Alt-J: Last News

was recommended by MPs after a DCMS investigation back in Spring.The likes of Coldplay, Enter Shikari and Sam Fender have all adopted a levy of their own on huge tours to help save the grassroots, after 2023 proved to be “disastrous” and the worst year on record with 125 grassroots music venues shutting their doors – a rate of two per week. The Music Venue Trust argued that a tidal wave of closures threatens the fabric of the UK music scene thanks to the recent budget announcement, with the circuit and artists already suffering from “the complete collapse of touring“.After frustration grew about the inaction of the upper echelons of the live music industry – who continue to report record profits – now the CMS committee have penned a letter that “welcomes the government’s recognition of the need for a levy and statement that the government reserves the right to step in if an industry-led solution is not forthcoming in 2025” – but voices “concerns that these long-term reforms will not address the short-term, mutually reinforcing rate of closures and cost of touring”.As a result, there are now “calls for clarity on how long the industry has to take action before the government itself steps in”.

Alt-J frontman Joe Newman has revealed to NME plans for his “Americana, Motown, soul” influenced debut solo album.Newman was speaking to NME on the red carpet of the Ivor Novellos yesterday (Thursday May 23), when he told us that the UK trio were “taking a break as a band” – following their extensive touring for their acclaimed fourth album, ‘The Dream‘.“I’m doing some solo work at the moment,” he said. “I went to LA and I’ve been working with producer Carlos de la Garza [Paramore, The Linda Lindas, M83, Cold War Kids].

Alt J have today (April 14) unveiled details of a one-off anniversary show at Brixton Academy.The gig will be a special one-off live performance of their 2012 debut album, ‘An Awesome Wave’, which went on to win the Mercury Prize.The band will be playing the album in full along with some “bonus tracks” at London’s O2 Brixton Academy on May 17. Tickets are on sale here next Friday (April 22) at 10am.The show is to take place during the band’s run at O2 Brixton Academy in support of their fourth and most recent album, ‘The Dream’.Speaking about the special gig, the band said: “To celebrate the ten year anniversary of the album that changed our lives, we are thrilled to announce an extra show at Brixton Academy where we will play An Awesome Wave in full.“We know how much this record means to our fans and can’t wait to turn back the clock to 2012 with them in London’s best venue.” Speaking to NME recently, frontman Joe Newman said that Alt-J have “never stopped celebrating our debut album”.“We’ve never stopped playing those songs live,” he added about the continued inclusion of tracks from ‘An Awesome Wave’ in their setlist.

Alt-J have celebrated the upcoming 10th anniversary of their 2012 debut album ‘An Awesome Wave’ with a live performance of their track ‘Breezeblocks’ on The Late Show.The three-piece are currently in North America touring with Portugal. The Man in support of their fourth studio album ‘The Dream’, which came out earlier this month.Alt-J stopped by the Stephen Colbert-hosted Late Show in the US last night (February 21) for a special live performance, with the trio opting to play their 2012 single ‘Breezeblocks’.That track featured on ‘An Awesome Wave’, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in May.

Alt-J have shared a dreamy new single today (February 7) – listen to ‘The Actor’.It’s the final song to be released from the band’s forthcoming album ‘The Dream’, which arrives this Friday (February 11) via Infectious Music/BMG. It’s available to pre-order now.Describing the inspiration behind ‘The Actor’, the group said: “Hollywood, 1982.

Alt-J’s Thom Green has spoken about returning to touring in a pandemic as someone who is considered clinically extremely vulnerable.The drummer has a rare genetic condition, which meant he had to have a kidney transplant when he was a student. He now has to take medication to help his body accept the kidney, but which also suppresses his immune system.With Alt-J preparing to go back on tour across the UK and the US in February in support of their upcoming album ‘The Dream’, which is released on February 11, Green has spoken about the realities of touring in this time.

Alt-J recently returned to the live stage for a special set – during the gig, they gave their new single ‘Get Better’ its live debut. Check it out below.Recorded at the Fender Artist Showroom in London, the performance was the first time Alt-J had performed in the capital since their 2018 gig at the Royal Albert Hall.During the set, Alt-J’s Gus Unger-Hamilton and Joe Newman performed ‘Get Better’ live for the first time.Check out footage below:The band released the track last month alongside news of a 2022 tour of the UK and Ireland.In a press release, Newman said of the track: “‘Get Better’ is the union of two songs.

Alt-J have shared a poignant new song called ‘Get Better’, the latest track to be taken from their new album ‘The Dream’.The song is accompanied by an animated music video, created by Stefanie Grunwald, an award-winning pixel artist who is based in Hamburg.The visuals and lyrics depict a person longing for a loved one to get better, and the subsequent coming to terms with their loss.

Alt-J have opened up about the dark themes they explored on their upcoming fourth album ‘The Dream’.The record has so far been previewed with lead single ‘U&ME’, which is about “having a good time, togetherness, and the feeling in life that nothing could be any better than it is right now”.During a new interview with The Guardian, however, Alt-J spoke about how their forthcoming LP takes a “doomy, dramatic” turn, as the outlet described it.“We experience a lot of harrowing things in our lives,” explained frontman Joe Newman.

mental health charities and musicians have spoken to NME about the pressures still facing young people as the UK exits lockdown, and the importance of reaching out for help.England lifted nearly all of its COVID-19 restrictions on July 19 this year, paving the way for live music and festivals to return to the country as the vaccination rollout continues.When a number of mental health charities spoke to NME back in March to mark one year since the first coronavirus lockdown was announced, they reflected on “an incredible and dramatic year for increased demand” for their services.While the return of live music has been a welcome relief for so many, a lot of musicians, crew and young people are still struggling to adapt to the new normal, as

Alt-J have announced their fourth album, ‘The Dream’, and shared its first track ‘U&ME’ – you can listen to it below.The new single is described as the trio’s “most honest song to date” and arrives with an accompanying music video, directed by Prosper Unger-Hamilton, the brother of band member Gus.“It’s about being at a festival with your best friends, having a good time, togetherness, and the feeling in life that nothing could be any better than it is right now,” Gus explained of ‘U&ME’.The track emerged during soundchecks for Alt-J shows across the globe, with frontman Joe Newman saying that it then “gathered momentum on its own”.As for Alt-J’s upcoming record, ‘The Dream’ presents “both beauty and darkness […] often seamlessly merging on

Alt-J have made a cryptic announcement on their social media channels, suggesting a new album and single are on the way.Accompanying a picture of the trio, the post is simply captioned with “U&ME” and “September 22”, meaning fans have less than a week to hear new music from Alt-J – the band’s first original material since 2017’s Mercury Prize-nominated album ‘Relaxer’.Fans can pre-save ‘U&ME’ via streaming services now.