In the crates at the back of a record shop in Shibuya or tucked between ECM rarities at an indie fair in Berlin, one thing gets a certain kind of collector’s pulse racing: a thin band of paper wrapped around the edge of a Japanese LP. To most people, it looks like throwaway packaging, but […]
The Japanese Obi Strip Obsession: Why Vinyl Collectors Can’t Resist Read More »
Oasis are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their seminal second album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, with a deluxe reissue due 3 October via Big Brother Recordings. This edition not only includes the 2014 remaster but also five newly produced unplugged versions of fan favourites: “Cast No Shadow,” “Morning Glory,” “Wonderwall,” “Acquiesce” and “Champagne Supernova.”
Cyndi Lauper’s eighth studio album, Shine, has one of the most chaotic backstories in her discography. Originally scheduled for a September 2001 release via Edel Records, it was shelved when the label abruptly folded. Promo copies leaked online and fan forums buzzed with speculation. Despite a limited EP in 2002, the full album didn’t officially
The Almost-Lost Album: Why Cyndi Lauper’s “Shine” Was Almost Forgotten Read More »
UK Music’s Hometown Glory report, released July 1, reveals that music tourism in the UK hit an all-time high in 2024. A record 23.5 million “music tourists” flocked to concerts and festivals, an increase of roughly 23 percent year on year, generating a total spend of £10 billion, up from around £8 billion in 2023 Key highlights 23.5 million
UK Music Tourism Hits £10 Billion For The First Time In 2024 Read More »
Alana Haim has revealed that life on the road feels different in your 30s, particularly if you’re part of one of the hardest-working live bands on the planet. The 33-year-old guitarist and vocalist, one third of sibling trio Haim, says her pre-show routine now involves something decidedly un-rock ‘n’ roll: stretching. “Actually, the only thing
Haim’s Alana Admits Pre-Show Stretching Is Now Essential: “The Joints…” Read More »
Few artists have made a debut as loud, colourful and career-defining as Cyndi Lauper. With 1983’s She’s So Unusual, she didn’t just burst onto the scene, she rewrote the rulebook. MTV loved her. Radio played her to death. And fans couldn’t get enough of her voice, her style, or the fact that she was genuinely
Cyndi Lauper’s Studio Albums Ranked: From Pop Icon To Genre-Hopper Read More »
Black Sabbath have been granted the Freedom of the City of Birmingham, a rare civic honour marking their extraordinary impact on music and their role as hometown heroes. All four founding members — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward — reunited for a private ceremony at Birmingham’s Council House on Saturday. The
Earlier this month (June 2025), Budweiser’s Iconic Sounds campaign picked up the Grand Prix at Cannes Lions for Audio and Radio. But the brand is now facing widespread backlash, not for the idea itself, but for how it sidestepped music licensing. The campaign featured one-second snippets of iconic songs by Beyoncé, The Beatles, Taylor Swift,
Budweiser’s Cannes-Winning TikTok Campaign Slammed For Unpaid Music Use Read More »
Sonya Madan, the voice of Britpop band Echobelly, has spoken out about her experience as a woman in the male-heavy 1990s scene, insisting that most of the major players, including members of Oasis, Blur, Pulp and Suede, were “lovely, supportive and decent.” At a time when lad culture was making headlines and music magazines often
Echobelly’s Sonya Madan Reflects On Britpop: “The Male Bands Were Always Supportive” Read More »
