Latitude Festival: Location, Henham Park in Suffolk
Date: 25-28 July
Headliners: Duran Duran, Kasabian, Keane, and London Grammar.
Alongside the music, the festival also offers comedy and theater performances, making it a diverse and vibrant experience. With a mix of stadium-quality shows and a variety of genres, including disco, dance music, and 80s vibes, there’s something for everyone at Latitude Festival.

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Alexander’s solo project debuted at number one and found great success within physical sales, 75% of the album’s chart sales were on physical configurations. Alexander spoke with OfficialCharts.com concerning the win, “I’m just really, really proud. Everybody who got this album and streamed it – I can’t believe it, thank you so, so, so much! We got Number 1 baby!!

Night Call is the first album to be released by Years & Years as a solo act, in March 2021 it was announced that former members Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre Turkmen would be leaving the group. The album’s lead single entitled “Starstruck” was released on 8th April 2021 and marked Years & Years’ first solo single, after the release Alexander performed the track live on various TV shows including The One Show and The Late Late Show With James Cordon. The originally formed trio earned their first UK number one album with their 2015 debut album Communion. The band’s second studio album Palo Santo was released on 6th July 2018 via Polydor Records and peaked at number three within the UK charts.

Similar to Night Call, this week’s number two album also experienced success within physical sales. The Overload by Leeds punk rockers Yard Act has been named the fastest-selling debut album on vinyl for a band within this century. Furthermore, the album has reached number one within the Physical Albums charts, Official Vinyl Albums Chart and Official Record Store Chart.

Music fans were left devastated last week when news confirming the death of Meat Loaf circulated. The Rock Icon held great influence within the music industry and his tragic loss is seen within this week’s charts. Three of the artist’s albums have placed within the top 40, the singer’s debut album Bat Out Of Hell landed at number three and also became this week’s most downloaded album. The singer’s greatest hits album, Hits Out Of Hell, placed at number five and has been named as this week’s most-streamed album and the 1993 release Bat Out Of Hell 2: Back Into Hell has placed at number twenty-four.

At number four this week is Ed Sheeran’s most recent release, Equals has previously spent three weeks at number one but has remained within the top five. Elsewhere within this week’s charts, Aurora has sired her first UK top 10 chart placement with her third album The Gods We Can Touch. The Norwegian pop star’s album was released on 21st January 2022 and has debuted this week at number eight.

this is your night call join me for a moment in the stars to get exclusive access before the tickets are set live, pre-order from the official store before 5pm on the 2nd November if you’ve already pre-ordered you’ll get automatic access https://t.co/p3Oh1QPaKO pic.twitter.com/YpLv902C2q

— Years & Years (@yearsandyears) October 29, 2021

Years & Years used to be a synth-pop trio made out with singer Olly Alexander, bassist Mikey Goldsworthy and keyboardist Emre Turkmen. The split in 2015, after releasing a single “King” that reached No 1 spot in UK Charts.
In April this year, Alexander announced that the band now will be a solo project. He put some highlights with regards to split saying: “I’ll tell you the honest truth of what happened was is; me, Mikey and Emre met, like, ten years ago“.
“We’ve been in this band for a decade, and in that time, we’ve just kind of grown apart musically, right. We kind of stopped making music together, and when we announced that I was going to be Olly Years & Years, it had kind of been a long time coming if that makes sense” he added.
Along with the album announcement, Alexander shared a new single “Crave” and a video for it. You can watch the video below.

Speaking about the upcoming album Alexander said: “I’ve been writing all the songs for this new album, and Emre’s working on other stuff, he’s got his family to raise and so it’s just an honest thing. We didn’t fall out, we’re all mates and stuff, it’s definitely different but I’m really excited as well to kind of do my thing this time“.
Asked why did he choose to stay with the band name and not release music under his own name, he commented: “These songs I’ve written like ten years ago, some of them, I don’t want to let them go, I still want to do it, so I felt like, this is just felt right to stay as Years & Years I think“.
Last month Years & Years collaborated with Kylie Minogue on a single “A Second To Midnight”. He has also been recently announced as a headliner at next year Glasgow festival – Colourboxx that will take place in June 2022.
Years and Years UK and Ireland tour will begin in May in Brighton and will end up in June in Glasgow. Tickets to the tour are available here from 9 am on the 5th of November.
See full dates of Years & Years 2022 Tour below:

19/05/22 – Centre – Brighton
20/05 – International Centre – Bournemouth
21/05 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham
26/05 – Wembley Arena – London
28/05 – AO Arena – Manchester

24/06 – National Museum of Ireland – Dublin
25/06 – Colourboxx Festival at Bellahouston Park – Glasgow

The Years & Years singer and sole member, Olly Alexander, has taken to his Instagram page to post the news to fans.

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The ‘It’s a Sin’ singer has put his unique spin on the original release’s lead single, the singer has taken a different approach than the original which features a big stadium-esque feel. Alexander has infused the song with a dance influence, modernising the feel-good hit for a new generation, whilst keeping the heart thumping appeal which made the single a hymn for self love a decade ago. Alexander’s version is one of four covers in which Gaga has shared with her fans ahead of the album release. Fans will remember that this is not Alexander’s first cover, he famously won the nation’s hearts with his cover performed at this year’s Brit awards.

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Gaga’s single was originally released on 11th February 2011, the single quickly became an anthem of empowerment and freedom within the LGBTQIA+ community. The single was not only received with critical acclaim but also reached number three within the UK charts and went on to sell over 10.49 million units worldwide. The single was the lead release from the singer’s album, and now after a decade, the LP is being reconceived for new and old fans. The singer’s re-worked release will see the hit-makers second studio album not only reimagined but will also include the album’s original tracks.

Alexander will be one of many artists in which will be contributing covers to the anniversary edition. Six further artists will provide their own spin on several of the original album’s tracks. The artists will not only be proofing their musical prowess but will also be representing and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. Artists which have already supplied their own renditions include Kylie Minogue’s cover of the album’s fifth single, ‘Marry The Night’ and country musician Orville Peck’s cover of the album’s title track ‘Born This Way’, repackaged as ‘Born This Way (The Country Road Version)‘.

American rapper, Big Freedia is also among the star-studded list, the artist has covered the album’s second single ‘Judas’, originally released on 15th April 2011. Two more tracks will also be covered on the reimagined album, ‘Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)‘ and the album’s fourth single ‘Yoü and I’, originally released on 23rd August 2011. The artists responsible for these covers are yet to be announced, as well as further details concerning the release.

Click here to download and stream the cover.

Sir John has taken to social media to announce the news, the music icon has posted on his Instagram page to give fans information concerning the special event.

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The celebration, titled ‘YouTube Pride 2021’, will be formatted as a multi-hour event held over five hours where each entertainer will host their party on their own YouTube channel. Sir John and Furnish’s party will be in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the charity founded by Sir John in 1992 which supplies medical and emotional support for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Other charities in which the ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ singer’s event will support include the Trevor Project and Akt, a charity that helps combat homelessness for LGBTQ+ youth. Both charities are associated with ‘YouTube Pride 2021’ and will be the recipient of the donations and profits made from the event.

The various hosts’ parties will be a collective mix of performances, musical guests and fun challenges, whilst raising money for the charities connected to the event. Viewers will also have the chance to take part, all are encouraged to send videos, message, questions for the hosts and their own personal pride stories. The video or audio clips will be uploaded to a microsite, the system has been set up by the producers for the event at JA Films.

The full list of special musical guests includes Gigi Gorgeous, Denali Foxx, Elle of the Mills, KingOfReads, Kim Chi, Monet X Change, Jade Fox, Jackson Bird, PatrickStarr, Alannized, Peppermint, the Fitness Marshall, Tyler Oakley and model and activist Munroe Bergdorf. The other hosts joining Sir Elton John and David Furnish for the event include Demi Lovato whose steam will start at 4 pm, starting at 3 pm will be Trixie Mattel, Daniel Howell will host his event at 1 pm. Joining the star-studded roster of hosts will be Years & Years singer Olly Alexander with Mawaan Rizwan, the comedian and actor known for his stand-up career as well as his writing on Netflix series ‘Sex Education’.

Alexander recently stole the show at this year’s Brit awards with his duet with Sir Elton John, the pair performed a cover of the Pet Shop Boys hit ‘It’s a Sin’. Alexander and Rizwan will be hosting a virtual pride party for the event, the duo’s virtual celebration will mark the reopening of East London starting from 8 Pm. The duo’s event will be streamed from a Victorian pub that has transformed into the perfect party venue, viewers will get to view the different rooms and also participate from the comfort of their living rooms.

Viewers at home will be treated to an hour full of comedy, music and fun along with a fan Q&A and exclusive performances by Alexander and guests. The duo’s party hour will be in support of the charities Akt and The Trevor Project, a non-profit focused on the prevention of suicide within the LGBTQ+ community.

The event will not only celebrate all aspects of love and community but is also set to raise an incredible amount of money for the associated charities. During June, any money donated to The Trevor Project will also be matched by YouTube.

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The dance-pop group has gained popularity over the last five years with hits like ‘King’, ‘Shine’ and ‘If You’re Over Me’. Now after some weeks of teasing, ‘Starstruck’ is finally here. The vibrant new single was previewed on Tik Tok last month by Alexander who launched a dance challenge to the track. 

Speaking to NME, Alexander recently revealed that he has scrapped an entire albums’ worth of songs when the coronavirus pandemic hit last year. Alexander also revealed how his starring role in Russell T Davis 1980’s AIDS crisis drama It’s A Sin influenced the music he was working on. Alexander described the shows impact as leading him to “make lots of upbeat, euphoric dance tunes”. Alexander added that “Although I don’t think its going to sound 80s, I’m trying to channel that energy and dancefloor transcendence”. ‘Starstruck’ channels that dancefloor energy in a bop that is guaranteed to be a huge summer anthem.

Alexander remarked that “‘Starstruck’ is about the rush you get when you’re with somebody you’re really into, it’s about holding on to a good feeling and not letting go Like most of us I’ve spent the past year at home, and I wanted to create something super positive and fun for people (and myself) to bop along to”. Alongside the announcement, Alexander provided a sneak peek of the music video which sees him doing what dancing around in cloud pajamas and a spotted dressing gown.  The accompanying music video is due to be released on April 11.

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Years and Years’ last release was 2018 ‘Palo Santo’, which received generally favourable reviews and was widely praised by critics. Although details of a third album release are yet to be announced the release of the first single has us excited for more.

Starstruck is available to stream now.

Posting on Instagram, the group wrote: “There’s been some changes that we want to fill you in on. This upcoming new album has been an Olly endeavour and we’ve decided that Years & Years will continue as an Olly solo project. The three of us are still good friends. Mikey will be part of the Y&Y family and play with us live and Emre will focus on being a writer/producer. These past twelve months have been crazy for us all and we want to thank you for the love and support you’ve given us over the years (& years).”

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Fans were quick to voice their support for the band’s decision.

Dontshakethatswift posted: “OMG kings we still love you and are very excited for olly’s album.”

Monpetitpitti wrote: “Discovered your music just recently…love you and your music so much though. I am sure whatever you do or decide it will be the right thing.”

Sophiellie added: “You’ve all made some amazing music together let’s see what this can bring to the table can’t wait!!”

Years & Years formed in 2010, and released their debut single I Wish I Knew in 2012. They were named BBC Sound of 2015, and released their UK number one debut album Communion later that same year. Their singles King and Shine reached number one and number two in the Uk Top 40 respectively. Their second album, Palo Santa, came out in 2018.

Alexander was recently praised for his role in Russel T Davies’ 2021 television drama It’s A Sin. He is also outspoken on LGBTQ+ rights – he said at Glastonbury in 2019: “The only reason that I’m even able to be up here talking about my gay self is because of all the people who have come before me, that fought for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.”

Frontman Olly Alexander said this in response to the tweet:

“If u think my music is gay that’s cool i love being gay and i love my gay music but can u really label a sound or style of music “gay.”

Olly Alexander then continued the response seeing light of the issue:

“Hi what kind of music do you make? gay.”

However, with closer inspection it has been analysed that a member of the public could have gathered this small collection of albums and sneaked them under the ‘Gay’ category of DVD films in order to create the photograph. Either way, Years & Years are proud to have publicity.

Olly Alexander has openly discussed how growing up in a world where he could not openly be gay caused depression and anxiety. He actively campaigns to help young people who have the same restrictions in life that he had experienced growing up; helping people to discover their identity. He is an avid helper for the LGBT community and mental health organisations. Olly Alexander said of this:

“There was just this stage where I realised that people were listening to what I was saying and I could actually say something I believe in and, like – why wasn’t I doing that?”

“It’s not because I think I have a responsibility as a popstar or whatever; it’s because I think I have a responsibility as a human being.

“I care more about that than trying to maintain a distance or keep any kind of mystique going as an artist.”

Recently, Olly Alexander was speaking out against homophobia and spoke of homophobic abuse via social media:

“I get some people who are really gross and make rape jokes about me.”

“It’s f**ked up. That’s why I can’t read too much anymore because I don’t need to be seeing that shit.”

Years & Years are working on new material for their second album.

Frontman and vocalist Olly Alexander featured an accompanying message to their fans saying that his intentions were to “celebrate all different kinds of sexuality and queer identities”.

The open letter consisted of context to the video, discussing the different types of sexualities and identities that deserve as much recognition as heterosexual romance in music videos.

Most of the pop videos I’ve seen that have any male and female interaction are usually centred around a romance, and that’s great, I am all for romance, but let’s face it there are a lot of other sexualities and identities that are well deserving of some shiny pop video love. I’ve been wanting to make a video with some of my queer family for a long time and ‘Desire’ felt like the right time to do it… Pop music has a pretty good track record of embracing queer culture, it’s been a safe place for some of our most visible queer icons, we have more out and open non-straight stars than ever before.

The music video is an artistic piece featuring scenes of Alexander getting intimate and close up with members of the same sex with eye-capturing shots of the lead singer and Tove Lo performing the track.

The message he attached to the video provided a powerful stance and inspiring statement towards the LGBT community, read the rest of the message down below:

“I love pop (obviously) so, why is it that in 2016, a pop video featuring people expressing their sexuality who aren’t cis-gendered or heterosexual, feel at all unusual or progressive? Well for a lot of people, it doesn’t- they live and think outside of the societal binary most of us are used to, but for a lot of other people, myself included, it does. It shouldn’t, but it does.”

“So yeah, gay people have sex, and it’s not just gay people, it’s all kinds of people! All these non-straight people, they’re out there, having sex! Sex, between two consenting adults, can be a healthy, positive, safe and enjoyable thing!”

“As a teenager I was inspired by stars who I felt were doing just that,” the singer continues. “They were almost exclusively women; Madonna, Destiny’s Child, Alanis Morissette, Britney and Whitney – they asserted or acknowledged their sexuality in varying and different ways and to me they were ways that felt powerful… Women in pop music are expected to be sexy, most of the time they don’t have any choice – I have the privilege of choice. I chose to make this video about sex, to portray myself as a sexual character. I choose this because I do not want to hide or limit my sexuality, I want to make videos and songs and art that celebrate all different kinds of sexuality and queer identities.”

Watch the new music video here:

Since the release of their first single, ‘I Wish I Knew’, back in 2012, Years & Years have rocketed in popularity leading to their number one single last year. ‘King’ became an immediate anthem and still remains so. The single has set up the trio to be kings of electro for the future

Tour dates begin February 29 in Paris to promote their new album Communion to be released July 10. Years & Years will spend the first weeks in March throughout Europe before returning to the UK and then departing for the USA in April and May.

Speaking to The Guardian’s Owen Jones on January 26, frontman Olly Alexander speaks openly about how he has coped with mental health problems over the years. This interview can be accessed and viewed on The Guardian website and a preview is available on the band’s own webpage.

This interview demonstrates how music is an important way of expression, and a group representing current and modern times will help people to identify such issues and to avoid the stigma that has been attached for far too many years. Sufferers feel isolated and alone. Speaking out to others helps people to combat this illness together and educates those who question it. A clear message from a growing group echoed lyrically.

As Years & Years tour their collection from Communion we can expect an album of sensitive lyrics from deep-routed personal experience and expressive inner thoughts. Catchy anthems will be present an upbeat electronic form as evoked in their popular single, ‘King’.

A busy year to come: a year which will no doubt progress them for years and years.