Razorlight reveal plans for new music and as they get set for 20th anniversary of hit-packed eponymous album
RAZORLIGHT are keen to show they’ve still got the golden touch as they prepare for their 28-date tour across the UK and Europe.
The new shows will see Johnny Borrell and Andy Burrows celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled second record, which spawned hits including America, In The Morning and Before I Fall To Pieces.
Speaking at the Ovo Arena Wembley, where the band plays on December 4, frontman Johnny recalls: “The first time we played here was supporting the Manic Street Preachers, it was a great show.”
Buzzing to be back, drummer Andy adds: “We feel very lucky, but at the same time we also feel like we did something really cool.”
The tour starts in Europe and reaches the UK with Glasgow on November 26, before cities including Nottingham, Bristol and Leeds.
And time on the road means more time to make new music.
“I’m hoping we do some writing on the road because we used to do that a lot,” Johnny says.
“Now we’re going out on the tour bus again, I think we’ll have a good chance of doing that.
“We’ve got a couple of really good songs at the moment and the next step is bringing it to the band and we’ll see how it sounds.
“I like where we’re at with Razorlight at the minute, we’ve got the bit between our teeth.”
Andy says: “These shows and playing together will fuel that. It would be easy to play some gigs, earn some money and be like, ‘See you in two years.’
“But we have that drive to say, ‘F**k, we need to do this again and do it better’.”
Johnny adds: “Everyone has to bring their A-game, then we need to meld together because then it creates something incredible.”
Johnny thinks the group — which first formed in 2002 — have some exciting years ahead.
He explains: “I think a band needs that hunger. And I think we have that right now.
“We’re writing new material and we’ve got that drive.
“I always feel most comfortable in that kind of position where I’m fighting and trying to prove something. I like being the underdog and I like taking it on. When we play live, we’re not playing along to a backing track or anything pre- recorded or a click track or something like that, which 90 per cent of bands are doing now.
“It’s depressing. People do it because it’s easier and it’s cheaper to do. Anyone can go off and do 364 days of something else, then turn up and get a haircut and look like they’re in a band, you know?
“But we’re doing it the real way.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re the biggest band in the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re like the newest, youngest band starting out.
“If you’re doing it properly and you’re doing it for the love of the music, it’s a long road and you just have to keep fighting.
“And that’s our vibe right now.”
FLUFF LUCK FOR RAYE
RAYE was the big winner at the Mercury Prize do after taking home the coveted gong.
She received the award for her incredible second record, This Album May Contain Hope.
After the bash at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, the star was snapped leaving in a faux fur coat and fluffy slippers while holding her trophy out for the waiting photographers.
Raye, who turns 29 today, said: “I just poured so much heart into this album, I really did. This accolade is serious and something that I always dreamed to one day receive. I just feel really grateful.
“It’s the best birthday present I could have asked for.”
Olivia Dean left the night empty-handed but made up for her loss by partying until 3am with her pals in Newcastle.
One of my mates spotted the Man I Need singer heading off with her friends to cool DIY music venue The Lubber Fiend.
They told me: “Olivia might have lost to Raye but she was in great spirits. She went dancing with her mates and was having the time of her life. She’s a great girl and a proper good laugh.”
WIGHT MOVE BY ROBBIE AND CO
ROBBIE WILLIAMS, Kings of Leon and Fatboy Slim have been announced as the headliners for the 25th Sky Presents Isle Of Wight Festival.
They will be joined by a slew of stars including Becky Hill, Kaiser Chiefs, Myles Smith, Cruz Beckham& The Breakers, Courteeners, Rudimental and Scouting for Girls.
The event, which takes place across four days from June 17 next year, still has some more acts to be announced.
Tickets go on sale at 8am on Monday,
Festival director Caroline Giddings said: “There’s a real mix of artists for different generations and tastes, and there’s still more to come.
“We put a lot of thought into what happens beyond the main stages, too.”
JoJo in a good lace
SINGER Jojo Siwa wows in lace as she attends the 2026 Dancers Against Cancer Gala in Beverly Hills.
The former child star looked worlds away from her wild pop star persona as she walked the red carpet in a stunning white dress.
The singer was in good company at the glitzy bash, with actress Carmen Electra and singer Janet Jackson also in attendance.
JoJo is currently enjoying some downtime in America after releasing a series of singles following her stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house last year.
GEORGE MICHAEL’s estate is hosting a free screening for NHS staff of his film, The Faith Tour, at London’s Roundhouse .
The show comes 20 years after his gig at the same venue for nurses, to thank them for caring for his mum who died of cancer in 1997.
Tickets will be distributed by NHS England.
STRIP away his rock star status and Noel Gallagher is just like us.
In the new episode of Chicken Shop Date, he tells host Amelia Dimoldenberg: “I’m pretty low-key. My children live with me. We played a gig in São Paulo to 90,000 and I got home and came downstairs to find my two lads arguing over what was left in a box of Coco Pops. I thought to myself: ‘48 hours ago I was on stage – now I am arguing with two bellends about Coco Pops.’”