Music News and Festival Updates

Steve Priest Dies Aged 72

Steve Priest has died aged 72.The bass guitarist and founding member of The Sweet passed away on Thursday (04.06.20), his family have confirmed in a statement.Writing on the band's official Facebook page, the group shared: ''Dear Friends and Fans, we...

By Bang Showbiz on 04 June 2020

Tinie Tempah: The UK Underplays Racism Problem

Tinie Tempah thinks the UK underplays its racism problem.The 31-year-old rapper has rubbished the idea that racism isn't as prevalent in the UK as it is in the US, describing it as ''the height of ignorance''.Reflecting on the murder of...

By Bang Showbiz on 04 June 2020

Tinie Tempah

Anne-Marie Considered Quitting Music For Her Mental Health

Anne-Marie has considered quitting music four times for the sake of her mental health.The 'Birthday' singer has spoken openly about being gripped with depression and anxiety since finding fame, and she's admitted her feelings have left her doubting her career...

By Bang Showbiz on 04 June 2020

Fran Healy: I've Found A New Lease Of Life

Travis' Fran Healy feels he's still ''got a lot to do'' in his career.The 46-year-old star has revealed he's found a new lease of life following some inspirational words from his 14-year-old son Clay.Speaking to NME magazine, Fran - whose...

By Bang Showbiz on 04 June 2020

Travis Fran Healy

Chuck D Says Young People Are Entitled To Feel Angry

Chuck D thinks ''every single emotion'' young people are currently experiencing is justified.The 59-year-old rapper has admitted he's struggling to contain his own emotions following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the race riots in the US.The Public...

By Bang Showbiz on 04 June 2020

Chuck D Public Enemy Rihanna

Travis' Fran Healy Says Shooting Music Video In Lockdown Was 'strange'

Travis' Fran Healy admits filming their new music video during lockdown was a ''strange'' experience.The 46-year-old musician managed to film the video for the band's comeback single, 'A Ghost', amid the coronavirus pandemic with the help of his son Clay...

By Bang Showbiz on 04 June 2020

Travis Fran Healy

Slipknot Ditching Masks Would Be A Betrayal

Slipknot's Shawn 'Clown' Crahan would feel ''cheapened and betrayed'' if the group ever ditched their famous masks.The 'Wait and Bleed' hitmakers have always performed with their faces covered and the 50-year-old percussionist insisted it is ''pure religion'' from him and...

By Bang Showbiz on 04 June 2020

Slipknot Corey Taylor

John Newman 'pauses' Music Career After Suffering 'depression Due To Work'

John Newman is ''pausing'' his music career after suffering ''such depression due to [his] work''. The 29-year-old singer took to Instagram to share a lengthy post about his current situation, and admitted he has opted to ''walk away on good...

By Bang Showbiz on 04 June 2020

John Newman

World In Motion 'stopped New Order From Splitting Up'

New Order's 'World in Motion' stopped the band from splitting up, according to Peter Hook.The 64-year-old star has admitted the chart-topping song - which was the England soccer team's anthem for the 1990 World Cup - stopped the band from...

By Bang Showbiz on 03 June 2020

New Order Peter Hook JOHN BARNES Keith Allen

Lil Nas X Says Blackout Tuesday Was The 'worst Idea Ever'

Lil Nas X thinks Blackout Tuesday was the ''worst idea ever''.The 21-year-old rapper has hit out at the concept - which saw celebrities, corporations, music labels and sports stars show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement by refusing...

By Bang Showbiz on 03 June 2020

Rihanna

KSI Says People 'despise' His Success

KSI thinks some people ''despise'' his success in the music business.The YouTuber-turned-rapper - who released his debut album, 'Dissimulation', in May - believes many people remain dismissive of his musical talents.He said: ''When the general public sees a YouTuber wanting...

By Bang Showbiz on 03 June 2020

MOBO Boss Kanya King Says She Was 'ostracised' By Music Industry

MOBO boss Kanya King was previously ''ostracised'' when she discussed racism in the music industry.The founder and CEO of the MOBO organisation hopes the protests following the death of George Floyd will prove to be ''a watershed moment'' - but...

By Bang Showbiz on 03 June 2020

KSI: I Feel Embarrassed By My Old Music

KSI feels ''embarrassed'' by his old music.The 26-year-old YouTuber released his debut studio album, 'Dissimulation', last month, and he still can't believe how far he's come in the music industry.He said: ''I've definitely progressed when it comes to music. And...

By Bang Showbiz on 03 June 2020

Jessie Ware's Album Release Was No Brainer

Jessie Ware insisted it was a ''no brainer'' to release her album as normal during the coronavirus pandemic.The 35-year-old singer will drop 'What's Your Pleasure?' later this month and while her record company were open to the possibility of delaying...

By Bang Showbiz on 03 June 2020

Jessie Ware

Tom Walker's Toilet Roll Tunes As He Pens New Album In Lockdown

Tom Walker has penned 14 songs for his second album - and joked some are about toilet roll and a ''fridge looking desperate'' during the coronavirus pandemic. The 28-year-old singer shot to fame after his single 'Leave a Light On'...

By Bang Showbiz on 03 June 2020

Mel C's Daughter Isn't Fussed About Her Mum's Music

Mel C admitted her daughter doesn't care about her famous mum's music.The Spice Girls star revealed her 11-year-old daughter Scarlet - who she shares with her ex-partner Thomas Starr - would rather be on social media than watch her mother...

By Bang Showbiz on 02 June 2020

Melanie C Spice Girls

Noel Gallagher Lost Notebook Of Early Oasis Lyrics

Noel Gallagher lost a book full of unseen Oasis lyrics.The 53-year-old rocker admitted he wrote a lot of material around the time the group were working on their 1994 debut album 'Definitely Maybe', but the notes have never surfaced after...

By Bang Showbiz on 02 June 2020

Noel Gallagher Oasis

Music Industry Social Media Blackout Following George Floyd's Death

The music industry is observing a social media blackout on Tuesday (02.06.20) following George Floyd's death.Billie Eilish, The Rolling Stones, Britney Spears and more are taking part in the online demonstration after the Minneapolis native died after a police officer...

By Bang Showbiz on 02 June 2020

Billie Eilish Rolling Stones Britney Spears Quincy Jones

Motley Crue, Def Leppard And Poison Postpone Summer Tour

Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett have postponed their summer tour due to the coronavirus pandemic.The four legendary acts were due to kick off a run of stadium shows on June 18 in Jacksonville, Florida, but they have...

By Bang Showbiz on 02 June 2020

Motley Crue Def Leppard Poison Joan Jett

Naughty Boy And Gemma Collins' Summer Song Put On Hold

Naughty Boy and Gemma Collins have been forced to postpone plans to release a song this summer. The music producer - whose real name is Shahid Khan - and the reality TV star were due to a drop a tune...

By Bang Showbiz on 02 June 2020

Naughty Boy Gemma Collins

Frank Turner And NOFX Announce Split LP

Frank Turner and NOFX are releasing a split album covering each other's songs.The 38-year-old singer songwriter is joining forces with his friends in the iconic US punk band - made up of Fat Mike, El Hefe, Eric Melvin and Erik...

By Bang Showbiz on 02 June 2020

Frank Turner NoFX

Lady Gaga's Ideas For Stupid Love Came During A Star Is Born Sessions

Lady Gaga started writing 'Stupid Love' while working on 'A Star Is Born'.Producer Michael Tucker - better known as BloodPop - collaborated with the 34-year-old star on material while she was working on material for Bradley Cooper's 2018 musical drama...

By Bang Showbiz on 01 June 2020

Lady GaGa Michael Tucker

'Silence Right Now Is More Damaging': Lorde Voices Her Support For Black Lives Matter

Lorde is ''working out how to practise activism'' whilst ''refraining from social media'' following the death of George Floyd.The 23-year-old star was among those to attend a peaceful protest in Aukland, New Zealand in support of the Black Lives Matter...

By Bang Showbiz on 01 June 2020

Lorde

Foals Reveal When They Plan To Start Working On New Music

Foals aim to start writing new music again towards the end of the year.The indie rockers returned with their first studio effort since 2015, 'Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1' last year - with' Part 2' put out...

By Bang Showbiz on 01 June 2020

Rush's Alex Lifeson Hasn't Felt Like Playing Music Since Neil Peart's Death

Rush's Alex Lifeson hasn't felt ''inspired or motivated'' to play music since drummer Neil Peart's death.The legendary sticksman passed away at the age of 67 on January 7 in Santa Monica, California, after a secret three-year battle with a brain...

By Bang Showbiz on 01 June 2020

Rush Alex Lifeson Neil Peart

Neil Finn Taps Fleetwood Mac Bandmates For Charity Single

Neil Finn has tapped his Fleetwood Mac bandmates Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie for a new charity single.The Crowded House frontman - who joined the 'Go Your Own Way' legends as a full-time member in the wake of Lindsey Buckingham's...

By Bang Showbiz on 01 June 2020

Neil Finn Fleetwood Mac Stevie Nicks Crowded House

Blac Chyna Vows To Drop New Music 'soon'

Blac Chyna has vowed to drop new music ''soon''. The 32-year-old model has reassured fans she will be releasing her new single, 'Seen Her', in the very near future, after dropping a teaser to her new song last month. She...

By Bang Showbiz on 01 June 2020

Blac Chyna

Orville Peck: Shania Twain Collaboration Is 'Dream Come True'

Orville Peck has hailed working with Shania Twain a ''dream come true''.The 20-year-old singer has teamed up with the 'Still the One' hitmaker on 'Legends Never Die', which features on his upcoming 'Show Pony', and he was delighted to get...

By Bang Showbiz on 01 June 2020

Shania Twain

'It's Been Interesting': JoJo On Promoting Her Album During A Pandemic

JoJo says promoting her new album during the coronavirus pandemic has been ''interesting''.The 29-year-old singer released her fourth studio album, 'Good to Know', earlier this month, and has said promoting the record and performing for online audiences from the comfort...

By Bang Showbiz on 31 May 2020

JoJo

John Legend Says His New Music Has Become 'more Relevant'

John Legend thinks some tracks on his upcoming album have become ''more relevant'' due to the coronavirus pandemic.The 41-year-old musician intends to release 'Bigger Love' in June, and he admits that the health crisis has changed his perception of some...

By Bang Showbiz on 31 May 2020

John Legend Christine Teigen

Ice-T Plans To Create Retirement Fund For Rappers

Ice-T wants to create a retirement fund for ageing rappers.The 62-year-old star has floated the idea of creating a fund after Swizz Beats brought up the concept earlier this month, when he suggested developing a scheme that supports rappers who...

By Bang Showbiz on 31 May 2020

Ice-T Swizz Beatz The Sugarhill Gang

Noah Cyrus Influenced By Gospel Music

Noah Cyrus is influenced by gospel music.The 20-year-old singer - who is the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus and the younger sister of Miley Cyrus - has said she grew up listening to the music her grandfather made when he...

By Bang Showbiz on 31 May 2020

Noah Cyrus Billy Ray Cyrus Miley Cyrus Billie Eilish

KISS Lead Tributes To Bob Kulick

KISS has paid tribute to guitarist Bob Kulick following his shock death.The 70-year-old musician's younger brother Bruce took to Twitter to announce the sad death on Friday (29.05.20) and KISS - who Bob worked with - shared their condolences.Bruce wrote:...

By Bang Showbiz on 30 May 2020

The Wanted 'reconnect' Virtually During Lockdown

The Wanted have ''reconnected'' as a quintet during the coronavirus pandemic.The 'Glad You Came' hitmakers - comprised of Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Tom Parker and Nathan Sykes - have been on indefinite hiatus since 2014, and while they...

By Bang Showbiz on 30 May 2020

Siva Kaneswaran Jay McGuiness Tom Parker Nathan Sykes

Alice Cooper Learning To Tap-dance

Alice Cooper has been learning to tap-dance during quarantine.The 72-year-old rocker and his wife Sheryl Goddard, 64, have been enjoying some quiet family time with their children and grandchildren during the Covid-19 lockdown and Alice has even decided to learn...

By Bang Showbiz on 30 May 2020

Alice Cooper

Janelle Monae Is Financially Supporting Her Crew Following Axed Concerts

Janelle Monae is trying to financially support her crew after many of her gigs were cancelled this year.The 34-year-old singer and actress had performances at the likes of Essence Festival and NYC Pride axed due to the coronavirus pandemic so...

By Bang Showbiz on 30 May 2020

Janelle Monae

Jake Bugg Drops Live Favourite Rabbit Hole

Jake Bugg has released live favourite 'Rabbit Hole'.Following on from the release of acoustic track 'Saviours Of The City' - which was released early due to its pertinence with these times - the 26-year-old singer/songwriter has given his fanbase just...

By Bang Showbiz on 29 May 2020

Jake Bugg

The Strokes Have A 'good Thing Going On' And Hope New Music Comes Quicker

The Strokes are excited about the possibility of working on new music as they have a ''good thing going on''.Julian Casablancas and co released their long-awaited follow-up to 2013's Comedown Machine' in April, 'The New Abnormal', and the band hope...

By Bang Showbiz on 29 May 2020

Julian Casablancas Albert Hammond Jr Nick Valensi Fabrizio Moretti

Niall Horan Isn't Putting Pressure On Himself To Write Lots Of Tunes In Lockdown

Niall Horan is no longer ''putting pressure'' on himself to write new music in lockdown.The One Direction star felt like he had to use his time during the coronavirus pandemic to be super productive and get lots of new material...

By Bang Showbiz on 29 May 2020

Niall Horan One Direction Liam Payne Harry Styles Louis Tomlinson Zayn Malik

KSI 'desperately' Hopes He Doesn't Beat The 1975 To No1

KSI ''desperately'' hopes he doesn't beat The 1975 to number one.The 26-year-old viral rapper-and-boxer's debut album, 'Dissimulation', is up against Matty Healy an co's 'Notes On A Conditional Form' and KSI recently told his fans to stop buying his record...

By Bang Showbiz on 29 May 2020

The 1975