Simply Red return with brand-new song ‘Earth In A Lonely Space’. The track is the first new music since the band’s acclaimed 2019 feel-good album Blue Eyed Soul.

Written by Mick Hucknall and produced by Andy Wright with engineering/mixing by Gavin Goldberg at Home Studios and SouthWest Studios, ‘Earth In A Lonely Space’ takes us back to the melodic songwriting of the 60s with its layered instrumentation and ethereal sound. The accompanying video, directed and animated by the team at Cine1080, takes us on a lonely, but stunning journey through space.

“The earth itself is in a lonely place,” Mick said of the track. “It’s the job of any artist to try and capture the moment and right now, a lot of people are isolated and alone.”

Watch the video for ‘Earth In A Lonely Space’ HERE

Simply Red head on a huge UK and Irish tour in February 2022, including two must-see shows at London’s O2 Arena. Support on the tour comes from Mica Paris. Tickets on sale now from myticket.co.uk/artists/simply-red  

February 2022:
Wed 2nd DUBLIN, 3Arena
Fri 4th HULL, Bonus Arena
Sat 5th HULL, Bonus Arena
Sun 6th MANCHESTER, AO Arena
Tue 8th NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, Newcastle Utilita Arena
Wed 9th LEEDS, first direct Arena
Fri 11th GLASGOW, SSE Hydro
Sat 12th LIVERPOOL, M&S Bank Arena
Sun 13th BIRMINGHAM, Resorts World Arena
Tue 15th BOURNEMOUTH, Bournemouth Int’nl Centre
Wed 16th BOURNEMOUTH, Bournemouth Int’nl Centre
Thu 17th NOTTINGHAM, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
Sat 19th LONDON, O2 Arena
Sun 20th LONDON, O2 Arena
Tue 22nd BRIGHTON, Centre
Wed 23rd BRIGHTON, Centre
Thu 24th CARDIFF, Motorpoint Arena

Mick Hucknall has been Simply Red’s songwriter and bandleader since the very beginning in 1985, aided by long-serving saxophonist Ian Kirkham since 1986. The current line-up has remained consistent since 2003, and the new tour will play to the core strengths of this fantastic band. “I want them to enjoy playing, for crowds to get up and move around, and everybody to put their heart into it. It’s all about capturing the groove.” says Mick.

www.simplyred.com

Join BAFTA winner Mo Gilligan as he’s set to make history once again, with Mo Gilligan and Friends – The Black British Takeover – December 8th at London’s 20,000-seater arena The O2. It’s set to be the biggest show of Mo’s career to date, and he’ll be bringing headline stars from the Black British circuit with him. The line up will be announced monthly in the lead up to what is set to be one of the most legendary events in British stand-up history. The O2 event is part of The O2’s Welcome Back Shows and will also be filmed for Broadcast.

The multi award winning stand up, Masked Singer judge and social media mega star, is now one of the UK’s most celebrated comics, but his first big break came from the Black British comedy circuit – a thriving stand-up scene that has been packing out theatres up and down the country for the last 30 years, with its stars selling out major venues all over the UK.

Mo Gilligan said: “I’m really proud of the Black British comedy circuit that I started on. The talent on this scene is exceptional, but all too often ignored by mainstream media, so what better place to showcase the culture than the most famous venue in country? We’re ready to bring the Great British Public a show like you’ve never seen before!”

It’s been quite a few spectacular years for Mo – with numerous award wins and nominations, recording The Big Narstie Show Series 2 and his landing his own hit Channel 4 series The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan, which bagged him a spectacular BAFTA, winning the Entertainment Performance Award. He was named The Funniest Man in Britain by The Times and his debut Coupla Cans stand up tour came to a close selling over 50,000 tickets including a huge two week West End residency. His debut Netflix Original Stand Up Special Momentum was globally released in 190 countries. 

His There’s Mo To Life Tour sold out in record time, including 9 sell out shows at London’s Eventim Apollo. Very last remaining tickets now released HERE:

September 2021

Weds 15th READING, Reading Arts (The Hexagon) SOLD OUT
Thurs 16th  SOUTHAMPTON, O2 Guildhall SOLD OUT
Fri 17th  CAMBRIDGE, Corn Exchange SOLD OUT
Sat 18th  OXFORD, New Theatre SOLD OUT                      
Weds 22nd  LEEDS, O2 Academy SOLD OUT
Thurs 23rd  NEWCASTLE, O2 City Hall
Fri 24th  GLASGOW, The Pavilion Theatre
Sat 25th  MANCHESTER, O2 Apollo SOLD OUT
Weds 29th  CARDIFF, St David’s Hall SOLD OUT
Thurs 30th  LONDON, Eventim Apollo SOLD OUT 

October 2021
Fri 8th  LONDON, Eventim Apollo SOLD OUT
Sat 9th  LONDON, Eventim Apollo SOLD OUT
Fri 22nd  MANCHESTER, O2 Apollo SOLD OUT
Sat 23rd  LONDON, Eventim Apollo SOLD OUT
Fri 29th  LONDON, Eventim Apollo SOLD OUT

November 2021
Sat 6th  BRIGHTON, Brighton Dome Concert Hall
Fri 12th  LONDON, Eventim Apollo SOLD OUT
Thurs 18th  LONDON, Eventim Apollo SOLD OUT
Thurs 25th  LONDON, Eventim Apollo SOLD OUT
Fri 26th  IPSWICH, Regent Theatre SOLD OUT
Sat 27th  BOURNEMOUTH, BIC Windsor Hall

December 2021
Sat 4th  PORTSMOUTH, Guildhall
Fri 10th  BIRMINGHAM, Utilita Arena
Sat 11th  SHEFFIELD, City Hall
Fri 17th  MANCHESTER, O2 Apollo
Sat 18th  BIRMINGHAM, Utilita Arena SOLD OUT                    

• BAFTA 2021 | BEST ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME NOMINEE 
• ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY 2021 | BEST ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCE WINNER
• BAFTA 2020 | ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCE AWARD WINNER
• BAFTA 2019 | BEST ENTERTAINMENT SHOW NOMINEE
• NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS 2020 | TV PRESENTER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE
• NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS 2020 | THE BRUCE FORSYTH ENTERTAINMENT AWARD NOMINEE
• ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY 2019 | BEST ENTERTAINMENT SHOW WINNER
• ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY 2019 | BEST BREAKTHROUGH NOMINEE
• EDINBURGH TV AWARDS 2019 | BEST NEWCOMER NOMINEE

Following the success of her singles ‘Get What U Get’ and ‘Flower Through Concrete,’ pianist, composer, and producer Chloe Flower — whose sensational appearance with Cardi B stole the show at the 2019 Grammy Awards — has announced the release of her self-titled debut album on Sony Music Masterworks, on July 16th .

In three acts — I. Innocence, II. Suffering and III. Hope — this sublime collection was composed, produced and recorded in the artist’s New York City apartment during the Covid-19 pandemic. It features spoken word from Deepak Chopra and an interpretation of Billie Eilish’s chart-topping hit ‘Bad Guy’. 

Chloe dedicates the new single ‘Tamie’ (and video) to her dear friend Tamie and has imbued it with the beauty and resilience of their Asian identity; releasing it in observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Watch here.

Of the music video, Chloe notes, “It’s a celebration of our Asian heritage and culture and was shot at a classical Chinese garden. As our communities are being targeted with anti-Asian rhetoric and violence, now is the time to celebrate Asian American pride, culture and the positive impact our community has had on the world.” 

Encompassing sweet melodies, hip-hop, and trap beats, Chloe Flower is a modern-day classical sensation, pushing the boundaries with her unique self-created Popsical genre. 

 “I was thinking about the life cycle. You start with innocence; born with a clean state. Throughout life there is suffering which hardens you. But there’s always hope for something better,” Chloe reflects. “ I want people to listen to the album as a whole body of work, which is why I have a prelude and a finale as well as the three acts. The ultimate goal was to make an album that inspires listeners, and makes people hopeful. It’s new, edgy and a sound that is authentic to me.  Even though my music has no lyrics, I still have something to say.”

What sets Chloe apart is her technique and modern musical viewpoint. Without doubt, this album will establish her as a force to be reckoned with, a new major player in the instrumental world, destined to infiltrate popular culture.

More Chloe Flower Power Info:

Chloe Flower is the most talked about pianist in the world following a show-stopping performance with Cardi B at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Chloe is an official Steinway Artist, composer, producer, activist, and fashion influencer who began playing piano at the age of two. Chloe Flower proudly celebrates her Asian heritage and culture and is a fierce advocate for women’s representation — particularly women of color — in the music industry.

Chloe sits on the board of directors for the Liberace Foundation and is a strong voice against human trafficking. She was honored by the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Activism (CAST) and has spoken at the United Nations as a music education ambassador. 

With her self-created Popsical genre — a blend of pop and classical — Chloe Flower is pushing boundaries and reaching new audiences. She has collaborated with Babyface, Nas, and Swizz Beats along with producers Tommy Brown (Ariana Grande/Meghan Trainor) and Mike WiLL Made-It (Beyonce/Miley Cyrus) to name a few.  

Website // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube // Spotify

‘Norway’s indie pop grrrl gang VEPS return with slyly subversive new single ‘Ecstasy’’ – Clash Magazine

Following the release of their nineties tinged track ‘Ecstasy’, Oslo’s VEPS, today unleash the beautifully raw ‘Girl On TV’. The track, which is accompanied by a stunning self-directed video, is the second to be taken from their forthcoming EP Open The Door, out June 11th on Kanine Records.

A look through the window at the constant pressures of modern life, the bewitchingly vulnerable track is drenched in captivating harmonies, flipping between Laura and Helena’s poignant vocals. “’Girl on TV’ is more like a story with a narrative than any other of our songs. It follows a girl growing up in a home where she doesn’t feel like she is being seen,” says the band. “Ultimately it’s a song about loneliness and idealisation. It’s about how lonely it can feel to grow up in an emotionally distant household, and how it’s so easy to compare your own life to others when you’re in a bad place yourself.”

Again, holding tight to their DIY sensibilities, the band shot and directed the video themselves, with a little help from friends. “We planned it on the train back from a gig in Trondheim, but another lockdown happened right after we got home so we had to improvise a lot as we were filming and didn’t really know how it would turn out until the final edit,” the band said of the video. “We wanted it to have a more introspective tone that reflects the song itself, while still maintaining that not-so-serious «cheeky» undertone.” Watch the video HERE

Recorded at Studio Tjueen Studios in Oslo, Norway, Open The Door was self-produced by the band and mixed by Girl In Red’s producer Matias Tellez. A love letter to their teenage years, the EP is an accomplished collection of songs, far beyond their tender years at just 17. 

Following their performance at The Great Escape’s digital Festival last night, the band will also play a series of shows this year including Norway’s By:Larm Festival (30th Sept-2nd Oct), with more live dates to be added soon. 

Hailing from the eastside of Norway’s capital, Oslo, VEPS have known each other since elementary school and began playing music together in middle school, aged 14. Although growing up with very different influences, the girls had a common sense as outsiders and while making a short film together decided to make an impromptu band. With Helena, Laura and June already accomplished at their instruments, Maja was assigned as drummer, she had never touched a drum set before, and VEPS was born. Already causing a stir playing a series of DIY shows wherever they could, the band self-released ‘Do I Hear A Maybe?’ on their own label in 2019, mixed by a man known only as ‘The Professor’. Making stickers with the cover art and giving them away for free, word of mouth created a buzz around the band.

Fast forward to 2021 and the band, equipped with their stunning debut EP, sign to New York label Kanine Records, planting them firmly as one of the most exciting bands in Europe. Watch this space!

‘Open The Door’ Track Listing:

1. Girl On TV
2. Do I Hear A Maybe? 
3. Ecstasy
4. Oliver
5. Funny Things
6. Colorblind

VEPS are Helena Mariero Olasveengen (keys/vocals), June K. Urholt (bass), Laura Dodson (guitar/vocals) & Maja B. Berge (drums)

https://www.vepsofficial.com/

Martha Wainwright is beginning again. The beguiling performer and songwriter makes a most welcome return with Love Will Be Reborn, her first new album in five years, released August 20th on Pheromone Records/Cooking Vinyl. 

It’s her first album since 2016’s ‘Goodnight City’, and the first since 2012’s acclaimed ‘Come Home To Mama’ to feature so much original material. All eleven songs on ‘Love Will Be Reborn’ are written by Martha. She wrote the first song, and what would become the title track, a few years ago in what was a very dark time for her personally.

The title track ‘Love Will Be Reborn’ is out today and hints at the ache of recent years while capturing a sense of optimism for the future. She wraps her wondrous, trademark vocals around the heartbreak to dizzying effect.

“I wrote the song in its entirety within ten or fifteen minutes,” she admits.” I was bawling,” 

Martha began to play the song live before she recorded the album and it became something of an anthem, giving her hope when it was most needed. The song, and the entire album, was produced by Pierre Marchand, best known for his work with Rufus Wainwright on ‘Poses’, the McGarrigle’s on ‘Heartbeats Accelerating’ and much of Sarah McLaughlin’s 90’s catalogue. Listen to the track HERE

Recorded in Martha’s Montreal hometown, the album was made in the basement of café Ursa which also served as a studio and at PM Studios. Martha plays guitar and piano and enlisted the help of Toronto musicians Thom Gill (guitars, keys, back-ups) Phil Melanson (drums, percussion) and Josh Cole (bass). Pierre Marchand plays keyboards on ‘Love Will Be Reborn’ plus two other tracks while Morgan Moore plays bass on several songs.

Alongside the album announce, Martha has announced an Autumn UK tour which includes a highly anticipated show at London’s Union Chapel on September 20th. Full list of dates below. Tickets on sale today except Birmingham which is on sale Friday May 21st from HERE:

September
Mon 20th LONDON, Union Chapel
Thurs 23rd FROME, Cheese and Grain
Fri 24th SHEFFIELD, Leadmill
Sat 25th BRIDPORT, Electric Palace
Sun 26th CARDIFF, Tramshed
Tues 28th CAMBRIDGE, Junction
Weds 29th BIRMINGHAM, Town Hall
Thurs 30th BEXHILL, De La Warr Pavillion
October
Fri 1st LIVERPOOL, Philharmonic Hall

Love Will Be Reborn tracklisting:

1. Middle Of The Lake
2. Getting Older
3. Love Will be Reborn
4. Being Right
5. Report Card
6. Body and Soul
7. Hole in My Heart 
8. Justice 
9. Sometimes 
10. Ranbow
11. Falaise de Malaise

STREAM “LOVE WILL BE REBORN” 

More info:
https://www.marthawainwright.com/

Following the release of the poignant ‘You Don’t Feel Like Home’, rising star Jack In Water today releases the moving contemporary dance video for his beautifully melancholic new track, ‘If I Cared’. The track is another preview of his forthcoming debut album, due later this year on Nettwerk Records.

Produced by Oli Bayston (The 2 Bears, George FitzGerald) and written with Roy Kerr and Tim Bran of My Riot (London Grammar, Aurora), the tonal and instrumental rise and fall within ‘If I Cared’ sublimely echoes the ups and downs faced by young boys as they attempt to navigate growing up in a difficult and equally ever changing world. “Throughout my teenage years, like a lot of boys most emotions like fear, pain, anxiety or sadness would manifest themselves as anger or a kind of nihilistic numbness,” Will Clapson AKA Jack In Water reflected. “This is obviously not a coping mechanism and so this song is about the period of realisation that I needed to change that.”

The moving Courtney Skye directed choreography for the accompanying video reflects the agonising inner turmoil that Will poignantly sings about. “The two dancers (Christian Flippo and Anthony Curley) to me perfectly express this feeling of conflict between wanting to express yourself authentically and also not really knowing how to.” Will said. 

Watch the video for ‘If I Cared’ HERE

Brought up in a little village in Essex, Jack In Water is the alias of singer-songwriter William Clapson. Growing up listening to the diverse musical influences of his parents, it was this mix of art-rock melancholy instrumentation partnered with the emotional soulful voices of the greats, which really drove him to make the music he makes today. With a string of releases under his belt, Jack In Water is definitely one not to let pass you by in 2021.

Instagram // Twitter // Facebook

Jake Bugg is firing on all cylinders as he catapults into space for a cosmic, interstellar party video for new single ‘Lost’, taken from his eagerly anticipated new album Saturday Night, Sunday Morning – out 20th August on RCA Records. Watch the video, directed by visual collective High Art, HERE.

His latest instalment, in a new chapter that puts Jake back on the map with a dynamic, exciting new sound, ‘Lost’ is produced by Steve Mac and demonstrates a refreshing upbeat energy, whilst retaining his unique authenticity that fans and followers have fallen in love with over the years.

Jake says; “The song is inspired by everyone who felt lost and parted from loved ones during the pandemic. The sun’s coming out, summer is on the way and this is the tune for it.”

2021 has seen Jake grow into himself and go from strength to strength, releasing one of the singles of the year in All I Need, also produced by Steve Mac. The inescapable hit has been booming across the airwaves, playlisted on Radio X and Radio 1, and Jake turned in a stellar performance of the song on Graham Norton on BBC1.

The 27-year-old, who has 4 albums and numerous hit singles to his name, brings his blistering live show back on the road in Spring 2022. Tickets on sale now and full dates are as follows:

March:

Mon 14th Newcastle O2 City Hall

Tue 15th Leeds O2 Academy

Thurs 17th Hull Bonus Arena

Fri 18th Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse 

Sat 19th Sheffield Octagon Centre

Mon 21st Edinburgh Corn Exchange

Wed 23rd Glasgow O2 Academy

Thurs 24th Belfast Ulster Hall

Fri 25th Dublin Olympia Theatre

Sun 27th Birmingham O2 Academy

Mon 28th Norwich UEA

Wed 30th Nottingham Rock City

Thurs 31st Cardiff The Great Hall

April:

Fri 1st Bristol O2 Academy

Sun 3rd Oxford O2 Academy

Mon 4th Southampton O2 Guildhall

Tue 5th London O2 Academy Brixton

jakebugg.com | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Jack Savoretti returns with a wonderful new album that arrives complete with its own genre, Europiana. Put on your dancing shoes for the funky first single, the disco fuelled ‘Who’s Hurting Who’, featuring Nile Rodgers.

“Nile brings groove, glamour and chic that is everything that Europiana is,” Jack Savoretti says. “’Europiana wouldn’t exist without Nile Rodgers!”

To celebrate, Jack has announced a 12 date UK tour next spring kicking off at the Plymouth Pavilions and finishing up at London’s Eventim Apollo. Tickets go on sale May 14^that 9am from HERE.

‘Europiana’ is the follow-up to Jack’s breakthrough 2019 album ‘Singing to Strangers’, his third consecutive gold seller and first UK number one. While that album was recorded in Rome at Ennio Morricone’s studio, this new disc was conceived in between lockdowns at Jack’s Oxfordshire home.

“Europiana isn’t a sound. It’s references and inspirations and the emotions they evoke,” Jack says. “It’s the music of my childhood summers, remade for today.”

Once again, Cam Blackwood (George Ezra, London Grammar, Florence & The Machine), has produced the album, recorded late last year at Abbey Road with Jack’s longtime touring band. John Oates plays guitar and sang backing vocals, from Nashville, on the lush ‘When You’re Lonely’.

Much of the 11 track album concerns itself with family, friendship and the precarious nature of love so it’s not surprising that Jack’s wife and children sing on a few tracks.

“’Singing to Strangers’ was my first album that wasn’t all about me, which I loved,” Jack says. “’Europiana’ pushes that further. There are more characters and bigger concepts. I’m looking out at the world, not inwards.”

And what a view! There’s a confidence and an emotional swagger that drives these songs onto new heights. Jack has never been in better voice, turning in his best ever vocal performance on each and every track. And they were so lucky with the weather.

“For weeks we literally lived Europiana,” Jack enthuses. “The band would arrive and I’d make a big lunch, eaten outside with loads of rose. Then we’d go inside to write in what is usually my living room but it became a studio. The sun and fun seeped into the songs.”

You can hear that warm glow throughout ‘Europiana’. It’s the sound of blue skies and sunny days. No doubt it will be the soundtrack to the summer. Get ready to soak it up.

Jack Savoretti plays the following UK dates:

March
Thurs 24^th  PLYMOUTH, Pavilions
Fri 25^th  CARDIFF, Motorpoint Arena
Sun 27^th  CHELTENHAM, The Centaur
Mon 28^th  BIRMINGHAM, Symphony Hall
Thurs 31^st  NEWCASTLE, O2 City Hall
April
Sat 2^nd  SHEFFIELD, City Hall
Sun 3^rd  NOTTINGHAM, Royal Concert Hall
Tues 5^th  EDINBURGH, Usher Hall
Weds 6^th  GLASGOW, O2 Academy
Fri 8^th  HULL, Bonus Arena
Sun 10^th  MANCHESTER, O2 Apollo
Wed 13^th  LONDON, EventimApollo

‘Europiana’ Tracklisting:

1. I Remember Us
2. Secret Life
3. Who’s Hurting Who
4. When You’re Lonely
5. More Than Ever
6. Too Much History
7. Dancing In The Living Room
8. Each And Every Moment
9. The Way You Said Goodbye
10. Calling Me Back To You
11. War Of Words

Today sees US country star Luke Combs continue to defy the odds and break records as he celebrates a feat that sees his US chart topping album, What You See Is What You Get, reach silver in the UK, making Luke the first US country male artist to have their first two albums certified silver in the UK.

The news hits in the same week that Luke dropped the emotional new video for his latest single ‘Forever After All’ – watch here.

Luke recently took part in BBC Radio 2’s House Music Sessions for Ken Bruce on March 12th, where he performed ‘Forever After All’ & ‘Refrigerator Door’ alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra – watch again here. All of this activity marked a year since what would have been a hands down rapturous headline slot at 2020’s C2C Festival. As well as being the biggest US country artist in the UK, his debut album This One’s For You, and What You See Is What You Get have spawned five tracks featured on the BBC Radio 2 playlist.

It continues to be a groundbreaking time for Luke Combs, whose global No. 1 record, What You See Is What You Get, is newly certified RIAA double Platinum. The award-winning album’s 18 tracks along with five new songs are also featured on Combs’ new deluxe album, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get, which debuted No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart as well as Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.

Additionally, the deluxe album’s song, “Forever After All,” landed at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart — the highest entrance ever for a male country solo artist. With the release, Combs also reached No. 1 on Rolling Stone ’s Top 200 Albums chart, Top 100 Songs chart and Artists 500 chart — the first country artist ever to lead all three charts in the same week and first to top the Artists 500. 

Combs also recently made history as the first artist ever to have their first two studio albums spend 25 weeks or more at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart—breaking Taylor Swift’s previously held record at 24 weeks. The achievement comes as What You See Is What You Get topped the chart for the 25th time earlier this summer, while his 2017 debut, This One’s For You, has spent 50 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1—tying the record for the longest reign atop the chart with Shania Twain’s Come On Over in 1997.

Additional notable achievements and recognitions:

• Winner of two awards at the 54th Annual CMA Awards: Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (What You See Is What You Get)
• Winner of two awards at the 55th ACM Awards: Album of the Year (What You See Is What You Get) and Male Artist of the Year 
• Won three awards at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards: Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist and Top Country Album (What You See Is What You Get)
• Recent winner of three iHeartRadio Music Awards: Country Artist of the Year, Country Album of the Year (What You See Is What You Get) and Country Song of the Year (“Beautiful Crazy”)
• Only country artist to perform on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” Season 45
• Inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry 
• Awarded CMT Performance of the Year at the 2019 CMT Music Awards for his CMT Crossroads performance of “Beautiful Crazy” with Leon Bridges
• Awarded Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist and Top Country Album at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards
• Awarded New Male Artist of the Year at the 54th ACM Awards
• Awarded Country Artist of the Year at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards
• Awarded New Artist of the Year at the 52nd Annual CMA Awards
• Nominated for Best New Artist at the 61st GRAMMY Awards
• Recipient of a CMA Triple Play Award for writing three No. 1 songs in a 12-month period
• First artist to simultaneously top all five Billboard country charts for multiple weeks: Top Country Albums, Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, Country Streaming Songs and Country Digital Song Sales (dated March 9, March 30 and April 6)
• This One’s For You is certified RIAA Triple Platinum and was also the most-streamed country album of 2019.
• All five songs on his The Prequel EP charted on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Top 25—a feat not accomplished by any artist in 60 years since Johnny Cash in 1959.

LukeCombs.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning multi-platinum band Maroon 5 announces their latest full-length album JORDI (222/ Interscope). The album is set for release on June 11th, with a special pre-order for fans kicking off TODAY. JORDI will feature the band’s latest hit single “Beautiful Mistakes” featuring Megan Thee Stallion, which was #1 most added at Top 40 and Hot AC when it impacted radio, and is currently #13 at Top 40 and #6 on Hot AC. To celebrate the upcoming album release, Maroon 5 is partnering with American Express for an encore virtual performance -American Express UNSTAGED with Maroon 5- on June 4, 2021, featuring new music from the album. Fans can purchase tickets at maroon5.live-now.com with special early bird pricing for a limited time.

Click HERE to pre-order JORDI.

Maroon 5 stands out as not only one of pop music’s most enduring artists, but also one of the 21st century’s biggest acts. The band’s new album, JORDI, will be executive produced by J Kash, and in addition to “Beautiful Mistakes” will also include the band’s recent hits “Memories” and “Nobody’s Love.“ Stay tuned for additional album details to be announced in the coming weeks.

Maroon 5 won over fans and critics alike with the hybrid rock/R&B sound they introduced on their debut album, Songs About Jane. To date, the universally renowned Los Angeles band have achieved three GRAMMY® Awards, over 75 million in album sales, 400 million singles worldwide and earned gold and platinum certifications in more than 35 countries.

Maroon 5’s most recent studio album, Red Pill Blues (222/ Interscope) featured the global hit single “Girls Like You,” which reached #1 at Top 40, #1 at Adult Pop, #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks. The track accumulated over 1.2 Billion Spotify streams and almost 3 Billion YouTube/ VEVO views; notably becoming the most-watched video on VEVO in 2018. The band’s latest hit single “Memories” has also surpassed 1 Billion Spotify streams and amassed over 650 million Youtube views. Maroon 5 has over 45 million monthly Spotify listeners, and have played over 120 concerts in 30+ countries selling over 6,750,000 tickets worldwide.

2x GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright has announced plans for another landmark virtual concert event. Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios will see Wainwright performing his groundbreaking 2007 tribute to Judy Garland, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall, in its entirety, live from Los Angeles’ famed Capitol Studios. The event will premiere Thursday, June 10 at 8:00 PM (AEDT/EST/CET), celebrating what would have been Garland’s 99th birthday. Tickets for Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios are available now exclusively via Veeps priced at $30 (advance)/$35 (day of show). There will also be ticket bundles available with the opportunity for fans to participate in an intimate Q&A with Rufus priced at $60 (advance) / $65 (day of show). 

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR RUFUS DOES JUDY AT CAPITOL STUDIOS

Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios will see Wainwright backed by a four-piece band in front of a micro-audience composed of 2x Academy Award-winning actress Renée Zellweger, winner of last year’s “Best Actress” Oscar for her spectacular performance as Garland in 2019’s Judy. In addition, Wainwright will be joined musically by award-winning star of stage and screen Kristin Chenoweth in person at Capitol Studios and his sister Martha Wainwright from Montreal.

“The American Songbook and Judy Garland’s famed 1961 Carnegie Hall concert gave me a lot of hope after 9/11 and lead to the idea for my first song by song recreation of that show at the same venue. It felt fitting to do the entire set again as the dazzling finale of my Rufus-Retro-Wainwright-Spective and hopefully the beginning of the finale of this global pandemic. Once again, these songs revealed their healing power. To be able to sing them in front of Renée, to sing with Kristin Chenoweth and still have my sister Martha be part of these shows was particularly meaningful although to sing them into the very microphone that Judy used for her recordings at Capitol Studios was the most mind-blowing ,” says Wainwright.

“I’ve been wanting my moment with Rufus for forever.  It’s finally happening!” says Chenoweth.

“I am still awed by Rufus’ voice just as I was 22 years ago in a friend’s living room where I heard him perform for the first time,” says Zellweger. “Witnessing Rufus do the entire Judy Garland Carnegie Hall show was the most special day and I loved sharing the time.”

The first complete performance of the Rufus Does Judy tribute in five years, Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios will be commemorated with a limited edition t-shirt created for the occasion in partnership with Wainwright’s longtime friend, legendary designer Michael Kors. The t-shirts will be available via Rufus’ Merch Store for pre-order immediately and in Michael Kors Collection stores nationwide isn’t it globally? towards the end of May, with all proceeds benefitting LGBT human rights organization OutRight Action International through June – Pride Month 2021 – or while supplies last. The t-shirt marks the latest collaboration between Kors and Wainwright, who earlier this month performed music for the blockbuster launch of Kors’ 40th anniversary collection for Fall/Winter 2021. 

Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios – which marks a rare complete performance of Wainwright’s now-legendary homage to 1961’s Judy Garland At Carnegie Hall – showcases more than twenty-five American standards spanning swing, jazz, and pop, including three songs by George & Ira Gershwin, two Rodgers & Hart classics, two from Howard Dietz & Arthur Schwartz, plus favorites by Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg, Irving Berlin, Noël Coward, and more. Among the highlights are such Garland signature songs as “The Man That Got Away,” “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart,” “Swanee,” and of course, “Over The Rainbow,” along with a special bonus rendition of “Get Happy,” which was not performed by Garland at the original 1961 concert. 

Wainwright’s sixth full length release and first live album, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall was recorded and produced by Phil Ramone over two sold out nights at Carnegie Hall, backed by a full 36-piece orchestra and special guest appearances from his sister Martha Wainwright, his mother Kate McGarrigle, and Garland’s daughter, Lorna Luft. The album proved an immediate cultural landmark, feted by worldwide media attention and critical acclaim while earning Wainwright his first-ever GRAMMY® Award nomination (for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album”). 

Due to popular demand, Wainwright recreated his momentous tribute to Garland with sold out, star-studded performances at such renowned venues as Paris’ L’Olympia, Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, and the London Palladium, the latter of which was filmed and released on DVD as Rufus! Rufus! Rufus! Does Judy! Judy! Judy!: Live from the London Palladium.

Wainwright recently wrapped up the 2021 leg of A Rufus-Retro-Wainwright-Spective!, an ambitious virtual live series that saw him revisiting his groundbreaking studio albums in their entirety, with one album side performed for each date, including rarely played deep cuts, stunning new arrangements, and a bonus selection of signature cover songs chosen by fans around the world. The series culminated last month with performances of last year’s GRAMMY® Award-nominated Unfollow The Rules as well as two nights of career-spanning Rarities (originally collected in 2011’s epic box set, House of Rufus). A number of recent concerts are available to rewatch through Saturday, May 1 – for tickets and complete information, please visit rufuswainwright.veeps.com/stream/schedule. 

Wainwright’s ninth studio LP and first new pop album since 2012, Unfollow The Rules finds the multi-faceted artist at the peak of his powers, entering artistic maturity with passion, honesty, and a new-found fearlessness while remaining as creative, bold, and mischievous as ever. Produced by Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Paul McCartney, Randy Newman) at a variety of legendary Los Angeles studios, the album proved among last year’s most honored releases, earning a prestigious GRAMMY® Award nomination for “Best Traditional Pop Album” as well as a Juno Award nod for “Adult Alternative Album of the Year.” 

An ingenious, compellingly charismatic live artist, Wainwright hopes to see his fans in person later this year on his long awaited Unfollow The Rules Tour. For scheduled dates and other information, please visit rufuswainwright.com/tour. 

ABOUT OUTRIGHT ACTION INTERNATIONAL

OutRight Action International fights for the human rights for LGBTIQ people everywhere. OutRight works at the international, regional and national levels to research, document, defend, and advance human rights for LGBTIQ people around the world. Registered as a 501c3 non-profit in the US, OutRight has staff in six countries and works alongside LGBTIQ individuals across four continents towards lasting change. OutRight is the only LGBTIQ organization that has a permanent presence to advocate at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for progress for LGBTIQ people, with special consultative status that allows it to address the concerns of LGBTIQ people globally at this important world forum.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit outrightinternational.org. 

# # #

CONNECT WITH RUFUS WAINWRIGHT

OFFICIAL | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

Introducing Oslo’s next big exports, VEPS. Poised to take Europe by storm this summer, the band have released their nineties tinged new track ‘Ecstasy’, along with the chaotic homemade and self-directed video. The track is taken from their forthcoming EP Open The Door, out June 11th on Kanine Records.

An ode to a guy, drenched in raw pop hooks and crunching tones, singer and keyboardist Helana Mariero Olasveengen says of ‘Ecstasy’, “The song is about a guy who’s afraid of commitment. A guy who’d rather waste his time on self validation through hooking up with numerous people, rather than exploring his true feelings with a special person.” 

Shot in guitarist and vocalist Laura Dodson’s basement over a weekend, the band don’t lose their DIY sensibilities for the video. “Helena made all the amazing cakes, and the most time consuming thing about the whole process was cleaning ourselves up from all the cake and frosting in our hair. We won’t be having cake for a while…” Watch the video HERE

Recorded at Studio Tjueen Studios in Oslo, Norway, Open The Door was self-produced by the band and mixed by Girl In Red’s producer Matias Tellez. A love letter to their teenage years, the EP is an accomplished collection of songs, far beyond their tender years at just 17. Opening with the beautifully infectious ‘Girl On TV’, the six track EP also features lead single ‘Ecstasy’; hazy ‘Do I Hear A Maybe?’; the anthemic heart-wrenching ‘Oliver’; the spikey ‘Colorblind’ and a step into a more mature sound with nostalgic love song ‘Funny Things’. With a seamless blend of 90’s indie aesthetic and classic pop hooks, VEPS already have their very own, fully formed sound. 

The band will also play a series of shows this year, including The Great Escape Festival (13th-14th May) and Norway’s By:Larm Festival (30th Sept-2nd Oct) with more live dates to be added soon. 

Hailing from the eastside of Norway’s capital, Oslo, VEPS have known each other since elementary school and began playing music together in middle school, aged 14. Although growing up with very different influences, the girls had a common sense as outsiders and while making a short film together decided to make an impromptu band. With Helena, Laura and June already accomplished at their instruments, Maja was assigned as drummer, she had never touched a drum set before, and VEPS was born. Already causing a stir playing a series of DIY shows wherever they could, the band self-released ‘Do I Hear A Maybe? on their own label in 2019, mixed by a man known only as ‘The Professor’. Making stickers with the cover art and giving them away for free, word of mouth created a buzz around the band.

Fast forward to 2021 and the band, equipped with their stunning debut EP, sign to New York label Kanine Records, planting them firmly as one of the most exciting bands in Europe. Watch this space!

‘Open The Door’ Track Listing:

1. Girl On TV
2. Do I Hear A Maybe? 
3. Ecstasy
4. Oliver
5. Funny Things
6. Colorblind

VEPS are Helena Mariero Olasveengen (keys/vocals), June K. Urholt (bass), Laura Dodson (guitar/vocals) & Maja B. Berge (drums)

https://www.vepsofficial.com/