A brief history of Faces: In 1965, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, Steve Marriott, and Jimmy Winston met and decided to form a band. Due to their small stature and hopes to be somebody special, they named themselves Small Faces. After Winston was replaced by Ian MacLagen, the band hit it fairly big, and turned to the R&B to Psychedelia pipeline common among bands of the era, and … [Read more...] about Faces to record their first album in 46 years
British Music
A recent survey showcases how music helped Britain through lockdown.
By the time you read this, live music will likely have returned to Britain. And, on the off chance that you need to be convinced as to how important music is and has been to Brits, especially since the lockdown, Public First has released this survey about how important it was. Highlights: When asked what hobbies they enjoyed the most out of a list of a dozen (with a … [Read more...] about A recent survey showcases how music helped Britain through lockdown.
Ed Sheeran returns with “Bad Habits”
Somehow, I missed that Ed Sheeran's come back with a new single, with the promise of a new album. I'm not sure how I missed the release of "Bad Habits." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orJSJGHjBLI It's a pretty solid song, although, to be honest, the content of the song seems to be more than a little overshadowed by the video. What else is there to say? That Ed Sheeran's … [Read more...] about Ed Sheeran returns with “Bad Habits”
The results of the First Dance(s): The COVID pilot events
Hello, Good Evening, and I Honestly Don't Bloody Know Whether It's Safe To Go Outdoors Or Not. As I write this, it's been two months since Liverpool decided to create a set of pilot gigs to see how safe it was to hold events at capacities that are actually profitable. And they finally released the results. And they're shockingly inconclusive. The initial results were good: Of … [Read more...] about The results of the First Dance(s): The COVID pilot events
Peter Jackson’s “The Beatles: Get Back” documentary to be a three-part Disney+ series
It looks like if you want to see the newest iteration of Peter Jackson's recut of the Get Back sessions, you'll have to get Disney+. The film, which was cut from 55 hours of unseen footage from the original sessions and 140 hours of previously unheard audio from the sessions, will premiere on November 25-7 on the streaming service. And, yes, the premiere will happen over three … [Read more...] about Peter Jackson’s “The Beatles: Get Back” documentary to be a three-part Disney+ series
Wildflower meadow on White Cliffs of Dover named in honour of Dame Vera Lynn
A meadow on the famous White Cliffs of Dover has been renamed in memory of beloved singer Dame Vera Lynn to mark the anniversary of her death. The picturesque stretch of land by the sea is alive with wildflowers and songbirds and will serve as a lasting tribute to the adored wartime figure. A lighthouse standing atop the cliffs was to be lit on Thursday in honour of Dame … [Read more...] about Wildflower meadow on White Cliffs of Dover named in honour of Dame Vera Lynn
Liverpool to host the “world’s first” David Bowie convention
As the world slowly reopens (perhaps a bit more slowly than many people would like, I freely admit), people are starting to wonder when they can get back to doing things that they used to do in the Before Times. And one of those things? Conventions. Once seen as the best way to meet up with other fans of a given pop culture franchise (or maybe a genre), then something nobody … [Read more...] about Liverpool to host the “world’s first” David Bowie convention
All Things Must Pass 50th Anniversary Edition to be released
George Harrison's All Things Must Pass is probably the most acclaimed solo album by any of the Beatles. And if not that, almost certainly the best-selling, although the fact that it was originally released as a triple-disc album (now a double-disc with the advent of the CD) might have skewed the RIAA's scales a bit. And it's going to be getting a new re-release to commemorate … [Read more...] about All Things Must Pass 50th Anniversary Edition to be released
Roger Waters unveils disputed liner notes for “Animals” remaster
There was a point in time where, of all Pink Floyd's albums, the one I listened to the most was Animals. Perhaps part of it was because it's easily their most underrated albums, a hidden gem in between three masterpieces of albums (at least among the normies who content themselves with Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and maybe The Wall, since it's easily one of the … [Read more...] about Roger Waters unveils disputed liner notes for “Animals” remaster
The BBC to broadcast sections from “Live at Worthy Farm” after live stream failtures
I did not watch the Live at Worthy Farm live streams. On the one hand, I missed several great performances: Wolf Alice, HAIM, and Damon Albarn (performing a career-spanning set) at the Stone Circle Michael Kiwanuka performing highlights from his new album from a tent George Ezra performing for 10 minutes next to a bonfire. IDLES performing from inside a … [Read more...] about The BBC to broadcast sections from “Live at Worthy Farm” after live stream failtures
The Reopening of Britain’s Entertainment Venues
As I write this, it looks like we're finally seeing the light at the end of the COVID tunnel. People are getting vaccinated, and your friend and humble columnist is a few days away from his second dose of Moderna, and is seriously considering going back to his old Flesh World job for the first time since last March. And something that'll help for this column: Britain is finally … [Read more...] about The Reopening of Britain’s Entertainment Venues
Coldplay unveil their new song “Higher Power.”
A while back, I talked about how Coldplay took a very odd means of promoting their upcoming single. One that would eventually get its premiere on Midnight (BST) on May 7 via the ISS and French astronaut Thomas Pesquet. Quoth the band: “Higher Power is a song that arrived on a little keyboard and a bathroom sink at the start of 2020. It was produced by Max Martin, who is a true … [Read more...] about Coldplay unveil their new song “Higher Power.”
Maybe he’s amazed – special stamps revealed to honour Sir Paul McCartney
Royal Mail has revealed images of a set of 12 special stamps being to honor music legend Sir Paul McCartney. The main stamp set features a selection of eight LPs that have defined the ex-Beatle’s career from his first solo album, McCartney, released in 1970, through to his most recent number one album, McCartney III, which was recorded and released during COVID lockdown in … [Read more...] about Maybe he’s amazed – special stamps revealed to honour Sir Paul McCartney
The First Dance(s): Live from the Liverpool pilot gigs
Hello, Good Evening, and It Might Actually Be Safe To Go Outdoors Soon! A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about the pilot gigs in Liverpool, and now, they've finally happened. The only requirement to go to these gigs (besides a ticket, of course) is to take a lateral flow test to make sure you don't have COVID (and, of course, you'd have to take another one a few days later … [Read more...] about The First Dance(s): Live from the Liverpool pilot gigs
Coldplay tease “Alien Radio” project – New Single Coming May 7th
Last week, the screens that littered the face of a CVS pharmacy in Times Square, New York, started to show a digital billboard in an alien script: https://twitter.com/alienradiofm/status/1385620072517996545 Then another in Green Park Station, London. https://twitter.com/alienradiofm/status/1385690724688089093 Then a third at Jamsil Station in … [Read more...] about Coldplay tease “Alien Radio” project – New Single Coming May 7th
The First Dance: more details on the pilot gigs in Liverpool
Hello, Good Evening, and It Might Actually Be Safe To Go Outdoors Soon! As I write this, we can finally see some light at the end of the COVID tunnel. People are finally getting vaccinated, and Your Friend and Humble Columnist's left arm still feels the needle from yesterday's jab of the first dose of Moderna. And, most importantly for him, we might actually get some proper … [Read more...] about The First Dance: more details on the pilot gigs in Liverpool
Duke of Edinburgh: A Guide to the Music Played at the Funeral
Editor's Note: I promise this is the last thing we'll publish about Prince Philip for a long time. But we've been getting lots of questions about the music that was played throughout the funeral. So, here's a detailed guide to it all. The music chosen by the Duke provided a personal soundtrack to the funeral. Many of the arrangements had strong Naval and royal connotations. … [Read more...] about Duke of Edinburgh: A Guide to the Music Played at the Funeral
Brian May reveals he’s working on new music with Queen
This year will mark a decade since Adam Lambert started working with Queen. And it may be remarkable that they haven't released an album of new material together. The closest thing they've done is this remake of "We Are The Champions" done to raise funds for the WHO's fight against COVID. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LcLqIHzNkY On the one hand, given that they initially … [Read more...] about Brian May reveals he’s working on new music with Queen
Ron Wood awarded Freedom of the City of London
Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones has officially been given recognition by his hometown and given the Freedom of the City of London. Reading those words, I, as a Yank, was more than a little confused. So, I went to Google to look up what it even was. I found that it was a throwback to older times, not just to when many of Britain's people were stuck in serfdom, but even to … [Read more...] about Ron Wood awarded Freedom of the City of London
Live at Worthy Farm livestream unveiled!
By an extraordinary twist of fate, a few minutes after my article speculating on the nature of the Live At Worthy Farm event the Eavis Family was teasing got published, I found news on the NME newsfeed that explained exactly what it was: its own livestreamed concerts entirely separate from the concerts they were teasing for September. The festival took to Twitter to unveil … [Read more...] about Live at Worthy Farm livestream unveiled!
Live at Worthy Farm: The Eavises to hold a concert in September
So, the Glastonbury Festival has been canceled two years in a row due to the pandemic. But, fortunately, it looks like things might be clearing up enough for a smaller concert in September. A while back, the festival submitted an application to the Mendip District Council to hold a two-day event in September with live music and alcohol sold between 2 and 11 pm on the same two … [Read more...] about Live at Worthy Farm: The Eavises to hold a concert in September
UK music industry dipping a toe back into normalcy
Hello, Good Evening, and, if things go well, you might not need to remain indoors for much longer. As you know, it's been a year since the COVID pandemic hit the world hard. The world (particularly the UK) has been in and out of lockdowns for about a year, but it looks like, with the COVID vaccines, things might be getting back to normal pretty soon. But it's going to be slow, … [Read more...] about UK music industry dipping a toe back into normalcy
John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band to be given Deluxe Edition release
Some people say "Imagine" is the best thing John Lennon did as a solo artist. Some people are wrong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cESBPmpcbCY John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band was his first proper solo album (the three experimental albums he recorded with Yoko tend to not count) and it's nothing less than one of the greatest artists laying his soul bare. In the months between … [Read more...] about John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band to be given Deluxe Edition release
Robbie Williams’ “Better Man,” a biopic with a simian twist?
Over 8 1/2 years ago, I started to write for Anglotopia. And about a week after I started this job, I found a story about Robbie Williams that was so bonkers that I just had to talk about it: he bought an island off the coast of California so he could build an estate and watch for aliens. Yes, the extra-terrestrial kind if there's any ambiguity about it. I was legitimately not … [Read more...] about Robbie Williams’ “Better Man,” a biopic with a simian twist?
Paul McCartney announces “The Lyrics,” his life in 154 song lyrics
It was difficult trying to figure out how to title this article. The subject is simple: Paul McCartney is going to release a new book, due for release on November 2. It's called The Lyrics, but it's not quite just a collection of lyrics. Sure, it includes the lyrics of 154 of his songs, from his earliest compositions, stuff from his Beatles days, and now his solo career, … [Read more...] about Paul McCartney announces “The Lyrics,” his life in 154 song lyrics
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!
