KISS to team up with Skindred for final UK tour

OHMYGOSSIP — KISS will team up with Skindred for their final UK tour.
The rock ‘n’ roll legends will be joined by the ragga-punk-metallers for their farewell run of shows in the UK, which will kick off at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park Stadium on Saturday 3rd June.
Benji Webb, Skindred’s frontman, said: “Boom! Opportunities do not come much bigger than sharing a stage with the ultimate Rock n Roll Legends that are KISS.
“All in, Skindred are super hyped and excited to be on this bill adding to the party spirit, what a thrill! Let’s rock ‘n roll all night and party every day. Bring it on.”
After their trip to Plymouth, KISS and Skindred will head to Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow and then London’s The O2, on Wednesday 5th July.
KISS previously said: “All that we have built and all that we have conquered over the past four decades could never have happened without the millions of people worldwide who’ve filled clubs, arenas and stadiums over those years.
“This will be the ultimate celebration for those who’ve seen us and a last chance for those who haven’t. KISS Army, we’re saying goodbye on our final tour with our biggest show yet and we’ll go out the same way we came in … Unapologetic and Unstoppable.”
In August, Gene insisted KISS will “continue” beyond touring.
He said: “KISS the touring band will stop. But the touring band. KISS will continue in other ways. I have no problems with four deserving 20-year-olds sticking the makeup back on and hiding their identity.
“KISS will continue in ways that even I haven’t thought of.
“But I can conceive of… You know, the ‘Blue Man Group’ and ‘Phantom Of The Opera’ tours around the world with different personnel.
“There could and should be a KISS show, kind of live on stage with effects and everything else, but also semi-autobiographical thing about four knuckleheads off the streets of New York that ends with the last third as a full-blown celebration, a full-on performance. Not with us. Although not a problem stepping in every once in a while.”

Source: IconInsider.com

Motown legend Barrett Strong dies aged 81

OHMYGOSSIP — Motown legend Barrett Strong has died aged 81.
The ‘Money (That’s What I Want” singer’s passing was announced on Sunday (29.01.23) by the Motown Museum – no details about the circumstances were not shared – by he was praised for his work with his writing partner Norman Whitfeld, who died in 2008.
Berry Gordy, the record label founder who gave Barrett his big break said: “Barrett was not only a great singer and piano player, but he, along with his writing partner Norman Whitfield, created an incredible body of work.”
Barrett was born in West Point, Mississippi before moving to Detroit – the home of the label that also gave the world Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and many others – and after becoming a self-led musician, he founded a gospel group with his sisters before meeting the people who would shape his career.
In 2013, the ‘Heard It Through the Grapevine’ writer admitted his songs will “outlive” him after he embarked on a legal battle to be listed on the credits of Ray Charles hit ‘What I’d Say’ after already boasting a back catalogue including Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ anda many hits for the Temptations.
He said: “Songs outlive people. The real reason Motown worked was the publishing. The records were just a vehicle to get the songs out there to the public. The real money is in the publishing, and if you have publishing, then hang on to it. That’s what it’s all about. If you give it away, you’re giving away your life, your legacy. Once you’re gone, those songs will still be playing.”
In 2004, The ‘Love is You’ hitmaker – who left Motown in the 70s – was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame after being deemed “a pivotal figure in Motown’s formative years.”

Source: IconInsider.com

The Who announce on their first UK tour in six years

OHMYGOSSIP — The Who are going on their first UK tour in six years.
The ‘Pinball Wizard’ hitmakers – including founding members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend – will hit the road this summer to perform with an orchestra at venues across the country after wrapping up dates in the United States in November last year, which celebrated their nearly 60 year span.
Roger said: “Having not toured the UK for six years, it’s great that at this time of our careers we have the chance to go to places that are not on the usual touring map, Edinburgh Castle and Derby, as well as the other cities across the country that we haven’t been to for decades, it will make this very special for me. This opportunity will give our UK Who fans the chance to hear our current show, which, with the addition of an orchestra, takes our music to new heights.”
Pete added: Roger initially christened this tour with an orchestra ‘Moving On!’ I love it. It is what both of us want to do. Move on, with new music, classic Who music, all performed in new and exciting ways. Taking risks, nothing to lose. I’m really looking forward to bringing this show to the UK.”
The band will play shows in Hull, Edinburgh, London, Derby, Bristol and Durham between 6th and 23rd July and be supported by UB40 featuring Ali Campbell – not including their stops at the O2 London and Edinburgh Castle – marking their first UK live dates since their 2019 show at Wembley Arena, which marked the release of their WHO album, their first drop in 13 years. The show will be made available as an LP – which will be released on March 31 – as a limited edition collector’s item on vinyl, CD and Blu-Ray.
The tour dates are:
Thu July 6 – Sewell Group Craven Park, Hull
Sat July 8 – Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Sun July 9 – Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Wed July 12 – The O2, London
Fri July 14 – The Incora County Ground, Derby
Sun July 16 – Badminton Estate, Bristol
Wed July 19 – Seat Unique Riverside, Durham
Fri July 21 – Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens
Sun July 23 – The 1st Central County Ground, Brighton

Source: IconInsider.com

NewJeans want their fans ‘to be open minded’

OHMYGOSSIP — NewJeans ask their fans “to be open minded”.
The Kpop girl group – which is made up of Danielle, Minji, Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein – request that audiences be willing to welcome new music as they embark on trying a wide range of influences and styles after their song ‘Hype Boy’ was a smash-hit last year.
During a group interview, Danielle told the NME: “I want our listeners to be open-minded to new music and have them listen to things that maybe they haven’t heard before.
“You can always find what you really like by trying new things and challenging yourself.”
Danielle – who got a nod on the ‘Attention’ lyrics sheet – gushed about the “incredible” chance to work on her storytelling ability via their music.
She said: “Having the opportunity to convey our stories and characters in our albums is incredible.”
The songstress added that “really” wanted to work on adding more song credits to her belt.
Minji detailed how she wanted to work on “pulling” different genres together on potential new material.
She said: “I think pulling R B and hip-hop together, a little bit pop and you know, New Jersey club, mixing the genres into one song gives a more unique kind of sound. So to try [mix more genres] in the future, I think that would be really fun.”
Hanni shared her love of performing live and the “authentic joy” they get to share with their fans.
She said:“‘Hype Boy’ has that natural, authentic joy to its performance that can be felt even when you’re just listening to the song by itself”

Source: IconInsider.com

Camp Bestival adds Jaguar Skills, Gok Wan, Fat Tony and more

OHMYGOSSIP — Jaguar Skills, Gok Wan, Fat Tony, Woody Cook and more have been added to the bill for Camp Bestival 2023.
The family Dorset music festival returns to Lulworth Cove this July 27 to July 30.
Grace Jones, Craig David Presents TS5 and The Kooks were previously confirmed to headline the extravaganza’s 15th birthday celebrations.
Plus the likes of Confidence Man, Melanie C, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sam Ryder and Ella Henderson.
Curators Rob and Josie da Bank said: “Can you believe it?! We’ve been 15 years down in Dorset! and, as you know, we love any excuse for a party, but this is a good one.
“Not a bad age to reach in festival years and to be this old (or maybe this young?!) so we’re going all out with a major new stage and some ace talent additions.
“This is honestly one of the funnest, coolest looking stages out there in festival land and we’re gonna have some serious naughty nautical antics aboard!”
The popular HMS Camp Bestival is returning and will play host to Fat Tony, Woody, Jaguar Skills, plus Gok back-to-back with Rob da Bank himself.
TV chef-and-DJ Gok added: “Family, vibrant, exhilarating and discovery are just some of the superlatives that you can say about Camp Bestival, one of the finest curated events this country has to offer, it was without a doubt up there as one of the top three events I did in the summer of 2022.”
Meanwhile, sister festival Camp Bestival Shropshire has just announced it’s Wildlife fancy dress theme, plus line-up additions including folk-pop star CMAT, Peter Andre’s son Junior Andre, DJ Yoda, Dub Pistols, plus former The Prodigy member Leeroy Thornhill.
The headliners this year are Primal Scream, Rudimental and The Human League.
Camp Bestival Shropshire takes place at Weston Park, 17-20 August 2023. Tickets are on sale now. For more info visit shropshire.campbestival.net.

Source: IconInsider.com

Neil Young to play first gig in 3 years for Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday

OHMYGOSSIP — Neil Young is set to play his first concert in more than three years for Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday.
The star-studded ‘Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90’ celebration takes place on April 29 and 30, 2023, at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, and the 77-year-old is returning to the stage to perform for his dear friend.
Nelson – who turns 90 on April 29 – said: “I can’t think of a better way to spend my 90th birthday than being surrounded by family, friends and of course the fans who made this all possible.
“It’s an honour to perform with such an incredible group of artists at such an iconic venue.”
The stacked bill also includes Beck, Billy Strings, Bob Weir, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, Margo Price, Miranda Lambert, Nathaniel Rateliff, Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Tom Jones, Warren Haynes, and Ziggy Marley.
Tickets will go on sale to the public on January 28.
Young hasn’t performed publicly since 2019, with a select number of private performances taking place in 2020, and one of the main reasons is the environmental impact of touring.
However, Young recently revealed he has devised a plan for how to tour and reduce the performer’s carbon footprint.
He explained: “I have a plan.
“I’ve been working on it with a couple of my friends for about seven or eight months. We’re trying to figure out how to do a self-sustaining, renewable tour. Everything that moves our vehicles around, the stage, the lights, the sound, everything that powers it is clean. Nothing dirty with us. We set it up; we do this everywhere we go.”
The ‘Heart of Gold’ hitmaker added: “Once it’s up and going, and I’m finished with my part of the tour, there’s no reason why the tour has to stop.
“The tour can keep on going with another headliner. It’s about sustainability and renewability in the future, loving Earth for what it is. We want to do the right thing. That’s kind of the idea.”

Source: IconInsider.com

Slowthai unveils third studio album UGLY

OHMYGOSSIP — Slowthai is set to release his new album, ‘UGLY’, on March 3.
The Northampton rapper has unveiled his follow-up to 2021’s ‘TYRON’, and the first as part of his new record deal with BMG, alongside the lead single, ‘Selfish’, out now.
Slowthai – whose real name is Tyron Frampton – teased that the record is “everything” he’s been “leading up to”.
He said in a statement: “The first album was the sound of where I’m from and everything I thought I knew.
“The second album is what was relevant to me at that moment in time, the present. And this album is completely me — about how I feel and what I want to be… it’s everything I’ve been leading up to.”
Slowthai sings more on this record as he didn’t feel like rapping.
He explained: “This album was me trying to emulate the spirit of the brotherhood ethos that bands have. Music is about the feeling and emotion that goes into it.
“Like an artist making a painting, it’s the expression of that moment in time. I really felt like I didn’t want to rap, whereas before, rap was the only way I could express myself with the tools I had. Now that I have more freedom to create and do more, why wouldn’t we change it up?”
On the deeper meaning behind album’s title, Slowthai added: “It doesn’t matter what or who people think you are, you’ve just got to stay true and respect yourself.
“I have UGLY tattooed on my face because it’s a reminder to love myself, rather than put myself down constantly or feel the impression people have of me should determine who I am as a person. At the end of the day, the art I make is for myself, and the music I make is for myself, if I enjoy it then who gives a f***. So, the way I should live my life should be without any expectations of anyone else. I think it’s something that we all need to hear because everyone needs a smile, and everyone needs a bit of joy and you need to look in yourself to really feel it because no one else can give you the real feeling.”
The 28-year-old British star signed an agreement with the major label covering all his future releases.
Slowthai rose to prominence in 2019, thanks to his politically-charged verses about Brexit and former and current Prime Ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson.
His debut studio album, ‘Nothing Great About Britain’, was nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Slowthai released the follow-up, ‘TYRON’, in February 2021, which became his first UK number one album.
The star-studded LP includes collaborations with Skepta, Dominic Fike, James Blake, A$AP Rocky and Denzel Curry.

The track-listing for ‘UGLY’ is:
1. ‘Yum’
2. ‘Selfish’
3. ‘Sooner’
4. ‘Feel Good’
5. ‘Never Again’
6. ‘F*** It Puppet’
7. ‘HAPPY’
8. ‘UGLY’
9. ‘Falling’
10. ‘Wotz Funny’
11. ‘Tourniquet’
12. ‘25 Per Cent Club’

Source: IconInsider.com

Fall Out Boy debut new songs at intimate hometown show

OHMYGOSSIP — Fall Out Boy played new songs ‘Love From The Other Side’ and ‘Heartbreak Feels So Good’ live in public for the first time.
The rockers – whose new album ‘So Much (For) Stardust’ is set to be release on March 24 – performed an intimate homecoming show at Chicago’s Metro club for the venue’s 40th anniversary on Wednesday (25.01.23) and treated fans to a career spanning set.
The band started their show with lead single ‘Love From The Other Side’, going onto play big hits like ‘Sugar, We’re Going Down’, ‘Dance, Dance’, and ‘Thnks fr th Mmrs’.
They also played some deep cuts, including the first performance of ‘Take This To Your Grave’ track ‘Calm Before The Storm’ since 2007.
Brand new track ‘Heartbreak Feels So Good’ got its live debut, while the group had earlier unveiled the video featuring Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo.
They teased: “The heist begins now. And before anyone asks, yes we do all our own stunts.”
Band members Patrick Stump, Pete Wentz and Andy Hurley were performing live in public for the first time without Joe Trohman since the 38-year-old guitarist announced he is taking a temporary break from the band to concentrate on his mental health.
In a statement, he said: “Neil Young once howled that it’s better to burn out than to fade away. But I can tell you unequivocally that burning out is dreadful.
“Without divulging all the details, I must disclose that my mental health has rapidly deteriorated over the past several years.
“So, to avoid fading away and never returning, I will be taking a break from work which regrettably includes stepping away from Fall Out Boy for a spell.”
He has vowed to return to the band in the future but insisted it was “necessary” to put his “mental health first”.
He added: “It pains me to make this decision, especially when we are releasing a new album that fills me with great pride (the sin I’m most proud of).
“So, the question remains: Will I return to the fold? Absolutely, one-hundred percent. In the meantime, I must recover which means putting myself and my mental health first.
“Thank you to everyone, including my bandmates and family, for understanding and respecting this difficult, but necessary, decision.”

Source: IconInsider.com

Stormzy to perform at BRIT Awards 2023

OHMYGOSSIP — Stormzy is to perform at the BRIT Awards 2023 with Mastercard.
The 29-year-old rapper has a hat-trick of nominations ahead of the ceremony, for British Artist of the Year, Best Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap act, and Mastercard Album Of The Year for ‘This Is What I Mean’, and he will take to the stage at The O2 in London on February 11.
Lizzo – who is nominated for International Artist of the Year and International Song of the Year for ‘About Damn Time’ – is also set to perform at the music extravaganza, three years on from her iconic 2020 performance.
DJ-and-producer David Guetta – who received a nod for International Song of the Year for ‘I’m Good (Blue)’ featuring Bebe Rexha – and Becky Hill, who won Best Dance Act last year and is up for the prize again this year, are also both set to bring the party to the BRITs stage.
Ella Henderson was also added to the bill, after she released hit song ‘Crazy What Love Can Do’ alongside David and Becky last year.
David said: “It’s a great honour to be nominated for the BRIT Award, as I have always felt a strong connection to British music and culture and had amazing experiences here…’I’m Good’ is my seventh #1 record in the UK, so thank you!
“The UK dance scene is full of incredible artists, so to be recognised once again means a lot to me. This collaboration with Bebe is the gift that keeps on giving, and we are both so grateful to be nominated!”
Becky added: “My first BRITs performance!!! This is what dreams are made of and I’m so excited to be performing alongside David Guetta who handed me my Best Dance Act BRIT last year. This is a real moment for me and with another BRIT nom this year is an incredible way to start 2023.”
Ella said: “Am beyond excited to be performing at The BRITs 2023! Growing up, I remember watching the BRITs live performances from so many iconic artists that I idolised and I always dreamt of one day being up on that stage. So to be a part of this year’s line-up alongside some incredible artists is an absolute honour! I can’t wait – what an amazing way to kick off this year!”
Harry Styles, Wet Leg, Cat Burns and Sam Smith with Kim Petras were previously confirmed to perform.

Source: IconInsider.com

Kelly Jones on a ‘little holiday’ from Stereophonics after debuting new project

OHMYGOSSIP — Kelly Jones has insisted he’s just on a “little holiday” from Stereophonics after debuting his new project Far From Saints.
The Welsh rocker has formed the trio with Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker of US band The Wind And The Wave.
And after they released the lead single from their upcoming album, ‘Let’s Turn This Back Around’, the frontman has reassured fans of the ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ group that they are “stronger than ever” and have not split up.
Speaking on Radio X, Kelly said: “There’s no breaking up with the band or anything.
“For me, after 25 years of doing all our work, it’s like, I wanna show other sides of what I would like to try creatively.”
Fans can also expect a new solo LP from the 48-year-old musician.
He added: “But, there’s no fear that [Stereophonics are] not going to come back and do what we do.
“You know, I’ve got a bunch of songs I’ve got for that but I’m keeping them in the back pocket until we’re ready to do it again.
“And what’s good about the band is we’re still forward-thinking, we’re still making records that are doing really well. We’re still playing arenas, we’re still playing stadiums, and the songs are still on the radio. I’ve been back to songs we wrote in the ’90s, you know.
“So I’ve written new Stereophonics songs, but that time is not for now and the band are all doing their bits and pieces.”
Asked if Stereophonics will ever part ways, he replied: “No, no, no.”
He added: “I think Stereophonics is the type of band and the type of music with a catalogue that’s set in stone plus the new stuff that’s happening. It’s like a revolving door. There’s 12/14-year-old kids in the front row.
“The band is stronger than it’s ever been in many ways.”

Source: IconInsider.com

‘Excited to work together’: SZA teases Miley Cyrus collaboration

OHMYGOSSIP — SZA has teased a collaboration with Miley Cyrus.
The pair have congratulated each other after Miley’s ‘Flowers’ became her first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and SZA’s recent chart success with ‘Kill Bill’ from her LP ‘SOS’, which is currently number two, with Taylor Swift’s ‘Anti-Hero’ at number three.
SZA tweeted: “MAJOR congrats to Miley !!! Excited for her album and to work together.”
And the ‘Midnight Sky’ hitmaker responded: “You are KILLING it. Congratulations! Sending love.”
‘Flowers’ is the lead single from Miley’s upcoming eighth studio album ‘Endless Summer Vacation’, which is due to be released on March 10.
The new record will be her first since 2020’s ‘Plastic Hearts’.
‘Flowers’ takes a number of veiled swipes at her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth and was released on his 33rd birthday.
The couple met on the set of their film ‘The Last Song’ and got engaged in May 2012 before splitting the following year.
They got back together in 2016 and married in 2018 but the marriage later crumbled and their divorce was finalised in January 2020.
She was previously rumoured to have written about their doomed relationship on her track ‘WTF Do I Know’ from ‘Plastic Hearts’.
The song featured the lyrics: “What the f*** do I know? I’m alone / ‘Cause I couldn’t be somebody’s hero / You want an apology? Not from me / Had to leave you in your own misery / So tell me, baby, am I wrong that I moved on and I / And I don’t even miss you? / Thought that it’d be you until I die / But I let go, what the f*** do I know?”
Meanwhile, SZA and Taylor recently quashed rumours they were feuding over their chart battle.
The pair’s fandoms caused a stir on social media when ‘Kill Bill’ spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard 100, while Taylor’s ‘Midnights’ cut ‘Anti-Hero’ sat at number two.
However, they insisted there is no beef between them.
Taylor re-shared Billboard’s article about ‘Anti-Hero’ becoming the longest-leading number on the Hot 100 chart after eight weeks on her Instagram Story and added: “Been listening to [SZA’s] album nonstop. Absolutely adore her music. So much love and respect for her!!”
And SZA responded on her own Story: “Congratulations to Tay Tay! And thank you so much your album and writing is phenomenal… as always.”

Source: IconInsider.com

Sex Pistol Glen Matlock ‘got fed up’ seeing Iggy Pop’s penis

OHMYGOSSIP — Glen Matlock got “fed up” seeing Iggy Pop’s willy.
The former Six Pistol played bass on the US punk idol’s 1980 album ‘Soldier’ and they toured the year before, but the ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ hitmaker, 75, had a habit of flashing his manhood on stage and Glen admitted it’s “not that impressive”.
He recalled in an interview with Britain’s The Times newspaper: “The problem with flashing your willy on stage is that you have to get ready to flash your willy on stage.
“And he always did it in front of me. I got a bit fed up with seeing it, to be honest. It’s not that impressive.”
Elsewhere, Glen recalled quitting the Sex Pistols because he was getting stick from frontman Johnny Rotten aka John Lydon and was “annoyed” when they invited the late Sid Vicious to try out on bass.
He would replace Glen from 1997 to 1978, the year before he died of a heroin overdose aged just 21.
The 66-year-old rocker was feuding with frontman John Lydon and their manager Malcolm McLaren and guitarist Steve Jones and drummer Paul Cook didn’t have his back.
Recalling the time he was offered a solo deal with the band’s label EMI, he said: “And I thought: I’m getting all this s*** from John and Malcolm, Steve and Paul weren’t backing me up, I heard they tried out Sid [Vicious] on bass, which annoyed me, and I only hung in there because I was getting my wages. So I left. A week after that Malcolm sent a telegram to the NME saying I was sacked because I liked the Beatles. Two weeks after that I’m in the Blue Posts, round the back of [the Oxford Street venue] the 100 Club, and Malcolm comes in and says: ‘It’s not working out with Sid, can you come back?’ So I replied: ‘The way you treated me, are you f***ing joking?’”
Glen claimed that during his brief time in the band, Sid wanted to be the “lead guy”, which didn’t bode well as they split in 1978.
He said: “It reminded me of what John Entwistle once said of The Who: that if he was jumping around like Daltrey, Townshend and Moon, the band would fall apart.
“There was a balance when I was in the Pistols. Sid Vicious wanted to be the lead guy and the equilibrium went.”
The Six Pistols reunited in 1996 for two years, and again between 2002 and 2003, before going their separates after another year’s reunion between 2007 and 2008.
To this day, the ‘Anarchy in the UK’ rockers have been embroiled in legal wrangles.
John took his former bandmates to court over the use of the group’s music in Danny Boyles’ miniseries ‘Pistol’ last year.
Glen releases his new solo album ‘Head on a Stick’ on Friday (27.01.23).

Source: IconInsider.com

Maneskin: It’s not our goal to convince rock’n’roll fans we’re real rock

OHMYGOSSIP — Maneskin believe part of their appeal is being able to actually play their instruments.
The Italian group grew to prominence in their own country after competing on the Italian version of ‘The X Factor’ in 2017, before being catapulted to superstardom after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021 with their heavy rock track ‘Zitti e buoni’.
They have faced judgment from some die-hard rock music fans, who branded them “not real rock”
However, the ‘Supermodel’ hitmakers – whose latest album ‘Rush!’ cannot be pigeonholed – prefer not to label their music.
Frontman Damiano David said: “I would say traditional rock fans aren’t our target.”
Bassist Victoria De Angelis joked that “at least we don’t play trap or hip-hop”.
She said: “When we play, people can be like: ‘This is not real rock because it’s on TV, so it’s s***!’
“We don’t care about it, because if you’re really passionate about music you should judge the music and not where it comes from.”
She went on: “It’s not our goal to convince rock’n’roll fans that we’re real rock. We’re just doing our own thing. Especially when we’ve had the pleasure of playing with legends like Iggy Pop, the Stones, Guns N’ Roses, and even they don’t think about it, so other people shouldn’t either.”
Victoria quipped: “At least we’re not playing trap or hip-hop!”
Damiano insisted being able to play live sets them apart from the “majority” of mainstream acts.
He added to Classic Rock magazine: “If we talk about analogue music in the past ten years, I think we filled an empty spot.
“Also our live performance; we see less and less actual performance and more backing tracks and DJ sets. Perhaps with Eurovision, people saw that we were actually playing. It was just the four of us with a lot of noise and music. I think that’s what stands out and makes us a bit different to the majority of mainstream artists.”

Source: IconInsider.com

Bernie Taupin to lift lid on career with Sir Elton John in new book

OHMYGOSSIP — Bernie Taupin is to lift the lid on his career with Sir Elton John in a new book.
Elton has previously written about their songwriting partnership in his 2019 autobiography ‘Me’ and now Bernie is to tell his side of the story in ‘ Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton, And Me’ which is described as a ‘nonlinear’ recollection of his time in the music industry and is due for release in September.
Bernie said of the book: “It was never my intention to write a traditional A to Z autobiography. I began a few years back composing essays and observations on my life that ultimately gained momentum and started to look like a book. From then on, it became a long, arduous task that was both exhilarating and liberating. It was also a lot of fun and immensely beneficial in blowing the dust off a lot of what I’d forgotten about.”
He added of the finished product: “Hopefully, there’s something in it for everybody. It’s contemplative, self-assessing, and attempts to stay off the beaten path in not regurgitating what’s already been written. Nonlinear, it’s an exploratory trip bouncing back and forth along the decades.”
His publishers added in a statement: “Readers visit Los Angeles with Bernie and Elton on the cusp of global fame. We spend time in Australia at an infamous rock ‘n’ roll hotel in an endless blizzard of drugs and spend late-night hours with John Lennon, Bob Marley, and Frank Sinatra. And beyond the world of popular music, we witness memorable encounters with writers like Graham Greene, painters like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali …
“And of course, even if they’re not famous in their own right, they are stars on the page, and we discover how they inspired the indelible lyrics to songs such as ‘Tiny Dancer’, ‘Candle in the Wind’, Bennie and The Jets’, and so many more.”

Source: IconInsider.com

Tom Grennan announces new album

OHMYGOSSIP — Tom Grennan will release a new album on 9 June.
The 27-year-old singer has confirmed his third record will be out in a few months time and the LP will be called ‘What Ifs + Maybes’, with the ‘Little Bit Of Love’ hitmaker explaining he chose the title because of how “exciting” the unpredictability of life can be.
He told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: “I’ve called the album What Ifs Maybes because you never know what’s going to happen. So go with your gut. Go with your heart, not your head.
“Sometimes the unknown brings love and beauty and colour.
“Don’t be afraid to jump into the unknown. It’s exciting.”
The announcement comes as Tom releases new single ‘Here’, and he wants the song to offer people hope they have support in whatever they are going through.
He said of the track: “With what’s going on in the world, with so many people struggling, affected financially, by Covid, by loads of different things, it’s one of those songs that helps you believe there is somebody in your life that is going to be there for you in the struggle.
“There’s the battle of everything. But when it’s shared with somebody else, you’re doing it together, not just on your own.
“So that’s what it’s about, if I’m here for you, then please be here for me.”
The sentiment echoes that in Tom’s December release ‘You Are Not Alone’, which he previously described as his “most personal” yet and one he hoped would offer a “warm hug” to those in need.
He said: “This isn’t just another single to me, it’s far more than that. This is the most personal song I have written.
“I want these lyrics to help other people as much as writing them has helped me.
“I’ve been open and raw in songs before, but when this song started pouring out of me, it was different.
“Whilst Christmas can be a happy time for many, it can also be a time when people feel a deep sense of loneliness, and I hope this song talks to that feeling and gives you that warm hug you might need right now.
“Now, more than ever, we need to look after each other.”

Source: IconInsider.com

Sam Smith spat at after changing pronouns

OHMYGOSSIP — Sam Smith has been spat at in the street since changing their pronouns.
The ‘Unholy’ hitmaker – who has released their new LP ‘Gloria’ today (27.01.23) – came out as non-binary and changed their gender pronouns to they/them in 2019, and they wish they could have done so sooner.
Speaking to Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, they said: “So we’ve got two sides, really. My personal life and then my public life. And in my personal life, there’s not one negative. My family, they can communicate with me. They always did. But they communicate with me now in an even better way. My love life has become better from it. I feel lovable. I feel comfortable in my skin, but I wear what I want to wear.
“Since changing my pronouns, it felt like a coming home. I wish I knew what the words were when I was in school, because I would’ve identified as that in school. Because it is who I am and it’s who I’ve always been.”
While there have been no issues with their new gender identity in their personal life, the 30-year-old pop star has been harassed on the streets of England since coming out.
They went on: “I think all the only negatives in the struggle have been in my public life and my job. And just the amount of hate and s****ness that came my way was just exhausting.
“It was in the f****** news. […] Someone spat at me in the street. It’s crazy. What I find hard about it is it’s like, if that’s happening to me and I’m famous, I’m a pop star, can you imagine what other kids, like queer kids are feeling? And it’s just so sad that we’re in 2023 and it’s still happening. It’s exhausting and especially in England.”
Sam recently revealed they’ve started wearing thongs every day as they are more confident with their body.
Playing a game called ‘Holy or Unholy’ with ET Canada, Sam replied: “Unholy, but I love them. I’ve started wearing thongs, I wear them every day now.
“It’s fabulous! They just slice you up in the right way.”

Source: IconInsider.com