Alternative: Last News

NME about the launch of their new ReBalance initiativ eand his commitment to supporting emerging women and non-binary artists..The festival boss, who is behind Reading & Leeds, Download and more, spoke to NME around the relaunch ReBalance – a year-long development programme that provides opportunities to women and gender-expansive artists throughout the UK.Initially, the programme was launched in 2017 and ran for three years, before ultimately being shelved due to COVID. Now, six up-and-coming acts have been announced as participating in the revamped 2024 programme, and are set to receive expert mentorship in the studio, as well as a guaranteed slot at a Festival Republic event in 2025.“I launched it in 2017 because it was apparent — and continues to be apparent — that there is an insufficient number of women and non-binary people getting into recording studios and getting their albums made to the standard where they can get airplay,” Benn told NME, explaining how the initiative looks to offer more than just the opportunity to perform on a festival stage.“It’s the easiest thing in the world to just put more women and non-binary people on a stage at a festival, but if the audience don’t know them, they won’t receive them well and that won’t do their career any good,” he continued.

Iron & Wine have shared the emotive single ‘All In Good Time’ featuring a rare appearance from Fiona Apple, and announced tour dates for the UK and Europe.Check out the single and find ticket details below.Shared today (March 7), the new single comes as the latest teaser for the band’s upcoming seventh album ‘Light Verse’.

Nick Cave has shared details of a new album with the Bad Seeds called ‘Wild God’. Check out the tracklist and title track below.Set for release on August 30, the album will comprise 10 songs and see the band move between themes of convention and experimentation – introducing left-turns that heighten the rich imagery and emotive narratives created by the frontman.“I hope the album has the effect on listeners that it’s had on me. It bursts out of the speaker, and I get swept up with it.

Kim Gordon has shared the intense new single ‘Psychedelic Orgasm’ and announced tour dates across the UK, Europe and North America. Listen to the track and find ticket details below.The single is the latest to be shared from the former Sonic Youth guitarist, taken from her upcoming solo album ‘The Collective’.

FKA Twigs deemed “overtly sexual” has been partially revised.Earlier this year a poster featuring the singer was banned after a ruling claimed it was “likely to cause serious offence” by objectifying women.The Spring 2023 poster featured the artist posing with a denim shirt draping over one shoulder, leaving the unclothed side profile of her body exposed. It came with the tagline “Calvins or nothing”.However, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) went on to receive two complaints about the campaign image, each arguing that the portrayal of Twigs was “overly sexualised” and caused offence by objectifying women.

Reneé Rapp has covered The Cranberries‘ hit song ‘Linger’ at one of her recent UK tour stops this past weekend. Check out the footage below.While performing at The Roundhouse in London on Saturday (March 2) as part of her ‘Snow Hard Feelings Tour’, the ‘Tummy Hurts’ singer covered the 1993 track from the iconic Irish band’s debut album ‘Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?’.Rapp welcomed Towa Bird, the musician who is serving as her tour opener, on stage for a blissful rendition of ‘Linger’.

Young Fathers have spoken to NME about the huge response to their fourth album ‘Heavy Heavy’, and revealed that they are already in the process of making new music. Watch our interview above.The trio – comprised of Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole and Graham Hastings – spoke to NME on the red carpet of the 2024 BRIT Awards on Saturday night (March 2).

CMAT has spoken to NME about the rising popularity of country music in the mainstream, as well as new music and plans to start a religion devoted to Kylie Minogue. Watch our interview above.Speaking to NME at the BRIT Awards 2024 – where the singer, real name Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, was nominated for International artist of the year – told us how the Australian pop icon inspired her as a child.“She is the love of my life and the most important woman.

Pixies have announced that bassist Paz Lenchantin has left that band.In a post shared to social media today (March 4), the band announced the musician’s departure and revealed her replacement for their upcoming tour, writing: “Paz Lenchantin, who joined Pixies in 2014, has exited the band to concentrate on her own projects.“We’re grateful for Paz’s many contributions, and wish her all the very best going forward.”In her place, the band announced that they were “delighted” to welcome Emma Richardson, formerly of Band of Skulls.“Emma will make her worldwide touring debut with Pixies on the first night of the Bossanova x Trompe le Monde” European tour, beginning this Friday in Dublin.”An announcement from Pixies.La la love you… pic.twitter.com/TUqbRcoNaA— PIXIES (@PIXIES) March 4, 2024“See you on the road!” the post concluded. “La la love you, Pixies.”Lenchantin was previous a member of Zwan and A Perfect Circle.

Editors have announced a headline show at the re-opened O2 Academy Brixton this May. Find ticket details below.The band will perform at the South London venue on May 2, which will mark one of the first performances at the venue since its closure in December 2022 following a fatal crowd crush.Special guests are also set to be announced for the performance at a later date.Tickets will go on general sale this Friday (March 8) at 10am GMT, which you’ll be able to purchase from here.A post shared by EDITORS (@editorsofficial)“We’re extremely excited to return to @o2academybrix in London on May 2nd!” the band wrote on social media today (March 4).The newly announced show follows Editors’ 2024 UK tour, which wrapped up yesterday (March 3), and sees them join The Black Keys in being among the first acts to perform at the re-opened space this year.The venue announced its re-opening today, after being shuttered since the tragic incident that occurred at an Asake concert.

Garbage have announced a UK and European headline tour, kicking off this summer. Find all the details below.The alt-rock pioneers – comprising frontwoman Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig – will perform across June and July, including a stop at the Wembley OVO Arena on July 20.The European leg of the tour will open at Magnolia in Milan on June 26, followed by shows in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and more.The UK shows will kick off with a festival slot at Glasgow’s TRNSMT Festival on July 12, before they hit Edinburgh, Bridlington, Wolverhampton, Manchester and London.Tickets for the tour will go on sale Friday (March 8) at 10am GMT, following a fan pre-sale on Thursday (March 7) at 10am local time.

The Dandy Warhols have reflected on what it was like to be named as one of David Bowie’s favourite bands.The moment arose during a new discussion with the group’s frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor, when he sat down for the latest instalment of NME’s Does Rock ‘N’ Roll Kill Braincells?! series.During the conversation, the singer-songwriter was quizzed about the band’s history, and opened up topics including his time on the road, Dig! documentary with the Brian Jonestown Massacre and his 2009 graphic novel One Model Nation.At one point in the interview, Taylor-Taylor was asked if he could recall which two bands The Dandy Warhols played between during the 2000 edition of Glastonbury.“Bush went on before us, then I have no idea because when I started walking offstage, David Bowie and his band – who had been watching us at the side – came towards us like a wave of black Gucci jackets and teeth,” he answered.The correct answer turned out to be Saint Etienne and Muse, however, the conversation did lead to the singer recalling his working relationship with David Bowie – in particular, being named as one of the artist’s favourite bands.“I have no idea what happened that day. Hours are gone from my memory.

The Jesus & Mary Chain have shared details of a memoir, set for release later this year.Titled Never Understood, The Story Of The Jesus & Mary Chain, the book was written by the band’s founding members, William and Jim Reid, with the help of critic and ghostwriter Ben Thompson.Set for release via White Rabbit, the book will arrive on August 15 in the UK, and September 3 in the US (via Hachette Books).In the memoir, both William and Jim will delve into the origins of the band, their rise to fame and the personal battles they faced along the way.“For five years after they’d swapped sought-after apprenticeships for life on the dole, brothers William and Jim Reid sat up till the early hours in the front room of their parents’ East Kilbride council house, plotting their path to world domination over endless cups of tea, with the music turned down low so as not to wake their sleeping sister,” reads a description.“They knew they couldn’t play in the same band because they’d argue too much, so they’d describe their dream ensembles to each other until finally they realised that these two perfect bands were actually the same band, and the name of that band was The Jesus & Mary Chain.”Over 40 years since they first emerged, the book will see the musicians tell the story of the band for one of the very first times, and open up about their first-hand perspective of being in the group. This includes their brotherly strife, struggles with drug and alcohol addiction and extreme shyness, but is said to come together as somewhat of “a love letter to the Scottish working-class family.”“It’s got plenty of warts, we can assure you of that,” Jim Reid said of the book.

Twenty One Pilots have announced a new album ‘Clancy’ and shared its lead single, ‘Overcompensate’.The Columbus duo’s sixth LP – the follow-up to 2021’s ‘Scaled and Icy’ – will drop on May 17 via Fueled By Ramen.The band had been teasing their new era in recent weeks, with fans noticing that across Twenty One Pilots’ digital platforms, all of the artwork for their previous albums now featured strips of red tape covering all the eyes on each cover on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.Some fans also received cryptic messages in the post with the letters coming from the Sacred Municipality of Dema. As highlighted by Kerrang!, the clues build on the lore explored across 2018’s ‘Trench‘ and 2015’s ‘Blurryface’.Last week, the band released a trailer foreshadowing what’s to come, seemingly teasing a new character and location.“I am trapped, stuck in a cycle I have never been able to break,” narrates frontman Tyler Joseph at the trailer’s beginning.

ANOHNI has announced her first shows with The Johnsons in 14 years – find all the details below.Following the release of 2023 album ‘My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross’ – her first in seven years – the artist will be reuniting with The Johnsons for a concert series in the UK and Europe which will include two nights in London.The first show will take place on June 13 at Epidaurus Festival Herodion in Athens, followed by dates in Madrid, Paris, Berlin and more.On July 1 and 2, she’ll stop at the Barbican for consecutive shows and finish up with another two at DR Koncerthaus in Copenhagen on July 12 and 13.General sale tickets will be available from 10am GMT on Friday (March 1). Alternatively, fans can sign up to pre-sale via ANOHNI’s website to purchase tickets from 9am GMT Wednesday (February 28).ANOHNI will be joined by a nine-piece band including Julia Kent (cello), Maxim Moston (violin), Doug Wieselman (multi-instrumentalist) and Jimmy Hogarth (guitarist/producer).The shows will see her draw from new material as well as songs from across her back catalogue.

Kid Cudi has revealed that he will be taking a break from making music for a year to focus on his film and television career.January saw the Ohio rapper release his 10th studio album ‘INSANO’– a more trap-inspired record that included verses from Lil Wayne, Lil Yachty, DJ Drama, Pharrell and Travis Scott – before he dropped the LP’s sequel ‘INSANO (Nitro Mega)’ last week; taking a more experimental and alternative route assisted by the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Layzie and Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs ‘n’ Harmony and Pusha T. The two records mark Cudi’s final albums as part of his Republic Records deal.Shortly after the release of ‘Nitro Mega’, Cudi took to X/Twitter to tell fans he would be taking a break from music and to expect new music “every other year.””“My next album is already about 80 per cent done, and it’ll be out in 2026,” he wrote.

Hozier and Wembley Arena have responded after a fan was told to remove their ‘Free Palestine’ scarf upon entry at the venue last year.In December 2023, a concert attendee named Hiba Ahmad recounted their experience on X/Twitter of being “pulled aside and escorted to wardrobe” for wearing a scarf in solidarity with Palestine at the concert.The Irish artist performed at the OVO Arena Wembley on December 15 as part of his 2023 UK and Ireland tour.The fan wrote that they wear the ‘Free Palestine’ scarf “everywhere as a show of solidarity” and “because it is fucking cold”.“They then proceeded to tell me they are taking my scarf for my own protection as I might get ‘hate crimed’ for wearing it,” the social media thread stated.The attendee added that staff said they would not confiscate their pride key chain, because they are “not political”.“On the way in I saw people being let in with all sorts of political slogans – especially one memorable tote bag about animal cruelty and testing,” the posts added.

The Jesus & Mary Chain have released their latest single ‘Girl 71’ from their forthcoming LP ‘Glasgow Eyes‘.The upbeat, retro-sounding track features buzzing instruments and a steady drum beat along with angsty lyrics sung by Jim Reid such as: “But that wouldn’t last a day / Well, nothing does, so that’s okay / Piss doesn’t touch the ground / Give up what you need.”‘Girl 71’ is the third track to be released from ‘Glasgow Eyes’, following ‘Chemical Animals‘ and ‘Jamcod‘. Their eighth studio album is set for release on March 8 and is available for pre-order/pre-save here.Speaking to NME in a recent interview about how they know when it’s the right time for a new record, Reid said: “The big gap between ‘Munki’ [1998] and ‘Damage & Joy’ [2017] was probably largely to do with me.“When the band got back together I thought, ‘Well, this is OK, it’s working’ – but everybody kept saying, ‘Make a record’.

Portishead are reissuing their classic live album ‘Roseland NYC Live’ on CD and vinyl for its 25th anniversary.‘Roseland NYC Live 25’, a remastered version of the live album recorded in New York City’s Roseland Ballroom on November 1998, will arrive on April 26. It will have an expanded tracklisting to include ‘Undenied’ and ‘Numb’ from the accompanying concert film, as well as the full-length performance of ‘Western Eyes’, a snippet of which played over the credits of the film.Meanwhile, the reissue includes the original versions of ‘Sour Times’ and ‘Roads’, which had been previously substituted on the album release with recordings from other gigs.Portishead’s Adrian Utley, who oversaw the full production of the reissue, said: “I’ve always held the memory of this show which we played before our second album was released.

MGMT have collaborated with Christine & The Queens for their new song ‘Dancing In Babylon’.The blissful new track is the final preview of MGMT’s new album ‘Loss Of Life‘ (out February 23).The song – which marks the first-ever duet on an MGMT album – unveils a lush musical arrangement of piano chords, retro synths and keys with new wave influences.The new track arrives with a music video that features Chris of Christine and the Queens.Check out ‘Dancing In Babylon’ below.“I always loved MGMT’s multiverse, their freedom and talent, their limpid songwriting and killer soundscapes. Regal, inspiring,” Chris said of the collaboration in a press statement.“When they reached out for this power ballad, I was honored and also excited to dive into their dream, because I have the same all-encompassing approach with my work.

Fat White Family have announced a 2024 UK and European tour in support of new album ‘Forgiveness Is Yours’ – find all the details below.The South London rock band will embark on the run of dates in May and June to celebrate the release of their fourth studio album, out April 26 via Domino.They will kick off with a set at Levitation Festival in Angers, France on May 25, followed by stops in Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and more.The UK leg will continue at SWX in Bristol on June 8, before they hit cities including Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, with a final performance set to take place at Troxy in London on June 19.Fan pre-sale via the band’s mailing list starts at 9am local time on Wednesday (February 21) with general onsale going live 9am local time on Friday (February 23).You can purchase tickets to the UK dates here, and find details for all remaining shows on their official website.A post shared by @fat_white_family“Every time we make an album, we swear to ourselves this is our last. Nothing can be worth that pain, that misery,” said Fat White Family in a press statement.“Then a bunch of people show up at the gigs.