This Thursday: Last News

Empire actor was sentenced to 150 days in prison and 30 months felony probation for falsely reporting that he’d been a victim of a homophobic and racist hate crime in 2019.Smollett was found guilty on five counts of disorderly conduct pertaining to a police report he filed on January 29, 2019 – the same day the alleged attack took place.The actor was also ordered to pay $120,106 (£91,753) in restitution, as well as a $25,000 (£19,137) fine.This came after the original charges against him were dropped in March 2019. The case was picked back up when the Cook County state’s attorney asked the state to conduct an independent inquiry with a special prosecutor.In December 2023, Smollett’s bid for an appeal was rejected and it was ruled that he would have to complete his full sentence, six days of which he served before being freed pending appeal.

Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan has spoken to NME about the late Mark Lanegan ahead of a special London gig in his honour this week.The former Screaming Trees frontman, Queens Of The Stone Age collaborator, grunge icon and solo pioneer passed away in February 2022 at the age of 57. This Thursday (December 5), a tribute gig for Lanegan will be held at The Roundhouse – the venue of his last live appearance in the city – marking what would have been the legend’s 60th birthday.The night will feature performances from friends and collaborators including Gahan, QOTSA’s Josh Homme and Troy Van Leeuwen, Chrissie Hynde, Primal Scream‘s Bobby Gillespie, Greg Dulli, The Kills‘ Alison Mosshart, Soulsavers and more, all delivering songs from throughout Lanegan’s catalogue.Gahan became friends with Lanegan when they toured together in the ’00s, before going on to record together with Soulsavers and with the Depeche Mode man singing songs penned by and for Lanegan with Humanist.Having also lost Depeche Mode’s Andy Fletcher in the run-up to recording the band’s 2023 album ‘Memento Mori‘, Gahan explained how he was feeling the profound impact of his friends’ passing.“It’s time; you start thinking about time,” he told NME of the shadow cast by Lanegan’s death.

Father John Misty has announced a series of headline UK and European tour dates for 2023 – buy tickets here.The tour will take place in support of the singer-songwriter’s upcoming fifth studio album, ‘Chloë And The Next 20th Century’, which comes out this Friday (April 8) via Sub Pop/Bella Union.Misty (real name Joshua Tillman) will head out on a North American tour this summer; the European shows begin on February 25, 2023 in Oslo, Norway at Sentrum Scene and end March 17 at the at O2 Apollo Manchester. The UK leg includes a headline date at O2 Academy Brixton.Pre-sale tickets go on sale Wednesday at 10am local time; general tickets go on sale Friday (April 8) at 10am – get them here.

Father John Misty has shared another new single, ‘The Next 20th Century’ – you can listen to it below.Arriving today (April 4) the brooding track will appear on Joshua Tillman’s fifth studio album under his Father John Misty moniker, ‘Chloë And The Next 20th Century’, which comes out this Friday (April 8) via Sub Pop/Bella Union.The almost-seven-minute track follows on from FJM’s recent offerings ‘Goodbye Mr. Blue’, ‘Q4’ and ‘Funny Girl’ in previewing his imminent new record.

Andy Burnham has said he is ‘open to any solution’ that might cut pollution to legal levels without jeopardising jobs - as the region is poised for further meetings with ministers on the controversial Clean Air Zone.