Items from the personal archive of late DJ John Peel, which include a record signed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, are set to be auctioned off next month. Peel – real name was John Ravenscroft – died in 2004 from a heart attack aged 65. In the 1980s, he was a presenter on Top Of The Pops, and regularly covered the Glastonbury Festival, with The John Peel Stage being … [Read more...] about Records and memorabilia of late DJ John Peel will be auctioned off next month
British Music
International song contest links Nashville and Liverpool
A global competition linking the famed music cities of Nashville and Liverpool has been launched. The Liverpool International Song Contest will culminate with the top 10 finalists battling it out in the home of country music on John Lennon’s birthdate on October 9. It follows in the footsteps of last year’s inaugural event staged at Liverpool’s Cavern Club and inspired by the … [Read more...] about International song contest links Nashville and Liverpool
Spinal Tap’s drummer dies, explosives apparently not involved
I, like most right-thinking people, love This is Spinal Tap. It manages to not only be a hilarious film that people care enough about decades later that the band actually reunited for a concert 35 years after its release, it even portrayed such an accurate portrait of the rock and roll lifestyle at the time that artists like Ozzy Osborne, Jimmy Page, Glenn Danzig, George … [Read more...] about Spinal Tap’s drummer dies, explosives apparently not involved
The BBC to announce a Prom night for video game music
Unlike many of my generation, I could never get the hang of playing video games. At least nothing more complex than Tetris or any Solitaire apps. That said, I watch enough content from YouTubers who do that I have a little basic knowledge of video game culture. And one thing I know about it is that, in the past 40 years, video games have gone from being perceived as just a toy … [Read more...] about The BBC to announce a Prom night for video game music
The guitar that killed Oasis to be auctioned.
On 28 August 2009, Liam and Noel Gallagher had a fight. While this was nothing new, and things had deteriorated between the two to the point where they were traveling separately, something was different about this fight. Their most recent concert for their Dig Out Your Soul tour was canceled after Liam got a bad case of laryngitis. Noel said Liam had a hangover, which … [Read more...] about The guitar that killed Oasis to be auctioned.
David Bowie documentary “Moonage Daydream” to be released
In 2014, Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck was released. It was a fascinating film, even if it did lean a bit too far on the depression that led to his taking his life in 1994. If nothing else, it brought focus on Cobain as a human being more than Cobain as the icon of his generation. And now, it looks like Brett Morgen, who directed that film, is going to follow that film up with a … [Read more...] about David Bowie documentary “Moonage Daydream” to be released
Ed Sheeran announces his plan to stave off plagiarism lawsuits
As I mentioned before, Ed Sheeran has recently had to deal with a major copyright lawsuit. His record-breaking single "Shape of You" was accused of ripping off Sami Switch's "Oh Why." And despite it turning out that the similarities between the two songs turned out to be far less than meets the ear, the lawsuit had a profound effect on him. The fact that this isn't the first … [Read more...] about Ed Sheeran announces his plan to stave off plagiarism lawsuits
Ed Sheeran Responds to “Shape of You” verdict
While I was beaten to the punch before I got to write about the verdict for Ed Sheeran's recent trial over "Shape of You", there's one part that wasn't mentioned in the previous article: Ed Sheeran made a response to the trial and its verdict. A transcript of the video: "Hey, guys, Me, Johnny and Steve have made a joint statement that will be press released on the … [Read more...] about Ed Sheeran Responds to “Shape of You” verdict
Unheard Sir Paul McCartney demo recording to go under the hammer
A previously unheard cassette recording by Sir Paul McCartney is expected to fetch £10,000 at auction this month. The recording sees the former Beatle, who turns 80 in June, performing a demo version of his original song Attention, which would eventually end up on his bandmate Sir Ringo Starr’s 1981 album Stop And Smell The Roses. The demo version runs for four minutes … [Read more...] about Unheard Sir Paul McCartney demo recording to go under the hammer
Pink Floyd to release first new song in 28 years
It has been 28 years since Pink Floyd released The Division Bell. Granted, in the meantime, they've gotten together a few times, mostly to play four songs at Live 8 in 2005 and record some additional material for an album of salvaged scraps from The Division Bell's sessions called The Endless River. But something has happened that inspired the band to get back together and … [Read more...] about Pink Floyd to release first new song in 28 years
Ed Sheeran wins High Court copyright battle over Shape Of You hit
Ed Sheeran’s 2017 hit Shape Of You does not infringe another artist’s copyright, a High Court judge has ruled. At a trial last month, the singer and his Shape Of You co-writers, Snow Patrol’s John McDaid and producer Steven McCutcheon, faced accusations that they ripped off the 2015 song Oh Why by Sami Chokri and Ross O’Donoghue. In a ruling on Wednesday, Mr. Justice … [Read more...] about Ed Sheeran wins High Court copyright battle over Shape Of You hit
Sir Paul McCartney’s childhood home to inspire new generation of musicians
The home where Sir Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s song-writing partnership began is set to open its doors to a new generation of aspiring musicians. The terraced house on Forthlin Road in Allerton, Liverpool, now owned by the National Trust, was the childhood home of Sir Paul. Its living room was described by one Beatles historian as “the crucible” of the … [Read more...] about Sir Paul McCartney’s childhood home to inspire new generation of musicians
Harry Styles’ new single “As It Was” and video released
It's been a long time since Harry Styles released his last album. Even if it seems like only yesterday that I could remember writing about one of the singles from his last album and realised that I had perhaps adjusted a bit too well to the lockdowns. But now, it looks like he's found the time to release his newest album, Harry's House. Admittedly, the album hasn't been … [Read more...] about Harry Styles’ new single “As It Was” and video released
Genesis performs their last concert and reunites with Peter Gabriel… kind of
I can remember hearing about how Genesis was going on another tour about a week or two before the world ended. On 20 September 2021, it finally started in Birmingham. And on March 26, it finally ended at the O2 Arena in London. And Phil really made a big deal about how this was going to be their last gig. Just before starting "Land of Confusion," he sat down and told the … [Read more...] about Genesis performs their last concert and reunites with Peter Gabriel… kind of
Stars pay tribute to Dame Vera Lynn during Westminster thanksgiving service
Katherine Jenkins, Alan Titchmarsh, and Jonathan Dimbleby were among those who paid tribute to Dame Vera Lynn at a thanksgiving service in London to celebrate the life and work of the wartime singer. The service was held at Westminster Abbey on Monday with members of her family, friends from the world of music, representatives from charities she supported, and members of the … [Read more...] about Stars pay tribute to Dame Vera Lynn during Westminster thanksgiving service
Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” trial so far…
A few years ago, I wrote about how Ed Sheeran was hit with a plagiarism case, and one that actually seemed like it could be credible: that the chorus for "Shape of You" sounded very similar to a song by Sami Chokri (known professionally as Sami Switch) called "Oh Why." Unlike another case where "Thinking Out Loud" was alleged to be based on Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On," … [Read more...] about Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” trial so far…
Glastobury Festival confirms 2022 lineup
If you've been following the news about the Glastonbury Festival, you'll probably be aware that they had to cancel the festival for the past two years due to the ongoing plague situation. And it looks like they're hoping third time is the charm and the Festival might actually end up happening this June. The last time I wrote about it, they confirmed Billie Eilish as a … [Read more...] about Glastobury Festival confirms 2022 lineup
The Royal Albert Hall announces a music talent competition
I'm sure I've mentioned that the Royal Albert Hall is one of the most prestigious musical venues in Britain, if not the most prestigious. And, even though less than two years ago, they risked going broke, their fortunes appear to have bounced back enough that they're willing to help finance some new promising act. Which one? You'll just have to find out with the rest of us when … [Read more...] about The Royal Albert Hall announces a music talent competition
Rave to be held under the wings of a Concorde
Ah, yes, the Concorde. They called it the plane of dreams... and it was... Or at least they probably should have. It was famous for two things: its luxury and speed, with numerous innovations (all the way down to the paint scheme) designed to allow it to reach supersonic speeds (something exactly one other commercial airliner has ever managed to accomplish), even crossing … [Read more...] about Rave to be held under the wings of a Concorde
Paul McCartney’s handwritten Hey Jude lyrics go on display
A notebook containing Paul McCartney’s handwritten lyrics for Hey Jude has gone on display after it was donated to a museum by a former Hollyoaks actress. The notebook, which belonged to the Fab Four’s bodyguard and PA Mal Evans, was compiled between 1967 and 1968 and also includes a part-lyric for Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, recording notes by George Harrison for … [Read more...] about Paul McCartney’s handwritten Hey Jude lyrics go on display
Brian Epstein statue to be installed in Liverpool
Brian Epstein was probably the missing link that allowed The Beatles, a less than clean-cut rock band that divided their time between whatever clubs in Liverpool would take them and the Reeperbahn in Hamburg, to become the clean-cut chaps from Liverpool who ended up becoming probably the most influential rock band in recorded history. Sometime in the 1990s, Paul McCartney said … [Read more...] about Brian Epstein statue to be installed in Liverpool
Pete Doherty signs a Glasgow prisoner to his record label
Recently, Pete Doherty of the Libertines went on Craig "Dave Lister" Charles' Radio 6 Music show and they talked for a bit about his new single "You Can't Keep It From Me Forever." But the most interesting part of the conversation came about 68 minutes into the program when they talked about something Doherty did at HM Prison Barlinnie in Glasgow last year: Namely, he … [Read more...] about Pete Doherty signs a Glasgow prisoner to his record label
Emily Eavis reveals when to expect the full line-up of Glastonbury 2022
As I write this, it's been two years since the Glastonbury Festival has taken place. While there's usually some sort of fallow year to allow the land at Worthy Farm to heal after five or six summers' worth of festivals, our current plague managed to kill the chances of two years' worth of festivals in a row. And they even got as far as releasing their full line-up before … [Read more...] about Emily Eavis reveals when to expect the full line-up of Glastonbury 2022
Adele postpones her Las Vegas residency
As I write this, Adele would have been well into her residency at Caesar's Palace, her first set of shows since 2017. Unfortunately, things were not meant to be. And so, she posted this video to her Instagram. And, fortunately, someone put it on YouTube for me to embed: Quoth Adele: "Half my crew, half my team are down with COVID. They still are, and it's been impossible … [Read more...] about Adele postpones her Las Vegas residency
Paddy Considine’s band Riding the Low release a new single
Paddy Considine. The name might not be familiar, but you've almost certainly seen him in something, whether it's 24 Hour Party People, Hot Fuzz, World's End, The Red Riding Trilogy, Dead Man's Shoes, The Bourne Ultimatum, Submarine, The Outsider, or his directorial debut Tyrannosaur. And if you haven't seen any of those films, you'll probably see him later in the year when Game … [Read more...] about Paddy Considine’s band Riding the Low release a new single
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!
