The Essex pop singer took to social medias yesterday to reveal her second pregnancy. She welcomed her first child back in April 2024 after secretly tying the knot to rapper boyfriend Slowthai in Las Vegas back in 2022. The news came shortly after Anne-Marie opened up about her “most beautiful yet hardest year”, following her husband recently being cleared from the rape allegations against him from two women at a house party in 2021.

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Anne-Marie has previously supported artists such as Shania Twain at her BST Hyde Park Show in London in the summer of 2024 after collaborating together on the title track of Anne-Marie’s last album ‘Unhealthy’.

Her latest release also features the song called ‘I Don’t Like Your Boyfriend’, a track where she talks about her dislike towards her friend’s boyfriend where the other track focuses more on her inner turmoil. Lead track ‘Don’t Panic’ is a raw and powerful song that delves into the chaotic reality of anxiety and inner turmoil. With haunting imagery and vulnerable lyrics, it captures the relentless whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that accompany feelings of panic. Yet, amidst the storm, Anne-Marie makes a poignant plea for calm and self-compassion.

Anne- Marie says: ”These songs are intended to be the realisation that in searching for a friend, sometimes you’re the only friend you’ll ever need. Apart from me, I can be your best friend, right!?”

The charges were based on events that occurred on September 7, 2021, after Slowthai finished a gig in Oxford. Following the performance, two women joined the rapper and his friend Alex Blake-Walker, who was also tried, at a house party. This is where the alleged assaults were said to have taken place. It was claimed that both men allegedly engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with the women, made inappropriate comments and behaved inappropriately during the incident. Slowthai and Blake-Walker both denied the accusations, asserting that all interactions were consensual.

Northampton-born Slowthai, known for his politically charged lyrics and raw, gritty music, rose to fame with his 2019 debut album Nothing Great About Britain, which reached number 9 on the Official Album Charts. It also earned a Mercury Prize nomination. He then followed up this success with 2021 album Tyron which solidified his status as one of the most influential voices in British Music. The album blended sharp social commentary with a vulnerability that most fans could relate to.

Slowthai’s track ‘Doorman’, from his album Nothing Great About Britain, is widely regarded as one of his most notable songs. Produced by Mura Masa, the song critiques class divides through the lens of a blue-collar boy with a nicotine addiction infatuated with a girl from a wealthy background, highlighted in lyrics like “parents minted, Mayfair, couple dogs.” Slowthai explores feelings of inadequacy and alienation, capturing the tension between his working-class identity and the lavish, detached world of privilege the love interest lives in expressed in the line, “I pour my heart out, she laps up my blood.” The song’s raw energy and punk-infused grime sound reflect his frustration, making it a standout song that exemplifies his unique storytelling style. Alongside ‘Doorman‘, other standout tracks such as ‘T N Biscuits’, ‘Drug Dealer’, and ‘Peace of Mind ‘ showcase his versatility, blending dark humour, vulnerability, and sharp social commentary.

However, the case made a significant impact on the artist’s career over the past year. Following the charges initially made to the rapper, Slowthai was removed from major festival line-ups, including Glastonbury as well as Reading & Leeds festival.

Throughout the trial, the defence emphasised the complexities of consent, especially in situations involving high-profile individuals. Slowthai maintained that there was no wrongdoing. After over ten hours of deliberation, the jury returned with unanimous not guilty verdicts for both Frampton and Blake-Walker, distinguishing the end of the case.

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The verdict was met with visible emotion from the rapper, who reportedly broke down in tears as the decision was announced. Frampton is still yet to make a comment on the verdict. His supporters, including friends and family, as well as his wife, pop star Anne-Marie, were also seen in court, physically relieved by the outcome. The couple, who secretly wed in 2022, welcomed their first child, February of this year.

If successful with their filing, Festival Republic would host a new three-day event in Luton’s Stockwood Park. The proposed dates for the new event would fall on the spring bank holiday, Saturday, May 25th to Monday, May 27th. As well as performances, Benn’s application has been reported to propose “a funfair and sponsor activations”. Mirroring the format of the company’s other festivals, the proposed event will likely include the all the bells and whistles associated with their mainline stage shows.

Although Luton Council has already discussed this application, their decision has not yet been made public. For many, festivals can be seen as great economic boost to an area, especially if the event does not provide camping facilities. Large numbers of festivalgoers need accommodation and food which can be provided by local businesses after the day’s shows have come to a close. However, this benefit can often come at the cost of residents, as noise levels will be elevated by both the event itself and by its sometimes-rowdy participants. It doesn’t seem likely that the proposed festival will be a camping affair as the documentation filed does not imply nor mention overnight accommodation.

Other factors to be considered in the council’s decision are the effects that a large-scale event, like this one, would have on Luton’s public transport infrastructure. This is especially relevant, as Stockwood Park is only 1.5 miles from the town’s centre. Either way, the final decision from Luton Council will likely be announced within the week.

This year is looking promising for Festival Republic, as Finsbury Park’s Wireless is set to announce its 2024 line up next week, and Reading/Leeds has already teased the first ten acts for this year’s extravaganza. Among those performing at Reading’s and Leeds’ 2024 incarnation, are DJ and producer Fred Again.., Lana Del Rey, and Liam Gallagher.

Update: As of January 22nd, Luton Council said that Melvin Benn’s “application was granted with minor amendments“. Due to residents’ concerns of increased noise, congestion, and anti-social behaviour, Luton Council has arranged for noise to be monitored during the event as well as a noise hotline that would allow locals to complain about disruption in residential areas.

Oasis, one of the most successful British bands of all time, performed at Moles early in their career, and the venue is often credited as being instrumental in their rise to fame. Similarly, Ed Sheeran, who has become a global superstar, also graced the stage at Moles in his early days.

 Oasis                                                                                                      Ed Sheeran

The impact of Moles extends beyond just launching successful acts. Manic Street Preachers, a Welsh rock band, secured a record deal after their performance at the venue. Supergrass, another popular British band, even used Moles’ dressing room for the cover shoot of their debut album, highlighting the venue’s significance in the music industry.

Manic Street Preachers                                                                 Supergrass

The closure of Moles is a devastating blow to the local music community. The owners’ decision to file for insolvency reflects the harsh reality of the financial challenges faced by grassroots venues. The rising cost of living and increasing bills have made it increasingly difficult for small venues like Moles to stay afloat.

Co-owner Tom Maddicot’s statement about the economic viability of grassroots live music is a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by these venues. Without adequate support and a sustainable financial model, more small venues may face a similar fate. Tom said “Making the decision to close Moles was horrendous, but the reality is that live music at grassroots level is no longer economically viable.”

Moles’ rich history and contribution to the music scene in Bath cannot be understated. From hosting early performances by iconic bands like Blur, The Cure, and The Smiths, to providing a platform for up-and-coming artists, the venue has left an indelible mark on the industry.

As the doors of Moles close for the final time, the music community mourns the loss of a beloved institution. The memories and impact of this iconic venue will live on, but its closure serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by grassroots music venues in an increasingly challenging economic climate.

Recently, Moles hosted Slowthai, and the fast-rising indie band The Last Dinner Party. Unfortunately, the closure of Moles adds to the growing number of losses in the UK’s live music circuit.

Mark Davyd, the CEO of the Music Venue Trust, believes that the closure of Moles reflects a larger failure by the music industry and the government to invest in venues that support emerging artists.  The Music Venue Trust is looking to France as an example, where the government has implemented a ticket levy on arena shows to provide financial support to smaller venues and up-and-coming artists. Davyd has reached out to the UK government and opposition parties, urging them to take action and support the grassroots live sector. He said “Unless it gets serious about its responsibilities to encourage, nurture and develop the grassroots live sector, the music industry as a whole will face a catastrophic failure of artist development,”

The Britpop icon band, Blur, have decided to greet us once again. The band have announced a collection of four small gig dates for the run up to their official world tour, set to kick off in June.

Come as they may, the group’s fans will be delighted to get in touch with them again. This tour will mark their first headlining gigs since their most recent release of The Magic Whip back in 2015. There has been no trace of fresh sound since then, with only a live album release Live At The BBC in 2019 and the “Blur (25th Anniversary Sampler)” in 2022.

As a warm up for the big journey, they will be playing four shows in May around the UK. The first show will take place at Colchester Art Centre – a 300 head venue capacity – on the Friday, 19th of May. Blur’s frontman, Damon Albarn, is from Colchester, where he met guitarist Graham Coxon when studying at Stanway School.

The following gig is to take place on the 21st May at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne, a slightly larger venue than the first intimate one. On the 26th of May they will be stopping at Wolverhampton to play at The Halls to then finish in Newcastle on the 28th of May where they will be performing at the O2 City Hall.

After the offering of this string of intimacy, the band finally loom into reality. On the 1st of June they land their first big show in Barcelona at the renowned Primavera Sound Festival. As from here they will be hopping around the world until the end of August. Visiting countries such as Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Finland and, to finish off, Japan.

In Japan they will play in Tokyo at Summer Sonic 2023 on the 19th of August and will be finally tying up their horses in Osaka at the Maishima Sonic Park on the 20th of August.

The tour will featured by special guests on stage. The first show is to be accompanied by the UK rapper Slowthai, the British musician known as Self Esteem and the indie duo from London, Jockstrap. The following day they are to be joined on stage at Wembley by rock star Paul Weller as well as the ska revival duo from Coventry, The Selector.

Tickets for the UK shows in May will be available to buy this Friday, 28th of April. Click here for access.

UK Tour Dates:

19/05/2023 – Colchester Art Centre – Colchester
21/05 – Winter Gardens – Eastbourne
26/05 – The Halls – Wolverhampton
28/05 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle
08/07/ – Wembley – London
09/07 – Wembley – London

Slowthai has never shied from speaking his thunderous mind. Ever since his first studio album Nothing Great About Britain in 2019, the rapper has lavished with ground shifting points of view in order to not commit to a repressed storyteller. He has stemmed from a UK rap/Hip Hop sound which has smoothly evolved into a more alternative-rock, post-punk direction which couldn’t suit him better.

Throughout his artistic career, he has barked out outlawed pleasures as well as Britain’s most disappointing deeds as a country. What fans most love about the Northampton artist is how his childish personality reflects in his sound. At the end of the day, he is just a lad from the Northampton dumps, having had to rely on creative experiments as a main source of entertainment. Throughout his first two album releases, he speaks a truthful mind on what rages him about the nasty sides of life, learning how to deal with your own stuff as well as expressing a bagful of repressed feelings.

He intimately welcomes us into his typhoon of an album UGLY, flirting between a busy post-punk feel and some electronic synth mashings. An album that brings us closer to his true self more than ever before. Encapsulated perfectly by the name, his reality, he demonstrates, is not close to pretty. This doesn’t mean, however, he is not following an aim towards a more positive message in his songs, as he mentioned to The Fader, and proved with songs such as “Momentary Bliss“. Through genuine and gruesome thoughts, he details the inklings that many other people can relate to as well as learning how to love yourself. Not to mention the art of blissfully not giving a f–k.

Unlike his other releases, this is a collaboration-free album, enhancing a reflection within his self determination mentioned throughout the piece, as he tends to delve into a genre-mashing collaborative ride. This is a quest to find happiness by being as honest as possible and staying true to himself, no matter how much of a ruckus he creates around him.

UGLY was released on the 3rd March through the California based label Interscope Records. Alongside this, an UGLY world tour has been announced for the end of the year, starting on the 20th of September in Glasgow running until the 30th of September finalising in Brussels. Tickets went on sale on the 28th February.

Click here to buy the album.
Click here to buy tour tickets.

World Tour Dates: 

20/09/2023 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow
21/09 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
22/09 – Alexandra Palace – London
23/90 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
27/09 – Elysee Montmarte – Paris
28/09 – Paradiso – Amsterdam
29/09 – Metropol – Berlin
30/09 – AB – Brussels

Skye told the magazine, “Ty chased the guy down and got the laptop back.” The bag contained the only copy of the album that he and Ellery had spent the last few years working on. There was no backup anywhere. Because of this, the acclaimed British rapper got a special mention in the liner notes for their forthcoming album I Love You Jennifer B.

Skye and Ellery met in 2016 at London’s Guildhall of Music & Drama, and Jockstrap fuses Skye’s electronic production with Ellery’s songwriting. Since making their debut in late 2017 with their first single, “I Want Another Affair,” which later appeared on their 2018 debut EP, Love Is the Key to the City, the pair has been on the ascendancy; Rolling Stone saying, “Over those two EPs — and their corresponding, exceptionally out-there remix projects — Jockstrap have honed an adventurous, irreverent approach to music that doesn’t sacrifice songcraft or feeling”.

The band have released two singles from the forthcoming album, “Concrete Over Water”, a six-minute epic that “drifts from tender ambience to orchestral splendor to dancefloor ecstasy”, and “Glasgow” – about a trip to the Scottish city and an unforgettable night at the famous Sub Club. You can watch the videos for both the songs below.

On their songwriting dynamic, Skye told the magazine: “I don’t really talk to Georgia about what the songs are about, or try to figure out, lyrically, what’s going on. I’ll just go with my instinct. We both like listening to lots of music as we make music, so I have ideas that I want to try. And usually, if Georgia’s song is good, and my idea is good, regardless of how you might think they work, or don’t work together, we usually make it work. It’s quite nice having two interesting things going on at the same time.”

Ellery continued saying that she enjoys the results of giving up control, saying, “That’s what I want to hear — the surprise. That sells it for me. It’s a first-time-listener reaction, and that’s what you’re gonna get, times 1000, when people listen to it.”

Both grew up in quieter parts of the UK and revealed that moving to London was an important step in their creative evolution, Skye saying, “There were so many things being held in this place: The opportunity to make something happen, the opportunity to meet other people that are doing what you’re doing, to see things.” Ellery continued, “That was the stimulus for a lot of the songwriting — the city, and all these formative experiences.” Later adding: “If it’s about love or the city, then it’s within our language.”

Pre-sale is LIVE!!! Get your tix here: https://t.co/d0HSYVE9pB pic.twitter.com/tJG8yCOg9F

— jockstrap (@jockstrapmusic1) April 13, 2022

WE ARE BACK AT EOTR THIS YEAR, SAT NIGHT . V special show pic.twitter.com/A8xW9Ahwyn — jockstrap (@jockstrapmusic1) July 20, 2022

I Love You Jennifer B comes out September 9^th of this year on Rough Trade Records, you can pre-order the album here. The band will be touring to promote the release of the album, dates are below, and tickets are available here. They will also be playing the sold-out End of The Road Festival on September 3^rd.

29/09/ 2022 – The Mash House – Edinburgh
30/09 – Stereo – Glasgow
01/10 – The White Hotel – Manchester (Sold out)
3/10 – Belgrave Music Hall – Leeds
4/10 – Hare & Hounds – Birmingham
5/10 – The Fleece – Bristol
07/10 – Norwich Arts Centre – Norwich
08/10 – Patterns – Brighton
10/10 – Village Underground – London (Sold out)
11/10 – Clwb Ifor Bach – Cardiff

An obviously deplorable use of the Nazi symbol by slowthai at Osheaga in Montreal.

He's previously displayed a severed head of …. Boris Johnson in concert so will be interesting to see how much the woke left will talk about this. pic.twitter.com/9VbTmG8a95

— Jeff Joseph (@MisterDoubleJ) August 1, 2022

The musician walked on stage wearing a white T-shirt saying “DESTROY” with a large swastika in a red circle below. The shirt was inspired by a shirt designed by Vivienne Westwood and infamously worn by The Sex Pistols.

whether or not the outfit choice was a great idea is a different story but Vivienne Westwood has a series of antifascist designs including the one worn by Slowthai that are anything but new pic.twitter.com/9kAtQ9UxkT — matty (@mattyjones_x) August 1, 2022

Slowthai has since said that the shirt was meant to be anti-fascist and released the following statement on Twitter in response to the backlash: “i’m sorry to anyone who is offended by me wearing an anti-fascist / anti-regime t-shirt and the use of the symbol it represents. i want you to know i stand firmly against antisemitism and fascism of any kind, something the t-shirt was meant to illustrate with the word “destroy” above the symbol.”  Despite his apology the stunt has left festival-goers baffled and angered.

https://t.co/nwB4Hh8bH9 pic.twitter.com/pb4k8Il0MS

— TYRON (@slowthai) August 1, 2022

Osheaga also weighed in earlier in the day in a statement saying, “a performer appeared on stage Saturday wearing a controversial t-shirt displaying a swastika that caused confusion. The t-shirt denounces the regime. We sincerely apologize to anyone who may have misinterpreted this message and felt hurt.”

pic.twitter.com/YrWZW1jIFz — OSHEAGA (@osheaga) August 1, 2022

The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre For Holocaust Studies, an organisation that aims to stamp out anti-semitism was unimpressed with the festival’s response, tweeting, “While @slowthai’s intent at @osheaga may have been to denounce Nazism, the message was very badly executed. This ambiguous display of the swastika was frightening for Jews and others and should never have made it to the stage“.

While @slowthai’s intent at @osheaga may have been to denounce Nazism, the message was very badly executed. This ambiguous display of the swastika was frightening for Jews and others and should never have made it to the stage. pic.twitter.com/WGp8RwkvRy

— Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (@CanadianFSWC) July 31, 2022

 

 

This is not the first time Slowthai has courted controversy back in September 2020, he was accused of making lewd comments toward comedian Katherine Ryan while on stage at the NME awards, asking her to “smell my cologne”, and : “If you want to do something, see me later. She wants me to tend to her flowers”.

TW: sexual harassment

This video of Slowthai sexually harassing Katherine Ryan at the NME awards is awful. So, so gross. Women shouldn’t have to endure this as part of their jobs. I know his persona is shithouser but there’s a line and he fully crossed it pic.twitter.com/E0lALuF6Ja

— Moya Lothian-McLean (@mlothianmclean) February 12, 2020

The rapper talked to Noisey about the incident, “I didn’t see it as being toxic, but when I watched those clips back, I was like, I can understand why people feel this way and I can understand where I was wrong”. He continued, “People are so quick to point the finger and kill ya, but if you live in fear of what everyone thinks, you’ll never do anything all your life… I can sit and wallow or I can take my lessons and learn from it and become a better person”.

Ryan talked to NME about the award show saying, “When that happened, I thought: ‘We can have some fun with this.’ As far as I’m concerned, that’s all it was – fun in the room. We were both evenly matched and doing a pantomime.” She continued, “Because I’m vehemently against ‘cancel culture’ in most cases. We’re always looking to ruin someone’s career. To take the context and nuance out of the situation didn’t make sense to me”.

The MC had struck gold with his debut album Nothing Great About Britain which launched straight into the top ten right off the bat (not to mention a nod from the Mercury Prize panel). Since then Frampton has earned over 2.8 million monthly Spotify listeners and has collaborated with a host of stellar names such as; James Blake, A$AP Rocky, Dominic Fike, Skepta, Fontaines DC, and Gorillaz.

Tom Cater, the BMG Senior Manager of A&R Publishing in the UK said in a statement; “We are big fans of Slowthai here at BMG and have been watching him closely since his first LP. We can’t wait for what he does next.” 

Hugo Turquet (BMG SVP publishing UK) added; “It’s an honour to welcome Slowthai to BMG. He is a true spokesperson for what is going on in today’s world and is able to mix and cross genres in a way which is quite unique. The world is definitely coming around to Slowthai and it is exciting to be able to work with him at this stage of his career.” 

With his sophomore LP Tyron becoming his first ever number 1 album in February 2021, Slowthai described the feat saying; “It just felt like it was meant to happen – and it was validation that I got there by working hard and not changing anything about myself.”

Though his next full album still lacks an official release date, Frampton stated; “I’ve got the name – but I can’t say it yet – and I’ve written most of it,”

He added elsewhere; “I got about 50 percent, I would say 75 percent [finished]. I’m so early in making it and I’ve got so much time now especially, that I wouldn’t like to put a number on it, but it’s already underway. […] I’ve become obsessed with a lot of songwriting and structures and how things are switching and chord changes and stuff and melody is something that’s important to me, so I want to explore that avenue a lot more, but then I want it to be left. I don’t want it to be like anything you’ve ever heard before, but I still want it to have them cliche schemes or themes, because it’s gotta come back to a point, you’ve always gotta have a point.”

In a statement, Mura Masa – who from this point on I’ll refer to by his birthname Alexander Crossan – explained that the album’s title came from “those early morning hours at a party or with friends where a delivish yet innocent sense of mischief prevails”, elaborating, “It’s devil on the shoulder type fun. Not necessarily the most wholesome, but it’s a really good time.” He then went on to explain that people need, “vicarious, escapist music now. So that’s where this demon time idea came from – how do we soundtrack the 1am to 5am period where you start doing stupid shit that you don’t regret but wouldn’t do again when it emerges again post-lockdown?”

Aside from the features we’re already aware of – PinkPantheress, Shygirl etc. – Crossan is also boasting a few other high-profile artists on his album, no surprise there. Slowthai will be returning for another round after the great success that was their last hit single ‘Deal Wiv It’, Lil Yachty and Unknown T join forces for a moment on ‘No Ish’, Shygirl also made the cut for not one… but two tracks, with them as of yet unheard ‘Hollaback Bitch’. You can check out the full roster here.

While the announcement hasn’t, yet, come with the news of an accompanying tour, Mura Masa has got a bunch of UK dates already lined up for the summer. With appearances at Loves Saves The Day, Glastonbury, and All Points East Festival, there is definitely a lot of empty space to fit in a few dates on a tour. You can check out all of the dates for UK and Europe here.