Sarah Darling: Winning the hearts and souls of UK Country fans

Photo: Andy Teo

Written by Sahar Summer Bayer

Tonight its Nashville meets London as Sarah Darling makes a sweet entrance, accompanied by her sweet vocals. A magical evening that ends in a starry night both in the Chapel and above as the stars glisten.

Performing at the Union Chapel ,an undoubtedly fitting venue ,Darling manages to win our hearts and souls while also heightening sentiments of Christmas cheer and togetherness during this holiday season. Sarah performed an array of her old and new songs as well as classic and timely Christmas songs to celebrate the winter season.Having recently released her highly anticipated 5th studio album with with pop and folk undertones ,‘Wonderland’, the show began with Call Me. Her promising album has achieved much acclaim rising to the UK Country charts to reach number 1, alongside two British Country Music Award nominations for ‘International Touring Artist of the Year’ and ‘International Album’. This reinforces Darling’s position as a global country star. Her album would therefore make a lovely addition to someone’s stocking!

She had several guests throughout the evening such as Jamie Lawson who did a goosebump-worthy rendition of Cohen’s Hallelujah. This was followed by a performance by The Wandering Hearts, enriched in gorgeous harmony, as she introduces them as her 'Americana Dream'. From the band, Lizzie and Catherine joined Sarah for a take on Joni Mitchell’s River and The Dixie Chicks version of Landslide. The trio clearly have great stage presence and chemistry so it would be great to see them continue to perform and write together.

Darling’s songs are soaked with vivid imagery and have the ability to evoke powerful and heart-wrenching emotions, as Darling mentions “from heartbreak to loss” and reassuring that “feelings are much like waves and they go if they want to.” The chapel evidently added an ethereal and magical flair. Darling ended her show with London Fog before serenading us into a trance with an acapella of Silent Night. She was met with deserving applause and a standing ovation. Understandably so, as her music and performances are so elegant and have a lullaby quality - so effortless and dreamy, wonderfully encapsulating the spirit of Christmas. A Winter Wonderland indeed.

International-superstar Lionel Richie announces 2020 European tour

International superstar Lionel Richie has announced a string of European dates for his Hello Tour in 2020. The dates will see Richie headline at 10 festivals throughout Europe next summer. Kicking off on the 4th June in Wrexham in the UK, the tour will consist of more than 24 shows across Europe, hitting Germany, Sweden, Norway, Portugal and Denmark with further dates set to be announced before Christmas.

“I’m really looking forward to heading back to Europe next summer, the crowds are some of the best in the world and I can’t wait to get back over there to see you all!”

— Lionel Richie

Performing an array of international hits from his extensive and much loved five decade-spanning repertoire, Richie’s shows are world-renowned for their party atmosphere. Fans will be able to join Lionel in singing along to classics such as “Endless Love”,“Truly,” “All Night Long”, “Stuck on You,” “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me” and “Dancing on the Ceiling,”

This past summer, Richie took fans on a spectacular musical journey with his new album, Hello from Las Vegas, featuring live recordings of all his mega-hits. The album, which was released on August 16 was #1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart. Fans across Europe/UK will now have a chance to hear all of Lionel’s renowned hits live throughout the 2020 tour.

Elton John announces further 2020 European tour dates

Elton John has announced a further three European dates for his 2020 Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. Shows have been added in Cologne, Hamburg and Berlin.

Praise for the ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour, May 2019:

“Rocket Man reaches the stars on his last ever trip” – The Guardian

***** (Five Stars)

“Perhaps the greatest showman of our times” - Daily Telegraph

***** (Five Stars)

“The show of his life”  - The Times

***** (Five Stars)

“An indefatigable showman”  - Daily Mail

***** (Five Stars)

“Couldn’t be going out on a higher high” - Attitude

***** (Five Stars)

“When Elton John plays a greatest hits set, they really are hits, they really are great, and they stay played” - Metro

***** (Five Stars)

“If you had to play an alien being just one example of an exuberant, joyous, generous pop music, you could make a great case for it being this” - The Face

Elton John has announced three more German dates as part of his colossal Farewell Yellow Brick Road World tour.

A third show has been added in the cities of Cologne, Hamburg and Berlin due to unprecedented demand. With the previously announced shows already sold out, these will be the final tour dates Elton ever plays in each of these three cities. 

The new dates are Tuesday 15 September at Hamburg’s Barclaycard Arena, Tuesday 20 October at Berlin’s Mercedes Benz Arena and Friday 23 October at Lanxess Arena in Cologne. 

Tickets for the new tour are on sale now.

The news of these new dates comes as Elton prepares to embark on the final Australian leg of this Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which kicks off at Perth’s HBF Arena tomorrow night (Saturday 30th November).

Paul McCartney announces Freshen Up live shows for 2020

Paul McCartney announces live shows for 2020 as his highly acclaimed and unmissable FRESHEN UP tour prepares to take to the road again.

“An epic, three-hour concert… a whopping 38 songs.. the perfect display of the philosophy McCartney has embodied over his 60-year career in music… the perfect bow to tie up the perfect show, with the final lyric of the night an ever-appropriate one: ‘And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

— Billboard, August 2019

Following months of speculation, Paul McCartney has announced three new shows.

Paul McCartney will return to Glastonbury to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Festival. The Freshen Up tour will take in two dates in Italy in 2020 – seven years after his last concert there – as well as seeing him visit Lucca for the first time.

Having wrapped up the most recent leg of the tour with a sold-out show at Los Angeles Dodger Stadium in July, Paul has already performed 39 huge shows across 12 different countries since he launched the Freshen Up global tour. Winning five-star reviews from critics and fans alike all over the world, the Freshen Up tour which draws in crowds of all ages and backgrounds, showcases Paul’s unparalleled career as both a phenomenal songwriter and performer that confirm his universal appeal.

With songs like ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Live and Let Die’, ‘Band on the Run’ and ‘Let It Be’ the Paul McCartney live experience is everything any music lover could ever want from a rock show: Nearly three hours of the greatest moments from the last 50 years of music, dozens of songs from Paul’s solo, Wings and of course Beatles catalogues that have formed the soundtracks of our lives. Paul and his band have performed in an unparalleled range of venues and locations throughout the Americas, the UK, Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and all points between: outside the Coliseum in Rome, Moscow’s Red Square, Buckingham Palace, The White House, a free show in Mexico for over 400,000 people, the last ever show at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park where The Beatles played their final concert in 1966, a 2016 week in the California desert that included two headline sets at the historic Desert Trip festival and a jam-packed club gig for a few hundred lucky fans at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, and even one performance broadcast live into Space! Featuring Paul’s band of the last 15+ years - Paul “Wix” Wickens (keyboards), Brian Ray (bass/guitar), Rusty Anderson (guitar) and Abe Laboriel Jr (drums) - and constantly upgraded state of the art audio and video technology that ensures an unforgettable experience from every seat in the house, a Paul McCartney concert is never anything short of life-changing.

2020 Tour Dates

Saturday 23 May - Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Lille

Tuesday 26 May - Paris La Défense Arena, Paris

Friday 29 May - Goffert Park, Nijmegen

Sunday 31 May - Stadium Matmut, Bordeaux

Thursday 4 June - HDI Arena, Hannover

Sunday 7 June - Groupama Stadium, Lyon

Wednesday 10 June - Piazza Plebiscito, Naples Italy

Saturday 13 June - Mura Storiche, Lucca Italy

Wednesday 17 June - Olympic Stadium, Barcelona

Sunday 21 June - TW Classic Festival, Werchter

Saturday 27 June - Glastonbury Festival UK

Little Mix announce Summer 2020 Tour headlining stadiums across the UK

Pop superstars Little Mix are taking their unmissable live show on the road next year with their 21-date Summer 2020 tour.

The world’s biggest girl band will perform to fans across England, Scotland and Wales kicking off the tour at The Falkirk Stadium on Friday June 26 before travelling the length and breadth of the UK including a show at British Summer Time Hyde Park on Saturday July 4.

Tickets go on sale at 9am Thursday November 28 from ticketmaster.co.uk

The tour will see Little Mix perform some of their greatest hits including ‘Woman Like Me’, ‘Touch’, ‘Shout Out to My Ex’, ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Wings'.

Summer 2020 tour dates are:

JUNE

Fri 26 – Falkirk, The Falkirk Stadium

Sat 27 – St Helens, R.F.C Stadium

Sun 28 - Cardiff, Cardiff City Stadium

Tues 30 – Peterborough, The Weston Homes Stadium

JULY

Thurs 02 - Southampton, The Ageas Bowl

Fri 03 - Plymouth, Home Park Stadium

Sat 04 – London, American Express presents BST Hyde Park

Sun 05 – Lancashire, Lytham Festival

Thurs 09 – Gloucester, Kingsholm Stadium

Fri 10 – Colchester, JobServe Community Stadium

Sat 11 – Colwyn Bay, Stadiwm Zip World

Sun 12 - Hull, Hull College Craven Park Stadium

Tues 14 – Ardingly, South of England Event Centre

Thurs 16 - Durham, Emirates Riverside

Fri 17 - Leicester, Fischer County Ground

Sat 18 – Norfolk, Holkham Hall

Sun 19 – Canterbury, The Spitfire Ground

Tues 21 – Scarborough, Open Air Theatre

Fri 24 – Carlisle, Bitts Park

Sat 25 – Ayr, Ayr Racecourse

Sun 26 – Aberdeen, Hazlehead Park

Speaking about the Summer 2020 Tour, the group said: “Performing live is our favourite thing to do as a band, we love it.

“Our last Summer tour in 2018 was one of our favourites ever, so we can’t wait for some more brilliant outdoor shows next year. We want everyone to come party with us in the sunshine!”

Little Mix have firmly established their reputation as one of the most phenomenal groups around. Alongside massive tours of Europe, Australia, Japan and the US, the group have just completed their mammoth LM5 Arena Tour which took in cities across Europe, the UK and Ireland including an amazing five sold out dates at London’s O2 Arena.

Since 2011, Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall have not only established themselves as one of British pop’s brightest acts, but as a global pop phenomenon.

They have fully cemented their status as the world’s biggest girl band, with the quartet asserting dominance in the charts album after album.

They have sold more than 50 million records worldwide, collected more than 17 million Spotify listeners, received more than 3 billion Youtube views, and collated 12 billion streams worldwide. Record sales have seen them notch up a total of four UK No.1 singles, four platinum-selling albums and nine platinum selling singles, surpassing a record previously held by the Spice Girls. Their 2016 album 'Glory Days' was the biggest selling album by a female group this millennium in the UK, alongside being named the longest-reigning Top 40 album for a girl group ever.

At least 75p from every ticket sale will be donated to Nordoff Robbins* - a charity that uses the power of music therapy to enrich the lives of people affected by life limiting illness, isolation or disability.

*NORDOFF ROBBINS

At least 75p from every ticket sale will be donated to Nordoff Robbins with the exception of the BST Hyde Park concert.

P!nk crowned by Ticketmaster fans as UK & Global Ticket Of The Year 2019

Ticketmaster, the global ticketing leader that provides 500 million tickets to fans across 30 countries, has polled live entertainment fans worldwide from its 200 million database to discover the most popular live events of 2019.

Pop icon P!nk not only takes the UK ‘Ticket of the Year’ crown, but also takes number one place globally. The Grammy Award winner, who released her eighth studio album “Hurts 2B Human” in April was voted by fans last year as the ‘Most Anticipated Event’ of 2019 and it is clear she has delivered. After thrilling audiences across America, Australia and New Zealand with her Beautiful Trauma World Tour, P!nk brought the fun to fans across Europe, playing to packed out stadiums and arenas tallying up a record 157 shows.

“What an honor! I had such an incredible team and touring family as part of the Beautiful Trauma World Tour. We worked really hard to create the best show we could for all the fans and I’m so proud of all of us.”

— P!nk

After achieving their first number one album in 18 years in August it is clear Slipknot fans are raring to go, voting them as the ‘Most Anticipated Event’ in the UK next year. Their 2020 tour kicks off in Dublin next year and will see the band play 34 shows to metalheads around the UK and Europe.

The smash hit West End musical Hamilton is the highest rated theatre event, having also won seven Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, making it a clear favourite for fans.

For the third year in a row, London continues to be the most popular city for live entertainment in the UK, followed closely by Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham.

Now in its fifth year, fans are more passionate about Ticket of the Year than ever before with 2019 seeing the most votes yet with a record 24 countries taking part in this truly global vote.

Callaghan announces London show as part of The Million Mile Tour

Three time BBC Radio 2 playlisted singer-songwriter Callaghan has announced the dates of her forthcoming Million Mile tour of the UK including a London show at the St Pancras Old Church for Wednesday 22 April 2020.

Tickets go on sale Thursday 14 November 9am.

“I can’t wait to get back on the road in the UK and get this new music out there.” says US based Callaghan “After almost 10 years in the USA I’m planning to spend the first half of 2020 in the UK writing, touring and catching up with friends and family. I’m really excited to be coming home for a while!”

Callaghan’s Spring Tour stretches from Maidstone to Glasgow and includes a show at London’s St Pancras Old Church and a home town show at Lincoln’s Drill Hall. The tour will celebrate the release of her latest project Callaghan’s Acoustic Coffee House 2. Callaghan has christened it The Million Mile Tour - “I realised that sometime in 2020 I will hit half a million miles of touring since I moved to the US in 2010. My car just quit at 440,000 miles, but I’m not nearly done playing my songs yet, so let’s aim to reach a million miles in the next few years”.

Tickets for Callaghan’s UK Spring Tour will go on sale on Friday 15 November. The next day Callaghan will release the four track EP “A Taste of Acoustic Coffee House 2” on streaming services. The EP will feature Raining in My Heart and the Callaghan originals I Was Made for You, Unspoken Words and If You Miss Me. The full 12 track album will release on Friday January 31.

Gaby Roslin has described hearing Callaghan live as “Breathtaking...absolutely incredible”, while the UK’s Maverick Magazine recently called her “a singer-songwriter of a seriously high standard.”

Fri 17 April - Maidstone - Hunton Village Hall

Sat 18 April - Bristol - Louisiana

Sun 19 April - Birmingham - Hare & Hounds

Tue 21 April - Milton Keynes - Stables

Wed 22 April - London - St Pancras Old Church

Thu 23 April - Glasgow - Glad Cafe

Sat 25 April - Hull - Adelphi

Sun 26 April - Lincoln - Drill Hall

Tue 28 April - Brighton - Komedia Studio

Wed 29 April - Newcastle - Cluny2

Thu 30 April - Manchester - Gullivers

Fledgling rockers Two Weeks In Nashville announce London show

Performing live at London’s legendary Camden Assembly on Monday 18th November, brand new Rock n’ Roll band , Two Weeks In Nashville.

Fronted by the enigmatic lead vocalist/guitarist Billy LeRiff (20), along with bassist Jonny Faires (20), and drummer Ian Wilson (21), including augmentation by keyboard wizard, Duncan Brookfield. They have honed their craft with live performances across the UK, including selling out the O2 Islington, featuring on Absolute Radio and playing live on BBC Radio Introducing. A real experience whenever they play.

Like many of the great rock bands in history, each member of the band has their own identity and strong personality.

Their work rate is incredible, aiming to create both on stage and on record, rawness, energy, attitude and dynamism of the greats that have influenced them such as The Stones, U2 and The Who.

The band have completed their first album PAPER PLANES AND RAZORBLADES scheduled for early 2020