Opening up in the upcoming BBC documentary, When Bruce Springsteen Came To Britain, Springsteen finally spoke about the large donation for the first time in 40 years.

‘The Boss’ presented two miners’ wives with a $20,000 cheque backstage at a show in Newcastle in 1985, addressed to the Northumberland and Durham Miners’ Support Group.

Miners had been battling for over a year with the government as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher looked to shut down mines up-and-down the country.

Speaking in the new BBC film, Springsteen said: “My parents were working class people and I watched them struggle their whole lives.

“I’d been reading about it (the strike) in the newspapers and so it was just something that felt it would be a good thing to do. It wasn’t a big thing, it was just a good thing to do at the time.”

Although it may not have been a “big thing” for the ‘Badlands’ rocker, it was life-changing for the support groups he was helping out.

Anne Suddick and Juliana Heron, who both ran mining support groups, were at the St James Park concert together, with Mrs. Heron saying in the documentary that a man tapped her friend on the shoulder and asked if she could “please come and meet Bruce Springsteen.”

Recalling the pleasant surprise, Mrs. Heron said: “She was about half an hour and she comes back and she says, ‘You’ll never believe this’. She just hands us this cheque and said ‘Look’.

“I said ‘That says $20,000’, and she saiid, ‘Yes, it’s for the Northumberland and Durham Miners’ Support Group. I said ‘But he doesn’t know us’, and she said ‘Yes, but he knows what we do’.”

This heroic story will feature in the new documentary, When Bruce Springsteen Came To Britain, due to be shown on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer at 9:30pm this Saturday (31 May).

The film will be part of a period of celebration at the BBC for the legendary Rock icon. Other shows will include Bruce Springsteen at the BBC which will include archival footage from him playing on Top Of The Pops.

Springsteen has recently been touring the UK where he made headlines when he called out US President Donald Trump, calling him an “unfit president” leading a “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration”

This led to Trump describing The Boss as a ‘dried-out prune of a rocker” and “not a talented guy”.

Just this past weekend, Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello came to the support of Springsteen, saying on stage at Boston Calling: “Bruce is going after Trump because Bruce, his whole life, he’s been about truth, justice, democracy, equality. And Trump is mad at him because Bruce draws a bigger audience. Fuck that guy!”

Finally getting around to posting some photos and videos from Boston Calling 2025. A damp but fun weekend once again! pic.twitter.com/Rkhqa1yMA8

— Kevin Slane (@kslane) May 26, 2025

Springsteen is currently touring through Europe before returning to the UK next month for two massive shows at Anfield in Liverpool. Details for the upcoming shows and any remaining tickets can be found here.

The shortlist of the 12 contending albums will be revealed on September 10, and the award show itself will be held on October 16 at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, the same venue that held the MOBO awards in February.

This year’s new location comes in collaboration with the BPI (British Phonographic Industry), Newcastle City Council, The North East Combined Authority and Generator, an arts organisation in the North East.

To honour the relocation of the renowned ceremony to Newcastle, Generator will be organising a week-long regional fringe programme in the days leading up to the award. This programme will celebrate the diverse range of talent within the North East, and provide opportunities for creatives.

BPI Chief Executive Dr Jo Twist shared her excitement for the upcoming event: “We are delighted to announce this groundbreaking moment for the Mercury Prize. We and our label community are committed to celebrating and providing the opportunity to showcase talent from all over the UK.

“Previous Mercury Prize winners and Album of the Year artists have consistently demonstrated this breadth of talent that is uniquely homegrown. Newcastle-upon-Tyne is a true music city and we are excited to work with our partners at The City of Newcastle & North East Combined Authority to deliver this inaugural moment and a memorable Mercury Prize 2025.”

Newcastle Mayor Kim McGuinness also said she’s looking forward to the festivities: “Bringing the Mercury Prize to the North East is yet another fantastic accolade that builds on our proud cultural history and strengthens our reputation as a region of culture.

“The success of artists like Sam Fender shows what is possible for young musicians in our region and hosting the Mercury Prize in the North East gives us the opportunity to showcase our home-grown talent. Our region’s cultural offer is strong, and steeped in the pride and creativity of our people, places and industrial heritage. This event is testament to that and will help our region stand tall on the national and international stage.”

The Mercury Prize is a highly regarded award for any British musician. Celebrating the best in new British and Irish music since 1992, the annual award covers a wide range of genres, with artists from Primal Scream to Skepta taking home the coveted prize. It focuses on the album format – shortlisting a selection of important, iconic releases from the year.

Last year, it was Leeds indie band English Teacher that took home the prestigious prize, beating out other nominated names like Charli XCX, Barry Can’t Swim and Nia Archives.

The Mercury Prize 20205 nominees will be confirmed at a later date, and tickets to the awards ceremony are available here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MOBO Awards (@moboawards)

The key nominees and categories for 2025 are:

Best Male Act: Central Cee, Ghetts, Bashy, Sampha

Best Female Act: Jorja Smith, Little Simz, Raye, Cleo Sol, Nia Archives

Best R&B/Soul Act: Jorja Smith, Cleo Sol

Album of the Year: Jorja Smith’s ‘Falling or Flying’, Ghetts’ ‘On Purpose, With Purpose’, Cleo Sol’s ‘Gold’

Song of the Year:
Central Cee Feat. Lil Baby – ‘Band4band’
Chase & Status, Stormzy – ‘Backbone’
Darkoo Feat. Dess Dior – ‘Favourite Girl’

Best International Act: Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Tems.

Jorja Smith, Cleo Sol, and Central Cee are all triple nominees in the 2025 MOBO awards.

Jorja Smith is a British singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and blend of R&B, jazz, and pop. Her album ‘Falling or Flying‘ was released in September 2023 and showcases a more introspective, experimental sound compared to her earlier work. The record explores themes of love, self-reflection, and empowerment, often paired with eclectic production that mixes jazz, UK garage, and electronic influences. Standout tracks include ‘Try Me’ and ‘Little Things’ emphasizing her artistic growth and emotional depth. Critics praised the album for its innovation and lyrical honesty.

Cleo Sol is a British singer-songwriter known for her soothing voice and deeply introspective lyrics. She is a member of the music collective Sault, but her solo work stands out for its blend of soul, R&B, and neo-jazz influences. Her music often explores themes of love, family, self-discovery, and spirituality. Her albums, such as  ‘Rose in the Dark‘ (2020) and ‘Gold‘ (2023), have received critical acclaim for their emotional depth and minimalist production. Cleo’s work has solidified her as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary soul music.

Central Cee is a British rapper and songwriter, recognized for his dynamic style blending UK drill with melodic elements. Emerging from West London, he gained mainstream attention with tracks like ‘Loading’ and ‘Day in the Life’, which solidified his position as one of the leading voices in UK rap. Last year’s MOBO awards were hosted in Sheffield where Central Cee won Best Male Act and Song of the Year for ‘Sprinter’. RAYE then also won Best Female Act.

You can vote on MOBO’s website for your favourites and get tickets to the event here.

The “Undrunk” singer shared the news on X. She said: “New tour dates for 2024 my loves. here is the rescheduled routing for Europe/UK & au/NZ + a few new shows on sale for you this Friday at 10AM local time as a thank you for being so understanding and supportive. see you next year.”  

new tour dates for 2024 my loves. here is the rescheduled routing for europe/uk & au/nz + a few new shows onsale for you this friday at 10AM local time as a thank you for being so understanding and supportive. see you next yearpic.twitter.com/mVUovcj18t

— FLETCHER (@findingfletcher) October 17, 2023

The rescheduled events came after Fletcher bravely shared that she was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Last month, the singer bravely took to her Instagram to let supporters know what she has been battling with over the past few months. In a series of posts shared on her gallery, the star said: “I have recently been diagnosed with Lyme disease. I started becoming increasingly ill over the last couple years and just kept pushing even though I knew there was something deeper going on. For the last few months, I’ve been receiving treatments, following doctor’s orders and doing my best to learn more about this invisible illness.”   

She continued: “Lyme has affected me in a variety of ways and while it has not only taken a tremendous toll on my physical body, it has also caused concern for my voice as well. This has won on my soul in a way that’s hard to even put words to as singing is the thing I love most in this world and my voice is my vessel for expression. I can’t wait to perform for you bigger and better… and most importantly, stronger than ever.” 

Fletcher’s breakthrough single, “Undrunk”, was the singer’s first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one on Spotify’s Viral Chart in the US. Since then, the singer has gone on to release two EPs and her debut album Girl of My Dreams. The record, which features hits such as “Sting” and “Becky’s So Hot”, peaked in multiple charts across the world. In the US, the LP peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard 200 and hit number 44 on the UK Albums Chart.  

Listen to “Undrunk.”

Tour dates

01/05/2024 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
02/05 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
03/05 – O2 Academy Glasgow – Glasgow
09/05 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle
10/05 – O2 Academy – Bristol
12/05 – Eventim Apollo – London
13/05 – Eventim Apollo – London

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lighthouse Family (@lighthouse_family)

The Instagram post includes a statement which officially confirms their split, the post also cites the reason for their disbanding and confirms that frontman Baiyewu aims to focus on his solo career. The post also apologies for their withdrawal from the event, Tucker states that they are sorry to miss the hometown show. The Lighthouse Family were billed to perform on Saturday 9th July 2022, the festival organisers have confirmed that they are looking to fill the missing slot and details concerning their replacement will be made in due course.

The show must go on, despite the Lighthouse Family being unable to perform on the Sat Night at the Mouth of the Tyne Festival.

Anyone with tickets will be contacted by the site they bought them from

We hope to announce a replacement soon

More info https://t.co/cuxVn0sG0F pic.twitter.com/r49fFlC3Nm

— North Tyneside Council (@NTCouncilTeam) June 7, 2022

North Tyneside Deputy Mayor Carl Johnson has given the following statement concerning the band’s cancelled set, “We were extremely disappointed to hear that the Lighthouse Family are no longer performing together and will be unable to play their headline slot at the Mouth of the Tyne Festival. A sell-out audience have held on to their tickets throughout the pandemic, and like us, they were looking forward to the performance. However, the decision to pull out of the show has been made by the band leaving us all bitterly disappointed.”

Baiyewu and Tucker formed Lighthouse Family after meeting at university, since their formation the duo have become one of the UK’s most beloved acts. The pair first rose to fame after the release of their debut album, Ocean Drive was released in 1995 and sold over 1.8 million copies within the UK. The group continued their success with a collection of top selling tracks such as “Lifted”, “Lost In Space” and the global record “High”.

After establishing themselves as a top selling act the duo first decided to call it quits in 2003, they reformed in 2010 and embarked on a UK and Ireland tour in 2011. The group released their fourth studio album eighteen years after their last full release, Blue Sky In Your Head was made available on 5th July 2019. The album reached number three on the UK album charts and is now regarded as the artist’s last studio album as the Lighthouse Family.

The Mouth of Tyne Festival is organised by the North Tyneside Council and has been a staple of any music fan’s summer since its formation in 2005. Due to Covid and its subsequent restrictions the event was last held in a traditional live format in 2019, the sold-out festival included performances from Sam Fender, Rick Astley and the Proclaimers. This year sees the festival make a triumphant return after its two-year hiatus, the three-day festival will take place on 8th-10th July 2022 at Tynemouth priory and castle.

Set to headline on Friday are British indie rockers Keane, the Brit award winning band will also be joined by special guests and Eliza Shaddad. The event has confirmed that Sophie Ellis-Bextor will headline on Sunday, the “Murder On The Dancefloor” singer will be joined by Newton Faulkner plus many more acts yet to be announced. The festival will also hold a single day event on Monday 18th July 2022, welsh musician John Cale will perform live at the Playhouse Whitley Bay. Along with the confirmation of the band’s exit from the festival, the event organisers have confirmed that refunds are available upon request

Click here for information concerning tickets.

Just won a fucking @IvorsAcademy award for best song musically and lyrically. I couldn’t breathe. pic.twitter.com/tM8InHRmR3

— Sam Fender (@samfendermusic) May 20, 2022

Taking to Twitter, the singer said “I couldn’t breathe” in regards to taking home the award. With fellow nominees Adele, Rag’n’Bone Man, Holly Humberstone, Ella Henderson, and Tom Grennan, you can see why as competition was tough on the night. However, once his name was called Fender seemed composed, delivering a touching acceptance speech dedicated to a friend that had sadly died the previous week. Detailed in a recent NME article covering the event, Fender said: “A very good friend of mine passed away last week. He was my very first boss and employer. He gave me a job when both me and my mum were unemployed. He used to always hit me over the head with a newspaper for being a shit barman.” Going on he credited his late friend with being instrumental in him having a career in music: “I was always playing guitar in front of people instead of serving the customers, until one day he said, ‘Go get your guitar out and sit in that corner’. That was because my future manager, who was up and coming at the time, had just come in the pub. Without that man then none of this would have happened, so thank you so much.”. 

Characteristically honest and forthcoming, his speech can be seen as an example of why the nation has taken to him so much over the last couple of years. With equal sincerity and vulnerability showcased consistently in his music, the sky seems to be the limit for Sam as we all watch on with vested interest.

You can check out the now Ivor Novello Award winning single here below:

The small venue has been named Small Community Co-op of the Year by Co-operatives UK, and it has also won a Lockdown Innovation Award at the Parliamentary Jazz awards to recognise its amazing work in the face of the pandemic.

The co-chair of the Pink Lane Jazz Co-op, Dave Parker, said in Business Live that “We’re delighted with this award because it recognises the vision, determination and hard work of members, volunteers and everyone else who helped keep us going during the pandemic, providing income for musicians, employment for staff, and joy for lovers of live music…Eight years ago, The Globe was a failing pub. Today it is an award-winning music venue and learning centre owned and run by a co-operative….It’s often been a struggle but we’ve succeeded by keeping people engaged.”

Although it was difficult keeping the venue going throughout the lockdowns and wider coronavirus crisis, Parker explained that streaming played a part in the co-op’s success, saying: “We worked with musicians to develop livestreaming, and soon decided this was the way forward. The Globe was refurbished, and new equipment was installed by volunteers. We were fortunate in accessing funding from Power to Change and the Culture Recovery Fund.” This enabled the co-op to hold live events virtually when attendance by music lovers wasn’t possible.

The Co-op is committed to more than just live music, and also rents out rehearsal spaces across the UK as well as offering a programme of music courses and jam sessions so that people are able to access music. 

Numerous allegations were posted on Glassdoor, a workplace review website, last week. This included disturbing testimony that alleged poor treatment, bullying, and widespread misogyny within the company. A hacker had gained access to the company’s official Instagram account and shared screenshots of these accusations on the page. One person has since been arrested in connection with the hack. Among the posts shared, many highlighted issues with “underpaying” workers, “offensive” language, and people being made to feel “uncomfortable” at work. SSD Concerts currently has an overall 1.4 star rating on Glassdoor out of 21 reviews from people claiming to be former employees.

Davis has now announced his departure via his personal Facebook page, news which was further confirmed by his representative and NME. In a statement Davis said:

“I would firstly like to say that it is vital to take any allegations of inappropriate behaviour seriously. If people feel they have been treated poorly, they should feel safe in speaking out and confident that action will be taken.

There have been a number of online allegations, which have saddened me deeply. The seriousness of what has been anonymously alleged – and the hateful response to these claims – has seriously affected my family. They are my priority, and I will do everything I can to protect them from online abuse.

I would hope that this discussion can be one based upon the evidence. I entirely understand why people reading the comments about us posted on Glassdoor would be shocked. If true, they would mean people had been seriously let down. But I have been publicly tarnished based on several anonymous comments posted online.

It breaks my heart that this has had such an immediate and detrimental impact on something that has taken so long to build. Since founding this company, I have always strived to conduct business in the right way.

I am sorry for any mistakes I have made along the way, it has never been my intention. I would never want to upset or make anyone feel uncomfortable. If that has been the case, then I am shocked and saddened and am truly sorry. I will learn from any examples of such behaviour.”

Several artists have responded to the allegations and news surrounding the company over the last few days. Many have severed ties with the company including IDLES, Kate Nash, Little Comets and many more. Sam Fender took to social media to express his outrage with the situation.

pic.twitter.com/WGGI0oHQoK

— Sam Fender (@samfendermusic) April 5, 2021

SSD Concerts themselves have released a statement confirming Davis’s departure and assured that they will continue to look into these allegations and change their conduct accordingly.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sick Joy (@sickjoyband)

The gig will also feature support from local band Shallow alongside the host of returning Newcastle expats. Shallow describe their music very simply on their Bandcamp page which simply states ‘we make loud noise.’ Vocally, there is much of the Kurt Cobains, Eddie Vedders and Chris Cornels in this lineup and it is interesting to hear a trademark Seattle-scene snarl in the voices of three bands which hail from Newcastle and Brighton, UK. Of the three, Sick Joy are certainly the darker, opting for long swirling pools of darkness in their songs which contrasts with the all out aggression and almost danceable energy of Shallow.

Demob Happy bring a similar energy to the party as Sick Joy, except with a somewhat more danceable beat which harks back to the early drum machine type beats of 80s goth rock bands like Killing Joke or The Cure, who were some of the real originators of danceable darkness and helped pave the way for the punk-inspired slam-dance festivals of American Hardcore and later the slowed down and moody slam-dancing of Grunge, lead of course by the well known prince of darkness turned inwardly, Kurt Cobain.

Despite the rugged exterior, it is not just the rough and ready sound and distorted guitars that bands like Sick Mob have picked up through their love of the American Grunge Rock of the 90s. The unlikely spirituality and of these wayward souls which would lead to such feminist statements as Kurt Cobain wearing a dress on stage has also rubbed off on these Newcastle/Brightonians. Sick Joy’s song smiling shame which is available on Bandcamp for £1 deals with issues of sexual violence and is part of a fundraising effort where the proceeds of all purchases of the song will go to ‘The Survivors Trust (TST),’ which ‘is a UK-wide national umbrella agency for 130 specialist organisations for support for the impact of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse throughout the UK and Ireland.‘

More recent efforts from Sick Joy include such cheery titles as ‘Joy Sucker,’ receiving a video release on Youtube last year, a song taken from their EP ‘Them Days,’  released on the 13th of September 2019. The EP is available to buy on vinyl through the band’s website or can be streamed or purchased for download on major platforms such as Spotify and iTunes.