AVENGED SEVENFOLD RELEASE THEIR MOST DARING ALBUM YET WITH LIFE IS BUT A DREAM…

June 2, 2023 (Los Angeles, CA) – Today, multi-platinum headliners Avenged Sevenfold (comprised of M. Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance, Johnny Christ and Brooks Wackerman) release their highly anticipated eighth album, Life Is But a Dream… Listen HERE via Warner Records. This genre-bending, bold and unnerving collection is their first full-length since 2016, and features the lead single “Nobody,” which has secured its place in the Top 5 at Rock Radio. A7X dig deep into the components that elicit the strongest emotions, toggling between the light and the dark in refreshingly strange and catchy ways. Transitions and tempo changes shred the rulebook, but there’s method to the madness. Order here

Written and recorded over the span of four years, Life Is But a Dream… is designed to provoke and inspire, courageously broadening the new wave of American heavy metal sound pioneered by the band with confidence, attitude and intention. Upending predictable conventions without sacrificing hooks, the band’s eighth album champions discomfort, tension, rage, and groove with esoteric abandon, exploring the absurdity of life and death.
The album opener, “Game Over”, indicts the mundanity of everyday life, particularly one without purpose or fulfillment. “Mattel” goes on the offensive about the Barbie-girl-on-steroids artificiality of cities and suburbs, from fake pleasantries to fake grass. The lead single, “Nobody”, explores the ego death sought by mystics and shamans for millennia, the recognition that the self is an illusion, that we are everything and nothing at once. “We Love You” decries the rat race and “Cosmic” celebrates love traversing time, space, and evolution. “Beautiful Morning,” by contrast, is a darker existential crisis, giving false relief by the empty promises found in “Easier.” Tracks eight, nine, and ten form a triptych of sorts – “G,” “(O)rdinary,” and “(D)eath,” or “GOD.” People wrap themselves in The Secret, manifestation, or religion, but God? God sees them all as obsessive fans who missed the point and simply hit reset. The robot that follows ponders the nature of consciousness. Following “(D)eath,” the title track is a piano number tickling toward sweet oblivion.

Far from nihilistic despair, the expansive themes and existentialist exploration of Life Is But A Dream…offer more of a celebration and liberation of life while exploring the possible illusion of free will and determinism. The aim is for the audience to aspire, in life, to what Avenged Sevenfold aspires to in art. Confrontation, reinvention, acceptance, surrender, struggle, and the courage to fail, on our own terms, with integrity. “There are no rules. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks,” Shadows points out. “One day, we’ll all be gone, and eventually, we’re all forgotten. So, once you find your own purpose, go for it.”
With Life Is But a Dream…, the band continues to prove they are well ahead of the curve, in more than just sound. Always on the cutting edge of music and technology, A7X have partnered with Berify to include an NFC tag with exclusive content and blockchain authentication on all CDs, vinyl, cassettes, and official merchandise sold on A7XWorld.com. Additionally, the album art and packaging are intricately created by renowned artist and friend, Wes Lang.

On Friday, May 26th and Saturday, May 27th the band hosted a Life is But a Dream… art exhibit at Beyond The Streets art gallery in Los Angeles, showcasing the band’s suite of 20 original Wes Lang paintings created for Life Is But A Dream…, including the iconic cover image. Over two days, the gallery saw over 1000 attendees and held an intimate discussion between M. Shadows, Synyster Gates, Wes Lang, and Roger Gastman (owner of Beyond The Streets). Watch the compelling conversation HERE.

Additionally, Avenged Sevenfold will support the release of Life Is But a Dream… with two massive live shows this month, a SOLD OUT show at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on June 9 and another at Madison Square Garden on June 23. The band made its first festival appearance in five years earlier this month on Friday, May 19th at Welcome To Rockville at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. This summer, the band is taking off on an extensive North American tour; see dates below and head HERE to find tickets.

To date, A7X have sold over 10 million albums worldwide and earned two consecutive No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 album chart (2010’s Nightmare and 2013’s Hail To The King) to go along with over a billion video views and a billion-plus Spotify streams, as well as multiple No. 1 singles on rock radio. The band are equally known for their spectacular live shows, selling out arenas and headlining the world’s most prestigious rock festivals. At the forefront of rapidly changing technology, cultural mile markers, and new ways for communities to engage, Avenged Sevenfold is steadily constructing its own ecosystem in real time, existing in a symbiotic relationship with its audience based on complete trust and mutual respect. Life is But a Dream…is the natural creative anchor and sonically immersive environment for this mission.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD LIFE IS BUT A DREAM…NORTH AMERICAN 2023 TOUR:
Tue Jul 18 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Wed Jul 19 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Fri Jul 21 – Québec City, QC – Videotron Centre
Sat Jul 22 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Mon Jul 24 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
Wed Jul 26 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Fri Jul 28 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Sat Jul 29 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
Mon Jul 31 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre
Wed Aug 02 – Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Centre
Fri Aug 04 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
Sat Aug 05 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Mon Aug 07 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Sat Sep 16 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Sun Sep 17 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Tue Sep 19 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Wed Sep 20 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Fri Sep 22 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Mon Sep 25 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Tues, Sept 26 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center *
Thu Sep 28 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena^
Sat Sep 30 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
Mon Oct 02 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
Tue Oct 03 – Portland, OR – MODA Center
Sat Oct 07 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sun Oct 08 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
Tue Oct 10 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
Thu Oct 12 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Fri Oct 13 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Sun Oct 15 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena

*Not a Live Nation Date
^Without Falling in Reverse

GABRIELS SHARE FINAL TRACK AHEAD OF DEBUT ALBUM RELEASE
NEW SINGLE “GLORY” IS STREAMING NOW

“ANGELS & QUEENS” RELEASED 7TH JULY 2023
Credit: Renee Parkhurst

“Heading for greatness” – Dazed & Confused
“The seven songs here last barely 30 minutes, but a powerful, concentrated half hour dose is all you need. Certainly – it’s all you need to stake a strong claim to the title of album of the year.” ***** – The Guardian
“Gabriels are the kind of band we all need right now” **** – The Telegraph
“Gabriels don’t just live by the idea that the sky’s the limit: their music goes far beyond that” – NME
“Gabriels are blessed with the voice of an angel… an album of real emotional depth” – The Independent
“Major new players” – Mojo
“2022’s most talked-about band” – BBC News

Gabriels are excited to share their new single, Glory, the last track to be shared ahead of the release of their full debut album next month.

The 13 track record will be released on 7th July via Atlas Artists/Parlophone Records. It was produced by fellow Compton native, and the Grammy Award winning producer Sounwave.

Angels & Queens – Part I was released back in September 2022, picking up widespread acclaim across the globe. Its release was governed by the band’s desire to push through the release of new recordings this year, and release the record in two distinct chapters. The second chapter now concludes the full album’s tracklisting for the Summer.

Gabriels on Glory: “Glory is inspired by the power of human spirit, taking inspiration from some of our favourite artists, our moms, even people of the night. We all have had life corner us, and had to make much out of little. We have all got some magic in our hands, and have the power to make a little a lot.”

The band will hit stages across the UK across the Summer, including a headline set at Somerset House in London on album release day, and a return to Glastonbury following last year’s triumphant set at the Park Stage. The band will also play a series of stripped back sets, “An Evening With Gabriels…” in association with record stores across the UK, hosted at intimate venues. Tickets for those are available to fans when pre-ordering the album at corresponding stores. Full UK dates are listed below.

Angels & Queens incorporates a new recording of the band’s seminal debut single, Love & Hate In A Different Time, and songs that have already become staples of the band’s live set; Offering, and Glory. Fans who have attended Gabriels’ live shows may also recognise the double punch medley of new track Professional which segues into We Will Remember, Gabriels’ longstanding reworking of the Barbara Streisand classic The Way We Were.

A Deluxe CD version will also be available, featuring eight additional recordings, including five tracks from the band’s seminal Glastonbury set earlier in the Summer, a BBC Maida Vale session recording of Spanish Harlem, and a Greg Wilson and Che Wilson remix of Love and Hate in A Different Time.

Fans can pre-order the debut album now via this link

Angels & Queens Tracklisting:
Offering
The Blind
Angels & Queens
Taboo
To the Moon and Back
Professional
We Will Remember
Remember Me
If You Only Knew
Love and Hate in a Different Time
Glory
Great Wind
Mama

Deluxe CD Additional Tracks:
Love and Hate In A Different Time (Greg Wilson & Che Wilson Remix)
Blame (Live at Glastonbury)
Great Wind (Live at Glastonbury)
Professional (Live at Glastonbury)
We Will Remember (Live at Glastonbury)
Spanish Harlem (Live from Maida Vale)
Bloodline
Loyalty ft. Ashley Sade

Gabriels (UK Live Dates):

22nd June – Wasing Estate, Berkshire (headline set)
23rd June – Glastonbury Festival (West Holts Stage)
30th June – Love Supreme, Lewes
4th July – Trinity, Bristol (An Evening with Gabriels…with Rough Trade)
5th July – Pryzm, Kingston (An Evening with Gabriels…with Banquet)
7th July – Somerset House, London (headline set) SOLD OUT
16th July – The Empire, Coventry (An Evening with Gabriels…with HMV)
25th July – Union Chapel, London (An Evening with Gabriels…with Rough Trade) SOLD OUT
26th August – All Points East, London
28th July – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (An Evening with Gabriels…with Crash)
29th August – Academy 3, Manchester (An Evening with Gabriels…with Crash)
30th August – The Cavern, Liverpool (An Evening with Gabriels…with Jacaranda) SOLD OUT
1st September – Forwards Festival, Bristol

www.gabrielsofficial.com

KELLY CLARKSON TEAMS UP WITH STEVE MARTIN ON “i hate love”

TENTH STUDIO ALBUM chemistry OUT JUNE 23RD VIA ATLANTIC RECORDS
PRE-ORDER chemistry: Here

GRAMMY-winning global superstar Kelly Clarkson has teamed up with banjo virtuoso Steve Martin on new song “i hate love” – the latest off her highly anticipated tenth studio album chemistry, arriving June 23rd and available for pre-order now via Atlantic Records. The song arrives alongside a special live video taken from Clarkson’s one-night-only performance of chemistry last month at Los Angeles’ Belasco Theatre, directed/produced by Weiss Eubanks and Jonny Mars (watch here).

“The amazing banjo skills you hear on this is brought to you by the one and only Steve Martin! I’d choose Martin over Gosling every time y’all!” – KELLY CLARKSON

“i hate love” follows the release of upbeat single “favorite kind of high,” which was deemed a “sultry summer track” by Billboard and received the remix treatment last week from internationally acclaimed DJ/producer David Guetta (stream here). Meanwhile double singles “mine” / “me” (stream here) served as the first taste of the 14-track collection, released to fan and critical acclaim alike. Praised for their “depth of feeling and immaculate, soaring vocals” by The New York Times, the pair of songs first showcased the lyrical complexity featured on the project three years in the making.

“Having chemistry with someone is an incredible, and overwhelming, feeling. It’s like you have no choice in the matter. You are just drawn to each other. This can be good and bad. This album takes you down every path that chemistry could lead you down.” – KELLY CLARKSON

chemistry will arrive ahead of an exclusive Las Vegas engagement, chemistry…an intimate night with Kelly Clarkson, opening Friday, July 28, 2023 at Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Designed exclusively for the Bakkt Theater stage, Clarkson and her longtime band will immerse fans in an intimate music experience that spans her two-decade long catalog of award-winning hits. Clarkson will also perform as part of the TODAY Show’s 2023 Citi Summer Concert Series, due to air later this summer on NBC.

One of the most popular artists of this era, Kelly Clarkson has sold more than 25 million albums and 40 million singles worldwide. The Texas-born singer-songwriter first came to fame in 2002 as the winner of the inaugural season of American Idol and quickly became one of pop’s top singles artists, in addition to the first artist to top each of Billboard’s pop, adult contemporary, country and dance charts. chemistry marks her tenth studio album and third full-length release with Atlantic Records, following 2017’s Meaning of Life and 2021’s When Christmas Comes Around…. Meanwhile on the small screen, her multi-Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, is preparing for a move to New York City for it’s upcoming 5th season (with the show having already been picked up through 2025).

chemistry track list:
1. skip this part
2. mine
3. high road
4. me
5. down to you
6. chemistry
7. favorite kind of high
8. magic
9. lighthouse
10. rock hudson
11. my mistake
12. red flag collector
13. i hate love (feat. Steve Martin)
14. that’s right (feat. Sheila E.)

NEW ALBUM ‘BACK TO THE WATER BELOW’ TO BE RELEASED

ON SEPTEMBER 8TH – PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE HERE

FEATURING THE NEW SINGLE ‘MOUNTAINS AT MIDNIGHT’
LISTEN HERE / WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE

SUMMER SHOWS INCLUDE RADIO 1’S BIG WEEKEND, GLASTONBURY AND A HOMETOWN GIG AT BRIGHTON BEACH

Royal Blood today ignite an epic summer ahead as they announce the September 8th release of their fourth album ‘Back To The Water Below’ and share its lead single ‘Mountains At Midnight’.

From the very beginning, Royal Blood’s story has been one of two life-long friends whose shared passion and dedication for writing and performing has led them on a remarkable adventure together – a story that has yet to be repeated and is a feat as rare as it is remarkable. Long before Royal Blood were even formed, they spent years together in various bands playing to half empty bars around Brighton – and only then did they suddenly become a decade-in-the-making overnight success story. One day they were plotting how to recoup the meagre £300 they had spent on their first recording, but within a year they were at the top of UK album charts, storming Glastonbury and winning the BRIT Award for Best British Group.

Throughout, their story has been one of independence. Relying on their friendship and intuitive musicianship to guide them through as they were catapulted into arenas. Favouring working independently away from prying eyes rather than enlisting the help of the latest big-name co-writer. Their victories have come from hard work, prodigious songwriting, fierce performances and a smidgeon of good fortune. That spirit of independence continues into ‘Back To The Water Below’, which saw them self-produce an entire album for the very first time. It was a process which cancelled out the noise of any external influences, while also allowing them the convenience to write at their own studio in Brighton whenever inspiration struck.

They discovered that the best ideas were the result of following their instincts, their unspoken, subconscious connection honed over the course of 15 years playing music together. Just as importantly, they cast aside any preconceptions of what Royal Blood should be. They allowed themselves the freedom to embrace other ideas: at times being guided by melodies rather than riffs and rhythms, and in others deploying whatever instrumentation they felt best complemented the songs. If in doubt, they remembered a nugget of advice offered by Rick Rubin – that the sound of Royal Blood isn’t defined by genre or the instruments that they play, but by the unique chemistry forged by the two friends.

But as the single ‘Mountains At Midnight’ proves, sometimes the result was a fresh take on the old school Royal Blood prototype – albeit with a supercharged rush. As we’ve come to expect, Mike Kerr inventively layers a heavyweight wall-of-sound solely with his bass, while Ben Thatcher’s rhythms simultaneously swing with a spacious groove while pummelling us into submission. Meanwhile, Mike’s lyrics complement the song’s ominous, foreboding ambiance with vehement menace: “I’m a ticking timebomb hooligan come to light your fuse / 24-carat thug in a velvet glove.”

Elsewhere, Royal Blood present plenty of surprises without ever compromising the essence of their identity. ‘Shiner In The Dark’ sets a rock ‘n’ roll swagger to the tight, danceable rhythms that defined the ‘Typhoons’ album. Devoid of distortion, ‘The Firing Line’ represents a bigger departure, its ‘90s alt-rock tone and an underbelly of psychedelia later elevated by a chiming piano melody. ‘Pull Me Through’ goes further still, uniting the plaintive piano that fans loved in the live favourite ‘All We Have Is Now’ with a full-blooded denouement. They’re also songs which will not only provide a broader spectrum of moods for live shows, but that will offer the dynamic contrast to amplify the power of their most fiery moments.

Ben Thatcher says, “I think this record was about letting the ideas take us where they needed to go. If there was a song that was calling us to do something that wasn’t typically what we’re known for, that’s where we’re going to go. The songs are in charge and if that means having a record that’s quite varied that’s what we’re going to go for, rather than trying to shoehorn everything into the same world. As a result, we’ve made a record that’s a bit of a rollercoaster. It’s everything we could do.”

Reflecting upon their journey so far, Mike Kerr adds, “No-one saw the years of us playing in loads of bands to no-one, that all gets swept under the carpet because the other story is magical and much more wondrous. Luck is where passion meets opportunity. We got our golden ticket and walked out as tiny ninjas. We were in the right place at the right time, and we have to remember to give ourselves the credit that we didn’t get into this position by winning a quiz show, we put in a serious amount of work. It’s taken us four albums to realise this isn’t luck, we’re good and we’re committed to this.”

‘Back To The Water Below’ is now available to pre-order or pre-save HERE. In addition to its digital release, physical formats include deluxe vinyl (packaged with a bonus 7” featuring two additional tracks) and two cassettes, all of which are available exclusively from Royal Blood’s official store. Amazon will stock an exclusive gold vinyl, while HMV and select indie stores offer an exclusive clear vinyl. The range is completed by a CD and regular black vinyl.

In the meantime, Royal Blood are playing a host of leading summer festivals and some stadium shows as special guests to Muse, culminating with a landmark homecoming headline show at Brighton Beach. In addition to the dates listed below, they will also play warm-up shows at Nottingham Rock City (tomorrow) and Newcastle’s O2 City Hall (June 21st), both of which sold-out immediately.

MAY
27th – Plymouth, Home Park (with Muse)
28th – Dundee, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend

JUNE
20th – Huddersfield, John Smith’s Stadium (with Muse)
21st-25th – Glastonbury
25th – Milton Keynes Bowl (with Muse)

JULY
9th- TRNSMT
23rd – Truck Festival (HEADLINERS)
27th-30th – Kendal Calling (HEADLINERS)
28th-30th – Y NOT? Festival (HEADLINERS)
29th – Brighton Beach (HEADLINE SHOW)

‘Back To The Water Below’ tracklist:

1. ‘Mountains At Midnight’
2. ‘Shiner In The Dark’
3. ‘Pull Me Through’
4. ‘The Firing Line’
5. ‘Tell Me When It’s Too Late’
6. ‘Triggers’
7. ‘How Many More Times’
8. ‘High Waters’
9. ‘There Goes My Cool’
10. ‘Waves’

Deluxe Edition 7” single bonus tracks:
11. ‘Supermodel Avalanches’
12. ‘Everything’s Fine’

I Am The Dog, the debut album from Sir Chloe—the project of vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Dana Foote—is out now via Atlantic Records—get the album and listen to lead single, “Should I,” here. To celebrate the release, Sir Chloe played a special sold-out album release show last night at Racket in New York.

Additionally, Sir Chloe is on an expansive world tour over the next year, I Am The Tour, which includes a run of headline dates in North America and Europe, as well as support for a coheadline tour with Phoenix and Beck alongside Japanese Breakfast, Weyes Blood and Jenny Lewis.

I Am The Dog features previously shared singles “Know Better,” “Salivate” and “Hooves,” which Ones To Watch praised as “a paradoxical romp that is all too addictive.”

Made with Grammy-winning producer John Congleton (Lana Del Rey, St. Vincent, Angel Olsen) with songwriting contributions from Teddy Geiger (Caroline Polachek, Sylvan Esso, Lizzo) and Sarah Tudzin (Weyes Blood, Amen Dunes, Slowdive), I Am The Dog encapsulates the thrilling paradoxical nature of Sir Chloe. Thematically, the album grapples with finding control in the innate chaos of life, highlighting and interrogating this tension, only to destabilize it and opt for chaos once again. Anchored by Foote’s emotional and dynamic voice, the album toes the line between expression and concealment, making a fetish of the unsaid with lyrics that are simultaneously frank and ambiguous. With this constant push and pull propelling the album forward, Foote’s aim isn’t to be at rest but rather to ask why she cannot be.

Foote put Sir Chloe together in college to serve as her senior thesis, going on to write the band’s first major hits “Michelle”—which has accumulated more than 180 million streams on Spotify—and “Animal” on the floor of her dorm room. The rest of the songs on Sir Chloe’s 2020 EP Party Favors were recorded in a warehouse that the band transformed into a recording space with just $100 and sheer will. Following the success of the EP and two additional singles in 2022, the band—which consists of Foote, Emma Welch, Teddy O’Mara, Palmer Foote, and Austin Holmes—toured arenas with Portugal. The Man and alt-J, opened for the Pixies and headlined two tours of their own in the United States and Europe, with sold out stops in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Amsterdam and more.

SIR CHLOE—I AM THE DOG

1. Should I
2. Salivate
3. Center
4. Know Better
5. Leash
6. Hooves
7. Obsession
8. Daddy’s Car
9. Cake
10. I Am The Dog
11. Feel Again

SIR CHLOE LIVE
May 24—Dublin, IR— The Academy, Green Room
May 25—Belfast, UK—Limelight 2
May 27—Leeds, UK—Live At Leeds Festival
May 30—Nottingham, UK—Rescue Rooms
June 1—Manchester, UK—Band On The Wall
June 2—London, UK—Heaven
June 3—Brighton, UK—Patterns
June 5—Bristol, UK—Thekla
June 6—Birmingham, UK—O2 Institute 2
June 7—Glasgow, UK—SGW Galvanizers
June 9— Paris, FR— Le Trabendo
June 10—Hilvarenbeek, NL—Best Kept Secret Festival
June 12—Antwerp, BE—Trix
June 13— Frankfurt, DE—Brotfabrik
June 15—Cologne, DE—Luxor
June 16—Berlin, DE—Frannz
June 17—Linz, AT—Lido Sounds Festival
June 20—Stockholm, SE—Hus 7
June 21— Oslo, NO—Parkteateret
June 22—Copenhagen, DK—Lille Vega
June 24—Prague, CZ— Metronome
June 25—Warsaw, PL—Niebo
June 26—Budapest, HU—Akvarium Klub
June 28—Lucerne, CH— Schuur Lucerne
June 29—Milan, IT—Legends
July 2—Arras, FR—Main Square Festival
July 30—Vancouver, BC—Cobalt
August 1—Seattle, WA—Seattle Climate Pledge Arena*
August 2—Portland, OR—Hawthorne Theater
August 3—Bend, OR—Hayden Homes Amphitheater*
August 5—Concord, CA—Concord Pavilion*
August 7 —Los Angeles, CA—Kia Forum*
August 8—San Diego, CA—Viejas*
August 10—Santa Fe, NM—Meow Wolf
August 11—Phoenix, AZ—Footprint Center*
August 12—Las Vegas, NV—Michelob Ultra Arena*
August 14—Salt Lake City, UT—Soundwell
August 15—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks*
August 18—Rogers, AR—Walmart Amp*
August 19—Oklahoma City, OK—Beer City Music Hall
August 20—Houston, TX—Cynthia Woods Pavilion*
August 21—Dallas, TX—Dos Equis Pavilion*
August 22—Austin, TX—Moody Center*
August 24—Des Moines, IA—Wooly’s
August 25—Lawrence, KS—Bottleneck
August 26—Minneapolis, MN—7th St Entry
August 29—Indianapolis, IN—HIFI
August 30—Columbus, OH—The Basement
August 31—Chicago, IL—Huntington Bank Pavilion*
September 2—Detroit, MI—Pine Knob Music Theater*
September 3—Toronto, ON—Budweiser Stage*
September 4—Montreal, QC—L’Escogiffe Bar
September 5—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall*
September 6—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall*
September 7—Albany, NY—Empire Underground
September 8—Philadelphia, PA—Mann Music Center*
September 9—Pittsburgh, PA—Thunderbird Cafe
September 10—Columbia, MD—Merriweather Post Pavilion*
* with Phoenix & Beck

ANNE-MARIE AND SHANIA TWAIN TEAM-UP FOR NEW SINGLE “UNHEALTHY”

THE TITLE TRACK FROM ANNE-MARIE’S FORTHCOMING ALBUM, OUT 28 JULY 2023

UK, IRELAND & EUROPE ARENA TOUR ANNOUNCED FOR NOVEMBER 2023.
INCLUDING DUBLIN’S 3ARENA NOVEMBER 21ST

PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM FOR EARLY ACCESS TO PRE-SALE: Friday, 19 May @ 9am BST until Tues, 23 May @ 4pm BST
TOUR PRE-SALE: Weds, 24 May @ 9am BST until Fri, May 26 @ 9am BST
GENERAL SALE: Friday, 26 May @ 9am BST

Following the recent announcement of Anne-Marie’s third album ‘UNHEALTHY’, set for release on 28 July, the Essex-born star and Shania Twain have teamed-up for their single of the same name, which is out now on Major Toms/Asylum (listen here). To coincide with the news, Anne-Marie has announced a UK, Ireland and Europe headline tour for November 2023 that’ll include a date at Dublin’s 3Arena.

Anne-Marie and Shania Twain’s ‘UNHEALTHY’ is the perfect pop/country tonic. Anne-Marie had always wanted to write a country-influenced song and decided that her upcoming third album would be the perfect home for just that. A lifetime fan of Shania Twain, and after initially cutting the track, Anne-Marie sent Shania a DM earlier this year, suggesting the collaboration. Fast forward to March ‘23, the two musical heavyweights met in-person, in London, and recorded the track with the help of production maestros, Conor and Riley McDonough (Jonas Brothers, Joji, John Legend).

Pulling from all parts of her life, Anne-Marie’s third album ‘UNHEALTHY’ offers us a sneak peek into her perfectly imperfect world. Penned over a period when she felt ready to revisit and try and make sense of a host of raw, past relationships, whilst also learning to process positive new ones, the new album takes us on a journey from chaos to contentment; this is Anne-Marie standing tall, embracing an all-new version of herself that’s fiercer, bolder, and more blissfully happy than ever before.

Bridging topics of sadness, anger, joy, rebellion, and euphoria, UNHEALTHY is Anne-Marie living out her highs and lows on her own terms. Over the album’s thirteen tracks, gutsy, empowerment anthems (‘Trainwreck’, ‘Grudge’) run alongside tender, vulnerable streaks (‘Kills Me To Love You’, ‘You & I’) and guitar-fuelled angst (‘Haunt You’). Written and recorded alongside Kamille, McDonough Brothers, BillenTed, Evan Blair, and Nami, the album includes features from Aitch (‘Psycho’), Khalid (‘You & I’) and, of course, Shania Twain (‘Unhealthy’).

To date, Anne-Marie has achieved seven UK ‘Top 10’ singles (including ‘Psycho’ feat. Aitch, which features on the new album), two ‘Top 3’ albums and seven billion global streams. Most recently, Anne-Marie collaborated with David Guetta and Coi Leray on ‘Baby Don’t Hurt Me’.

Anne-Marie’s upcoming arena tour follows on from her triumphant, standalone headline show at London’s Wembley Arena last year. Full pre-sale/general sale information can be found above.

ANNE-MARIE 2023 TOUR DATES
14 Nov Amsterdam, Netherlands AFAS Live
15 Nov Cologne, Germany E Werk
18 Nov Paris, France Olympia
21 Nov Dublin, Ireland 3Arena
23 Nov Cardiff, UK Cardiff International Arena
25 Nov Birmingham, UK Utilita Arena
26 Nov Manchester, UK Manchester Arena
29 Nov London, UK The O2

UNHEALTHY TRACKLISITNG
1. SUCKS TO BE YOU
2. SAD B!TCH
3. PSYCHO (FT. AITCH)
4. HAUNT YOU
5. TRAINWRECK
6. GRUDGE
7. OBSESSED
8. KILLS ME TO LOVE YOU
9. UNHEALTHY WITH SHANIA TWAIN
10. IRISH GOODBYE
11. CUCKOO
12. YOU & I (FT. KHALID)
13. NEVER LOVED ANYONE BEFORE

BLUR ANNOUNCES BRAND NEW ALBUM ‘THE BALLAD OF DARREN’ OUT JULY 21ST// HEAR THE FIRST TRACK ‘THE NARCISSIST’ NOW

BRAND NEW ALBUM ‘The Ballad of Darren’ OUT 21st JULY 2023

MALAHIDE CASTLE, SATURDAY JUNE 24TH- SOLD OUT

18th May 2023 – blur will release their first album in 8 years, titled The Ballad of Darren and comprising 10 new tracks, on 21st July on Parlophone. First track ‘The Narcissist’ is out now.

Produced by James Ford and recorded at Studio 13, London and Devon, The Ballad of Darren is the band’s ninth studio album, their first since the chart-topping The Magic Whip in 2015, with artwork featuring an image by British photographer Martin Parr.

The Ballad of Darren track listing is: The Ballad, St Charles Square, Barbaric, Russian Strings, The Everglades (For Leonard), The Narcissist, Goodbye Albert, Far Away Island, Avalon and The Heights

Damon Albarn said – “This is an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now.”
Graham Coxon said – “The older and madder we get, it becomes more essential that what we play is loaded with the right emotion and intention. Sometimes just a riff doesn’t do the job.”
Alex James said – “For any long term relationship to last with any meaning you have to be able to surprise each other somehow and somehow we all continue to do that.”
Dave Rowntree said – “It always feels very natural to make music together. With every record we do, the process reveals something new and we develop as a band. We don’t take that for granted.”

Today’s surprise announcement comes ahead of the band’s return to the place where it all began – Colchester, Essex*– for their first ever performance at local landmark Colchester Arts Centre tomorrow, marking the start of a short run of warm-up performances which will see the blur visit Eastbourne Winter Gardens on 21st May, The Halls Wolverhampton on 26th May and O2 City Hall Newcastle on 28th May.

These warm-up dates are kicking off a summer of highly-anticipated live shows which will bring Alex James, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree together again to perform their iconic and much-loved songs across Europe over the coming months. The band’s first ever show at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8th July sold out in minutes – with a second Wembley Stadium show added for Sunday 9th July and the bands Irish date on June 24th at Malahide Castle is now sold out.

The complete tracklisting for The Ballad of Darren is:

1. The Ballad
2. St Charles Square
3. Barbaric
4. Russian Strings
5. The Everglades (For Leonard)
6. The Narcissist
7. Goodbye Albert
8. Far Away Island
9. Avalon
10. The Heights

The Ballad of Darren will be available as a Digital Download & Stream (10 tracks as above); Standard CD (10 tracks) and Deluxe CD (12 tracks, w. expanded packaging), Standard Vinyl LP – 12” heavyweight black vinyl; and – exclusive to blur.co.uk – Deluxe Vinyl pressed on 12″ clear vinyl with black swirls, in a gatefold sleeve, with poster, bonus 7” vinyl, album CD (12 tracks) and integrated booklet, including exclusive handwritten notes, sketches and lyrics; and Cassette (10 tracks).

Pre order The Ballad of Darren here.

JANELLE MONÁE UNVEILS THE AGE OF PLEASURE

AWARD-WINNING SUPERSTAR ANNOUNCES HUGELY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM

NEW SINGLE “LIPSTICK LOVER” OUT NOW

RELEASED ALONGSIDE OFFICIAL EMOTION PICTURE

THE AGE OF PLEASURE ARRIVES VIA WONDALAND ARTS SOCIETY/ATLANTIC RECORDS

ON JUNE 9^TH  PRE-ORDERS/PRE-SAVES AVAILABLE NOW HERE

PLAYS IVEAGH GARDENS, JULY 6^TH– TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

“As we enter into The Age Of Pleasure, “Lipstick Lover” is our freeassmothafucka anthem inspired by f.a.m. for f.a.m. This is our oasis made with love, rooted in self acceptance, throbbing in self discovery, and signed with cherry red kisses from me to you. ” 

– Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe, music’s foremost freeassmuthafucka, has shared her scintillating new single, “Lipstick Lover,” available now via Wondaland Arts Society/Atlantic Records. An official emotion picture, directed by Janelle Monáe and Alan Ferguson, premieres today on YouTube – Watch HERE.

Arriving on the heels of her showstopping Met Gala appearance, “Lipstick Lover” heralds the arrival of Monáe’s hugely anticipated new album, THE AGE OF PLEASURE, due out June 9^th. Pre-orders/pre-saves – including limited edition vinyl – are available now HERE.

THE AGE OF PLEASURE also includes the acclaimed new single, “Float (Feat. Seun Kuti + Egypt 80).” Hailed by Pitchfork as “swaggering, brass-heavy…the sound of a top-tier talent doing a little victory dance,” the track is joined by an official dance video streaming on YouTube HERE.

To celebrate the launch of this new era, Monáe graced the March cover of EBONY Magazine, which stated, “the singer-songwriter returns to music as their fullest self…we’re perhaps witnessing the queerest, and by association, the Blackest, of Monáe’s eras yet…”

“Float” – which Monáe initially teased on her hugely popular Instagram – was first heard late last year as the official anthem of ABC/ESPN’s NBA Saturday Primetime campaign, with Janelle contributing voiceover narration to promo spots highlighting the biggest matchups and stars in the league. The track was used extensively throughout all NBA coverage through mid-March, spanning promos, Primetime matchups, in-game placement, social media, and more. In addition, “Float” was featured in an animated piece marking Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the #1 spot on the NBA’s all-time regular-season scoring list, shared across ESPN’s socials and James’ Instagram to reach more than 275M combined followers.

The Pretenders Announce New Studio Album ‘Relentless’
Due For Release 1st September 2023 Via Parlophone.

Listen To New Single ‘Let The Sun Come In’.

Before Exclusive ‘Relentless’ UK & Ireland Intimate Club Shows
19th May Dolans, Limerick SOLD OUT
20th May Cypress Avenue, Cork, Ireland SOLD OUT
21st May Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
23rd May Limelight, Belfast, Northern Ireland SOLD OUT

Touring With Guns N’ Roses Across Europe Through June

Photographer Credit: Ki Price

The Pretenders return with the announcement of ‘Relentless’, their fourteenth studio album, due for release 1st September 2023 via Parlophone and available to pre-order now.

‘Relentless’ is a clearly defined snapshot of where The Pretenders are in 2023. Arriving with the impulsiveness and attitude that at once defines the band’s eternal spirit, brand new single ‘Let The Sun Come In’ is also released today, following a premiere on the BBC Radio 2 Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. Listen here.

Speaking about the album title, Chrissie Hynde said:

“I enjoy seeing the various meanings and origins of a word. And I liked the definition: “showing no abatement of intensity”. It’s the life of the artist. You never retire. You become relentless.”

The news arrives as The Pretenders look ahead to a massive summer of live performances. Tomorrow night, Friday 12th May, the band will unleash new songs from ‘Relentless’ as they headline Brighton’s Great Escape Festival, starting a sold out tour of very special exclusive club shows visiting some of the UK and Ireland’s most intimate venues.

On 30th June The Pretenders will join Guns N’ Roses as special guests at London’s BST Hyde Park, and at huge outdoor shows in Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands, before headline performances at summer festivals including Midnight Sun, Bearded Theory, Black Deer and Kite. In October the band will land in America to play Ohana Festival, California, by invitation of Eddie Vedder and Dave Grohl. More 2023 live activity is soon to be announced.

‘Relentless’ is the second consecutive Pretenders album to be written as a collaboration between Chrissie Hynde and the band’s resident guitar hero, James Walbourne. Especially sought after in his own right, having recorded with Dave Gahan, Jerry Lee Lewis and The Rails amongst many more.

Speaking about the Hynde/Walbourne songwriting process, Chrissie Hynde said:

“We had developed this method of working remotely and it seemed like we just kept on doing it for this album. This is something that we’ve honed down to an art in the last few years. He always comes up with something I wouldn’t have thought of myself and I love surprises.”

Produced by David Wrench and recorded at Battery Studios in West London, the album’s 12 tracks feature what Chrissie describes as “The Pretenders Collective”. This extended band features James Walbourne (guitars), Kris Sonne (drums), Chris Hill (double bass), Dave Page (bass) and Carwyn Ellis (keyboards and guitars).

‘Relentless’ also features a long hoped-for collaboration with the esteemed composer Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead, The Smile), who provides the string arrangement and conducted the 12 Ensemble for the album’s beautiful closing track, ‘I Think About You Daily’.

‘Relentless’ is The Pretenders’ first album to be released via Warner Brothers – Parlophone’s parent record label – since 1999. After first signing to small independent label Real Records on the back of the heyday of punk rock, The Pretenders’ first single led them to sign with Sire – whose parent company was also Warner Brothers – via legendary A&R Seymour Stein, a partnership lasting 20 years.

And now in 2023 and The Pretenders are back at their live and brilliant best – the upcoming ‘Relentless’ tour follows a handful of very intimate shows played earlier this year for Independent Venue Week. Fans were treated to a glimpse of as yet unreleased new music as The Guardian confirmed, “Hynde’s songwriting is as sharp as ever, with new songs stealing the limelight from classic hits”. All Pretenders live dates and last remaining tickets are listed here.

‘Relentless’ will be released via Parlophone on baby pink vinyl, black vinyl, and CD from 1st September. Pre-order the album now https://Pretenders.lnk.to/Relentless.

‘Relentless’ Tracklist

1. Losing My Sense Of Taste
2. A Love
3. Domestic Silence
4. The Copa
5. Promise Of Love
6. Merry Widow
7. Let The Sun Come In
8. Look Away
9. Your House Is On Fire
10. Just Let It Go
11. Vainglorious
12. I Think About You Daily

Pretenders 2023 Live Dates

12th May Great Escape Festival, Brighton
13th May Rescue Rooms, Nottingham SOLD OUT
14th May MASH, Cambridge SOLD OUT
16th May Cheese & Grain, Frome SOLD OUT
17th May The Sugarmill, Stoke SOLD OUT
19th May Dolans, Limerick SOLD OUT
20th May Cypress Avenue, Cork, Ireland SOLD OUT
21st May Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
23rd May Limelight, Belfast, Northern Ireland SOLD OUT
25th May Midnight Sun Festival, Stornoway, Scotland (headlining)
28th May Bearded Theory, Derbyshire (headlining)
30th May De Roma, Antwerp
31st May De Roma, Antwerp
9th June Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain (with Guns N’ Roses)
11th June Kite Festival (headlining)
12th June Estadio Abanca Balaídos, Vigo, Spain (with Guns N’ Roses)
16th June Azkena Festival (headlining)
17th June Black Deer Festival (headlining)
27th June Bellahouston Park, Glasgow (with Guns N’ Roses)
30th June BST Hyde Park, London (with Guns N’ Roses)
3rd July Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany (with Guns N’ Roses)
5th July Bernexpo, Bern, Switzerland (with Guns N’ Roses)
8th July Circo Massimo, Rome, Italy (with Guns N’ Roses)
11th July Evenemententerrein Weert Noord, Netherlands (with Guns N’ Roses)
1st October Ohana Fest, CA (with Foo Fighters)