Alternative: Last News

Nick Cave has shared a moving response to a fan who shared that he left a Bad Seeds show early after feeling “too emotional”.The fan reached out to Cave on his online blog, The Red Hand Files, and admitted to the singer that he was so moved by a live rendition of ‘Into My Arms’ that he had to leave the show prematurely. According to the fan, the track – which was the first single of Cave’s 10th album with the Bad Seeds, ‘The Boatman’s Call’ – reminded him of “the amazing times” he had with an ex-girlfriend, which he knows he “will never get back”.Responding, Cave shared his sympathies with the fan and explained how he has often noticed the intense emotions fans have to his music during live shows.“Live music is a ritual that evokes a common emotional response to which we attach our singular experiences.

Primus have warned applicants about scammers.Earlier this year, the band shared the “complete shock” departure of longtime drummer Tim Alexander, and took to social media to tell fans they were “taking submissions from all points in the universe for the position of Primus drummer/percussionist”, later revealing they might have “found our guy” in Billy Strings.They included an email address for all submissions, which required a resumé and video of a recent performance, with the band noting that while “flashy chops” were good, they were looking for a drummer who “had the ability to listen, react, and contribute to the musical conversation.”Today (December 22) marked the last day drummers could submit, and they yet again took to Instagram to warn the 5,000 some hopefuls of potential scammers.

NOS Alive 2025, with Barry Can’t Swim, Finneas and more among new additions.The names to be added to the bill for next year’s instalment were announced last month, when it was confirmed that Olivia Rodrigo was the first confirmed headliner for the Portugal festival. Other huge names included Girl In Red, Kings Of Leon, Noah Kahan, Benson Boone, Amyl And The Sniffers and CMAT.The event will be held Lisbon between July 10 and July 12.Now, a second wave has been confirmed – with seven new names added to the line-up.

English Teacher and Lambrini Girls making the Top Five. Check it out below.The new findings have been shared by European Talent Exchange, previously ESNS Exchange, and show the rising popularity of bands across the UK and European live scene.

Robert Smith has opened up about his relationship with The Cure‘s ‘4:13 Dream’, saying that he isn’t a fan of how it turned out.The frontman looked back at the 2008 record during a new interview with Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw, in which he celebrated the release of the band’s latest LP, ‘Songs Of A Lost World’.Released last month, ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ marked the long-awaited follow-up to ‘4:13 Dream’ and saw The Cure bag their first Number One album in the UK in 32 years.Reflecting on his relationship with ‘4:13 Dream’ nearly 16 years on, Smith revealed that the finished product didn’t match the initial vision he had, partly because he wanted it to be much longer.“If I’m really honest I was trying to make an album in 2008 which was a double album and it was really odd,” he began. “It had all kinds of stuff on it, instrumental stuff – and I was pressured into reducing it all down into a single album… I have never felt happy about it.

Apple Music has announced the line-up for its New Year’s Eve livestream events.To ring in 2025, Apple Music has amassed an eclectic performance line-up for its two New Year’s Eve livestreams – both titled Apple Music Live: NYE. The first livestream will feature Björk performing a rare DJ set, and will also include performances from Apple Music’s Tim Sweeney and London DJ Naina.

The Cure‘s Robert Smith has teased fans on when they can expect the band’s next album, featuring “the saddest song” of their recent batch.While appearing as a guest on X-Posure with John Kennedy on Radio X, the ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ singer opened up about when the legendary rockers would release their next album which will serve as a follow-up to their 14th studio LP, ‘Songs Of A Lost World’– their first since 2008’s ‘4:13 Dream‘.Smith revealed that he is “already finishing” the band’s next album and teased that it can potentially receive a release as early as next summer. Kennedy asked Smith about the ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ tracklist, questioning: “There’s only eight songs on the album, but you alluded to the fact that there are another 32 songs that you recorded in 2019, was it?”“Over the period prior to 2019 as well,” Smith responded, adding: “In 2019 we recorded 24 songs for what was going to be a double album, and those eight have come out.”After discussing the massive amount of tracks that have been created, Kennedy asked: “And so that means there’s a lot more to come.

The Cure’s Robert Smith has revealed how the decision to quit smoking was the “most important” decision he made to preserve his voice.The frontman opened up about the decision during a new interview with Radio X host John Kennedy recently, as part of a special track-by-track playback of the band’s new ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ album.At one point in the discussion, Smith spoke candidly about his views on mortality and the decisions he’s made to enable him to continue his time with The Cure. He explained that, while he began the band as a teenager in the ’70s, he didn’t take action to preserve his well-being and his voice until his 40s.“I’m fortunate to have the genes that I have, because I have really not paid great attention to longevity in my own personal life, up until the age of 50,” the musician, now aged 65, explained. “I was astonished that I got to 50 and then I started to think I’d probably like to get to 60.

The Cure’s Robert Smith has revealed that he has “written a really catchy pop song” that he could release as a Christmas single.The legendary frontman opened up about new material with Radio X host John Kennedy earlier this week as he took part in a special track-by-track playback of the ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ album.As he discussed the record’s content, song by song, Smith opened up about how he found inspiration for the tracklist. This included recalling the encouragement he had from his brother during the early days of his career, as well as his complex relationship with mortality.While he went on to reveal that, above all else, he wants to provoke an “emotional response” in his listeners, he did explain that he is sitting on some new material that has a much more upbeat feel.Smith described one currently unreleased track in particular as a “really catchy” pop song that could work as a festive release going forward.

Billy Corgan has shared his views on Metallica’s song ‘Fuel’, and said that it is “awfully close” to one of his songs with The Smashing Pumpkins.The singer, songwriter and guitarist brought up the comparisons while appearing for an interview on the Everblack podcast. At one point during the discussion, he was asked about the possibility of him performing ‘Tales Of A Scorched Earth’ live for the first time.While he didn’t explicitly reveal whether or not the band are thinking about embedding it into the setlists any time soon, he did go on to outline one thing he’s noticed about the track.“ Well, let me caveat this by saying that I love James Hetfield as a person.

Billie Eilish and Finneas recently performed on NPR Tiny Desk and surprised fans with a call back to her debut LP. Watch the video below.Yesterday (December 12) marked Eilish’s first Tiny Desk Concert since 2020. Joined by her brother and long-time collaborator Finneas, she performed four acoustic tracks, telling the small audience in Washington it was a “nerve-wracking” moment for her.“This is so cool,” she added.

Nine Inch Nails have shared their opinion on the current state of the music world and teased their upcoming work.The band’s Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross recently sat down with IndieWire to discuss their work scoring film soundtracks including The Social Network, Soul, Challengers and Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Queer. Earlier this year, it was also announced that they would be serving as composers on the upcoming Disney sci-fi flick Tron: Ares.While opening up about their process of creating a film’s accompanying score, Reznor also shared his view on the current state of music.“What we’re looking for [from film] is the collaborative experience with interesting people.

Kate Bush has become the latest to sign a petition speaking out against artificial intelligence (AI) using artists’ work without their permission.The campaign emerged earlier this year and states that “the unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted”.It arose in light of ongoing legal issues between the creative world and tech firms over the use of their work to train AI models such as ChatGPT. Find the full statement here.Back in October, it gathered more momentum as both Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus signed the petition, alongside 11,500 others.

REEF have announced details of a new UK tour, celebrating 30 years of ‘Replenish’. Find out the details below.The upcoming tour dates will see the UK rock band celebrate the album that first put them on the map three decades ago, and saw them reach the Top 10 on the charts.Comprising 13 shows across the country next year, the tour kicks off on October 16 with an opening slot at the Rock City venue in Nottingham, before continuing with stops at Glasgow’s SWG3 and UAE in Norwich on October 17 and 18 respectively.From there, the band will embark on shows in Bournemouth, Bristol, Southampton, Manchester and Liverpool throughout the remainder of the month, before wrapping up the final leg of shows at the start of November.These dates include gigs in Tenby, Swansea and Leeds, before wrapping up with a penultimate show at the Academy in Birmingham on November 7 and a final stop at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire the following night (8).A post shared by REEF (@reefband)“It’s such a pleasure to announce that we will be on tour next year celebrating 30 years since the release of our debut album ‘Replenish’,” said frontman Gary Stringer announcing the news.

Lana Del Rey has opened up about her recent marriage, and said that the move was inspired by producer and collaborator Jack Antonoff.The singer made headlines earlier this year when rumours emerged that she had tied the knot in September – reportedly marrying alligator tour boat guide Jeremy Dufrene.Speculation about the two began after the singer was seen holding hands with Dufrene at Reading Festival 2024, and on September 26, the Mail Online claimed that the two got married at a ceremony in Des Allemands, Louisiana – reportedly on the same bayou where Dufrene operates his swamp boat tours.The outlet later published a series of photographs and video footage from the event, where Del Rey’s father Rob Grant was seen walking her down the aisle, and the news was confirmed in October when the couple’s marriage license was signed and returned to Louisiana’s Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court.Now, Del Rey has spoken about the decision to get married while at the Variety Hitmakers ceremony over the weekend, and confirmed that it was inspired by Jack Antonoff.While presenting the Bleachers frontman and producer with the Producer Of The Decade award on Saturday (December 7), the singer said that it was Antonoff’s marriage to actor Margaret Qualley that pushed her to wait for the right person to settle down with.Lana Del Rey says Jack Antonoff is a "big reason why I waited so long to get married and why I met my amazing husband.

Robert Smith has shared more details about a new Cure album which is set to be a “companion piece” to ‘Songs Of A Lost World’, as well as a third album that takes a different approach.The frontman spoke about new material from the band during an interview with Absolute Radio’s Danielle Perry, as part of a special version of Tim Burgess’ Listening Parties. It came following the release of the alt-rock icons long-awaited 14th album ‘Songs Of A Lost World‘ – their first since 2008’s ‘4:13 Dream‘ – on November 1.It’s been known for a while now that the band have been sitting on more new material since 2008. Back in 2020, for instance, Smith told NME that the band were hard at work on “two new albums and an hour of noise”.Now, Smith has shared an update on the new material, and said that one is complete and comes as somewhat of a sibling record to their recently shared LP.

Nick Cave adaptation The Death Of Bunny Munro has been released.The six-part Sky series is based on the musician’s 2009 novel, which focuses on the relationship between the titular father and his son as they both deal with grief while embarking on a road trip.A first-look still has now been unveiled (which you can see above) showing Smith in character in a laundrette alongside young co-star Rafael Matheì, who plays Bunny Junior.The full synopsis reads: “Following his wife Libby’s death by suicide, sex addicted, door-to-door beauty product salesman and self-professed lothario Bunny Munro finds himself saddled with a young son and only a loose concept of parenting.“Together with nine-year-old Bunny Junior he embarks on an epic and increasingly out-of-control road trip across Southern England as the two struggle to contain their grief in very different ways.“As Bunny bounces from one sales pitch to the next, trying to seduce any woman he meets, Bunny Junior kills time talking to the ghost of his mother and distracting himself from the dawning realisation that his dad isn’t just fallible—he’s a complete mess.“As he starts to unravel, Bunny realises he must do something to rescue his son from his own outdated notions of what it is to be a man. The Death of Bunny Munro is both a wild cautionary tale and a tender portrait of a father and son.”The series, which is due next year, has been directed by Industry‘s Isabella Eklöf and written by Somewhere Boy‘s Pete Jackson.Back in September, Warren Ellis teased that he and Cave were working on music for the show, telling NME: “Nick’s been involved in overseeing it in some capacity, just looking on.

Jack White has announced a UK and European tour for 2025. Check out all the dates and ticket information below.Last month, White shared a new B-side from his latest album ‘No Name’ alongside a string of North American tour dates.

Charli XCX has declared her love for the 1967 album ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’, calling it “the apex of fine art”.She namechecked the debut album by the influential New York City underground rock band in her acceptance speech at Variety’s Hitmakers Awards on Saturday (December 7), where she picked up the Hitmaker of the Year prize.As well as naming some of her other musical inspirations – Lana Del Rey, Caroline Polachek, Jack Antonoff – she singled out the seminal LP and its famous Andy Warhol-designed sleeve as a big contributor to her aesthetic.“In March 1967, The Velvet Underground released their album ‘The Velvet Underground And Nico’,” she said. “It debuted on the Billboard 200 at Number 199. And a few weeks later, it rose to its peak position of 195.

Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelley reunited on stage together in New York this week – see footage below.On Friday (December 6), the three members of the classic lineup of the band joined together at The Stone venue in Greenwich Village, with drummer Shelley a special guest of guitarists Moore and Ranaldo.The intimate show was comprised, as explained by some of those in attendance, of “an hour of improvised instrumental noise”. See fan-captured footage of the show below.Rare convergence last night at The Stone with Thurston Moore/Steve Shelley/Lee Ranaldo zoning an hour, great set pic.twitter.com/IrrbjRp9TZ— Brian Turner (@btrnr) December 7, 2024just saw thurston moore, lee ranaldo, and steve shelley play an hour of improvised instrumental noise, which for a SY fan like me is sort of like seeing 3/4 of the beatles jam.

Billie Eilish has shared her admiration for Rihanna in a new interview, saying that she sees the singer as “the greatest of all time”.The comments come after Rihanna praised Eilish in an interview back in October, and told Access Hollywood that she would love to collaborate with the ‘Birds Of A Feather’ singer in the future.Speaking to Complex about the comments, Eilish said: “I literally thought it was AI, first of all… I’ve never met Rihanna. She’s literally my idol.