Now, as the singer has just turned 65, Dickinson has revealed that he has had to take a massive step back from flying-at least with the commercial plane variety. Speaking to Triple M Rock, Dickinson said, “I just turned 65. In most jurisdictions in the world, if you’re a pilot – a commercial pilot – at 65, they sneak you round the back and just put a bullet in your brain. Like an old dog or an old horse, gotta put it down now. The last time I went near a commercial aircraft to fly it was in 2017.”

The Iron Maiden frontman has also embarked on a few solo projects over the years, recently announcing his seventh solo endeavour The Mandrake Project which is due for release sometime in early 2024. And the singer still somehow manages to find the time to indulge in his passion for fencing-a sport he has participated in since the 1980s.

Dickinson continued, “I’m still fencing. I’m a veteran now. There’s a vets team and I still do Commonwealth championships. Being a vet is brilliant, actually, because all you have to do is survive and wait, and eventually everybody else will die, then you get in the team.”

Dickinson recently revealed that Iron Maiden have absolutely no plans to call it a day, with enthusiasm within the band still at its highest. Demand for the group could not be any more apparent as the band are set to continue their highly successful Future Past Tour in Australia and New Zealand in September of 2024. Dickinson will also be touring his solo project in the Spring in Mexico and South America.

“Shame” is out 10/10.

Pre-save it here: https://t.co/hWgTWQeBeF pic.twitter.com/raTupS98Ea

— Lauren Mayberry (@laurenevemay) October 4, 2023

Mayberry announced initial details of her solo project back in July, promising that it would be an eclectic mix of emotions and musical styles. Now, Mayberry has had the chance to introduce fans to her new material after completing a tour in the United States, before hitting the road again in the UK and Europe.

Speaking to NME about taking the leap into the uncertain and often times nerve-wracking solo world, Mayberry said, “there’s always nervousness. For any front-person in a band, but especially a woman, as soon as you say the words ‘solo material’ people get very upset with you. I feel like every second sentence is, ‘I’m not breaking up the band, guys, however…’ But we’re lucky enough to have fans that care so much that they don’t want it to break up. I feel grateful, but I’m trying to be reassuring to them – ‘just give us a couple more years guys, it’s going to be fine’.”

Mayberry has stated that bringing her ideas and concepts to life as a solo artist has allowed her to explore female specific experiences that may not have been easy or a right fit for Chvrches. Sharing an artistic direction with two men in the band, Mayberry worried that her unique perspective on themes or directions would not necessarily resonate with them.

She added, “there are a lot of specific things about the female experience that won’t apply to Iain and Martin. Obviously they have been very supportive of some of that making its way into Chvrches’ music, but sometimes I don’t want to sing about certain things or perform in a certain way when I’m on stage with men – if that doesn’t sound terrible. They’re the nicest men, but sometimes it’s not a conversation that I’m comfortable having fully in that context.”

So far, Mayberry has been buoyed by the response that her new material has received from live audiences and, as her UK and European leg gets underway, she is hoping that the new songs continue to ring true for her scores of fans spread across the continent. As for Chvrches, the band is set to release a 10th anniversary edition of The Bones Of What You Believe later this month, although any imminent projects are not foreseen by Mayberry at this time.

Lauren Mayberry Tour:

06/10/2023 – )2 Institute 3 – Birmingham
08/10 – Gorilla – Manchester
09/10 – Scala – London
11/10 – Melkweg Oz – Amsterdam, Netherlands
12/10 – Lido – Berlin, Germany
13/10 – Strom – Munich, Germany
15/10 – La Maroquinerie – Paris, France
16/10 – Luxor – Cologne, Germany
17/10 – Rock Cafe – Prague, Czech Republic
19/10 – Flex – Vienna, Austria
21/10 – Bogen F – Zurich, Switzerland
22/10 – Magnolia – Milan, Italy
24/10 – La Nau – Barcelona, Spain
25/10 – Sala Capernico – Madrid, Spain

Tomlinson confirmed that it was not much of “a surprise” that Harry Styles has become successful as he has been. “We were always aware that Harry would fit the mould, and it’s been an amazing thing to watch,” Tomlinson said.  “Envy? At the start maybe, when I was trying to find my feet, but it’s never healthy to cross reference your own success with others is it? These days, I’m learning to elevate myself in those moments when I have to. I didn’t know how to do that before, but now? Now I know I f****** can.” 

Although the two had known each other, prior to their early careers, they did not become friends until they joined their fellow bandmates, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik to form One Direction in 2010.

The boyband went on to become one of the biggest and most recognised bands of all time, drastically breaking records, touring the world, and winning awards. However, when Zayn departed from the band in 2015, the remaining band member went on an indefinite hiatus which led the band and Zayn to eventually part ways.

Tomlinson explained that it was then that he felt an intense sense of rivalry between Styles. He believes that both himself and Styles are on the same level. Ever since their solo careers started, he felt like he was desperately trying to outdo him. Ever since his album, Walls was released, despite being a successful venture, he says that he continues to look up to Styles and admires him for his achievements.

At the BRIT Awards, where Harry made a controversial statement, “This doesn’t happen to people like me very often.” which sparked outrage amongst viewers. Louis was asked to give his thoughts about this situation and he said, “Only Harry knows what he means there… but we all came from relatively humble beginnings, and now we are where we are.”

After the Faith In The Future album was released in November 2022, he expressed his excitement to continue his solo career and will be dropping more music soon.

Yes I have my own projects coming soon. I signed with @tapmusic and I am so excited for you guys to see what I am preparing. ONE THING, I am not leaving the band…while I am in Little Mix I’ll have some solo projects ( OF ME ONLY ) that’s all Love you babes. xLeigh

— Leighanne Pinnock (@iamleighannepin) March 9, 2021

Pinnock assured fans that she is not leaving Little Mix and will continue to be part of the group alongside any solo ventures. Tap Music represents stars such as Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey, and Ellie Goulding. Pinnock is therefore in good company with the agency that will represent Pinnock for her solo work across music, film, and TV. Tap Music will work with Modest Management, who will continue to oversee Pinnock’s work as part of Little Mix. Tap Music announced the deal with the songstress on their social media.

 

 

 

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This news comes after former member Jesy Nelson recently teased possible solo music on the way. The singer left the group last December after nine years writing that being in the band had “taken a toll” on her mental health. The remaining members of Little Mix have shown their support of Jesy’s decision saying in a statement: “This is an incredibly sad time for all of us, but we are fully supportive of Jesy. We love her very much and agree that it is so important that she does what is right for her mental health and wellbeing.” Little Mix continues as a trio with Pinnock alongside Jade Thirwall and Perrie Edwards. Details regarding Pinnock’s first solo release are yet to be confirmed.

Little Mix have most recently climbed the singles charts with their song Sweet Melody. You can watch the video below.

The album is to be titled “Folly” ,and  is O’Sullivans second solo album and the follow up to “VELD” which was released in 2017. When writing the record, his son Ari  was born and his friend Ian Johnstone died. Says O’Sullivan:  “Joy is inseparable from suffering and sometimes those polarities arrive at the same moment.  Music offers a vessel to contain the unspeakable.”

O’Sullivan enlisted the help of avant-garde musician thighpaulsandra to record and mix the album. Due out on April 5, its release will be celebrated by holding a residency for two nights in Hackney at the Sutton House as part of the New Arts and Music Programme. Both nights will see O’Sullivan play music from the album and he will be joined by a variety of guests which will include thighpaulsandra. More information can be found at the events facebook page.

O’Sullivan is an artist, composer and multi-instrumentalist who was born in Manchester. He has played a wide variety of styles including ne0-classical, progressive/psychedelic rock, free-form composition, cosmic jazz, minimalist drone, synth-pop and folk.

He has collaborated with many other artists such as Stephen O’Malley, Alexander Tucker, Jarboe and David Tibet. He has also played with Suno))) live and joined the black metal band Ulver in 2010. Among his other collaborative credits are two songs he written for The Big Pink, namely both of their title tracks for their albums “A Brief History of  Love” (2009) and “Future This” (2012).

Other groups he has played in include Miracle, a synth-pop duo with Steve Moore from Zombi. Grumbling Fur is a project he formed with regular contributor Alexander Tucker. Their debut album “Furrier”, released in 2011 featured collaborations from Jussi Lethisalo from the Finnish bands Circle and Pharaoh Overlord and David Smith from Guapo.

After releasing the session ep “Alice” , they released their second album “Glynnaestra” in 2013 on the Chicago-based label Thrill Jockey. It was met with much acclaim, being voted album of the year on The Quietus website as well being featured in Top 50 album of the year polls in magazines such as “Wire” and “Fact”.

The third album  “Preatanaturals” was released in 2014 on The Quietus’s own imprint Phonographic Corporation and was followed by the fourth album “Furfour” in 2016, once again on Thrill Jockey. They have also released two collaborative recordings with Charmalegne Palestine under the name Grumbling Fur Time Machine Orchestra in 2015 and 2017, both on limited vinyl editions. “VELD” was released in 2017 and notably took six years to record between 2010 and 2016.

The song, ‘Angela’s Eyes’, is more animated than Elbow’s usual output. The strangled guitars give way to a undulating synthline, carried over shuffling drums and a hypnotizing bassline. Garvey’s vocals seem more terse than usual too, creating a sense urgency not usually found in Elbow.

Garvey said on his Facebook when he announced the album: “Elbow graciously gave me some time to write a solo album. I’ve wanted to try for years and I’m really proud of it. “Solo” because I wrote everything but I was far from alone. I invited my favourite players outside of elbow (many of them also my favourite people) and we moved fast, drank a lot and had what can only be described as a massive laugh along the way.”

The release of ‘Angela’s Eyes’ has also been accompanied by a video, which you can watch below:

A press release for the music video states that: “Filmed at The Carlton Club in Whalley Range, Manchester by long-time visual collaborators Soup Collective, the short sees Guy and band the focus of the attentions of a crowd of lascivious women and was inspired by a documentary on London’s ’60s strip clubs.”

Garvey will also be touring later this year:

01/12 London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
02/12 London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
04/12 Manchester Albert Hall
05/12 Manchester Albert Hall
08/12 Glasgow O2 ABC