Emo fans were in shock after beloved 00s band, Linkin Park, announced a reunion last year, however, their reunion tour has hit a bump in the road.

The From Zero tour was announced after they revealed new vocalist, Emily Armstrong, seven years on from the emotional death of frontman Chester Bennington.

Linkin Park dropped a new album featuring vocals from Emily to generally positive responses but it seems the tour hasn’t been quite as big a hit with fans.

The Numb legends revealed as part of their US tour, their previously announced gig at Dodger Stadium has been moved to Intuit Dome.

According to the Daily Mail, this was due to low ticket sales — with the new venue capacity at just a third of the stadium’s whopping 56,000.

Now, the gig will go ahead at the smaller Intuit Dome, hosting 18,000 fans, on September 13, 2025.

The band wrote on social media: ”Los Angeles: Our LA show on 9/13 will now be at Intuit Dome with @jpegmafia. If you purchased tickets previously, you will be refunded & have first shot at buying tickets at Intuit Dome. Can’t wait to see you there!’

They also added that South American dates would be coming soon, which have since been announced with LPU pre-sales now open.

Queens of the Stone Age will no longer open for the band at the Los Angeles show and tickets were being sold for a much discounted price.

At the new venue, fans could secure two ‘Up from the Bottom’ tickets for $39.50 (£30.57) with ‘randomly assigned’ seats.

These discounted tickets don’t appear to have been widely known about previously and drastically compare to prices such as £213 for their UK arena shows.

Fans took to social media to share their opinions on the venue change, seeming rather sympathetic to the reformed group’s struggle to sell out.

‘Really upset that the Dodger Stadium show was moved and my tickets got cancelled. No run the risk of not being able to see the band cause we have to rebuy tickets to Intuit Dome,’ wrote RichGinter on X.

Kingharleypup suggested: ‘I’m thinking you couldn’t fill up Dodger stadium so you changed the venue to something more intimate…by about 40,000 people. 🙄’

‘Hate that they have to do this to get enough ticket sales but also love that this makes it more accessible for people,’ said shansremedy.

Siriusalt shared: ‘The state of rock music in America is embarrassingly bad 😭 and this is one of the greatest and biggest bands ever bro.’

KciriaSicnarf added: ‘Embarrassing for the US. Prepared to have night 2 shows throughout this tour, and can’t even sellout the first ones. Meanwhile, international shows are selling out like soccer games.’

Fans from Brazil were desperately asking why Rio de Janerio was not included in the tour, despite Sao Paulo, Brasília and Curitiba all getting shows.

The other South American dates on the limited tour included Buenos Aires in Argentina, Bogota in Columbia and Lima, Peru.

Meanwhile, in Europe this summer, UK and Irish fans will only be able to see Linkin Park perform at one concert in London’s Wembley Stadium on June 28 – aka Glastonbury weekend.

There are also dates in Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland across June and July.

Tickets are still up for grabs at Wembley, costing fans on average around £200 a pop plus any booking fees.

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Rock and roll icon Sir Brian May has reflected on the legacy of Queen’s music and revealed his reservations over one of the group’s most famous songs.

Guitarist and singer Sir Brian formed Queen in 1970 alongside lead vocalist Freddie Mercury and drummer Roger Taylor, before bass player John Deacon joined the following year.

Charting for the first time in 1974 with their second album Queen II and the single Seven Seas of Rhye, which reached number 10 and was their first hit, the band quickly gained momentum thanks to the likes of Bohemian Rhapsody in 1975 and later Somebody to Love and mega-anthems We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions.

However, Sir Brian was initially not a fan of the group’s 1979 single Don’t Stop Me Now because he did not approve of Freddie’s lyrics, which celebrated his hedonistic lifestyle.

But the 77-year-old’s opinion on the song has since changed because of how fans and the wider public embraced and interpreted the track.

Asked if he felt protective of Queen’s songs after they have entered the public domain, the musician replied: ‘At the time, I didn’t feel comfortable about Don’t Stop Me Now, probably for all the right reasons and the wrong reasons.’

He continued to Mojo magazine in a recent interview: ‘I think I resisted realising why people liked it for a long time. Now, I think people love it because it contains all their dark dreams of hedonism – and that’s fine.

‘I hear it all the time, though. People say to me, “Who Wants to Live Forever feels like it was written for me, or my mum or my dad…” It’s in people’s hearts and minds and becomes personal to them.’

Sir Brian observed that it was exactly that which ‘makes a song live on’.

He also revealed that Queen banned ‘gangster rap’ artists from sampling their back catalogue amid fears it would ‘promote violence or abuse’.

Sir Brian May said the British rock band took a stance to say no to certain sample requests because they believed it was the right thing to do, morally.

The 77-year-old guitarist revealed the band refused one specific request because they thought the lyrics of the song were ‘abusive to women’.

‘But otherwise, our songs are for everyone. All art is theft,’ he added.

Sir Brian and his drummer bandmate Roger Taylor continue to tour as Queen with American Idol star Adam Lambert on vocals instead of Mercury, who died in 1991 at the age of 45 from medical complications related to his AIDS diagnosis.

Deacon retired from the band in 1997, after recording Sir Brian’s song No-One But You (Only the Good Die Young), released by Queen in tribute to the late Mercury.

Lambert joined the group initially in 2012 for their first touring collaboration, which continued over the following years and into the worldwide Rhapsody Tour, which ran from 2019 until February 2024.

Discussing his relationship with the legendary rock band ahead of them finishing off the tour in the US, Lambert joked that ‘we just kind of keep going, don’t we?’.

‘I know when I first performed with them, I thought it was probably going to be a one-off and then one thing led to another and it just snowballed and it became this beautiful relationship that we’ve continued over the past 10 or so years. And I’m delighted, I’m so excited to get back on the road in the States,’ he told Metro in May 2023.

Addressing their future, he added: ‘And I don’t think that’s the end. I think there’s probably more where that came from.’

Queen is one of the most successful acts in the history of music, having sold roughly 300million records.

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Noel Gallagher has finally broken his silence on all the drama surrounding ticket sales for the upcoming Oasis reunion tour.

When it was first revealed back in August that the long-feuding brothers would be returning to the stage after nearly a decade apart, the band stated they would try to curb ticket re-selling by partnering with resale platform Twickets and issuing a statement to say that tickets sold for profit on other sites would be cancelled.

Despite these efforts, reselling abounded after tickets almost instantly sold out following multi-hour long online ques.

Then, fans were infuriated by Ticketmaster cancelling scored of tickets because of ‘bot activity.’

The email many of the fans received even mentioned possible reports to law enforcement, adding to fan concerns.

Liam then posted about fan concerns about tickets on social media, writing: ‘I don’t make the rules. We’re trying to do the right thing. It is what it is, I’m the singer. Get off my case.’

Now, Noel has finally broken his silence on the fiasco.

In a new interview with Kevin Cummins for his new book Oasis: The Masterplan, the musician said he was shocked by how many people wanted to attend the reunion shows.

‘I thought it’d be a big deal, but I was a bit taken aback by just how much of a big deal it was,’ he said.

Fans have also been speculating about which songs the band will play on the tour, and Noel may have provided some hints.

When asked by Cummins about his favourite Oasis songs he replied: ‘Can I have more than one? Supersonic, Some Might Say, Live Forever and Rock’n’Roll Star.’

As fans continue to scramble for tickets, the band has remained firm on their no resale policy, but reports suggest that 4% of tickets (around 50,000) appeared on resale sites after the initial ticket release anyway.

Live Nation and SJM revealed in a statement last year that any tickets sold through secondary sites would be cancelled and resold.

‘Ticket resale is permitted at no more than the price you paid (face value + booking fees),’ the statement read.

‘Please only use the official resale partners Twickets and Ticketmaster. Selling tickets through unauthorised resale platforms will breach these T&Cs and those tickets may be cancelled.’

Oasis also addressed the issue in a social media tweet at the time: ‘We have noticed people attempting to sell tickets on the secondary market since the start of the pre-sale.

‘Please note, tickets can ONLY be resold, at face value, via Ticketmaster and Twickets. Tickets sold in breach of the terms and conditions will be cancelled by the promoters.’

An email sent to fans was posted on social media that revealed measures were now being taken to identify bots who purchased the tickets.

‘Following the messaging on the artist’s social media in the run-up to the Oasis Live ’25 ticket sale, the tour’s promoters have requested the refunding of your order for the below event.

‘It has been identified that bots were used to make this purchase, which violates the tour’s terms and conditions.’

The band will perform 41 shows starting this summer and finishing in November.

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Most older artists shy away from belting out notes like it’s 1970. But not The Who’s Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey.

On Sunday night at the Royal Albert Hall, The Who – still performing in their sixth decade – delivered vocal ranges that would put young whippersnappers of 2025 to shame.

Often heralded as one of rock’s most influential bands of all time, school friends Roger, Pete, John Entwistle and Keith Moon were strumming meaty riffs and shaking hips before Led Zeppelin had even uttered Stairway to Heaven.

In 2025 as Roger turns 81 and Pete is a month shy of 80, they’ve still got it -save a few hearing issues, as the lead singer explained during Thursday night’s concert.

I Can’t Explain kicked off the evening, rippling an excitable vibration through the crowd, and throughout their 22-song set The Who gave it their all.

As Roger and Pete strummed and ooo-ed through their classics including The Kids are Alright, Pinball Wizard and My Generation, there were more than a few flickers of that old rock n’ roll romance.

At points, they could have been anywhere – perhaps at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 or on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2007 – until you pan out and see the polite bobbings of a seated crowd.

Pete now hunches over his guitar, moulded into position with the occasional full-arm helicopter strum, while Roger leans on his microphone catching a break between gravelly, rounded notes which don’t seem to believe in ceilings. At one point Roger even appeared to do some iteration of a booty dip.

The highlights of the evening were not found in their more energetic tracks like The Real Me when Roger couldn’t seem to hear through the noise of the drums.

After a few frustrated arm gestures and comments, on the final track of the evening, the emotional The Song Is Over, Roger had to stop the concert, explaining: ‘To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys.’

Seeing Roger looking defeated, the crowd cheered him on. After joking everyone’s got trains to catch, Roger said, ‘It was going so well… I can sing in any f***ing key you want, but I need to hear which one.’

Roger then gave it another go. This time around, drums turned down, it was a masterpiece.

While the crowd didn’t seem to mind – with their historic The Who T-shirts buffed out on many an ageing male chest – the stops did somewhat put a guillotine through the momentum of the evening.

But, honestly, that didn’t matter. Despite these issues, magic was made, especially in their tricky vocal tracks which both Pete and Roger blew out the park.

While the voices of contemporaries including Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John shake when under pressure, The Who are fog horns in comparison. How they manage to muster such might in their senior years beggars belief.

Love, Reign O’er Me was one of the best vocal performances I’ve ever seen, and Roger is – I repeat – 81. Yet gritty, note-perfect bellows erupt out of him like a battle cry.

Like a sturdy shire horse, Pete kept the night going when frontman Roger couldn’t.

Before Eminence Front Pete apologised for his breath work, which he said would likely be under par after a recent knee operation. But he needn’t have said anything at all. He was mesmerising.

Pete clocked out with a salient, ever off-beat, message for fans.

‘There is a lot to be said about what’s been going on in the music business since The Who were a little pub band,’ Pete began.

‘We call them black swans, when you manage to get a hit and can hang on to it. But there’s another kind of black swan, and that’s the people that manage, partly through not dying, to continue their careers into their geriatric f***ing age.

‘What’s interesting is you can still make the music, you can still pretend to be young. Of course it’s quite clear that you’re not.

‘But what’s amazing is you guys, thank you so much. Some of you have followed us for a long time.

‘Many of you know this is not my chosen career. I would have preferred to be a dustman to be honest. But it’s glorious to be here with people like you tonight.’

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JLS are back for their second UK reunion tour in recent years – but member JB Gill has revealed the pretty relatable reason behind their decision to scale things back.

The X Factor boy band – featuring JB, Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, and Oritsé Williams – will be playing 18 dates across 24 days in November 2025 for the Club Is Alive Tour.

JLS finished second behind winner Alexandra Burke on the 2008 series of the singing competition, but went on to have a strong pop career of their own.

Scoring five number one singles (as well as five further top 10 hits) between 2009 and 2012, the group split in 2013 when all four boys were still in their 20s.

But now, at the age of 38, JB has admitted that any future live shows will have to be scaled back and downsized, with moving into maturity bringing its own set of issues.

‘The older I’ve got, the more I have a problem with heights,’ he confessed to the Daily Star, admitting that the stunts they pulled off in the 2000s might not be possible anymore.

‘We’ve done some mad things [during live shows in the past]. Every tour, stunt-wise, we’ve done something crazy. But I’ll be honest, it’s not for me anymore. I like my feet on the ground.’

The Club Is Alive Tour will take place across November 2025, beginning at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro and finishing in London with two dates at the O2 Arena.

In an official statement confirming the tour, the four boys revealed they were excited to get back out on the road and play arenas across the country.

They began: ‘Your boys are back! We’re SO excited to be back out on the road with another Hits tour bringing the full CLUB vibes to your city!

‘There’s nothing we love more than getting to see you all and perform for you once again. We appreciate your support and we hope you’re ready to party with us and our very special guest – Example – very, very soon!’

Beginning in Glasgow on November 6, the tour will visit Aberdeen on November 7, Newcastle on November 8, Belfast on November 10, Dublin on November 11, and Liverpool on November 13.

From there, JLS will hit up Sheffield on November 14, Manchester on November 15, Cardiff on November 17 and November 18, Leeds on November 20, Birmingham on November 21 and November 22, and Bournemouth on November 23.

The tour will come to an end with shows in Brighton on November 25 and Nottingham on November 27, before two London shows at the O2 on November 28 and 29.

The first of the two London shows at the O2 will see JLS join the venue’s 21 Club – an exclusive selection of artists who have headlined the famous arena 21 or more times.

Supporting them on 14 of the 18 dates will be rapper, DJ, and music producer Example, who was locked in chart battles with JLS during their respective heydays.

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The moment I watched Usher cheekily wink at The O2 audience while seductively feeding a woman cherries was when I knew what his Past Present Future tour was really about. 

After 30 incredible years at the top of his game, this show wasn’t about proving anything to critics and his peers or just going through the motions to make easy money. It was all about having fun in Usher’s way as he deserved to having enjoyed a pretty perfect and non-stop career for three decades, while also celebrating all that’s been and all there is to come. 

Seeing Usher, 46, perform at London’s O2 arena on the first night of his UK tour was a full circle moment for me as it was 20 years ago that I saw him at Wembley as my first-ever concert. Sitting in my floor seat with the best view, I remember watching in awe at Usher’s showmanship and thus my love for live music began. 

I’ve been fortunate to see him again twice since then but, dare I say, his performance last night at The O2 proved he’s better than ever. 

The comparisons between the R&B superstar and ‘king of pop’ Michael Jackson have long been said and Usher wasted no time in addressing this, ascending on stage from below and slickly swivelling around under a spotlight while wearing a glittering Jackson-esque outfit. 

From there, the energy barely let up for the next hour as Usher pumped through a selection of his early hits, taking us down memory lane with U Make Me Wanna (accompanied by a stage version of the music video’s iconic choreography) and making us two-step nostalgically to U Remind Me and U Don’t Have To Call. 

Despite some of these songs being released more than 20 years ago, they felt brand new and Usher gave each one the attention they deserved. He may have nothing to prove but these throwback moments did provide the chance for Usher to show that he’s still got it and has no struggles with the body-popping choreography he perfected in his 20s. 

In recent years, the music icon has attracted thousands of fans to Las Vegas where he first introduced the most exciting and ambitious new element of his stage show – rollerskating.

I did wonder how that would translate from the intimate Vegas stage to The O2, but as Usher casually glided around the circular stage without performing any moves that were too complex, it made sense for the new space it was in. 

The rollerskating wasn’t all Usher brought from Vegas; when he and his dancers weren’t simulating sex during the more sensual songs on the setlist such as Seduction and Nice & Slow – and when the women weren’t pole dancing on the other side of the arena – Usher was feeding cherries to female audience members and even encouraging a happy husband to do the same to his wife in one of the more light-hearted moments. 

The first night of Usher’s Past Present Future tour in the UK was near-perfect but not without its flaws; there were a couple of stumbles from the dancers and Usher himself (all recovered expertly that most may not even have noticed) and an instance or two where the band weren’t on the same starting page as the frontman, but it ultimately humanised Usher as was to be expected with all the intricacies of the performance.

Some moments did drag on a little too long, like him walking to the other side of the arena to take shots with his pole-twerking dancers. 

None of that mattered though when you had delicious moments like the Superstar singalong that soaked the entire arena, or Usher’s vulnerability during songs like U Got It Bad.

Even with the few wobbly moments, this was still Usher at his best and – after 30 years in the game – that’s the unthinkable. 

Usher’s Past Present Future tour continues at London’s O2 Arena for selected dates in April and May, Paris on April 15 and 16, selected dates in Amsterdam from April 22-28, and selected dates in Berlin from May 1-4.

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Van Halen, one of the most iconic rock bands in history, is known for more than their blood-pumping music.

From feuds between bandmates to controversial lineup changes, Van Halen’s history is as much about the drama that shaped the band as it is about their music. 

The original lineup of Van Halen, featuring brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen, bassist Michael Anthony, and frontman David Lee Roth, burst onto the music scene in the late 1970s with their self-titled debut album, quickly becoming a bonafide cultural movement and some of the biggest icons of the decade. 

The band became known for their electrifying live performances, with crowds often growing so rowdy that they gained a reputation for being some of the most out-of-control concerts of the decade. 

Behind the scenes, things were also heating up. David’s larger-than-life personality and growing ego often clashed with Eddie’s desire for creative control – leading to one of the most legendary feuds in music history.

Why did David Lee Roth leave Van Halen?

Things got so tense that Eddie infamously threw a bowl of guacamole at David backstage in 1978. He missed the singer entirely and instead hit Steve Perry, who cried, according to Runnin’ With the Devil, a 2017 memoir by Van Halen’s former manager, Noel Monk.

In another instance in the same year, the band destroyed the entire seventh floor of a hotel in Wisconsin. The chaos began when Eddie came back to his room to discover that David had thrown the table and chairs from the room outside into the snow. 

This led to the liner notes of 1979’s Van Halen II in which the band thanks ‘the Sheraton Inn (seventh floor).’

The tension between David and Eddie came to a head in 1985, following the release of the hugely successful album 1984, which featured hits like Jump and Panama. 

Although the album was a commercial triumph, behind the scenes, David and Eddie were barely speaking, with their communication mostly limited to musical disagreements that would turn to shouting matches and even more property destruction.

David, who had embarked on a solo career with the release of his EP Crazy from the Heat, decided to leave the band, citing creative differences and a desire to pursue his own musical vision.

He told Billboard in 1985 that he never truly felt welcome in the band that he helped make famous, saying: ‘Since my very first days in with the band 11 years ago, I have always had the feeling that one day I would wake up in a cold hotel, all the rooms would be empty and I would be stuck by a phone with a busy signal. From the first day. Nothing has changed.’

But Eddie later claimed it was David’s ego that broke the band up, telling Rolling Stone in 1986 that David said: ‘I can’t work with you guys anymore. I want to do my movie. Maybe when I’m done, we’ll get back together.’

David’s departure marked the end of an era for Van Halen, but it was just the beginning of the band’s explosive drama.

Why did Sammy Hagar leave Van Halen?

Left without a lead singer at the height of their popularity, Van Halen recruited Sammy Hagar in 1985 to replace Roth. A successful solo artist and former Montrose frontman, Hagar and his enormous ginger hair injected new energy into the band and for awhile it seemed like things were going to run a lot more smoothly. 

With Sammy, Van Halen entered a new phase often appropriately referred to as the ‘Van Hagar era.’ The band’s sound evolved, with more emphasis on synthesizers and a broader range of musical styles, drawing even more fans and seemingly defying the odds by successfully replacing their iconic front man.

Albums like 5150 and OU812 topped the charts, and the band enjoyed commercial success throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s.

But Eddie Van Halen’s desire to remain tightly in control of the group once again became a problem, and Sammy and Eddie frequently butted heads over the band’s musical direction and creative decisions, in many ways echoing the David Lee Roth years. 

The band’s 1995 album Balance was marked by growing tension, with Sammy later describing the recording process as the ‘beginning of the end.’ By 1996, Sammy and Eddie were barely on speaking terms, even reportedly coming close to exchanging blows on more than one occasion.

Sammy later told Rolling Stone that he left the group against his wishes, saying: ‘I was told that I quit by Eddie. The phone rings, and I’m laying there with my brand-new baby. He goes, “You know, you always just wanted to be a solo artist, so go ahead and be one. We’re going to get Dave back in the band.” And when he said that, I flew up out of bed like I’d seen a ghost.’

Why did David Lee Roth leave Van Halen…a second time?

After Sammy’s exit, Van Halen briefly reunited with David Lee Roth in 1996 to record two new songs for the band’s greatest hits album, Best Of – Volume I. However, the reunion was short-lived and brought even more tension.

Roth later wrote in his memoir that he refused to use lyrics written by Bon Jovi and Aerosmith hitmaker Desmond Child. He wrote: ‘Those sanguine, sissified, grew-up-way-too-close-to-mommy lyrics. It sounded awful but even then I tried to sing some of it. Wasn’t right.’

The original line up of the band appeared on MTV in 1996, and Roth’s handling of journalist’s questions after the gig reportedly sent Eddie Van Halen into a rage.

He later told MTV news that David bit back after Eddie told reporters the band wouldn’t consider touring again until after he got hip surgery: ‘He goes, “Well hey, tonight’s about me, not your hip,” I said, “if you ever speak to me like that again you better be wearing a cup.” Either he was high [or] just didn’t hear the truth, but he was never told [he was back in the band], we never alluded to him being back in the band.’

In need of a lead singer once again in 1996, the band turned to Gary Cherone, the former frontman of the band Extreme.

The band’s 1998 album Van Halen III with Cherone was a commercial disappointment, and his tenure with the band was short-lived. By 1999, Cherone had left Van Halen, leaving the band in a state of uncertainty.

In the early 2000s, Van Halen reunited with Sammy Hagar for a highly anticipated tour in 2004, which was marred by backstage tension and Eddie’s bad habits. 

In a recent interview with AZ Central, Sammy looked back on that final tour with regret, recalling: ‘Eddie kind of lost it out there. I mean, he was in bad shape the whole tour. Not trying to bring up a sore subject, but he was not healthy and was very abusive to himself.’

Sammy went so far as to say that after they plated their final date, he sat on the plane home feeling hopeless. ‘I just sat there, shaking my head, going, “God, that was a terrible experience,” he said. 

Although Hagar said he ‘tried as hard as I could to connect us and get him on the good foot and get him healthy,’ he believes that he would’ve been more understanding of his bandmate’s behaviour if he was fully aware of the extent of Eddie’s battle with alcoholism. 

Why did Michael Anthony leave Van Halen?

Before that dramatic tour, Eddie took aim at Michael Anthony, Van Halen’s longtime bassist and a key contributor to the band’s vocal harmonies. 

Michael found himself increasingly marginalized and pushed out of the decision-making for the band. During the 2004 tour, Anthony was forced to take a pay cut and sign away his rights to the Van Halen name. 

By 2006, Eddie had replaced Anthony with his teenage son, Wolfgang Van Halen, leading to a bitter rift between Anthony and the rest of the band. Michael maintains that he was forced out of the band and never told about the band’s 2007 reunion tour, while Eddie continues to claim that Michael left of his own accord. 

He told Rolling Stone: ‘The funny thing is that everyone who quits the band always claims they got fired by me. Hey, I’m not the bad guy here.

‘When Hagar left the band, Mike went with him. Then when we get back together with Dave, and all of a sudden, he wants back in. It’s like, “No, dude, you quit the band.” So my son became the bass player. But we didn’t give Mike the boot to have my son play.’

Meanwhile, Anthony told MusicRadar: ‘Why would I have quit Van Halen? It never happened.’

David Lee Roth returns again…

In 2007, Van Halen announced another reunion with David Lee Roth, this time with Wolfgang Van Halen on bass.

The reunion marked a new chapter for the band, resulting in successful tours and the release of the 2012 album A Different Kind of Truth, their first studio album with Roth in nearly three decades – and ultimately the band’s last.

Despite the outward success, the band’s internal dynamics remained fraught with tension.

Eddie’s health issues, including a battle with cancer, further complicated the band’s future, and the iconic heart of the band eventually passed away in 2020, finally sealing their legacy for good.

Was Eddie Van Halen on good terms with Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth when he died?

Despite the years of turmoil, it seems Eddie was able to make amends with both of his band’s iconic frontmen before he died of complications of throat cancer.

Following Eddie’s death, David said on his podcast: ‘My dear departed Ed. Boy, I miss him. I had a ball with Ed. Walt Disney once said, “You know what? My love affair with Mickey Mouse was better than any love affair with a woman I ever had.” I’ve gotta tell ya: playing with Ed, writing songs with Ed, presenting those songs with Ed was better than any love affair I ever had.

‘And some of those songs, I think, might last forever – or until the last syllable of time, like Shakespeare said. They became anthems. Where are they playing Jump right now?’

Sammy Hagar also seems to look back fondly on Eddie’s memory, despite the conflict.

Following Eddie’s death, Sammy told Hagar told Fox News Digital that he and Eddie had been in regular contact in the musician’s last years and had even considered making more music together.

He said: ‘He was saying, you know, “Yeah, I’m working on some [music].” ‘Cause I’d say, “Ed, what are you working on? You know, I want to get in there and work with you. Let’s write together again.” And, you know, he said, “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Next year, you know, we’ll get together, make some noise and all that stuff.”‘

Today, Van Halen is remembered not only for their contributions to rock and roll but also for the turbulent relationships that defined their journey. The drama within Van Halen may have been as legendary as their music, but it also reveals the red hot passion at the heart of the band’s music.

And after all, there’s no fire without friction.

This article was originally published on October 8, 2024.

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The Who’s Roger Daltrey has revealed he is going blind.

The British singer, 81, is currently performing a limited run of shows in the iconic 1960s band at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

During the first of these nights, on 27 March, Roger told the 5,000-strong audience about his deteriorating eyesight.

‘The joys of getting old mean you go deaf, I also now have got the joy of going blind,’ he said.

‘Fortunately I still have my voice, because that I’ll have a full Tommy,’ he continued, referring to the title of The Who’s 1969 album, largely considered to be the first rock opera.

Roger was joined on stage with guitarist Pete Townshend, and together they performed all their classics, including I Can’t Explain, Substitute, Who Are You?, The Kids Are Alright, I Can See For Miles, Baba O’ Riley, The Seeker and My Generation.

Pete, 79, also talked about his ailments, sharing that ‘four and a half weeks ago, I had my left knee replaced’, later revealing he had done it by dancing in the style of Sir Mick Jagger.

Frontman Roger finished by telling the audience: ‘People say to me, ‘how the f*** do you still do it’, and I’ve got to tell you I’ve had one dream in life, and got really, really lucky.

‘And I look at those youngsters every night that come on the stage here, and I think, “if they can deal with their lot, this is a piece of piss”.’

The gig comes as Daltrey steps back from his role as curator of the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Royal Albert Hall concerts, having launched the series in 2000.

However, he will remain an honorary patron of the charity, with The Cure’s Robert Smith taking over curation duties next year.

The Who will return to the Royal Albert Hall for another gig in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust on Sunday.

This comes after another singing legend Sir Elton John revealed he lost sight in his right eye in July after it got infected in the South of France.

‘It’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see. My left eye is not the greatest,’ he told Good Morning America.

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I had no idea that going to the Royal Albert Hall on a Friday night would transport me so quickly to my childhood.

Not only did The Corrs put on a brilliant show in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, proving that they’re just as mesmerising now as they were 30 years ago, but they transfixed their audience from start to finish. Myself included.

This technically wasn’t the first time I’d seen them perform. Just last year, I went to BST Hyde Park to watch Shania Twain, with the group billed as her special guests. They were performing as I arrived as I hadn’t been able to get there any earlier, and I desperately tried to catch some of their show as I rushed to the stage.

This time around, The Corrs had my full undivided attention. Their voices and instruments resounded around the historic London venue like it was 1999, and the audience were up on their feet dancing, swaying, whooping and cheering for their favourite songs (much to the dismay of security).

Last night’s concert began with the supporting act Dea Matrona, an Irish rock band from Belfast who were busking just a few years ago. They commanded the stage with a sound that felt to me like a blend of Letters to Cleo and Fleetwood Mac.

And then, out came The Corrs – Andrea on the lead vocals and her whistle, Sharon with her violin and on the keyboard, Caroline on the drums and Jim on the guitar. The siblings, who first started performing together in the early 1990s, were ready to raise the roof of the Royal Albert Hall once again.

They began with Only When I Sleep – every rasp, growl and belting note from Andrea sounding so beautifully crisp that we could have been watching them in an intimate bar, rather than in a venue with a capacity of almost 6,000.

After Give Me A Reason, Andrea explained just how important the Royal Albert Hall had been in their careers, as their performance at the auditorium for St Patrick’s Day in 1998 propelled them to a stratospheric new level of fame.

A haunting introduction by Sharon on her violin opened Forgiven, Not Forgotten, as Andrea ditched her shoes to prance around the stage, absorbing the palpable energy passing between the band and their fans.

While Andrea later ran off to retrieve her boots – citing ‘health and safety’ as the rest of the group comedically waited for her to get back so that they could continue the concert – the sense of fun emanating from the band never waned.

As someone not of Irish heritage, I felt very privileged to witness the celebration of Irish culture during The Corrs’ concert, blending traditional Irish music with pop rock as they’ve masterfully done for decades.

Midway through the show, Caroline stepped off her drumming podium and took centre stage with her bodhrán to perform an Irish reel with her sisters. ‘Come on Ireland!’, one audience member shouted, as fans’ arms flailed in the air, feet pounded on the floor and people danced up from their seats with unadulterated joy.

I could feel myself becoming emotional as the musicians picked up the tempo on their instruments, a man next to me even breaking out into step dance on the spot. The atmosphere had already been electric, but that moment took it to the next level.

When I was a child, I was aware of who The Corrs were, but I was too young to be completely clued up on their repertoire and trajectory of their careers. Nonetheless, songs including What Can I Do, Runaway and Breathless became ingrained in my psyche.

Hearing the band play them live at the Royal Albert Hall took me back to my primary school days, hearing their music on the radio, and knowing every word from start to finish.

Three decades on, it felt as though no time had passed.

Andrea, with her impeccable vocals and free-spirited twirling dance moves. Sharon with her effortlessly elegant violin prowess and stirring backing vocals. Caroline coolly drumming up a storm at the back. And Jim with his shades on, strumming on the guitar.

In 2006, The Corrs went on a hiatus that lasted for nine years, before they finally reunited in 2015.

A decade on from their reunion, I hope that they’ll continue to share their music with their dedicated fans for many more years to come.

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Lewis Capaldi gave wrestling fans a surprise when he appeared in the crowd at SmackDown, smiling and posing for the cameras.

The Before You Go hitmaker has been keeping to himself ever since his Tourette’s diagnosis forced him to take a break from music.

He shocked audiences at Glastonbury 2023 when his performance fell apart, resulting in fans and stars alike rallying around the singer in support.

During his two-year music hiatus, Lewis has been getting his health in order and frequently taking walks around Hampstead Heath and other local parks.

New music appears to be on the horizon for Lewis too, with friend and collaborator Yungblood praising the yet-to-be-released tracks.

In his surprise crowd cameo at Smackdown, which took place at the O2 Arena on Friday night, Lewis flashed a peace sign and thumbs up for the cameras.

Fans online were quick to praise him, with ScottTHFC23 writing on X: ‘Not seen him for a while, good to see he is looking great tbh.’

‘😭 I missed him I’m so happy to see him,’ added idontcare435 as Infinityy18_ said: ‘Love him sm 🥹.’

‘This has made me smile miss Lewis music glad he’s looking well and healing ❤️,’ said tvreality93.

‘OMG IVE MISSED HIM SO MUCH!! WELCOME BACK LEGEND!!! ❤️’ added magicnmaybes13.

It’s unclear when Lewis will make his official return to music but speaking at an event showcasing his own new music, Yungblud said: ‘I have heard his new music and it sounds great.

‘He is getting his mental health right. I love him, as me and him have been on this ride together.’

‘We experienced it at the same time, and he is perhaps the only friend who knows what I am going through, in the same way I know what he’s going through,’ he added when speaking to The Sun.

Hints that Lewis was returning to music first appeared in an Instagram post shared by BST Hyde Park headliner Noah Kahan.

The Someone You Loved singer could be seen standing in the studio, headphones on as he sang into a microphone.

‘There ain’t nothing to report, but I hope you’re bored and heading north,’ Noah captioned the post.

Soon after his Glastonbury 2023 appearance, Lewis cancelled a string of shows, explaining he needed to ‘spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come’.

In a heartfelt statement, he also addressed his fans: ‘Playing for you every night is all I’ve ever dreamed of so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I’ll be back as soon as I possibly can.’

His second album, Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent detailed his battles with anxiety and was released months before his hiatus.

Lewis’ Tourette’s syndrome was discussed in his Netflix documentary, How I’m Feeling Now, which was the last new release from him and included a new song.

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Singer Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, have been convicted in their $1,000,000 felony wire fraud case.

Sentencing is still to come but the Beautiful Girls hitmaker could face up to two decades in jail after first being arrested in May 2024.

Kingston – real name Kisean Anderson — and his mother were accused of defrauding businesses in a $1million (£774,173) wire fraud scheme.

This involved jewellery, luxury vehicles, and other goods, with his home raided after an investigation was sparked over a 17-foot TV installation.

They were found guilty on all five charges, which included one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud.

Kingston, 35, is on home detention as they await sentencing on July 11, according to TMZ.

In May, attorney Dennis Card accused Kingston of defrauding the Florida company that installed his mammoth TV set.

He told AP: ‘It is amazing what you can get away with if you are a celebrity.
‘He creates this larger than life, “I am rich” persona. His mother is a necessary component in this.

‘He presents himself as a family-oriented guy, “I’m taking care of my mom,” but she knows full well what is going on.’

Ver Ver Entertainment claimed in a lawsuit that Kingston contacted them in September 2023 about buying the huge $150,000 232-inch TV and having it installed.

The attorney continued that there was ‘basically a script’ in which the Eenie Meenie hitmaker uses his connections to Justin Bieber to ‘lure people in’.

‘[Kingston] puts on a big show here, this is a rental house, he doesn’t own it, and he lures people using his celebrity into having them release things without him paying for it and then he simply never pays,’ they accused.

Jeweller Moshe Edery testified during the trial, per NBC, claiming Kingston and Turner falsified a wire transfer for a luxury watch.

Kingston reportedly promised to introduce him to other celebrities to help grow his business, with Edery handing over a watch in exchange for $285,000 (£220,252).

The jeweller claimed he was fired from his job and blacklisted from the industry after the payment did not come through.

Each charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison, with sentencing for both Turner and Kingston in four months.

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Singing the James Bond theme song is almost as prestigious as playing 007 himself and one rising star is boldly putting her name forward.

Olivia Dean, 26, revealed she would love to do the next Bond song, humbly adding: ‘If they’ll have me. ‘

She would join the legacy of Adele, Sam Smith, Sir Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, Tina Turner, and the unforgettable Dame Shirley Bassey.

Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas O’Connell, co-wrote the last Bond hit No Time To Die, which secured an Oscar win in 2022.

But Olivia isn’t a stranger to writing big hits for British icons, as she was the voice behind It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be from Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy.

The Dive singer told The One Show: ‘I’ve never made a song before that’s, like, not from my own perspective. I very much chronicle my own emotions.’

She continued: ‘So it was quite fun to get into the Bridget Jones character. She’s a very classic icon for me. And it was really fun. I loved it.

‘I’d love to do it again. Next I’d like to do Bond. If they’ll have me, I will do it.’

Olivia’s sound is a neo-soul pop infusion, with her debut album Messy climbing up the UK charts to number four on release.

She was nominated for a Mercury Prize for the album in 2023, losing to Ezra Collective, but was named BBC Introducing’s Artist of the Year.

In 2024, the Time singer continued to grow and was nominated for three Brit Awards as well as making her Glastonbury debut on the Pyramid Stage.

Olivia has cited female singers like Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Adele, and The Supremes as influences.

Her bid for Bond comes as the franchise appears to be in a bit of free-fall with no new 007 named so far and a deal which sees Amazon take over creative control.

This came as siblings Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who have produced the Bond films together since 1995’s GoldenEye, stepped back.

Fans have expressed concern that the British icon will be Americanised and oversaturated.

It has now been revealed that Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the next film in the Bond series – with further details yet to be announced.

Speaking about taking on the next film, the Spider-Man producers said in a joint statement: ‘James Bond is one of the most iconic characters in the history of cinema.

‘We are humbled to follow in the footsteps of Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson who made so many extraordinary films and honoured and excited to keep the spirit of Bond very much alive as he embarks on his next adventure.’

Only time will tell what the future holds for Bond – and whether Olivia will be bringing her vocals to the franchise.

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The Lottery Winners took over Glastonbury in 2023 with a staggering six gigs over one weekend – but don’t ask them to do it again.

The You Again hitmakers, whose new album KOKO has secured this week’s number one album, have been hailed for their engaging and exciting live performances by fans and critics, and they pushed themselves to the limits at Worthy Farm two years ago.

Speaking exclusively to Metro outside Founder’s Hall in Manchester on Monday to launch PRS and the British Beer and Pub Association’s Pubs Go Live campaign, frontman Thom Rylance said: ‘That was too many gigs.

‘It was far too much. I didn’t see any other band, I only saw my band! It was just too many gigs. Everyone else loved it – I just wanted to enjoy a burger!’

‘People say we’re the best band to ever play Glastonbury,’ he said with a smirk and a laugh. ‘That’s not something I’d ever get involved in, but if a lot of people are saying it, like my Auntie Tracy…’

The Pubs Go Live campaign, which launched last Thursday and runs until Sunday, has been celebrating live music in its purest form, and Thom sees a direct link from small rooms to where the band are now.

They’ve supported the likes of Noel Gallagher, Nickelback and Avril Lavigne, with a stadium-sized tour this summer supporting new pal Robbie Williams.

‘We met our bass player, Katie Lloyd, in the local pub. If that never existed, I’d have never met her,’ he pointed out. ‘If it didn’t exist, because the pub was shut, I would not be playing in stadiums this year.’

Thom described pubs as a place he and his friends ‘lived every night’, as they gave birth to future hits and learned their craft.

‘I learned how to deal with so many situations from playing in those pubs,’ he laughed. ‘In the middle of a song, the doors bursting open and lots of dogs and police people coming in.’

Looking back on the unusual situation, he remembered the group launching into a Police cover.

‘They weren’t happy about it,’ he added with a cheeky smile. ‘You get to deal with a lot of different people, and that really does prepare you for the things that you want to do.

‘Like, our dream is to play in stadiums, and we’re lucky enough to be doing that.’

Lottery Winners wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for the work they put in up and down the country.

He pondered: ‘Pubs are so essential to bands like mine, who are trying to break into the scene, and try and learn how to be a live band – which is the most important part of being in a band, particularly at the moment in the way that the music industry works.’

He noted that the business as a whole is ‘broken’, and people need to start supporting live music in little rooms around their cities to keep ‘the only good thing’ alive.

‘Taking away those first steps into getting there could be so devastating to the whole industry and to our country culturally,’ he said.

Despite The Lottery Winners’ one-off return to pub gigs at Founder’s Hall – which saw them play four tracks to a special and incredibly intimate selection of fans – they’re getting a reputation as one of the UK’s best acts.

Two years ago, they topped the album charts with Anxiety Replacement Therapy, before pushing to do the same with recent release KOKO.

‘That is a win for grassroots music,’ Thom said of the band’s success. ‘But there will be no grassroots music unless we focus on this campaign.’

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US rapper Young Scooter died on Friday, which was his 39th birthday, after being hospitalised suddenly.

The star, real name Kenneth Edward Bailey, was known for his collaborative work with the likes of Future and Gucci Mane.

He was taken to Grady Marcus Trauma Center in Atlanta by emergency medical services, where he was pronounced dead, according to TMZ.

Bailey had been brought from the southeast side of the city, as per the Medical Examiner’s Office but it is currently unclear how he died.

According to Billboard, the hospitalisation may have been prompted by a leg wound, which the police revealed was caused by a fence.

Atlanta Police Lt. Andrew Smith held a news conference after the death, stating that officers responded to disruption with a weapon at a home.

After a man shut the door on them, they established a perimeter and two men attempted to flee from the back of the house.

One returned but the other, believed to be Bailey, jumped the fence, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Smith said, ‘When officers located him on the other side of the fence, he appeared to have suffered an injury to his leg.’

He denied the man was fatally shot by any officers, adding: ‘Just to be very clear, the injury that was sustained was not via the officers on scene. It was when the male was fleeing.’

An investigation is under way into the cause and manner of his death, with an autopsy set to be performed.

Bailey gained popularity in 2012 when he signed to Freebandz, a label owned by Future.

The next year he collaborated with Gucci Mane on the Free Bricks 2 mixtape as well as releasing another mixtape with numerous guest appearances.

His biggest hit was 2018’s Jet Lag with Future and Juice Wrld, which entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In tribute to Bailey, Playboi Carti shared a picture on Instagram Stories simply writing ‘SMFH’.

Migos rapper Quavo added two heartbroken emojis and said: ‘ion understand.’ 

Other fans and hip hop stars have also paid tribute across social media to the late rapper.

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Zayn Malik has shared a heartfelt message with fans after being forced to cancel his show at the last minute.

The former One Direction star has been on tour, performing to thousands of adoring fans in sold-out venues worldwide with his solo music—and even some nostalgic 1D tunes.

Last night, the Dusk Till Dawn hitmaker, 32, was due to take to the stage in Mexico City. Alas, he issued an emotional statement explaining he is ‘really sick’.

Taking to his Instagram Story, the pop star wrote: ‘I’m heartbroken to say that I won’t be able to perform tonight in Mexico City.

‘I’ve been really sick since this morning and despite trying everything to push through, my body just isn’t allowing it.

‘I’m so sorry to let you down.’

The Pillowtalk vocalist continued: ‘The love and energy I always feel from my fans means the world to me, and it hurts deeply to miss this moment with you.’

‘Thank you for your understanding, and please know I’m sending all my love to each of you x’, he signed off.

The Mexico City gig was to be Zayn’s last date on his Stairway to the Sky Tour, meaning his run of live shows has now come to an end.

In a post several hours later, Zayn reflected on the tour and divulged further details of his sickness, penning to his Mexican audience: ‘I love you even though myself and many of my crew got severe food poisoning… it’s no joke – still struggling.

‘To my fans, I’m so sorry – these shows have made me feel alive, happy, grateful & at home and that’s all because of you. These shows, your energy, your fan projects… filled me with so much love and with a feeling I can’t even describe. Big love’.

Taking to X upon hearing the news of Zayn’s cancellation on Friday night, fans expressed their sadness as they wished for his speedy recovery.

Others chimed in by speculating that the star’s voice has taken a beating since he ‘hardly does live tours’ so his vocals ‘aren’t used to the additional strain’ of ‘belting’ each night.

‘that’s why his voice was hoarsely during his speech at the end of the show last night :( [sic]’, wrote @tobesoolonelyy.

‘He needs to have a team that takes care of his voice and body, this is the third time this has happened IT CANNOT BE’, said @marxzayn.

‘Omw to fight whatever is making Zayn sick’, quipped @Eifieflare.

As fans have pointed out, this isn’t the first time the beloved musician has been forced to cancel a show this year.

Zayn last cancelled a gig at Newcastle City Hall, which was axed mere minutes before the curtain was due to lift.

He returned the next night, telling the audience and those who would inevitably watch on social media: ‘If you guys are seeing this online, I’m sorry I didn’t make the show yesterday.

‘My voice just wasn’t working at all. I needed a day to kind of rest, so I appreciate everybody showing the love and, you know, still being here.’

Zayn initially apologised profusely for having to cancel the Newcastle show ‘at such short notice’, as fans were already entering the venue.

‘My voice just isn’t there at all tonight and without it, there’s no show,’ he wrote on socials at the time

‘I’m truly sorry to let you down, especially at such short notice… I held onto hope until the very last moment,’ he added.

Zayn also rescheduled dates in Edinburgh last year, citing ‘unforeseen circumstances’.

It later transpired that the reason was so he could attend Liam Payne’s funeral along with his fellow ex-bandmates after Payne died on October 16.

He made a triumphant comeback days after saying a final goodbye to Payne, with former bandmate Louis Tomlinson even surprisingly tagging along in the audience for one concert, having ended their long-running feud in the wake of Payne’s tragic death.

The Strip That Down hitmaker has very much been an integral part of Zayn’s shows, as a tribute appeared on the screen each night as he left the stage.

Alongside a pink heart, a message read: ‘Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro.’

Speaking explicitly about his loss for the first time in person, Zayn shouted out his late ‘brother’ while performing in Payne’s hometown, Wolverhampton.

He said on the mic in November: ‘I’ve been doing something at the end of the show every night, and it’s been dedicated to my brother, Liam Payne. Rest in peace.’

Zayn continued: ‘I hope you’re seeing this; we’re in your hometown tonight, Wolverhampton; this is for you, Liam.’

Payne died at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at his hotel in Argentina, leaving behind his parents, two sisters, girlfriend Kate Cassidy, and eight-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with Cheryl.

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Johnny Mathis has cancelled all his tours from June 2025 onwards due to his age and memory issues.

The US singer, 89 – who was one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century – announced on his official Facebook page that due to his age and ‘memory issues’ the rest of his shows would not be going ahead as planned.

‘As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year,’ the post began, on the Gina hitmaker’s behalf.

It continued: ‘So, it is with sincere regret that due to Mr Mathis’ age and memory issues which have accelerated, we are announcing his retirement from touring & live concerts.’

The Grammy-winning singer is in the middle of his The Voice of Romance Tour, with dates onwards from June 2025 cancelled.

The heartfelt goodbye post was signed off with: ‘Johny Mathis & his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis fans worldwide for your continued love & support of his music! It’s truly been “Wonderful, Wonderful”.’

Johnny, who has a few shows left in Pennsylvania, Indiana and California, is scheduled to perform his final gig on May 18 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey. 

After floods of well wishes from fans, his official Facebook page confirmed that the final concerts will not, unfortunately, be filmed for the rest of his fans to enjoy.

While he is retiring from touring, Johnny will still be making music, the announcement said.

Fans also left their personal messages for Johnny, as Pamela Franklin said: ‘Always been my favorite singer since my Mom introduced his music to me when I was 2.

‘My husband and I have been married 55 years and OUR SONG since the first day is Johnny Mathis The Twelfth Of Never.’

Richard Mitnick said: ‘This is very sad. We were fortunate to see him in Worcester several years ago. Truly a class man with a golden voice. Thank you for the endless joy you’ve blessed us with!’

Mathis’ representative Robert Scott told USA Today that his memory issues don’t impact his ‘day-to-day’ life but touring has taken a toll on his health.

‘His voice is still wonderful, and it’s a shame that he won’t be able to share that with his audiences after May 18,’ Scott said. ‘He knows deep down that it’s time to call it a day.  He’s performed 69 consecutive years now (1956) without ever missing a beat.’

The crooner’s iconic silky voice is best known in hits including Misty, Chances Are, and his 1976 Christmas classic When a Child is Born. He also has six original Christmas albums.

The longest-running recording artist on Columbia Records, he recorded 53 studio albums between 1960 and 1990, carrying on for his dedicated fanbase when his crooner style fell behind the mainstream.

Talking about his career, Johnny once said: ‘The most fun I’ve had over the years is singing with my girlfriends: Dionne Warwick, Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight, and on and on.

‘That’s so fulfilling as a performer – working in tandem with someone else. That’s what I really cherish.’

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While performing at his intimate concert with Brandi Carlile, Sir Elton John shared his plans for his tombstone.

In honour of their new album, the pair took to the stage at The London Palladium for a one-off filmed performance: An Evening With Elton John & Brandi Carlile.

Before bringing out the instruments, the dynamic duo — who lived together while writing Who Believes in Angels? — took part in a Q&A, hosted by Dan Levy.

When speaking about his legacy, Sir Elton, 78, made it incredibly clear which song he did not want to be immortalised by.

‘I want nothing to do with Crocodile f***ing Rock,’ the Rocket Man declared. I just want it to say: “He was a great dad”.’

He shares his sons Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 12, with his husband David Furnish, 62.

Sir Elton spoke about how being a dad was the ‘greatest gift’ he could ever want and how his children still teach him things every day.

This mirrors his wishes first shared in December, at the Time Magazine honours in New York, where he said he wants his love for his children to be his legacy.

David and Sir Elton have been partners since 1993, tying the knot in 2014 after welcoming their two sons.

Speaking on the Ruthie’s Table 4 podcast previously, David revealed one of their strict dinnertime rules.

‘Meals are sacred. So, no phones at the table. No television on in the background,’ he said.

‘It’s all about conversation. It’s all about connection. It’s where we catch up because we all have busy lives, and we hear about each other’s days.’

During An Evening With Elton John & Brandi Carlile, the singing duo said they frequently holiday together and love spending time with each other’s kids.

The Right On Time singer has two daughters of a similar age — Evangeline Ruth, 10, and Elijah, 7 — whom she shares with her wife, Catherine Shepherd.

Throughout the evening’s Q&A, the pair dropped snippets of information about their time together, even having daily breakfast catchups before heading to the studio.

Speaking about the album before his birthday, Sir Elton shared on Instagram: ‘This record was one of the toughest i’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.

‘It has given me a place where I know I can move forward. ‘Who Believes In Angels?’ feels like going into another era and I’m pushing the door open to come into the future.

‘I decided I wanted to make an album with @brandicarlile because our friendship was so close, and I just knew the instinct that we could produce something really, really amazing.

‘Along with my long-term collaborator @bernietaupinofficial and friend and ally @ThisIsWatt, we decided to go into the studio and try and make a truly collaborative album inspired from our musical heroes and our journey together. We started from scratch, with a blank notepad and a world-class band of legendary session musicians.

‘It was one of the most difficult creative processes I’ve ever been through, but I couldn’t be prouder of the outcome. I wanted to make this record with Brandi because I knew what she’s capable of, and I wanted to sing and play with her because I knew it would be special.’

An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile will air on Saturday 19th April on ITV1 and ITVX.

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It’s been over 10 years since Ed Sheeran first burst onto the music scene, and he’s already planning his retirement – sooner than you think.

The 34-year-old singer has dropped over 26 Top 10 hits, with 14 of those securing a number one.

He’s getting ready to release a brand new album, which will move away from his mathematics series (Plus, Multiply, Divide, Subtract and Equals).

While on Jimmy Fallon, Ed revealed he has his next collection planned out, which will also be his last five albums.

The Shape Of You hitmaker plans to wrap up his singing career after 10 unique studio albums, inspired by filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.

‘I wanted to do 10,’ explained Ed on the show. ‘I’m kind of a bit obsessed with [Quentin] Tarantino, and I heard he was doing 10 films, and he’s got his side projects like Grindhouse.

‘I wanna do my 10 and then every now and then do a side project.’

His next collection will include albums called ‘Pause’, ‘Fast Forward’, ‘Rewind’ and ‘Stop’, an idea he’s had since he was 18.

Play, the first of these five, is set to be released soon with the A-Team singer usually taking two to three years per record.

He debuted the first single Old Phone while on the American talk show, playing an acoustic version but promising an official single was on its way.

Old Phone was inspired by Ed’s copyright battle in 2016 when he was sued for $20,000,000 over Photograph, which was settled the following year.

Last year’s album Autumn Variations fits into these ‘side projects’ as it is not part of his two major collections.

Ed is also doing ‘continuous work’ on a life-spanning album which will be released upon his death.

‘I kind of want to make an album for the whole of my life where you put different songs on and then it’s in your will that it comes out the day you die, and it’s called “Eject”,’ he told Jimmy.

‘Imagine if when [Paul] McCartney passes away and there’s a record that he’s made that has a song from he’s 16, there’s a song from when he’s 20, there’s a song from when he’s 30. It’d be fascinating.’

It’s unclear how much Ed has recorded for this album so far but at the pace he’s releasing music, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had some vault tracks locked away.

Responding to a fan asking him to choose a wedding song for them, the Thinking Out Loud star said: ‘Depends when you’re getting married, coz there’s a fair few new options coming soon.’

After teasing new track, Sapphire, Ed also said that Play will return to a bigger pop sound than what he’s been diving into more recently.

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Will Smith has been a beloved household name since his memorable debut on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air which launched the star to have a successful acting and music career.

A shocking moment at the 2022 Oscars sparked a major setback in his reputation but he’s putting all that behind him with a new album.

Based on a True Story – which comes out today – is the latest musical project from the 56-year-old Hollywood heavyweight which will be his first since 2005.

The I Am Legend’s biggest hits include Gettin’ Jiggy wit It, Miami, Wild Wild West and the Men In Black title song, which he performed at Coachella last year with J Balvin.

And while those tracks are still very much featured heavily in people’s party playlist two decades on, Will leaned more into acting and has since starred in the biggest blockbusters including, Hitch, Hancock, The Pursuit of Happyness, and King Richard – which earned him his first Oscar win.

For the majority of his stellar career, Will was dubbed as Hollywood’s ‘nice guy’ with many notable names in the industry having nothing but positive words to say about the entertainer, however, that all changed on March 27, 2022.

Nobody could have predicted that the 94^th Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, was going to end up in a physical altercation between two acting legends, taking the world by storm.

Will infamously slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head. 

While on stage, Chris joked that Jada looked like ‘G.I. Jane’ due to her bald head, resulting in Will storming on stage and shouting: ‘Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth,’ before hitting the comedian. 

After resigning from the Academy the following week while many were calling for the actor’s Oscar win for King Richard to be revoked, Will was banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years.

He publicly apologised to Madagascar actor Chris, 60, in a nearly six-minute video, and to this day has only commented on the situation in his 2023 Netflix comedy special Selective Outrage. 

On whether Chris would accept the opportunity to return to Hollywood’s most prestigious award ceremony in the future, he recently told Variety: ‘You never know. This is what I would say, the most miserable people on earth are people that can’t forgive. And not just people, you have to forgive yourself sometimes, too. So, hey, you never know… I live in forgiveness. True love starts at forgiveness.’

Action thriller Emancipation, was Will’s Smith’s first post-Slap, which was released in December 2022.

During the film’s press run, the Hitch actor apologised for his actions and the film received a lukewarm reception.

Jada, who revealed in 2023 that she and Will had been separated but still married since 2016, appeared on The One Show and said the slap was the moment she realised she was going to stay with her husband. 

‘I knew it was going to be an intense reaction,’ she said on the show. ‘And that was the moment that I decided that I was going to stay by his side.’

Reflecting on how the situation impacted her relationship with Will, she said: ‘You know, it’s funny how intense situations can amplify love, and it was a pretty difficult time, but it definitely drew us closer. So yeah, it’s crazy how things work.’ 

However, Bad Boys: Ride Or Die, which premiered last summer, was a huge victory for the actor as it passed $400million worldwide at the box office.

And although we don’t know when he’ll next appear on the big screen (rumours have claimed the I Am Legend sequel is reportedly in the works with Michael B Jordan) The Pursuit of Happyness is ready to share his new music with the world.

He told Billboard in January that he envisions Based on a True Story as three albums that will be released throughout 2025, looks like we’re going to be hearing a lot from Will this year.

According to the four-time Grammy winner, part one which is titled Rave in A Wasteland, is ‘about the idea of learning to dance in your darkest moment’ which he wrote directly ‘after the Oscars.’

Part two is titled The Gift of Madness and is expected to come out this June, and the third releasing at the end of the year.

It doesn’t stop there as Will recently confirmed his upcoming tour on Instagram.

‘I’M GOING ON TOUR THIS SUMMER!! We’re hitting up UK & Europe to bring U all the hits, some new joints, and a few surprises ;-),’ Will wrote.

‘All these years, I’ve NEVER done a headline tour and I can’t wait to see you guys!!’

He has already dropped lead single Beautiful Scars which features Big Sean, plus longtime collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff, Teyana Taylor, and his son Jaden.

It’s possible the promised surprises are guest spots from some of these big names or others nestled in his back catalogue.

Regardless of how you feel about the megastar post-slap, Will is undeniably one of the most multifaceted A-listers in the game and it’s clear that he wants the chance for fans to get to know the real him following the noise that’s surrounded him in the last three years.

If the tracks are as catchy and anything like Miami and Summertime, then 2025 is set to be a great year for music.

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It’s been three years since Abba opened their unbelievable show Voyage — and they’re about to give fans even more.

‘When we first opened we never imagined that we’d still be in London 3 years on,’ the band shared. ‘We’re very grateful that so many of you have joined us.’

Abba — Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad — stunned the world when they announced they would be putting on a full holographic show.

Their ‘abbatars’ perform seven days a week at the purpose-built, 3,000-capacity venue in East London and have raked in over £1.4billion for the UK economy since opening.

‘Of course, the reason for us being able to sustain our concert for so long is because of our incredible audience. As we say in Sweden… Vilken resa!’ the band continued.

‘So, to celebrate we’ll be adding a little something to our concert from the 27th of May to thank you for your love and support. We hope you enjoy it!’

The ‘little something’ is a rumoured three songs added to the set list, which is already bursting with hit tracks like Mamma Mia, The Winner Takes It All and Voulez-Vous.

According to The Sun, Abba originally shot extra footage in 2020 while recording the show at Ealing Studios in West London.

The new tracks are reportedly favourites Super Trouper, Take A Chance On Me and Money, Money, Money.

Changes will come in on the third anniversary of the show opening, on Tuesday, May 27, after a short two-week break to reset and test the new set.

Abba Voyage is currently open for booking until January 2026 after huge critical acclaim.

Attendees have praised the show’s mind-blowing special effects as well as the opportunities to sing and dance your heart out.

Last year, London Mayor Sadiq Khan praised Voyage, calling it ‘an enduring testament to Abba’s timeless popularity.’

‘Abba Voyage has been a phenomenal success story for London, boosting our economy by more than £1bn and showing again why our capital is a global leader for music and culture,’ he said in a statement.

‘The fantastic show is an enduring testament to Abba’s timeless popularity, as well as providing cultural, financial and social benefits.

‘London is proud to host Abba Voyage and we look forward to continuing to welcome fans from far and wide to see this unique concert as we build a better London for everyone.’

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Glastonbury has unveiled yet another 2025 stage poster, and fans are calling the lineup ‘unreal’ despite a massive clash confirmation.

Stages like Acoustic and Field of Avalon have already been revealed, while the Pyramid and Other stage headliners were the first to be announced.

Next up is West Holts, featuring a ‘multinational selection of artists spanning hip hop, soul, dance, reggae, Afro, psyche & jazz’.

Last year, the stage was shut down during The Sugababes’ set due to overcrowding — and this year’s acts could be just as popular.

Headlining West Holts on Friday night is British electronic duo Maribou State, bringing hits like Midas, Steal, and Feel Good ft Khruangbin.

Closing the stage on Sunday is another electronic duo; this time, it’s Welsh brothers Ed and Tom Russell, better known as Overmono.

However, Saturday’s headliner is where fans might feel incredibly torn as US rapper Doechii is taking to the stage.

The Denial is a River hitmaker is likely to be on stage at the same time as Charli XCX, creating a conundrum for chart fans.

Doechii has had a meteoric rise after releasing her album, mirroring that of Charli’s Brat last summer.

It was confirmed by Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac on their Sidetracked podcast that Charli will headline the Other Stage, along with Loyle Carner and The Prodigy.

Organisers might be hoping Doechii can pull enough Glasto-goers away from the Apple hitmaker’s set to ease any overcrowding fears.

Also on this new announcement are the likes of Kneecap, Greentea Peng, corto.alto, Amaarae, and Parcels.

US group Infinity Song were also confirmed for West Holts after accidentally self-confirming and posting they will be at Glastonbury ‘for the first time’.

Fans were loving the lineup, with conor_hale on X declaring Overmono closing ‘the stuff dreams are made of’.

‘Looks like my Friday and Saturday nights will be living it up at West Holts!’ praised MrWayneyB as Goronlife said: ‘That’s unreal.’

‘Overmono on west holts will slap,’ added kxrb02 as InvisiblezLama shared: ‘Doechii is a huge get and will be looked back on as a big artist.’

Meanwhile, there’s plenty of huge names still to be revealed on the festival lineup joining the likes of Raye, Biffy Clyro, The Scissor Sisters, and Franz Ferdinand.

Previously self-confirmed Neil Young is on the Pyramid Stage as well as Olivia Rodrigo and the slightly controversial The 1975, fronted by Matty Healy.

Sir Rod Stewart is our Sunday legend, teasing that he was bringing something special to the legendary festival.

There are still some heavily rumoured names in the mix, from The Wombats to Haim, with 20 stage lineups to be revealed, including Arcadia, Woodsies and the iconic Pyramid.

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Si King is best known as one half of double act The Hairy Bikers but now he’s ready to show the world his hidden talent that ‘nobody really knows about’.

Long before he became a beloved TV chef with best friend Dave Myers, Si had begun touring and playing the drums for various bands.

As food took priority, music continued to be a huge part of the 58-year-old star’s life behind the scenes – with his constant drumming habits getting on his mate’s nerves.

‘Oh he loved it,’ laughed Si as he spoke to Metro. ‘I used to drive him mad, he’d go: “For god sake man, will you stop tapping? Can we just listen to the track? Do you have to sing it as well?”

‘I’d go “Alright, fair enough” and then do it anyway. He’d just put up with it.’

Dave, who died last year at age 66, was ‘really supportive’ of Si’s second career in bands like Groovetrain, who he is set to perform with this weekend.

Si recalled: ‘He used to come to the festivals that we used to do, get p***ed and jump up and down by the side of the stage. It was great! He was just lush.’

Music has been ‘enormously’ influential in Si’s grieving process, with the chef sharing he ‘couldn’t live without it’.

‘It really tough,’ he shared, choking up slightly as he spoke. ‘It’s a different type of grief because it’s not family, but it is family, and it’s just different.

‘There’s a schism to it. It’s hard to verbalise.’

In his current tour, Si has included a moving tribute to his friend of 30 years by covering Angel From Montgomery by John Prine and Bonnie Raitt.

He explained: ‘Dave and I used to listen to it and remember the people and the places that we’d left. Not left behind, but we certainly had left and now had different life experiences to most of the people that we grew up with, and it was always very evocative that track so, that’s why I play it because it reminds me of my best mate.

‘Even though he’s passed, he doesn’t stop being your best mate. People forget that, I think, sometimes.’

Now the Hairy Bikers has come to an end, Si is using the time to embrace his musical side more and actually let people know about it.

Groovetrain are set to perform at London’s The Water Rats on Saturday, March 29, a venue which has played host to legends like Jimi Hendrix and Roxy Music.

The Northern band’s setlist feature covers and original music, bringing a funk and soul sound that he hopes will get everyone dancing.

Tickets are on sale now through Skiddle, and the star is eager for fans to see him like they’ve never seen him before – even singing a few tracks.

‘I mean, granted, most of the nation’s seen me take my clothes off, jump into freezing cold pools, get slapped with birch twigs, all that sort of stuff -but never on stage,’ Si joked.

Groovetrain will also take to the stage at Carfest later this summer as part of their festival run, although there’s no Glastonbury slot in the works.

‘If me and the boys could go to Glastonbury and play that, we’d be over the moon,’ he said.

Si agreed with Metro that the band would be perfect for an afternoon set on Worthy Farm’s Park Stage, ‘just having great craic with everybody’.

‘I’ll just be shameless and say if anybody wants to invite us, we’re cheap,’ he added.

‘That’s the whole thing about me being a musician, I haven’t worked out how to make any money out of it. It’s only ever cost me money!’

Rebranding as a drummer almost 20 years into your career might seem like an odd choice, but for Si, food and music have always been ‘indivisible’.

‘I think any human being that’s creative when you get to this point in your life, there’s more than two sides,’ he explained. ‘There’s the music, there’s travel, there’s food, there’s life experience, there’s a bit of wisdom.

‘Only a fool thinks they’re a wise man, but it’s just about a lived experience, and I’m very pleased to say that I’ve had a very, very privileged life, in the sense that I’ve done many, many things and been in many places.’

He worked out that together, he and Dave had travelled over 650,000 miles – a ‘mental’ distance that equates to reaching the moon and back.

‘Music is appropriate to what’s on your plate,’ Si added. ‘It’s another area of cultural recognition.’

As for what Si wants on his plate while touring, the Hairy Bikers legend laughed again and shared he’s always keen for a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea.

The simple dish has always been his answer for a death row meal, which he joked highlighted the difference between the two bikers.

‘Dave would be like: “I want a 25 course tasting menu”, he shared. ‘I’d say he’d never get through it. He’d be like, “Well, I don’t wanna die straight away, can make that last at least two days.”

‘What’s the point? I just want to scran it and then get me ‘ead chopped off or whatever they’re gonna do. That’s the difference between us, just hilarious.’

Si and Groovetrain will perform at The Water Rats, London on Saturday, March 29.

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A surf company has reportedly sued Lady Gaga over Mayhem, her new album, days after she announced a mammoth tour.

Lost International, a lifestyle and surf brand, filed a $100,000,000 trademark infringement lawsuit against the Abracadabra hitmaker.

The company, who has owned the trademark since 2015, said some of her merchandise is ‘substantially similar if not nearly identical to’ the stylised logo.

Reportedly, Lost alleges that Gaga has ‘attempted to misappropriate the “Mayhem” name, trademark, and stylized mark by releasing an album called Mayhem, launching a tour with that same name, and selling clothing and accessories with that name.’

The suit, seen by Rolling Stone, was filed on Tuesday, March 25, and claims the group attempted to give notice about the alleged infringement.

However, Gaga’s lawyer hit back, stating it was a ‘disappointing’ and ‘opportunistic abuse of the legal system’.

In a statement, Orin Snyder, said: ‘Lady Gaga’s Mayhem soared to No. 1 and shattered records, a testament to her unmatched talent and global impact. It’s disappointing —but hardly surprising — that someone is now attempting to capitalize on her success with a baseless lawsuit over the name Mayhem.

‘This is nothing more than an opportunistic and meritless abuse of the legal system.”

The filing comes less than a month after Gaga dropped the album, soaring into the charts with some new recession pop classics.

Days ago, the Bloody Mary singer confirmed that she will be taking the Mayhem Ball on the road across the US – where she will be headlining Coachella – as well as the UK and Europe from July.

This will mark the 38-year-old’s first arena tour since 2018, with presale tickets dropping for all dates on March 31 before general sale on April 3.

Sharing the tour poster on Instagram, the Telephone star wrote: ‘I wasn’t planning to tour this year after my shows in Singapore but the incredible response to the new album inspired me to keep things going.

‘It came together super quickly thanks to Arthur Fogel and the amazing team at Live Nation, who planned a global tour in just a few weeks.

‘We chose arenas this time to give me the opportunity to control the details of the show in a way you simply can’t in stadiums – and honestly, I can’t wait.

‘This show is designed to be the kind of theatrical and electrifying experience that brings MAYHEM to life exactly how I envision it.

‘The MAYHEM Ball Tour is officially coming your way. See you soon, monsters.’

Unsurprisingly, fans went into meltdown at the thought of seeing Gaga back on stage again where she belongs.

Flocking to the comments below her announcement, Iamfaelz screamed: ‘OMG???? THE MAYHEM BALL IS REAL!!! I’M SO EXCITED AAAAAA [sic].’

Lousuleau agreed: ‘We gotta pray that I can get tickets to this sis but hope to see you soon [sic].’

‘Why does it feel like it’s been 84 years since you last toured but I’m ready,’ Sethxtyler posted.

Zachsom was all of us, simply adding: ‘OH MY GAGA.’

Following stints in Mexico, Brazil and Singapore, the Grammy-winner is set to begin her tour in Las Vegas on July 16, before heading to Seattle, New York, Miami, Toronto and Chicago.

September 29 currently marks the start of her UK and Europe run of dates, with three dates at the O2 in London before taking the party to Manchester.

Her spell in London will be the first time that Gaga has performed at the O2 since October, 2014 during her ArtRave run of gigs – she did perform at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2022.

Gaga will then perform in Stockholm, Milan, Barcelona, Berlin, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Lyon before ending her Mayhem Ball in Paris at the end of November.

‘This is my first arena tour since 2018,’ the Shallow musician said. ‘There’s something electric about a stadium, and I love every moment of those shows.

‘But with the Mayhem Ball, I wanted to create a different kind of experience – something more intimate – closer, more connected – that lends itself to the live theatrical art I love to create.’

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Singer Duffy looks set for a big music comeback after remixing one of her most iconic songs into a funky remix and fans are obsessed.

The Welsh singer-songwriter and actress, 40, whose real name is Aimée Anne Duffy – broke out in early 2008 with her international smash hit Mercy.

Her debut album Rockferry sold over two million copies in the UK, and its success was followed up with three Brit Awards and a Grammy for best pop vocal.

However, Duffy vanished from the music industry in 2011, with a planned third album unexpectedly shelved and several tour appearances suddenly cancelled.

While the singer has been under the radar in the last few years, she surprised fans with a garage remix to her hit track.

In the video the singer is seen miming the lyrics with club visuals appearing with the lyrics in front.

Fans expressed their excitement in the comments with @robbierollie writing: ‘I’m overwhelmed with happiness. So good to see you Duffy!’

Dedicated fan page @duffynews added: ‘It is so good to see her face.’

@robbiepdk commented: ‘Oh my god I am SO excited!!!’

What happened to Duffy?

Hailing from Bangor in Wales, Duffy went on to win three Brit Awards and her debut record proved more successful than even Adele’s 19, which in 2008 only sold 500,000 albums in the UK after its release in January that year.

The year later Duffy – devoted to her beloved Wales – turned down a role in a Hollywood film to star in a movie called Patagonia about Welsh Argentines.

After splitting from her management company Rough Trade – the team behind Rockferry – Duffy then dropped her second album, Endlessly, in 2010 which was received tepidly when compared to the rip-roaring success of Rockferry.

In February 2011, it was announced Duffy would be taking an indefinite break from music, but that she planned on releasing another album at some point.

A statement from her representative at the time simply said she was taking a break before starting on her next album, but a friend was quoted saying she was ready to settle down and ‘live in the country’ with her international Welsh rugby player boyfriend Mike Phillips. They broke up in May that year.

The source added, as per Wales Online: ‘She’s really down about the last album, Endlessly. It didn’t sell well and charted terribly and she isn’t trying again and making a comeback. She wants to have a quiet life and start over.’

But the third album never came. Apart from a brief reappearance in the film Legend, in which she beautifully sang the poignant 1960s crooner Make The World Go Away in a dusty bar, no one heard from her again.

That’s until 2020, when Duffy bravely revealed that her absence was not due to a second album flop, or the pressures of fame – as some assumed – but because of an unimaginable experience she endured where she was subjected to a kidnap plot.

‘You can only imagine the amount of times I thought about writing this. The way I would write it, how I would feel thereafter,’ she began in a raw post.

Duffy revealed she’d spent her time away from the spotlight trying to deal with the traumatic experience.

She added: ‘But I can tell you in the last decade, the thousands and thousands of days I committed to wanting to feel the sunshine in my heart again, the sun does now shine.’

‘You wonder why I did not choose to use my voice to express my pain? I did not want to show the world the sadness in my eyes. I asked myself, how can I sing from the heart if it is broken? And slowly it unbroke.’

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Zayn Malik shocked fans last night with a surprise performance of a hit One Direction song for the first time in over a decade.

The 32-year-old singer took to the stage on the 10th anniversary of his exit from the beloved boyband and sang Night Changes for the crowd.

After so long away from the band, fans certainly didn’t expect him to open his sold-out arena show with the emotional track.

‘It’s the first time I’ve sung that song in 10 years. Thank you, that was amazing, I almost cried at one point,’ he told the crowd.

On March 25, 2015, Zayn was the first to leave One Direction, causing meltdowns and anger among the dedicated Directioners.

He said at the time he wanted to ‘relax’ and live the life of a normal 22-year-old but has said since this wasn’t the whole truth.

On the Call Her Daddy podcast in 2023, he revealed that the band were just ‘sick’ of each other at that point, and he decided to get out first.

Over the years, Zayn has kept a distance from his boyband beginnings with many fans speculating that he would never reunite with the group.

However, after the heartbreaking death of bandmate Liam Payne last year, the Pillowtalk singer has softened on his feelings towards 1D.

In Mexico, for the anniversary, Zayn sang Night Changes – the last single he ever recorded with Liam, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles.

The song originally charted in the UK Top 10 but became particularly poignant after Liam’s death and re-entered the charts at number six last year.

The lyrics to Night Changes include: ‘We’re only gettin’ older, baby/ And I’ve been thinkin’ about it lately/Does it ever drive you crazy/Just how fast the night changes?’

Later in the chorus, the band sings ‘But there’s nothin’ to be afraid of/ Even when the night changes/ It will never change me and you.’

Zayn, who sings the first verse with Liam on the original version, was barely audible over the screams from emotional fans when the track started.

In January, during his Stairway to the Sky tour, he told the crowd in Washington D.C.: ‘Maybe I’ll mix it up at some point, maybe a 1D song in there or something.’

As the crowd roared, the I Don’t Want To Live Forever hitmaker quickly added: ‘Don’t get excited, not tonight! Sorry, I didn’t mean to tease you like [that] it’s not tonight.’

While in Liam’s hometown of Wolverhampton, Zayn paid tribute to his late bandmate, speaking for the first time publicly after his death.

On stage, he said: ‘I’ve been doing something, at the end of the show, every night, and it’s been dedicated to my brother Liam Payne. Rest in peace.’

The History hitmaker continued: ‘I hope you’re seeing this, we’re in your hometown tonight, Wolverhampton, this is for you, Liam.’

Liam tragically died at the age of 31 on October 16 after falling from a hotel balcony while abroad.

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The BBC has censored the Spice Girls’ hit song Spice Up Your Life due to a certain line.

Spice Up Your Life was a massive hit when it was released in 1997 and sung by the band comprised of Mel B, Melanie C, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckham.

The song was one of their top five best-selling songs from the band and charted in the top 20 for six weeks and the top 40 for 12.

The song was an undeniable hit and is still being played on the radio – but an edited version.

Radio 2, among other stations,is now playing a censored version of the Spice Girls hit, with the word ‘yellow’ removed when playing on Scott Mills’ Breakfast show. 

The lyric was: ‘Yellow man in Timbuktu. Colour for both me and you.’

A music insider told The Sun: ‘Spice Up Your Life is a piece of pop music history — it’s baffling that the Beeb have decided to censor it.

‘The [band] are singing in celebration of people from all walks of life. It’s clumsy but not insulting. 

‘There haven’t been calls to change it so it’s odd they have decided to do so.’

A Radio 2 representative told The Sun that the edit was not made by them and other UK stations are also playing a censored version of the song.

In 2019, the group apparently considered replacing ‘yellow man’ with ‘happy man’ while they were on a reunion tour.

However, this was scrapped, and the band sang the original lyrics on stage.

In a Doctor Who episode in 2023, the lyric was also censored as characters spoke over the lyrics.

The band is rumoured to be looking at another reunion, this time with all five of the bandmates, after Victoria decided to stay out of the 2019 reunion.

In February 2025, Melanie C dropped a huge update on the highly anticipated reunion, vowing she’s ready to ‘start planning’ it.

Speaking to Rebecca Judd on Apple Music 1: ‘There has to be something befitting of 30 years since Wannabe.

‘Once a Spice Girl, always a Spice Girl. We all feel like that, but we now are getting together because we know if we’re going to do anything, we have to start planning things to get things right.

‘We have to start making the plans right now and putting them into action. So fingers crossed.’

Metro has reached out to Spice Girls and BBC for comment.

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Glastonbury has continued its reveal of each stage lineup and the Field of Avalon has some heavy hitters ready to rock.

On Saturday, it was announced that the Acoustic Stage would play host to the last ever The Searchers gig along with 28 other new acts.

This comes after confirming Pyramid Stage headliners Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo, and the slightly controversial The 1975.

Sir Rod Stewart is our Sunday legend, while Other Stage will be headlined by Loyle Carner, The Prodigy and Charli XCX — with fans already concerned about overcrowding.

Today, the iconic festival announced the Avalon stage would host Eurovision rocker Sam Ryder, days after he released new music.

Sam, 35, almost took the UK to victory at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest and has just returned to music after a small break.

He’s not the only pop act on the list, as rising star Rachel Chinouriri is set to perform after opening for Sabrina Carpenter on tour.

Her tracks Never Need Me and All I Ever Asked gained popularity on TikTok and she played a string of festivals last year and the year before.

Paris Paloma, another viral TikTok star for her hit track Labour, will also be on this stage.

Jazz-pop icon Jamie Cullum is on the lineup as well as Tom Walker, Orla Gartland, The Fratellis and The Amy Winehouse Band.

Other names announced include Ash, The Big Moon, Alabama 3, Bear’s Den, Bess Atwell, Brooke Combe, Fulu, Hard-Fi, The Horne Section, Jade Bird, The Magic Numbers, and Terrorvision.

Glastonbury is taking place from Wednesday, June 25 – 29, with resale tickets predicted to go on sale soon.

Alanis Morissette, Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams, and US rap star Doechii, will all make their debuts at the prestigious event, while Wolf Alice, Wet Leg, Fatboy Slim, and Scissor Sisters are set to return.

This has been a year of self-confirming slip ups after Neil Young decided to confirm before backtracking and then making another U-turn before the lineup reveal.

Lola Young also had an accidental self-confirm at the Brit Awards, telling fans she was at Coachella and Glastonbury while on the red carpet.

US band Infinity Song also confirmed they would be heading to Worthy Farm, despite the band missing on the poster.

There are still some heavily rumoured names in the mix, from The Wombats to Haim, with 20 stage lineups to be revealed including Woodsies, West Holts and the Pyramid.

It was confirmed that once the festival has finished this year, it will not return in 2026 in order to give the land ‘a rest’.

Organiser Emily Eavis, whose farmer father Michael started the festival in 1970, told The Sun: ‘(It will) give the land a rest. The festival before a fallow year is always a fun one to plan, because you almost have to fit two years into one.

‘We’re already in talks with some acts for it. It’s exciting!’

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On March 25, 2015, devastating news reached the ears of One Direction fans worldwide – Zayn Malik was leaving the band.

‘My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined,’ the then 22-year-old singer said in a statement.

‘But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I’d like to apologise to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right.’

The dramatic fallout was similar to Beatlesmania or the Take That split, with fans bawling their eyes out and feeling ‘resentment’ toward the Bradford-born singer.

While Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson continued as a four-piece, it was the start of the end for the biggest boyband in the world.

Now, a decade on and after the heartbreaking news of Liam’s death at age 31 last year, Directioners are seeing Zayn’s exit through fresh eyes.

‘People always talk about how they can remember where they were for historical events, but I genuinely can remember exactly where I was,’ fan Liv Cox told Metro.

She was in the car with her mum, heading home from school when they flicked onto Radio 1, which was half through playing What Makes You Beautiful.

‘I was singing along, having a lovely time,’ Liv continued. ‘Then after the song finished, it was Greg James presenting at the time and he said, “Is it too soon?” And my stomach dropped.’

Greg broke the news, leaving the dedicated Directioner in ‘stunned silence’ – to the point her mum was getting concerned.

‘I was just completely silent. I went up to my bedroom, just sat there and sobbed for about two hours.’

Emily Bashforth explained how she struggled to feel ‘normal’ as her ‘whole world changed forever’ with a ‘pit of sadness’ in her stomach after reading the announcement.

Metro reporter Meghna Amin shared that it felt like ‘the beginning of the end’ for the beloved band.

She added: ‘The only member of the band from a similar background to mine was now not representing our community in the band, which felt like they were cutting out a big audience in some ways.’

This ‘out of the blue’ feeling was partly due to the group being mid-tour at the time, having just played Hong Kong the week before.

Zayn, 32, said he wanted to have some ‘private time’ away from the spotlight, denying any rumours of a rift between himself and his bandmates.

Even though things seemed amicable, Meghna notes there was pressure from fans to ‘pick a side’ and either support the remaining four-piece or Zayn.

‘You were either seen as defending him and then being “against” the rest of the band, or vice versa,’ she said.

Emily, who was 15 at the time, said there was ‘an instant feeling of resentment’ towards Zayn for shattering her beloved band.

‘He was part of the world’s biggest boyband, living a life of luxury with millions worshipping his every move—how could he just leave that behind?’

Fan and One Direction TikToker Ben Pease told Metro: ‘I was angry, and I did take sides, I was very much in favour of the band.’

It was a year before Zayn would release any solo music, raising eyebrows within the fandom about how his ‘break’ hadn’t been very long.

In interviews since, the I Don’t Wanna Live Forever hitmaker has said the writing was on the wall for the band, who eventually split in 2017, he just jumped ship first.

Revelations about each bandmate’s mental health have drastically changed the perception of Zayn’s exit for a lot of fans.

Ben, once angry at the decision, now calls it a ‘really brave thing’ to put your mental health before your career at such a precarious point.

He continued: ‘There was so much pressure on him. He was such a big part of people’s lives in One Direction, it was such a huge cultural phenomenon.

‘It must have been so difficult to walk away from that, and decide to go it alone without the support of four more guys the same age around you. So I think it was really brave, and I have a lot of respect for him.’

Emily thinks it’s ‘not surprising’ one of the ‘overworked’ former X Factor stars – who became famous at 16 – had decided to pull the plug.

‘Fast forward 10 years, and I can only thank the Lord that Zayn was brave enough to take that step for the sake of his mental health, in spite of the immense backlash he would inevitably face,’ she added.

Liv, who felt herself shift away from the band after his exit partly due to getting older, added: ‘I don’t think it was necessarily a bad thing.

‘I wouldn’t go as far as saying it was a good thing for them. I think that last album would have been great with him on it, and it would have been nice for them to just finish that final chapter together.

‘It was strange not to hear his solos, and I feel like he was so known for his ad-libs, so those extra qualities he brought, I definitely noticed the absence.’

Meghna believes it was the ‘best decision for all of them’, while it was devastating at the time ‘someone had to be the first to go’.

This softened approach is undoubtedly influenced by the loss of Liam, who openly discussed his struggle in the spotlight and from their relentless schedule.

Zayn himself appears to have warmed to his boyband history, singing Night Changes on stage for the first time on the anniversary of his exit.

‘Had Liam never gone to his audition for The X Factor, it’s hard not to wonder whether he’d still be alive today,’ Emily reflected sadly.

‘Zayn leaving the band when he did makes me realise now, as I’m older and the chaos of 1D mania has quietened, just how bad things must have got. That’s not to say Liam should’ve left too, because it was always apparent he loved what he did.

‘However, Zayn’s exit should’ve been a wake-up call. And now, I can say honestly that I’m so proud of him, because he put his health and safety before what seemed on the surface to be the most magical thing in the world, and that courage is what I’ll always admire.’

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Brighton Pride is set to be one of the biggest gigs of the year with Mariah Carey and the Sugababes taking to the stage.

Now the organisers have revealed the full star-studded lineup and there’s some huge names including Loreen and Confidence Man.

Living up to the reputation of ‘Britain’s biggest Pride event’ the festival is scheduled to take place at Preston Park on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3.

Mariah is bringing her vocal runs and belting notes as Saturday’s headliner while Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Siobhan Donaghy will close Sunday’s show.

Before the Obsessed hitmaker takes to the stage, electro-pop band Confidence Man will return after previously playing in 2023.

They’re joined by Will Young, Natalie Imbruglia, Ashnikko, Slaayter, Andy Bell, Sonique and Ultra Nate on the lineup.

Glam rockers Sister Sledge ft Kathy Sledge are also set to steal the show with hits like We Are Family and Thinking of You.

This year Brighton Pride is taking a page out of Glastonbury’s book and introduing a dedicated Icons slot, with Sister Sledge and Erasure’s Andy Bell in the inaugural slots.

Will Young is making his debut at the festival, showcasing hits such as Leave Right Now and All Time Love.

Across the weekend fans will also be able to catch a glimpse of Gok Wan at various events but he will headline Saturday’s Pleasuredome stage too.

There are over 150 LGBTQ+ artists set to perform across the weekend, with Pride on the Park hosting an additional array stages, immersive experiences and entertainment zones across the park including Queertown, The Cocoa Butter Stage, The Pleasuresome, Legends Cabaret Stage and more.

The annual LGBTQ+ Community Parade will kickstart Pride weekend with this year’s theme of Ravishing Rage encouraging the community to ‘be louder than ever, shine brighter than before, dance in protest and march in celebration because fury never felt so fierce!’

Managing Director Paul Kemp said: ‘This year’s Pride is shaping up to be one of our best yet and with over 150+ LGBTQ+ artists across our weekend line-up, there is something for everybody. We love to champion the best in emerging talent as well as supporting global superstars!

‘With more big announcements coming soon, this year is going to be momentous, and it certainly feels like we’ll sell out in advance so recommend booking early!’

In the short video, Mariah told fans she wanted to ‘make history together, darlings’ looking as glowing as ever in a red sequin dress.

‘See you at Pride on the Park 2025! I can’t wait to see all your beautiful faces,’ the queen of Christmas continued.

‘It’s gonna be a scorcher… oh wait I didn’t get that right,’ she laughed as she opened up a fan printed with her face on it: ‘It’s gonna be a scorcha.’

‘We are beyond thrilled to have the global icon Mariah Carey headline Pride on the Park this year,’ the festival’s managing director Paul Kemp said. ‘We were so excited to have her join us in 2020 and absolutely gutted the show couldn’t go ahead due to pandemic restrictions that summer.’

Ticket for the weekend are on sale now through Brighton Pride’s website, costing £103.46 for the full weekend.

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Once one of our greatest cultural exports, British rock bands are facing a serious drought in the UK charts right now — but that could be about to change.

The Lottery Winners could be the guitar band to break the pop domination and fill that chart void with their newly released album Koko.

In 2023, they landed a breakthrough number-one album and are gunning to do the same but this time with the blessing of icons like Frank Turner, Morrissey, and even Oasis.

‘We’re a big deal now,’ lead singer Thom Rylance declares, grinning at Metro as he sits unassumingly in a Wetherspoons in Wigan for our call.

He might have been joking but the You Again hitmaker isn’t exactly wrong.

The Lottery Winners are your favourite band’s favourite band and if you haven’t heard of them yet, you’re definitely about to.

Thom and bassist Katie Lloyd confess the attention is all rather overwhelming, especially from their own personal heroes.

‘I have Noel Gallagher’s number, and Chad Kroeger FaceTimes me sometimes, and it’s weird,’ laughs Thom in disbelief.

The Nickelback legend is also featured on their new track Ragdoll and appears in the accompanying music video.

Success hasn’t happened overnight, though. Word of mouth has propelled The Lottery Winners into these circles 16 years into their career.

‘We’ve been doing it a long time,’ he continues. ‘We started off playing pubs in Leigh [Manchester] to literally no one and just loved it enough to sacrifice our entire social lives and finances to pursue music as a life and as a career.

‘Luckily, it worked out — we’re in a good position now where it’s working.’

The Lottery Winners — consisting of Thom, Katie, Robert Lally, and Joe Singleton — slogged for over a decade before getting signed in 2020.

Their debut self-titled album landed at number 23 in the UK charts, with the track Love Will Keep Us Together climbing to a similar spot on the singles chart.

It was three years later, with number one album Anxiety Replacement Therapy, that the band burst into more mainstream success, with the hitmakers calling it a ‘key that opened a door’.

Often the music comes from songwriter Thom’s struggles with mental health and ADHD, with a track on Koko simply titled Panic Attack.

He explains they ‘dressed it [up] with a kids choir and brass, and it’s all summery. There’s a juxtaposition of it being really melodic and quite nice and uplifting.

‘But if you actually peel it back a little bit, there is something darker. It feels like what I’ve had to do for years, which was masking those feelings.’

Returning to his cheeky demeanour, Thom adds that this was ‘very, very smart’ of his songwriting and should be appreciated as such, much to Katie’s amusement.

She teases that he has ‘all the ego’ the group could ever need, especially thanks to their newfound success.

However, ego is not the defining trait of The Lottery Winners’ music, the indie rock songs are much more honest and vulnerable than Thom’s cheeky persona would suggest.

‘I had to talk about things that I knew and things that were important to me.’ he shared. ‘If I can tell a song is disingenuous straight away, it doesn’t do anything for me. It just feels empty.’

It was only in the last few years, since his ADHD diagnosis, that Thom has begun to really address his mental health, having felt like a ‘broken or bad’ person for much of his life.

The Let Me Down singer recalled: ‘I got kicked out of two schools, didn’t really fit in anywhere, and I felt like the easy things that everybody could do, I just couldn’t. And I knew that I wasn’t stupid.

‘So someone said to me that I might have ADHD, and so I did a lot of research into…’

His wifi cut out here and Thom returned with the slightly baffling statement that ‘lemons sink but lime float’, which he promised was a ‘sick punchline’ — Katie looked unconvinced.

The Lottery Winners have spent the last few years touring with the likes of Noel Gallagher, Blossoms, and Nickelback.

Never sitting down for too long, Thom and the band have also just embarked on their own tour with a huge headlining gig at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

In celebration of Koko’s release, the Burning House singers are also touring the UK throughout March and April with tickets on sale now.

They’re set to join Better Man legend Robbie Williams on his UK tour this year, with Thom ‘absolutely speechless’ at the opportunity.

‘This door opened,’ explained Thom. ‘Then all these cool, really famous people were just like, “Hey, come in, sit down. We’ve been waiting for you”.

‘It’s strange because we are around famous people a lot now, and outwardly act very cool about it, but inside just absolutely freaking out all the time.’

Katie, who lets Thom do most of the talking, simply shakes her head when asked about the sudden dizzying heights the group has reached.

While they may have the backing of some big names, The Lottery Winners were still ‘nervous’ to release Koko to the public — despite Thom ‘nearly leaking it 20 times’.

He confessed: ‘You feel really, really vulnerable. It’s really scary to put anything out into the world, like, “Look this is a piece of me and I really hope you like it, and if you don’t, I won’t be bothered but I will be really bothered and I’ll be dead upset about it.”‘

‘Someone once called us smile music,’ Katie added. ‘I really took that [to heart], it was so sweet.’

Thom agreed: ‘We’re just normal people but we’re getting to do this extraordinary thing, and we’re really grateful for it.’

The Lottery Winners’ new album KOKO is out now.

This article was first published on September 23, 2024.

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