After a breakthrough year, which saw Luke Royalty release his sublime debut EP My Blue Room and play a host of shows across the UK, the rising Darlington based troubadour returns with brand new single ‘UP!’ The track is the first to be taken from his forthcoming EP 9INE, out October 6th on Soul Kitchen Recordings. Listen to ‘UP!’ HERE.

Co-produced with Julien Flew at his studio in Hackney Wick‘, UP!’ sees a subtle maturity in Luke’s sound. Still soaked in his hypnotising, laid back vocal, the track is a glitchy pop earworm that’ll be circling your brain for weeks. “‘Up!’ is a positive message about the feeling of hope and mindset it puts you in,” Luke said of the track. “I’ve had some darker times over the past year, however in trying to overcome them I didn’t want to just make sombre music. I wanted to channel the energy into an experimental production and freeing lyrics that shows there’s beauty in many of the simple things I take for granted.”

Merging lo-fi beats, with Luke’s raw, easy-going tones, the collection of seven tracks intertwine through hazy vibes to breezy pop hooks. “9INE is a messy pop project about love, hope and fear,” Luke said of the EP. “I really wanted to try and make something that sounded different to the other music that’s being released right now and separate myself from any labels or genres that people might expect when listening to Luke Royalty. I want to create something that’s fresh, exciting, and rough around the edges.”

Hailing from Darlington in the North East of England, Luke came from a creative family of artists and musicians. He, however, avoided dabbling in music until his late teens, preferring to spend his time playing Sunday League football and following his beloved Darlington FC. Upon finding influence in the likes of Mac Miller, Amy Winehouse and Bill Withers, Luke got drawn into the culture of turning his words to music and the rest is history in the making.

Without doubt one of the most exciting emerging acts around and having already garnered support from key players including BBC Radio 1 (Jack Saunders’ ‘Future Artists Next Wave Pick’), BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing, NME, Clash Magazine, Far Out Magazine, Notion, The Line Of Best Fit, The Independent and Amazing Radio, 2023 sets to be another step towards greatness for Luke Royalty.

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James Blunt is back with a sparkling new album Who We Used To Be – released October 27th on Atlantic Records, featuring the bright and breezy uptempo rocker “Beside You’. 

Produced by The Six, a Manchester collective who have worked with Clean Bandit, Marshmello and James Arthur, ‘Beside You’ is a feel -good summer anthem. “It’s a bit of a celebration,” James says. “An upbeat banger about finally being with the one you’ve been searching for your whole life.” Listen to ‘Beside You’ HERE.

Who We Used To Be is James’ first studio album since the acclaimed, top 3 ‘Once Upon A Mind’ in 2019. This time out he has worked with a variety of producers including Jonny Coffer, Red Triangle, Jack & Coke and Steve Robson. His recent greatest hits collection, ‘The Stars Beneath My Feet’, went Gold selling over 100,000 copies.

James Blunt has become something of a national treasure as he approaches his twentieth anniversary. He is respected for his honesty, wit, and charm as showcased on record, onstage and with his ever engaging twitter account.

His 2004 debut album ‘Back To Bedlam’ featured the global smash hit ‘You’re Beautiful’ and is one of the top ten best selling albums of that decade. He’s won two Brit Awards, two Ivor Novello Awards and has received 5 Grammy nominations.

Who We Used To Be Tracklisting

1. Saving A Life
2. Some Kind Of Beautiful
3. Beside You
4. Last Dance
5. All The Love That I Ever Needed
6. The Girl That Never Was
7. Cold Shoulder
8. I Won’t Die With You
9. Dark Thought
10. Glow

RECENTLY COMPLETED UK & EUROPEAN TOUR WITH ARCTIC MONKEYS
UK IN-STORES & SIGNING ANNOUNCED FOR AUGUST

“A collection of 12 high-energy punk-ish songs reminiscent of their best work” – Rolling Stone

‘The album unfurls via a series of taut yet infectious riffs, pummelling drums and impassioned
high-octane vocals’ – Uncut (7/10)

The Hives release two singles, “Trapdoor Solution” and “The Bomb” that come off their highly anticipated album and their first in over a decade, The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons that arrives via word-leading music distributor FUGA on August 11th. Listen to both tracks HERE.

Coming in at just over a minute long, “Trapdoor Solution” is a frenetic, hair-raising guitar-thrashing track while “The Bomb” is a stomping, caustic head-banger reminiscent of their early 00s work. The double release follows “Rigor Mortis Radio, “Countdown To Shutdown” and “Bogus Operandi” which earned wide critical acclaim.

The band recently returned to Glastonbury for a blow-out set that CLASH praised as “a terrific performance that blended comedy, rock ‘n’ roll, and fine tailoring” while The Guardian lauded the show, hailing its “rambunctiousness.” 

The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons will be available digitally, on CD, and on vinyl. A special limited edition glow in the dark gatefold vinyl with poster will be available exclusively via the band’s own webstore. 

​​In the twenty-five years since The Hives exploded around the world, they have sold out stadiums and shared stages with everyone from AC/DC to The Rolling Stones. SPIN calls The Hives “the best live band on the planet” and Howlin’ Pelle “the greatest frontman in rock,” and the BBC dubbed the band “a force of nature.” Rolling Stone named Veni Vidi Vicious one of the Top 100 Albums of the decade and “Hate To Say I Told You So” earned a spot on Pitchfork’s Top 500 Songs of the 2000’s. They have sold millions of albums world-wide with multiple RIAA Gold-certifications. In the time since Lex Hives, the band has released 2019’s double A-side “I’m Alive”/“Good Samaritan” as well as a live album via Third Man Records, and embarked on a series of global tours. The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons marks a true renaissance.

Kicking off at Leeds Academy on March 27th next year, The Hives take their famously frenzied show to 12 cities across the UK and Ireland, culminating with a date at London’s Eventim Apollo on April 13th. Tickets are already flying, with over three quarters of the tour already sold out.

The band will perform a matinee and late show at Banquet Records in Kingston in August, as well as four signing across the country. Tickets for all shows available HERE.

August

Thu 10th Glasgow, Assai Records SIGNING

Sat 12th Kingston, Banquet Records MATINEE + LATE SHOW (SOLD OUT)

Sun 13th Bristol, Rough Trade SIGNING

Mon 14th Liverpool, Jacaranda SIGNING

Tue 15th Nottingham, Rough Trade SIGNING

March 2024

Wed 27th Leeds, Leeds Academy

Thu 28th Newcastle, City Hall

Fri 29th Nottingham, Rock City

Sat 30th Wolverhampton, The Halls

April 2024

Mon 1st Glasgow, Barrowland

Tue 2nd Bristol, Academy

Wed 3rd Brighton, Brighton Dome

Fri 5th Cardiff, Great Hall

Sat 6th Manchester, Academy

Mon 8th Dublin, Olympia

Wed 10th Norwich, UEA

Sat 13th London, Eventim Apollo

The Hives on the web:

Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook
Twitter | Spotify | Apple | Tidal

Miles Kane has announced fresh UK headline tour dates for January & February 2024. The exciting announcement arrives ahead of his brand new album One Man Band – out August 4th on Modern Sky Records, and follows the release of its superb latest tracks ‘The Wonder’ & ‘Baggio’

Miles returns to his guitar hero best on One Man Band as he focuses on big hooks and even bigger anthems. Sharp, infectious, urgent and packed to the brim with singalong moments, it’s Miles on the top of his game. A deeply personal record, Miles returned to Liverpool to work on the album, finding himself reflecting on his journey. 

Recorded at the brand new Kempston Street Studios, Miles teamed up with longtime collaborator James Skelly of The Coral for production duties. Taking shape after Miles wrote the album’s infectious title-track and the hazy ‘Ransom’, he hooked up with Blossoms’ Tom Ogden and Keiran Shudall of Circa Waves, as well as Andy Burrow and regular writing partner Jamie Biles to put the tracks together.

One Man Band is a career defining album, sonically brilliant, heartfelt and filled with music he was destined to make since the very beginning of an action packed career. 

Next year’s dates follow Miles’s current run of sold out acoustic in & out stores across the UK. Tickets for all shows available HERE

January 2024

Thu 25th Leeds, O2 Academy

Fri 26th Bristol, O2 Academy

Sat 27th Birmingham, O2 Institute

Mon 29th Oxford, O2 Academy

Tue 30th Nottingham, Rock City

February

Thu 1st Glasgow, SWG3 Galvanizers

Fri 2nd Newcastle, NX

Sat 3rd Manchester, O2 Ritz

Mon 5th Cambridge, Junction

Tue 6th Southampton, Engine Rooms

Thu 8th Brighton, Concorde 2

Fri 9th London, Electric Ballroom

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YOUTUBE // SPOTIFY // APPLE MUSIC

Self-described as a funky disco love song, Hozier has shared “De Selby (Part 2)” – the final sneak peek of his forthcoming album Unreal Unearth ahead of release on August 18th. 

Sharing its name with a character from Irish literary classic The Third Policeman, “De Selby (Parts 1 & 2)” open the album. This immersive two-song suite dips into a Gaelic passage only to melt into a bass-driven groove on the second half. Listen to “De Selby (Part 2)” HERE and watch the accompanying visualizer HERE. Part 1 will be available to hear upon album release.

In speaking about today’s release, Hozier says: “This song reflects on darkness and night falling. It aligned with the thinking of the character of De Selby. When you can’t see where your hands and the darkness end, they literally become one and the same. Part 2 is something of a descent. We are lost together in this moment with no beginning and no end. The track explores this theme over a disco track, hope you enjoy!”

Unreal Unearth, due August 18, marks Hozier’s third studio album. The 16-track LP is available for pre-order HERE and features “De Selby (Part 2),” “Unknown / Nth,” “Francesca,” “All Things End,” and “Eat Your Young” as well as 11 new songs. 

Unreal Unearth will be offered both digitally and in various physical configurations including standard black LP, raw ochre D2C exclusive LP, burnt clay Amazon exclusive LP, light umber indie retail exclusive LP, CD, and cassette. See the exclusive vinyl pack shots below.

(L to R: Raw Ochre, Burnt Clay, & Light Umber)

After a surprise set at Glastonbury last month, Hozier is currently wrapping his European and UK tour with sold-out shows in Dublin, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Zurich. Following his upcoming sold out North American tour he will bring his massive international ‘Unreal Unearth Tour’ back to the UK and Europe in December, which will see him conquer arenas, including London’s OVO Arena Wembley, which has sold out already. 

See full tour routing below and visit https://hozier.com/ for more information.

July
Fri 21st London, UK, Alexandra Palace Park SOLD-OUT

Sun 23rd Berkshire, UK, Englefield Estate

Tue 25th Manchester, UK, Albert Hall SOLD OUT

Wed 26th Belfast, UK, Limelight SOLD OUT

November

Sun 26th Stockholm, SE, Avicii Arena

Tue 28th Amsterdam, NL, Ziggo Dome

Wed 29th Paris, FR, Zenith

December

Sat 2nd Berlin, DE, Velodrome

Sun 3rd Vienna, AT, Stadhalle

Tue 5th Hamburg, DE, Sport Hall

Wed 6th Prague, CZ, Sportovni Hala Fortuna

Fri 8th Brussels, BE, Forest National

Sun 10th Liverpool, UK, M&S Bank Arena

Mon 11th Glasgow, UK, OVO Hydro

Wed 13th Birmingham, UK, Resorts World Arena

Fri 15th London, UK, OVO Arena Wembley SOLD OUT

Sun 17th Belfast, UK, SSE Arena SOLD OUT

Tue 19th Dublin, IE, 3Arena SOLD OUT

Wed 20th Dublin, IE, 3Arena SOLD OUT

Fri 22nd Dublin, IE, 3Arena

FOLLOW HOZIER:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | YouTube

Austin, TX trio Being Dead have shared the video for new single, “The Great American Picnic,” taken from their debut album, When Horses Would Run, out today on Bayonet. 

The album’s opening track gallops in with a rush of Western rhythms and chanting vocals, cementing the album as some sort of slap-in-the-face call-to-arms. “The Great American Picnic” is “a song about violent self-improvement,” the band says. Its gargantuan video — directed by Kai Winikka — is a larger-than-life translation of Being Dead’s weirdo-best-friend vibes. “With this video we’re really trying to bring back pillaging and total carnage,” they continue. “Our biggest fear is that people will think we were in costume — like hair and makeup — but the reality of the situation is that those were our real abs and arm muscles.” Watch the video for ‘The Great American Picnic’ HERE.

When Horses Would Run — the debut album from best friends Falcon B*tch, Gumball, and Ricky Moto — propels listeners into vivid landscapes: desert planes, dirty basements, and lush rolling hills. They began writing what would eventually become When Horses Would Run back in 2017, with Falcon B*tch likening the album to a kind of collage of Being Dead so far. “This is definitely a collection of songs from different versions of ourselves,” she says. Recorded at Radio Milk with producer/engineer Jim Vollentine (Spoon, White Denim), When Horses Would Run spit-shines Being Dead’s sound without diminishing their unique bond. 

“Our music is really a slice of our friendship,” says Falcon B*tch. “We’ve lived together and we’re always together and I feel like it’s a palpable thing.” The nurturing foundation of these platonic soulmates urges Being Dead to be their full, freaky selves, prodding at the absurdity of the world with slick n’ dreamy strums, gritty percussion, and kaleidoscopic harmonies. At their renowned live shows, Falcon B*tch and Gumball both sing and swap duties on baritone guitar and drums, commanding the attention of even the most passive concert-goers. Underlined by bassist Ricky Moto, the band prances merrily into the hearts of everyone from the roughest and toughest barbarians to the most angelic little babies. 

This spontaneous, gung-ho approach marks a refreshing originality in Being Dead. When Horses Would Run celebrates the nourishing merriment of friendship, the importance of enjoying the here and now, and creating simply for the hell of it. Here we have a reminder that we can not only move through the burdens of our past, but we can have company —and fun —while doing it.

For an artist who blossomed in lockdown, half-Irish, half-Argentinian singer-songwriter Luz (pronounced ‘Luce’) has stepped out from behind the screen and arrives with her stunning new single ‘sustain’ – showcasing both her hugely relatable songwriting and delicate, soul-piercing voice, at their very finest – listen here.

The track follows the 2022 Ivor Novello Rising Star nominee’s captivating singles ‘the author’ & ‘counting houses’ and sees her entire catalogue having been streamed collectively more than 120 million times to date.

Luz comments; “This song is about feeling like you’re constantly messing things up and ruining the lives of the people around you because you’re so unreliable. Even though I go through good phases, I feel like this at some point every day. I recently got diagnosed with ADHD, which makes a lot of sense, and I feel like this is the song that really reflects that experience for me.”

Luz first posted music secretly from her bedroom, with her identity always remaining anonymous. At the age of 16, she started to slowly lift the veil of secrecy and it was only then that she told her parents. Her mesmerising voice and emotive storytelling is sophisticated beyond her years, tackling issues such as mental health and sexuality. She has since caught the attention of Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Sigrid, Julia Michaels, Lewis Capaldi, Dermot Kennedy, Niall Horan and many more. 

Also, during lockdown, Luz put a piano version of Dua Lipa’s ‘Don’t Start Now’ on TikTok. Her cover has now amassed over 8 million views and was officially approved by Dua Lipa herself. She also featured alongside Noah Kahan for a mesmerising version of his single ‘Passenger’.

Having previously supported Lewis Capaldi and JP Saxe at one off dates, Luz will take on her debut headline shows in October, in Cork, Dublin & London. Tickets available HERE.

At just 22 years of age, tackling real life issues in real time, Luz enters the world as one of the most exciting new voices from Ireland. With lots more new music, and details of her debut headline shows to come, watch this space.

LUZ UK HEADLINE DATES
October

Thu 5th Cork, Crane Lane

Fri 6th Dublin, Academy Green Room

Tue 10th London, Omeara

Follow Luz:
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Storied pop-rock band Dexys today have shared the video for their stunning new single ‘My Submission’ – the fourth advance from their eagerly anticipated new album The Feminine Divine – out July 28th on 100% Records.

Shot by Patrick King, the video sees lead singer Kevin Rowland submit himself to his lover. “In the previous track ‘Goddess Rules,’ during which she lays down the law, he agrees to her rules,” explains Kevin Rowland. “Now, in ‘My Submission,’ he attempts to convince her that he is ready to submit by declaring his undying love. He’s at his most vulnerable now, but he’s excited at where the relationship is heading.” Watch the video for ‘My Submission’ HERE.

Patrick King continued, “after having a first listen to this beautiful song, with a few notes from Kevin on what he envisaged, I felt that vintage lenses with warmth and character would be the best fit for the video. I chose Cooke S2 ‘Speed Panchro’ prime lenses from the 1930’s and their 5:1 zoom from the 1970’s for the ultra-slow zoom-in shots – paired together wonderfully, like the stars of the show.”

The track follows the album’s glorious first singles, ‘Coming Home,’ ‘I’m Going To Get Free’ & title track ‘The Feminine Divine’.

The Feminine Divine is Dexys’ fifth album of original material produced once again by Pete Schwier, along with acclaimed session musician and producer Toby Chapman. After taking some time out to refocus his energy, Kevin Rowland came back to music with a fresh perspective and new-found positivity. A personal, if not strictly autobiographical, record portraying a man whose views have evolved over time. Not just on women, but the whole concept of masculinity he had been raised with: an education and an un-learning that is traced across the arc of The Feminine Divine with dizzying effect.

The record’s first act is full of music hall-esque swagger, much of it written with original Dexys’ trombonist Big Jim Paterson. The second half of the musical narrative is like nothing Dexys have done before. A saucy, synth-heavy cabaret, written in collaboration with Sean Read and Mike Timothy. It’s steamy, fizzing and sultry, at times heavy and at other times raunchy and funky. Quite a heady mix.

To celebrate the release of the album Dexys have teamed up with Women’s Aid for a very special launch event at London’s The Social on Friday 28th July. The intimate performance will see Kevin Rowland and Mike Timothy from the band play a selection of stripped back tracks alongside a Q&A. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the charity.

Women’s Aid CEO, Farah Nazeer said of the event “it’s great to see Dexys supporting the mission of Women’s Aid for their upcoming album launch. As a charity with the mission to build a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated, we understand how gender stereotypes can perpetuate harmful behaviour which undermines positive progress. We welcome and encourage all chances to flip the script.”

With over a billion worldwide streams, three top 10 albums in the UK, two number 1 singles, a Brit Award and a multi-platinum selling album with their sophomore release Too-Rye-Ay (as Dexys Midnight Runners), Dexys are as vital and exciting today as ever. The Feminine Divine marks a new chapter in a book that just keeps getting better and better.

Dexys recently announced a full UK and European tour for September / October. They’ve now added a special run of in-stores signings and performances where Kevin Rowland and Mike Timothy will perform tracks from the new album plus some old favourites. Full dates below and tickets on-sale HERE

July:
Fri 28th London, Social (Record Release Show)

Sat 29th London, Sister Ray(Signing)

Sun 30th Brighton, Resident (Signing)

Mon 31st Manchester, Piccadilly (Signing)

August
Wed 2nd London, Rough Trade East (Performance)

Thu 3rd Kingston, Pryzm (Performance for Banquet Records)

September:
Tue 5th York, Barbican
Thu 7th Liverpool, Philharmonic
Fri 8th Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
Sun 10th Newcastle, O2 City Hall
Mon 11th Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
Wed 13th Cardiff, St David’s Hall
Thu 14th Ipswich, Regent Theatre
Sat 16th Wolverhampton, The Halls
Sun 17th Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
Tue 19th Brighton, Dome
Wed 20th London, Palladium
Fri 22nd Bath, Forum
Mon 25th Dublin, 3Olympia Theatre

CONNECT WITH DEXYS
Official Website
Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Youtube / TikTok

“A collection of 12 high-energy punk-ish songs reminiscent of their best work” – Rolling Stone

After tearing up stadiums across the UK with Arctic Monkeys, as well as a monumental Other Stage performance at Glastonbury Festival last month, The Hives release their brand new single ‘Rigor Mortis Radio’ – the third off their highly anticipated album The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons, which arrives August 11th via FUGA. 

A sheer stomper, ‘Rigor Mortis Radio’ is nothing short of a swaggering singalong constantly shifting gears. It follows the sublime previous singles “Bogus Operandi” and “Countdown To Shutdown”. Listen to ‘Rigor Mortis Radio’ HERE.

The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons will be available digitally, on CD, and on vinyl. A special limited edition glow in the dark gatefold vinyl with poster will be available exclusively via the band’s own webstore. 

​​In the twenty-five years since The Hives exploded around the world, they have sold out stadiums and shared stages with everyone from AC/DC to The Rolling Stones. SPIN calls The Hives “the best live band on the planet” and Howlin’ Pelle “the greatest frontman in rock,” and the BBC dubbed the band “a force of nature.” Rolling Stone named Veni Vidi Vicious one of the Top 100 Albums of the decade and “Hate To Say I Told You So” earned a spot on Pitchfork’s Top 500 Songs of the 2000’s. They have sold millions of albums world-wide with multiple RIAA Gold-certifications. In the time since Lex Hives, the band has released 2019’s double A-side “I’m Alive”/“Good Samaritan” as well as a live album via Third Man Records, and embarked on a series of global tours. The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons marks a true renaissance.

Kicking off at Leeds Academy on March 27th next year, The Hives take their famously frenzied show to 12 cities across the UK and Ireland, culminating with a date at London’s Eventim Apollo on April 13th. Tickets are already flying, with over three quarters of the tour already sold out. Tickets available HERE.

March 2024

Wed 27th Leeds, Leeds Academy

Thu 28th Newcastle, City Hall

Fri 29th Nottingham, Rock City

Sat 30th Wolverhampton, The Halls

April 2024

Mon 1st Glasgow, Barrowland

Tue 2nd Bristol, Academy

Wed 3rd Brighton, Brighton Dome

Fri 5th Cardiff, Great Hall

Sat 6th Manchester, Academy

Mon 8th Dublin, Olympia

Wed 10th Norwich, UEA

Sat 13th London, Eventim Apollo

The Hives on the web:

Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook
Twitter | Spotify | Apple | Tidal

With over two million tickets sold to date on the Memento Mori Tour, and following sold-out shows across North America and Europe, Depeche Mode announce additional European tour dates in 2024 

Winter leg of the Memento Mori Tour kicks off January 22 at the O2 Arena in London

“Dave Gahan is a mic-spinning, limb-bending, theatrical marvel as the band gallop through decades’ worth of hits” – The Guardian

“Electronica’s most enduring band” – The Telegraph

“Time continues to prove Depeche Mode one of the most influential and visionary groups in pop-music history” – Chicago Tribune

“This is theatre at its best, without a doubt” – The Irish Independent

Depeche Mode will bring the Memento Mori Tour back to Europe in 2024! 

Following stadium and arena shows across Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the US this summer and autumn, Depeche Mode today announced 29 new European dates which will extend the tour into 2024. Even more fans will now have a chance to experience the raw, emotive power of the Memento Mori Tour, hailed by Rolling Stone as “a stunning celebration of life and music.”

These new European tour dates begin January 22, 2024 at London’s O2 Arena and finish April 5 after multiple nights at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany. Along the way on the 22-city tour the band will also play multiple nights at Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena, Paris’ Accor Arena, Madrid’s Wizink Center, Milan’s Mediolanum Forum, and more. With over two million tickets already sold, the 110-date Memento Mori Tour is on track to be one of Depeche Mode’s largest to date, as well as one of the largest worldwide tours of 2023.

Having sold more than 100 million records and played to more than 35 million fans worldwide, Depeche Mode remains an ever-evolving and singularly influential musical force. Depeche Mode released their critically acclaimed 15th studio album, Memento Mori, on March 24, 2023 alongside the launch of the Memento Mori tour, with the first single “Ghosts Again” being hailed as “hypnotic” (Rolling Stone) and “a gorgeous, haunting song” (Revolver). An indelible inspiration to fans, critics and artists alike, Depeche Mode continues to forge ahead, with the Memento Mori album and tour representing the opening of the newest chapter of a peerless and ongoing legacy. 

On the Memento Mori Tour, Depeche Mode have once again partnered with luxury Swiss watchmaker Hublot to support the band’s charity efforts. Around the tour, Hublot and Depeche Mode will be supporting Conservation Collective, a global network of foundations promoting grassroots environmental initiatives, with a special focus on projects aiming to tackle plastic pollution, waste management, and environmental cleanups. In addition, Depeche Mode will be working with Live Nation’s Green Nation team to reduce the use of single use plastics, improve recycling, and reduce food and other waste on tour and at the venues. For more details on this partnership and these programs, please visit hublot.depechemode.com.

Winter 2024 European Shows – Just Announced

January 22 London, UK O2 Arena

January 24 Birmingham, UK Utilita Arena

January 29 Manchester, UK AO Arena

January 31 Glasgow, UK OVO Hydro

February 3 Dublin, IE 3Arena

February 6 Antwerp, BE Sportpaleis

February 8 Amsterdam, NL Ziggo Dome

February 10 Copenhagen, DK Royal Arena

February 13 Berlin, DE Mercedes-Benz Arena

February 15 Berlin, DE Mercedes-Benz Arena

February 17 Hamburg, DE Barclays Arena

February 22 Prague, CZ O2 Arena

February 24 Prague, CZ O2 Arena

February 27 Lodz, PL Atlas Arena

February 29 Lodz, PL Atlas Arena

March 3 Paris, FR Accor Arena

March 5 Paris, FR Accor Arena

March 7 Munich, DE Olympiahalle

March 12 Madrid, ES Wizink Center

March 14 Madrid, ES Wizink Center

March 16 Barcelona, ES Palau Sant Jordi

March 19 Lisbon, PT Altice Arena

March 21 Bilbao, ES BEC

March 23 Torino, IT Pala Alpitour

March 26 Budapest, HU MVM Dome

March 28 Milan, IT Mediolanum Forum

March 30 Milan, IT Mediolanum Forum

April 3 Cologne, DE Lanxess Arena

April 5 Cologne, DE Lanxess Arena

For a full listing of tour dates, on-sale times and ticket information, please visit depechemode.com.

Exactly one year after the release of Metric’s 2022 album Formentera, a record that the NME hailed as “one of our favorite albums of the year”, the band has surprised fans with an unannounced and unexpected part two companion album – Formentera II, set for release on October 13th via Metric Music International/Thirty Tigers. 

Formentera II was recorded primarily at the band’s own Main Street Studios in a rural hamlet outside Toronto from 2020-2022 and was completed at Motorbass Studios in Paris in 2023. From Main Street to Motorbass, this is Metric at their best.

Today they have revealed the first single, ‘Just The Once’- a shimmering and soulful banger featuring strings composed and arranged by Drew Jureka (Dua Lipa) and mixed by Stuart White (Beyoncé). Listen to ‘Just The Once’ here. 

“The only way I can describe “Just The Once”  is to call it regret disco,” says lead singer Emily Haines. “It’s a song for when you need to dance yourself clean. Beneath the sparkling surface, there’s a lyrical exploration of a simple word with many meanings. Once is a word that plays a game of opposites. Once can mean once-upon-a-time and refer to a moment in the past, or it can mean someday, once something happens. And as for doing something only once versus doing something once in a while, well, I think we all know how vast the difference is between the two.”

As was the case with Formentera, the songs of Formentera II were brought to life with Metric’s tried and true co-engineering & co-production trinity of Jimmy Shaw, Liam O’Neil, and Gus van Go, this time with the trio guiding the unpredictable process to completion from Main Street to Motorbass in Paris, the studio where some of the band’s favorite artists and sources of inspiration such as Air, Daft Punk and Sébastien Tellier have worked, in the very neighborhood Metric first visited with Olivier Assayas in 2004 when working with the director on his Cannes Palme D’Or award-winning film Clean.

The final touches that happened on Formentera II in Paris at the end of the European leg of Metric’s global Doomscroller Tour infused the album with fresh energy and made for a celebratory finish to the labyrinthine process of making these two ambitious albums during the pandemic.

Taken together, Formentera I & II embody an 18 song statement piece written and performed by a dedicated band of artists at the height of their sonic and songwriting powers. Solidifying their identity as genre-defying risk takers, as they did 20 years ago with their debut album, Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?, Metric’s ninth studio album Formentera II continues to build upon the body of work that drives the group’s urgent purpose, with Haines acting as a lighting rod at the helm, expressing and interpreting the turbulence of life in this world, giving our complex emotions a voice.

Formentera II will be released physically on CD and on limited edition marble blue vinyl as well as sea glass blue vinyl. Metric are also releasing a complete double vinyl set of both Formentera I & II on opaque white vinyl. It’s all available for pre-order now in the Metric store. Digital pre-orders are available HERE. Indie retailers will carry a limited edition clear pink version of the Formentera II  LP.

Metric is Emily Haines( vocals, keys), Jimmy Shaw( guitar), Joshua Winstead (bass guitar) and Joules Scott Key(drums). They have spent over 20 years together in creative partnership – a rare feat for any band. This September marks the 20th anniversary of Metric’s debut album Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? The band resisted major label offers in favor of starting their own label and retaining control of their own material and career, and for the last two decades have found themselves on an unusual trajectory of increasing success while continuing to push their own artistic boundaries past conventional expectations.

Metric has been nominated for numerous Polaris Prizes and JUNO Awards, including five wins. Metric has appeared on The Tonight Show, The Late Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Later…With Jools Holland and have toured extensively, playing headline shows and festivals around the world.

Metric is currently on tour with Garbage and Noel Gallagher.

Track Listing:

1. Detour Up
2. Just The Once
3. Stone Window
4. Days Of Oblivion
5. Who Would You Be For Me
6. Suckers
7. Nothing Is Perfect
8. Descendants
9. Go Ahead And Cry

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 “Black Acid Soul announces the arrival of a bright new star”– The Sunday Times

“an extraordinary collection of songs and performances that burn deep into you” – The Guardian

“Every track a showcase for her knockout voice” – Uncut

Following triumphant, sold-out headline dates at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire and TheBarbican, acclaimed singer-songwriter Lady Blackbird releases new single ‘Baby I Just Don’t.’ The track is taken from the deluxe edition of her incredible debut album ‘Black Acid Soul,’ which garnered 5* reviews and won unanimous praise across all UK media. 

Produced by Chris Seefried, ‘Baby I Just Don’t’ is a euphoric piano driven dose of heartache, which sees Lady Blackbird’s stunning voice soar above a rhapsody of strings. “For ‘Baby I Just Don’t,’ we got into an old soul heartbreak tune about holding onto a love that you know you’ve already lost and accepting that truth,” she said of the song. “And the strings are there to remind you how much it hurts.” Listen to ‘Baby I Just Don’t’ HERE.

Having dazzled a host of venues across the UK, wowed the nation in her BBC Radio 2 Piano Room session with BBC Concert Orchestra, collaborated with Moby on single ‘Walk With Me’, supported Gregory Porter on his UK tour and won ‘International Artist of the Year’ at the Jazz FM Awards, Lady Blackbird returns to the UK for a run of dates this summer,  including a headline show at London’s KOKO on July 29th. Details HERE.

UK Summer 2023 Tour Dates:

July

Fri 28th Cambridge Folk Festival, Cambridge

Sat 29th KOKO, London

August

Sat 12th Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh

Further Praise For Black Acid Soul

“Blackbird has crafted a tremendous debut album” – MOJO

“Difficult to believe it [Black Acid Soul] is not the culmination of a six-decade career, such is the depth of wisdom, expression and control in her voice” – Loud and Quiet

“A voice that is utterly mesmerizing”- Record Collector

“the Grace Jones of jazz” – Gilles Peterson

“Floating above it all is the voice and artistry of this new and incredibly exciting artist. We’ll be talking about this debut for many years to come.” – Downbeat Magazine

To find out more about Lady Blackbird, go to:

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