---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to FabricationsHQ
Home to the musical articles, reviews and promotional features by
Ross Muir
Freelance Music Writer, Music Promotion & Support
"Putting the AI Free Words to the Music"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributing writer & reviewer: Nelson McFarlane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to FabricationsHQ
Home to the musical articles, reviews and promotional features by
Ross Muir
Freelance Music Writer, Music Promotion & Support
"Putting the AI Free Words to the Music"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributing writer & reviewer: Nelson McFarlane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News
Spanish rock and rootsy blues singer-guitarist Susan Santos will be in the UK with her band in November for eight shows in support of her forthcoming album, Camino Diablo, which will be released in October.
See tour dates further below.
The album, which has been preceded by the singles 'El Camino' and 'Faith,' can be pre-ordered at:
https://www.susansantos.info/shop (including limited edition packs & t-shirts)
See tour dates further below.
The album, which has been preceded by the singles 'El Camino' and 'Faith,' can be pre-ordered at:
https://www.susansantos.info/shop (including limited edition packs & t-shirts)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following the success of their critically acclaimed, JUNO Award-nominated self-titled album, and ahead of the release of The Damn Truth (Deluxe Edition) on 11th September, Canadian rock and roll band The Damn Truth have released a live version of the vibrant and lyrically empowering 'Be Somebody.'
Recorded at Montreal’s Hotel2Tango studio, the song is accompanied by a video of the performance (the live track will also feature as bonus track on The Damn Truth Deluxe Edition).
"Be Somebody was written about the duality that comes with that teenage lust of wanting to fit in, yet remain true to your individuality," say the band.
"We've carried this song with us from stage to stage over the past year, and there's something beautiful about how a song keeps revealing itself when it's shared with people night after night.
Re-recording Be Somebody at the legendary Hotel2Tango felt incredibly special; breathing new life into this song and celebrating how music continues to evolve long after it's written."
Recorded at Montreal’s Hotel2Tango studio, the song is accompanied by a video of the performance (the live track will also feature as bonus track on The Damn Truth Deluxe Edition).
"Be Somebody was written about the duality that comes with that teenage lust of wanting to fit in, yet remain true to your individuality," say the band.
"We've carried this song with us from stage to stage over the past year, and there's something beautiful about how a song keeps revealing itself when it's shared with people night after night.
Re-recording Be Somebody at the legendary Hotel2Tango felt incredibly special; breathing new life into this song and celebrating how music continues to evolve long after it's written."
The Damn Truth will be back in the UK In August & September for eight shows followed by a significant Special Guest slot to Europe on the latter’s Final Countdown – 40th Anniversary Tour
UK Dates
28 Aug - The Live Rooms, Chester
29 Aug - Stonedead Festival, Newark
30 Aug - Nightrain, Bradford
01 Sep - The Globe, Cardiff
02 Sep - Cavern, Exeter
03 Sep - The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
04 Sep - Bear Cave, Bournemouth
06 Sep - The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool
Special Guests to Europe on The Final Countdown – 40th Anniversary Tour
UK Dates:
30 September – Glasgow, SEC Armadillo
2 October – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
3 October – London, Eventim Apollo
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UK Dates
28 Aug - The Live Rooms, Chester
29 Aug - Stonedead Festival, Newark
30 Aug - Nightrain, Bradford
01 Sep - The Globe, Cardiff
02 Sep - Cavern, Exeter
03 Sep - The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
04 Sep - Bear Cave, Bournemouth
06 Sep - The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool
Special Guests to Europe on The Final Countdown – 40th Anniversary Tour
UK Dates:
30 September – Glasgow, SEC Armadillo
2 October – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
3 October – London, Eventim Apollo
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
British rock 'N' roll band Silveroller have signed a worldwide multi-album deal with Italian rock label Frontiers Records.
The label will release the band's highly anticipated debut in March 2027, accompanied by a run of UK Tour dates to support it.
"We are beyond thrilled to be signing with Frontiers, an incredible label with an incredible philosophy, and a roster to match," says band frontman Jonnie Hodson. "We're now looking forward to getting to work and delivering our debut album!"
While often associated with the golden era of 70s rock, Silveroller are anything but a nostalgia act.
Blending classic influences with contemporary songwriting, infectious hooks, and electrifying live performances, the band have a sound that is both timeless and modern.
Previous headline and supporting live performances along with the release of their critically acclaimed debut EP At Dawn in 2024 have made Silveroller one of the UK's most exciting rising rock acts; their debut album is sure to elevate them further, as well as marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Silveroller will be on tour in Europe this September:
Sept 9 - Freilichtbühne - Mulheim an der Ruhr, Germany
Sept 11 - Sinner Rock Festival – Altengronau, Germany
Sept 12 - Rock N Revel Festival – Marienmünster, Germany
Sept 13 - Raismesfest – Raismes, France
Sept 25 - Alt – Werdohl, Germany
Sept 26 - Formosa Bierfest – Essen, Germany
Love, Truth & Peace UK Tour 2027
March 12 - Quarry, Liverpool
March 18 - Bannerman’s, Edinburgh
March 19 - Think Tank, Newcastle
March 20 - Corporation, Sheffield
March 26 - Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton
March 27 - Patriot, Crumlin
March 28 - The Black Heart, London
Tickets Available now: https://www.silveroller.com/live
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The label will release the band's highly anticipated debut in March 2027, accompanied by a run of UK Tour dates to support it.
"We are beyond thrilled to be signing with Frontiers, an incredible label with an incredible philosophy, and a roster to match," says band frontman Jonnie Hodson. "We're now looking forward to getting to work and delivering our debut album!"
While often associated with the golden era of 70s rock, Silveroller are anything but a nostalgia act.
Blending classic influences with contemporary songwriting, infectious hooks, and electrifying live performances, the band have a sound that is both timeless and modern.
Previous headline and supporting live performances along with the release of their critically acclaimed debut EP At Dawn in 2024 have made Silveroller one of the UK's most exciting rising rock acts; their debut album is sure to elevate them further, as well as marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Silveroller will be on tour in Europe this September:
Sept 9 - Freilichtbühne - Mulheim an der Ruhr, Germany
Sept 11 - Sinner Rock Festival – Altengronau, Germany
Sept 12 - Rock N Revel Festival – Marienmünster, Germany
Sept 13 - Raismesfest – Raismes, France
Sept 25 - Alt – Werdohl, Germany
Sept 26 - Formosa Bierfest – Essen, Germany
Love, Truth & Peace UK Tour 2027
March 12 - Quarry, Liverpool
March 18 - Bannerman’s, Edinburgh
March 19 - Think Tank, Newcastle
March 20 - Corporation, Sheffield
March 26 - Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton
March 27 - Patriot, Crumlin
March 28 - The Black Heart, London
Tickets Available now: https://www.silveroller.com/live
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scottish contemporary rock band Mason Hill have announced the forthcoming release of their new album World So Wonderful, which will be released on 23rd October on 7Hz Productions.
The album, which has been preceded by the singles 'Remember' and 'Twisted,' will be previewed further via the single 'Hurricane,' releasing 24th July.
The album, which was produced by Dan Weller, will be available to pre-order the same day, 24th July.
Mason Hill have been no strangers to adversity over their ten-year existence.
They’ve endured false starts, botched record deals and a six-year gap between 2015’s eponymous debut EP and the release of Against The Wall.
Worse, the latter landed during the height of the Covid pandemic, meaning the band weren’t initially able to tour in support of it. The departure of former singer Scott Taylor at the end of 2023 was another obstacle they had to overcome.
"A couple of years ago this album seemed like it would be an impossible task," says bassist Mark Ward.
"To be sitting here, finally discussing launching the pre order feels like we just climbed Everest and made it to the top! This album is the next step in the evolution of Mason Hill, it's more fierce, more refined, and hungrier than ever."
"We have poured our heart into this album and we're all truly elated with the finished product," adds the band’s new vocalist Tom Ward. "Whether you're a long-term fan, or recently converted, there is honestly something for everyone on this album, with riffs so crunchy you'll need a neck brace after your first listen!"
"There have been times over the years when we weren’t even sure we’d be able to keep on being a band," comments guitarist James Bird. "Just before Tom came in, we were so close to saying 'well, we tried, but let’s call it a day.' But there’s a stubbornness and determination and passion in us that has kept us going.
We’re so ready to get back out there. This is who we are now. This is Mason Hill."
Upcoming live shows:
24th July - Steelhouse Festival, Ebbw Vale
7th - 9th August - Firevolt Festival, Stockport
13th November - Glasgow Barrowlands (supporting Skindred)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The album, which has been preceded by the singles 'Remember' and 'Twisted,' will be previewed further via the single 'Hurricane,' releasing 24th July.
The album, which was produced by Dan Weller, will be available to pre-order the same day, 24th July.
Mason Hill have been no strangers to adversity over their ten-year existence.
They’ve endured false starts, botched record deals and a six-year gap between 2015’s eponymous debut EP and the release of Against The Wall.
Worse, the latter landed during the height of the Covid pandemic, meaning the band weren’t initially able to tour in support of it. The departure of former singer Scott Taylor at the end of 2023 was another obstacle they had to overcome.
"A couple of years ago this album seemed like it would be an impossible task," says bassist Mark Ward.
"To be sitting here, finally discussing launching the pre order feels like we just climbed Everest and made it to the top! This album is the next step in the evolution of Mason Hill, it's more fierce, more refined, and hungrier than ever."
"We have poured our heart into this album and we're all truly elated with the finished product," adds the band’s new vocalist Tom Ward. "Whether you're a long-term fan, or recently converted, there is honestly something for everyone on this album, with riffs so crunchy you'll need a neck brace after your first listen!"
"There have been times over the years when we weren’t even sure we’d be able to keep on being a band," comments guitarist James Bird. "Just before Tom came in, we were so close to saying 'well, we tried, but let’s call it a day.' But there’s a stubbornness and determination and passion in us that has kept us going.
We’re so ready to get back out there. This is who we are now. This is Mason Hill."
Upcoming live shows:
24th July - Steelhouse Festival, Ebbw Vale
7th - 9th August - Firevolt Festival, Stockport
13th November - Glasgow Barrowlands (supporting Skindred)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American hard melodic rockers Night Ranger have announced the forthcoming release of their new Best Of album, due 28th August via Frontiers Music Srl.
The album, which will be available on CD and Double LP Vinyl (in Black, Gold, or Orange Splatter), features newly remixed & remastered versions of the band’s classic hits alongside some of the best tracks from their more recent releases. Pre-order the album here: https://ffm.bio/nightranger-bestof
As tasters, the new 2026 remasters of 'Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,' '(You Can Still) Rock In America' and, now, 'Sister Christian' have been released, with official visualizer videos.
The album, which will be available on CD and Double LP Vinyl (in Black, Gold, or Orange Splatter), features newly remixed & remastered versions of the band’s classic hits alongside some of the best tracks from their more recent releases. Pre-order the album here: https://ffm.bio/nightranger-bestof
As tasters, the new 2026 remasters of 'Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,' '(You Can Still) Rock In America' and, now, 'Sister Christian' have been released, with official visualizer videos.
The Best Of also features two bonus tracks - a fresh take on 'Wasted Time,' recorded live off the floor at Sweetwater Studios (accompanied by an exclusive music video), and a festive live performance of 'Feliz Navidad.' The Japan release of the album features a third bonus track, 'Hole In The Sun.'
Best Of - Track Listing:
Don't Tell Me You Love Me (2026); (You Can Still) Rock in America (2026); Sister Christian (2026); When You Close Your Eyes (2026); Four in the Morning (2026); Breakout; Tomorrow; Growin' Up in California; Time of Our Lives; High Road; No Time to Lose Ya; Somehow Someway; Truth; Don't Let Up; Only For You Only; Wasted Time - Live at Sweetwater Studios (Bonus Track); Feliz Navidad - Live (Bonus Track); Hole In The Sun (Bonus Track Japan)
Night Ranger:
Jack Blades: Lead Vocals, Bass; Brad Gillis: Guitars; Kelly Keagy: Lead Vocals, Drums; Keri Kelly: Guitars; Eric Levy: keyboards
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best Of - Track Listing:
Don't Tell Me You Love Me (2026); (You Can Still) Rock in America (2026); Sister Christian (2026); When You Close Your Eyes (2026); Four in the Morning (2026); Breakout; Tomorrow; Growin' Up in California; Time of Our Lives; High Road; No Time to Lose Ya; Somehow Someway; Truth; Don't Let Up; Only For You Only; Wasted Time - Live at Sweetwater Studios (Bonus Track); Feliz Navidad - Live (Bonus Track); Hole In The Sun (Bonus Track Japan)
Night Ranger:
Jack Blades: Lead Vocals, Bass; Brad Gillis: Guitars; Kelly Keagy: Lead Vocals, Drums; Keri Kelly: Guitars; Eric Levy: keyboards
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nashville-based, Southern hued rock and roll band Parker Barrow, who have just released their second album Hold The Mash, are playing five shows and two festival performances in the UK in July.
They will also return to the UK in November and December for eight headline shows in further support of the album (see poster further below).
Tickets:
https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/Parker-Barrow.htm
https://www.weareparkerbarrow.com/tour
The July club shows take place in Frome (Treehouse, 17th), Stowmarket (John Peel Centre, 18th), Glasgow (Audio, 21st),
Sheffield (Greystones, 22nd) and Leek (Foxlowe Arts Centre, 23rd).
The band play Maid Of Stone Festival (Sunday 19th July) and Steelhouse Festival (Friday 24th July).
Husband-and-wife duo Megan Kane and Dylan Turner lead Parker Barrow. The name of the band is a homage to Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the infamous American bank robbers during the early 1930’s Great Depression.
In 2023 Parker Barrow expanded with the full-time inclusion of guitarist and musical director Alex Bender; the line-up is completed by Will Tipton (guitar), Kyle Priber (bass) and Eric Safka (keys).
Debut album Jukebox Gypsies was released to glowing reviews from music press and fans globally; the single 'Back To Birmingham' racked up over a million YouTube views.
In 2025 Parker Barrow released the Hold The Mash EP, and toured the UK supporting the Damn Truth, winning many new fans.
They will also return to the UK in November and December for eight headline shows in further support of the album (see poster further below).
Tickets:
https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/Parker-Barrow.htm
https://www.weareparkerbarrow.com/tour
The July club shows take place in Frome (Treehouse, 17th), Stowmarket (John Peel Centre, 18th), Glasgow (Audio, 21st),
Sheffield (Greystones, 22nd) and Leek (Foxlowe Arts Centre, 23rd).
The band play Maid Of Stone Festival (Sunday 19th July) and Steelhouse Festival (Friday 24th July).
Husband-and-wife duo Megan Kane and Dylan Turner lead Parker Barrow. The name of the band is a homage to Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the infamous American bank robbers during the early 1930’s Great Depression.
In 2023 Parker Barrow expanded with the full-time inclusion of guitarist and musical director Alex Bender; the line-up is completed by Will Tipton (guitar), Kyle Priber (bass) and Eric Safka (keys).
Debut album Jukebox Gypsies was released to glowing reviews from music press and fans globally; the single 'Back To Birmingham' racked up over a million YouTube views.
In 2025 Parker Barrow released the Hold The Mash EP, and toured the UK supporting the Damn Truth, winning many new fans.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fast rising rockers Revenant, who recently announced their debut album Kickstarter campaign (link further below) have released their brooding, contemporised interpretation of the Led Zeppelin classic 'When The Levee Breaks,' which is available now on all digital platforms.
"We've been searching for a cover to do for a little while now, but nothing ever really jumped out," says Revenant front man Sam Lay. "Our drummer Carl has a real affinity for John Bonham's playing and when the idea of When The Levee Breaks was mooted we got our dirty rock & roll mitts on it; it was a no brainer!
Do enjoy it as much as we did recording it!"
"We've been searching for a cover to do for a little while now, but nothing ever really jumped out," says Revenant front man Sam Lay. "Our drummer Carl has a real affinity for John Bonham's playing and when the idea of When The Levee Breaks was mooted we got our dirty rock & roll mitts on it; it was a no brainer!
Do enjoy it as much as we did recording it!"
The release of the classic cover dovetails with the news that, at time of this writing, the debut album Kickstarter campaign has achieved over 80% of its target.
Perks for pledging included an array of exclusives, including signed albums (CD & Limited Edition coloured vinyl), name in the liner notes, a one-of-a-kind backer tee, signed drumsticks/ skin pack from the recording, a one-off hand painted signed guitar, acoustic house concerts and many more.
All backers will also receive a bonus digital download of Live Amongst The Pines, a 4-track electric session EP not available anywhere else.
Pledge/ donate here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/revenantband/revenant-debut-album-coming-2027
Formed in 2023, Revenant’s huge contemporary rock sound with a southern twist was first heard on debut EP What a Time To Be Alive.
The band then hit the ground running with their first single 'Coming Back To Life' and follow-up 'The Masquerade,' drawing favourable comparisons to the likes of Chris Cornell, Alter Bridge and Black Stone Cherry.
In 2025, their EP brace of Best Medicine and Black Dogs and Sad Men garnered rave reviews and gained Revenant new fans and a wide audience.
The band are also making waves on the live circuit having wowed at shows and festivals alike, including their first UK tour as special guest to US southern rockers Preacher Stone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perks for pledging included an array of exclusives, including signed albums (CD & Limited Edition coloured vinyl), name in the liner notes, a one-of-a-kind backer tee, signed drumsticks/ skin pack from the recording, a one-off hand painted signed guitar, acoustic house concerts and many more.
All backers will also receive a bonus digital download of Live Amongst The Pines, a 4-track electric session EP not available anywhere else.
Pledge/ donate here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/revenantband/revenant-debut-album-coming-2027
Formed in 2023, Revenant’s huge contemporary rock sound with a southern twist was first heard on debut EP What a Time To Be Alive.
The band then hit the ground running with their first single 'Coming Back To Life' and follow-up 'The Masquerade,' drawing favourable comparisons to the likes of Chris Cornell, Alter Bridge and Black Stone Cherry.
In 2025, their EP brace of Best Medicine and Black Dogs and Sad Men garnered rave reviews and gained Revenant new fans and a wide audience.
The band are also making waves on the live circuit having wowed at shows and festivals alike, including their first UK tour as special guest to US southern rockers Preacher Stone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southern roots-rock alumni Warren Haynes has released 'Raven Black Night' as a third single from upcoming live album Dreams & Songs, which will be released on 18th September on Provogue/Artone Label Group (Europe) and Evil Teen Records (U.S.)
Stream the single via: https://lnk.to/warrenhaynes
Originally released on the 1998 Gov’t Mule album, Dose, 'Raven Black Night' required a whole new approach for the fully orchestrated live performance.
"I had come up with this arrangement that went from Raven Black Night into Silent Scream Pt.2, back into Raven Black Night," says Warren. "The way those two things married together is really cool, and the way the orchestra accepted that challenge was really amazing. I think those two songs, the way they work together, lend themselves to orchestration more than anything else on this recording.
I really enjoyed singing Raven Black Night in that light because the original recording had no drums and was very stripped-down. This arrangement is the opposite of the original; it takes it to a place that completes it and turns it into another thing."
Stream the single via: https://lnk.to/warrenhaynes
Originally released on the 1998 Gov’t Mule album, Dose, 'Raven Black Night' required a whole new approach for the fully orchestrated live performance.
"I had come up with this arrangement that went from Raven Black Night into Silent Scream Pt.2, back into Raven Black Night," says Warren. "The way those two things married together is really cool, and the way the orchestra accepted that challenge was really amazing. I think those two songs, the way they work together, lend themselves to orchestration more than anything else on this recording.
I really enjoyed singing Raven Black Night in that light because the original recording had no drums and was very stripped-down. This arrangement is the opposite of the original; it takes it to a place that completes it and turns it into another thing."
Dreams & Songs presents 2019’s one-of-a-kind concert at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville NC.
It captures the thrilling collision between Warren Haynes' lineup of seasoned rock 'n' roll improvisers including Oteil Burbridge (bass), John Medeski (keys), Jeff Sipe (drums), Greg Osby (saxophone) and Edwin McCain & Jasmine Muhammad (background vocals) and the 64-piece Asheville Symphony Orchestra.
The 16-track collection explores all aspects of his incredible catalogue and career including music from Gov’t Mule, Allman Brothers Band, The Dead, his solo albums, and more.
Haynes will bring his acclaimed Dreams & Songs Symphonic Experience show to Nashville next year for two nights at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center with the Nashville Symphony on Thursday March 11th & Friday March 12th.
Until then, Warren Haynes will be busy on the road with his bandmates in Gov’t Mule.
The revered GRAMMY-nominated quintet is touring this summer on their Kicking In Your Stall tour as well as a co-headlining trek with blues rock icon Joe Bonamassa, traveling all over the U.S. from July through August.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It captures the thrilling collision between Warren Haynes' lineup of seasoned rock 'n' roll improvisers including Oteil Burbridge (bass), John Medeski (keys), Jeff Sipe (drums), Greg Osby (saxophone) and Edwin McCain & Jasmine Muhammad (background vocals) and the 64-piece Asheville Symphony Orchestra.
The 16-track collection explores all aspects of his incredible catalogue and career including music from Gov’t Mule, Allman Brothers Band, The Dead, his solo albums, and more.
Haynes will bring his acclaimed Dreams & Songs Symphonic Experience show to Nashville next year for two nights at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center with the Nashville Symphony on Thursday March 11th & Friday March 12th.
Until then, Warren Haynes will be busy on the road with his bandmates in Gov’t Mule.
The revered GRAMMY-nominated quintet is touring this summer on their Kicking In Your Stall tour as well as a co-headlining trek with blues rock icon Joe Bonamassa, traveling all over the U.S. from July through August.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contemporary British rockers Massive Wagons have released a new single entitled 'Story Of My Demise.'
Produced by Matt O'Grady (You Me At Six, Architects), the song, as with previous single 'Everywhere We Go,' is lifted from the band’s forthcoming, and eighth, studio album, scheduled for release in 2027.
With trademark ‘Wagons hooks, harmonies and a driving beat, 'Story Of My Demise' is another high-energy winner from one of the UK’s most exciting modern rock acts.
Stream via https://lnk.to/StoryOfMyDemise
"We were blown away by the success of Everywhere We Go, especially in Europe, where the radio support was outstanding," says the band’s frontman Baz Mills. "We wanted to follow it up with another huge, catchy song, and we'd had this demo in our back pocket since the early days of writing for the next album.
I've always liked it when I can polarise the lyrics and the song itself; a happy tune with gritty, grim lyrics about feeling completely useless while the world around you is slowly dismantled by a consortium of rich psychopaths. Hey ho."
Produced by Matt O'Grady (You Me At Six, Architects), the song, as with previous single 'Everywhere We Go,' is lifted from the band’s forthcoming, and eighth, studio album, scheduled for release in 2027.
With trademark ‘Wagons hooks, harmonies and a driving beat, 'Story Of My Demise' is another high-energy winner from one of the UK’s most exciting modern rock acts.
Stream via https://lnk.to/StoryOfMyDemise
"We were blown away by the success of Everywhere We Go, especially in Europe, where the radio support was outstanding," says the band’s frontman Baz Mills. "We wanted to follow it up with another huge, catchy song, and we'd had this demo in our back pocket since the early days of writing for the next album.
I've always liked it when I can polarise the lyrics and the song itself; a happy tune with gritty, grim lyrics about feeling completely useless while the world around you is slowly dismantled by a consortium of rich psychopaths. Hey ho."
Like its predecessor, 'Story Of My Demise' is also available as a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single.
Order the single (and related merch) here: https://www.massivewagons.com/store
Dovetailing with the single’s release is the launch of the band’s first official European webshop, making merchandise, vinyl and exclusive items far more accessible to fans across mainland Europe, with faster shipping, local distribution and significantly lower delivery costs.
The band has also unveiled The Vaults - a brand-new online store dedicated to resurrecting classic Massive Wagons merchandise from throughout their career.
The UK & European merch stores and The Vaults can be found here: https://www.massivewagons.com/merch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order the single (and related merch) here: https://www.massivewagons.com/store
Dovetailing with the single’s release is the launch of the band’s first official European webshop, making merchandise, vinyl and exclusive items far more accessible to fans across mainland Europe, with faster shipping, local distribution and significantly lower delivery costs.
The band has also unveiled The Vaults - a brand-new online store dedicated to resurrecting classic Massive Wagons merchandise from throughout their career.
The UK & European merch stores and The Vaults can be found here: https://www.massivewagons.com/merch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birmingham based independent alt-blues artist and vocal powerhouse Rebecca Downes has released a live version of 'Let You Down Slow' from her sixth and latest studio album, A Storm Is Coming.
Released through her own label, Mad Hat Records, the track is available on all digital platforms here:
https://lnk.to/LYDSLive
Written by Downes and her guitarist/ songwriting partner Steve Birkett, 'Let You Down Slow' firmly plants its flag in the blues rock ground, but with a heavy and healthy dose of melodic swagger and rhythmic groove.
"When break-up features in our song-writing, it is usually explosive, with those close by at risk of collateral damage," says Rebecca. "However, in this track the story is one of planning to handle an inevitable parting quietly and with care. We have thoroughly enjoyed performing this track at our gigs and I am delighted to be sharing the live performance more widely."
Released through her own label, Mad Hat Records, the track is available on all digital platforms here:
https://lnk.to/LYDSLive
Written by Downes and her guitarist/ songwriting partner Steve Birkett, 'Let You Down Slow' firmly plants its flag in the blues rock ground, but with a heavy and healthy dose of melodic swagger and rhythmic groove.
"When break-up features in our song-writing, it is usually explosive, with those close by at risk of collateral damage," says Rebecca. "However, in this track the story is one of planning to handle an inevitable parting quietly and with care. We have thoroughly enjoyed performing this track at our gigs and I am delighted to be sharing the live performance more widely."
'Let Me Down Slow' is the second of several planned releases of live versions of tracks lifted from A Storm Is Coming, with more to follow later in the year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multi award-winning Irish blues guitarist Dom Martin has confirmed a run of dates for later in the year, including three of Solid Entertainments Blues, Rhythm & Rock festivals.
Support at selected shows comes from Katie And The Bad Sign (see tour poster for dates).
Tickets: https://www.solidentertainments.com/presents.htm#DOM-TOUR
Support at selected shows comes from Katie And The Bad Sign (see tour poster for dates).
Tickets: https://www.solidentertainments.com/presents.htm#DOM-TOUR
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The King of Gothic Blues, Ledfoot (aka Tim Scott McConnell) will make a long-awaited return to the UK in late July to play four dates promoting his 2025 album Plain Simple Honesty.
The UK dates are:
23rd July – London, Cart & Horses
24th July – London, Betsey Trotwood
25th July – Milton Keynes, Craufurd Arms
26th July – Edinburgh, Bannermans
His eighth full-length solo release, Plain Simple Honesty is exactly what its title suggests; a collection of brutally honest songs straight from the heart relating small yet powerful stories that guide listeners through the darker corners of the human psyche, populated with characters who endure despite constant setbacks.
"Telling the truth is sometimes the hardest thing to do, but it’s always worth the effort." - Ledfoot
American musician Tim Scott McConnell has been based in Norway for the last three decades.
Starting out in 1980 as a member of The Rockats while still in his teens, he then recorded two solo records in the mid-80s before co-founding The Havalinas, who also issued two albums and supported Bob Dylan on his Oh Mercy world tour.
His 1987 solo song 'High Hopes' was subsequently covered twice by Bruce Springsteen, the second time for what became the title song of his 2014 album that went to No. 1 in multiple territories.
In between those boosts from The Boss, McConnell had begun recording a highly distinctive brand of Gothic Blues as Ledfoot from his base in the Norwegian woods.
The first of his eight solo albums under the Ledfoot name appeared in 2007, which introduced his weather-beaten voice supported by thickly-strung 12-string acoustic guitar, brass slide and stomp box.
"Rooted in raw emotion and hard-won truths… grounded, ghostly and utterly gripping." - Blues Matters
"In an era of falsity, Ledfoot’s sublime songwriting shines though." - Vive Le Rock
"Has a sense of foreboding that fans of gothic country will appreciate." - Vintage Rock
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The UK dates are:
23rd July – London, Cart & Horses
24th July – London, Betsey Trotwood
25th July – Milton Keynes, Craufurd Arms
26th July – Edinburgh, Bannermans
His eighth full-length solo release, Plain Simple Honesty is exactly what its title suggests; a collection of brutally honest songs straight from the heart relating small yet powerful stories that guide listeners through the darker corners of the human psyche, populated with characters who endure despite constant setbacks.
"Telling the truth is sometimes the hardest thing to do, but it’s always worth the effort." - Ledfoot
American musician Tim Scott McConnell has been based in Norway for the last three decades.
Starting out in 1980 as a member of The Rockats while still in his teens, he then recorded two solo records in the mid-80s before co-founding The Havalinas, who also issued two albums and supported Bob Dylan on his Oh Mercy world tour.
His 1987 solo song 'High Hopes' was subsequently covered twice by Bruce Springsteen, the second time for what became the title song of his 2014 album that went to No. 1 in multiple territories.
In between those boosts from The Boss, McConnell had begun recording a highly distinctive brand of Gothic Blues as Ledfoot from his base in the Norwegian woods.
The first of his eight solo albums under the Ledfoot name appeared in 2007, which introduced his weather-beaten voice supported by thickly-strung 12-string acoustic guitar, brass slide and stomp box.
"Rooted in raw emotion and hard-won truths… grounded, ghostly and utterly gripping." - Blues Matters
"In an era of falsity, Ledfoot’s sublime songwriting shines though." - Vive Le Rock
"Has a sense of foreboding that fans of gothic country will appreciate." - Vintage Rock
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noted Canadian roots rock and soul band Bywater Call have released a new single titled 'Is This Thing On?.'
A lyrically questioning Americana folk song of beautiful, string backed delicacy that highlights the wonderful and captivating voice of Meghan Parnell, 'Is This Thing On?' follows on from previous singles, the 60s styled soul of 'No One Else,' the dreamy 'Only' and the R&B slow burn of ''How Long.'
'Is This Thing On?' is available to stream via https://linktr.ee/bywatercall
All four tracks will feature on the band's forthcoming studio album, Broken Souvenirs, set for release on July 29th. Pre-order here: https://bywatercall.com/
A lyrically questioning Americana folk song of beautiful, string backed delicacy that highlights the wonderful and captivating voice of Meghan Parnell, 'Is This Thing On?' follows on from previous singles, the 60s styled soul of 'No One Else,' the dreamy 'Only' and the R&B slow burn of ''How Long.'
'Is This Thing On?' is available to stream via https://linktr.ee/bywatercall
All four tracks will feature on the band's forthcoming studio album, Broken Souvenirs, set for release on July 29th. Pre-order here: https://bywatercall.com/
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Bywater Call is comprised of Meghan Parnell (vocals), Dave Barnes (guitar), Bruce McCarthy (drums), Mike Meusel (bass), Stephen Dyte (trumpet), Julian Nalli (tenor sax) and newest member, Andrew Moljgun (keys).
Latest studio album, Shepherd, was selected as the Blues Album of the Year by UK’s Classic Rock Magazine. Their live album Sunshine was released in August 2025 to rave reviews.
Additionally, the band was nominated for the 2025 UK Blues Award for International Blues Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year. They also received multiple independent Blues Awards and Canadian Maple Blues Award nominations at the 2024 Awards Season.
Bywater Call will return to the UK for ten dates at the top of 2027 (see tour poster below).
More info on full itinerary of dates and ticket links at: www.bywatercall.com
Latest studio album, Shepherd, was selected as the Blues Album of the Year by UK’s Classic Rock Magazine. Their live album Sunshine was released in August 2025 to rave reviews.
Additionally, the band was nominated for the 2025 UK Blues Award for International Blues Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year. They also received multiple independent Blues Awards and Canadian Maple Blues Award nominations at the 2024 Awards Season.
Bywater Call will return to the UK for ten dates at the top of 2027 (see tour poster below).
More info on full itinerary of dates and ticket links at: www.bywatercall.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
British blues rock stalwart Ben Poole has announced his first studio album of all new material in eight years.
Post-Midnight Behaviour, which will be released on September 25th, is the long-awaited follow-up to the critically acclaimed Time Has Come.
Released by Gypsy Soul Records, the album is available to pre-order on CD and Vinyl here:
https://gypsy-soul-records.myshopify.com/collections/ben-poole
Pre-save digitally here:
https://lnk.fuga.com/benpoole_postmidnightbehaviour
Post-Midnight Behaviour, which has been preceded by lead-of single 'No Second Chances,' sees Ben Poole exploring new musical ground, as he explains: "I wanted this album to showcase my evolution as guitarist and singer songwriter; my guitar style and technique have developed, my singing voice has matured, and my influences have varied.
The new album combines blues, rock, soul, country, and alternative rock; I still get to let loose on guitar, but within a more subdued and reflective manner. Ambiance inspired the album name, Post-Midnight Behaviour.
My writing team and I (Ben, Oli Brown, Wayne Proctor and Steve Amadeo) really pushed ourselves. We dug deep to make sure the songwriting was of the highest quality and the arrangements carefully structured and perfectly executed. My fans are going to really like what we have created. It was well worth the wait!"
Post-Midnight Behaviour, which will be released on September 25th, is the long-awaited follow-up to the critically acclaimed Time Has Come.
Released by Gypsy Soul Records, the album is available to pre-order on CD and Vinyl here:
https://gypsy-soul-records.myshopify.com/collections/ben-poole
Pre-save digitally here:
https://lnk.fuga.com/benpoole_postmidnightbehaviour
Post-Midnight Behaviour, which has been preceded by lead-of single 'No Second Chances,' sees Ben Poole exploring new musical ground, as he explains: "I wanted this album to showcase my evolution as guitarist and singer songwriter; my guitar style and technique have developed, my singing voice has matured, and my influences have varied.
The new album combines blues, rock, soul, country, and alternative rock; I still get to let loose on guitar, but within a more subdued and reflective manner. Ambiance inspired the album name, Post-Midnight Behaviour.
My writing team and I (Ben, Oli Brown, Wayne Proctor and Steve Amadeo) really pushed ourselves. We dug deep to make sure the songwriting was of the highest quality and the arrangements carefully structured and perfectly executed. My fans are going to really like what we have created. It was well worth the wait!"
'No Second Chances' is available to stream via https://lnk.fuga.com/benpoole_nosecondchances
Post-Midnight Behaviour, released 25th September on Gypsy Soul Records.
Featuring: Ben Poole (Guitars, Vocals); Wayne Proctor (Drums); Oli Brown (Backing Vocals, Moog); Steve Amadeo (Bass); Bennett Holland (Hammond, Piano, Wurlitzer, Rhodes).
Elles Bailey (Guest vocals on 'Runaway Souls').
Produced by Wayne Proctor, Oli Brown & Ben Poole.
Mixed & mastered by Wayne Proctor at House of Tone Mix Suite.
'Runaway Souls' (Radio Version) mixed & edited by Ross Hayes-Citrullo at RHC Music, Toronto.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post-Midnight Behaviour, released 25th September on Gypsy Soul Records.
Featuring: Ben Poole (Guitars, Vocals); Wayne Proctor (Drums); Oli Brown (Backing Vocals, Moog); Steve Amadeo (Bass); Bennett Holland (Hammond, Piano, Wurlitzer, Rhodes).
Elles Bailey (Guest vocals on 'Runaway Souls').
Produced by Wayne Proctor, Oli Brown & Ben Poole.
Mixed & mastered by Wayne Proctor at House of Tone Mix Suite.
'Runaway Souls' (Radio Version) mixed & edited by Ross Hayes-Citrullo at RHC Music, Toronto.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South-east London based James O'Hurley, a modern-day troubadour who mixes a contemporary sound with dark Americana, nu-country/ Celtic, blues, folk and rock, has released a new 4-Track acoustic EP entitled A Beggars Belief via Top Floor Music.
A companion piece of sorts to last year's well-crafted and highly individualistic debut album A Certain Stranger, the EP centres around 'Roulette,' a previously unreleased track that sets the tone for the project, balancing a stripped-back piano-led arrangement with a darker, melancholic lyrical edge ("if you risk it all, they’ll notice everything – and the house will always win").
A companion piece of sorts to last year's well-crafted and highly individualistic debut album A Certain Stranger, the EP centres around 'Roulette,' a previously unreleased track that sets the tone for the project, balancing a stripped-back piano-led arrangement with a darker, melancholic lyrical edge ("if you risk it all, they’ll notice everything – and the house will always win").
Recorded live in the studio, A Beggars Belief captures a more direct and unfiltered side of James O’Hurley’s songwriting, blending folk, blues and rock influences across four tracks – the aforementioned 'Roulette,' another new song 'Helpless Hopeless' and two acoustic reworkings from the debut album, 'Grace' and 'Devil Don’t Knock Twice.'
A Beggars Belief doesn’t just showcase the more intimate and acoustic side of James O’Hurley, it also marks a clear progression in both confidence and delivery, while hinting at what to expect from his second album, which is in its final recording stage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Beggars Belief doesn’t just showcase the more intimate and acoustic side of James O’Hurley, it also marks a clear progression in both confidence and delivery, while hinting at what to expect from his second album, which is in its final recording stage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharp dressed practitioners of R&B rock and roll The Milk Men, who recently released their sixth, and most all-encompassing, studio album The Milky Way, have released a brand new single from the album.
Dropping back out of The Milky Way cosmos and heading back to earth, 'Loving You Baby' is a US coast to coast drive in the company of acoustically led, folksy Americana charm.
"Loving You Baby is full of summer vibes and California yet with an underlying melancholy." comments Milk Men frontman Jamie Smy. "The song is actually about being in a band, but among the highs there are also lows - loving something that can't love you back but something you ultimately can't let go of.
It's an ode to the love of the journey, not the destination; the sacrifices, the people you leave behind, and why do people feel compelled to live this life?"
Dropping back out of The Milky Way cosmos and heading back to earth, 'Loving You Baby' is a US coast to coast drive in the company of acoustically led, folksy Americana charm.
"Loving You Baby is full of summer vibes and California yet with an underlying melancholy." comments Milk Men frontman Jamie Smy. "The song is actually about being in a band, but among the highs there are also lows - loving something that can't love you back but something you ultimately can't let go of.
It's an ode to the love of the journey, not the destination; the sacrifices, the people you leave behind, and why do people feel compelled to live this life?"
Read FabricationsHQ’s review of the album by clicking here
Buy 'Loving You Baby' digitally here: https://themilkmen.hearnow.com/loving-you-baby
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buy 'Loving You Baby' digitally here: https://themilkmen.hearnow.com/loving-you-baby
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celebrated Canadian Roots Rock band The Commoners will return to the UK in November for a 12-date Headline UK Tour with special guest Spencer Mackenzie.
Tickets are on sale now from https://thecommoners.ca/tour-dates/
The band will also be releasing a new single, 'Runnin’ Blind,' on July 24th.
'Runnin’ Blind' is the second single from the band’s forthcoming third studio album, due for release in 2027.
Tickets are on sale now from https://thecommoners.ca/tour-dates/
The band will also be releasing a new single, 'Runnin’ Blind,' on July 24th.
'Runnin’ Blind' is the second single from the band’s forthcoming third studio album, due for release in 2027.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American singer-guitarist Paulie Boy Blues, who is already making waves as one of the most exciting young names in modern blues and rock & roll, will return to the UK in August and early September for a fourteen-date tour, including a performance at Nene Valley Rock Festival on 4th September.
See full gig list on tour poster below.
Hailing from Montgomery County, Maryland, the charismatic 26-year-old has been lighting up stages across the East Coast of the United States, breaking into the Canadian scene, and now setting his sights once again on the UK.
Following the success of his last UK tour, Paulie will be bringing his electrifying mix of gritty blues rock 'n' roll to a wider audience across the country, joined by Harry Stalker on bass (from Newcastle band Oddisy) and Adam Crookes on drums (from Newcastle band Critch).
More recently, Paulie Boy Blues was personally invited to perform with Philip Sayce at his headline date at the Oran Mor in Glasgow, where they performed Albert King’s 'Put The Shoe On The Other Foot.'
He followed this with a set at the Brockley Max Festival Opening Night in London.
See full gig list on tour poster below.
Hailing from Montgomery County, Maryland, the charismatic 26-year-old has been lighting up stages across the East Coast of the United States, breaking into the Canadian scene, and now setting his sights once again on the UK.
Following the success of his last UK tour, Paulie will be bringing his electrifying mix of gritty blues rock 'n' roll to a wider audience across the country, joined by Harry Stalker on bass (from Newcastle band Oddisy) and Adam Crookes on drums (from Newcastle band Critch).
More recently, Paulie Boy Blues was personally invited to perform with Philip Sayce at his headline date at the Oran Mor in Glasgow, where they performed Albert King’s 'Put The Shoe On The Other Foot.'
He followed this with a set at the Brockley Max Festival Opening Night in London.
Paulie Boy Blues also fronts the psychedelic blues and rock outfit Back From The Dead, a U.S. based band that has been captivating audiences with their fiery performances.
Recent singles ‘Early One Morning’ and ‘Chasing The Dragon’ showcase just what Paulie Boy Blues is all about; the latter is an original composition that captures his psychedelic edge while staying true to the blues tradition. Both tracks are available now on all major streaming platforms.
Paulie Boy Blues Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulieboyblues/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paulieboyblues/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recent singles ‘Early One Morning’ and ‘Chasing The Dragon’ showcase just what Paulie Boy Blues is all about; the latter is an original composition that captures his psychedelic edge while staying true to the blues tradition. Both tracks are available now on all major streaming platforms.
Paulie Boy Blues Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulieboyblues/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paulieboyblues/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Anchoress (aka Welsh singer-songwriter-creative Catherine Anne Davies) has released a brand new single 'Throw Over Your Man.' Stream/Listen here: https://found.ee/ThrowOverYourMan
The song, which features James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers on guitar and guest vocals, is the third single/ taster from her forthcoming third studio album As We Once Were (scheduled for release 7th August).
"Throw Over Your Man was inspired by the love letters between the two literary giants Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West," says Davies. "It's a celebratory sapphic rock anthem that conjures that intoxicating feeling of being drawn into someone’s orbit for the first time."
The song, which features James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers on guitar and guest vocals, is the third single/ taster from her forthcoming third studio album As We Once Were (scheduled for release 7th August).
"Throw Over Your Man was inspired by the love letters between the two literary giants Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West," says Davies. "It's a celebratory sapphic rock anthem that conjures that intoxicating feeling of being drawn into someone’s orbit for the first time."
As regards the new album, Catherine expands: "I was given access to Pete Townshend’s collection of vintage analogue synthesisers to produce an epic 14-track widescreen exploration of the nature of time and transformation.
Against the backdrop of the birth of my daughter (after the multiple losses documented on The Art Of Losing) and the discovery of my grandmother’s voice on a long lost cassette tape in her mother’s attic, I found myself asking the question: ‘What can we build out of the past? Are we destined to be held down by it? Can we ever return to these past versions of ourselves?’
This is As We Once Were. I really think it’s my best work to date. And you know what a perfectionist I am."
As We Once Were will be available as 2LP (with two colour options), Gatefold CD with Booklet, Hardback 2CD Media Book Edition, and Strictly limited edition Cassette Album.
Pre-order: https://shop.lastnightfromglasgow.com/products/the-anchoress-as-we-once-were-vinyl-lp-cd-cassette-lossless-dl
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Against the backdrop of the birth of my daughter (after the multiple losses documented on The Art Of Losing) and the discovery of my grandmother’s voice on a long lost cassette tape in her mother’s attic, I found myself asking the question: ‘What can we build out of the past? Are we destined to be held down by it? Can we ever return to these past versions of ourselves?’
This is As We Once Were. I really think it’s my best work to date. And you know what a perfectionist I am."
As We Once Were will be available as 2LP (with two colour options), Gatefold CD with Booklet, Hardback 2CD Media Book Edition, and Strictly limited edition Cassette Album.
Pre-order: https://shop.lastnightfromglasgow.com/products/the-anchoress-as-we-once-were-vinyl-lp-cd-cassette-lossless-dl
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two titans of progressive music, Steve Hackett and Steve Rothery, will be heard together for the first time on The Roaring Waves, a seven track instrumental album that will be released 28th August on InsideOutMusic.
The album, while ranging from the deft and dexterous to the beautifully sublime, carries a common theme: the profundity of the sea.
"In winter you could hear the roaring of the of the waves during the stormy weather," explains Steve Rothery. "Whitby was a very evocative place to live, a very poetic and powerful place to grow up."
The album has been preceded by lead-off single 'The Black Sea.'
The album, while ranging from the deft and dexterous to the beautifully sublime, carries a common theme: the profundity of the sea.
"In winter you could hear the roaring of the of the waves during the stormy weather," explains Steve Rothery. "Whitby was a very evocative place to live, a very poetic and powerful place to grow up."
The album has been preceded by lead-off single 'The Black Sea.'
The Roaring Waves has been in the making for the best part of eight years, though the initial idea of the pair making an album together was first mooted three years before that.
However, their respective day jobs and touring itineraries kept them from working together for months at a time, although recording sessions at the Racket Club and their respective home studios yielded a rich seam of creativity.
"It was a bit old school our approach, like the idea of mates getting together in the garage and playing and hanging out," says Steve Hackett of their approach to creativity.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
However, their respective day jobs and touring itineraries kept them from working together for months at a time, although recording sessions at the Racket Club and their respective home studios yielded a rich seam of creativity.
"It was a bit old school our approach, like the idea of mates getting together in the garage and playing and hanging out," says Steve Hackett of their approach to creativity.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason Bieler & The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra (the moniker under which ever-creative musician, singer and Saigon Kick guitarist Jason Bieler delivers his boldest and biggest musical statements) have released a brand-new single titled 'Goodbye.'
Simple in arrangement but sonically atmospheric, 'Goodbye' carries a lyric that is made all the more impacting when coupled with the single’s associated image.
Simple in arrangement but sonically atmospheric, 'Goodbye' carries a lyric that is made all the more impacting when coupled with the single’s associated image.
'Goodbye' can be purchased on Bandcamp as ‘The Baron’ points out in his own inimitable, and humorist, fashion…
"A new single, fresh from the audio propulsion lab, has escaped into the world!
Bandcamp is still the best way to support the music directly, but it should also be appearing wherever the various machines distribute sounds to the public in due time.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed, whether through currency, support, patience, or some suspiciously generous combination of all three. Coincidentally, Currency, Support & Patience were also one of my favorite doo-wop groups from the late 1940s." - The Baron
Purchase Goodbye here: https://jasonbieler.bandcamp.com/track/goodbye-2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"A new single, fresh from the audio propulsion lab, has escaped into the world!
Bandcamp is still the best way to support the music directly, but it should also be appearing wherever the various machines distribute sounds to the public in due time.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed, whether through currency, support, patience, or some suspiciously generous combination of all three. Coincidentally, Currency, Support & Patience were also one of my favorite doo-wop groups from the late 1940s." - The Baron
Purchase Goodbye here: https://jasonbieler.bandcamp.com/track/goodbye-2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
French progressives Lalu, formed by and around keyboardist and composer Vivien Lalu, will release their latest album A Mythmaker’s Demise on July 31st via Frontiers Music Srl.
Pre-order here: https://ffm.bio/lalu-amythmakersdemise
The album has been preceded by lead-off single 'Prince With The Swift Warning' and, now, a second taster, 'I Am The One.'
"This song is about the double life Martin LeMar (vocals) leads, a reality shared by many musicians today: a day job by day, and rock music/ the stage at night," comments Vivien lalu. "The video brings this to life by showing Martin at his desk, talking to the rockstar version of himself standing beside him. The song is the voice of that other self, the one that keeps calling him back: 'I stood beside you, I am the one'."
Pre-order here: https://ffm.bio/lalu-amythmakersdemise
The album has been preceded by lead-off single 'Prince With The Swift Warning' and, now, a second taster, 'I Am The One.'
"This song is about the double life Martin LeMar (vocals) leads, a reality shared by many musicians today: a day job by day, and rock music/ the stage at night," comments Vivien lalu. "The video brings this to life by showing Martin at his desk, talking to the rockstar version of himself standing beside him. The song is the voice of that other self, the one that keeps calling him back: 'I stood beside you, I am the one'."
A Mythmaker’s Demise also celebrates the 20th anniversary of Vivien Lalu’s progressive rock project, which began in 2005 with Oniric Metal.
To mark the occasion, Lalu reunites with vocalist Martin LeMar (Nachtgeschrei, Mekong Delta), whose voice first defined the project. Also making a triumphant return is drumming legend Simon Phillips (ex-Toto, Protocol); Phillips was the drummer on the earliest Lalu track, 'Paint the Sky.'
Continuing the collaborative spirit that was such a part of 2023’s The Fish Who Wanted To Be King, Vivien Lalu has once again teamed up with longtime partner Joop Wolters on guitars and bass. The duo crafted the songs from the ground up, focusing on organic, dynamic arrangements with no overproduction.
"We wanted this record to feel alive. No drum samples, next to no EQ, just real performances captured in their natural state," explains Vivien Lalu.
"This album came together very naturally, and locking in with the real, unedited live drums by Simon Phillips in the final stages was the icing on the cake," adds Joop Wolters.
"It truly feels like a real band, just like back in the good old days!"
The title A Mythmaker’s Demise reflects on the fading light of human imagination in the age of artificial intelligence. The striking artwork by Mattias Norén portrays a writer dying at his desk, while his creations struggle to escape into a world that no longer values them - a visual metaphor for the album’s deeper message.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To mark the occasion, Lalu reunites with vocalist Martin LeMar (Nachtgeschrei, Mekong Delta), whose voice first defined the project. Also making a triumphant return is drumming legend Simon Phillips (ex-Toto, Protocol); Phillips was the drummer on the earliest Lalu track, 'Paint the Sky.'
Continuing the collaborative spirit that was such a part of 2023’s The Fish Who Wanted To Be King, Vivien Lalu has once again teamed up with longtime partner Joop Wolters on guitars and bass. The duo crafted the songs from the ground up, focusing on organic, dynamic arrangements with no overproduction.
"We wanted this record to feel alive. No drum samples, next to no EQ, just real performances captured in their natural state," explains Vivien Lalu.
"This album came together very naturally, and locking in with the real, unedited live drums by Simon Phillips in the final stages was the icing on the cake," adds Joop Wolters.
"It truly feels like a real band, just like back in the good old days!"
The title A Mythmaker’s Demise reflects on the fading light of human imagination in the age of artificial intelligence. The striking artwork by Mattias Norén portrays a writer dying at his desk, while his creations struggle to escape into a world that no longer values them - a visual metaphor for the album’s deeper message.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welsh rockers Scarlet Rebels have announced their new album, Flawed By Design, will be released on 13th November via Earache Records.
The album can be pre-ordered at: https://earache.lnk.to/FlawedByDesign
The album is introduced by new single 'This Is Happening Now,' which is out now on all digital platforms:
http://earache.lnk.to/ThisIsHappeningNow
"The song speaks of the times we find ourselves in, and how every single person is affected by the decisions and actions of a few men in suits," says frontman Wayne Doyle. "We tried to visualise that in the video by showing that ‘on screen’ these people look like they know what they’re doing and what they’re talking about, but behind the scenes and away from the public persona, no one actually has a clue what they’re doing."
The album can be pre-ordered at: https://earache.lnk.to/FlawedByDesign
The album is introduced by new single 'This Is Happening Now,' which is out now on all digital platforms:
http://earache.lnk.to/ThisIsHappeningNow
"The song speaks of the times we find ourselves in, and how every single person is affected by the decisions and actions of a few men in suits," says frontman Wayne Doyle. "We tried to visualise that in the video by showing that ‘on screen’ these people look like they know what they’re doing and what they’re talking about, but behind the scenes and away from the public persona, no one actually has a clue what they’re doing."
Following the success of Where The Colours Meet (2024), which became the band’s second consecutive UK Top 20 album, Wayne Doyle realised writing the follow-up to a string of critically acclaimed releases brought its own pressures.
"You’re aware that you need to deliver something good, and that’s tough," he says. "You either fold or you get stuck in and dig deep. And I really dug deep. My influences have always been Springsteen, Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, even early Bon Jovi, they write melodies that stick in your head.
In the studio, we were going for a bit of an 80s throwback vibe; not the cheesiness of the 80s, but the way those bands and artists weren’t afraid to write big melodies that really hit people."
Recorded with returning producer Chris Clancy, Flawed By Design sees Wayne Doyle, Gary Doyle (drums), Chris Jones (guitars) and Carl Oag (bass) build on the foundations laid by Show Your Colours (2019), See Through Blue (2022) and Where The Colours Meet (2024).
Live Dates
15th August – Stramash Festival, Stornoway (Isle of Lewis)
21st August – Castle, Chepstow (with Hollow Souls, The Virginmarys, Marisa & The Moths, Juliet's Not Dead)
25th November – The Tivoli, Buckley (supporting Tyketto)
29th November – Picturedrome, Holmfirth (supporting Tyketto)
1st December – The Black Box, Hastings (supporting Tyketto)
2nd December – The Waterloo, Blackpool (supporting Tyketto)
3rd December – Queens Hall, Nuneaton (supporting Tyketto)
19th December – RPM Christmas Special, Morecambe
(with The Virginmarys, Kit Trigg, LN and more)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You’re aware that you need to deliver something good, and that’s tough," he says. "You either fold or you get stuck in and dig deep. And I really dug deep. My influences have always been Springsteen, Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, even early Bon Jovi, they write melodies that stick in your head.
In the studio, we were going for a bit of an 80s throwback vibe; not the cheesiness of the 80s, but the way those bands and artists weren’t afraid to write big melodies that really hit people."
Recorded with returning producer Chris Clancy, Flawed By Design sees Wayne Doyle, Gary Doyle (drums), Chris Jones (guitars) and Carl Oag (bass) build on the foundations laid by Show Your Colours (2019), See Through Blue (2022) and Where The Colours Meet (2024).
Live Dates
15th August – Stramash Festival, Stornoway (Isle of Lewis)
21st August – Castle, Chepstow (with Hollow Souls, The Virginmarys, Marisa & The Moths, Juliet's Not Dead)
25th November – The Tivoli, Buckley (supporting Tyketto)
29th November – Picturedrome, Holmfirth (supporting Tyketto)
1st December – The Black Box, Hastings (supporting Tyketto)
2nd December – The Waterloo, Blackpool (supporting Tyketto)
3rd December – Queens Hall, Nuneaton (supporting Tyketto)
19th December – RPM Christmas Special, Morecambe
(with The Virginmarys, Kit Trigg, LN and more)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Award-winning blues singer-songwriter-guitarist Connor Selby has announced a 15 date UK tour for September. You can get tickets from: https://www.connorselby.com/tour
Selby is currently on tour in Germany with Keb’ Mo’ - another in a long line of blues heroes that the young bluesman has toured with.
"I’m very proud to be joining the great Keb’ Mo’ on four of his German shows," says Connor.
"This is my first run of support shows on the continent and I’m thrilled to be joining someone I consider to be a modern-day blues legend, in the truest sense."
"I'm also thrilled to be embarking on another UK Tour and returning to some of my favourite venues and playing some new ones," he continues. "We will be playing songs from my latest album The Truth Comes Out Eventually, which have really developed on the road since the album release. There will also be some songs we have never played before."
Selby is currently on tour in Germany with Keb’ Mo’ - another in a long line of blues heroes that the young bluesman has toured with.
"I’m very proud to be joining the great Keb’ Mo’ on four of his German shows," says Connor.
"This is my first run of support shows on the continent and I’m thrilled to be joining someone I consider to be a modern-day blues legend, in the truest sense."
"I'm also thrilled to be embarking on another UK Tour and returning to some of my favourite venues and playing some new ones," he continues. "We will be playing songs from my latest album The Truth Comes Out Eventually, which have really developed on the road since the album release. There will also be some songs we have never played before."
Connor Selby has already orbited the circles of some of the world's most inspiring artists - from collaborating with Mark Knopfler to supporting The Who at Wembley Stadium and sharing the stage at London's Hyde Park Festival alongside the likes of Pearl Jam and Stereophonics.
He has toured with powerhouse singer Beth Hart, including a performance at the iconic London Palladium. His glittering tour CV includes shows with Robert Cray, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Betty LaVette, and P.P. Arnold.
More lately, Selby, who picked up the Traditional Blues Artist of the Year at the 2026 UK Blues Awards (for the second consecutive year), has spent much of 2026 touring through Europe.
He joined the Guitarmania European tour through May alongside Krissy Matthews, Russell Marsden (Band of Skulls), Pablo Van De Poel (DeWolff) and Óskar Logi Ágústsson (The Vintage Caravan).
Released in August 2025, The Truth Comes Out Eventually is Connor Selby’s most personal collection of songs to date.
Stream/ Purchase here: https://lnk.to/ConnorSelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He has toured with powerhouse singer Beth Hart, including a performance at the iconic London Palladium. His glittering tour CV includes shows with Robert Cray, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Betty LaVette, and P.P. Arnold.
More lately, Selby, who picked up the Traditional Blues Artist of the Year at the 2026 UK Blues Awards (for the second consecutive year), has spent much of 2026 touring through Europe.
He joined the Guitarmania European tour through May alongside Krissy Matthews, Russell Marsden (Band of Skulls), Pablo Van De Poel (DeWolff) and Óskar Logi Ágústsson (The Vintage Caravan).
Released in August 2025, The Truth Comes Out Eventually is Connor Selby’s most personal collection of songs to date.
Stream/ Purchase here: https://lnk.to/ConnorSelby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California-based rock & roots band Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse have released a brand new single titled 'Me-Ye-Ye-Yow!'
The high-energy rock 'n' roller is accompanied by a music video that’s as technically audacious as it is gloriously unhinged.
"There’s a message in Me-Ye-Ye-Yow! and it’s not subtle," say the band. "We live in a world of mass corporate surveillance, centralized data collection, and algorithmic systems designed to monitor, predict, and monetize human behaviour.
Most people accept this as the cost of modern life.
Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse respectfully disagree!"
The music video (a love letter to the femme fatale cult films of the 60s and 70s) follows members of the Kitty Cat Gang running a counter-surveillance operation using open-source, decentralized, off-grid communication tools that are available to anyone, and do exactly what they do in the video.
(Every piece of equipment in the video is real and was operated correctly on camera. Find out more about the video and cast here: https://www.beauxgrisgris.com/me-ye-ye-yow )
"There’s a lot more to say about all of this, and what we think about the world we’re all living in right now," says frontwoman Greta Valenti. "But that’s a conversation, not a press release. If you want to go deeper, call us! (wink)."
The high-energy rock 'n' roller is accompanied by a music video that’s as technically audacious as it is gloriously unhinged.
"There’s a message in Me-Ye-Ye-Yow! and it’s not subtle," say the band. "We live in a world of mass corporate surveillance, centralized data collection, and algorithmic systems designed to monitor, predict, and monetize human behaviour.
Most people accept this as the cost of modern life.
Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse respectfully disagree!"
The music video (a love letter to the femme fatale cult films of the 60s and 70s) follows members of the Kitty Cat Gang running a counter-surveillance operation using open-source, decentralized, off-grid communication tools that are available to anyone, and do exactly what they do in the video.
(Every piece of equipment in the video is real and was operated correctly on camera. Find out more about the video and cast here: https://www.beauxgrisgris.com/me-ye-ye-yow )
"There’s a lot more to say about all of this, and what we think about the world we’re all living in right now," says frontwoman Greta Valenti. "But that’s a conversation, not a press release. If you want to go deeper, call us! (wink)."
'Me-Ye-Ye-Yow!' is the second single from Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse’s forthcoming fourth studio album. A full album announcement, with release date, is coming soon.
The band will celebrate the new album with a UK headline tour in January & February 2027, following a European run this November.
UK Tour dates 2027
Fri 29 Jan - Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
Sat 30 Jan - West End Centre, Aldershot
Sun 31 Jan - TBA
Wed 3 Feb - Adelphi, Hull
Thu 4 Feb - Yardbirds, Grimsby
Fri 5 Feb - Deaf Institute, Manchester
Sat 6 Feb - Town Hall, Stourbridge
Sun 7 Feb - Old Woollen, Farsley, Leeds
Wed 10 Feb - Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Thu 11 Feb - Rum Shack, Glasgow
Fri 12 Feb - Cluny 2, Newcastle
Sat 13 Feb - Yellow Arch, Sheffield
Sun 14 Feb - Waterloo, Blackpool
Tue 16 Feb - Junction, Cambridge
Wed 17 Feb - Exchange, Bristol
Thu 18 Feb - The Brook, Southampton
Fri 19 Feb - Waterfront, Norwich
Sat 20 Feb - 100 Club, London
For all dates and ticket information, visit www.beauxgrisgris.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The band will celebrate the new album with a UK headline tour in January & February 2027, following a European run this November.
UK Tour dates 2027
Fri 29 Jan - Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
Sat 30 Jan - West End Centre, Aldershot
Sun 31 Jan - TBA
Wed 3 Feb - Adelphi, Hull
Thu 4 Feb - Yardbirds, Grimsby
Fri 5 Feb - Deaf Institute, Manchester
Sat 6 Feb - Town Hall, Stourbridge
Sun 7 Feb - Old Woollen, Farsley, Leeds
Wed 10 Feb - Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Thu 11 Feb - Rum Shack, Glasgow
Fri 12 Feb - Cluny 2, Newcastle
Sat 13 Feb - Yellow Arch, Sheffield
Sun 14 Feb - Waterloo, Blackpool
Tue 16 Feb - Junction, Cambridge
Wed 17 Feb - Exchange, Bristol
Thu 18 Feb - The Brook, Southampton
Fri 19 Feb - Waterfront, Norwich
Sat 20 Feb - 100 Club, London
For all dates and ticket information, visit www.beauxgrisgris.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The late and great American musician & producer Steve Cropper had an ace up his sleeve before his tragic passing in December 2025.
To anyone who knows the blues roots and R&B branches of American music, the loss of "The Colonel" was seismic. As guitarist, songwriter, producer and engineer (for not just the iconic Stax record label but on a forest of sessions and solo releases) the Tennessee soul man was the DNA that coursed through the post-war era, setting the pace of blues soul rock 'n' roll for 60-plus years.
Before his death, Steve Cropper was working on the follow-up to 2024’s Grammy nominated Friendlytown.
The results are Watching The Tide, which will be released on 28th August via Provogue/ Artone Label.
The album features an all-star cast including Eric Clapton, Brian May, Billy Gibbons and Ronnie Wood, who lays down some trademark slide on second single, 'Until Now.'
To anyone who knows the blues roots and R&B branches of American music, the loss of "The Colonel" was seismic. As guitarist, songwriter, producer and engineer (for not just the iconic Stax record label but on a forest of sessions and solo releases) the Tennessee soul man was the DNA that coursed through the post-war era, setting the pace of blues soul rock 'n' roll for 60-plus years.
Before his death, Steve Cropper was working on the follow-up to 2024’s Grammy nominated Friendlytown.
The results are Watching The Tide, which will be released on 28th August via Provogue/ Artone Label.
The album features an all-star cast including Eric Clapton, Brian May, Billy Gibbons and Ronnie Wood, who lays down some trademark slide on second single, 'Until Now.'
Appropriately for an album whose title references Steve Cropper’s most famous co-write (Otis Redding’s 1967 standard '(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay'), Watching The Tide saw Steve Cropper roll back the years.
Writing alongside acclaimed songwriter/producer Jon Tiven and Midnight Hour vocalist Roger C. Reale, then tracking at Nashville’s RCA Studio C with a crack-squad including Ana Grosh (vocals), Nioshi Jackson (drums), engineer Eddie Gore (keys/percussion) and the aforementioned special guest guitarists, the 83-year-old Cropper sounds ageless and energised.
However, as Jon Tiven & Eddie Gore set to work on post-production, Steve Cropper was running out of time.
As he slowly bowed to his medical issues in late 2025, he clung on to hear the final mixes of Watching The Tide (10 of the 11 tracks were completed before his death; only 'My Angels Are Calling,' featuring Brian May & Billy Gibbons, was still a work-in-progress).
"I finished the mixes about a week-and-a-half before Steve passed and we brought a CD to him at the medical facility," recalls Tiven.
"He called me the night before he passed to tell me how much he loved it and that he was playing it for everyone who came to visit him."
Pre-order/ Save Watching The Tide here: https://lnk.to/stevecropper
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Writing alongside acclaimed songwriter/producer Jon Tiven and Midnight Hour vocalist Roger C. Reale, then tracking at Nashville’s RCA Studio C with a crack-squad including Ana Grosh (vocals), Nioshi Jackson (drums), engineer Eddie Gore (keys/percussion) and the aforementioned special guest guitarists, the 83-year-old Cropper sounds ageless and energised.
However, as Jon Tiven & Eddie Gore set to work on post-production, Steve Cropper was running out of time.
As he slowly bowed to his medical issues in late 2025, he clung on to hear the final mixes of Watching The Tide (10 of the 11 tracks were completed before his death; only 'My Angels Are Calling,' featuring Brian May & Billy Gibbons, was still a work-in-progress).
"I finished the mixes about a week-and-a-half before Steve passed and we brought a CD to him at the medical facility," recalls Tiven.
"He called me the night before he passed to tell me how much he loved it and that he was playing it for everyone who came to visit him."
Pre-order/ Save Watching The Tide here: https://lnk.to/stevecropper
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American blues rock vocal powerhouse Sari Schorr has signed a recording agreement with Artone Label Group / Provogue.
Her debut on Artone Label Group / Provogue will come this Fall, timed to a three-month tour of Europe that takes her to most countries across the continent.
The forthcoming Artone/ Provogue release will be the singer’s third solo album.
Legendary producer Mike Vernon came out of retirement to record her debut album, the perfectly titled Force Of Nature in 2018.
Her second studio release, 2019's Never Say Never, was followed by Live In Europe in 2020.
In 2023, Sari Schorr gained further exposure and acclaim as the vocalist on Robin Trower’s Joyful Sky album. That experience yielded her introduction to the executives she has now chosen to be in business with as she looks forward to the next chapter in her broadening career.
"To be welcomed into a label family alongside so many talented artists I deeply respect is something I’m truly grateful for," says Sari of her signing. "My experience with Joyful Sky showed me firsthand how much this label believes in and supports its artists. I’m excited to share this journey with people I admire, trust, and genuinely enjoy working with."
When it comes to the producers of the forthcoming album, Jamie Walker and Luke Paget, Sari continues: "They are incredibly talented, humble producers and songwriting partners that enabled me to deliver my vision with complete artistic freedom. Being so enthusiastic with the ideas being put forth, I was inspired to step beyond the familiar, into that space where the best ideas seem to find you.
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created together, and I can’t wait for the world to hear it."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Her debut on Artone Label Group / Provogue will come this Fall, timed to a three-month tour of Europe that takes her to most countries across the continent.
The forthcoming Artone/ Provogue release will be the singer’s third solo album.
Legendary producer Mike Vernon came out of retirement to record her debut album, the perfectly titled Force Of Nature in 2018.
Her second studio release, 2019's Never Say Never, was followed by Live In Europe in 2020.
In 2023, Sari Schorr gained further exposure and acclaim as the vocalist on Robin Trower’s Joyful Sky album. That experience yielded her introduction to the executives she has now chosen to be in business with as she looks forward to the next chapter in her broadening career.
"To be welcomed into a label family alongside so many talented artists I deeply respect is something I’m truly grateful for," says Sari of her signing. "My experience with Joyful Sky showed me firsthand how much this label believes in and supports its artists. I’m excited to share this journey with people I admire, trust, and genuinely enjoy working with."
When it comes to the producers of the forthcoming album, Jamie Walker and Luke Paget, Sari continues: "They are incredibly talented, humble producers and songwriting partners that enabled me to deliver my vision with complete artistic freedom. Being so enthusiastic with the ideas being put forth, I was inspired to step beyond the familiar, into that space where the best ideas seem to find you.
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created together, and I can’t wait for the world to hear it."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South African-born, UK based "dark blues" singer-guitarist Ross Harding, who released his first full-length release The Blood & The Blues last year, has announced a forthcoming EP titled Blues Shadows.
The EP, which will initially be a three-part singles release, explores the darker edges of Harding’s blues through his acoustically based reimaginings/ interpretations of three blues standards.
The second of the trio, 'Graveyard Blues' (which follows first single 'John The Revelator') is out now.
The EP, which will initially be a three-part singles release, explores the darker edges of Harding’s blues through his acoustically based reimaginings/ interpretations of three blues standards.
The second of the trio, 'Graveyard Blues' (which follows first single 'John The Revelator') is out now.
From the stark, prophetic tone of 'John The Revelator' and personal weight of 'Graveyard Blues' to the darker, more confrontational edge of 'If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day' (releasing as a single 10th July), the singles, and subsequent EP collective, move between confession, warning and internal struggle.
Blues Shadows marks a defining moment in Ross Harding’s Dark Blues Revival; a modern take on the genre rooted in tradition but driven by mood, space and emotional weight.
Upcoming Blues Shadows Tour Dates 2026
Thursday 30th July - Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Totton, Southampton
Saturday 15th August 2026 (Solo Acoustic Performance) Nelly’s Retro & Vintage, Stratford-upon-Avon
Saturday 12th September 2026 (Solo Acoustic Performance) - St James Wine Vaults, Bath
Thursday 15th October 2026 (Solo Acoustic, Special Guest to Erja Lyytinen) - The Half Moon, Putney
Friday 16th October 2026 (Solo Acoustic, Special Guest to Erja Lyytinen) - The Old Brewery Store, Faversham
Tuesday 10th November 2026 (Ross Harding & The Dark Blues Band, Special Guest to Jack J Hutchinson) - The Coulsdon Club, Coulsdon, Greater London
Ticket Links/ Info: https://linktr.ee/rossharding
Website: https://rosshardingmusic.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blues Shadows marks a defining moment in Ross Harding’s Dark Blues Revival; a modern take on the genre rooted in tradition but driven by mood, space and emotional weight.
Upcoming Blues Shadows Tour Dates 2026
Thursday 30th July - Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Totton, Southampton
Saturday 15th August 2026 (Solo Acoustic Performance) Nelly’s Retro & Vintage, Stratford-upon-Avon
Saturday 12th September 2026 (Solo Acoustic Performance) - St James Wine Vaults, Bath
Thursday 15th October 2026 (Solo Acoustic, Special Guest to Erja Lyytinen) - The Half Moon, Putney
Friday 16th October 2026 (Solo Acoustic, Special Guest to Erja Lyytinen) - The Old Brewery Store, Faversham
Tuesday 10th November 2026 (Ross Harding & The Dark Blues Band, Special Guest to Jack J Hutchinson) - The Coulsdon Club, Coulsdon, Greater London
Ticket Links/ Info: https://linktr.ee/rossharding
Website: https://rosshardingmusic.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Country Redux, led by Bruce Watson, a founding member of Big Country alongside the late & great Stuart Adamson, will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of The Seer with 15 shows through November & December (see tour poster further below).
Supporting on all dates is "Evan Peters Presents The Alarm"
The Seer, Big Country’s third album, featured 'Look Away,' the band’s biggest hit in the UK.
The title track featured a duet between Stuart Adamson and Kate Bush.
The band will also be releasing the album Eastworld on 18th September.
The album consists of ten brand new recordings of Big Country songs originally written or co-written by Stuart Adamson, which were released as demos or sketches, but never fully developed or completed.
"Some of these songs will be known to the diehards as they have sneaked out from the archives as unfinished demos or 'internet only' releases," says Bruce. "But they are all songs that deserved to be developed further, so I am delighted to have now completed them and get this material out there."
Pre-save/ order Eastworld here: https://slinky.to/Eastworld
The album has been preceded by the title track as lead-off single.
Supporting on all dates is "Evan Peters Presents The Alarm"
The Seer, Big Country’s third album, featured 'Look Away,' the band’s biggest hit in the UK.
The title track featured a duet between Stuart Adamson and Kate Bush.
The band will also be releasing the album Eastworld on 18th September.
The album consists of ten brand new recordings of Big Country songs originally written or co-written by Stuart Adamson, which were released as demos or sketches, but never fully developed or completed.
"Some of these songs will be known to the diehards as they have sneaked out from the archives as unfinished demos or 'internet only' releases," says Bruce. "But they are all songs that deserved to be developed further, so I am delighted to have now completed them and get this material out there."
Pre-save/ order Eastworld here: https://slinky.to/Eastworld
The album has been preceded by the title track as lead-off single.
Big Country Redux features Bruce Watson (guitar/vocals), his son Jamie Watson (guitar/vocals), Tommie Paxton (vocals/guitar), Chris Stones (bass), and Reece Dobbin (drums).
Jamie has been performing with his father since 2003, while Paxton & Stones performed together in noted Big Country tribute band, Restless Natives.
Jamie has been performing with his father since 2003, while Paxton & Stones performed together in noted Big Country tribute band, Restless Natives.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alt-pop punk rockers RiotWeekend have released 'Last Of The Autumn Leaves' as a single.
The bouncy, feel-good song is also the opener on the band’s sophomore EP Table4Four, which is available on all good digital platforms and on CD direct from the band: https://riotweekend.bandcamp.com/merch
"Last Of The Autumn leaves is a pop-punk romance song that’s perfect for the summer," say the band.
"It’s a song we’ve been playing live for a while, although it really came together in the studio where we added lots of harmonies and a little extra spice!"
The bouncy, feel-good song is also the opener on the band’s sophomore EP Table4Four, which is available on all good digital platforms and on CD direct from the band: https://riotweekend.bandcamp.com/merch
"Last Of The Autumn leaves is a pop-punk romance song that’s perfect for the summer," say the band.
"It’s a song we’ve been playing live for a while, although it really came together in the studio where we added lots of harmonies and a little extra spice!"
Blending pop punk catchiness with hard hitting huge riffs and wide ranging soaring vocals, the Guildford based quartet of Holly Nunn (lead vocals, bass), Tomma Moulard (guitar), Rab McGowan (guitar) and Salvatore Bertolone (drums) released their self-titled debut EP in 2022; it went on to gain international and BBC Introducing airplay along with rave reviews.
With new offering Table4Four the band are on a mission for all those that feel a misfit, left out or want to belong in their own personal identity no matter what.
"We love hanging out, connecting, hearing and sharing experiences at shows - at ours or those we go to. We’re really happy that people have been enjoying the EP. Keep on listening, and come see us live!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With new offering Table4Four the band are on a mission for all those that feel a misfit, left out or want to belong in their own personal identity no matter what.
"We love hanging out, connecting, hearing and sharing experiences at shows - at ours or those we go to. We’re really happy that people have been enjoying the EP. Keep on listening, and come see us live!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following the April release, and subsequent acclaim, for his Two Shades Of Blue album, five-time Grammy nominee and renowned guitarist Robben Ford has announced a return to the UK in January & February 2027 for a run of nine shows (see dates further below).
Across a career spanning more than five decades, Robben Ford has collaborated with such luminaries as Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, George Harrison, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan.
As a solo artist, his live shows are a rare chance to witness a true innovator at the height of his powers; a guitar master who blends blues, rock, jazz and fusion into something entirely his own.
Two Shades Of Blue highlights a musician at the top of his game.
Tracked in the US and UK with two different crack-squad bands, the album paints with his Ford’s inimitable palette, from the low-slung funk-blues of lead single 'Make My Own Weather' to skyscraping instrumentals such as 'Two Shades of Blue' and the brass-bolstered soul ballad, 'Perfect Illusion,' all showcasing the prowess of a player ranked amongst the 100 Greatest Guitarists Of The 20th Century by Musician Magazine.
Robben Ford – UK Tour 2027
Thu 28 Jan - Gateshead, The Glasshouse
Fri 29 Jan - Edinburgh, Queens Hall
Sat 30 Jan - Holmfirth, Picturedrome
Sun 31 Jan - Buxton, Opera House
Tue 02 Feb - Lytham, Lowther Pavilion
Wed 03 Feb - Stamford, Corn Exchange
Thur 04 Feb - Norwich, Epic Studio
Fri 05 Feb - London, Union Chapel
Sun 07 Feb - Frome, Cheese & Grain
Tickets: https://www.robbenford.com/tour
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Across a career spanning more than five decades, Robben Ford has collaborated with such luminaries as Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, George Harrison, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan.
As a solo artist, his live shows are a rare chance to witness a true innovator at the height of his powers; a guitar master who blends blues, rock, jazz and fusion into something entirely his own.
Two Shades Of Blue highlights a musician at the top of his game.
Tracked in the US and UK with two different crack-squad bands, the album paints with his Ford’s inimitable palette, from the low-slung funk-blues of lead single 'Make My Own Weather' to skyscraping instrumentals such as 'Two Shades of Blue' and the brass-bolstered soul ballad, 'Perfect Illusion,' all showcasing the prowess of a player ranked amongst the 100 Greatest Guitarists Of The 20th Century by Musician Magazine.
Robben Ford – UK Tour 2027
Thu 28 Jan - Gateshead, The Glasshouse
Fri 29 Jan - Edinburgh, Queens Hall
Sat 30 Jan - Holmfirth, Picturedrome
Sun 31 Jan - Buxton, Opera House
Tue 02 Feb - Lytham, Lowther Pavilion
Wed 03 Feb - Stamford, Corn Exchange
Thur 04 Feb - Norwich, Epic Studio
Fri 05 Feb - London, Union Chapel
Sun 07 Feb - Frome, Cheese & Grain
Tickets: https://www.robbenford.com/tour
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Hollie Rogers has just released her new album, Everything’s Fine.
Purchase the album here: www.hollierogers.com/store
The release is supported by a fifth and final single, 'He Reminds Me Of You.'
"This song explores the pull of something that feels familiar yet dangerous," says Hollie of the uptempo and infectious Americana-pop styled number. "It captures a blurred line between comfort and risk, and the enormous tension that comes from feelings you might wish you didn't have."
Hollie Rogers is currently on the road with her Everything’s Fine Tour, which features a mix of intimate duo shows and full band performances. Full itinerary and ticket links here: https://www.hollierogers.com/
Purchase the album here: www.hollierogers.com/store
The release is supported by a fifth and final single, 'He Reminds Me Of You.'
"This song explores the pull of something that feels familiar yet dangerous," says Hollie of the uptempo and infectious Americana-pop styled number. "It captures a blurred line between comfort and risk, and the enormous tension that comes from feelings you might wish you didn't have."
Hollie Rogers is currently on the road with her Everything’s Fine Tour, which features a mix of intimate duo shows and full band performances. Full itinerary and ticket links here: https://www.hollierogers.com/
Following the emotional turbulence that defined her 2022 album Criminal Heart, Hollie Rogers took an unexpected turn in her personal story when she became engaged to the very person who inspired the record.
For a brief, hopeful moment, life settled into a gentler rhythm. Everything, it seemed, was fine… until it wasn’t.
New album Everything’s Fine was born from that tension, the collision of romance, responsibility, and the quiet chaos of adult life – the results are a candid, relatable collection of songs for anyone who is struggling to hold it together whilst insisting that they’re doing just fine.
"Everything’s Fine aims to capture life in all its messy, brilliant, unpredictable moments," explains and expands Hollie. "Some songs hit hard, some make you smile, and some do both. I wanted to tell stories that feel real and connect emotionally. Basically, life happens and this is the soundtrack."
Born and raised in Cornwall, Hollie Rogers has since earned glowing praise from some of the most respected names in songwriting, including Suzanne Vega ("a magnificent and powerful voice"), Chris Difford ("Hollie’s songwriting always knocks me out"), Ralph McTell ("a sensitive and observant songwriter") and Nick Mason ("reminiscent of Carole King and Joni Mitchell"). Praise doesn't come much higher.
While rooted in Americana, Everything’s Fine weaves together elements of blues, Laurel Canyon folk, Burlesque and pop. The album also brings together a cast of long-time friends and new creative partners, including contributions from Beth Nielsen Chapman, Elles Bailey and The Budapest Symphony Orchestra.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a brief, hopeful moment, life settled into a gentler rhythm. Everything, it seemed, was fine… until it wasn’t.
New album Everything’s Fine was born from that tension, the collision of romance, responsibility, and the quiet chaos of adult life – the results are a candid, relatable collection of songs for anyone who is struggling to hold it together whilst insisting that they’re doing just fine.
"Everything’s Fine aims to capture life in all its messy, brilliant, unpredictable moments," explains and expands Hollie. "Some songs hit hard, some make you smile, and some do both. I wanted to tell stories that feel real and connect emotionally. Basically, life happens and this is the soundtrack."
Born and raised in Cornwall, Hollie Rogers has since earned glowing praise from some of the most respected names in songwriting, including Suzanne Vega ("a magnificent and powerful voice"), Chris Difford ("Hollie’s songwriting always knocks me out"), Ralph McTell ("a sensitive and observant songwriter") and Nick Mason ("reminiscent of Carole King and Joni Mitchell"). Praise doesn't come much higher.
While rooted in Americana, Everything’s Fine weaves together elements of blues, Laurel Canyon folk, Burlesque and pop. The album also brings together a cast of long-time friends and new creative partners, including contributions from Beth Nielsen Chapman, Elles Bailey and The Budapest Symphony Orchestra.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An iconic Scottish music venue is set to host a return of live music the historic seaside town of Ayr.
The Ayr Pavilion, still known affectionately by the back-in-the-day music fans and locals as "The Piv," is about to enter a new Chapter as a live music venue, much as it was in decades past, particularly the fondly remembered late 1970s and 80s when Iron Maiden, New Order, Madness, The Waterboys, Rory Gallagher, Nazareth, Marillion, Saxon, Gary Numan, The Specials, The Pretenders, The Skids, Uriah Heep, Lindisfarne and so many more notables graced the stage.
The Ayr Pavilion, still known affectionately by the back-in-the-day music fans and locals as "The Piv," is about to enter a new Chapter as a live music venue, much as it was in decades past, particularly the fondly remembered late 1970s and 80s when Iron Maiden, New Order, Madness, The Waterboys, Rory Gallagher, Nazareth, Marillion, Saxon, Gary Numan, The Specials, The Pretenders, The Skids, Uriah Heep, Lindisfarne and so many more notables graced the stage.
Reintroducing itself to the live circuit as a 650 capacity standing and 250 seated venue, the Ayr Pavilion’s programme will carry a renewed focus on live rock, touring artists, heritage acts and high-quality tribute productions.
However, there will also be a broad mix of live music events throughout the year, creating a vibrant calendar that will appeal to both touring artists and local audiences.
Situated on the Ayr seafront, the Pavilion has long been a landmark for entertainment in the region, hosting countless performances that have helped shape Scotland’s live music culture. The revitalised venue will feature a state-of-the-art house PA system, supported by a professional in-house technical team able to provide full production and venue support where required.
"We're really looking forward to welcoming live gigs back to 'The Piv'," says venue owner Curtis Briggs.
"Its history speaks for itself, and there's a lot more music in the old lady yet!"
However, there will also be a broad mix of live music events throughout the year, creating a vibrant calendar that will appeal to both touring artists and local audiences.
Situated on the Ayr seafront, the Pavilion has long been a landmark for entertainment in the region, hosting countless performances that have helped shape Scotland’s live music culture. The revitalised venue will feature a state-of-the-art house PA system, supported by a professional in-house technical team able to provide full production and venue support where required.
"We're really looking forward to welcoming live gigs back to 'The Piv'," says venue owner Curtis Briggs.
"Its history speaks for itself, and there's a lot more music in the old lady yet!"
Ian McCaig of Plan B Events, the team behind the WinterStorm Rock Festival in nearby Troon, is working with the venue to help shape and promote the live programme through the remainder of the year and into 2027.
"The Ayr Pavilion was pivotal for so many of us kids of the seventies and eighties, providing us with so many memorable gigs through the years, comments Ian. It will be so good to hear live rock music on that stage again. I can't wait!"
The Pavilion team is now actively engaging with agents, promoters and tour managers to build a diverse programme of live performances, with the aim of re-establishing itself as a key destination for touring artists across Scotland’s west coast.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The Ayr Pavilion was pivotal for so many of us kids of the seventies and eighties, providing us with so many memorable gigs through the years, comments Ian. It will be so good to hear live rock music on that stage again. I can't wait!"
The Pavilion team is now actively engaging with agents, promoters and tour managers to build a diverse programme of live performances, with the aim of re-establishing itself as a key destination for touring artists across Scotland’s west coast.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multi-national, US based rock band LEVARA, who formed around and featured American guitarist Trev Lukather, French singer Jules Galli and British drummer Josh Devine, have reunited to celebrate the fifth Anniversary of their multi-faceted self-titled debut album, available now on Mascot Records as a remastered Digital Deluxe re-release with three bonus tracks. Stream here: https://lnk.to/LEVARA
The band will also tour Europe in November.
Show and ticket info here: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/15646075
The album release has been accompanied by one of the bonus tracks, Show Me The Way, as a single, which features Steve Perry on backing vocals (Perry also features on the accompanying video, which includes footage from the band's original run).
The band will also tour Europe in November.
Show and ticket info here: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/15646075
The album release has been accompanied by one of the bonus tracks, Show Me The Way, as a single, which features Steve Perry on backing vocals (Perry also features on the accompanying video, which includes footage from the band's original run).
When LEVARA released their modern-meets-classic debut album, the music world was potentially at their feet. Sadly, the band’s first foray was to be short-lived; something they are determined to now rectify.
"The stars have aligned for LEVARA to reunite and give this album the opportunity it deserves," says Trev Lukather. "The past five years brought growth, hard lessons, and experience. Looking back, it feels like it was all meant to unfold this way. We needed that time to see how much Levara means to us. And we’re just getting started."
Alongside Trev Lukather, Jules Galli and Josh Devine, the album also features Steve Perry on backing vocals (three songs), David Paich on piano (two songs) and Sam Porcaro on bass, who also featured in the touring band.
LEVARA – Remastered Digital Deluxe Re-release. Track Listing:
Heaven Knows; Automatic; Ever Enough; On For The Night; Allow; Can't Get Over; Chameleon; Ordinary; Just A Man; No One Above You; Show Me The Way (Bonus Track); Who I Am (Bonus Track); All On Us (Bonus Track)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The stars have aligned for LEVARA to reunite and give this album the opportunity it deserves," says Trev Lukather. "The past five years brought growth, hard lessons, and experience. Looking back, it feels like it was all meant to unfold this way. We needed that time to see how much Levara means to us. And we’re just getting started."
Alongside Trev Lukather, Jules Galli and Josh Devine, the album also features Steve Perry on backing vocals (three songs), David Paich on piano (two songs) and Sam Porcaro on bass, who also featured in the touring band.
LEVARA – Remastered Digital Deluxe Re-release. Track Listing:
Heaven Knows; Automatic; Ever Enough; On For The Night; Allow; Can't Get Over; Chameleon; Ordinary; Just A Man; No One Above You; Show Me The Way (Bonus Track); Who I Am (Bonus Track); All On Us (Bonus Track)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Todd Rundgren will perform four UK dates in September as part of his Damned If I Do tour, which kicks off a 40+ shows run through the US in June. Three European dates are also on the schedule, which will follow the UK shows.
Tickets for all four shows (listed below) go on sale on Friday 8th May at 10am via: aegp.uk/ToddR26
The shows on this particular tour are expected to feature plenty of fan favourite songs although, as Rundgren himself says "It’s always a challenge for me because my audience is so diverse, I never know what they’re in the mood for. I want to make sure we have all the musical ammunition we need to satisfy the spectrum."
The mercurial, trend bucking Todd Rundgren is a musician, writer, producer, cutting edge technological innovator and pioneer (with a whole host of firsts in the worlds of broadcast, graphics, video, VR, online music and interactivity).
Founding and fronting The Nazz in the late 60s, Todd Rundgren left the band in 1969 to forge both a production and solo career.
His third solo album, 1972’s seminal Something/Anything?, put him on the musical map.
Further acclaimed albums, including A Wizard, A True Star (1973), and Hermit Of Mink Hollow (1978) solidified his status as a solo artist, while Todd Rundgren’s Utopia (formed in 1974; renamed and reconfigured in 1976 as Utopia) provided a secondary, full band career.
His myriad production projects include albums by Patti Smith, Cheap Trick, Psychedelic Furs, Meat Loaf, XTC, Grand Funk Railroad, and Hall & Oates.
Since 1989, he has also, on occasion, toured as part of the Ringo Starr All-Starr Band, and composed music for Film, TV and Broadway.
Tickets for all four shows (listed below) go on sale on Friday 8th May at 10am via: aegp.uk/ToddR26
The shows on this particular tour are expected to feature plenty of fan favourite songs although, as Rundgren himself says "It’s always a challenge for me because my audience is so diverse, I never know what they’re in the mood for. I want to make sure we have all the musical ammunition we need to satisfy the spectrum."
The mercurial, trend bucking Todd Rundgren is a musician, writer, producer, cutting edge technological innovator and pioneer (with a whole host of firsts in the worlds of broadcast, graphics, video, VR, online music and interactivity).
Founding and fronting The Nazz in the late 60s, Todd Rundgren left the band in 1969 to forge both a production and solo career.
His third solo album, 1972’s seminal Something/Anything?, put him on the musical map.
Further acclaimed albums, including A Wizard, A True Star (1973), and Hermit Of Mink Hollow (1978) solidified his status as a solo artist, while Todd Rundgren’s Utopia (formed in 1974; renamed and reconfigured in 1976 as Utopia) provided a secondary, full band career.
His myriad production projects include albums by Patti Smith, Cheap Trick, Psychedelic Furs, Meat Loaf, XTC, Grand Funk Railroad, and Hall & Oates.
Since 1989, he has also, on occasion, toured as part of the Ringo Starr All-Starr Band, and composed music for Film, TV and Broadway.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UK rock artist Slyder Smith has released a brand new single, 'Killing The Machine.'
Stream/ download/ play here: https://slyder-smith.ffm.to/killingthemachine
Blending punky drive, gritty guitars and catchy melodies with socially charged lyricism, 'Killing The Machine' captures the tension between modern dependence on technology and the instinct to resist it.
"This one’s about that disturbing feeling that we’re losing control," says Slyder. "We’ve built something that’s meant to serve us, but it’s starting to feel like it’s shaping us instead."
'Killing The Machine' follows the success of previous singles 'Plan To Fail' and 'Nobody’s Listening'
Produced once again by Robin Wynn Evans (Manic Street Preachers, The View, Sam Brown, Dodgy), Killing The Machine, like previous singles Plan To Fail and 'Nobody’s Listening,' marks a bold forward step for Slyder Smith’s sound, where rock guitars blend with a modern production.
A limited edition Signed CD collectable bundle is also available: https://slydersmith.com/store
Stream/ download/ play here: https://slyder-smith.ffm.to/killingthemachine
Blending punky drive, gritty guitars and catchy melodies with socially charged lyricism, 'Killing The Machine' captures the tension between modern dependence on technology and the instinct to resist it.
"This one’s about that disturbing feeling that we’re losing control," says Slyder. "We’ve built something that’s meant to serve us, but it’s starting to feel like it’s shaping us instead."
'Killing The Machine' follows the success of previous singles 'Plan To Fail' and 'Nobody’s Listening'
Produced once again by Robin Wynn Evans (Manic Street Preachers, The View, Sam Brown, Dodgy), Killing The Machine, like previous singles Plan To Fail and 'Nobody’s Listening,' marks a bold forward step for Slyder Smith’s sound, where rock guitars blend with a modern production.
A limited edition Signed CD collectable bundle is also available: https://slydersmith.com/store
Slyder Smith made his name as guitarist and backing vocalist in cult power-poppers Last Great Dreamers.
Following the release of 1994 debut album, Retrosexual, the Dreamers went on to be championed by Kerrang! magazine, who nominated them as Best New Band in 1995.
The band split two years later but reformed in 2015, racking up a further three studio albums and a live record.
In 2021, with Covid in full flow, Slyder cooked up a batch of new songs, some in styles he’d little explored in public.
The following spring, he recorded the songs with noted producer & studio engineer Pete Brown (George Harrison, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Marc Almond, The Smiths).
The results were the highly acclaimed album Charm Offensive by Slyder Smith & The Oblivion Kids, released in 2022.
Since relocating from Somerset to Scotland in 2023, Slyder Smith has set about proving he has what it takes to cross borders figuratively as well as literally.
Writing & demoing material in his home studio, Slyder has recorded a batch of songs with Robin Wynn Evans at TPot Studio in Perthshire.
Songs from these recordings are breing released through teh months of 2026, culminating in an album later this year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following the release of 1994 debut album, Retrosexual, the Dreamers went on to be championed by Kerrang! magazine, who nominated them as Best New Band in 1995.
The band split two years later but reformed in 2015, racking up a further three studio albums and a live record.
In 2021, with Covid in full flow, Slyder cooked up a batch of new songs, some in styles he’d little explored in public.
The following spring, he recorded the songs with noted producer & studio engineer Pete Brown (George Harrison, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Marc Almond, The Smiths).
The results were the highly acclaimed album Charm Offensive by Slyder Smith & The Oblivion Kids, released in 2022.
Since relocating from Somerset to Scotland in 2023, Slyder Smith has set about proving he has what it takes to cross borders figuratively as well as literally.
Writing & demoing material in his home studio, Slyder has recorded a batch of songs with Robin Wynn Evans at TPot Studio in Perthshire.
Songs from these recordings are breing released through teh months of 2026, culminating in an album later this year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legendary space rockers Hawkwind have just released a Psychedelic Collection of songs that draws together previously unheard recordings, newly reworked classics and fresh material from the current line-up.
Available on CD, 2LP, Streaming & Download, Psychedelic Selection stands as an evolving chapter in the band’s still-expanding sonic universe.
Featuring brand new studio recordings alongside previously unheard material from ongoing and unreleased projects, the album captures various facets of the band’s creative output, from cosmic psychedelia to driving space rock and experimental electronica.
By opening with two new compositions, 'Four Legs Good, Two Legs Bad' and 'There Are Fairies In The Garden,' the album offers a glimpse into a forthcoming Hawkwind project.
Elsewhere, 'The Judge And The Fisherman' and 'Goonhilly Downs' showcase the current line-up in full flight, delivering brand new material rooted in the band’s signature sound.
Psychedelic Selection also revisits key moments from Hawkwind’s past, but with fresh perspective.
'The Demented Man' and 'Those Days Of The Underground' are reimagined for the present day, while 'PSI Power' and 'The Traveller of Space' are presented in powerful live-in-the-studio recordings, capturing the energy of recent performances.
A particularly poignant highlight is 'Hurry On Sundown,' marking the final recording by guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton with the band - a fitting and atmospheric tribute to an important contributor.
The album expands into more exploratory territory with tracks drawn from associated projects, including Dave Brock’s unreleased Dance and Trance material ('Land Of Min,' 'Out Of Luck') and Magnus Martin’s 'Ocean’s Spiral,' adding new dimensions to the Hawkwind sound world.
Blending past, present and future, Psychedelic Collection stands as both an entry point for new listeners and an essential addition for long-time fans.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available on CD, 2LP, Streaming & Download, Psychedelic Selection stands as an evolving chapter in the band’s still-expanding sonic universe.
Featuring brand new studio recordings alongside previously unheard material from ongoing and unreleased projects, the album captures various facets of the band’s creative output, from cosmic psychedelia to driving space rock and experimental electronica.
By opening with two new compositions, 'Four Legs Good, Two Legs Bad' and 'There Are Fairies In The Garden,' the album offers a glimpse into a forthcoming Hawkwind project.
Elsewhere, 'The Judge And The Fisherman' and 'Goonhilly Downs' showcase the current line-up in full flight, delivering brand new material rooted in the band’s signature sound.
Psychedelic Selection also revisits key moments from Hawkwind’s past, but with fresh perspective.
'The Demented Man' and 'Those Days Of The Underground' are reimagined for the present day, while 'PSI Power' and 'The Traveller of Space' are presented in powerful live-in-the-studio recordings, capturing the energy of recent performances.
A particularly poignant highlight is 'Hurry On Sundown,' marking the final recording by guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton with the band - a fitting and atmospheric tribute to an important contributor.
The album expands into more exploratory territory with tracks drawn from associated projects, including Dave Brock’s unreleased Dance and Trance material ('Land Of Min,' 'Out Of Luck') and Magnus Martin’s 'Ocean’s Spiral,' adding new dimensions to the Hawkwind sound world.
Blending past, present and future, Psychedelic Collection stands as both an entry point for new listeners and an essential addition for long-time fans.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
British singer-songwriter Jenny Colquitt, who has been compared to the likes of Eva Cassidy, Joni Mitchell, Alanis Morissette and KT Tunstall, has released a powerful new story-telling single, 'Peace Man.'
Of the new song, which is taken from forthcoming album Pockets Full of Rain, Jenny says: "Peace Man was written about an unsavoury encounter that was experienced by a close family member, and is based on this true story. The song takes you on the journey of this encounter and weaves through themes of faith, love, grief and manipulation. It is a hit back at using grief to manipulate a situation for personal gain.
The characters in the story are exaggerated versions of real-life events and make for a humorous yet hard hitting upbeat ballad."
Of the new song, which is taken from forthcoming album Pockets Full of Rain, Jenny says: "Peace Man was written about an unsavoury encounter that was experienced by a close family member, and is based on this true story. The song takes you on the journey of this encounter and weaves through themes of faith, love, grief and manipulation. It is a hit back at using grief to manipulate a situation for personal gain.
The characters in the story are exaggerated versions of real-life events and make for a humorous yet hard hitting upbeat ballad."
'Peace Man' is available to play/ stream here: https://hypeddit.com/jennycolquitt/peaceman
You can also purchase the single, and pre-order the album (Digital, CD, Vinyl, and related merch) via:
Single: https://jennycolquitt.bandcamp.com/track/peace-man
Album: https://jennycolquitt.bandcamp.com/album/pockets-full-of-rain-pre-order
"After a very tough year, I could not be prouder of this album, not only from an artistic perspective but as a personal triumph that represents resilience, hard work and passion," says Jenny of her third album.
"This album is one of the most creative pieces I have ever made and pushes my boundaries as a writer, incorporating new styles and instrumentation. It delves in to my inner thoughts and makes them sing; it gives a voice to the light, the dark, the colourful and everything in between; it weaves through important topics such as equality, experience, climate change and mental health. I couldn’t be more excited for you to hear it both produced, and on stage."
"Strong and expressive voice, impactful lyrics and winning melodies" - Paul Sexton (BBC Radio 2)
Official Website: https://jennycolquitt.co.uk/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can also purchase the single, and pre-order the album (Digital, CD, Vinyl, and related merch) via:
Single: https://jennycolquitt.bandcamp.com/track/peace-man
Album: https://jennycolquitt.bandcamp.com/album/pockets-full-of-rain-pre-order
"After a very tough year, I could not be prouder of this album, not only from an artistic perspective but as a personal triumph that represents resilience, hard work and passion," says Jenny of her third album.
"This album is one of the most creative pieces I have ever made and pushes my boundaries as a writer, incorporating new styles and instrumentation. It delves in to my inner thoughts and makes them sing; it gives a voice to the light, the dark, the colourful and everything in between; it weaves through important topics such as equality, experience, climate change and mental health. I couldn’t be more excited for you to hear it both produced, and on stage."
"Strong and expressive voice, impactful lyrics and winning melodies" - Paul Sexton (BBC Radio 2)
Official Website: https://jennycolquitt.co.uk/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emerging storytelling Indie-folk rock artist Alys North has released a new single, 'Replace You With.'
A highly contemporary take on acoustic-electric singer-songwriter rock, 'Relace You With' is, lyrically, a love you-hate you-(don’t) miss you number that showcases Alys North’s dynamic, raw and authentic approach to her artistry.
A highly contemporary take on acoustic-electric singer-songwriter rock, 'Relace You With' is, lyrically, a love you-hate you-(don’t) miss you number that showcases Alys North’s dynamic, raw and authentic approach to her artistry.
Raised in a small Northern Territory town before honing her skills and passion in Brisbane, Australia, Alys North can be now be found carving out her sound in venues and streets around Cardiff, as well as other parts of the UK.
With lyrics that land with striking honesty, Alys’ songwriting is unfiltered and unafraid; the results, as heard on the new single and song’s such as the Indie driven 'Monday Morning,' are a powerful mix of vulnerability and grit from an artist who refuses to hold back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With lyrics that land with striking honesty, Alys’ songwriting is unfiltered and unafraid; the results, as heard on the new single and song’s such as the Indie driven 'Monday Morning,' are a powerful mix of vulnerability and grit from an artist who refuses to hold back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Renowned singer-songwriter Justin Hayward, The Voice of the Moody Blues, will be back out on the road in October with his band for his The Story In Your Eyes UK Tour.
Tickets for the twelve shows are on sale now, excepting the Truro Town Hall show in Cornwall (on sale from 18th May).
Tickets are available from ticketline.co.uk, ticketmaster.co.uk and the venues direct.
The tour is named for one of Justin’s many compositions for The Moody Blues, which was released as a single 55 years ago and featured on the band’s seventh album Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, which reached No. 1 on the UK Album Chart, and placed No. 2 for three weeks in the US.
"So many of the venues we are playing this year hold warm and special memories for me going right back," reflects Justin. "Music brings us a world of imagination and I am looking forward to being right there in the middle of that."
Tickets for the twelve shows are on sale now, excepting the Truro Town Hall show in Cornwall (on sale from 18th May).
Tickets are available from ticketline.co.uk, ticketmaster.co.uk and the venues direct.
The tour is named for one of Justin’s many compositions for The Moody Blues, which was released as a single 55 years ago and featured on the band’s seventh album Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, which reached No. 1 on the UK Album Chart, and placed No. 2 for three weeks in the US.
"So many of the venues we are playing this year hold warm and special memories for me going right back," reflects Justin. "Music brings us a world of imagination and I am looking forward to being right there in the middle of that."
Justin Hayward OBE, of the iconic Moody Blues, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, penned numerous Moodies hits including the masterful ‘Nights in White Satin’, ‘Tuesday Afternoon’, ‘Question’, ‘The Voice,’ ‘I Know You’re Out there Somewhere’ and In Your Wildest Dreams.’
Each helped lay the foundation for the incredible success story of the Moody Blues, as well as his dovetailing, and later, solo work, with albums such as Songwriter, Night Flight, Moving Mountains, Classic Blue with Mike Batt, and The View From the Hill.
In 1978 he had huge global success with 'Forever Autumn,' created for, and lifted from Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, and starring in its spectacular live production.
His Spirits Of The Western Sky album (2013) was followed by the Spirits…Live DVD, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Video chart.
In 2020, Justin took to YouTube for the Tuesday Afternoon Video Series; this led to the digital album Tuesday Afternoons: The Audio Files. In 2021 he released the songs 'One Summer Day and 'My Juliette' followed by 'Living For Love' in 2022. In 2025 he released 'Life In a Northern Town' with Mike Batt.
Justin spent much of 2023 and 2024 on the road, and on the sea, with two On The Blue cruises.
He also undertook a sell-out co-headlining tour in the USA with Christopher Cross.
Last year, he completed the Forever Autumn tour of the UK, as well as multiple dates across the US.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each helped lay the foundation for the incredible success story of the Moody Blues, as well as his dovetailing, and later, solo work, with albums such as Songwriter, Night Flight, Moving Mountains, Classic Blue with Mike Batt, and The View From the Hill.
In 1978 he had huge global success with 'Forever Autumn,' created for, and lifted from Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, and starring in its spectacular live production.
His Spirits Of The Western Sky album (2013) was followed by the Spirits…Live DVD, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Video chart.
In 2020, Justin took to YouTube for the Tuesday Afternoon Video Series; this led to the digital album Tuesday Afternoons: The Audio Files. In 2021 he released the songs 'One Summer Day and 'My Juliette' followed by 'Living For Love' in 2022. In 2025 he released 'Life In a Northern Town' with Mike Batt.
Justin spent much of 2023 and 2024 on the road, and on the sea, with two On The Blue cruises.
He also undertook a sell-out co-headlining tour in the USA with Christopher Cross.
Last year, he completed the Forever Autumn tour of the UK, as well as multiple dates across the US.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Award-winning British blues icon Robin Trower has announced a short run of UK tour for the Autumn (see tour poster below).
Tickets: https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/Robin-Trower.htm
The evergreen Robin Trower has been in an incredibly rich vein of form in recent years with a slew of acclaimed studio albums including Come and Find Me (2025), Joyful Sky, featuring Sari Schorr (2023), and No More Worlds To Conquer (2022).
Earlier this year Robin Trower released One Moment In Time: Live In The USA, which showcased the Godfather of Tone in full flight.
Recorded during his Summer 2025 USA tour, the album features newer songs and classic gems, including 'Day of the Eagle.'
Tickets: https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/Robin-Trower.htm
The evergreen Robin Trower has been in an incredibly rich vein of form in recent years with a slew of acclaimed studio albums including Come and Find Me (2025), Joyful Sky, featuring Sari Schorr (2023), and No More Worlds To Conquer (2022).
Earlier this year Robin Trower released One Moment In Time: Live In The USA, which showcased the Godfather of Tone in full flight.
Recorded during his Summer 2025 USA tour, the album features newer songs and classic gems, including 'Day of the Eagle.'
Talking about the live shows, Robin says "I prefer this format because I have more freedom.
In a three-piece, everybody is trying to make up for the missing instrument. We’ve got Richard Watts on bass and vocals: a wonderful voice, great musician. Then there’s Chris Taggart on drums, another fantastic musician. We’ve been working together now for a good ten years’ now, and I’m very fortunate to play with guys of this calibre."
In a three-piece, everybody is trying to make up for the missing instrument. We’ve got Richard Watts on bass and vocals: a wonderful voice, great musician. Then there’s Chris Taggart on drums, another fantastic musician. We’ve been working together now for a good ten years’ now, and I’m very fortunate to play with guys of this calibre."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Award-winning Finnish singer-guitarist Erja Lyytinen has announced her 50th Anniversary Rock Blues Birthday UK Tour, which takes in seven dates in October (See tour poster below).
Tickets are on sale now at https://erjalyytinen.com/tour
The special 50th Birthday tour, which includes dates across Europe, will feature songs from Lyytinen’s back catalogue, which date back to 2002. The set will also perform songs from latest studio album, Smell the Roses, along with some unexpected song choices.
"I did my first tour in the UK with Blues Caravan back in 2006, so it´s been exactly twenty years now doing gigs on this music lover’s island," reminisces Erja. "I remember how exciting it was to finally do my first UK tour back then. What I loved the most was the fact that the audiences understood and related to my lyrics. The witty humour and friendly British people simply stole my heart.
"This year I’m celebrating the big number of turning 50, but I still feel as that 15-year-old girl who fell in love with the electric guitar by listening to guitarists like Tony Iommi and Richie Blackmore, and wanting to travel around the world to play for audiences. This year we have updated our set list with some old gems and surprise numbers, so it´s going to be a lot of fun to come to the UK for a birthday tour!"
Tickets are on sale now at https://erjalyytinen.com/tour
The special 50th Birthday tour, which includes dates across Europe, will feature songs from Lyytinen’s back catalogue, which date back to 2002. The set will also perform songs from latest studio album, Smell the Roses, along with some unexpected song choices.
"I did my first tour in the UK with Blues Caravan back in 2006, so it´s been exactly twenty years now doing gigs on this music lover’s island," reminisces Erja. "I remember how exciting it was to finally do my first UK tour back then. What I loved the most was the fact that the audiences understood and related to my lyrics. The witty humour and friendly British people simply stole my heart.
"This year I’m celebrating the big number of turning 50, but I still feel as that 15-year-old girl who fell in love with the electric guitar by listening to guitarists like Tony Iommi and Richie Blackmore, and wanting to travel around the world to play for audiences. This year we have updated our set list with some old gems and surprise numbers, so it´s going to be a lot of fun to come to the UK for a birthday tour!"
Erja Lyytinen is one of the leading blues-rock guitarists on the international touring circuit.
During a recording career spanning more than 20 years, the high-flying Finnish musician has released thirteen studio albums and several live albums.
Lyytinen’s musical pallet is vast, encompassing the very best of contemporary blues rock, hard rock and touches of progressive rock, whilst inspired and influenced by the blues greats of yore.
Her current studio album, Smell the Roses, released in 2025, was ranked #6 on the UK’s Independent Blues Broadcasters chart.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During a recording career spanning more than 20 years, the high-flying Finnish musician has released thirteen studio albums and several live albums.
Lyytinen’s musical pallet is vast, encompassing the very best of contemporary blues rock, hard rock and touches of progressive rock, whilst inspired and influenced by the blues greats of yore.
Her current studio album, Smell the Roses, released in 2025, was ranked #6 on the UK’s Independent Blues Broadcasters chart.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revered hard rock band Little Angels, who recently announced an ultra-rare UK tour in November featuring the original line-up of Toby Jepson (vocals), Bruce Dickinson (guitars), Jim Dickinson (keys), Mark Plunkett (bass) and Mark Richardson (drums), have added three additional dates due to high demand (see tour poster further below).
Additionally, the shows in Manchester (O2 Ritz), Leeds (O2 Academy), Nottingham (Rock City) and Wolverhampton (KK's Steel Mill) now have Low Ticket Availability, while London (O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire) has Sold Out.
The last time Little Angels toured was in 2012, following their triumphant return at Download Festival.
Those shows came eighteen years after their sold-out farewell gig at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1994.
Formed nearly forty years ago in their hometown of Scarborough, Little Angels emerged from the ashes of the NWOBHM movement, becoming one of the defining UK hard rock bands of the late 80s and early 90s.
Across their short career, Little Angels built a fiercely loyal fanbase, scoring eleven UK Top 40 singles and four hit albums, including Jam, which reached #1 in 1993.
Alongside their own sold-out headline tours, they shared stages with such giants as Van Halen, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi and Faith No More.
Adding to the sense of occasion, long-time friend and contemporary Luke Morley of Thunder will support on all dates.
"I think this will be a fantastic celebration of that amazing time when Thunder and Little Angels both broke through," comments Luke. "There’s a lot of people out there that were really into both bands, so I think I’m going to have to throw in a couple of Thunder tunes; it would be rude not to!"
Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/little-angels-tickets/artist/3005347
Additionally, the shows in Manchester (O2 Ritz), Leeds (O2 Academy), Nottingham (Rock City) and Wolverhampton (KK's Steel Mill) now have Low Ticket Availability, while London (O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire) has Sold Out.
The last time Little Angels toured was in 2012, following their triumphant return at Download Festival.
Those shows came eighteen years after their sold-out farewell gig at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1994.
Formed nearly forty years ago in their hometown of Scarborough, Little Angels emerged from the ashes of the NWOBHM movement, becoming one of the defining UK hard rock bands of the late 80s and early 90s.
Across their short career, Little Angels built a fiercely loyal fanbase, scoring eleven UK Top 40 singles and four hit albums, including Jam, which reached #1 in 1993.
Alongside their own sold-out headline tours, they shared stages with such giants as Van Halen, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi and Faith No More.
Adding to the sense of occasion, long-time friend and contemporary Luke Morley of Thunder will support on all dates.
"I think this will be a fantastic celebration of that amazing time when Thunder and Little Angels both broke through," comments Luke. "There’s a lot of people out there that were really into both bands, so I think I’m going to have to throw in a couple of Thunder tunes; it would be rude not to!"
Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/little-angels-tickets/artist/3005347
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bootleg Beatles, the highly acclaimed Fab Four tribute, have announced dates and details of their forthcoming ICONIC UK tour, which will focus on seven famous legendary appearances on stage and TV by The Beatles.
Tickets for the thirteen shows, which all take place through December 2026, are on sale now from:
bootlegbeatles.com/gigs/
With more than a little help from their orchestra, the multi-media ICONIC shows will plot the course of The Beatles’ rise to fame from the Liverpool Cavern, when Ringo first joined the band in August 1962, to their London rooftop finale in January 1969.
Including re-enactments of their record breaking 1965 Shea Stadium concert in New York and the global satellite TV broadcast of 'All You Need Is Love,' this is a very special, must-see show for all Beatles and music fans.
The Bootleg Beatles – ICONIC UK Tour, December 2026
Saturday 5th – De Montfort Hall, LEICESTER
Sunday 6th – Philharmonic Hall, LIVERPOOL
Tuesday 8th – Usher Hall, EDINBURGH
Wednesday 9th – Royal Concert Hall, GLASGOW
Thursday 10th – Bridgewater Hall, MANCHESTER
Friday 11th – City Hall, NEWCASTLE
Saturday 12th – Royal Concert Hall, NOTTINGHAM
Monday 14th – Barbican, YORK
Tuesday 15th – Symphony Hall, BIRMINGHAM
Wednesday 16th – City Hall, SHEFFIELD
Friday 18th – Utilita Arena, CARDIFF
Saturday 19th – Brighton Centre, BRIGHTON
Sunday 20th – Bristol Beacon, BRISTOL
"Just incredible… you are in the room with The Beatles" – Jeremy Vine on 5
"The magic of perfect Illusion" – Rolling Stone.
"The Bootleg Beatles knock it out of the park" – Liverpool Echo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tickets for the thirteen shows, which all take place through December 2026, are on sale now from:
bootlegbeatles.com/gigs/
With more than a little help from their orchestra, the multi-media ICONIC shows will plot the course of The Beatles’ rise to fame from the Liverpool Cavern, when Ringo first joined the band in August 1962, to their London rooftop finale in January 1969.
Including re-enactments of their record breaking 1965 Shea Stadium concert in New York and the global satellite TV broadcast of 'All You Need Is Love,' this is a very special, must-see show for all Beatles and music fans.
The Bootleg Beatles – ICONIC UK Tour, December 2026
Saturday 5th – De Montfort Hall, LEICESTER
Sunday 6th – Philharmonic Hall, LIVERPOOL
Tuesday 8th – Usher Hall, EDINBURGH
Wednesday 9th – Royal Concert Hall, GLASGOW
Thursday 10th – Bridgewater Hall, MANCHESTER
Friday 11th – City Hall, NEWCASTLE
Saturday 12th – Royal Concert Hall, NOTTINGHAM
Monday 14th – Barbican, YORK
Tuesday 15th – Symphony Hall, BIRMINGHAM
Wednesday 16th – City Hall, SHEFFIELD
Friday 18th – Utilita Arena, CARDIFF
Saturday 19th – Brighton Centre, BRIGHTON
Sunday 20th – Bristol Beacon, BRISTOL
"Just incredible… you are in the room with The Beatles" – Jeremy Vine on 5
"The magic of perfect Illusion" – Rolling Stone.
"The Bootleg Beatles knock it out of the park" – Liverpool Echo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweden’s melodic rock champions Europe will undertake 19 shows across the UK and Europe next October, in a 40th Anniversary celebration of their seminal 1986 album The Final Countdown.
The album catapulted the group to international fame on the back of the title track single, which reached No1 in 25 countries around the globe.
The multi-platinum selling album was a Top 10 album in 15 countries, including three No.1 slots (Sweden, Spain, Finland, Switzerland). It spent over 60 weeks on the US Billboard chart, where it peaked at #8.
With the continued success of the song 'The Final Countdown' into the digital age, the band received an award from YouTube in 2022 for the first Swedish band ever to receive One Billion views for any one song (as of today it’s close to 1.4 Billion views).
The Final Countdown 40th Anniversary tour, which will travel across 12 countries, includes three dates in the UK (Glasgow, Wolverhampton, London).
The shows will consist of a career retrospective set list, culminating in the band playing The Final Countdown album in its entirety.
2026 will also see the release of the band's as yet untitled 12th studio record, which was recorded at RMV studios in Stockholm with famed producer Tom Dalgety (Ghost, The Pixies, Royal Blood, Opeth).
Special Guests on the whole tour will be Canada’s rock 'n' roll hot shots The Damn Truth, who have just come off a successful headline tour of the UK.
Scottish rock stalwarts GUN will also be appearing as Very Special Guests on all UK shows.
European dates:
October 5th Netherlands – Arnhem, Musis
October 6th France – Paris, Olympia
October 8th Spain – Barcelona, Poble Espanyol
October 9th Spain – Bilbao, Arena Miribilla
October 10th Spain – Madrid, La Cubierta
October 12th Switzerland – Lausanne, Salle Metropole
October 13th Switzerland – Zurich, Volkshaus
October 14th Italy – Milan, Alcatraz
October 16th Germany – Stuttgart, Liederhalle
October 17th Austria – Vienna, Gasometer
October 19th Germany – Berlin, Admiralspalast
October 20th Poland – Warsaw, Torwar
October 22nd Denmark – Copenhagen, Falconer
October 23rd Sweden – Gothenburg, Film Studios
October 24th Sweden – Stockholm, BK
October 26th Norway – Oslo, Sentrum Scene
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The album catapulted the group to international fame on the back of the title track single, which reached No1 in 25 countries around the globe.
The multi-platinum selling album was a Top 10 album in 15 countries, including three No.1 slots (Sweden, Spain, Finland, Switzerland). It spent over 60 weeks on the US Billboard chart, where it peaked at #8.
With the continued success of the song 'The Final Countdown' into the digital age, the band received an award from YouTube in 2022 for the first Swedish band ever to receive One Billion views for any one song (as of today it’s close to 1.4 Billion views).
The Final Countdown 40th Anniversary tour, which will travel across 12 countries, includes three dates in the UK (Glasgow, Wolverhampton, London).
The shows will consist of a career retrospective set list, culminating in the band playing The Final Countdown album in its entirety.
2026 will also see the release of the band's as yet untitled 12th studio record, which was recorded at RMV studios in Stockholm with famed producer Tom Dalgety (Ghost, The Pixies, Royal Blood, Opeth).
Special Guests on the whole tour will be Canada’s rock 'n' roll hot shots The Damn Truth, who have just come off a successful headline tour of the UK.
Scottish rock stalwarts GUN will also be appearing as Very Special Guests on all UK shows.
European dates:
October 5th Netherlands – Arnhem, Musis
October 6th France – Paris, Olympia
October 8th Spain – Barcelona, Poble Espanyol
October 9th Spain – Bilbao, Arena Miribilla
October 10th Spain – Madrid, La Cubierta
October 12th Switzerland – Lausanne, Salle Metropole
October 13th Switzerland – Zurich, Volkshaus
October 14th Italy – Milan, Alcatraz
October 16th Germany – Stuttgart, Liederhalle
October 17th Austria – Vienna, Gasometer
October 19th Germany – Berlin, Admiralspalast
October 20th Poland – Warsaw, Torwar
October 22nd Denmark – Copenhagen, Falconer
October 23rd Sweden – Gothenburg, Film Studios
October 24th Sweden – Stockholm, BK
October 26th Norway – Oslo, Sentrum Scene
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blues Rock's resilient icon, Walter Trout, has announced a 14-date UK tour for October 2026 (see poster below).
The tour will see him play songs from not just his acclaimed back catalogue, but from his latest and highly praised album, Sign of the Times, which was released in September this year.
You can listen to and order the album here: https://lnk.to/waltertrout
Talking about returning to the UK, Walter says, "I'm always looking forward to spending time in the country of my ancestors. The audiences always help me and my band feel right at home!"
Tickets are available from https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/Walter-Trout.htm
In his half-century as a street-level social observer and honest songwriter, Walter Trout has never told his fans what to think, how to feel, or where to stand politically.
But in an era when his home nation – and the wider world – is ripping at the seams over the battlelines of modern life, the iconic US bluesman's hard-rocking new album, Sign Of The Times, is a primal scream and pressure valve for all of us. "I wanted to reflect upon what's going on in the world," he explains.
"For me, writing these songs is therapy. They're not just about what's happening out there, but how it affects you in your head. Sign Of The Times just became the obvious title."
The tour will see him play songs from not just his acclaimed back catalogue, but from his latest and highly praised album, Sign of the Times, which was released in September this year.
You can listen to and order the album here: https://lnk.to/waltertrout
Talking about returning to the UK, Walter says, "I'm always looking forward to spending time in the country of my ancestors. The audiences always help me and my band feel right at home!"
Tickets are available from https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/Walter-Trout.htm
In his half-century as a street-level social observer and honest songwriter, Walter Trout has never told his fans what to think, how to feel, or where to stand politically.
But in an era when his home nation – and the wider world – is ripping at the seams over the battlelines of modern life, the iconic US bluesman's hard-rocking new album, Sign Of The Times, is a primal scream and pressure valve for all of us. "I wanted to reflect upon what's going on in the world," he explains.
"For me, writing these songs is therapy. They're not just about what's happening out there, but how it affects you in your head. Sign Of The Times just became the obvious title."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joe Jackson and his band will be back out on the UK road in September & October for seven live dates (see poster further below). The shows will feature songs from throughout Joe Jackson’s remarkable career, as well as promote the releases of his new album Hope and Fury.
Tickets are on sale now from www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/joe-jackson/
"Hello cruel world I’m not going away, so I might as well have my say," sings Joe Jackson on his new album, which might well be his best work yet.
Though often depicted as a chameleonic artist who constantly changes his style, Joe Jackson insists that most of his albums are in his "own mainstream" – sophisticated pop songs, using different kinds of rhythms and combinations of instruments.
At the same time, Jackson reserves the right to step away from that mainstream. His most recent 'sidestep,' Mr. Joe Jackson presents Max Champion in ‘What A Racket!’ saw him hilariously channelling a forgotten Music Hall entertainer from Edwardian England.
Hope and Fury however returns to the JJ mainstream, in the company of his on-and-off band since 2016 – "bassist for life" Graham Maby, guitarist Teddy Kumpel, and drummer Doug Yowell, augmented by Latin percussionist Paulo Stagnaro. The results are an album that might strike a fan as a cross between 2019’s Fool, 1991’s Laughter and Lust, and 1982’s Night and Day.
In keeping with the title (an ironic twist on 'Land of Hope and Glory'), this is also a more English Joe Jackson than we’ve seen for quite a while, with some songs suggesting a love/hate relationship with his homeland.
For example, 'Welcome to Burning-By-Sea' describes a fictional seaside town but turns out to be a microcosm of the whole country, while 'End of the Pier' cleverly contrasts British working-class life in 1922 with a post-pandemic version in 2022.
Tickets are on sale now from www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/joe-jackson/
"Hello cruel world I’m not going away, so I might as well have my say," sings Joe Jackson on his new album, which might well be his best work yet.
Though often depicted as a chameleonic artist who constantly changes his style, Joe Jackson insists that most of his albums are in his "own mainstream" – sophisticated pop songs, using different kinds of rhythms and combinations of instruments.
At the same time, Jackson reserves the right to step away from that mainstream. His most recent 'sidestep,' Mr. Joe Jackson presents Max Champion in ‘What A Racket!’ saw him hilariously channelling a forgotten Music Hall entertainer from Edwardian England.
Hope and Fury however returns to the JJ mainstream, in the company of his on-and-off band since 2016 – "bassist for life" Graham Maby, guitarist Teddy Kumpel, and drummer Doug Yowell, augmented by Latin percussionist Paulo Stagnaro. The results are an album that might strike a fan as a cross between 2019’s Fool, 1991’s Laughter and Lust, and 1982’s Night and Day.
In keeping with the title (an ironic twist on 'Land of Hope and Glory'), this is also a more English Joe Jackson than we’ve seen for quite a while, with some songs suggesting a love/hate relationship with his homeland.
For example, 'Welcome to Burning-By-Sea' describes a fictional seaside town but turns out to be a microcosm of the whole country, while 'End of the Pier' cleverly contrasts British working-class life in 1922 with a post-pandemic version in 2022.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luminary guitarist Steve Hackett has announced an all-encompassing Best of Genesis & Solo Gems UK Tour for October 2026 (see all dates further below).
Tickets are on sale from 19th September at: https://myticket.co.uk/artists/steve-hackett
The seventeen dates, which culminate with a return to the Royal Albert Hall on the 26th October, will introduce two new members of Hackett’s band to his UK audiences: Swedish keyboard player Lalle Larsson replaces longtime associate Roger King, while German drummer Felix Lehrmann takes over from Craig Blundell.
Larsson and Lehrmann will take their places in the touring band alongside Jonas Reingold (bass, backing vocals), Nad Sylvan (vocals) and Rob Townsend (saxophone, flutes, additional keys).
"The main thing is to keep a focus on the music, which drives it all, but there will be some big changes in the band," says Steve. "Craig and Roger are amazing musicians, but I know Lalle and Felix will be equally fantastic. I’ve never worked with Lalle before but he’s brilliant, and more than qualified for the job of recreating Genesis circa 1971 to 1977. We’ve already been working with Felix, and listening to him with Jonas Reingold on bass is like a thousand iron girders coming at you at 100mph!"
Tickets are on sale from 19th September at: https://myticket.co.uk/artists/steve-hackett
The seventeen dates, which culminate with a return to the Royal Albert Hall on the 26th October, will introduce two new members of Hackett’s band to his UK audiences: Swedish keyboard player Lalle Larsson replaces longtime associate Roger King, while German drummer Felix Lehrmann takes over from Craig Blundell.
Larsson and Lehrmann will take their places in the touring band alongside Jonas Reingold (bass, backing vocals), Nad Sylvan (vocals) and Rob Townsend (saxophone, flutes, additional keys).
"The main thing is to keep a focus on the music, which drives it all, but there will be some big changes in the band," says Steve. "Craig and Roger are amazing musicians, but I know Lalle and Felix will be equally fantastic. I’ve never worked with Lalle before but he’s brilliant, and more than qualified for the job of recreating Genesis circa 1971 to 1977. We’ve already been working with Felix, and listening to him with Jonas Reingold on bass is like a thousand iron girders coming at you at 100mph!"
Steve Hackett’s innovative guitar-work was an integral part of the classic Genesis catalogue from Nursery Cryme (1971) to Wind And Wuthering (1977).
Over recent years a series of themed tours have spotlighted many of the Genesis albums upon which Hackett played such a key role, including a 50th anniversary celebration of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway.
The latter tour was captured for posterity with the release of The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall; a stunning audio/visual document of his show at the iconic London venue in October 2024, it was released in 2025.
In January 2024 Hackett released his most-recent studio album The Circus and The Nightwhale, which was received with critical acclaim and great reviews.
"I’m still in love with the idea of music, I absolutely adore it. It still sends shivers up and down my spine and, so far, it’s kept me sufficiently young to keep touring with gusto!" - Steve Hackett
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over recent years a series of themed tours have spotlighted many of the Genesis albums upon which Hackett played such a key role, including a 50th anniversary celebration of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway.
The latter tour was captured for posterity with the release of The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall; a stunning audio/visual document of his show at the iconic London venue in October 2024, it was released in 2025.
In January 2024 Hackett released his most-recent studio album The Circus and The Nightwhale, which was received with critical acclaim and great reviews.
"I’m still in love with the idea of music, I absolutely adore it. It still sends shivers up and down my spine and, so far, it’s kept me sufficiently young to keep touring with gusto!" - Steve Hackett
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"A language works best when we have something interesting to say. Many music teachers never find out what their students have to say; we only tell them what they are supposed to say." - Victor Wooten