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Late Transmissions: New Album - A Collaboration of 3 Friends
Behind Late Transmissions are David Balfe and David Hughes – two friends who last played together in the Merseyside post-punk scene. Balfe, playing with Big In Japan and The Teardrop Explodes, went on to be a producer, publisher and founder of both Zoo Records and Food Records, signing Blur and Echo & The Bunnymen among many others. On 1st May 2026 the two friends released their brand new album, THE HEART WANTS WHAT IT WANTS which sees them team up with Eve Quartermain, and
May 1111 min read


Europe’s LGBTQ+ Capital for 2026
Europe’s LGBTQ+ Capital for 2026 List the queerest cities in Europe and a number of ‘usual suspects’ will inevitably appear towards the top of the list – London, Berlin, Amsterdam. But in 2026, the flag of most LGBTQ+ friendly city in Europe should really be planted right in the centre of the continent. Vienna is a city with a rich queer history and, appropriate for a city famous for its operatic flair, will be taking centre stage, as both the host of the 2026 Eurovision So
May 105 min read


Hitting All the Right Notes: The First-Timers Guide to Nashville
Very few travel stories centre around Monday morning encounters. It’s not even my favourite memory of Nashville but it remains the most memorable. After a weekend of taking on Broadway – Nashville’s legendary street of live music bars – I stumbled out at 10am looking for a coffee and preferably a quiet corner to recover. I expected all the bars to be shuttered. Instead, every door was open, every stage alive, and every bar seemed to contain a guitarist who could outplay mos
May 107 min read


The American State You’re Not Visiting (But Should Be)
“Nothing Could Be Finer Than To Be in Carolina In The Morning” Yes, there’s no Times Square bravado, no Californian gloss, no Floridian theme-park spectacle. But having been visiting for the past twelve years, I would agree entirely with Gus Kahn’s words from a century ago. North Carolina doesn’t need any of this to be the most complete, most authentic and, for my 10 cents’ worth, one of the most compelling states in the whole US. It’s also a place in recovery. If you’ve r
May 108 min read


Brand Spotlight: Aubin & Wills. When Better is Greater Than More
Store in Carnaby Street, London In a world of "fast fashion" and fleeting trends, Aubin & Wills stands as a bastion of British authenticity. Founded in 2008 as the sophisticated, more discerning older sibling to Jack Wills, the brand quickly carved out a niche for those who value heritage over hype. After a brief hiatus, Aubin made a triumphant return in 2021 with a crystal-clear mission: "Better is Greater Than More." Now a Certified B Corp, Aubin creates "Modern British Cla
May 72 min read


The Jewel Box of Kings: A Symphony in Stained Glass
If the Notre-Dame Cathedral is the sturdy, stone heart of Paris, the Sainte-Chapelle is its shimmering, transcendent soul. Tucked away within the courtyard of the Palais de Justice on the Île de la Cité, this Gothic masterpiece doesn't just catch the light, it swallows it and transforms it into a living kaleidoscope. The history of Sainte-Chapelle is a tale of ultimate devotion and medieval prestige. In the 1240s, King Louis IX, who would later become Saint Louis, purchased w
May 62 min read


Pitbull Announces Another Support For Roundhay Festival
American Express presents Roundhay Festival, the newest addition to Leeds, UK’s 2026 summer cultural calendar, is excited to announce special guests, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, who will join Pitbull on Friday 3 July The announcement lands on Cinco de Mayo, marking the addition of one of Mexico’s most culturally influential bands to Pitbull’s first-ever Leeds headline show. Los Tucanes join previously announced Jason Derulo, Tinie Tempah and Lil Jon with more acts to be unveiled
May 64 min read


Lightroom with David Bowie is for the Soul
"I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring." If David Bowie were to step into Lightroom London today, he would find himself in the only structure on Earth capable of holding his infinite imagination. Lightroom isn’t just a gallery; it is a shimmering, four-story "Moonage Daydream" where the thin white lines of reality are blurred into a spectacular immersive symphony. Walking into the King’s Cross space feels like descending into the master tape
May 12 min read


South Arcade’s ‘Superman’, a Nostalgic Banger
Oxford rock band South Arcade are back with their new single Superman, which features genre-blending guitars and angry lyricism calling back to the rage anthems of the 2000s. The band explain how this song is a continuation of their Y2K inspired sound, featuring a mix of bright, ‘glitchy’ production and ‘punchy alt-rock energy.’ The accompanying music video, directed by DOGBRAIN, features the band in an American diner and performing in the middle of a boxing ring surrounded
Apr 302 min read


A Conversation with HAFFWAY on Nashville, and the Power of the "Live Moment"
From the rugged, isolated fjords of Norway to the high-energy stages of the Hollywood Bowl, Sam Westhoff aka Haffway today is currently living through what can only be described as a creative metamorphosis. Once on the verge of walking away from the industry entirely to pursue a quiet life in Oklahoma, he is now the go-to collaborator for some of folk-pop’s most formidable names, including Dermot Kennedy and Noah Kahan. But while his fingerprints are all over the charts, his
Apr 295 min read


Slam Dunk 2026 Kicking Off Festival Season!
As May edges closer and the British weather dares to behave, there’s a familiar buzz in the air, festival season is about to kick off. And in 2026, few events signal that moment quite like Slam Dunk Festival’s 20th anniversary—a landmark edition that feels bigger, heavier, and more nostalgic than ever. Returning to Hatfield Park and Temple Newsam across the late May bank holiday weekend, Slam Dunk has long been the UK’s definitive one-day pilgrimage for pop-punk, emo and hard
Apr 282 min read


Editor vs. Writer: Does Michael Hit the High Note?
The biopic landscape is currently dominated by legends, and none loom larger than the King of Pop. In this head-to-head review, we break down Michael from two distinct perspectives. While one of us found the spectacle quite great, the other felt the narrative got lost in the limelight. We caught this screening in last weekend and here below our thought: The Staff Writer’s Verdict: A Costly Concert Rating: 4/10 There is no denying the technical prowess on display, but as a fil
Apr 273 min read


Review: Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ Released: 26th March 2026 Available: Netflix "Something living, something dead, something stolen, something red". The latest Netlifx phenomenon hit screens last month and left viewers across the globe divided. Created by Haley Z. Boston, the brain behind New Cherry Flavor and produced by Stranger Things creators, the Duffer brothers - Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen follows five consecutive days with engaged couple Rachel Harkin (Camila Monroe) and Nicky C
Apr 265 min read


Film Review: Lee Cronins The Mummy
“An innocent child is best, their body lasts longer - but any living human will do” Lee Cronins The Mummy: ★★★☆☆ Released: 17th April, 2026 Stream: Cinemas From the iconic production house Blumhouse and horror connoisseur James Wan, Lee Cronin takes a spin on a classic, reinventing ‘The Mummy’ universe and guides us through a twisted tale of horror, gore and lore. If you were hoping for a tomb raiding adventure, you’re in for a shock. For this reimagined version of ‘The Mummy
Apr 214 min read


The Amity Affliction Return with Brand New Album, House of Cards
House of Cards is the mark of a highly anticipated return of The Amity Affliction with new music. Following their last release being a Redux version of their 2014 Album “Let the Ocean Take Me” in 2024, and then before that, their album “Not Without My Ghosts” in 2023. Produced by the bands massively talented guitarist, Dan Brown and mixed by Sam Bassal who has worked with the likes of Thornhill and Bloom – House of Cards was always set to blow the roof off. VIDA NUEVA Hairs s
Apr 204 min read


Furry, Filthy, and Flawless: Avenue Q Makes a Triumphant, Telegenic Return to the West End
The curtains rose last night at the Shaftesbury Theatre to a sight that felt like a fever dream: a gritty, trash-strewn New York street where the residents are a chaotic mix of humans and monsters. For the uninitiated, Avenue Q is the "Anti-Sesame Street", a coming-of-age story for adults who realized that life isn't actually a series of catchy songs about the alphabet, but rather a series of mounting bills and existential dread. The story follows Princeton , a bright-eyed co
Apr 172 min read


BST Hyde Park Returns for 2026 With an Unstoppable Lineup
The wait is officially over. BST Hyde Park, indisputably one of the best festivals in London, is back to reclaim its crown as the beating heart of the city's summer season. What began as a concert series has evolved into THE essential date in the diary for hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide. For three sun-drenched weekends this June and July, the iconic Royal Park will transform into a world-class stage, blending legendary heritage with the biggest chart-toppers of today
Apr 162 min read


Championing Young People: The heart of the Roundhouse
Credit: CEO and Artistic Director, Marcus Davey Having been at the helm of the Roundhouse for 27 years, CEO and Artistic Director Marcus Davey has dedicated his tenure to ensuring that the Roundhouse is far more than bricks and mortar — it is a place that genuinely invests in the creative futures of young people. The Three Sixty Festival is just one of many examples of the profound impact that emerges when young people are given the encouragement and vital support they need
Apr 1614 min read


Live Review: James at the Utilita Arena, Newcastle
Words and Photos by Adam Kennedy Mancunian indie rock legends James have had a long and successful career in the music industry. The band has a repertoire with more hits than a boxer’s punching bag, and a back catalogue that keeps their fans coming back with each and every tour. James at the Utilita Arena Newcastle - Photo: © Adam Kennedy And whilst most touring bands will play it safe and create a tried-and-tested setlist that, other than the occasional track, will remain th
Apr 153 min read


24 Hours in Bristol: A Masterclass in West Country Cool
If London is the frantic older sibling, Bristol is the creative middle child and effortlessly cool, fiercely independent, and constantly evolving. From the graffiti-lined streets of Stokes Croft to the polished charm of Clifton, 24 hours here feels like a proper escape, even if you’re only 100 miles from the capital. The Journey: Paddington to Temple Meads with GWR The transition from London to Bristol is remarkably seamless. Great Western Railway (GWR) operates a high-frequ
Apr 142 min read
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