Mercury Prize 2023 performers announced

Prince William has admitted that he secretly embarked on a jog around Central Park on his visit to New York City for the Earthshot Prize this week.The Prince of Wales hailed the “inspiration and optimism” of the 2023 Earthshot Prize finalists unveiled in New York William, who is married to Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, who launched the £50 million award to encourage and support the fight against environmental challenges, said: “It’s gone better than I’d hoped”, but there was “still a lot of work to do”. Speaking during a Q&A session at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit that launched the 15 innovative finalists, the future king, who is said to have a new and "personal approach" to the monarchy, said: “As we’ve seen today, the Earthshot winners and the finalists bring that inspiration and optimism.

Ezra Collective have been experiencing a nearly 900 per cent increase in album sales and streams since winning the 2023 Mercury Prize.The London-based jazz group – consisting of drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison – won the award with their second LP ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’, beating Loyle Carner, Olivia Dean, RAYE, Shygirl, Jockstrap and more.As The Line of Best Fit reports, according to BPI analysis of Official Charts Company data, ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’ has seen 859 per cent increase in its combined sales and streams. The jump occurred between September 8 -10.A post shared by Ezra Collective (@ezracollective)Physical album sales and downloads also saw an impressive jump with 6,012 per cent hike compared to the same three day period the week before and audio streams seeing a 1,960 per cent increase.Following the band’s win, Koleoso gave a passionate speech while accepting the award.“Most importantly, Ezra Collective represents something really special because we met in a youth club.

Jockstrap have announced ‘I<3UQTINVU’, a remixed version of their debut album produced by Taylor Skye. ‘I<3UQTINVU’, an acronym for ‘I Love You Cutie, I Envy You’, is an updated take on Jockstrap’s 2022 album, ‘I Love You Jennifer B’. The remixed version was masterminded by Skye, who forms one half of the Jockstrap duo alongside Georgia Ellery.Skye produced a remix for each song on ‘I Love You Jennifer B’ to stay inspired during the album’s creation.

If you were concerned for Olivia Rodrigo after her performance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, you don’t need to be.

Tonight’s the night for the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards and we have the full list of celebs you can expect to see at the show.

Coco Gauff might be a rising star in tennis; however, the teenager made history at the US Open when she clinched her first Grand Slam title. Her victory wasn’t just about the sport; it was a celebration of equal prize money, as the tournament marked 50 years of this progressive milestone.

Shakira is showing off her flexibility and getting fans excited for her to take the stage at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards later this week.

Brian May and Roger Taylor have confirmed the line-up of their ‘official tribute band’ Queen Extravaganza and announced a run of tour dates for 2024.Queen Extravaganza has been touring together for over a decade and features a line-up that was hand-picked by May and Taylor to perform their music.May and Taylor have now confirmed that the line-up for next year’s tour includes Nick Radcliffe on guitar, François-Olivier Doyon on bass, George Farrar on drums and Alirio Netto and Gareth Taylor on vocals.You can see the full list of 2024 dates below and buy your tickets here.FEBRUARY26 – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall27 – Bradford, St George’s Hall28 – Newcastle, O2 City HallMARCH1 – Glasgow, SEC Armadillo2 – Derby, Arena4 – Swansea, Arena5 – Bristol, Beacon6 – London, Eventim Apollo8 – Stockton, Globe9 – Manchester, O2 Apollo10 – Oxford, New Theatre12 – Eastbourne, Congress Theatre13 – Ipswich, Regent Theatre15 – Plymouth, Pavilion16 – Bournemouth, International Centre 17 – Truro, Hall For Cornwall19 – Dublin, Olympia Theatre21 – Belfast, Waterfront HallMeanwhile, in other Queen news, an auction took place earlier this week saw over 1,400 of Freddie Mercury’s personal possessions sold off, which May admitted was “too sad” to think about.The auction saw handwritten lyrics for some of Queen’s most famous songs, jewellery worn by Mercury, and his collection of artwork go under the hammer.In a social media post, May said of the action: “Freddie’s most intimate personal effects, and writings that were part of what we shared for so many years, will go under the hammer, to be knocked down to the highest bidder and dispersed forever.“I can’t look.

It’s interesting how the Venice Film Festival has gone from one of the festivals of the fall festival season to arguably the best film festival in the world now, even overshadowing Cannes in recent years thanks to the fact that Netflix now avoids the Croisette for the most part because of France’s theatrical laws and save their Oscar contenders for the Lido. Venice has had an amazing run, arguably since 2017 when Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape Of Water” won the top prize and then went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture, which has happened one more time since with “Nomadland” and several key Oscar contenders since).

Queen’s Brian May has admitted that an auction, which saw over 1,400 of Freddie Mercury’s personal possessions sold off, was “too sad” to think about.Held at Sotheby’s earlier this week (September 6), the auction saw handwritten lyrics for some of Queen’s most famous songs, jewellery worn by Mercury, and his collection of artwork go under the hammer.The item that fetched the most at the auction house was the piano that Mercury used to compose the hit song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – a 1973 Yamaha Grand, which sold for £1.7million. This surpassed the amount that John Lennon’s piano, which he used to write ‘Imagine’, reached in a previous auction.Ahead of the auction, May shared an old photo on Instagram of Mercury playing the guitar.A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal)He wrote: “At the time this photo was taken I’m sure it didn’t seem very important to see Freddie’s fingers dancing on my own home-made guitar.

MTV just added some exciting new performers to the lineup of talent taking the stage at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards next week!

Loyle Carner has opened up about the importance of using his live shows to speak out against toxic masculinity, and recalled how he has grown since his debut album. Check out the full interview above.The British hip-hop singer and songwriter caught up with NME on the red carpet for this year’s Mercury Prize, and looked back on his huge set at Reading & Leeds earlier this year.Here, the shortlisted artist reflected on his performance on the main stage last month, and revealed why he devoted a large portion of the set towards counteracting harmful attitudes.“It’s magic, man,” he began, explaining what it felt like to generate such a positive response from his live set.

Ezra Collective won the 2023 Mercury Prize for their album ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’ last night (September 7) – read their full acceptance speech below.The jazz collective were outsiders to clinch the prize going into tonight’s (September 7) ceremony beating off favourites Jockstap, Loyle Carner and Young Fathers at London’s Eventim Apollo.After the band were announced as winners by Jamz Supernova, bandleader and drummer Femi Koleoso then thanked their manager, fans and more, before extending thanks to the musical education instutitions around the UK that helped the members of the band, and thousands of others, begin a career in music.Watch and read the speech in full below.“First of all, let me thank god because, if a jazz band winning the Mercury Prize doesn’t make you believe in God, I don’t know what will. Secondly, there’s five of us represented right now, but Ezra Collective represents an entire family.“We need to make some noise for our super mum, our manager, Amy. I’m talking about Marco, Jeremy, Temi, the whole live crew. Big up every single mum and dad represented across the band.“Most importantly, Ezra Collective represents something really special because we met in a youth club. This moment that we’re celebrating right here is testimony to good, special people putting time and effort into [helping] young people to play music.“Right now, this is not just a result for Ezra Collective – this is not just a result for UK jazz – but this is a special moment for every single organisation across the country ploughing their efforts and time into young people playing music.“Big up Tomorrow’s Warriors, big up Kinetika Bloco, big up the BRIT School, big up ELAM (East London Arts and Music), big up Jubilee Youth, big up

The host of the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards has been announced!

Ezra Collective have spoken to NME about 2023 Mercury Prize and their impact on the jazz scene. Watch the full video interview above.Before they picked up the coveted prize for their second album ‘Where I’m Meant to Be’, the band caught up with NME and revealed the inspiration behind the record, and their unconventional plans to celebrate.The five-piece spoke with NME on the Mercury Prize red carpet yesterday (September 7), just before they took to the stage to perform their track ‘Victory Dance’ at London’s Eventim Apollo and be named as the winners of album of the year – beating off competition from the likes of Loyle Carner, Raye, Young Fathers, Arctic Monkeys, Lankum, Shygirl, Jockstrap and Jessie Ware.Here, drummer Femi Koleoso explained what it means for Ezra Collective to be representing the jazz community at the prestigious award ceremony, and how the members were caught off-guard by the widespread support they have received in light of their latest record.“I feel like it’s just wonderful to be a part of something so big and so special.

Freddie Mercury’s piano – which he used to compose Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – has sold for £1.7million at auction.Held at Sotheby’s on Wednesday (September 6), the auction saw 1,500 pieces of the late singer’s possessions go under the hammer, including handwritten lyrics for some of Queen’s most famous songs, jewellery worn by Mercury, and his collection of artwork.The item that fetched the most at the auction house earlier this week was the piano that Mercury used to compose the hit song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – a 1973 Yamaha Grand, which sold for £1.7million. This surpassed the amount that John Lennon’s piano, which he used to write ‘Imagine’, reached in a previous auction.

Ezra Collective‘s 2023 Mercury Prize victory for their album ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’.The jazz group were declared the overall winner of the prestigious award earlier tonight (September 7) after beating off competition from fellow favourites Jockstap, Loyle Carner and Young Fathers at a live ceremony at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith.Jazz FM were one of the first to congratulate the band as were Rough Trade who wrote: “Where you’re meant to be. Big up @EzraCollective, @MercuryPrize 2023 champions.

Ezra Collective have won the 2023 Mercury Prize for their album ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’.The jazz collective were outsiders to clinch the prize going into tonight’s (September 7) ceremony beating off favourites Jockstap, Loyle Carner and Young Fathers at London’s Eventim Apollo.Jamz Supernova presented the collective with the prize and they were greeted with red confetti as they reached the stage.Accepting the trophy, Femi Koleoso, said: “Wow first of all let me thank God because if a jazz band winning the Mercury Prize doesn’t make you believe in God I don’t know what will.”He went on to thank the band’s manager and his mum and dad before adding: “Ezra Collective represents something very special because we met in a youth club. What we’re celebrating right is testimony to good special people, for putting in effort for young people to play music.“This is not just a result for Ezra Collective, for UK jazz but it’s a special moment for every organisation across the country ploughing their efforts and time into young people that play music.”The collective earlier played their track ‘Victory Dance’ and got up to perform the track for a second time after after accepting the award.All of the artists performed live on the night apart from Fred Again..

Freddie Mercury ’s prized piano that he used to compose "Bohemian Rhapsody" and other hits by Queen sold for more than $2 million Wednesday as some of the late singer’s massive collection of flamboyant stage costumes, fine art and original lyrics were auctioned in a sale that broke records. Items connected to the operatic "Rhapsody," the band's most enduring hit, brought a premium with hand-written lyrics to the song selling for about $1.7 million and a gold Cartier brooch saying "Queen number 1" given to each band member by their manager after the song topped the charts, selling for $208,000.

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (aka the VMAs) are coming up!