The initiative is intended to generate increased support towards food banks to raise the funds needed to help the increasing number of people forced to rely on them this Christmas.

As the UK continues to witness the Cost of Living crisis, more individuals are forced to live day by day to afford food and basic amenities, the strain on food banks has soared as more individuals rely on their resources to make ends meet. Between April 2023 and March 2024 more than 655,000 reported using foodbanks for the first time, whilst 3.1 million emergency food parcels were sent out to those facing hardships across Britian. This is a 94% increase over the past five years.

In just five years, over a million more people in the UK are now facing hunger and hardship, bringing the total to staggering new heights

Support your local food bank through Bankuet so they can continue providing their life-saving services https://t.co/v1NlWKvP0t pic.twitter.com/4oQw3sm12b

— Bankuet (@bankuetuk) November 18, 2024

Hailing from Glasgow, Travis have established a reputation for creating timeless soft, alternative rock tracks for their ever-growing fanbase since the 1990s. With two number one albums, respectively ‘The Man Who’ released in 1999 and ‘The Invisible Band’ released in 2001, Travis are clearly determined to give back to the very communities that assisted their rise to fame by using their fortunate position to create positive change.

Travis’ frontman Fran Healy has discussed the importance of the band’s involvement in the ‘Eat the Beat’ food bank initiative, stating: “I was poor growing up, so we’re joining forces with Bankuet to help feed not only the growing number of people who are having to rely on food banks but those on low incomes faced with the choice of heating or eating this Christmas”.

He continued: “There is no shame in asking for help, I got free school dinners every day and that made me feel cared for and perhaps more importantly, knowing it helped my mum made it feel even better. Food banks are essential to help families and individuals in need to put food on the table in the UK. We’re so lucky we have some extra money to buy a ticket to go see a gig, so please chuck in a few quid or get rid of your change or tap the app”.

The ‘Flowers In The Window’ band will embark on their headline tour in early December, commencing at Leeds O2 Academy on December 5. Travis will then perform a string of shows across the UK in Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, London and Glasgow throughout the course of the month.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Travis (@travistheband)

The ‘Raze the Bar’ tour accompanies the release of Travis’ latest album, ‘L.A. Times’, their tenth studio album which released back in July. The LP effortlessly displays Travis’ ever-evolving sonic style, with a reinvention of their earlier sound which utilises introspective lyricism but adopts more consistently catchy melodies.

Their forthcoming almost sold-out tour will give attendees the opportunity to give back to their local communities. Fans will have the choice to donate through the Bankuet website by clicking the ‘Eat the Beat’ option at checkout or by donating at any of the venues across the ‘Raze the Bar’ tour. Fans who donate via the Bankuet website (who show proof of donation) or those who choose to donate on the night will receive a donation badge from Bankuet volunteers, who will be present on the night.

This winter, we’re teaming up with @bankuetuk to launch a campaign that’s close to our hearts: EAT THE BEAT – raising vital funds to support food banks during our upcoming Raze The Bar UK tour. Here’s how you can get involved: Donate online at https://t.co/2SBfRteMsX by… pic.twitter.com/kwjBnvyUGz

— Travis (@TravisBand) November 27, 2024

As demand for foodbanks continues, Travis and Bankuet’s ‘Eat the Beat’ food bank initiative aims to start a grassroots effort to help individuals in our local and national communities to have access to resources which lessen their hardships.

The band’s mini-tour will begin at the Sugarmill in Stoke-on-Trent on November 27, followed by shows in Birkenhead at the Future Yard, and Hebden Bridge’s The Trades Club.

These venues undoubtedly show a turn towards intimate shows. Their 2021 tour would have seen them play at venues such as Brixton’s O2 academy with a capacity of nearly 5000. Instead, the group will be playing to crowds of closer to 400, which the band have described as “going back to our roots”.

After a hiatus during the 2010s, Doves reunited in 2019, leading to a full return to the studio and the release of The Universal Want in 2020. Plans for a 2021 tour were cancelled to prioritise Goodwin’s mental health.

While Constellations For The Lonely includes Goodwin’s contributions, the singer will not join the tour due to ongoing health and well-being concerns. Bandmates Andy and Jez Williams will cover vocal duties in his absence, which they’ve alternated with Goodwin throughout Doves’ career. The band issued a statement, saying, “Jimi’s health came first, but with his blessing, we’re able to play the songs from ‘The Universal Want’, ‘Constellations For The Lonely’ and others on stage.”

Doves’ 6th album ‘Constellations For The Lonely’ will be released in February on @eminorthrecords.
Listen to the first single, ‘Renegade’, and pre-order now.https://t.co/kqvL9HmfJg pic.twitter.com/4ubVtJvaqJ

— Doves (@dovesmusicblog) November 4, 2024

Goodwin, alongside twins Andy and Jez Williams, is one of the three founding members of Doves. Starting out as Sub Sub in 1989, the trio played dance music in and around the North West, and were even set to play the Hacienda nightclub in Manchester until the show was cancelled.

Goodwin himself expressed his support for the band’s decision to tour without him, noting that his recovery process isn’t compatible with a heavy tour schedule. “All my love and respect to Andy, Jez, Rebelski, and the new boys for taking it to you, our people. Please give them all your support and enjoy the shows!” he shared in a statement.

Just to be clear me (Jez) will be singing the songs (along with Andy on some of the songs) with Jimi very much in spirit ….I hope this is cool and you understand /are accepting as Jimi is still not out of the woods he’s doing really great but more time is needed

— Doves (@dovesmusicblog) November 8, 2024

Doves’ new album Constellations For The Lonely, due out February 14, 2025, follows their 2020 UK No. 1 album The Universal Want. The album was recorded across locations in Greater Manchester, North Wales, and Cheshire, with long-time collaborator Dan Austin contributing additional production.

With three exclusive dates set in intimate venues, Doves’ return to live performance promises a unique experience for fans. Despite Goodwin’s absence, the band aims to deliver a show to remember, celebrating both new music and fan-favourites from The Universal Want and beyond.

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A post shared by Paul McCartney (@paulmccartney)

The Manchester shows will mark the the first time since 2011 that McCartney has played in the city when he performed at the Manchester Evening News Arena for the 18th show of his “On The Run” Tour. This tour will also mark first time he has played in London in 6 years and his first UK tour since 2018.

McCartneys “Got Back” tour has been circulating since 2022 and first landed in the UK when he brought it to the Glastonbury of that year where he headlined alongside Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish and marked the singers second time taking to the Pyramid stage as he previously performed in 2004.

He is set to perform a whole host of crowd raisers throughout the show from his 60 year career including Beatles classics like “Hey Jude”, “Let It Be”, “Band on the Run”, “Get Back” “Live and Let Die” and “Lady Madonna”. It will be an exciting set of shows for fans of the Beatles as McCartney has been continuously revamping his equipment and technology to be able to use stems from old tracks, essentially “duetting” with his former band mates. Not only this, but the show holds glowing reviews from critics when it first Debuted at Worthing farm two years ago, with the Telegraph calling it ‘one of the most thrilling, uplifting, banger-filled, star-studded sets this 50-plus-year-old festival had ever seen’.

According to TimeOut magazine, Paul McCartney spoke about the upcoming shows during the announcement saying On announcing his UK string of shows, Paul said: ‘I’m excited to be ending my year and 2024 tour dates in the UK. It’s always such a special feeling to play shows on our home soil. It’s going to be an amazing end to the year. Let’s get set to party. I can’t wait to see you.’ The beloved Beatles member also celebrated his 82nd birthday this week.

The Beatles icon has already has already taken it to cities across the US, Australia and South America but finally the show will return to the UK for more than just one night only with shows at Co-op Live on Saturday December 14 and Sunday December 15 and then shoes at the O2 Arena in London on Wednesday December 18 and Thursday December 19. Some fans have however been left disappointed as there are currently no dates for Scotland or McCartney’s home city – Liverpool.

The date for your diaries is this Friday the 21st of June as this is when tickets go on general sale on Ticketmaster here from 10am. However if you’re a lucky O2 priority or a Co-op member you can access the presale for the four shows which will go live on Wednesday June 19 at 10am BST. Find the Manchester presale here and the London presale here.