, the £365m venue is confident that they will soon be re-opening, and are keeping fan’s hopes up with the announcement of shows for this summer and the rescheduling of previously cancelled shows.

However, many artists have been unable to rearrange their shows, with Olivia Rodrigo, who has currently not managed to reschedule her show, stating she is “so bummed” that her show can’t go ahead

Hopefully the venue will be up and running again soon, as many despondent fans have been left miserable and confused at the sudden change of circumstances.

The British-American three-piece Gabriels will be performing a late night show at Ronnie Scott’s in Soho, and have also teased that a ‘very special guest‘ will be accompanying them. The group were thrilled to be nominated for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023, and are more recently excited by their nomination for Best International Group of The Year at The BRITs for the second year in a row:

It’s official. We are Nominees for International Group of the Year at the @brits, for the second year in a row. We are so grateful. Congratulations to all the nominees and a THOUSAND THANK YOUs to everyone who made this possible. See you on the red carpet – March 2nd.  #BRITs pic.twitter.com/T29gpxyOGt

— Gabriels (@___gabriels) January 24, 2024

Celestial singer-songwriter AURORA will also be taking to the stage following the release of her latest single ‘The Conflict Of The Mind.’ Born in Norway, the omnipresent vocalist has built a huge UK following, and will be performing in collaboration with the charity on February 26 at Lafayette in London.

Unveiling the two musicians as the final additions, War Child said: “These incredible acts are joining us to raise money for children affected by conflict and help give them what they deserve: hope for a better future.”

Taking place between February 19 and March 4 ahead of The BRIT Awards 2024 with Mastercard, BRITs Week will offer exclusive live performances from a diverse range of acts from different genres, including Cian Ducrot, You Me At Six, Keane, Ash, Baby Queen, Aitch, Pendulum, Sleaford Mods, CMAT, Venbee and The Last Dinner Party.

Performances may be more poignant than usual, particularly for fans of You Me At Six who have revealed this will be their last year together as a band. Emotions may also be running high for The Last Dinner Party who are still reeling from their BRIT Rising Star win.

Clare Sanders Wright, Senior Music Manager at War Child said in a statement: “I am so excited to announce the lineup for BRITs Week 2024 and thankful to all of the brilliant artists donating their time to raise vital funds in aid of War Child. The past year is one that we will never, ever forget. Children have paid with their homes and their lives for wars they didn’t start. And then, there are the children who don’t make the headlines – children who might be completely forgotten.”

“But there is hope. War Child help children put the pieces back together. The money raised from BRITs Week 2024 will help War Child keep children safe. Whether it’s mental health first aid, food, or shelter, War Child work in the hardest-to-reach places to ensure that children and their families have hope for a brighter future. We are so grateful to the artists and our partners for supporting BRITs Week 24. Thank you.” she added.

Support acts for this year’s bill have also been announced with Keane supported by Oscar Lang, The Last Dinner Party supported by Rachel Chinouriri, Ash supported by Big Image, Aitch supported by AWxJ1, You Me At Six supported by The XCERTS, CMAT supported by Lorraine Bowen and Baby Queen supported by Lynks. UK radio stations up and down the country will also be promoting and celebrating the week, showcasing the wide range of talent on display.

Ben Cooper, Chief Content & Music Officer for Bauer Media Audio UK commented: “It’s a privilege to be partnering with War Child and for Bauer Audio brands to be hosting this year’s incredible line up of BRITs Week gigs. The ability to showcase such a diverse range of artists highlights the strengths of all of our stations with incredible acts for every single listener to tune in to – whether that’s on KISS or Kerrang! Radio, Absolute Radio or Hits Radio. Bringing these live events to our audience will allow us to shine a light on the vital work of helping children that are the victims of conflicts across the globe.”

Tickets are on sale now and available here. You can also enter a prize draw to win tickets to see an artist of your choice. Fans can make a £7 donation for one entry, a £15 donation for three entries, or a £30 donation for fifteen entries to War Child. To maximise the chance of winning, fans can enter as many times as they like. The prize drawn is open now and available to enter here. The closing date to enter is February 19. Full details and terms and conditions are outlined on the official Brits Week website.

The BRIT Awards 2024 will take place at the O2 Arena in London on March 2.

BRITs Week 24 for War Child:

February

19/02/2024 – Cian Ducrot – Union Chapel, London
19/02 – You Me At Six – Concorde 2, Brighton
20/02 – Keane – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
21/02 – Ash – The 100 Club, London
21/02 – Baby Queen – Lafayette, London
21/02 – Aitch – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
23/02 – Pendulum – HERE at Outernet, London
26/02 – AURORA – Lafayette, London
27/02 – Gabriels – Ronnie Scott’s, London
28/02 – Sleaford Mods – Scala, London

March

01/03 – CMAT – Bush Hall, London
01/03 – Venbee – Omeara, London
04/03 – The Last Dinner Party – The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge

Latitude Festival: Location, Henham Park in Suffolk
Date: 25-28 July
Headliners: Duran Duran, Kasabian, Keane, and London Grammar.
Alongside the music, the festival also offers comedy and theater performances, making it a diverse and vibrant experience. With a mix of stadium-quality shows and a variety of genres, including disco, dance music, and 80s vibes, there’s something for everyone at Latitude Festival.

A statement from the band posted on Twitter said: “Some of the wonderful people on Thread, our official fan community, have been voting for the song they’d most like to hear us cover this Christmas. We’ve been keeping an eye on it and after seeing that Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel won the vote we gave it a shot from our respective living rooms. We hope you enjoy it and can’t thank you enough for your support over the last year. Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas on behalf of us all.”

Keane were first catapulted to international stardom off their back of their 2004 debut album Hopes and Fears, which shifted some 2.8 million copies in the UK alone. The record spawned a succession of hits across the globe; including Everybody’s Changing, Somewhere Only We Know, Bedshaped and This Is The Last Time. Over the eight years that followed, the East Sussex outfit went on to secure a further three chart-topping albums in Britain: 2006’s Under The Iron Sea; 2008’s Perfect Symmetry and 2012’s Strangeland.

Their latest offering, 2019’s Cause and Effect, also reached number two in the UK Albums Chart and bagged a BPI silver certification. The LP was hailed by critics for its more experimental edge and emotional depth, with the Guardian declaring that the group were “no longer the paragons of nicey-niceness they once seemed.” Meanwhile NME  noted that the record – which followed well-publicised struggles with relationship breakdown and addiction – “shines with a redemption that you’d have to be pretty cold-hearted to not smile at.”

Keane keyboard player and lyricist Tim Rice-Oxley spoke about the emotional toil that had informed the themes of the record in an interview with Riff Magazine earlier this year. He said “It’s kind of emotionally intense, a little more cohesive than anything we’ve done before. It tells the story of a relationship breakdown; my marriage, specifically. And it talks about everything that comes out of that—the fallout—the good stuff and bad stuff.”

He added: “We’ve had a little break and are now in a better place, mentally. The happiest I feel about the songs I’ve written is when I hear the stories about how those songs help to bring people back from very difficult times in their own lives.”

Whilst Keane were one of a number of groups to see their international touring commitments for 2020 scuppered by the COVID-19 pandemic, they did dish out two singles this year: I’m Not Leaving and Phases, the fifth and sixth releases from Cause and Effect respectively. Phases, released as a single this October, sees the band in a typically reflective lyrical mood: “Phases, the motion of our lives/ Ages, the rote of changes/ Erases the ink before it dries on pages/ It’s all just phases/ And sometimes you feel how good it is/ And low tide gives way to high tide/ And hard times, we watch them come and go like crazes, it’s all just phases.”

The organisers of the festival released a statement to apologise for the cancellation and the disappoint they have caused for those who looked forward to. Read the full statement below.

We are sorry to have to inform you that we have cancelled all Forest Live 2020 events to keep everyone safe in line with current government guidance on the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

You can read the full statement on our website: https://t.co/sVwAqq5VjI pic.twitter.com/dlv0wV3Sdr

— Forest Live – Forestry England (@fcforestlive) April 3, 2020

“We are sorry to disappoint the Forest Live fans who were hoping to see bands in the nation’s forests this summer but we have cancelled Forest Live 2020 to keep everyone safe in line with recent government guidance on the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

“We really hope that everyone’s support to fight COVID-19 means the situation will have improved by the summer however, as well as our valued customers, we work with a large number of volunteers, artists and contractors, to make these concerts happen and have taken this decision in the interest of safety for everyone involved.

“Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to reschedule our concerts. Ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase and will be automatically refunded. We ask for your patience and understanding at this busy time.”

Forest Live 2020 was scheduled to take place in Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Kent for three days from June 12 to 14. Former Oasis member Noel Gallagher was booked to bring his band High Flying Birds to perform. Among the line-up also appear Jack Savoretti, Keane, Kaiser Chiefs, James Morrison, Will Young, Madness, and Rag’n’Bone Man. English pianist Jools Holland was also planned to perform at the gig along with Blues Orchestra.

#TRNSMT2020 pic.twitter.com/mrtlqoKzHI

— TRNSMT Festival (@TRNSMTfest) March 19, 2020

“TRNSMT is still scheduled to go ahead as planned and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the event in 16 weeks. The health and safety of festival goers, staff and the surrounding community is our main priority and we are constantly monitoring the situation in accordance with advice from the World Health Organisation, Health Protection Scotland, UK and Scottish Government and local public health authorities. Love, TRNSMT x“

Currently, every corner of the world is undergoing such difficult time because of the outbreak of coronavirus. Apart from economy and politics, music industry has been equally affected by the pandemic. Numerous artists who planned to drop new music and musical events around the world have announced their postponement and cancellation in order to prevent the spread.

Glastonbury, for example, is one of the major music festivals that had to call off this year. In the long list of already cancelled events appear The Great Escape Festival, Download, Isle of Wight, Snowbombing, and even Eurovision, not to mention a plethora of concerts by many artists.

Amidst such tragedy and chaos in the music scene, TRNSMT decided to persevere in holding its third festival this year. Taking place in 16 weeks, the festival confirmed to kick off from July 10 to 12 in Glasgow Green, the huge park in the east end of the city.

The Courteeners are booked to headline the festival at the main stage on the first day, supported by Ian Brown, Sam Fender, and Blossoms. Meanwhile, the ex-Oasis Liam Gallagher will perform on the main stage as a headlining act on the second day, with Foals, Keane, and Vistas. Scottish sensation Lewis Capaldi will end the festival as the headline on the last day, joined by Rita Ora, Snow Patrol, and Dermot Kennedy. Check out the complete line-up here.

TRNSMT first happened in 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. With about 120,000 attendees, the festival was crowned “Best New Festival” in December 2017 from the UK Festival Awards in London.

In 2019, the festival faced a backlash for its gender-unbalanced line-up, with only 20% of the performers being female. However, in spite of the aspiration to achieve 50-50 gender-balanced line-up, TRNSMT’s director Geoff Ellis said “it will be a while” because “there’s far, far less female artists”. Read the full story here.

Since the festival has determined to go on, those who wish to attend can get tickets from its official site. Standard tickets for Sunday 12th are now sold out.

THIS IS #TRNSMT2020
Tickets on sale FRIDAY at 9am!

TICKETS HERE ~ https://t.co/P6LlXfghqf pic.twitter.com/neDAMuoUv7

— TRNSMT Festival (@TRNSMTfest) November 26, 2019

As the Courteeners prepare to release their sixth album, ‘More. Again. Forever.’, they are set to take to the main stage, on the opening night, Friday 10 July 2020, of the festival – which will be their first major festival headline performance. The band’s performance will follow their hotly anticipated Glastonbury 2020 sunset performance and their upcoming UK arena tour.

Courteeners frontman, Liam Fray, said: “Scotland took us straight to their hearts, right from the very start. Starting with playing the ABC with The Coral back in 2007, we’ve always had an amazing connection with the people of Scotland. Feels like a 2nd home. To headline TRNSMT is a serious honour and we’ll be bringing a serious party. What a line-up.”

Yes yes people….We’re headlining @TRNSMTfest Been a long journey over the last 12 years with our Scottish Brothers & Sisters. What a line up. What a crowd. What a place. HWFG Tickets on sale Friday 9am https://t.co/rjfg295UKw pic.twitter.com/8f0wXcjUDT — Liam Fray (@What_Liam_Said) November 26, 2019

Meanwhile, Liam Gallagher is set to be on a high with his critically acclaimed second album ‘Why Me? Why Not?’, when he takes to the stage to headline Saturday (11 July) night of TRNSMT, with him set take to the stage after Foals and Keane.

“I love Scotland and It’s an honour to be going back to headline TRNSMT Festival. P.s. Have I told you lately that I Love You?”, said Gallagher.

After his successful year, at the festival last summer, Lewis Capaldi will receive a very Scottish homecoming as he’s set to close next year’s festival with his Sunday, 12 July 2020, night headline set. Speaking about his performance, Lewis Capaldi, said: “Yaaaaaas! I’ve been lucky enough to play TRNSMT every year since it’s inception and to be a headliner is absolutely wild. Things are about to get chubby and sexy, fast. See you up the road next year!”

2017 – played King Tut’s stage
2020 – headlining TRNSMT

from playing the smallest stage to headlining the main stage in the space of a few years!!! see you in 2020 @TRNSMTfest! x pic.twitter.com/3x88sX15rS

— America’s Sweetheart (@LewisCapaldi) November 26, 2019

The first wave of artists were announced by fans, who took part in a digital treasure hunt which revealed the first wave of acts. Joining the already stellar trio of headliners will be Foals, Snow Patrol, Keane, Sam Fender, Blossoms, Aitch, Little Simz, Twin Atlantic, Ian Brown, and Rita Ora – who will be taking to the TRSNMT stage for the first time.

We’re going on a treasure hunt Use the clues in the thread below to find our #TRNSMT2020 artists.
PLAY HERE ~ https://t.co/vV32LBo6IG pic.twitter.com/jsciA2y3be

— TRNSMT Festival (@TRNSMTfest) November 26, 2019

The line-up announcement comes after festival bosses teased fans with a digital treasure hunt, on the streets of Scotland, were fans had to figure out who was playing at next year’s festival. Hopeful festival goers were given tips about venues and locations, with correct answers taking them to find interactive badges and artist names. Once they identified the artists the next step was to share their theories on social media to be in with a chance of winning free tickets, to next year’s festival.

The East Sussex quartet’s latest single, ‘Love Too Much’, sees the band return to their roots with their signature piano-driven sound. The band’s latest song, ‘Love Too Much’, was written and produced by the quartet themselves, with added production from David Kosten.

The video, which has accompanied the band’s latest track, ‘Love Too Much’, was directed by Lochlainn McKenna (AKA Locky), and sees an unlucky in love primary school teacher desperately trying, to get the love of a fellow teacher, but ultimately failing to do so.

The video sees all four member of Keane take on different roles; Tom Chaplin features as the awkward P.E. teacher, Tim Rice-Oxley features as the too cool for school history teacher, drummer Richard Hughes features as the confused and tired maths teacher, and bassist Jesse Quin features as the eccentric, enthusiastic art teacher.

Speaking about the concept of the video, bassist Jesse Quin, said: “Our hope was that we’d come up with a light-hearted and fun, but emotionally compelling look at the idea of loving maybe a little too much. Though it may fall apart, we can find some solace in the memories of what was – ‘Nothing can take that away from me.'”

The release of the video comes as the band prepares for the release of their fifth studio album, which will be released on the 20th of September 2019, it is also the band’s first in seven years. Returning from a six year hiatus, during which has seen them go through a lot from drug addiction and the break down of a marriage, to a drunk driving incident. However, the band are back and have came out of the other side with a collection of raw and emotional material that will make up their forthcoming album, ‘Cause and Effect’.

The much loved British band have four consecutive number one albums to their name, and with their fifth on the way, they are preparing to make their way to the top of the charts, once again. The latest single, ‘Love Too Much’, is the second track to be released from the upcoming album, ‘Cause and Effect’, the first being ‘The Way I Feel’, which has been as sounding like a track from the Killers.