BetterHelp is one of the world’s largest online therapy platforms that helps connect individuals with licensed therapists through messaging, phone, and video calls. The network has over 30,000 licensed therapists with a variety of general and focused fields of work, as well as being affordable and highly accessible for anyone, as it is online.

Lewis Capaldi played Glastonbury on the iconic Pyramid Stage back in 2023 and was unfortunately unable to finish his set due to his Tourette’s syndrome and anxiety, leading to vocal strains. The singer took a two-year hiatus from performing on stage to focus on mental health. This year at Glastonbury, he returned, making a surprise appearance after two years off the stage. 

Capaldi released a new song after his break titled ‘Survive’ on June 27, which explored an emotional journey with mental health struggles, diving into feelings of depression and hopelessness. The powerful lyrics and vocals showed determination, resilience, and honesty in recovery and a choice to move forward. The song debuted at the number one spot on the UK Singles Charts with over four million streams. 

Through Lewis Capaldi’s partnership, he made a video with BetterHelp explaining his journey with music, mental health, and his return to the stage. Capaldi explained in the interview that he “felt the best I’ve felt in a long time through therapy”. He also explains the importance of giving therapy time and multiple chances. It takes time to find the right therapist for every individual with the type of topics and person to feel comfortable around when surrounded by vulnerability.

The singer expressed that therapy is a “massive part of the reason that I’m able to be a musician again”. This partnership allowed the singer to reflect on his own experience with therapy. The importance of his 734,000 hours of free therapy is that it is a thousand hours for every day he was not on stage during his break. 

If you feel you could benefit from talking to someone, don’t hesitate and visit this site to get a free month of therapy. 

Lewis Capaldi is set to go on tour again in the UK and Ireland, starting in September with shows in Glasgow, London, Manchester, Cardiff, and Dublin. You can find tickets here. He has also just announced his return to Australia and New Zealand in December, with tickets available this coming Thursday, July 10.   

Posting on Instagram, Williams sent out a long post explaining his anxieties whilst also making sure to detail his “gratitude” to all his fans.

The 51 year old singer revealed that he had to turn down multiple requests for photos on a recent flight, stating: “This isn’t a complaint, it’s context.”

Speaking of one interaction, the Better Man star said: “One of them handed me a lovely note – kind words about my documentary – and then asked for a photo.

“I wrote a note back. I explained I’d been up since 4:30am, had two hours sleep, and wrangled four kids through the airport. I’ve got bags under my eyes and I’m dealing with anxiety.”

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The ‘Rock DJ’ singer shared in the post that this is not only a problem for himself, but perhaps a problem with society as a whole. Speaking of the life and pressures of being a celebrity, Williams said: “There’s a kind of unspoken law: as a celebrity, you should be accessible 24/7.

“Greet all strangers like you’re the mayor of the best town anyone’s ever visited. Make sure their wishes are met, whatever they are. Otherwise – you’re a c*nt. There’s no inbetween.”

He also mentioned that he was sure that half the people he met “couldn’t name one of my albums, let alone say they’ve bought a ticket to my show.

“They’re no more fans than me than they are of the Leaning Tower of Pisa or Big Ben. They’re fans of fame.”

Despite his grievances the ‘Angles’ singer did clarify how much his actual fans mean to him, saying: “If we cross paths in the wild you are a fan of me, I want you to tell me. That means a lot. I’ll make time. I’ve got gratitude for that. It warms my heart when I feel I’ve warmed yours.”

Williams has had well-documented problems with drink and drugs in the past and has been an inspiration to many in the way he’s turned his life around. Although he may come across as a sociable, bubbly creature (a monkey?), he claimed that “Every interaction fills me with discomfort.

“I mask it well. But social interaction still frightens me. So much so, I didn’t go out for years. I had to relearn how to interact. And I had to do it without drugs or drink.”

The former Take That man has seemingly been everywhere in past months, after the release of his biopic ‘Better Man’. He has also had lots to say about the upcoming Oasis reunion, where he was quick to support the Gallagher brothers in the feud about their ticket pricing last year.

More recently, The Lottery Winners revealed that they are working on a new single with Robbie Williams, saying: “We’re working on ideas with him.”

The English band has been on the road since 2022 with their Music Of The Spheres World Tour and the singer allowed himself to be transparent about how at times, he can be left feeling down and blue whilst on the road.

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Chris took took to Instagram to share with his fans the different ways he tries to keep his spirits up. In the video, take after their Honk Kong show, the artist said: “Hi, this is Chris from the band Coldplay. We’re in Hong Kong… “I’ve noticed a few people recently, including myself, struggling a bit with depression so I was going to tell you some things that have been helping me on tour and in general in hopes that maybe some of them might be good for you too.”

“The first thing I wanted to tell you was that there is a thing called freeform writing where you write for twelve minutes, all your thoughts, and then you burn it or throw it away. That’s very good. Transcendental meditation has been really wonderful for me… There’s a thing called Proprioception which is like body movement to help balance your brain. There is a man called Jim Costello, who did the Costello Method that’s very helpful – especially for young people with ADHD or autism.”

The 48-year-old then holds up a book called The Oxygen Advantage which he says is “great for breathing” and also shares how Chloe Quesha’s music makes him very happy”.

In a recent Rolling Stone article, Martin shared insights into his personal life and the band’s journey. He reflected on his musical processes, mental health struggles, and the challenges of navigating public opinion while leading one of the world’s most recognisable bands. 

 

 

 

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Coldplay has been shaping modern music for over two decades, from their debut album ‘Parachutes’ in 2000 to their record-breaking ‘Music of the Spheres’ Tour. Their discography is a multitude of emotional anthems that resonate deeply with fans, selling 100 million albums and winning over 300 awards (including seven Grammy’s).

As the second-highest grossing tour of all time, ‘Music of the Spheres’ has not only achieved remarkable commercial success but also set new standards for sustainability. With innovative features like energy-generating floors and kinetic bikes, the band encourages fans to actively engage in eco-friendly practices, cementing their role as pioneers of sustainability in the music industry.

Martin describes his song-writing process as one of discovery and healing: “They wake you up, songs. They’re always a surprise to me. Sometime’s the title is way ahead and it’s waiting for the song to come, the right song.” He views music as “therapy and catharsis” adding that the themes often reflect his own aspirations. “I need our music more than anyone,” he admits.

The theme of yin and yang, love and loss intertwined, prevails throughout Coldplay’s releases. Martin shares: “There’s a part of me that’s always been a bit heartbroken from the beginning. Maybe about the world, maybe just about the human condition. I hope that doesn’t sound pretentious. I don’t care if it sounds pretentious, it’s true. I’ve always had this deep joy mixed with a deep sadness.” 

Chris Martin says many Coldplay songs are aspirational in their messages. “‘A Sky Full of Stars,’ for example, is about complete unconditional love. That’s an almost impossible place to get to in real life.” Cover story: https://t.co/sIYXpXphUW pic.twitter.com/1UEshYEs25 — Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) December 20, 2024

This devoted honesty has earned them a devoted fan base but has also made them a target, and as Coldplay’s influence grew, so did the volume of criticism.

Critics have called their music overly earnest and dismissed it as “music for bedwetters”. The New York Times even labelled the band as “the most insufferable band of the decade”. Martin addresses these critiques with a mix of humour and humility: “We’re a very, very easy, safe target. We’re not going to bite back. We are four white, middle-class men from England. We deserve to take some shit for what our people have done.” 

Despite the negativity, he remains focused on the band’s music and connection with fans: “As you become the biggest band in the world, you also become the least popular band in the world. You can never escape. You can never win, if you’re looking for just winning. The stronger the light, the darker the shadow.”

After 28 years, Chris Martin has seen the utility in letting Coldplay be precisely the Coldplay they know how to be. “That’s part of my journey to be like, ‘Well, I love you, and this is what we’re doing.’” More: https://t.co/sIYXpXphUW pic.twitter.com/Gkh9HmXHOu — Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) December 19, 2024

In addition to addressing external criticism, Martin openly reflects on his internal struggles, particularly regarding mental health and the pressures of touring—an issue that is increasingly being acknowledged by musicians.

He shares how he feels driven to use Coldplay’s platform to connect with fans who may be facing similar challenges and searching for hope. “It’s a daily thing not to hate yourself. Forget about outside critics – it’s the inside ones, too. That’s really our mission right now: We are consciously trying to fly the flag for love being an approach to things. There aren’t that many [groups] that get to champion that philosophy to that many people. So we do it.” 

To combat these challenges, he relies on the philosophy of gratitude and mindfulness. “If you feel a bit down, go for a walk and just look up. And it lifts you,” he says, crediting spiritual teachings and personal connections for helping him maintain perspective. 

Coldplay drummer Will Chamption on Coldplay’s staying power: “I wouldn’t ever want to take any breaks on [Chris Martin’s] creativity because he really needs it to make sense of [his life].” Read the cover story: https://t.co/sIYXpXphUW pic.twitter.com/E4AYRwnH5O — Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) December 19, 2024

Looking ahead, Coldplay has two more albums on the horizon: an animated musical and a homecoming album that Martin has envisioned since 1999. He also hinted at compiling unreleased tracks in a collection called “Alphabetica”. 

Over 25 years, the band has consistently defied critics and produced chart-topping, emotional albums with record-breaking tours that set standards both musically and environmentally. Chris Martin’s candid reflections in the Rolling Stone interview highlights the deeply personal, aspirational ethos that drives their work, as well as the challenges they face in the spotlight. As they prepare for their final albums, the band’s legacy continues to evolve and endure, and they continue to champion positivity and innovation.

The transatlantic podcast ‘Miss Me?’, hosted by Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver, frequently explores personal issues the two face as well as weekly pop-culture highlights. It was founded earlier this year and will be taking to the stage in London next year for its first live show. On the most recent episode, Allen opened up about “issues with eating”, revealing that she feels disconnected from her body and has recently “stopped eating”. 

SECOND NIGHT ADDED DUE TO EXTRAORDINARY DEMAND ON FRIDAY 7th MARCH. Tickets go on sale Monday 16th December at 4pm. Sign up at https://t.co/Ax7baZb0Ii to receive a link when the sale starts pic.twitter.com/WtmUSxCNWK

— Lily Allen (@lilyallen) December 13, 2024

“I’ve been going through a tough time over the last few months and my eating has become a real issue.” Allen shared. “My therapist and I talk about it and she says, ‘How long has this been going on?, And I said, ‘Well about three years really.’” 

The British singer-songwriter explained that she’s only recently started addressing these concerns. “It just hasn’t seemed at the top of the list of important things that I need to talk about, but obviously it is.” She speculated that her ADHD may play a role in why she hadn’t opened up about food-related issues before, adding, “I spend a lot of time in my head, and not a lot of time thinking about my body.” 

 

 

 

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This is not the first time Lily Allen has spoken so candidly about mental health. In 2017, she discussed her bipolar disorder diagnosis, and has spoken about her struggles with body image. In an interview for ITV, she recalled that she “used to sleep for days so that [she] didn’t eat”.

Known for chart-topping, debut single ‘Smile’, Allen spoke on the topic of addiction with regards to fame in January 2021, sharing her own experiences with alcohol and the prescription drug Adderall. The former was a coping mechanism for anxiety, while the latter was used to lose weight during her time supporting Miley Cyrus on her ‘Bangerz’ Tour. 

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Allen’s openness mirrors a growing trend among musicians who are speaking out about the mental health challenges they face in an industry known for its relentless demands. Katie Melua, a British singer-songwriter known for 2003 hit ‘The Closest Thing to Crazy’, recently shared her own journey, including an acute psychotic breakdown earlier in her career.

Speaking on the Origins With Cush Jumbo podcast, the singer-songwriter explained that the pressures of the music industry and touring led to her hospitalisation. “I had to go on medication. I had a really good doctor looking after me, and then my family were incredible.” Melua shared.

She emphasised the self-care habits that she has utilised to ensure her well-being, “I think it’s all about the people you surround yourself with, and also knowing yourself and knowing what kind of small warning signs might be. So I really treasure my sleep – so important.” Alongside this, she stressed the importance of “hydration”, “talking”, and “hugging”, sharing one of the most effective therapy tools for her was the mantra “take one day at a time”. 

Mental health discussions are becoming more prominent in the music industry inspiring artists to prioritise their well-being by cancelling shows when necessary. Lewis Capaldi, Shawn Mendes, and The Last Dinner Party are notable examples. 

Shawn Mendes Cancels All Tour Dates to ‘Take the Time I’ve Never Taken Personally’ https://t.co/D2Qg71qmRN — Variety (@Variety) July 27, 2022

These examples of individual actions are part of a broader shift toward demanding systemic change. Following the death of Liam Payne in October, a petition was launched calling for legislation to safeguard the mental well-being of artists. This movement reflects the growing demand for support structures in an industry that has long neglected these issues. 

Please sign and share our petition to enact legislation to safeguard the mental health of artists in the entertainment industry. This campaign is very close to our hearts. #LiamsLaw #JusticeForLiam https://t.co/b6lyH8pBoC

— #LiamsLaw (@LiamsLaw_) October 21, 2024

By sharing her experiences, Lily Allen shines a light on the interconnection between mental health and eating disorders, contributing to breaking the stigma surrounding these issues. Her candid reflections promote the importance of seeking help, prioritising self-care, and fostering conversations about mental well-being. Alongside other artists, Lily Allen continues to use her platform to inspire others who may resonate with her struggles and contributes to the growing call for change in the music industry.

Chester Bennington, born on March 20, 1976, in Phoenix, Arizona, was the iconic lead vocalist of Linkin Park. He gained fame with the release of the band’s debut album Hybrid Theory in 2000, which became a massive commercial success and was certified Diamond by the RIAA. Known for his powerful voice and lyrics dealing with themes of loss and depression, hits like “In the End” and “Numb” catapulted the singer to rock stardom.

The 1000 Lights concert sees musicians from renowned bands such as Funeral for a Friend, Holding Absence, The Blackout, and Caskets will join forces with the massive ensemble, creating a powerful tribute to the legacy of Bennington, who died in 2017. Event organisers have also encouraged fans to seek sponsorship to raise money for Uprawr Mental Health Foundation, with the fans raising the most money to take the stage alongside these famous faces to perform the show’s closing songs as part of a thousand-strong band.

“We have 5 categories of players: Singers, Guitarists, Bassists, Drummers, Keyboard players. Whoever raises the most money in each category gets to play on the NIA stage with the famous Artists! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play alongside people from Funeral For A Friend, Holding Absence and more!” concert organisers say.

Throughout his career, Bennington also fronted bands like Dead by Sunrise and Stone Temple Pilots. Despite his professional success, he struggled with depression and substance abuse. On July 20, 2017, Bennington was found dead at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California, and was later found to have taken his own life. The concert’s name, 1,000 Lights, is a nod to Linkin Park’s One More Light tour, which was the last tour Bennington performed with the band. Linkin Park, formed in 1996, skyrocketed to fame in the early 2000s with hits like In the End and Faint. The band has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and has won two Grammy Awards, cementing their place in rock history.

The event, organized by the Uprawr Mental Health Foundation, aims to raise funds for mental health services, including free counselling for the rock and alternative music community. The foundation’s efforts are a poignant reminder of the importance of mental health support, especially in the wake of Bennington’s tragic passing in July 2017.The Uprawr Mental Health Foundation provides free mental health counselling to people aged 18 – 35 who associate and connect with Alt music. The organisation uses custom built counselling rooms in music studios and venues, saying its aim is “to create spaces where people can feel relaxed and at home.” “Over the years we’ve seen mental health become a prominent issue within our musical community and feel strongly that more should be done to offer help and support,” Uprawr says.

“I wrote this song because it’s been the hardest year for me mentally. I feel myself changing and throughout my life I’ve never felt good enough, it’s been the main thing that on the one hand has driven me forward but on the other, has eaten me up. For as long as I can remember I have felt constantly afraid of how quickly my head can turn dark.

“It’s always been so hard to fight the darkness that I inevitably have. A lot of people will say it’s a phase and it will go away. But it doesn’t and the reality of the situation is I have to find strategies to allow it to exist and to deal with it as a constant.

“A lot of us can feel like our lives are insignificant. We can feel like we have no purpose, so what is there to live for? The inexplicable darkness inside our heads can consume us. It can make it hard to get out of bed in the morning, force us to cancel plans, or back out of opportunities last minute.

“This song was written as a message to myself to try and exist alongside my insecurities and my darkness by grounding myself and remembering what is real in life and that the world is so much bigger than me.

“In the past my art has been about highlighting the pain and letting the world know that it is there, in order to relate to others but now I want to beat it. This song is a gateway to where my new music is heading. Embracing the light, realising what’s beautiful in the world and fighting the darkness – not wallowing in it.

“It’s about getting out of your head and noticing the world around you, the things and people. Connect with them, the chances are they probably feel the same. Don’t let the bullshit inside your head consume you. It just wastes precious time and life potential.

“Remember what is real. Help people, be kind, help the world, help yourself. You’re probably living more than you think.”

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The song is set to be accompanied by a short film which was based on an original idea from YUNGBLUD himself and it stars actress Hariett Walter from ‘Succession’ and ‘Ted Lasso’. It is set to premier on YouTube tonight at 7pm BST.

The Yorkshire singer recently announced his own affordable festival BludFest which will take place at the Milton Keynes Bowl on the 11th of August and will see the likes of Lil Yachty, Soft Play and The Damned play.

 The popular music festival has hosted big names to date, some of whom include Lizzy Mcalpine, Erykah Badu and Stormzy. It was awarded the NME Award For Best Festival at the Music Week Awards back in 2019 and has been nominated in the years since. Also playing at the festival include jazz and afrobeat newcomers 2023 Mercury award winners Ezra Collective, American rapper, Nas and Paris-based artist, Sainte.

Your soundtrack to Saturday 17 August at Uber One presents All Points East featuring @LoyleCarner, @Nas, @EzraCollective, Sainté and many more ✨

Listen now on Spotify at https://t.co/tVKQSn3eYX #AllPointsEast #LoyleCarner pic.twitter.com/zhlMC4qmAc

— Uber One presents All Points East (@allpointseastuk) November 27, 2023

Studying at The Brit School, home to current creative talents such as Ella Eyre, Freya Ridings, Raye and countless more, Loyle Carner grew up in a nurturing musical environment. The artist started producing at the age of around 14 and built his network of musicians through home studio sessions. This collaborative way of working has led to popular names such as Jorja Smith, Tom Misch and Jordan Rakei.

 Aged 29, Loyle Carner has had a bright decade of inspiring young people and creatives through music (and food!) Nearly ten years ago, he was in London’s Old Street teaching kids with ADHD how to cook. Whilst speaking about his time working with the kids, his inspiring nature as a teacher and positive influence beams through “We had warnings from some of the parents that their kids might do this or that…but they’ve been brilliant. There has been no talking back, no aggression. Everyone is happy and learning.”

 The foodie’s love of cooking, bringing mental well-being and positivity has led to restauranter-inspired hits:

As well as this lesser-known talent, Benjamin has a shining skill for writing effortless lyrics in his music which captures the hearts of many. In 2018 he won the NME Award for Best British Solo Act, following his 2017 Mercury prize, for his debut album Yesterdays Gone

The humble artist has a talent for sending the ‘right’ message across. Whilst discussing rappers’ responsibility to portray a particular message, he says “I don’t think music necessarily needs to have a message BUT there is a responsibility that you carry with music as a songwriter or rapper…It’s frustrating when grown men are still talking about selling or doing drugs, shooting people, sleeping with women”

 This festival is one of a few outdoor summer shows announced by Carner in the UK and Ireland for 2024. The one-day music event is happening on August 17 2024 and tickets are out now. Get hold of one here

Attempting hip hop for the first time, Williams was met with confusion upon the release of the track. He has now shared his embarrassment surrounding “Rudebox” in his new 4-part Netflix documentary.

Williams said, “My biggest regret is putting that out as the first single. If I’d have put it out third and explained properly [that] it’s daft – I know! I’m not trying to be a grime artist. I know it’s daft.”

He continued, “In the documentary, the biggest cringe point for me is explaining to an audience who are about to listen to ‘Rudebox’ for the first time that this is gonna be the biggest single since ‘Angels’. Then I had another thought about it, that it’s my second most important single because ‘Angels’ gave me the career and ‘Rudebox’ heralded the end of my imperial phase. So in a way I was right, but not in the way I wanted to be.”

The documentary series, simply titled Robbie Williams, explores the highs and the lows of Williams’ career since his debut with boy band Take That in 1990. Williams addresses many hot topics throughout, including his relationship with Geri Haliwell, also known as Ginger Spice of The Spice Girls, and his feud with bandmate Gary Barlow.

The show also touches on the raw topic of mental health struggles, with Williams candidly sharing his history of self-harm and depression. He opened up saying, “Thank God mental health is being talked about in a different way. I read something that triggered me, somebody talking about ‘celeb washing’ of mental illnesses. And celebs making mental health issues sexy.”

He continued, “[people] need to be careful about what we say and how we say it.”

“It felt like, every day, I would read in print what an abhorrent person I was.”

Robbie Williams opens up on his battles with the media. pic.twitter.com/ZQD2g9fE7J

— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) November 12, 2023

The series has already received rave reviews, with fans sharing their opinions on social media.  

The Robbie Williams doc was compelling. Two things stood out. 1. Robbie is a self aware, genuine and decent man. 2. The British press are fucking scum. They’ve driven many of Britain’s best and most talented people to despair, suicide and addiction. They need to be stopped. — Supertanskiii (@supertanskiii) November 12, 2023

Robbie Williams documentary on Netflix – hats off to him for being so open and honest, owning his own shit and somehow finding a way through the madness of superstardom. But what the tabloids tried to do to him was absolutely appalling. #RobbieWilliamspic.twitter.com/aHWTisepRu

— James Melville (@JamesMelville) November 11, 2023

Watch Robbie Williams on Netflix now.

Following Sinead O’Connor’s tragic passing in July 2023, Cyrus has reflected on the feud she had with the Irish singer-songwriter following the release of the “Wrecking Ball” music video a decade ago. Cyrus gained notoriety for the video in which she was shown swinging on a wrecking ball, naked. As of 2023, the video has over 1 billion views and marked a clear departure from Cyrus’s Disney Channel beginnings.

O’Connor penned a scathing open letter to Cyrus in 2013, despite writing “it is said in the spirit of motherliness and with love.”

O’Connor said, “I am extremely concerned for you that those around you have led you to believe, or encouraged you in your own belief, that it is in any way ‘cool’ to be naked and licking sledgehammers in your videos. It is in fact the case that you will obscure your talent by allowing yourself to be pimped, whether its the music business or yourself doing the pimping.”

She continued, “Nothing but harm will come in the long run, from allowing yourself to be exploited, and it is absolutely NOT in ANY way an empowerment of yourself or any other young women, for you to send across the message that you are to be valued (even by you) more for your sexual appeal than your obvious talent.”

In her ABC documentary appearance, Cyrus has addressed how she felt at the time, saying, “At the time when I made ‘Wrecking Ball’, I was expecting for there to be controversy and backlash, but I don’t think I expected other women to put me down or turn on me, especially women that had been in my position before.”

Cyrus had shared in 2013 that O’Connor’s music video for her 1990 hit “Nothing Compares 2 U” had inspired her, and responded to the open letter by mocking O’Connor’s mental health issues following the backlash.

Cyrus has now shared, “I had no idea about the fragile mental state that she was in.”

She continued, “I was also only 20 years old. So I could really only wrap my head around mental illness so much and all that I saw was that another woman had told me that this idea was not my idea. Even if I was convinced that it was, it was still just men in power’s idea of me and they had manipulated me to believe that it was my own idea when it never really was. And it was. And it is. And I still love it.”

Cyrus concluded that she was making “my own choices and my own decisions. To have that taken away from me deeply upset me.”

Cyrus ended her reflection on the feud by saying, “God bless Sinéad O’Connor for real, in all seriousness” before performing her track “Wonder Woman” with “Dedicated to Sinead O’Connor” written across the screen.