Mercury Prize shortlist announced with Celeste and Wolf Alice in the running

Girl In Red has signed a new record deal with Columbia Records.The Norwegian artist, real name Marie Ulven, previously released music through a worldwide recordings deal with AWAL (Artists Without A Label), a company which offers independent musicians an alternative to working with a traditional record label.Following the success of her April 2021 debut album ‘If I Could Make It Go Quiet’, Ulven has now signed to Columbia for her future releases.The label confirmed the news to Variety yesterday (February 15), though neither Columbia or Girl In Red have officially announced the signing at the time of writing.Speaking to NME at Reading Festival back in August, Ulven confirmed that she was working on new Girl In Red material.“I’m already working on new stuff, I’m really excited to see what’s going to happen,” she said, before reiterating that she isn’t interested in releasing singles at the moment.“I still don’t think singles are that interesting. I honestly don’t even know at this point,” Ulven continued.

An easyJet flight into Glasgow was forced into an aborted landing this afternoon due to high winds linked to Storm Dudley.

Balkan Insight, Depp was award the honour for his “outstanding merits in public and cultural activities, especially in the field of film art and the promotion of the Republic of Serbia in the world”.Receiving the award, The Daily Mail reports that Depp said: “I truly, sincerely thank you, President Vucic, and this medal of merit, if I am given the honour to walk away with this, I thank you for being kind enough to bestow it upon me.”The publication went on to say that Depp explained he was “right now on the verge of a new life”, adding: “I like a re-beginning, and I would love for that beginning to start here.”The actor had labelled himself a victim of “cancel culture” last year after being dropped from a number of projects in light of losing his bid to overturn a libel case that concluded he assaulted his ex-wife Amber Heard.Meanwhile, a documentary series focusing on the relationship between Johnny Depp and Heard is currently in development at Discovery+.The two-part series, called Johnny Vs. Amber, will break down the couple’s marriage, divorce and consequent legal action against each other, from multiple viewpoints.“Through the tapes, home videos and text messages shown in court, these films give viewers a rare and important insight into a marriage that went tragically wrong, and to better understand the hugely important issue of domestic violence,” explained producer Nick Hornby, via Deadline.

The fight for Premiership survival took a serious twist on Wednesday as Dundee abruptly sacked manager James McPake.

Foals have revealed that plans are afoot for side-projects and solo albums from within the band – including frontman Yannis Philippakis’ long-awaited record with Fela Kuti icon Tony Allen.The Oxford band were speaking to NME for this week’s Big Read cover story to launch their upcoming seventh album, ‘Life Is Yours’.Philippakis first revealed that he had been at work on a side-project with Fela Kuti percussionist Allen back in 2017, before telling NME of his plans to finish the record in April 2020 – just weeks before the icon died.Yannis has now revealed that he has plans to return to Paris, where Allen was living, to finish the project later this month – as well as discussing how the drummer’s passing shaped his own creative outlook during the writing of ‘Life Is Yours’.“In relation to Tony, it was understanding that even though he’s gone physically from the world, the music that he made will go on forever,” Philippakis told NME. “When I’m gone, the songs will hopefully live on.”He added: “There’s an alchemy in looking at music in that way.

Inventing Anna subject Anna Sorokin is set to receive her own docuseries courtesy of Bunim/Murray Productions.The fake heiress who conned banks out of hundreds of thousands of dollars will be the main focus of a new project, after Shonda Rhimes’ scripted Netflix series starring Julia Garner aired last week.Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, is currently being held in detention by immigration authorities as she awaits the verdict after overstaying her visa. She was sentenced in 2019 and released in 2021, for the crimes portrayed in Inventing Anna.The new series is set to “begin where Inventing Anna” ends, reports Deadline.“It will follow the fast-moving events as her future changes day-to-day.

Residents on a Lanarkshire street were awoken by a huge tree falling right outside their homes.

Eurovision put on hold following an investigation by a TV broadcaster.On Saturday (February 12), Alina Pash booked her ticket to the world’s biggest song contest after winning Vidbir, the nationally televised selection show that Ukraine uses to find its Eurovision entry.Eight hopefuls competed in Vidbir, with a combination of a public vote and a jury vote determining the winner, both contributing 50 per cent of the points.However, Ukraine’s national broadcaster UA:PBC has now “suspended” the signing of the agreement for Pash to be the country’s representative at the song contest due to an investigation into a 2015 trip she made to Crimea, an area Russia seized control of in 2014.Visiting Crimea is frowned upon as there are strict rules in place on how people should travel to the region. Ukrainians and foreigners are only allowed to travel there through official land checkpoints.

WarnerMedia is partnering with the Black Beauty Roster platform for diverse hair and makeup education, talent, and advocacy, to expand the presence of emerging and diverse beauty professionals on its upcoming slate of film and TV productions.

Evanescence and Within Temptation have been forced to reschedule their upcoming UK and European tour once again.The two bands had initially been due to head out on the ‘Worlds Collide’ tour back in 2020, but the tour has been postponed a number of times since due to the coronavirus pandemic.The long-awaited gigs were then set to finally kick off next month, but Evanescence and Within Temptation have announced today (February 16) that the shows will now take place in November and December.“As the world is slowly reopening again, we have been feeling optimistic about the tour actually taking place in March and April.

Giorgos Giakoumakis has revealed that his Parkhead move wasn't influenced by European nights and that the size of the club speaks for itself.

Simon Biles had a very special Valentine's Day. On Monday, the Olympic medalist was in for a big surprise when her boyfriend, Jonathan Owens, a player for the Houston Texans, got down on one knee to pop the big question.

Chet Hanks is opening up about what it was truly like growing up in the spotlight as one of Tom Hanks' children. The 31-year-old posted a 13-minute video to his new YouTube channel in which he gets vulnerable about growing up "privileged" and being judged as "spoiled" due to his father and mother Rita Wilson's fame. "There's a lot of advantages but sometimes it can be pretty weird," Chet said of being born into a famous family, adding that the advantages are "self-explanatory." While he stressed that he's been "grateful" and "blessed" for the life he's lived, he also said growing up as the son of a "beloved" actor is a "double-edged sword." Chet Hanks posted a video on his new YouTube account where he reveals "the truth" about growing up as Tom Hanks' son.

Wolf Alice have added a third London date to their 2022 tour of the UK – get all the details below.The show, at Hammersmith’s Eventim Apollo next January, comes as the band sold out two dates at the venue and made their return to the stage this weekend with a headline set at Latitude Festival.In addition to their two gigs at the Apollo on January 18-19 next year, they will now also play the venue on January 20.

Wolf Alice played their first post-lockdown festival show at Latitude tonight (July 23).The London band showcased a host tracks from their recent album ‘Blue Weekend’ during their headline slot at Henham Park, which came a day after it was nominated for the 2021 Mercury Prize.The 35,000-capacity event, which runs until Sunday (July 25), will also see fellow headliners Bastille, Bombay Bicycle Club and The Chemical Brothers perform.Fans have taken to social media to react and post clips from Wolf Alice’s headline set.

Wolf Alice played their first post-lockdown show in Bournemouth last night (July 22).The band showcased a host tracks from their recent album ‘Blue Weekend’ just hours after it was nominated for the 2021 Mercury Prize.Taking to Twitter ahead of their first show since restrictions were lifted on Monday (July 19), the four-piece posted pictures from their dressing room.“We’ve just walked in to Bournemouth academy and wow it feels so good to be here the sun is shining, Johnny Haskett won’t stop chatting breeze and I literally just saw joel hug the rider,” they wrote.We’ve just walked in to Bournemouth academy and wow it feels so good to be here the sun is shining, Johnny Haskett won’t stop chatting breeze and I literally just saw joel hug the

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe shortlist for the U.K.’s prestigious Mercury Prize have been announced, and includes such recent Variety favorites as indie singer-songwriter Arlo Parks (pictured above), alt-R&B outfit Sault, R&B singer Celeste and rock savants Wolf Alice, as well as instrumental vets Mogwai, rapper Ghetts and more.

The list of nominees for the 2021 Mercury Prize has been revealed with Arlo Parks, Wolf Alice, SAULT, and Celeste all featuring on this year's list. The annual prize rewards one outstanding British album.

The Hyundai Mercury Prize 2021 shortlist has been unveiled.

Arlo Parks, Mogwai, Ghetts, Wolf Alice and Celeste are among the names nominated for the 2021 Mercury Prize.The year’s award will be handed out at a live ceremony at the Eventim Apollo in London on September 9.Also included on the 12-strong ‘Albums Of The Year’ shortlist are the likes of Black Country, New Road, Nubya Garcia, Laura Mvula and SAULT.On this year’s list are a number of debut albums including Arlo Parks’ ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams’, Black Country, New Road’s ‘For The First Time’ and Celeste’s ‘Not Your Muse’.The one previous Mercury Prize winning act on this year’s list is Wolf Alice, who won the 2018 prize for second album ‘Visions Of A Life’ and are back again with recent third album ‘Blue Weekend’.See the full list of Mercury

When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, who’s up for the Mercury? Will there be metal? Will there be jazz? Here’s what she said to me. Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be.