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Lola Young only has “One Thing” on her mind: The British songwriter’s third full-length album is officially on its way. Young will release I’m Only F–king Myself on Sept. 19, following a huge 18 months that have put the Londoner on the map as a main pop girl. The forthcoming record was written with her […]
Kneecap’s Mo Chara appeared at Westminster’s Magistrates Court on Wednesday (June 18) in relation to an alleged terror offense.
In May, the MC (born Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) was charged for allegedly showing support for militant organizations Hamas and Hezbollah – both of which are defined as terror groups by U.K. law – in newly surfaced videos from a past concert. The video appeared to show Chara shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and displaying a Hezbollah flag at a show in London in November 2024.
During the hearing, Mo Chara spoke only to confirm his name. The Press Association reports that Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, presiding over the case, released him on unconditional bail and set a hearing date of Aug. 20. Mr Goldspring said that the 27-year-old must attend court on that day. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court: “This case is not about Mr hAnnaidh’s support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.” (via The Irish News)
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Campaigners supporting the group were present at the court’s entrance, with the band and its label Heavenly encouraging fans to attend.
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The Belfast trio, made up of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí arrived to court wearing “Free Mo Chara” t-shirts. In the build-up to the court case, Kneecap had “plastered” London with billboards with the message ‘More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara,’ in reference to the discriminatory slogan that was present at some London pubs in the 1950s and ’60s.
Speaking on their social platforms, the group called the charge “a carnival of distraction” from what they see as the real issue at hand: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes.”
The group say that their pro-Palestine views have been weaponised against them and claimed that their artistic free speech has been infringed. A number of artists including Massive Attack, Fontaines D.C., Paul Weller and IDLES signed an open letter backing the trio. On Monday, The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr shared a statement showing support for Kneecap, and called for them to remain on the bill at Glastonbury Festival next week (June 27-29) despite calls for a boycott.
The Northern Irish hip-hop trio released their breakthrough album Fine Art in 2024 alongside a self-titled biopic which saw critical acclaim, and was nominated for an Academy Award as well as winning a BAFTA prize.
In April 2025, the group ended their Coachella sets with a message that stated: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F–k Israel; free Palestine.” A number of industry names including Sharon Osbourne called for them to be removed from the bill and their work visas to be revoked.
Past videos of the band soon began to surface, including one from November 2023 with the group allegedly saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” Kneecap issued a statement on the remarks, offering an apology to the families of Sir David Amess and Jo Cox; both were killed while standing as MPs in separate incidents in 2021 and 2016, respectively.
“Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay,” the group said. “We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history. We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.” The group were not charged in connection with this incident.
During the fallout, a number of the band’s shows were cancelled by organisers, including TRNSMT in Glasgow, Scotland and the Eden Sessions in Cornwall. Kneecap announced – and promptly sold out – make-up shows for fans in those cities.
Oasis has announced a series of pop-up stores for fans to purchase merchandise for its hotly anticipated reunion tour, which kicks off on July 4 in Cardiff, Wales.
The official Oasis Live ‘25 Fan Stores will launch nationwide throughout the U.K. and Ireland, giving fans the opportunity to purchase merchandise ahead of the shows. The first space will open in Manchester on June 20 until July 27, with stores in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and Birmingham set to be announced in due course. Locations for each are to be confirmed in the coming days; there is currently no confirmation if the band will open similar pop-up stores for their other dates later this summer.
Fans will be able to access a range of official tour merchandise, including exclusive brand collaborations, limited-edition products and items exclusive to the Live ‘25 Fan Stores. The band’s web store will also begin stocking official tour merchandise later this week, with details set to be confirmed imminently.
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In November 2024, it was announced that Oasis had selected Warner Music Group’s merchandise and fan-experience division WMX as the official partner for their Live ‘25 reunion tour. In May, Amazon also launched its own exclusive range of Oasis merch, including a reproduction of a T-shirt from the band’s Knebworth shows in 1996.
They’re not the first to announce pop-up shops to meet fans’ demand for merchandise. Last week, Dua Lipa announced an pop-up in London ahead of her sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium (June 20, 21), and Tyler, the Creator, Harry Styles and more have all tapped into the lucrative merchandise market with dedicated stores for fans on tour stops in recent years.
In August 2024, it was announced that Noel and Liam Gallagher would reunite as Oasis to play a series of concerts, their first since 2009. The band is set to play a run of 41 shows across the U.K. and Ireland, North America, Latin America, Asia and Australia throughout 2025.
While details on the shows remain under wraps, Liam has used his social media profiles to tease fans with insider info. When he joined rehearsals in early June, Liam said the band sound “F–king FILTHY,” and that new drummer Joey Waronker was a “special” addition to the lineup.
It is thought that Waronker will join former Oasis members Andy Bell (bass), Gem Archer (guitar), Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs (guitar) alongside Noel and Liam at the shows.
Lola Young, Jungle and Florence Welch are among the top winners at this year’s ASCAP London Celebrates Creators event, held on Tuesday evening (June 17) at The Shard in London. The ceremony is designed to celebrate ASCAP’s U.K.-affiliated talent for their success in the U.S.
Continuing a breakout 12 months that have seen her score a Billboard Hot 100 hit with “Messy” (peaking at No. 8) and perform at Coachella, Young received the ASCAP Vanguard Award, which recognizes songwriters whose work is helping to shape the future of music.
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Hucknall collected the ASCAP Golden Note award, marking 40 years of international success with pop band Simply Red. The Golden Note has previously been awarded to icons such as George Michael, Elton John and, most recently, Duran Duran in 2016.
Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine fame was recognized for her contribution to Drake’s “Rich Baby Daddy” alongside Isabella Summers, which was named winning streaming song. The track features an interpolation of Welch’s “Dog Days Are Over” and features Sexyy Red and SZA on vocals. It reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023, and also hit the summit on the Rhythmic Airplay chart.
Josh Lloyd-Watson, Tom McFarland and Lydia Kitto of dance act Jungle were honored with the hot dance/electronic song award for “Back on 74.” The trio won group of the year at last year’s BRIT Awards, where they performed the track live at London’s O2 Arena. It marks Jungle’s biggest streaming hit to date, currently at 420 million plays on Spotify alone.
Following his ASCAP Vanguard award in 2024, Cian Ducrot’s co-writing credits on SZA’s “Saturn” led to him being honored for song of the year as well as top streaming song by ASCAP.
Drum n’ bass artist Kenya Grace, meanwhile, took home the top hot dance/electronic song prize for “Strangers.” The track saw the 22-year-old become only the second woman in history to score a U.K. No. 1 with a single fully written, performed and produced by herself, following Kate Bush hitting the top spot in 2022 with “Running Up That Hill.” In 2024, the South Africa-born British-based singer-songwriter and producer received the ASCAP Global Impact Award, in recognition of her success in the dance music world.
2025’s top box-office film awards went to composers Robin Carolan for Nosferatu; Geoff Barrow (of Portishead) and Ben Salisbury for Civil War; Christopher Benstead for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare; Daniel Pemberton for Fly Me to the Moon; Raffertie for The Substance; and Daniel Blumberg for The Brutalist.
A full list of 2025 ASCAP London winners can be found on ASCAP’s website.
Liam Gallagher has criticised the City of Edinburgh Council after Oasis fans were described as “rowdy”, “intoxicated” and “middle-aged men” who “take up more room” in a safety briefing.
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The comments were made when a range of senior officials from the council and emergency services met last year to plan for the band’s sold-out reunion shows at Murrayfield Stadium (Aug. 8-9 and 12). The run will mark the first time they will play in the Scottish capital since 2009.
Details of the safety advisory group meeting from October 2024 were made available via a freedom of information request, and were published in The Scottish Sun earlier this week. The briefing involved the council, promoters DF Concerts, security firm G4S, Police Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service and local transport providers including Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams, and ScotRail.
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A number of concerns were raised by officials, including about fans of Oasis “on weekends as they are already rowdy”, as well as “the tone of the band.” The paper also said that the council, meanwhile, suggested that the 210,000 gig-goers posed a risk to the Edinburgh Fringe and its performers, which is expected to attract more than three million visitors between Aug. 1-25.
It also noted that the crowd at Murrayfield Stadium, which can hold 70,000 fans a night, may feature a number of “middle-aged men,” stating they “take up more room” and that promoters should “consider” these factors when “working out occupancy.” DF Concerts added that the audience would be “energetic and high-spirited” with a “medium to high intoxication.”
Gallagher has responded to these statements on social media, posting on X: “To the Edinburgh council I’ve heard what you said about OASIS fans and quite frankly your attitude f–-king stinks. I’d leave town that day if I was any of you lot.”
He added: “I’d love to see a picture of all the people on the Edinburgh council bet there’s some real STUNING [sic] individuals.”
Margaret Graham, Edinburgh Council’s culture and communities convener, told The Scottish Sun: “We’re very proud to host the biggest and best events in Edinburgh throughout the year, which bring in hundreds of millions of pounds to the local economy and provide unparalleled entertainment for our residents and visitors.
“As with any major event which takes place in the city, we prepare extensively alongside our partners to ensure the safety and best possible experience of everyone involved – and Oasis are no different.”
She added: “We’re all looking forward to seeing Oasis take to the stage this August and I’m sure that they’ll ‘live forever’ as some of the most memorable concerts ever performed at Murrayfield.”
The Oasis reunion tour kicks off in the U.K. at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, on July 4. The run of dates will continue through Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin before hitting North America, Latin America, Asia and Australia across 41 planned shows.
In 2023, The Beatles harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to help bring the Fab Four back together on the Grammy-winning “Now and Then,” billed as the band’s final song. Two years later, the Lennon/McCartney partnership is together again – but with a twist. Their sons Sean Ono Lennon and James McCartney have joined forces with Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr) on a new song.
The team-up arrives via supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos’ upcoming single “Rip Off,” which Starkey teased on his Instagram account on Sunday (June 16). Mantra of the Cosmos is the new supergroup formed by Starkey alongside Happy Mondays members Shaun Ryder and Bez and Ride’s Andy Bell. Vocals on “Rip Off” are shared between Sean, James and Shaun on the wistful track. Listen to a snippet below.
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Speaking to The Telegraph, however, Starkey dismissed any suggestions it was a mini-Beatles reunion. “No it’s not,” Starkey said in regards to any similarities to their fathers’ band. “It’s like Mantra of the Cosmos with them in it. It’s Sean of the Cosmos and James of the Cosmos, it’s still my band.” In response to The Telegraph’s James Hall suggesting he needed Dhani Harrison, son of George Harrison, for a full house, Starkey responded: “No I don’t. Why do I?”
Sean Ono Lennon, born in 1975, was the sole child of Lennon’s marriage to Yoko Ono. In his musical career, Sean has collaborated with Lana Del Rey, The Lemon Twigs and Fat White Family. James McCartney, born in 1977 to Paul and Linda McCartney, has also embarked on a solo music career, and in 2024 collaborated with Sean on “Primrose Hill.”
In 2012, James McCartney told the BBC that a supergroup between himself, Sean, Dhani and Zak had been “mooted.” This new collaboration is the first time that three of the Beatles’ children have collaborated on a piece of original music.
It’s another coup for Starkey’s band, following a collaboration with Noel Gallagher on recent single “Domino Bones,” which the Oasis man said was influenced by Bob Dylan, Salvador Dali and Allen Ginsberg.
Until recently, Starkey was the drummer in The Who but was fired (twice) from the band in relation to his performance at a show in London in March. He also claimed to have turned down a spot in Oasis’ reunion band (he drummed for the group between 2004-2008), contradicting an earlier statement that said he wasn’t asked.
Thirty years on from Britpop’s commercial zenith, the U.K. still can’t get enough of the scene’s so-called big three. In 2023, Blur scored a hard-won victory lap with their plaintive eighth album, The Ballad of Darren, and followed that up with two shows at London’s Wembley Stadium, their biggest ever performances. Oasis, meanwhile, will swagger […]
After three months, Alex Warren’s reign atop the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart has come to an end as Sabrina Carpenter ousts him from the No. 1 spot (June 13). His spell was broken by Carpenter’s “Manchild,” which achieved the feat with 6.8 million streams in its opening week. The song and its playful video were […]
Pulp has scored its first No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart in 27 years with eighth LP More (June 13). The Jarvis Cocker-led band previously had two chart-toppers to its name (1995’s Different Class and 1997’s This is Hardcore), and a number of top 10 placings throughout its career: 1994’s His ‘N’ Hers […]
Paul McCartney has paid tribute to the late Brian Wilson, 82, whose death was announced on Wednesday (June 11), calling his songs “achingly special” and that “I loved him.”
Yesterday, news broke that the Beach Boys leader had died, but a cause and date of death has not yet been announced. A post on Wilson’s official Instagram account wrote, “We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.”
Tributes have been shared by a number of musical greats who were inspired by Wilson’s songwriting genius, including Bob Dylan, Elton John, Questlove and more.
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On his Instagram account on Thursday (June 12), McCartney wrote, “Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special. The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time.”
He added, “I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while. How we will continue without Brian Wilson, ‘God Only Knows’. Thank you, Brian. – Paul.”
Wilson’s work on the seminal LP Pet Sounds (1966) was hugely influential on McCartney and The Beatles’ subsequent studio albums, particularly Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). McCartney cited “God Only Knows” as one of “the best songs ever written” and in 2000, inducted Wilson into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Speaking during the ceremony, McCartney declared his admiration for Wilson’s work. “In the ’60s, particularly, he wrote some music that when I played it, it made me cry and I don’t quite know why. It wasn’t necessarily the words or the music, it’s just something so deep in it, that there’s only certain pieces of music that can do this to me… I think it’s a sign of great genius to be able to do that with a bunch of music and a bunch of notes. And this man, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, that’s for sure.
He added, “So thank you, sir, for making me cry. For having that thing you can do with your music – you just put those notes, those harmonies together, stick a couple of words over the top and you’ve got me, any day.”
Following the release of Pet Sounds, Wilson was increasingly impacted by mental health struggles and he was eventually diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. In February 2024, it was announced that he was diagnosed with dementia. Wilson is survived by his daughters Carnie and Wendy from his 1964 marriage to Marilyn Rovell, as well as his five adopted children with his wife Melinda Ledbetter, who passed in early 2024. Read Billboard’s full obituary here.
