Culture news AI Kurt Cobain: The horror of Instagram's chatbots Instagram's AI Kurt Cobain chatbot is extremely popular, logging more than 105.5k interactions to date. However, if you look at the conversations, it reveals a disturbing problem... 04/06/2025
Culture news SXSW London accused of ‘artwashing’ for hosting panel with Tony Blair The participation of former British prime ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron were hidden from the public line-up of the inaugural edition of the festival SXSW London. This has prompted several artists to pull out and criticise the festival. 03/06/2025
Culture news SoundCloud updates AI policy following backlash A new letter from SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton states: "We don’t build generative AI tools, and we don’t allow third parties to scrape or use artist content from SoundCloud to train them either.” This follows a backlash after the platform's Terms Of Use were quietly updated in February. 02/06/2025
Culture news Elon Musk brands Bono a 'liar' and an 'idiot' over USAID comments The U2 frontman was on the Joe Rogan podcast and cited a report that said over 300,000 people will die as a result of Musk's cuts to international aid. 02/06/2025
Culture news The best things to do, hear, see or watch in Europe this week Europe's first Museum of Contemporary Palestinian Art, a new album from Little Simz and the World of John Wick brings us ballerina assassins — here are this week's cultural highlights. 02/06/2025
No Comment Music experiment at French zoo aims to improve animal behaviour At Branféré Zoo, music is being used in a behavioural study to see if it helps animals socialise or reduces aggression. Sessions last seven minutes. 30/05/2025
Culture news Strauss' Blue Danube waltz beams into space for his 200th birthday To mark the 200th birthday of Austrian composer Johann Strauss II, the country is sending his iconic waltz, The Blue Danube, into space - decades after it was left off the Voyager Golden Record. 30/05/2025
No Comment Brazilian nuns go viral after beatbox TV performance Two Brazilian nuns have become an online sensation after performing a spontaneous beatbox and dance routine on a Catholic television programme. 28/05/2025
Travel News New beach regulations spark controversy in Rio de Janeiro Set to come into force at the beginning of June, the new rules restrict live music, food and drink sales, chair rentals and even the name of kiosks. 27/05/2025
Culture news Billie Eilish sweeps American Music Awards 2025 with seven wins Billie Eilish emerged triumphant as the biggest winner of the night, winning all seven of her nominations. Check out the full results below. 27/05/2025
Culture news How Daniela Pes uses her Italian dialect to make nonsensical music Daniela Pes brings together haunting melodies, juddering loops and her rare Italian dialect to create an otherworldly experience of music. 27/05/2025
Culture news Singer Billy Joel cancels all concerts after brain illness diagnosis Billy Joel has called off all his upcoming concerts after being diagnosed with a debilitating brain illness which affects his 'hearing, vision and balance.' 24/05/2025
Culture news Bono speaks out against Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu for first time Bono spoke out against Hamas and called for Israel to be "released from Benjamin Netanyahu" in plea to "stop war" during the Ivor Novello Awards in London. His comments mark the first time the human rights activist has spoken out in public against the Israeli prime minister. 23/05/2025
Culture news Ivor Novello Awards 2025: Charli XCX, U2 and Robbie Williams win big Charli XCX, Robbie Williams, rapper Berwyn and U2 triumphed at the Ivors, Britain's annual awards for songwriters and screen composers. Irish rockers U2 became the first Irish act to win a fellowship. 23/05/2025
Culture news Eurovision winner JJ wants Israel to be excluded from song contest The Austrian winner of the 2025 song competition says he would hope to see Israel excluded from next year's contest in Vienna. 22/05/2025
Culture news Trump shares fake clip of him hitting Bruce Springsteen with golf ball Donald Trump has shared a now viral fake clip of him hitting Bruce Springsteen with a golf ball – the latest in a continuing back and forth between the US president and The Boss. Springsteen has doubled down on political criticism by releasing a digital EP that includes his anti-Trump comments. 22/05/2025
Culture news Member of Irish rap trio Kneecap charged with a terror offense in UK Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh - who performs under the stage name Mo Chara - will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next month, the Metropolitan Police says. 22/05/2025
Lifestyle It's not a phase: How to celebrate World Goth Day in Europe Wake the dead! World Goth Day celebrations are once again underway across the continent. Here's how you can take part. 22/05/2025
Culture news Gorillaz to celebrate 25th anniversary with new immersive exhibition “Somewhere between order and chaos...” Celebrated British virtual band Gorillaz are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year with four special live dates and a new immersive exhibition in London, titled House Of Kong. 21/05/2025
Modern Nomads Kazakhstan’s musicals bring national stories to the modern stage In partnership with MDQ Kazakhstan’s musical theatre is rising again. Rooted in tradition and reimagined for today, the genre is connecting generations — and taking local stories to new audiences at home and abroad. 21/05/2025