Music

Some guitarists can make your jaw drop the instant they play while others overwhelm you so completely it takes a moment to recover. For Ozzy Osbourne, one musician in particular fell into the latter category.Yngwie Malmsteen was already making waves in the early 1980s with his lightning-fast runs, impeccable precision, and scale-heavy solos. Technically, he was brilliant. But for Osbourne, there was a limit.“There are guys who’ll go wingly-wangly up and down the fretboard, and some have emotions and others don’t,” he told Guitar World Magazine.“This Yngwie Malmsteen guy must have the capability to do some amazing things, but it’s too cold, it’s too much for the mind to take in.”Osbourne had always valued personality over perfection. Metal, for him, wasn’t about ticking off every arpeggi...

Last weekend, Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor stunned fans at the Royal Albert Hall.Opening the second half of the Last Night of the Proms, Queen performed a special orchestral version of Freddie Mercury’s Bohemian Rhapsody, in celebration of the iconic song’s 50th anniversary this year.And now the rock legends have more exciting news, with the announcement of lavish vinyl re-releases of both the single and its album, A Night at the Opera, which hit No 1 in five countries, including the UK.Sir Brian shared: “A Night At The Opera was a hugely important album for us. It opened up the world for us.”Roger added: “We were at the peak of our confidence. It felt like there wasn’t anything we couldn’t do, and it shows on that album.”The guitarist remembered: “We truly felt like we could try anyt...

It was a case of a return to the Good Old Days at Leeds City Varieties as Glam Rock sensations Bobbie Dazzle whisked us back to the 1970s with a barnstorming performance that shook the foundations of the historic 160-year-old musical hall. The glorious retro outfit may ham up the ode to yesterday, but their music is no joke as the uber-tight four-piece band get down to business with a punchy set of four-to-the floor foot stompers.Bobbie Dazzle is the brainchild of singer/ songwriter - and flautist - Siân Greenaway, who resplendent in a figure-hugging black one-piece, delivers a note-perfect powerhouse performance. The songs are great – often a hint in the intro of something you may have heard before – but just enough for it to be a tease rather than theft. Revolution with it’s Status Qu...

When I last spoke to Pierce the Veil frontman Vic Fuentes in 2023, the band were on the cusp of releasing their fifth album, The Jaws Of Life - their first record since 2016. At the same time, King for a Day was receiving the most online streams it ever had due to various TikTok and short-form video trends. On top of that, they were playing some of their biggest shows of all time. As a result, the band were likely in the best spot they had ever been. So when I caught up with Fuentes again this year, in 2025, the scenario felt eerily similar.Pierce the Veil are now playing even larger venues as a part of their I Can't Hear You World Tour. And their continued success isn't secluded just in the tangible realm, either. They once again have another track, So Far So Fake, doing the rounds onl...

Spanish national broadcaster RTVE has confirmed that it will withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates in the song contest. The annual singing competition, which Austria won this year, will take place in Vienna in May 2026. Spain has followed in the footsteps of countries such as Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands, which have both confirmed that they will not take part in next year’s edition of the contest if Israel is allowed to take part. The Board of Directors of broadcaster RTVE reportedly voted on this action earlier today. Notably, Spain is one of the Big Five countries that contribute the most financially to the contest. The others are France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.According to EuroVoix News, they reported that the agreement was approved by an abso...

Ariana Grande, the international superstar known for chart-topping hits such as Thank U, Next; We Can't Be Friends; 7 Rings and Dangerous Woman, is set to hit the UK for five nights next year as part of her Eternal Sunshine Tour 2026.The songstress will be performing at the London O2 on August 15, 16, 19, 20, and 23.Tickets to see the multi-talented singer-songwriter and actress in London are set to go on sale this week, with a presale happening on Tuesday, September 16, and the general sale following two days later on Thursday, September 18.Kicking off on June 6, 2026, in Oakland, Georgia, Ariana Grande's 27-date tour will also include performances in LA on June 13, 14, 17 and 19. Other stops on the tour include Inglewood, Austin and Atlanta.This upcoming series of concerts marks Arian...

Two years ago, Andrea Bocelli’s son Matteo Bocelli released his debut album, and now he is back with a follow-up, Falling In Love.The 27-year-old grew up in the shadow of his famous opera singer father but has successfully followed in his footsteps.And now the maestro himself has shared his verdict on his son’s latest efforts.Posting on Instagram, Bocelli said: “Yesterday I listened to Matteo’s entire new album, which is being released today, September 12. I listened to it with great attention — and, I admit, with a touch of apprehension: the fear that his music, his sensitivity, his taste, might be far from my own.”Bocelli continued: “But as I listened, I felt reassured… and truly delighted. There are some truly beautiful songs — pieces that brought a wide smile to my face, as I found ...

This weekend, Andrea Bocelli and Pharrell Williams led the Grace For The World concert live from St Peter’s Square in the Vatican.Opening the show, which live-streamed on Disney+ and is available on ABC News YouTube in full, was the Italian maestro himself.He was joined on stage by soul singer Teddy Swims for a special duet of John Newton’s Amazing Grace, which you can view below.Reflecting on the concert as a whole after performing for Pope Leo IX a few days prior, Bocelli was clearly emotionally affected by the experience.Posting pictures on Instagram, Bocelli said: “To ‘disarm words and the Earth,’ as urged—so preciously and so urgently—by the Holy Father, music can play its part… Music, the voice of the soul, that disperses the fog and brings light to our consciences (and to the ans...

BST Hyde Park only just confirmed its first headliner for its string of 2026 artists, but they're on a roll now. Lewis Capaldi is currently on tour across the UK, and he's just been announced as the latest headliner for the annual festival. The Scottish singer/songwriter will be hitting London's legendary green space on Saturday, July 11, 2026.Here, he'll be playing his biggest songs from his two latest albums, and no doubt talking about his life, experiences, and his recent hiatus. Fans will be able to buy tickets to the upcoming tour in the coming days, and we've got all the details needed to get involved, and how to get presale tickets.Lewis Capaldi tickets will be released at a number of online retailers on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 9am.These tickets will be available from a fe...

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Freddie Mercury’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen’s magnum opus.And this weekend at the annual Last Night of the Proms, Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor were joined by Sam Oladeinde on vocals, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, BBC Singers and National Youth Choir for a new orchestral arrangement of the song.Sir Brian played his iconic guitar solo while drummer Taylor slammed a massive gong in a unique rendition of the British classic at the Royal Albert Hall, which you can watch on BBC iPlayer.The Queen guitarist took to social media after “making some history”, adding “Thank you dear promenaders for making a wonderful noise for us !!! And thanks to The BBC and the RAH for this wonderful invitation. Bri.”Sir Brian wrote: “Last night at the Last Night ...