Soft Play: Last News

The Murder Capital have announced details of their “biggest headline show to date” taking place in Dublin next year.The Irish band announced the news today (December 16) with a new post on social media. Taking to Instagram, they confirmed news of a one-off gig, which will see them head to Dublin next summer.Set to take place on July 19, the show will be held at the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin and become their biggest headline show to date.

WARNING: This article contains discussion of child loss and traumatic birthSoft Play’s Isaac Holman has announced that he will be running an ultramarathon for charity following the loss of his and his wife’s baby.The drummer and singer recalled the tragic news with a post on Instagram today (January 9) sharing that he and his wife lost their unborn baby at the end of last year due to a “major heart defect”.Sharing a series of photographs, Holman told fans that he will be running a 57-mile ultramarathon from Glasgow to Edinburgh later this year for the charity Abigail’s Footsteps, and explained what he and his partner have been through in recent months.“At the end of last year, my wife and I said goodbye to our little girl at 21-weeks into our pregnancy,” he began. “We found out after a routine 20-week scan that she had a major heart defect.

Soft Play have spoken to NME about being on course for their highest-charting album yet – with ‘Heavy Jelly’ currently in the top three of the midweeks alongside the likes of Eminem and Glass Animals.UK punk duo Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman released ‘Heavy Jelly’, their first record since changing their name from Slaves to Soft Play, last Friday (July 19).“It would have been a lot easier to stay as Slaves through fear of all of the potential consequences that were running through our heads – losing our fan base, losing our direction, everything we’d built up – that it was actually a really tough thing to do, but we persevered through it, and it’s paid off,” they told NME. “We’ve set an example for people coming after us that it’s never too late to change course.” As Soft Play, the duo’s popularity only grown.

Robbie Williams is set to perform at London’s BST Hyde Park this weekend – check out all of the stage times below.The ‘Angels’ singer is set to take over the park tomorrow (June 5), marking his only UK festival appearance this year. The British Summer Time show will be a UK exclusive for the singer, where he’s set to perform hits like ‘Rock DJ’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’.Seal, Gaz Coombes, Kate Nash, Soft Play, Shaun Ryder’s Black Grape, James Smith, Ellur, Davina Michelle, Ryan Gibb and Ben Kidson will be serving as opening support for the show.The set times for the show have been now been revealed.

Soft Play have shared a video showing the history of their friendship with Robbie Williams.The duo recently supported the star at his BST Hyde Park show at the weekend.Now, the pair have shared a video of how they became friends with Williams over the years, which you can view below.They start by revealing that Williams shared his love for the band in 2015 and declaring that vocalist and drummer Isaac Holman was his “favourite”.A post shared by SOFT PLAY (@softplayplaysoft)The pair then shared a clip of the star saying he wanted to make music like “you guys” in 2022. They said they then asked him to appear on their 2023 single ‘Punk’s Dead’, which he agreed to and appeared in the video for the track.He then invited them to perform at BST Hyde Park alongside the likes Seal, Gaz Coombes and Kate Nash.Ahead of the show the band were invited backstage to watch England’s quarter final match against Switzerland and they had a selfie with Williams and spoke to Danny Dyer who later teamed up with the star for a cover of Blur’s classic hit ‘Parklife’.Soft Play added that it was a “full circle moment” for the duo.Speaking about a potential further collaboration with Williams to NME previously, guitarist Laurie Vincent said: “It’s an ongoing conversation.

Soft Play were joined onstage by punk duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury 2024 – watch footage below.During their stint on the Other Stage last Sunday (June 30), drummer Isaac Holman told the crowd: “We’re gonna invite some friends onto the stage,” before the band joined them for a riotous performance of ‘One More Day Won’t Hurt’.Bob Vylan have been a significant force in the trajectory of Soft Play, and were partially responsible for the duo changing their name from Slaves in 2022, following conversations between Vylan vocalist Bobby and Holman.Soft Play and Bob Vylan…..brilliant #Glastonbury2024 pic.twitter.com/gEY0tWHPIF— WarrenPeace (@WarrenPeace_75) June 30, 2024When the band announced the change two years ago, it was coupled with a statement explaining that the original name was supposed to reflect “the grind of day-to-day life,” with the acknowledgement that it didn’t “change the fact that the name Slaves is an issue”.Holman later explained he’d discussed the racial insensitivity of the band’s name with Bobby. “He basically said we were one of his favourite bands but he wouldn’t wear our merch,” explained Holman.Guitarist Laurie Vincent also said at the time: “If he felt uncomfortable about liking us, there must be others who feel the same way.”In their statement, the band wrote that they had “responded to criticism of the name from a place of fear and defensiveness,” and shared fears about losing their identity as a unit alongside the name.“It took years of therapy to see past that,” Vincent told NME. “In the end, it just became tiring.

Seal, Gaz Coombes, Kate Nash, Soft Play and more have been announced as the special guests for Robbie Williams‘ London BST Hyde Park show.The British pop icon will take to the stage on Saturday, July 6, following previously announced headliner Andrea Bocelli who will top the bill on the Friday (July 5).The British Summer Time performance will be a UK exclusive for the singer, where he’s set to perform hits like ‘Rock DJ’, ‘Let Me Entertain You’ and ‘Angels’.Other guests that have been announced for Williams’ date include Shaun Ryder’s Black Grape, James Smith, Ellur, Davina Michelle, Ryan Gibb and Ben Kidson. You can purchase any remaining tickets here.Speaking about his headlining gig at London’s Hyde Park in a press statement, Williams shared: “It’s an honour to be back headlining BST Hyde Park alongside an incredible line-up of music talent.

Soft Play have announced a UK headline tour for later this year – you can find all the details below.The duo – FKA Slaves – will hit the road this autumn in support of their fourth studio album ‘Heavy Jelly’, which is due for release on July 19 (pre-order/pre-save here).Kicking off in Brighton on October 15, the upcoming run of dates will also include stop-offs in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Norwich and other locations throughout the month.The tour is set to conclude with a Halloween gig at the O2 Academy Brixton in London on October 31. Support will come from Panic Shack.Tickets go on general sale at 9am BST next Friday (June 21) – you’ll be able to buy yours here.

Soft Play, formerly Slaves, have dropped ‘Everything And Nothing’ – the heartfelt latest single from their upcoming album. Check it out below.Shared today (June 4), the track follows on the previously released ‘Punk’s Dead’, ‘Mirror Muscles’ and ‘Act Violently’, and is set to feature alongside them on their upcoming fourth studio album ‘Heavy Jelly’.

Soft Play – FKA Slaves – have shared their brutal new single ‘Act Violently’ and announced the new album ‘Heavy Jelly’.The new track follows the previously released ‘Punk’s Dead‘ and ‘Mirror Muscles‘, and takes cues from nu-metal with its taut heaviness and the clean punch of its production. It also includes elements of Brit punk.According to a press release, the song was inspired by Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent almost getting hit by an e-scooter as they stepped out of album sessions at The Libertines’ Albion Rooms studio in Margate.“The whole walk back to the studio, we were discussing our contempt for e-scooter drivers.

Slayer’s Kerry King, Creeper and Soft Play are among the names that have been added to this year’s bumper line-up for Download Festival.The festival will return to Donington Park for its 21st edition from June 14-16 this year. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.Other new additions include Bayside, Bambie Thug, Lowlives, Florence Black and Mallavora.Last November, Queens Of The Stone Age, Avenged Sevenfold and Fall Out Boy were announced as the headliners of Download Festival 2024.Royal Blood, The Offspring, Machine Head, Pantera, Bad Omens, Corey Taylor, While She Sleeps, Sum 41, Billy Talent, The Used, Babymetal, Bowling For Soup, Heilung, Polyphia, Thy Art Is Murder, The Black Dahlia Murder, Biohazard, and Fear Factory were also part of that first wave of names added to the bill.In January, a host of further names were added, including Busted, Wheatus, Tom Morello and Enter Shikari.Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes, The Struts, Mr Bungle, The Hunna, Escape The Fate, HEALTH, Code Orange and Royal Republic were also added.In an interview with NME, Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme reflected on their decision to step up and headline the 2024 edition of the festival, saying they see “no reason to trip out” over the set.“Is it just going to be same-old-same-old?’ said Homme.

Soft Play have spoken to NME about their nu-metal inspired single ‘Mirror Muscles’ and what fans can expect from their first album in six years – as well as their decision to ditch the name ‘Slaves’ name and the chances of another collab with Robbie Williams.The punk duo kickstarted a new chapter of their career back in August with snooty comeback track ‘Punk’s Dead’ and last week, they followed it up with the ferocious ‘Mirror Muscles’.“We’ve just really embraced what we were about when we first started this band,” said guitarist Laurie Vincent. “On the last two records (2016’s ‘Take Control’ and 2018’s ‘Acts Of Fear And Love’) we had veered off course accidentally trying to be something we weren’t.

Yungblud has announced details of his own festival BludFest – taking over Milton Keynes Bowl this summer with a stacked line-up. Find details below, and see above to watch our interview with Dom Harrison as he tells us what to expect while weighing up his past, present and future.After teasing fans with his “biggest announcement yet“, the Doncaster artist has now revealed that the inaugural BludFest will be headed to Milton Keynes Bowl on Sunday 11 August – featuring a headline set from Yungblud alongside a line-up featuring recent collaborator Lil Yachty, as well as Soft Play, Nessa Barrett, The Damned, Lola Young, Jazmin Bean and many more to be announced.Beyond the music, the “community” focussed event will also play host to include a ‘Make A Friend’ tent, free photobooths, a Yungblud museum, and a recreation of Camden’s iconic The Hawley Arms – the artist’s favourite pub.Asked what it means to be headlining Milton Keynes Bowl in the footsteps of David Bowie, Queen, Green Day and Linkin Park, Yungblud told NME: “Wow! What the fuck? That’s the fucking mad, isn’t it? BludFest is happening! I’m launching my own festival.

Soft Play have released their heavy new track ‘Mirror Muscles’, marking their first release of the year.The track sees the duo comprising of Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman – formerly known as Slaves – showcase weighty guitar riffs and a pulsing drumbeat as Holman sings “I’ve been working on my Mirror Muscles / See these buttons bursting out of my sleeves” in the chours.The song lyrics take a wryly comic observational look at how bodybuilding has become a very visible nationwide trend – a place where people work relentlessly to look like “Mike Tyson meets Rylan.” Speaking of the song in a press release, the band said: “We love to work out. We frequent the local gymnasium.

Soft Play, Nova Twins and Lambrini Girls have announced that they will be playing an intimate London show for Fender guitars.In honour of the launch of the Vintera II series, Fender will be reviving London’s iconic Marquee Club for one night only. Emerging in 1958, the Marquee Club became a prominent figure within London’s West End.The legendary venue hosted the likes of the Sex Pistols, The Damned, Genesis and Jethro Tull, and was home to The Rolling Stones‘ first live performance in 1962.

Jedward have been spotted at this year’s edition of Reading & Leeds, catching up with Soft Play and campaigning against climate change.The Irish duo – brothers John and Edward Grimes – are most famous for their appearance on talent show X Factor back in 2009, where they donned the group name Jedward and caught the nation’s eye with their signature bleach-blonde quiffs.Now, 14 years after they first came into the spotlight, the siblings have been spotted at Leeds festival, where they raised awareness for climate change, held a performance and caught up with some famous faces.“I just think climate is important,” Edward said while taking part in some environmental discussions at the festival site (via BBC). “Sometimes people feel like they don’t know everything about everything but it’s about just educating yourself and moving forward.”Identical twin brother John agreed, adding: “All you’ve got to do is be a tryer.”According to reports, dozens of punters queued up to meet the singing duo, after the brothers performed on the Climate Live: Bus Stage.

Soft Play have returned with their ferocious new single ‘Punk’s Dead’ and announced that they will be performing sets at Reading & Leeds 2023.Back in December 2022, the duo comprising Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman – who were formerly known as Slaves – confirmed their long-awaited return to music and announced their new name.‘Punk’s Dead’ sees the pair addressing the discourse around the decision to update their name as they channel faux-outrage on the rambunctious new track.It also features a cast of family and friends in the bridge along with an unlikely guest feature from Robbie Williams, who sings: “I love you but I disagree / this is bullshit / and I just wanted you to know / snowflake, snowflake / cherries on the woke cake / but I’ll still see you at your show.”Speaking to Jack Saunders on BBC Radio 1, Soft Play said that Williams was a fan of the band and wanted to collaborate in some way.Listen to ‘Punk’s Dead’ below.Alongside the new single announcement, Soft Play have confirmed that they will also be joining the bill at Reading & Leeds festival this year, following their recent return to the live circuit with a show at Tunbridge Wells Forum and headline slot at 2000 Trees Festival.The duo will be performing on the Festival Republic Stage at Reading on August 26 and Leeds on August 27. They will also be supporting The Prodigy on tour this autumn.Around the release of their debut album ‘Are You Satisfied?’ in 2015, the band drew criticism for its name as some described it as racially insensitive.

Eurovision star Luke Black has returned with the buoyant and Lily Allen-inspired new single ‘I’m So Happy’. Check it out below along with our interview with the artist.Back in May, Black represented his native Serbia at the Song Contest with the political, “cyber-punk”, sci-fi and video game inspired ‘Samo Mi Se Spava‘ (also known as ‘Sleep Forever’). Now, the London-based artist has returned with a new single – inspired by the landscape, culture and music of his surroundings.“‘I’m So Happy’ is the first song I created when I moved to London to study music,” Black told NME.