GUITAR music is back in vogue thanks to Oasis and The Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard could not be happier.
Twenty years after bursting on to the scene, the band are gearing up to play the biggest tour of their career, which kicks off at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Friday and includes a show at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday October 11.
Twenty years after bursting on to the scene, The Kooks are gearing up to play the biggest tour of their career[/caption]
Singer Luke Pritchard onstage earlier in the year[/caption]
Luke believes it is a positive sign that the industry is finally embracing real instruments again after years of synths and drum machines.
In an exclusive chat, Luke explained: “I feel very grateful, kind of honoured. I feel like we are part of that. Seeing Oasis this year has been incredible, and rock and roll coming back and guitar music coming back in the zeitgeist.
“And also, I’ve been bumping into young musicians that are starting out who really reference us. That’s the greatest thing for me that you could do as a songwriter, musician.
“I think even in pop music, I’m noticing more organic sounds. And the kind of country thing, you know, like Post Malone doing acoustic country music. And that being very mainstream.
“But that kind of guitar music, to me, it’s more about the attitude of rock and roll. And people always circle back to that.
“I feel like people are kind of digging into that whole thing. That rock and roll spirit.”
I saw firsthand at last month’s Reading Festival how The Kooks have won over a new generation of fans who were not even born when they first kicked on to the scene with hits like She Moves In Her Own Way.
Acknowledging the youngsters who have been turning out to see them, Luke continued: “I just feel a lot of gratitude. That generation, they’re great at rediscovering stuff from all different eras.
“I think to that generation, music is kind of era-less. They just listen for great songs.”
The band only released their top five album Never/Know in May, but they are already on to the next project.
Luke added: “I’ve started working again. I’m going to be probably delving back into my 20s and early 30s.
“I found some journals and videos and things, and I feel like I’m focusing on telling some of those stories that I haven’t told before in my writing. Hopefully trying to go a bit deeper.
“I’ve written a few songs recently. So, yeah, the next album has officially started.”
Ouch, Lola!
Singer Lola Young has fallen on stage[/caption]
Lola mid-tumble[/caption]
The incident happened hours after Lola’s manager issued a statement in which he said he had stopped her performing[/caption]
LOLA YOUNG has promised fans she’s on the mend, after collapsing mid-gig and having to be carried off stage.
The Brit singer’s worrying incident happened in New York on Saturday after Lola had suddenly cancelled a performance in New Jersey the night before over “a sensitive issue”.
But she later posted on Instagram: “Hi, for anyone who saw my set today, I am doing OK.”
She did, however, pull out a show in Maryland yesterday, and posted again: “I’m sorry to confirm I won’t be playing today. I love this job and never take my audience for granted so I’m sorry to those who will be disappointed.”
She is due to play a series of dates across the UK next month.
We wish her all the best.
Shakira shaking it in US
Shakira worked up a sweat shaking that famous booty during her New York gig[/caption]
The singer wowed at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on Saturday[/caption]
Grinding her way through a high-energy performance, Shakira was flanked by some seriously hunky dancers[/caption]
SHE may have worked up a sweat shaking that famous booty during her New York gig – but Shakira certainly didn’t hit a bum note with fans.
The Waka Waka singer wowed at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on Saturday, leaving little to the imagination in a sheer bodysuit.
And grinding her way through a high-energy performance, she was flanked by some seriously hunky dancers.
Bizarre’s Howell was invited to meet Shakira earlier this year at her huge Miami gig and couldn’t get over how she powered through her difficult choreography with ease.
She was joined on this weekend’s bill by Tyla, Arya Starr and Cardi B.
It’s years since Shakira performed in the UK, but I’m hoping whispers are correct and gigs are in the works for 2026.
Just like her hips, my sources don’t lie . . .
Queen rake in £117,000 a day
Queen Productions pop firm show they made £117,000 EACH DAY over a nine-month period from September 30, 2023, to June 25, 2024[/caption]
QUEEN really are pop royalty after posting bumper profits thanks to . . . music royalties.
New figures for Queen Productions show they made £117,000 EACH DAY over a nine-month period from September 30, 2023, to June 25, 2024.
The total of £31.6million has been lodged at Companies House.
The business returned a £17.6million pre-tax profit on its takings, and paid out £3,661,272 in dividend pay split equally between band members Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon, as well as the estate of Freddie Mercury.
According to the paperwork, the income comes from the “exploitation of the audio, visual and ancillary activities relating to the band Queen.”
It includes royalties and consolidates the results of nine other Queen firms, including their live music firm, film business and theatrical production companies.
But they’ve since had an even bigger pay day, as the accounts predate the sale of Queen’s music rights to Sony for £1billion.
Now that’s A Kind Of Magic.
Gaga getaway
LADY GAGA returns to London’s O2 Arena tomorrow night for the first time in a decade.
But before starting her six-date UK Mayhem Ball tour she headed out into the countryside for a romantic getaway.
I’m told the Born This Way singer checked in to swanky members club Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, which is popular with the Beckhams and Simon Cowell, to celebrate fiance Michael Polansky’s birthday.
The couple visited the goats at the on-site farm, and enjoyed a long walk.
Despite keeping himself out of the spotlight, Michael, who is part of Gaga’s team, has found himself with his own army of fans.
The entrepreneur is not only credited for making the superstar the happiest she’s ever been in her personal life, but he also encouraged Gaga to return to her dark pop roots for her current album Mayhem.
Released at the start of the year, the record has dominated charts around the globe and, if you ask Bizarre, the rightful winner of Album of the Year at the Grammys in February.
Gushing over her man, Gaga wrote: “Happy Birthday to my honey. I hope 42 is your best year yet, you have done so much in your 42 years I am so proud of you every day and so grateful for this day you came into the world, it was the most special day.
“This is my favorite day of the year! A crisp and almost rainy day, a long walk, with the backdrop of a sweet birthday smile and lots of laughter and angel food cake with chocolate sauce.
“Even this goat knows what a happy day your birthday is to me. I love you.”
Come what Mae at headline show
Mae Muller has just released her electric EP My Island[/caption]
MAE MULLER has announced her first headline show in three years, playing Oslo Hackney, in East London, on October 4.
The former Eurovision star, who represented the UK in Liverpool in 2023, has just released her electric EP My Island and has promised plenty of fun on the night.
She told me: “This show is my first headline as an independent artist, and first time I’ll be performing my new EP in full.
“It’s a celebration of all the music I’ve loved that has made me the artist I am right now, to the stuff I’ve made this year that I’m really proud of, and also a tease of what’s to come.”
