Blur share new single ‘St. Charles Square’ ahead of Wembley Stadium shows

Blur performed a special gig at the BBC Radio Theatre for Radio 2 last night (July 18) – debuting new song ‘Barbaric’, showcasing their new album ‘The Ballad Of Darren‘ and inviting Phil Daniels on-stage for ‘Parklife’. Check out photos, footage and the setlist below.Following on from playing to 90,000 fans per night at their two massive Wembley Stadium shows last week, the Britpop heroes returned to the capital to perform a much more intimate show for just 300 lucky competition winners and media.

Blur’s Dave Rowntree has shared his opinion of Labour leader Keir Starmer in a new interview with NME.The Britpop veteran was taking part in the latest installation of NME’s Does Rock N’ Roll Kill Braincells?! series when he was asked to recall key moments from throughout his career, including his work in politics.Alongside his role as the drummer for Blur, Rowntree has also had a successful career in politics throughout much of the 21st Century – even going as far as to be elected as a Labour Councillor in Norfolk in 2017.Now, following his time in the role, which came to an end in 2021, the musician revealed his thoughts on current Labour leader, Keir Starmer.“Well, the test is at General Elections,” he began, discussing how well he thinks the figurehead is faring with the public. “If he wins the General Election, he’ll be widely touted as the most visionary Labour leader of modern times and will join the incredibly small number of Labour leaders who’ve gone on to become prime minister.”“If he loses, he’ll be regarded as an idiot who wrecked the Labour Party and achieved nothing,” he continued.

Emanuel Okusanya Burna Boy’s historic June 3 show at London Stadium will be available to stream on Apple Music Live on Wednesday, June 19. At the concert, which marked the first time an African artist headlined a stadium show in the U.K., Burna Boy was joined by British music stars Stormzy, J Hus and Dave, as well as the Jamaican singer Popcaan, creating an atmosphere of celebration and unity. “I had an unforgettable experience performing at London Stadium,” Burna Boy said in a statement. “The energy from the crowd was unmatched, and I’m grateful to all my fans for their unwavering support. Being featured in Apple Music Live is an incredible opportunity to share this historic moment with my fans worldwide. I’m excited for everyone to witness the magic we created that night. Special thanks to Apple Music for capturing and showcasing the performance.”

Alex James has shared a video of him playing ‘Vindaloo’ at Wembley Stadium before Blur’s headline show at the venue.The 1998 football song was co-written by James, actor Keith Allen and bassist Guy Pratt. The track served as the band Fat Les’ (Alex James, actor Keith Allen and artist Damien Hirst) debut single and was recorded for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.James took to social media to share a video clip of him playing ‘Vindaloo’ on the Wembley Stadium stage during Blur’s soundcheck for their show on July 9.

Foo Fighters guitarist and singer-songwriter Chris Shiflett has announced his third solo album, ‘Lost At Sea’.Announced today (July 12), ‘Lost At Sea’ is scheduled for an October 20 release via Snakefarm in the UK and Ireland. The album will be available for pre-order tomorrow (July 13), per Shiflett on Twitter.tomorrow!! info coming soon! we have some nice bundles and what not.

Nell Mescal has shared her latest single ‘Punchline’ along with UK and Ireland tour dates for later this year.Following a whirlwind month which saw Mescal support P!nk at Hyde Park, Florence & The Machine across Ireland, and performing to stadium-sized audiences with Dermott Kennedy, the singer has released her fifth single ‘Punchline’.Speaking about the track, Mescal said: “I wrote ‘Punchline’ in my bedroom last year about a friendship ending before it needed to and the heartbreak that comes with it.”She explained: “It’s about trying to ‘win’ the friendship breakup by pretending it doesn’t hurt you that much, but still having that sick feeling you get in your stomach because you miss the other person.”‘Punchline’ follows her previous four singles ‘In My Head’, ‘Homesick’, ‘Missing You’ and ‘Graduating’.Speaking to NME back in 2022, Mescal opened up about wanting her music to evoke emotion within its listeners. “Music has always been about hoping someone will say I made them feel something they hadn’t been able to feel before,” she said.The musician credits the collective musical community of the school choirs she was raised in with shaping the artist who she is today.“Putting songs out, it feels like I’m in choir again.

Kate Middleton and Prince William kept close on the front row during King Charles III‘s National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication Ceremony in Edinburgh, Scotland on Wednesday (July 5).

Blur have cancelled their upcoming headline slot at a French festival due to an injury. The news comes just days ahead of their upcoming shows at London’s Wembley Stadium.The returning Britpop veterans were set to play the set at Festival Beauregard this Thursday (July 6) – but according to an update from the festival’s official Twitter page, the band will no longer be performing drummer Dave Rowntree has suffered a knee injury.“The bad news has just fallen: Blur will not be able to perform their concert in Beauregard,” the update began (translated from French).

Blur have announced the door times, curfew and stage times for their upcoming shows at London’s Wembley Stadium next weekend (Saturday July 8 and Sunday July 9). Check them out below.The Britpop heroes will be returning to the capital to play two consecutive nights at London’s Wembley Arena next week.

The Last Dinner Party have shared their second single and announced new UK tour dates – listen to ‘Sinner’ below.Following a summer of festivals and in between support gigs with First Aid Kit and Hozier, the five-piece will play 11 recently-announced gigs across the UK with Picture Parlour in support.After the band’s first gig at London’s EartH sold out in a matter of hours, they have now added a second on the following night (October 18).To celebrate the news of the tour, the band have shared ‘Sinner’, the follow-up to their debut single ‘Nothing Matters’, alongside a live performance video.Discussing the new track, guitarist Lizzie Mayland said: “’Sinner’ is a story of self-acceptance, and the longing for the past and present self to become one.”Watch the video for ‘Sinner’, listen to the new track and see the new UK tour dates below. Tickets are on sale now here.OCTOBER 20238 – Blackpool, Central Library (matinee show without Picture Parlour)9 – Glasgow, King Tut’s10 – Newcastle, The Cluny12 – Manchester, Academy214 – Leeds, Live At Leeds15 – Hull, The Welly 17 – London, EartH (sold out) 18 – London, EartH (new date)19 – Cambridge,  Portland Arms21 – Cardiff, Swn Festival22 – Bristol, FleeceSpeaking to NME about their era of having no official releases, Bassist Georgia Davies shared: “I’m kind of going to miss our era of being like, ‘Yeah, we don’t have any songs.’ It’s kind of a flex to be like, ‘We’ve got nothing out, come to the show’.

Charli XCX has shared a brand new single ‘Speed Drive’, which is set to feature in the soundtrack for the Barbie movie. Check it out below.The track is the latest to be taken from the film’s upcoming soundtrack, and follows hot on the heels of ‘Barbie World’, a recent hit by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice.Adding to the singer’s growing collection of songs about cars, ‘Speed Drive’ may be brief — coming in at less than two minutes long — but still manages to pack a punch as one of the most energetic songs on the soundtrack.Kicking in immediately with electronic melodies and a highly boosted bass, the pop star bursts into the song with a nod to the Toni Basil hit 1981 single ‘Mickey’ — “Oh, Barbie, you’re so fine / You’re so fine you blow my mind,” she sings.

James Blake has announced his new album ‘Playing Robots Into Heaven’ and shared its lead single ‘Big Hammer’.‘Playing Robots In Heaven’ is set for release on September 8 via Polydor/ Republic. The album will see Blake return to his electronic roots seen within his earlier works, such as 2013’s ‘Overgrown’ and 2010’s ‘Klavierwerke’.Blake also released its first single ‘Big Hammer’ from the LP.

Taylor Swift has added a fifth stop at London’s Wembley Stadium to her ‘Eras’ tour.Following an extensive number of performances in the US, Swift announced earlier this week that she will be bring the show to the rest of the world and shared dates for 2024.A large number of UK dates were also announced for summer next year including stops in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Liverpool. Four dates in London were also added, which all take place in the capital’s Wembley Stadium.Now, due to overwhelming demand for the live shows, an extra stop has been added to the London tour dates on August 15.It follows previously announced dates in June (21–22) and August (16–17).Currently, the ongoing US leg of the ‘Eras’ tour is set to continue through North America until August 9 where it’ll conclude with the final of six shows at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium.From there, the pop star will venture over to Australia for five shows in Melbourne and Sydney before embarking on a mammoth number of European dates.These will start on May 9, 2024 with three back-to-back shows at the La Defense Arena in Paris before moving on to hit Stockholm, Lyon, Madrid and Lisbon.

Jamie T has shared a new single titled ‘Hippodrome’ ahead of his headline show at Finsbury Park in London.Co-produced by Olly Burden, ‘Hippodrome’ is an anthemic track that opens up with bright strings leading into a nostalgic beat. The lyrics “Heart quickens south of the river / Mouth full of vinnie sipping cans full of liquor” make up the chorus describing a night from the past.The singer is set to play his largest headline gig on Friday, June 30 at Finsbury Park in London. The show will feature support from IDLES, Kojey Radical, Biig Piig, Hak Baker and Willie J Healey.Speaking to NME about the upcoming monumental moment, Jamie T shared: “I’m excited! We played outside in the dark once at Benicassim years ago, but I’m looking forward to playing in the dark outside.

It’s a business summer for Zayn.

Following their surprisingly unsurprising surprise appearance at Glastonbury this weekend, the Foo Fighters have announced a series of UK stadium shows for next summer.

Kourtney Kardashian is looking for some pregnancy advice.

Carly Rae Jepsen has shared her vivacious first single of 2023 titled ‘Shy Boy’. Listen to the track below.‘Shy Boy’ is a dancefloor anthem that features a funky tune, synth melodies and Jepsen’s signature soft and playful voice.

Baroness have announced ‘Stone’, their first new album in four years, shared its first single ‘Lost Word’ and announced a string of US tour dates for this year – find all the details below.The band’s sixth studio LP will arrive on September 15, 2023, followed by a US tour kicking off in October – you can pre-order the record in a variety of physical formats or pre-save here.The ‘Sweet Oblivion Tour’ will start in Baltimore on October 13, with dates in Tampa, Austin, Los Angeles, Portland, Denver, Chicago, Montreal, New York and many more, before wrapping up on December 1 in Philadelphia.Pre-sale for select dates is live now, while general sale starts this Friday (June 23) at 10am local time – you can buy your tickets here.The tour will also feature a huge roster of support acts from Jesus Piece, Portrayal of Guilt, Primitive Man, KEN Mode, Wayfarer, Chat Pile, Vile Creature, Soul Glo, Sheer Mag, Escuela Grind, Midwife, Hoaxed, Empire State Bastard, Cloud Rat, Imperial Triumphant, Uniform and Agriculture, with more set to be announced.‘Lost Word’, the first single from the forthcoming LP, is available to listen to now. Listen below.“An important through line in Baroness is we don’t like to repeat ourselves,” Baizley said in a press statement.“It’s all about the willingness to take risks.

Beck and Phoenix have released their new collaborative single ‘Odyssey’ – check it out below.The track, which is written, produced and performed by Beck and Phoenix, arrives ahead of the US musician and French indie band’s co-headline 2023 ‘Summer Odyssey’ tour across North America.“Somewhere / We’ll fall into the ocean / I’ll be there / On an odyssey in the sun…” they sing on the lively, summery track.Check out the song below.Beck and Phoenix will kick off a 19-city run on August 1 in Seattle, Washington, with stops in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Boston, New York and more before wrapping on September 10 in Columbia, Maryland.