Indie Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders has revealed that he has a “weird” version of ‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?’ that has never been released.In a new interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, the musician was reflecting on the band’s 2013 album AM, as part of the channel’s series 100 Best Albums.“There is a weird version that I’ve got somewhere of ‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?’ that sounds a bit like ‘R U Mine’,” Helders said. “It is really fun to listen to but it just wouldn’t have worked.”“I think once [frontman Alex Turner] is done with something, he really has to feel like he can move on to the next thing, because he has given everything to that moment and there’s nothing left after that, I don’t think.”‘R U Mine’ had been released in early 2012 and saw the band embrace a more raucous, rock-oriented sound.

Les Savy Fav frontman Tim Harrington has spoken to NME about the band’s return to recording with their new album ‘OUI LSF’, their first in 14 years – and how it was shaped by his bipolar diagnosis.The New York veterans’ sixth LP comes following an extended hiatus, that saw Harrington turn his hand to writing children’s books and getting a “jobby” job as a creative director, while bassist Syd Butler and guitarist Seth Jabour joined the 8G Band (house musicians on the talk show Late Night With Seth Myers), drummer Harrison Haynes focussed on fine art, and guitarist Andrew Reuland worked in film and television as a writer and editor.Harrison, however, alo endured “a rough period with mental health” after being diagnosed with bipolar during the time between Les Savy Fav albums.“I hear a lot of creative people, when they talk about mental health and getting it together and finally getting on meds, they’re like, ‘Oh, [the creativity] is gone, I can’t find it.’ For me, I had to come to the realisation that it’s always there. I’m always me.

The The have announced details of ‘Ensoulment’ – their first album in 25 years. Check out the full tracklist below, as well as the new single ‘Cognitive Dissident’.Announced today (May 17), the album marks the first new song from the post-punk band since ‘NakedSelf’, which was shared back in 2000.“Nothing to hide – nothing to fear/ No one to censor – no one to smear/ The revolution’s been authorised/ The future? Privatised,” the frontman sings ahead of the looming riffs and gritty bass lines.

Jake Bugg has revealed details of a new album titled ‘A Modern Day Distraction’. Check out the politically-motivated new single below.Announced today (May 17), the new project will mark the sixth studio album from the indie singer, and arrives fresh off the back of Bugg completing a tour with Britpop legends Liam Gallagher and John Squire.It is set to arrive on September 20 via RCA, and will be the singer, songwriter and guitarist’s first full-length LP since he shared ‘Saturday Night Sunday Morning’ back in 2021.To celebrate the announcement, Bugg has today shared a new teaser of the album – dropping the intense new single ‘Zombieland’.The track comes as a gritty, guitar-driven anthem, and sees Bugg pay homage to rock icons like Nirvana in his sound, while the lyrics highlight the struggle of those feeling broken by the inescapable daily grind.

Wunderhorse have announced their new album ‘Midas’ and have shared their heavy new single ‘July’.‘Midas’ is set for release on August 30 via Communion and is available for pre-order / pre-save here. The LP will serve as a follow-up to the band’s breakout debut, 2022’s ‘Cub‘. It was recorded at Minnesota’s Pachyderm Studio (birthplace of Nirvana’s ‘In Utero’ and PJ Harvey’s ‘Rid Of Me’) with producer Craig Silvey (The Rolling Stones, The National).Speaking about the creation of ‘Midas’ in a press release, frontman and guitarist Jacob Slater said: “When we first went into the studio to make this record, the only thing we were sure about is how we wanted it to sound; very imperfect, very live, very raw; no frills.

AIR have announced they will live-stream their ‘Moon Safari’ 25th anniversary show at London’s Royal Albert Hall.The French duo unveiled their huge UK show in January to celebrate 25 years of their seminal album, which features hits such as ‘Sexy Boy’ and ‘All I Need (feat. Beth Hirsch)’.Fresh off their European leg touring the album in full, AIR have now revealed they will live-stream their London show at Royal Albert Hall.

Glastonbury Festival has announced the full 2024 line-up for Strummerville, featuring Frank Turner, Lambrini Girls and more.The legendary Worthy Farm event will take place between June 26-30, boasting headline sets from Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA, as well as performances from the likes of Shania Twain, LCD Soundsystem, Little Simz and The National.Following the initial wave of acts being confirmed in March, organisers have been drip-feeding separate posters for the festival’s many areas and stages – including Left Field, Woodsies, The Glade, the Acoustic Stage, Silver Hayes, The Common and The Park.Today (May 16), Glastonbury has dropped the full day-by-day programme for Strummerville – its area dedicated to the late Clash frontman Joe Strummer, who played Glasto’s main stage in 1999.Located high on the hill by Worthy Gate, the space offers “the festival’s finest viewpoint, Joe’s iconic 24-hour campfire, cafe and CasBar”. Its “humble” live stage hosts “some of the finest and eclectic talents out there”.This year, it’ll be headlined by Dennis Just Dennis, Rompa’s Reggae Shack, Ged Lever and Cumbia Kid.

Noel Gallagher has said he would be “bang up” for an Oasis hologram show after watching ABBA‘s ‘Voyage’ concert.Speaking on Matt Morgan’s podcast, Gallagher said he was so impressed with the show, which features de-aged digital holograms of ABBA, backed by a live 10-piece band playing over vocals originally recorded in the ‘70s and ‘80s, that he would consider a concert based on his former band’s shows in the 1990s.He said: “I went to see that Abba show. Have you been? It’s f***ing unbelievable.” It was great – an hour and a half gig.

Tame Impala‘s Kevin Parker has sold his entire music catalogue to Sony Music Publishing.Per a report from Music Business Worldwide, Parker signed a global deal with Sony in 2020, giving them control of all future releases, both as an individual and as Tame Impala. Now, however, it is being reported that a new deal has been struck and will also encompass all past releases as well.The details of the acquisition have not been announced.

Los Campesinos! are back with news of a new album ‘All Hell’ – their first since 2017. Check out the heart-on-sleeve single ‘Feast Of Tongues’ below.Announced today (May 15), the news of a new album marks the first from the Welsh indie-pop group in seven years, and comes as the follow-up to their 2017 album ‘Sick Scenes’ and 2021 EP ‘Whole Damn Body‘.Speculation that a new LP was on the way arose earlier this year, when the members confirmed that they would be embarking on a North American tour this summer, and also debuted a new song called ‘A Psychic Wound’ while in London.Now, they have confirmed that a full album is on the way, and will be called ‘All Hell’.Set for release on July 19 via the band’s Heart Swells label, the members have revealed that the motif of the LP will capture a wide variety of themes, including “drinking for fun and drinking for misery”, “death and dying”, “love and sex”, “late-stage capitalism” and practically everything in between.It is produced by the septet’s Tom Bromley, and will also see the band team up with other musicians including Holly Carpenter on violin, Eileen McDonald Sparks on cello, and Jon Natchez on saxophone.Along with the announcement of the album, Los Campesinos! have also dropped the new single ‘Feast Of Tongues’ – a bittersweet anthem that sees the band wear their hearts on their sleeves.“Love lies bleeding in dead bouquet/ Dread the dripping years and wish away each day/ Swear I’d live through all of your nightmares/ If it meant that I could sleep okay,” sings Gareth David as the track gradually builds to its opening lines.

Art Brut’s Eddie Argos has spoken to NME about his band’s new compilation and box set, the spats and breakthroughs of the indie sleaze years, his recent near-death experience and how Yard Act are his Ghost Of Christmas Future.Last month saw the indie veterans announce the compilation album ‘A Record Collection, Reduced To A Mixtape’ and the five-CD box set ‘Yes, This Is My Singing Voice!’.“A nice landmark,” Argos told NME of the releases. “It’s 20 years of Art Brut. I feel that our music makes a bit of sense at the moment.

Hex Girlfriend have spoken to NME about their journey from a low-key collaboration in university halls to high-energy sold-out shows on the London DIY circuit, their “political” new EP, and existing outside of the shadow of a famous father.The industrial pop project of South London-based musicians James Knott and Noah Yorke – the son of Radiohead frontman Thom – explained how they have enjoyed thriving on their own terms.“I just don’t get the fascination,” said Yorke of people comparing the band to his father’s work. “This is a lot more Dead Kennedys than it is The Smile.”Having just returned from a writing trip in Los Angeles, the duo said that new material will likely see them pursue a more political direction inspired by their experiences in the US as it gears up for the presidential election.“The EP is sort of about how fascism hides between the doors of golf clubs,” Yorke said.

Picture Parlour are the latest band to announce that they are boycotting The Great Escape this year, joining over 100 other acts that have done so.The band took to their official X/Twitter account to share that they will no longer be performing at the Brighton-based festival. “Hey guys, we have made the decision to pull out of this year’s Great Escape festival,” they began.“We will be putting on a show next month and all ticket & merch sales will be donated to charities for Palestinian relief.

Glastonbury Festival has announced the 2024 line-up for The Park, including two brand-new venues. Find all the details below.The legendary Worthy Farm event is due to return next month, boasting headline sets from Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA, as well as the likes of Shania Twain, LCD Soundsystem, Little Simz and The National.Following the initial wave of acts being confirmed in March, organisers have been drip-feeding separate posters for the festival’s many areas and stages – including Left Field, Woodsies, The Glade, the Acoustic Stage, Silver Hayes and The Common.Today (May 15) Glastonbury has revealed another list of names for The Park, which will be headlined by Fontaines D.C., Peggy Gou and London Grammar – all of whom were announced previously.The new additions for the stage are Johnny Flynn, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Lynks, Moonchild Sanelly, Kara Jackson, Lime Garden, Problem Patterns, and Voice For Soprano performed by Bishi.They’ll join artists such as King Krule, Orbital, Ghetts, Aurora, Dexys, This Is The Kit, The Breeders, Mount Kimble and Barry Can’t Swim in the area.It has also been announced that The Park’s much-loved Stonebridge Bar will feature DJ sets from Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip, Annie Mac, Groove Armada, Idris Elba, Rudimental (B2B Todd Edwards), Fleetmac Wood and many more.A post shared by Glastonbury Festival (@glastofest)Additionally, The Park has introduced two new venues for 2024: The Wishing Well and Scissors.

Elbow.The venue – which has a capacity of 23,500 and is the biggest indoor arena in the UK – has been plagued by issues over recent months, and has experienced countless delays when it comes to opening.Originally, the arena was set to open officially three weeks ago with an opening gig from comedian Peter Kay, however this, along with many other planned shows, were postponed at the last minute.Now, the venue has finally opened its doors to the public and seen Elbow become the first act to complete a scheduled date in the venue’s calendar.Guy Garvey and co. received an enthusiastic response from the crowd last night (May 14) and made references to the long-running issues that have loomed over Co-Op Live in recent weeks.“Good evening Manchester! Let’s open this venue properly shall we?,” the frontman said at the beginning of the gig, opening with ‘Things I’ve Been Telling Myself For Years’.

Inhaler have announced an autumn 2024 North American tour set to kick off later this year.The Dublin band – comprised of Eli Hewson, Rob Keating, Josh Jenkinson and Ryan McMahon – took to their official social media accounts to reveal that they will be hitting the road across North America beginning in October.Kicking off at Marathon Music Works in Nashville on October 11, the quartet will make their way through the US with stops in major cities such as Atlanta, New York, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland and Seattle before wrapping up at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver on November 10.Speaking about their North American tour in a press release, the band said, “Coming back for a run of shows in the US this October and November. We can’t wait to see you all once again.” General ticket sales will commence on Friday, May 17, at 10am local time.

Great Escape Festival in solidarity with Palestine, with Massive Attack also speaking out in support of the boycott.The 2024 edition of the event – which showcases new and rising artists – is due to take place across various music venues in Brighton from tomorrow (May 15) until Saturday (18).The Great Escape is sponsored by Barclays, which has been a source of controversy amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza because of the bank’s financial investment in companies that supply arms to Israel.The issue was first highlighted in a petition started by the promoter How To Catch A Pig and the band The Menstrual Cramps – which has since been signed by musicians including Kneecap, Lambrini Girls, Alfie Templeman, Lip Critic, Wunderhorse and Mary In The Junkyard.Last month, Cherym pulled out of The Great Escape as a result of the festival’s connection to Barclays, before record labels Alcopop and Big Scary Monsters joined the boycott and withdrew from the event.Dozens more acts soon followed suit, with over half the line-up demanding that The Great Escape drop its sponsorship deal with Barclays.Speaking about their decision not to play the festival, Lambrini Girls said: “We will not be appearing at The Great Escape festival this year. This is a targeted approach of a cultural boycott, considering Barclays sponsorship.“Barclays provide financial services of over £1BN pounds to companies supplying military technology and weapons to the IDF, perpetuating the horrors unfolding in Gaza.”Now, 106 artists have cancelled their scheduled appearances at The Great Escape 2024 in total – constituting approximately a quarter of the full programme.

Kings Of Leon frontman spoke out about the debate in a new interview with The Independent, ahead of the band’s new album ‘Can We Please Have Fun?’.It was here that the frontman – who is in the band alongside his brothers Nathan and Jared, and their cousin Matthew – opened up about the inspiration behind their ninth album, particularly how they looked back at their childhood to create the songs.“I know every mother believes in their child, but she believed in us way more than you probably should believe in your kids,” he said of his mother Betty-Ann, who died in 2021.“We didn’t have any money… A lot of people are far worse off than we were, but we went to bed hungry and we were embarrassed by the clothes that we wore as kids. But while all that was happening, our mum was still saying, ‘You guys know that you’re going to be really special.

Elbow have said they are “ready” to open the new Co-Op Live arena in Manchester tonight (May 14) following weeks of chaos at the venue.Guy Garvey and co. are scheduled to perform at the 23,500-capacity arena – which is the UK’s largest indoor venue – as part of their current UK headline tour.

Radio 1’s Big Weekend has announced some more acts for this year’s event, including London Grammar and AJ Tracey. See the full line-up below.The 2024 edition of the BBC station’s annual festival is set to take place at Stockwood Park in Luton between May 24-26.It’ll boast headline performances from Coldplay, Raye and Chase & Status, as well as sets from the likes of Vampire Weekend, Charli XCX, Declan McKenna, Sabrina Carpenter and Olly Alexander.Today (May 14), Radio 1 has confirmed six additional names for the bill: London Grammar, AJ Tracey, Jax Jones, Nathan Dawe, Remi Wolf and Wilkinson.London Grammar – who returned with the single ‘House’ last month ahead of their upcoming new album, ‘The Greatest Love’ – are scheduled to play on the Radio 1 Main Stage on Sunday May 26, as is AJ Tracey.See the revised line-up in full below, and find more information here.New names added to the #BigWeekend Luton Lineup ✨@ajtracey @JaxJones @londongrammar @NathanDawe @remiwolf @WilkinsonUKWatch the festival live on @BBCiPlayer or listen on @BBCSounds.

Noel Gallagher has defended not joining in with the Poznan at Manchester City’s match against Fulham last weekend, after his brother Liam called it “poor behaviour”.The former Oasis member attended last Saturday’s away game (May 11), which saw his beloved football team clinch a 4-0 win and move closer to the top of the Premier League table.But unlike the huge sea of Man City fans surrounding him, Gallagher refused to join in with the Poznan (where fans link arms, turn away from the pitch and begin bouncing).Images and videos of the moment subsequently went viral, with some people suggesting that the unimpressed-looking Gallagher could have been shooting the cover art for his next album.The High Flying Birds frontman’s estranged brother and former bandmate Liam also called out his “poor behaviour” in a post on X/Twitter.Noel has since spoken out about being spotted at the game during an interview with talkSport.

The Last Dinner Party have announced an autumn 2024 European tour set to kick off later this year.The 13-date trek will kick off on October 28 in Paris and will see the band make stops in various cities such as Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, Lyon, Munich, Berlin and more. The tour will wrap up on November 16 in Luxembourg.It immediately follows the band’s long-since sold-out UK tour throughout September and October.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds have shared part one of ‘The Making Of Wild God’ featuring Radiohead‘s Colin Greenwood.Directed by Megan Cullen and recorded at Miraval Studios in France, the new exclusive footage provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds created their upcoming 18th album ‘Wild God‘.The first part of the docu-film sees Cave at a grand piano, playing chords. “We’ve just got to get this right ok? Don’t fuck it up at the 11th hour. Is that one of the things we thought was good? Sounds like a mad-man walked in to it,” Cave says during the first clips.Greenwood also makes an appearance while laying down parts of a bass track in the studio.

Nilüfer Yanya has announced a 2024 UK, European and North American tour set to kick off later this year.Kicking off on September 28 at the Underground Arts in Philadelphia, Yanya will make her way across the US with stops in major cities such as Washington D.C., New York, Boston, Montreal, Chicago, Nashville and more. The North American leg of the tour will wrap up on October 24 at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles.From there, she will make her way to Europe with shows in Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris before heading over to the UK for gigs in Brighton, Bristol, London and Nottingham.

Lauren Mayberry has opened up about the impact of deepfakes, after “receiving rape or death threats on the internet” for 10 years.The singer, songwriter and Chvrches frontwoman spoke candidly about her experience of online abuse as one of the artists taking part in a new initiative called Change The Tune – an on-air, digital and social media initiative by BBC Radio 6 Music to raise awareness for the issue.In the discussion – which you can watch here – she recalled how she has faced harassment online for a decade now and warned that the “cyber misogyny” experienced by women and girls every day is both dangerous and isolating.Recalling how it began for her, Mayberry recalled how she was overly sexualised by “a lot of men” online from the very start of her career. “It’s all very sexual and sexualised all the time,” she said.

Vampire Weekend performed ‘Gen-X Cops’ and ‘Capricorn’ while appearing as the musical guests on Saturday Night Live this weekend. Check out footage below.The New York indie rockers’ visit to the late night show – which was hosted this week by Maya Rudolph – marked the first time they had played there in 11 years, and their fourth overall.The band performed the two tracks from new album ‘Only God Was Above Us’, which NME hailed in a four-star review as a “technicolour, sprawling ode to a long-gone, old New York City”.Ezra Koenig and co.

Joanna Newsom has paid tribute to the late Steve Albini with a performance of ‘Cosmia’ at Kilby Block Party.Albini recorded Newsom’s 2006 album ‘Ys’, and in her first advertised live performance since 2020, the musician dedicated a song from the album to him.The legendary record producer – who was the mastermind behind iconic albums such as Nirvana‘s ‘In Utero‘, Pixies’ ‘Surfer Rosa’ and Manic Street Preachers‘ ‘Journal For Plague Lovers’– died on May 8 of a heart attack while at Electronic Audio, his recording studio in Chicago. His death was confirmed by the studio’s staff members.Watch Newsom’s tribute below:Newsom introduced the song with a personal tribute to Albini, who she described as someone “who I love very, very much and admire in every possible way you can admire a person”.“I was saying to my friend this morning that on the list of all the reasons why he’s my hero, music and music-related stuff doesn’t even crack the top ten.

Tenacious D launched into a spontaneous cover of Travis’ ‘Turn’ on stage in Glasgow this week, and now the Scottish band have shared their reaction. Jack Black broke into the soaring chorus of the 1999 song at the intro of ‘Double Team’, the closing song in their main set at the OVO Hydro on Thursday (May 9). A day later, Travis posted the clip, alongside an old photograph of themselves alongside Black and his Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass.

Elbow’s upcoming show will now serve as the venue’s much-postponed opening night.Guy Garvey and co. are scheduled to play the arena, which is set to be the UK’s largest indoor venue with a capacity of 23,500, on May 14 as part of their current UK tour.The arena have had a disastrous few weeks, after a series of events prevented it from being able to open its doors on time.But the venue have now confirmed to Manchester Evening News that, “At this time, we do not expect further impact on our opening season.”The same report suggests that Co-Op Live are also still working on rescheduling Olivia Rodrigo’s postponed shows, with an announcement expected in due course.The BBC also note that the arena has completed an inspection which found that the fault that forced the A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie delay on May 1 was “isolated” and that the venue is now “satisfied” that the opening can go ahead on May 14.The inspection is said to have been carried out by the same subcontractor, SES, that was also responsible for installing the arena’s air handling units.

Pulp drummer Nick Banks has responded to rumours of a ‘Different Class’ 30th anniversary tour.Today (May 10), a fan page for the Sheffield band shared a poster teasing some special live shows celebrating their fifth studio album – which was released in 1995, and contains the hits ‘Common People’ and ‘Disco 2000’.The advert features the ‘Different Class’ cover artwork and claims that a “30th anniversary tour” will be taking place in October 2025. “Tickets on Sale.