Many of us know Robert Fripp as the guiding light behind progressive rock giants King Crimson. And those of us who don't almost certainly know him as the guitarist from Bowie's "Heroes." But Robert Fripp's gained another audience recently from his and his wife's "Sunday Lunches." They started as a way to get Fripp through the doldrums of the many COVID-19 lockdowns, but they … [Read more...] about Robert Fripp and Toyah Wilcox announce “Sunday Lunch Rock Party” Tour
British Music
Fiona Fey fights for the right to practice her music
Fiona Fey has been a member of vocal group Mediæval Bæbes for the better part of a quarter century. I concede that some people might listen to this and not consider it their cup of tea. Unfortunately for Fey, the Lewisham Council has made clear that it's squarely in the "not their cuppa" camp. Apparently, some of her neighbours complained about the noise from when … [Read more...] about Fiona Fey fights for the right to practice her music
Liam Gallagher announces plans to perform “Definitely Maybe” in full
The last days of August 2024 will mark the annivesary of two major dates in Oasis' history. August 28 will mark the 15th anniversary of Oasis' breakup, and August 29 will be the 30th Annivesary of their first album, Definitely Maybe. It should go without saying that the Gallagher brothers aren't likely to reunite anytime soon. But it looks like Liam Gallagher plans on … [Read more...] about Liam Gallagher announces plans to perform “Definitely Maybe” in full
Ed Sheeran secures fastest-selling album of 2023 so far
Ed Sheeran has beaten Lana Del Rey’s record to secure the UK’s fastest-selling album of 2023 so far, the Official Charts Company has said. The album – (Subtract) is on the way to earning the 32-year-old pop superstar a sixth consecutive number one album at the midweek mark, securing more than 56,000 chart units, which is more than any other album released this year, it was … [Read more...] about Ed Sheeran secures fastest-selling album of 2023 so far
British superstars perform at Windsor coronation spectacular
A host of global superstars came together at Windsor Castle on Sunday night for a star-studded concert to mark the coronation. The Coronation Concert, beamed onto large screens across the country, saw the Prince of Wales make a speech honouring his father the King before performances by Katy Perry, Take That, Lionel Richie, and Nicole Scherzinger. Stars including Hugh … [Read more...] about British superstars perform at Windsor coronation spectacular
Lloyd Webber: Writing coronation anthem has been ‘antidote’ for death of son
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has said writing the coronation anthem has been “a kind of antidote” for dealing with the death of his son earlier this year. The theatre impresario’s song, Make a Joyful Noise, will be played publicly for the first time as the King is enthroned on Saturday. Lord Lloyd-Webber, 75, who is known for hit musicals including The Phantom Of The Opera, … [Read more...] about Lloyd Webber: Writing coronation anthem has been ‘antidote’ for death of son
Ed Sheeran wins “Thinking Out Loud” trial
Earlier in the week, I wrote about Ed Sheeran's second plagiarism trial. I made obvious that I was on his side, because, frankly, the two songs in question didn't have enough in common to merit a plagiarism lawsuit: They're love songs, they use the same stupefyingly common chord progression, and their tempos are similar. But that's nowhere near enough to count as … [Read more...] about Ed Sheeran wins “Thinking Out Loud” trial
Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” trial so far
As I write this, I'm going through a small case of Deja Vu. Surely, I think to myself, Ed Sheeran's not going through yet another plagiarism trial. And yet he is, and it's alarming how flimsy the case is. Specifically, his 2015 hit "Thinking Out Loud" is accused of copying Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." As I listen to the two songs, the main similarities I'm noticing … [Read more...] about Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” trial so far
Full recording of King’s coronation to be released on the day of historic event
A complete recording of the King’s coronation ceremony will be released globally on the day of the historic event. The recording, featuring both the music and spoken word from the ceremony, will be available to stream and download on May 6. It is the first time in history that such a recording has been produced, marking an unprecedented event in both recorded music and … [Read more...] about Full recording of King’s coronation to be released on the day of historic event
Stage backdrop designs drawn by Sir Paul McCartney unveiled at museum
Sketches of stage backdrop designs drawn by Sir Paul McCartney have gone on show at a Beatles museum. A piece of paper featuring 11 sketches of stage backdrop designs for Brian Epstein’s Saville Theatre in London was donated to the Liverpool Beatles Museum by an anonymous benefactor, who bought it at auction for £25,000. Museum owner Roag Best said: “These have never been … [Read more...] about Stage backdrop designs drawn by Sir Paul McCartney unveiled at museum
Collection of 1,500 items from Freddie Mercury’s private collection to go on sale
A month-long exhibition and auction showcasing more than 1,500 items from the private collection of Freddie Mercury is due to take place this summer. Items from the Queen frontman’s beloved home – Garden Lodge in Kensington, west London – will go on display from August 4 until September 5, which would have marked his 77th birthday. The collection includes a vast array of … [Read more...] about Collection of 1,500 items from Freddie Mercury’s private collection to go on sale
The Five Chocolate Bars with Tickets to Glastonbury
So, stop if you've heard this one before: a chocolatier has taken five candy bars and hidden tickets to an exclusive event in each one. And the twist is, it's not Willy Wonka this time. You see, if you've been following the Glastonbury festival for as long as I have, you'll know that tickets are extremely highly sought after. This year alone, all 200,000+ tickets sold … [Read more...] about The Five Chocolate Bars with Tickets to Glastonbury
AIsis, or the Oasis album with an Artificial Liam Gallagher
Imagine, if you will, a world where Oasis kept on going, and decided to get back to their roots. Perhaps something that sounds like their first three albums. Well, sadly, it doesn't look like Noel and Liam have buried the hatchet enough to officially get back together. However, a band from Hastings managed to get the next best thing: an album with an AI Liam Gallagher on lead … [Read more...] about AIsis, or the Oasis album with an Artificial Liam Gallagher
Cypress Hill looking to collaborate with the London Symphony Orchestra
On 19 May 1996, The Simpsons aired the episode "Homerpalooza." This might not seem a very good focus for an Anglotopia article, but one moment from the episode sticks out. Evidently, while high, the rap group Cypress Hill booked the London Symphony Orchestra. One member asked if they knew "Insane in the Brain," and the lead violinist for the LSO replied "We mostly know … [Read more...] about Cypress Hill looking to collaborate with the London Symphony Orchestra
John Lennon and Led Zeppelin recordings added to US Library of Congress
Music by John Lennon, Led Zeppelin, The Police and Eurythmics have been selected for preservation in the US National Recording Registry. The US Library of Congress announced that 25 recordings have been selected for their cultural significance, including Madonna’s Like A Virgin album from 1984, Mariah Carey’s enduring hit All I Want For Christmas Is You (1994) and the music … [Read more...] about John Lennon and Led Zeppelin recordings added to US Library of Congress
The Beatles’ lost concert to be restored and given a permanent home
About a week ago, the world got a glimpse of an early concert from The Beatles. You can find a story about the discovery, focusing mostly on the concert itself, here. The concert originally happened at Roxburgh Hall in Stowe on 4 April 1963. Almost 60 years later on the dot, the world got to know that some lucky bastard got to record the whole thing. The world even got to hear … [Read more...] about The Beatles’ lost concert to be restored and given a permanent home
The Future of Glastonbury is officially secured.
Earlier in the year, I posted about how Glastonbury Festival Events Ltd. (GFEL) was looking to acquire permanent planning permission to hold the festival. You might think that, with Glasto being such a cultural fixture for over half a century, they'd just get it. Unfortunately, this isn't necessarily the case. Their current rolling planning permission (in place since 2010), is … [Read more...] about The Future of Glastonbury is officially secured.
BBC shares one of the earliest live concert recordings of the Beatles
A man who produced one of the earliest full recordings of the Beatles playing live said the experience had “changed his life.” John Bloomfield, who was 15-years-old at the time, said he had gone “from boy to man… in that very instant” and the concert had been “something we’d never vaguely experienced.” The show took place at Stowe boarding school in Buckinghamshire on … [Read more...] about BBC shares one of the earliest live concert recordings of the Beatles
Ed Sheeran on “Eyes Closed,” Cradle of Filth, and a posthumous album?
Ed Sheeran has released the first single off his upcoming album (Out on May 5) -: "Eyes Closed." According to Ed Sheeran, the song's about "losing someone, feeling like every time you go out and you expect to just bump into them, and everything just reminds you of them and the things you did together. You sorta have to take yourself out of reality sometimes to numb the … [Read more...] about Ed Sheeran on “Eyes Closed,” Cradle of Filth, and a posthumous album?
Unseen McCartney photos from Beatles’ early days unveiled ahead of gallery show
A handful of unseen photographs taken by Sir Paul McCartney during the early days of The Beatles have been released ahead of his National Portrait Gallery display. The archive features more than 250 images taken between November 1963 and February 1964 which capture the emergence of Beatlemania through the personal lens of Sir Paul’s Pentax camera. The exhibition, titled … [Read more...] about Unseen McCartney photos from Beatles’ early days unveiled ahead of gallery show
Vespa from The Who Quadrophenia Tour restored in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust
A Vespa scooter that featured in The Who’s Quadrophenia Tour has been restored to its former glory to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust. The original 1964 GS Vespa was ridden on stage by guest star Billy Idol as popular Mod icon Ace Face during the 1996 tour. The scooter was stored in the garage of The Who’s Roger Daltrey until the 79-year-old – who is a Teenage Cancer … [Read more...] about Vespa from The Who Quadrophenia Tour restored in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust
Elton John learns the inspiration behind “Rocket Man.”
We all know Elton John's song "Rocket Man." It was one of his earliest hits, a staple of his live shows, and, frankly, one of the best songs ever written. What you might not know about was what inspired it. And until a few days ago, Elton John didn't, either. For anyone who's curious about how this can be, remember that Elton John doesn't write his songs alone. He … [Read more...] about Elton John learns the inspiration behind “Rocket Man.”
Ed Sheeran talks new album, upcoming single
On May 5, Ed Sheeran will release his new album - (pronounced: "Subtract.") Pre-order it here. He promises it to be “last in his decade-spanning mathematical album era,” that was heavily coloured by something I will call his Mensis Horribilis, to corrupt a royal phrase. It happened in February 2022, and I'll just let Ed Sheeran explain it. Excerpts from Ed Sheeran's … [Read more...] about Ed Sheeran talks new album, upcoming single
Queen star Sir Brian May set to rock on after receiving knighthood from King
Sir Brian May has said he could go on tour again this year as he was awarded a knighthood by the King at Buckingham Palace. The Queen guitarist, 75, is responsible for some of the biggest and best-known riffs and solos in popular music, on songs such as We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody and One Vision. Sir Brian may continue rocking in 2023 after the King presented him … [Read more...] about Queen star Sir Brian May set to rock on after receiving knighthood from King
‘Honestly a dream’ – Mae Muller confirmed to represent UK at Eurovision
Mae Muller has said being selected to represent the UK at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest is “honestly a dream.” The 25-year-old singer will perform at the event in Liverpool with the track I Wrote A Song, which features tongue-in-cheek lyrics about a cheating ex-boyfriend and a propulsive dance beat. The news was confirmed by Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark on the BBC Radio … [Read more...] about ‘Honestly a dream’ – Mae Muller confirmed to represent UK at Eurovision
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
