This Is Rambert: The Master Of Reinvention’s Centenary

Far from marking a milestone in a low key manner expected of centenarians, an exhilarating, energetic and explosion of supreme talent is turbocharging Britain’s oldest contemporary dance company’s into the next century.

North Yorkshire Artists pay tribute to David Hockney

As the art world mourns the loss of Britain’s much-loved artist David Hockney, local painters have paid tribute to his influence. David Hockney died last week aged 88 after a career crafting a visual language that was unmistakably his own. And while his influence was global - from California to his native Yorkshire via Europe - his importance will also be greatly missed locally.

Skunk Anansie And Garbage Disturb The Peace In Halifax

Two bands from the same era came together for what was the most rock-orientated affair so far in the summer series of concerts at the Piece Hall in Halifax. Skunk Anansie and Garbage were two of the biggest rock bands in the late nineties, both offering their take on the alternative side of the genre.

Igor Levit Launches His Own Label With A Defiant Message For Troubled Times

The Russian-born German pianist Igor Levit, one of the most politically outspoken and intellectually restless musicians of his generation, is to launch his own record label — NO SILENCE — with three debut releases due on 23 October 2026 in partnership with Sony Classical.

In Conversation: Sons Of Sevilla's Reuben Vaun Smith And Henry Smith

With their third album It Could Be Today set for release this October, Sons of Sevilla are entering a new creative chapter. The West Yorkshire sibling duo, Reuben Vaun Smith and Henry Smith, have expanded their dreamy blend of psychedelic soul, dream-pop and West Coast influences following a transformative tour across the United States.

In Conversation: Jack And Finlay From Walt Disco

Fresh from signing with EMI North, Glasgow’s walt disco return with their electrifying new single, Coup de foudre – a bold, dancefloor-ready anthem that signals an exciting new chapter for one of the UK’s most distinctive alternative bands.

Lola Young at Birmingham's O2 Academy

For Lola Young, this tour feels less like a victory lap than a hard-won return. The past year has transformed the South London singer from cult favourite to international star, with Messy becoming an unexpected global phenomenon and catapulting her onto some of the world's biggest stages. Yet the success came at a cost.

Albums: Myles Smith My Mess, My Heart, My Life

The songs here sound big and bold and connect easily with a euphoric energy and will sound perfect on his upcoming arena tour this autumn.

In Conversation: Micko & The Mellotronics

Following a string of acclaimed singles exploring everything from illicit affairs to the realities of 'proper jobs', Micko & The Mellotronics return with their ambitious third album, The Trinity. Released on 12th June, the record blends sharp songwriting, personal reflection and eclectic musical influences, spanning everything from ’70s new wave to contemporary sounds.

Poem Of The Week: Abra-Cadabra By Grace Nichols

Abra-Cadabra My mother had more magic in her thumb than the length and breadth of any magician Weaving incredible stories around the dark-green senna brew just to make us slake the ritual Sunday purgative Knowing how to place a cochineal poultice on a fevered forehead Knowing how to measure a belly's symmetry kneading the narah pains away Once my baby sister stuffed a split-pea up her no…

From Rugby Pitch To Rock Venue: Jack Cullen's 22-Marathon Mission

Fresh from his first headline European solo tour, Jack Cullen is preparing for his most ambitious challenge yet: running 22 ultramarathons in 22 days from Berlin to London ahead of his biggest headline show to date at Oslo Hackney.

Classical Music: House of Wonder – Sally Beamish Celebrates 70 Years

House of Wonder, assembled to mark Beamish's seventieth birthday, is above all a personal album, and that comes through in every bar. To celebrate the occasion, Beamish has returned to the instrument that first shaped her career as a performer in the 1980s: the viola. Crucially, the instrument she plays throughout is a viola made in 2014 by Stephanie Irvine—a gift that, in Beamish's own account, rekindled her relationship with the instrument entirely. The album gathers works written by Beamish for herself to play alongside new commissions from her three children—all accomplished musicians in their own right—and a circle of close collaborators.

Classical Music: Mel Bonis Orchestral Music

The music is, for the most part, elegantly crafted rather than profoundly searching—these are miniatures that delight in surface and atmosphere rather than structural ambition—and there were moments when the lush, exotic colouring put me in mind of Rimsky-Korsakov, particularly the languorous orientalism of Shéhérazade.

All Singing, All Dancing, All Amber

She's the cabaret siren, bringing a blaze of Broadway glamour, old Hollywood shimmer and flame-haired icons to Ripon – and she cannot, she insists, do a show without funny bones. There is a particular kind of performer who walks into a room and instantly rearranges its atmosphere. Amber Topaz is one of those.

Let Their Broadway Dream Come True

A prestigious Broadway training organisation has teamed up with Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort to bring professional-level Broadway training to ambitious performers who may otherwise not have access to such opportunities.

Albums: Olivia Rodrigo You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love

A devastatingly beautiful release from beginning to end, Olivia Rodrigo’s third album is a triumph of songwriting, performance and emotional storytelling. It is bold, vulnerable and endlessly compelling — the kind of album that deepens with every listen. More importantly, it feels like a defining statement from an artist who continues to surpass even the highest expectations. Her finest moment to date.

Leeds Through The Eyes Of Mik Artistik: Exhibition Celebrates The City’s People And Places

The faces, characters and stories of Leeds take centre stage this summer in a new exhibition by acclaimed artist and performer Mik Artistik, on display at Armley Library from 15 June to 11 July 2026. For more than 40 years, Mik has drawn the people of Leeds wherever he finds them – in pubs, libraries, bus stations, cafés and on street corners.

The Summer Showcase 2026

Lovers of beautifully curated art have a treat in store this summer. The cream of artists, inspired by and living and working in the stunning Peak District, are holding their annual showcase in Buxton on July 18th and 19th.

In Conversation: Amy Lee From Evanescence

Few bands have left a mark on modern rock and metal quite like Evanescence. More than two decades after Bring Me To Life exploded onto the airwaves and cemented itself as an anthem for the ages, Amy Lee and her band remain a creative force, continually evolving while staying true to the emotional intensity that made them global icons.

Has Another Spirit Been Awakened At Ripon’s Workhouse Museum?

Has the spirit of a former inmate been awakened in the dormitory at Ripon’s Workhouse Museum?

18 Conductors Selected For The 6th Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition In Birmingham

The Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition has announced the 18 conductors selected to participate in its sixth edition, which will take place from 3 to 6 September 2026 in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in partnership with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO).

Westminster Launch Of New National Alliance Calling For Greater Recognition Of Independent Regional Theatre

Five regional independent theatres (Birmingham Hippodrome, Leeds Heritage Theatres, Norwich Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal, and Marlowe Canterbury) launched the Regional Independent Theatre Alliance (RITA) at a Parliamentary Reception in Westminster. This evening, Wednesday 10 June 2026, five regional independent theatres launched the Regional Independent Theatre Alli…

The Jacksons Return To The North

The Jacksons are heading back to the UK this November for a very special run of headline shows, celebrating the timeless hits and extraordinary legacy of one of the most influential groups in pop history.

Davóne Tines – Meet The ‘Electrifying’ Singer Rewriting The Rules

US-born baritone Davóne Tines, renowned for his work in opera and gospel, has been described as an “electrifying” performer (The Guardian). The Grammy-nominated singer, named Musical America’s Vocalist of the Year in 2022, is appearing at the Wesley Centre, in Harrogate, on 12 June.

In Conversation: Maisy Kay

British-born, Los Angeles-based alt-pop artist Maisy Kay is enjoying a landmark year. Returning to the UK this June to support LANY on their arena tour, including a milestone performance at OVO Arena Wembley, the Shropshire native is bringing her cinematic, emotionally charged sound to her biggest home audiences yet.

A Bit Of A Lark! The Impossible Fortune By Richard Osman

They’re back, The Thursday Murder Club! The residents of Cooper’s Chase Retirement Village. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are on the trail of the baddies once more and, as ever, are aided by Chris and Donna and of course, Bogdan, among others. The familiarity is comforting, like a cup of cocoa on a winter’s day. It’s a new puzzle but you know you’re surrounded by helpful friends.

The Circus Is Back In Town — And It's Bigger, Bolder And More Magical Than Before

Having returned from the musical wilderness back in 2006 after an 11-year absence, Take That had proven with Beautiful World that they were still a chart-topping force to be reckoned with. However, the pressure was on for their 2008 release, The Circus, to meet these heightened expectations.

Gold In Halifax Shed Seven

Shed Seven, York’s favourite sons, opened up a summer series of concerts at the Piece Hall in Halifax, undoubtedly the best historic open-air venue in the country. The inaugural night felt aptly justified and celebratory – and for good reason. With the thirtieth anniversary of the album A Maximum High, the band had plenty to celebrate.

Opera North Offer Pay What You Want Concert For All Ages

This month brings some of the most well-known and best-loved music into the centre of Leeds as Opera North performs Classics in the Square, a celebration of Leeds 400 and the latest addition to the summer series being held by Leeds City Council in Millennium Square.

Albums: Now Yearbook- Vault ‘85

Now Yearbook- Vault ‘85 The Now Music series continues with the release of this four track CD which concentrates on songs from artists who might not be as famous as some of their other tracks.

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