Music

Culture news

Eric Lu celebrates 'dream come true' victory at Chopin competition

American classical pianist Eric Lu is celebrating a "dream come true" after winning the International Chopin Competition with a stunning performance in Warsaw.

22/10/2025

Culture news

Spotify users boycott streaming platform over ICE recruitment ads

Spotify has been running a series of recruitment ads for ICE and said that the ads referring to “dangerous illegals” do not violate their advertising policy. This has prompted more and more subscribers to (further) boycott the streaming giant.

22/10/2025

Culture news

Heavy Metal Lady: Japan’s first female Prime Minister's music past

Did you know that Sanae Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female Prime Minister this week, was once a heavy metal drummer?

22/10/2025

Culture news

Ryuichi Sakamoto estate joins ‘No Music For Genocide’ campaign

The estate of legendary Japanese composer joins the likes of Björk, Massive Attack and Fontaines D.C. in the boycott initiative, in response to the genocide in Gaza.

21/10/2025

Culture news

Kenny Loggins slams Donald Trump for using his song in AI poo video

Loggins’ song ‘Danger Zone’ was recorded for the soundtrack of ‘Top Gun’ and was used in Trump's "disgusting" AI-generated video, published as a response to the historic No Kings protests.

21/10/2025

Culture news

Polish pianist carries home hopes into Chopin competition final

The jury of the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, chaired by Garrick Ohlsson, have decided on 11 pianists for the final round of competition with local hopes resting on the playing hands of Poland's Piotr Alexewicz.

17/10/2025

Culture news

Goodbye Spaceman: Founding KISS guitarist Ace Frehley dies aged 74

Known to fans as Spaceman, Ace Frehley was one of KISS' founding members alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. The iconic rocker was reportedly struggling with medical issues after a fall this year.

17/10/2025

Culture news

Sam Fender wins Mercury Prize 2025 for album ‘People Watching’

Established in 1992, the prestigious award honours the best album released by a British or Irish artist each year. And for the first time in its history, the event took place outside of London this year.

17/10/2025

Culture news

Celebrities pay tribute to neo-soul pioneer D'Angelo, dead at 51

Tributes have flooded in for Grammy-award winning R&B and soul singer D'Angelo, who died aged 51, following a "prolonged and courageous battle with cancer."

15/10/2025

Culture news

Eurovision delays vote over Israel's participation in song contest

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has pushed to December a vote planned for next month over Israel's Eurovision participation after the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

14/10/2025

Culture news

MTV music channels to be switched off across Europe by end of 2025

A sign of changing times... And a business decision that represents a cultural moment, signalling the death of communal music discovery and prompting a reflection on how we consume music in the digital age.

13/10/2025

Culture news

Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry dating rumours confirmed?

Everyone needs some temporary respite from punishing news headlines... And former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and pop superstar Katy Perry may have given us a brief moment of levity, with dating rumours seemingly confirmed by photos published this weekend.

13/10/2025

Culture news

Music legend Dolly Parton reassures fans: 'I ain’t dead yet!'

Country music legend Dolly Parton has posted a video to reassure fans that she “ain’t dead yet” after her sister raised rumours of her ill health.

09/10/2025

Culture news

Taylor Swift breaks Adele's album sales record in less than a week

Despite mixed reviews, Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl' has broken a major record held by British singer Adele. Swift's 12th album has now secured a new record for the largest week, by equivalent album units, for an album.

09/10/2025

Culture news

UK prosecutors threaten to appeal terror charge against Kneecap rapper

A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesperson said they were appealing the decision to dismiss the terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh. The case was thrown out last month and now, Kneecap have released a statement addressed to the "Police (British) State".

08/10/2025

Culture news

Dolly Parton's sister asks fans to pray for the country icon's health

Last week, Dolly Parton postponed her Las Vegas residency until September 2026, telling her fans that she’s been facing “health challenges”. Now, her sister Freida has asked fans to pray for the singer's wellbeing.

08/10/2025

Culture news

Explained: Why the Taylor Swift backlash is already in full swing

“Can’t you just be nice to your fans for once? Haven’t you got enough of their money yet?” Here's why even some of the most dedicated Taylor Swift fans have had enough...

07/10/2025

Culture news

Why will Robbie Williams not be playing the final show of his tour?

British singer Robbie Williams' concert at Ataköy Marina, which was due to take place tonight, has been cancelled due to increasing calls for protests and security concerns amid the second anniversary of the Hamas attacks in Israel.

07/10/2025

Health news

Creative pursuits can help slow brain ageing, new research reveals

Using machine-learning “brain clocks", researchers showed that creative engagement can preserve functional connectivity in brain regions most vulnerable to decline.

07/10/2025

Cult

Art as a voice for Sudan’s unseen struggles

In partnership with Media City

Seeing Sudan: Politics Through Art" at Georgetown University in Qatar showcases the resilience and creativity of Sudanese people. Artists like Alsarah, Khalid Albaih, and Omer Al Tijani highlight how art preserves cultural identity and raises awareness of Sudan's struggles amidst conflict.

06/10/2025