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
British Music
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
One Anglophile’s Take on the Cats Movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yleb8iqI2cY A thought experiment for you all: after the human race inevitably blows itself up and extraterrestrials finally feel it's safe to visit Earth, what would they think if they found a copy of Cats among the rubble? The Backstory In between writing Four Quartets, famed poet T.S. Eliot decided to write outside his comfort zone with a … [Read more...] about One Anglophile’s Take on the Cats Movie.
The KLF release new, reworked version of “Chill Out.”
I've spoken before of my interest in The KLF, a legendary electronica act famous for not only releasing several great albums, but also things like announcing their retirement by firing a machine gun loaded with blanks at the audience of an awards show, writing a manual for writing a #1 hit without talent or money after "Doctoring the Tardis" hit the top of the UK charts, … [Read more...] about The KLF release new, reworked version of “Chill Out.”
Livestreamed Concert Tariff Officially Nixed!
Hello, Good Evening and Remain Indoors! Last year, I wrote an article about a shockingly ill-advised plan to double (at a bare minimum) the pre-existing tariff on livestreams in an era where livestreams are probably the only way musicians can perform and might be the only way for venues to remain financially viable. A petition was launched, signed by artists like Sandie Shaw … [Read more...] about Livestreamed Concert Tariff Officially Nixed!
The Kinks announce livestreamed show based on “Lola” album
For a few years, The Kinks have officially been back together, and, for all the things I've been hoping, shockingly little has happened. No new album, no tour, not even a spot at Glastonbury to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of their being scheduled to (and eventually failing to) headline the first Glastonbury Festival. All that I've been able to notice were reissues of some … [Read more...] about The Kinks announce livestreamed show based on “Lola” album
Glastonbury Festival 2021 canceled
For about 8 1/2 years, starting with a prompt from Jonathan, I've been Anglotopia's official conduit for news on the Glastonbury Festival. And while it can be frustrating as all Hell to collate all the news on the festival from the NME and condense them all into a fairly digestible post, it's always interesting to learn more about the festival. Whether it's the Great or the … [Read more...] about Glastonbury Festival 2021 canceled
Robert Fripp and his wife go viral on YouTube
I've been waiting for a long time to be able to write about King Crimson. Admittedly, for the longest time, this has been hampered partly because A) the NME doesn't seem to be covering Crimson news, and B) until recently, due to Robert Fripp's intensely protective attitude towards his music, it's been next to impossible to find King Crimson's music on YouTube. Regardless, I … [Read more...] about Robert Fripp and his wife go viral on YouTube
AC/DC release an unusual music video for “Realize”
Hello, Good Evening, and Remain Indoors! As predicted, AC/DC's new album Power Up is everything we've expected from all their new albums from For Those About to Rock on. And the fact that it's hit #1 on both sides of the pond (and also Australia, where the band is technically from, even if Phil Rudd has been the only Aussie in the band since 1977) certainly helps matters. And … [Read more...] about AC/DC release an unusual music video for “Realize”
The Uncertain Future of Glastonbury 2021…
Hello, Good Evening, and Remain Indoors! If we all do it now, we might actually have a chance at a proper Glastonbury Festival this year. Last month, Emily Eavis told the BBC "we're still quite a long way from being able to say we're confident 2021 will go ahead." And, making it dire, according to Michael Eavis, it looked like Glasto "would seriously go bankrupt" if they had … [Read more...] about The Uncertain Future of Glastonbury 2021…
Bowie Lazarus film to be given virtual screenings, and the story behind his Snowman scarf.
Well, I wish I could have included this little tidbit in my actual review of The Snowman, but Duncan Jones only unveiled the news a few days before Christmas. Of course, if you've seen my review, you've probably seen that intro, and if you haven't, you probably still have, and here it is for those of you who haven't: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54MEWWIiIk8 Bowie delivers … [Read more...] about Bowie Lazarus film to be given virtual screenings, and the story behind his Snowman scarf.
British Christmas: Ten of the Best British Christmas Songs of the Last 20 Years
Since the first British singles chart in 1952, getting a chart-topping single has been the goal of many a British artist. While some of these singles over the next couple of decades were Christmas-themed, the real race to get a Christmas song on the charts didn’t start until 1973 when Slade and Wizzard both released songs in time for the holidays. Those songs, “Merry Xmas … [Read more...] about British Christmas: Ten of the Best British Christmas Songs of the Last 20 Years
Chris Rea’s “Driving Home for Christmas” starts to trend due to COVID restrictions
Hello, Good Evening, and... I think it's appropriate to say Remain Indoors given the circumstances. But before I get to that, I'd like to tell you a little story about British bluesman Chris Rea. In December 1978, he wanted to get home to Middleborough from Abbey Road. He originally planned to take a train there, but the record label didn't want to pay it, and his girlfriend … [Read more...] about Chris Rea’s “Driving Home for Christmas” starts to trend due to COVID restrictions
The Protest Against a Potential Livestreamed Concert Tariff
Hello, Good Evening, and Remain Mindful of Social Distancing Protocols! A month ago, I detailed a plan that I think could have potentially helped many venues survive this pandemic: with socially distanced concerts financially unfeasible, livestreams an ever-growing art form, and laws that allow bands to perform at venues as long as there's no audience physically present, it … [Read more...] about The Protest Against a Potential Livestreamed Concert Tariff
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!
