NPR Tiny Desk: A sanctuary for Black musical brilliance
In the ever-evolving landscape of live music, NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts have emerged as a place of authenticity - a space where artistry isn't just showcased but celebrated in its most unfiltered form.
For Black musicians, this platform has become more than just a stage; it's a sanctuary where our stories, struggles, and triumphs are given the spotlight they deserve.
J Cole is getting more personal than ever on The Fall Off
J. Cole's upcoming album, The Fall Off, is shaping up to be a deeply personal and lyrically rich project, according to insights from producer DZL.
In a recent interview, DZL - who collaborated with Cole on the 2024 mixtape Might Delete Later - shared that the album will showcase "top-tier raps" and offer listeners a more intimate look into Cole's life.
Coachella 2025 gave the stage to icons and issues on the first weekend
Coachella 2025 wrapped its first weekend with a kaleidoscope of performances, surprise collaborations, and cultural statements that left the desert buzzing.
Kendal Calling: What to Expect From The ‘Glastonbury of the North’
The pure elation that comes from setting up your tent and opening that first ‘tinnie’ is enough to persuade anyone to sell an arm and a leg just to secure a ticket at one of the many music festivals in the UK.
Surely there’s nothing that could top that, right?
Les Miserables - A revolutionary musical or empty chairs in empty theatres?
Les Miserables has been my all-time favourite musical from a young age.
I remember back in my first year of secondary school, singing “Do you hear the people sing” as the finale to the school musical, and I was hooked.
The film, featuring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, has been watched and rewatched an embarrassingly high number of times to the point where I know the music and the score by heart, a skill I am probably too proud of.
But on the actual musical, incredible.
Glastonbury 2025 headliner: A look at American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo
The clocks have sprung forward for Spring and we can start getting ready for the summer festivals, with Glastonbury 2025 shaping up to be a cracker this year.
We have looked at the headline acts, with Simon Wilkes explaining why he won’t be watching The 1975 before taking a look at Neil Young’s epic career so far.
Here, Music News Blitz takes a look at the artist closing out the weekend with the Sunday night slot on the iconic Pyramid Stage, where the flags will be flying for Olivia Rodrigo.
One year of ‘COWBOY CARTER’: How Beyoncé’s genre-defying album won hearts and redefined boundaries
On March 29, 2024, Beyoncé released COWBOY CARTER, and with it, she rewrote the rules of country music, shattered expectations, and, quite honestly, blew our minds.
Now, a year later, we’re still in awe of what she accomplished - a genre-defying, Grammy-winning masterpiece that dared to be bold, soulful, and unapologetically Black.
This wasn’t just an album. It was a cultural reset.
Brighter, bolder, better: Ariana Grande’s ‘eternal sunshine’ deluxe is everything we needed and more
It’s finally here, and WOW - eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead is everything we needed and more.
Ariana Grande just blessed us with six new tracks and a short film that somehow made this already iconic album even better.
I loved eternal sunshine when it first dropped, but this deluxe version? Absolutely next-level.
Are those actual car sounds in the F1 Theme song?
The Formula 1 theme song is as much a part of race weekends as the pre-race tension, the roar of the engines, and the lights going out.
Composed by Brian Tyler, it captures the intensity, speed, and drama of the sport in a grand orchestral piece.
But if you've ever listened closely, you might have wondered; are those actual F1 car sounds in the theme, or is it just musical trickery?
‘Come Alive’ The Musical review - The Greatest Show or more Barnum Humbug?
After navigating the twists and turns of London’s underground stations - where I may or may not have gotten us lost - my partner, Chloe, and I finally arrived at West Brompton station.
A short three-minute walk brought us to the Empress Museum, the venue for Come Alive, and wow - what an experience.
Having seen a plethora of live performances - from musicals and comedy to concerts and plays - making the following statement isn’t easy. But I stand by it completely:
Music opinion: Four UK artists that deserve more recognition
It’s easy to get into a rut and turn a blind eye to the smaller up-and-coming artists that could be the ‘next big thing’.
Here, Music News Blitz writer Amelie Da Costa looks at four Northern bands and musicians worth considering for your next music listening session.
Eternal sunshine deluxe: Ariana Grande expands her vision with ‘brighter days ahead
Ariana Grande’s 'eternal sunshine' was never just an album - it was a statement, a deeply personal journey wrapped in shimmering synths and raw emotion.
Now, one year after its release, she’s expanding that world with 'eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead', set to arrive on March 28, 2025.
Review: Back to the Future: The Musical - Time well spent or a waste of time?
It was a sunny Friday evening in March of 2025, when my girlfriend Chloe and I took a trip to the Adelphi Theatre in London, a birthday present from her to me, to see Back to the Future: The Musical and put simply, it did not disappoint.
This was the second time I had seen the show, the first being when it opened in Manchester back in 2020, which is something I do, and will continue to, brag about at every opportunity.
The film itself is my all-time favourite and so when the story was retold in a musical theatre fashion, and as a self-proclaimed ‘thespian’, my dreams came true.
One year of eternal sunshine: The album that defined Ariana Grande’s artistry
One year ago today, Ariana Grande released what I truly believe is the best project of her career.
Eternal sunshine isn’t just an album - it’s an experience, a novel of emotions wrapped in stunning production and deeply personal lyrics.
It’s the kind of record that makes you feel something with every listen.
Glastonbury news: Why I won’t be watching The 1975’s Headline act at Worthy Farm
Ah March. The sun starts shining, the evenings are longer - and you find out who is headlining Glastonbury.
All is good with the world (apart from the whole Trump-Putin-Zelensky stuff), and then you find out The 1975 are headlining Friday night.
Matty Healy and his gang will headline for the first time at Worthy Farm - but I’m afraid I won’t be tuning in, as this band are firmly in my ‘just don’t get it’ camp.
Glastonbury Festival 2025: The headliners, the heritage, the myth and the music
Glastonbury 2025 will take place at Worthy Farm in Somerset from June 25-29 this summer, with The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo taking the headline slots.
Matty Healy's 1975 will be headline for the first time on Friday night, while US star Rodrigo will close the Festival on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday night.
Neil Young will take to the stage on Saturday evening, with Charli XCX, Raye, Biffy Clyro, Alanis Morrissette and The Prodigy also set to entertain Glastonbury’s masses.
Music News Blitz album review and rating: People Watching - Sam Fender
Geordie sensation Sam Fender has graced us once again with his third studio LP titled ‘People Watching’, writes Music News Blitz’s Elliot Cox.
Fans have been absolutely ‘clammin’ for more material from Sam Fender since the critically-acclaimed ‘Seventeen Going Under’ record three years prior.
Meet the Music News Blitz team part three: Karaoke choices, fave albums and guilty pleasures
Thanks to parts one and two of our Meet the Music News Blitz content team series, we feel like we know them quite well now - but who do they turn to with a microphone in hand?
In the third and final part, we discover their karaoke choices, favourite albums, get under the covers, and find out their guilty pleasures, as well as assembling some random party guests…
Meet the Music News Blitz team part two: Fave songs, memories and ‘don’t-get’ artists
In part one of our Meet the Music News Blitz content team, we grilled them on their best and worst gigs, and asked which Festivals are on their bucket lists.
Here, part two delves into their favourite song in recent times, songs that evoke cherished memories - and revered artists they ‘just don’t get’.
Meet the Music News Blitz team part one: Best gigs, worst gigs and Festival bucket lists
The Music News Blitz content team is a heady mix of Bob Dylan, Prodigy and Beatles fans - but you don’t know them from Adam, so it’s time to introduce them.
Content Editor Harvey Cotterill is taking on the role of front man, but he has a brilliant backing band, so let’s find out what floats their musical boats in part one of our editor intros…