rock music

THE founding member of the legendary rock band Grateful Dead, Bob Weir, has died.

Weir was diagnosed with cancer in July 2025 which he overcame, however he sadly “succumbed to underlying lung issues”.

The veteran rocker was 78.

“He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could,” a heartfelt statement on his Instagram account read.

“Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music.

“His work did more than fill rooms with music; it was warm sunlight that filled the soul, building a community, a language, and a feeling of family that generations of fans carry with them.

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“Every chord he played, every word he sang was an integral part of the stories he wove. There was an invitation: to feel, to question, to wander, and to belong.”

Across more than six decades, Weir was one of music’s true road warriors, performing thousands of shows with almost a dozen bands.

Weir received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while his rhythm guitar skills helped guide legendary jam band through the decades.

Weir was born in 1947 in San Francisco and was adopted shortly after his birth by Frederic and Eleanor Weir.

Growing up in a comfortable and prominent Bay Area household, Weir discovered folk music in his youth after a nanny introduced him to jazz.

He started piano and trumpet before finding his calling with guitar at age 13.

He had a tough time in school – surviving spinal meningitis and dealing with severe dyslexia.

A chance encounter with Jerry Garcia at the age of 16 in a music store in Palo Alto would start one of the most important partnerships in music history.

Garcia was a bluegrass banjo player when Weir stumbled upon him at Dana Morgan’s Music Store.

The two formed Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions, which later became the Warlocks and eventually the Grateful Dead. 

The Grateful Dead quickly became a huge part of the counterculture movement, aligned with the rise of the hippie movement.

Weir penned some of the Dead’s most enduring songs, including “Jack Straw,” “Sugar Magnolia” and “Playing in the Band.”

The pair went on to become the faces of the Grateful Dead – Weir younger and more boyish than his hairier and older bandmates.

The youthful, ponytailed “Bobby” grew into an eclectic songwriter whose handsome appearance and diverse musical influences helped broaden the band’s appeal.

British newspaper The Independent called Weir “arguably rock’s greatest, if most eccentric, rhythm guitarist.”

Weir considered Garcia as a big brother.

“They say that blood is thicker than water, and what we had was way thicker than blood,” Weir said of Garcia and the Dead in an interview with journalist Dan Rather.

Sadly, Garcia passed away in 1995.

After Garcia’s death at age 53 in 1995, Weir carved out an interesting if somewhat neglected solo career – much of it with his band, RatDog – and participated in reunions of surviving Dead members in different configurations.

Weir released his first solo album, Ace, in 1972, followed by 1978’s Heaven Help the Fool. His last LP was the 2016 album Blue Mountain.

The legendary rocker married Natascha Münter in 1999. They share two daughters, Shala Monet and Chloe Kaelia.

Weir was a staunch vegetarian and an animal-rights advocate.

He was a board member of the Rex Foundation, an organisation founded by members of the Grateful Dead to “proactively provide extensive community support to creative endeavours in the arts, sciences, and education.”

Weir began treatment for cancer only weeks before returning to his hometown stage for a three-night celebration of 60 years of music at Golden Gate Park.

BRUCE Springsteen’s classic Born in the USA is being censored for radio — with a lyric about “the yellow man” removed.

The Boss, now 76, is widely considered to be calling out racism in his 1984 hit, covering the struggles of war vets returning from Vietnam.

He belts out: “So they put a rifle in my hands, sent me off to a foreign land, to go and kill the yellow man, Born in the USA.”

However Absolute Radio will mute the song as he utters “yellow man”, considered an offensive slur for an Asian person.

The track, hailed for its scathing commentary on the treatment of Vietnam vets and working-class Americans, is ranked 275th in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The Born in the USA album sold over 30 million copies worldwide and was the world’s best-selling record in 1985.

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It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012 and includes other hits like Dancing in the Dark, Glory Days and I’m on Fire.

Bruce’s censorship comes after the Spice Girls’ 1997 track Spice Up Your Life — which includes the lyric “Yellow man in Timbuktu. Colour for both me and you” — was similarly altered last year on BBC Radio 2.

DJ Scott Mills played a version on his breakfast show which removed the word “yellow”.

Bauer Media, which owns Absolute Radio, declined to comment.

All you need to know about the 24k Magic singer’s latest tour

Bruno Mars is back with a new project, a decade after his last solo release.

Here is everything you need to know about the tour dates and how you can get your hands on the hotly anticipated tickets.

The tour is entitled ‘The Romantic tour’ and will show the Grenade singer showcasing songs from his new album ‘The Romantic’, which is released on February 27.

What are the UK dates?

• July 18, 2026: Wembley Stadium, London
• July 19, 2026: Wembley Stadium, London

Though there do seem to be gaps within his tour dates across the summer, leading fans to speculate more dates in separate venues in the UK.

Expect a setlist that spans his entire career, from the wedding-favourite “Marry You” to the high-energy “Perm,” and his recent Silk Sonic hits.

The full tour list:

• April 10 — Las Vegas — Allegiant Stadium
• April 14 — Glendale, Arizona — State Farm Stadium
• April 18 — Arlington, Texas — Globe Life Field
• April 22 — Houston, Texas — NRG Stadium
• April 25 — Atlanta — Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field
• April 29 — Charlotte, North Carolina — Bank of America Stadium
• May 2 — Landover, Maryland — Northwest Stadium
• May 6 — Nashville — Nissan Stadium
• May 9 — Detroit — Ford Field
• May 13 — Minneapolis, Minnesota — U.S. Bank Stadium
• May 16 — Chicago — Soldier Field
• May 20 — Columbus, Ohio — Ohio Stadium
• May 23 — Toronto — Rogers Stadium
• May 24 — Toronto — Rogers Stadium
• June 20 — Paris — Stade de France
• June 21 — Paris — Stade de France
• June 26 — Berlin — Olympiastadion
• July 4 — Amsterdam — Johan Cruijff Arena
• July 5 — Amsterdam — Johan Cruijff Arena
• July 10 — Madrid — Riyadh Air Metropolitano
• July 14 — Milan — Stadio San Siro
• July 18 — London — Wembley Stadium Connected by EE
• July 19 — London — Wembley Stadium Connected by EE
• Aug. 21 — East Rutherford, New Jersey — MetLife Stadium
• Aug. 22 — East Rutherford, New Jersey — MetLife Stadium
• Aug. 29 — Pittsburgh — Acrisure Stadium
• Sept. 1 — Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field
• Sept. 5 — Foxborough, Massachusetts — Gillette Stadium
• Sept. 9 — Indianapolis, Indiana — Lucas Oil Stadium
• Sept. 12 — Tampa, Florida — Raymond James Stadium
• Sept. 16 — New Orleans — Caesars Superdome
• Sept. 19 — Miami — Hard Rock Stadium
• Sept. 23 — San Antonio, Texas — Alamodome
• Sept. 26 — Air Force Academy, Colorado — Falcon Stadium at the United States Air Force Academy
• Oct.2 — Inglewood, California — SoFi Stadium
• Oct. 3 — Inglewood, California — SoFi Stadium
• Oct. 10 — Santa Clara, California — Levi’s Stadium
• Oct. 14 — Vancouver — BC Place

How can I buy tickets for Bruno Mars’ 2026 World Tour?

If you don’t want to feel ‘locked out of heaven’ when tickets go live then make sure that you are ready to secure them as soon as they get released.

• The O2 priority presale starts on January 14 at 10am
• The general sale is on January 15 at 10 am

The main resale platforms to find tickets are Viagogo, Seat Unique, and StubHub.

What songs will appear on the Setlist?

Whilst the tour will feature many songs from the upcoming album, the following list is an indication of what fans can expect to hear.

1. 24K Magic
2. Billionaire
3. Marry You
4. Just the Way You Are
5. Liquor Store Blues
6. When I Was Your Man
7. Straight Up & Down
8. Chunky
9. Treasure
10. I Took Your Phones Away

HAPPY Mondays singer Shaun Ryder missed Stone Roses bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield’s funeral with pneumonia.

Shaun, 63, said he and Black Grape bandmate Paul Leveridge caught the lung condition as they were finishing a tour on December 20.

He told BBC Breakfast: “I got back the day before Mani’s funeral and collapsed, and so I couldn’t even go.

“In the end I got antibiotics . . .  that sorted me out. I’ve only been out of bed, what, four days?”

Shaun was on the breakfast show with Happy Mondays dancer Mark “Bez” Berry, who made Mani’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral on December 22.

Mani, who had emphysema, died at 63.

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Oasis star Liam Gallagher helped carry legendary bassist Gary’s coffin at his funeral – as a host of stars said their final goodbyes.

Sir David Beckham and Ian Brown also paid their respects to Stone Roses’ Mani, who died just two years after losing his wife, Imelda, to cancer.

The dad-of-two was last seen in public alongside Liam at the funeral of legendary boxer Ricky Hatton in October.

Just weeks later, the rocker’s family announced the sad news of his death on social media – sparking floods of tributes from across the globe.

Hundreds of locals in his hometown of Manchester were spotted lining the streets as Mani’s procession passed.

LIAM GALLAGHER isn’t planning on putting his feet up for long after the biblical success of Oasis’s reunion tour.

I’m told that the motor-mouthed rocker has been offered the chance to make a second record with Stone Roses guitarist John Squire.

The Manchester greats, who were at the funeral of Stone Roses bass player Mani last month, dropped their first collaborative album in March 2024.

They toured with a new band that included Joey Waronker, who ended up on drums for the Oasis reunion tour.

Insiders revealed the pals had discussed the possibility of working on a new record together if Liam could make his schedule align with John’s.

My music mole said: “Liam and John are close friends and speak regularly.

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“John has told Liam that he has a batch of songs ready to record and that he’d love to have him on board.

“Although Oasis is Liam’s priority, he doesn’t want to take a year off making music.

“Since he went solo in 2017, he has released music almost every year. Liam was proud of what he and John created in the studio and is up for a second record if he can find the time to make it work.”

Their self-titled debut album was entirely penned by John, who also played on the Stone Roses’ 1994 record Second Coming.

Despite writing songs in Oasis and as a solo artist, Liam has always maintained he is content to be a singer rather than a songwriter.

He said: “I never tried to write songs to compete with big brother or to get publishing rights.

“Sometimes, you play the guitar at home and something happens.

“You write a little song and that’s it, but I’ve never been into it. I’m not a songwriter.

“I prefer singing songs. I don’t care if I never write another song again, as long as I can sing it that’s all that matters.”

Fans are now eagerly awaiting news of Liam and Noel’s plans for the coming months.

My phone is still blowing up weekly with gossip about what’s coming next, including potential shows at the Etihad in Manchester and massive concerts at Knebworth.

There is also Steven Knight’s amazing film about Noel and Liam’s reunion, which I hope will see the light of day later this year.

Steven and his team filmed the brothers non-stop in rehearsals and on the road.

For us fans, it will be a must-watch for 2026.

BIFFY YOUNG BOOST

AFTER three decades together, Biffy Clyro’s fanbase is bigger than ever among young people.

Frontman Simon Neil said in an exclusive interview: “It’s really encouraging because for a few years – I guess the last ten – guitar music hasn’t seemed as relevant or mainstream.

“But seeing these 15 and 16-year-olds starting bands, picking up instruments and the amount of talent out there, that’s what blows us away.

“We learnt how to play music together and so many of these younger folk are so natural with it, so we feel really privileged to still be in this world and to see so much inspiring stuff coming through.”

They are fans of emerging bands including Gene Gallagher’s gritty group, called Villanelle.

Simon said: “I was speaking to Villanelle the other week and they really love their rock music.

“It was nice to chat to them and realise how much they get it. They are really coming from that American, almost grungy, kind of stuff. So I said I might go and write a tune with them.

“If anyone from a younger generation wants to work, it’s really nice to.

“There’s just so much talent.

“We can learn so much from working with someone younger, and hopefully they learn a little something from working with us.”

Miley hints at Hannah

MILEY CYRUS will mark the 20th anniversary of the role that launched her to stardom – Hannah Montana.

The singer is planning to celebrate the milestone of Disney’s TV show about a teenager who lived a double life as a popstar.

Miley looked chic in a black suit and open shirt as she appeared at the Palm Springs Film Festival over the weekend, along with Paul Mescal and Kate Hudson and said of the plans: “We’re working hard on them.”
She added: “Many new things are coming.

“The next few months will be focused on Avatar until the end of March, when we’ll shift our focus to Hannah Montana.”

On the role that made her the youngest person to be recognised as a Disney Legend in 2024, Miley said: “A lot of my time right now is being spent on how I can honour Hannah.

“Without Hannah, there wouldn’t be this, this me. It’s still crazy to think I started as a character I thought was going to be impossible to shed.”

PISTOLS HOLOGRAM IS VICIOUS FOR GLEN

SEX PISTOLS rocker Glen Matlock doesn’t want the band to ever become holograms – because he’d be ditched for Sid Vicious.

Glen was the original bass player in the punk group and co-wrote ten of the 12 songs on the band’s only official album, Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols.

But he left the band in 1977 to be replaced by Sid. Glen’s bandmate Steve Jones is keen to see the Pistols become holograms, just like the Abba Voyage show, and has told Glen that any AI version would see Sid back in the band.

Glen said: “I’ve had the discussion with Steve and he thinks it’s a good idea.

“And I said, ‘The thing is, Steve, you’ll probably do Sid, won’t you?’. And he said, ‘Well, yeah, that’s true’.”

JENNIFER STANDS UP FOR FANS

JENNIFER LOPEZ is making sure nothing stops fans having a good time at her Las Vegas residency.

J-Lo is in a run of shows at Caesars Palace at The Colosseum, and has put up a sign telling crowds she actively wants them to stand and dance.

Adele famously paused one of her shows at the same venue after staff repeatedly told one fan to sit down during her concert.

The furious star warned them to leave him alone and let him dance, saying the enthusiastic fan had been “bothered all night”.

It seems J-Lo does not want a repeat, with signs reading: “Please be advised that our guests are permitted and encouraged to stand during the performance.”

Good for her.

EX-FUN Lovin’ Criminals frontman Huey Morgan has joined Virgin Radio UK from BBC 6 Music.

He will host weekend mornings from 10am until 2pm, kicking off this Saturday.

The lovely Emma B is also coming to the station alongside Ana Matronic, who takes over Saturday nights from 6pm to 10pm.

MOLOTOV DUO’S LIFE ON TOUR

THE MOLOTOVS have today released their new single, Get A Life.

The track is taken from their upcoming album, Wasted On Youth.

Siblings Matt and Issey Cartlidge dropped the song as they gear up for a massive month of gigs, kicking off at King Tut’s in Glasgow tomorrow.

The rockers, who count Blondie, The Libertines and Iggy Pop among their fans, will then play shows across the UK, including in Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham, Southampton, Cardiff and London.

The Molotovs are one of the most exciting bands I’ve seen live in yonks.

So if you get a chance to check them out, it’s well worth the price of a ticket.

COLDPLAY £2BN GIGS

COLDPLAY are officially the biggest British earners on the road since the start of the millennium.

Chris Martin and his band have now taken almost £2billion from their tours across the world.

New stats from Pollstar have revealed Coldplay, along with U2, The Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John, have all hit the billion quid mark since 2000 thanks to tours alone.

Taylor Swift is the biggest-ever earner, making £2.33billion from her 575 shows.

Jeff Kelly, from US entertainment firm PRrppd, told me: “Coldplay’s success is astonishing.

“They have barely stopped working over the last 25 years and have grown every year in their appeal to audiences.

“For them to generate almost two billion pounds speaks volumes, especially given that their average ticket price is so reasonable.

“The British Isles is incredibly well represented in that top ten chart, with half the spots.

“The last quarter of a century shows that Brits still serve up incredibly powerful music and connect to fans who want to see them live.”

OASIS star Liam Gallagher is facing a new court order to reveal how much money he has earned from the band’s hugely successful reunion tour, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.

A court hearing is set to be held in New York this month after the mother of the singer’s love child filed a fresh legal motion to access his latest finances.

Liza Ghorbani is trying to obtain the singer’s bank records, tax returns and credit card statements to show how much he is now worth, say experts.

It will be the first time the band’s tour finances — which are estimated to be more than £350million — face being exposed to public scrutiny.

Ms Ghorbani wants to use the fresh information to prove he should stump up the £500,000 a year she’s claiming for the care of their daughter Gemma, 12, who was born in 2013 after an affair.

Liam, 53, and his brother Noel, 58, are expected to have raked in millions of pounds for last year’s sell-out Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour.

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The band, whose 1994 debut album Definitely Maybe has sold 15million copies worldwide, is estimated to have made £303million from ticket sales alone — with another £40million from sponsorship deals and merchandise.

More cash to come

Last week The Sun on Sunday told how Liam treated himself after the tour, splashing out on Arsenal star Tony Adams’s £4.25million Cotswolds mansion.

And there could be more cash to come as he has been teasing fans about new tour dates in the next couple of years.

It is understood that Ms Ghorbani, 51, is trying to access details on all of their tour-related income.

We can reveal that lawyers for the US music journalist have filed an application for an Order to Show Cause in New York’s Supreme Court.

The judge hearing their case, Mr ­Jeffrey Pearlman, has been asked to consider a motion to compel both sides to answer further questions and provide more information to help him make a decision.

He has set a date later this month for a fresh court hearing.

Ms Ghorbani has filed various documents into the court, including 15 exhibits setting out her specific requests on what she wants from Liam’s lawyers.

Details of her exact demands have not been disclosed.

But top New York family lawyer Morgan Mazer said Liam will have to hand over the documents relating to tour earnings during a process in the case called discovery.

Ms Mazer said: “Ms Ghorbani can get access to the tour merchandise sales, if it’s a side thing Mr Gallagher is earning money from.

He has been more than generous over the years and is standing firm with his legal team

Source close to Liam

“Ms Ghorbani will want to look at any employment and income, any perks that Mr Gallagher has.

“Credit card statements are relevant because some people don’t always show all their income on their tax returns.

“With the credit card statements you can glean what somebody is making based on their lifestyle. The powers to determine what you should pay in child support are broad.”

Yesterday a source close to the singer told The Sun on Sunday: “Liam has been focused on enjoying Christmas with his family and not letting this court case get to him.

“He has been more than generous over the years and is standing firm with his legal team.”

In March we revealed Ms Ghorbani had filed a lawsuit demanding more money despite the case being settled in 2015.

The rocker responded by slamming her on X as a “gold digger”.

He also posted a link to the 1963 Beatles song Money (That’s What I Want).

His tax returns will be sophisticated so you will likely want a forensic accountant to review them

Dror Bikel, New York family lawyer

Ms Ghorbani claims she needs more money because Gemma is autistic and her needs have changed.

Liam’s lawyer Judith Poller has called it an attempt to cash in on the Oasis tour.

Dror Bikel, another respected New York family lawyer, said the examination of Liam’s finances could be extensive.

He added: “When the accountants sink their teeth into it, people are in for a ride.

“His tax returns will be sophisticated so you will likely want a forensic accountant to review them and you can find out what investments he has, what property he owns.

“You start with the tax returns and go from there.”

And he said Liam could be held in ­contempt of court if he refuses to hand over more information.

Mr Bikel went on: “He could face financial penalties and the severest ­punishment is incarceration.

‘Could be consequences’

“If he doesn’t hand over his financial details there could be consequences.”

Mr Bikel also chided Liam for insulting Ms Ghorbani and said that it was “never a good idea” because “courts don’t like those kinds of things”.

In June the New York court heard Liam has paid out more than £750,000 since 2015. His lawyers said he later agreed to pay £180,000 towards Gemma’s school and autism-related expenses.

But Ms Ghorbani is demanding £510,000 a year to cover child support and expenses.

She and her daughter live in a £3,300-a-month Manhattan apartment. Her new demands include £22,500 a month for a home with a pool, £75,000 a year for a live-in nanny and a £5,000 holiday budget.

Liam, who has three other children, is said to have had a fling with Ms Ghorbani in 2011 soon after she interviewed him, while he was married to singer Nicole Appleton.

Additional reporting: Hannah Hope

IT’S shaping up to be a very exciting year for Alesha Dixon, Sabrina Washington and Su-Elise Nash.

I’m told the singers, who you will know better as Noughties girl band Mis-Teeq, have been discussing how they can celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album, Lickin’ On Both Sides.

The record, which came out in October 2001, peaked at No3 in the Official Album Charts and bagged them five Top Ten singles including All I Want, One Night Stand and B With Me.

And now the trio are considering reuniting for a special show to mark the milestone.

A source said: “Alesha has been excitedly talking about this for a while and would love a Mis-Teeq reunion with Sabrina and Su-Elise happen.

“Fans shouldn’t expect a Girls Aloud-style comeback tour, though.

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“At the minute, lots of things are being discussed and one thing that has come up is the idea of a one-off show. It could be an intimate gig for their die-hard fans or a performance on a big TV programme such as Britain’s Got Talent — which Alesha is a judge on.

“Nothing has formally been offered but nothing is off the table.

“Lickin’ On Both Sides launched Alesha, Sabrina and Su-Elise’s music careers and that record holds a really special place in their hearts.

“They want to celebrate that album with their fans.”

Alesha and Sabrina now appear to be back on good terms after the latter threatened to sue over unpaid royalties in 2020.

Sabrina, who was the group’s lead singer, started legal proceedings against Alesha over royalties going back 15 years as well as action against former label Universal.

She alleged Alesha had “wrongfully claimed” song-writing cash for their first two singles Why and All I Want.

A pal said at the time: “Alesha received five per cent royalties for the girls’ first two songs whereas Sabrina received nothing.

“They both should have got 2.5 per cent. Sabrina wasn’t listed as a writer for the tracks but it was written in her contract that she would get pay parity.

“She feels she is owed thousands.”

At the time, a spokesman for Alesha said: “Alesha wrote the raps on both Why? and All I Want and that is why she gets a split.

“The rest of the song was written by a production team. Sabrina has no reason to sue Alesha.”

Earlier this summer Alesha admitted a reunion could be on the cards but added: “Thinking doesn’t mean we are doing, but we’re thinking.

“Which is more than we’ve done.”

Dua toasts a top year

DUA LIPA has been knocking back the cocktails to celebrate a stellar 2025.

I can reveal the Training Season singer raked in £70million in the year to March 2025, making it the most lucrative of her career.

Dua kept it real, though – despite earning the mammoth amount, she only paid herself a paltry £500.

New documents show her live gigs company, Radical22 Live, banked £45.6million, while Dua made a further £45.6million from her management, publishing and production company.

It’s almost double the earnings of other big British pop acts, including Ed Sheeran, over the past year – so I’m not surprised she’s busting open the booze.

Sharing snaps of her end-of-year celebrations, with her family and actor fiance Callum Turner, Dua wrote online: “Thank you for making my last year so special.

“I’m excited to make this the best one yet.”

It certainly will be if 2026 is the year she and Callum get married . . . 

No more Fab secrets

THE BEATLES’ vaults have been slammed shut after 63 years, with super producer Giles Martin admitting fans will never hear any more secret tracks from the Fab Four.

Giles has spent a number of years scouring through the band’s audio recordings, studio archives and even individual projects penned for them over their history.

His efforts have helped produce the current Disney Plus revived Beatles’ Anthology series and remixed albums and tracks.

Asked how much untouched Beatles content exists now, Martin said:
“I don’t think there’s anything. I always say that then something turns up.

“But I don’t think there’s anything. It’s incredible how much interest there still is over Beatles stuff.

“You do [hear new] things on this Anthology box set. There’s that first round of Helter Skelter, which for me is great because it’s really raw.

“It’s proper in your face music.

“And then people go, ‘Well, how come we haven’t released the 20-minute long version of Helter Skelter?’ I think we’re done.” Giles curated the new

Anthology 4 album and remastered the entire collection for the 2025 re-release of The Beatles’ Anthology series.

He believes that collaborating with his late father George Martin, also known as the fifth Beatle, on these projects has been spiritually and professionally fulfilling.

He added: “The Beatles are so powerful that it’s what people want to know about.

“It’s really nice. I love my dad. We were incredibly close.

“Their music and what they did really makes people feel better about themselves. So it’s a complete honour to work on this material and to be close to my dad is a great thing.”

Giles is currently working with director Sam Mendes on the four upcoming Beatles movies, with each focussing on a different member of the band.

On radio in the US, Giles added: “I’m working on these films. They come out in three years.

“What’s amazing about The Beatles is that new generations hear stuff and go back and unearth this catalogue.”

Mel’s bid to mark big hit

THE SPICE GIRLS’ smash hit Wannabe, the song that soundtracked my childhood, turns 30 this year and Mel C has confirmed the group will be celebrating the milestone.

Incredibly, she is still convinced that she can somehow persuade Posh and Ginger to join her, Scary and Baby for a reunion.

Spilling the beans herself on Australian radio, Mel joked: “We’ve decided not to tell Mel B anything because she can’t keep her mouth shut – and also she doesn’t know any more because we’re not telling her.”

Speaking of Wannabe’s 30th anniversary Mel added: “We have to acknowledge it in some way.”

And she explained how plans for that are progressing.

“We are talking about what that looks like and for me, myself, Melanie and Emma. We’re going back on stage  . . .  but sometimes the others may need some convincing.

She said: “Getting the five of us together, it would be the best thing ever. Sometimes I feel like it’s my duty to the world.”

“There’s so much negativity, there’s so much mad s**t going on – let’s just spice up our lives.”

Of her relationships with her bandmates, Mel said: “We have a newfound respect for each other.

“We know when to leave it, we know each other’s irritations and insecurities and we respect that now as adults and mothers.

Recalling their 2019 reunion tour, she added: “The love we had last time that was beamed back from these stadiums was like nothing I’ve experienced as a Spice Girl before.”

Twigs bold and brave

FKA TWIGS has admitted that she’s finally found the courage to speak up for herself.

Speaking in the February edition of Elle UK, which is on sale now, the British singer said: “I’m reaching that age where I can really look back at my life and I can see so many things that have been beautiful and amazing, and other things that have been really brutal and violent.”

Twigs added: “I’m realising that I can hold my love of life and my artistry and the beauty of my life, and I can also hold the brutality and the sadness and the violence.

“I can hold things at the same time, and that feels really good.

“I’ve always wanted to be at this perfect cross point of growth and youth – to be able to be young and sexy and healthy – and also not be an idiot like I was in my 20s.”

Don’t be too hard on yourself, Twigs, no one is that proud of what they did in their 20s.

Ashley is boiling hot

ASHLEY ROBERTS is making me green with envy after sharing even more of her holiday snaps.

The Pussycat Dolls singer quit the freezing wind and snow we’re having in Blighty for the boiling hot sunshine of Mauritius.

Ash told her Instagram followers she’d had the “best time”.

I’m thrilled for you, Ashley. Just thrilled.

HARRY STYLES and Zoe Kravitz have added another destination to their extensive list of travel hotspots.

Since they started dating, the pair have been seen all over the world – including New York, Paris, Rome and London.

Now it’s claimed they spent the last few days holed up inside a luxury resort in the Bahamas.

This sure is a long honeymoon period.

One fan claimed they spotted the former One Direction singer jogging on a beach over the New Year.

NICK JONAS has dropped his reflective new single Gut Punch, before the release of his fifth album, Sunday Best.

On it Nick sings: “Hit me like a gut punch. I hurt my own feelings. How did I get so good at being mean to myself?”

The US star, who is married to Priyanka Chopra, said: “I do wonder if I’m being the best version of myself.

“Am I a present husband and father? Life weighs on you.

“It’s important to remember there was once a carefree version of you loved the world.”

As part of Something For the Weekend’s Big 2026 Preview, we’ve put together a guide for all of the rising stars to keep an ear out for this year.

Here, Jacqui Swift gives her verdict on twenty emerging acts.

ROSE GREY

EAST Londoner Grey has been grafting since 2019, blending glossy pop hooks with the strobes of under­ground club culture.

Before the buzz, she was working on the door at London club Fabric – so she knows her way around dancefloors.

She says of her sound: “It is definitely pop, but it has its roots in the soundscapes and world of underground club culture, dance music, electronic, electro-clash”

Grey’s debut album Louder, Please, pulls in an impressive roll call, with collaborations from Melanie C, Shygirl, Casey MQ and Jade.

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She has supported Charli XCX, Kesha and Scissor Sisters.

TYLER BALLGAME

BALLGAME is from Los Angeles via Rhode Island and channels a dramatic, soul sound that sits somewhere between Roy Orbison, Tim Buckley and Alabama Shakes.

His debut album For The First Time, Again arrives on January 30.

You might already have caught him performing Got A New Car on Later . . . With Jools Holland, and he’s in the UK at the end of the month for a run of in-store shows.

ISSAC RYAN BROWN

THE US actor, rapper and singer is best known for playing Booker, the psychic son of the titular character in Disney Channel’s sitcom Raven’s Home.

Hailing from Detroit, this 20-year-old draws inspiration from the smooth soul of Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder.

Brown releases new single End Of The Season on February 6, and the hype around him is already big, with some tipping him as a new-generation Michael Jackson or Usher.

JACOB ALON

THE Scottish folk sensation is having a huge moment.

The singer-songwriter’s Mercury Prize-nominated debut album In Limerence landed in 2025, and now Alon has been shortlisted for the 2026 Brits Critics’ Choice Award.

Inspired by Nick Drake, Alon was introduced to music as a youngster, learning piano at age nine and picking up the guitar at 15.

The singer also played Glastonbury and Latitude and it was only because of lockdown that the singer began to commit to his music.

“I never took it very seriously until Covid hit and then I needed it. I needed to write to process. I was living on my own and songwriting became a way to understand the chaos.”

VILLANELLE

LED by Gene Gallagher, son of Liam, this London trio are already generating a serious buzz.

Gallagher, guitarist Ben Taylor and bassist Jack Schiavo met through mutual friends in a bar in 2023.

You may have caught them supporting Liam on his solo Definitely Maybe 30th anniversary tour in 2024.

Drawing comparisons to Nirvana, Black Sabbath and Arctic Monkeys, Villanelle deal in gritty, straight-up rock with sharp edges.

Debut single Hinge sees Gallagher tackling paranoia and sleepless nights.

ALESSI ROSE

RISING English indie-pop singer-songwriter from Derby, Rose has carved out her own lane with confessional pop and raw lyrics that focus on heartbreak, love and femininity.

Emotionally open and sharply observational, she’s already drawing comparisons to Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams.

She’s supported Noah Kahan and Tate McRae, and of her no-nonsense approach to songwriting she says: “If people don’t want me to write bad songs about them, they shouldn’t do bad things.”

EIGHTY EIGHT MILES

THE Midlands five-piece fronted by singer Ellie Grice are quickly building a reputation as a must-see live band.

They have wowed crowds at Isle of Wight Festival, Viva Sounds in Sweden, The Great Escape, Truck Festival, Y Not Festival and 2000 Trees, notching serious word-of-mouth along the way.

They’ve also landed choice support slots with The Lottery Winners, Red Rum Club and The K’s, while Fleetwood Mac legend Lindsey Buckingham has publicly heaped praise on them.

ALEX SPENCER

FROM Droylsden, Gtr Manchester, though born in Barcelona to a Spanish mum, Spencer has been picking up momentum fast.

Fresh back from a run of UK dates with Corella and a high-profile support slot opening for The Black Keys at Alexandra Palace Park in London, he’s now lining up a run of UK headline shows for next month.

Influenced by Sam Fender, Catfish And The Bottlemen and Arctic Monkeys, he travelled extensively as a child and wrote his first song while on a family trip to India.

THE GUEST LIST

FORMED in early 2021, The Guest List quickly built a huge online following after a number of energised indie covers.

Frontman Cai Alty says they are “a band from Manchester, not just a Manchester band”.

Often compared to Sam Fender, Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, they worked early on with The Coral’s James Skelly, who produced the singles London and Loose Tongue.

They’ve since won more fans after touring with Inhaler, Blossoms and Two Door Cinema Club.

MACKENZY MACKAY

MACKAY broke through in 2022 with song The One That You Call, quickly earning comparisons to Post Malone and Ed Sheeran.

Built around heartfelt storytelling and a genuine connection with his audience, his music has steadily found its people.

Tracks such as This Life, Broke and Cats & Dogs have helped grow a loyal fanbase.

AIN’T

LONDON outfit fronted by Hanna Baker Darch on vocals and George Ellerby on guitar and vocals, Ain’t pull together ’90s guitar music.

They have supported Thus Love on their UK tour, opened for Sunflower Bean, and will take part in The Great Escape Festival in Brighton in May.

Latest single Long Short Round follows recent release Jude.

SIENNA SPIRO

LONDON singer-songwriter known for her deep alto vocals and viral TikTok covers. She draws inspiration from Amy Winehouse, Frank Sinatra and Etta James.

Spiro started writing songs at age ten as a way of processing her emotions, and by 16 had left school to pursue music full-time.

Her breakout moment came with Maybe, a powerful, straight-talking anthem about self-worth that struck a chord far beyond social media and marked her out as a serious new voice.

THE SLATES

THE Slates are a West Yorkshire indie rock band you might have spotted tearing up festival stages at Isle of Wight, Truck and Y Not.

Their debut single Calling Up landed as a song of the summer, with frontman Louis Barnes saying it reflects “the feeling of rejection and feeling left out”.

DEAD DADS CLUB

THE new project fronted by Palma Violets’ Chilli Jesson is built around a deeply personal, self-titled debut album exploring his emotional journey following the death of his father when he was just 14.

Produced by Fontaines D.C.’s Carlos O’Connell.

CARDINALS

IRISH five-piece Cardinals are set to release their debut album Masquerade in February, and already have some serious backing.

Fontaines D.C. singer Grian Chatten is a vocal fan, calling them his favourite Irish band, while live shows alongside The Pogues and NewDad have helped spread the word fast.

Fronted by Euan Manning, with brother Finn adding accordion.

TOLOU

NORWEGIAN Nigerian singer Tolou blends the atmospheric textures of her former home Tromso with the vibrant rhythms of her African heritage.

She describes the resultant sound as Afro-Scandi pop.

Her influences range from Lana Del Rey and Burna Boy to Robyn and Bruno Mars but her main inspirations are Rihanna and Beyonce.

SAINT HARISON

A SOUTHAMPTON-born songwriter and R&B artist, Saint Harison’s music is rooted in soul-baring honesty, using songwriting to process emotion and hardship.

Introduced to Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand and Marvin Gaye by his grandad, he won a local singing competition at the age of 13 and is set to release his EP in early 2026.

MARY MIDDLEFIELD

THE Swiss musician and songwriter has been classically trained on the violin since the age of five.

Middlefield’s work brings a refined, emotionally direct edge to modern pop.

Her latest single The Feast landed in late 2025, building on earlier releases such as Atlantis and Summer Affair as she gears up for a new project in 2026.

ANDREW WASYLYK

A SCOTTISH composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Wasylyk’s work drifts between modern classical, ambient and soundtrack worlds.

His single First Moonbeams Of Adulthood came out in November 2025, and is from the anticipated forthcoming album due this spring.

GIRL TONES

THIS US rock duo made up of sisters Kenzie on vocals and guitar and Laila on drums, are often compared to The White Stripes.

The Girl Tones’ debut releases, including recent single Burnout, were produced by Brad Shultz of Cage The Elephant.

They have toured with Cage The Elephant alongside The Velveteers and Silversun Pickups.

OASIS racked up a million album sales in the UK this year – without releasing a single new tune. 

Their reunion tour has fuelled a massive resurgence in their records, meaning two of their albums finished in 2025’s Top Ten, according to the British Phonographic Industry. 

Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, along with their bandmates, also helped to drive an increase in vinyl purchases. 

This year, vinyl sales in the UK were up 13.3 per cent to 7.6million units.  

Oasis’ greatest hits collection Time Flies . . . 1994-2009 was the fourth most popular album of the year, while (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? was at No7 thanks to a reissue. 

Elsewhere, Taylor Swift’s The Life Of A Showgirl has been crowned the best-selling album of 2025.

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This, despite it only coming out in October, while Sabrina Carpenter has two records in the Top Ten. 

The figures have been released as part of a report by the BPI on recorded music consumption. 

It also tells how a new wave of British talent including Olivia Dean and Lola Young have helped UK recorded music grow for the 11th year, with 210million albums sold. 

And I’ve got my eye on a whole flurry of new stars including Sienna Spiro and Skye Newman as we head into the new year. 

THE list of living names in Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire has shrunk to a jaw-dropping three.

Three decades after the tongue-twister song topped charts around the world, most of its human landmarks are gone. 

Out of the 59 people name-checked in the 1989 mega-hit, only Bob Dylan, rock n roll singer Chubby Checker, and “subway vigilante” Bernie Goetz are still alive. 

The grim-but-fascinating fact has been doing the rounds on social media after Bardot’s death was announced on Sunday.

One shocked fan admitted: “This is how I find out Chubby Checker is still alive.” 

Another said: “The kind of useless trivia I’ll be physically incapable of not repeating at the next dinner party.”

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Billy’s catchy banger is a whirlwind history lesson.

It rattles through headlines and pop culture moments in strict chronological order starting the year Billy Joel was born in 1949, and racing toward the late 1980s.

One of the song’s most packed lines – “Bardot, Budapest, Alabama, Khrushchev” – covers 1956, the year iconic French actress Brigitte Bardot shot to global fame in And God Created Woman. 

It also nods to the Hungarian Revolution in Budapest, the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama, and Nikita Khrushchev’s rise to power in the Soviet Union after Stalin’s death. 

Music also runs through the song like a second timeline.

Chart topper Billy, now age 79, kicks things off with Cry singer Johnnie Ray in 1949, one of the first modern pop stars signed to a major label. 

He quickly follows with Bill Haley & His Comets, whose Rock Around the Clock sent rock ’n’ roll into overdrive. 

Elvis Presley turns up in 1955, Buddy Holly marks 1959 and the tragedy of the Day the Music Died, Chubby Checker dances into 1960.

Bob Dylan appears in 1961 as pop music takes a sharp turn toward protest and social change.

By the time Joel hits the mid-to-late 1960s, it’s Beatlemania and Woodstock.

Bernie Goetz gets a mention after he became a household name in 1984 for shooting four black men on a train in New York after they allegedly demanded money.

One of the men was left brain damaged and paraplegic, and the shooting became a symbol of deep racial divide in the city.

Goetz handed himself in to police nine days later and was dubbed the “subway vigilante” by local media.

WHAM! star George Michael has raked in almost £75million from beyond the grave — and is set to bank even more, accounts show.

The singer’s firm, Nobby’s Hobbies Holding Limited, has turned over £74.7million since he died aged 53 on Christmas Day 2016.

Royalties poured in after the band’s 1984 classic hit Last Christmas, which he wrote, was the festive No1 in both 2023 and 2024.

George’s estate earned £6.6million from the 2023 chart success alone.

Cash also came from the 2023 Netflix documentary Wham!.

The company’s latest accounts end in March 2024, meaning earnings from Christmas 2024 are yet to be included.

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George left a £98million fortune when he died, mostly to his sisters.

We revealed earlier in the year how George Michael’s dilapidated £10m London mansion is showing signs of improvement after major renovation work.

A bitter row with neighbours over the chopping down of a number of historic trees hasn’t deterred the late star’s sister from updating the property.

George’s only living sibling, Yioda Panayiotou, was handed ownership of the property following the singer’s tragic death on Christmas Day 2016 at the age of 53. 

There was outrage when Yioda’s design team asked the local council to remove a number of trees and prune others at the front and rear of the property, which is in a conservation area. 

One residents association was furious that the works were also going to occur during the peak nesting season, which runs from March to July. 

2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for music fans, with huge names set to drop new albums and singles.

From Lana Del Rey adding a country twist to her latest tracks, to The Rolling Stones promising fresh rock anthems, there’s something for every taste.

Rising stars like Raye and Leigh-Anne will be making waves, while veterans including Paul McCartney, Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen show no signs of hanging up the microphone.

With this and so much more on the way, here are our top picks for an exciting year ahead.

LANA DEL RAY 

FOLLOWING the likes of Beyonce and Post Malone, Del Rey is set to saddle up and add country nuances to her tenth studio album.  

Previously announced as Lasso and The Right Person Will Stay, expect Stove sooner rather than later in the new year.  

XMAS LEGEND GONE

Driving Home For Christmas singer Chris Rea dies aged 74

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Singles Henry, Come On and Bluebird demonstrated her shift to Americana stylings. 

THE ROLLING STONES 

MICK JAGGER, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood may be hanging up their touring boots, but it still promises to be a momentous year for rock’s great survivors.  

There was a huge 18-year gap between Hackney Diamonds (2023) and the Stones’ previous album of original songs, A Bigger Bang.  

But in late April, we can expect a new one, again produced by US live wire Andrew Watt. 

RAYE 

WE can expect the much-anticipated follow-up to Raye’s all-conquering, soul-bearing, Brits-winning My 21st Century Blues.

The R&B singer debuted two unreleased songs at this summer’s Glastonbury with one, Where Is My Husband!, becoming the lead single from the as-yet-unnamed album.

Her official site promises an early 2026 release date. 

FOO FIGHTERS 

A NEW album from Dave Grohl and Co is on the cards in 2026, their second since the sad passing of Taylor Hawkins.

With another new drummer, ex-Nine Inch Nails Ilan Rubin, announced in the summer, the first recorded music with him appeared in the shape of single Asking For A Friend.

Two massive UK shows at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium are set for June. 

ROBBIE WILLIAMS 

INSPIRED by the mid-Nineties period after Robbie left Take That, Britpop is his 13th studio album. 

It begins with the, er, rocket-fuelled Rocket, which is graced with suitably heavy riffing from Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi. 

Bearing in mind the recent exploits of Oasis, Blur, Pulp and Suede, why not this celebration by one of the era’s favourite singers?  

Out on February 6. 

CHARLIE XCX 

AFTER the Brat summer of 2024, the singer heads in another direction with her soundtrack album for Wuthering Heights.  

Out on February 13, same day as Emerald Fennell’s film version of Emily Bronte’s novel, it has already yielded singles House, with Velvet Underground legend John Cale, and Chains Of Love.

Charli says: “It couldn’t be more different from Brat.” 

PAUL McCARTNEY 

AS far as his epic music career is concerned, Macca will never “let it be”. 

The Beatles legend confirmed work on the follow-up to 2020’s excellent McCartney III.  

In the foreword to a memoir about his other band, Wings, he wrote: “Right now, I have 25 songs that I’m finishing . . . new songs that are interesting.”  

He’s also mentioned in despatches sessions in LA with Andrew Watt (Stones, Lady Gaga). 

THE FACES 

HERE’S a rock ’n’ roll reunion to savour. 

The band’s three survivors, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and Kenney Jones, have been preparing their first album in more than 50 years. 

At least 11 songs have been recorded, which Jones says are “a mixture of stuff we never released but is worthy of releasing and some wonderful new stuff. Rod is writing the lyrics.” 

COURTNEY BARNETT 

THE Aussie rekindles her love of the electric guitar on her forthcoming fourth album.

After decamping to California, she’s been recording in Rancho De Luna, Joshua Tree, home of the legendary hard-rocking Desert Sessions.

First evidence of her labours is recent single Stay In Your Lane, complete with scuzzy bass lines and wonderfully deadpan vocals. 

VAN MORRISON 

HOT on the heels of his sublime return to form, Remembering Now, comes this love letter to the blues, Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge.

Out on January 23, the 20-track album proves Van is still “The Man” at 80.

It includes Fats Domino’s Ain’t That A Shame, Blind Blake’s Delia’s Gone and features stellar 

guests – Buddy Guy and Taj Mahal among them. 

DANNY L HARLE 

AFTER stellar production duties with Dua Lipa, Caroline Polachek and Olly Alexander, Harle steps into the limelight with the genre-hopping Cerulean (released February 13).

“This is my debut album. This is the big one,” says the North Londoner.

Singles already released Starlight (ft PinkPantheress) and Azimuth (ft Polachek) offer much promise. 

BJORK 

THE Icelandic icon has given a strong hint of new material in the new year, her first since 2022’s Fossora. 

She’s involved in a huge exhibition in Reykjavik involving immersive audio and visual installations.

A social media post reveals that the third and last of these is “a new work based on music from her forthcoming album, currently in development.” 

LEIGH-ANNE 

THE impressive former Little Mix singer can finally do things her way when 

she releases her 15-track debut album as an independent solo artist. Following the singles Been A Minute, Burning Up and Dead And Gone, she delivers My Ego Told Me To in February.

Rooted in reggae and pop, it explores personal themes of family and empowerment. 

GORILLAZ 

MURDOC, Russel Hobbs, 2D and Noodle – the brainchildren of Damon Albarn and visual artist Jamie Hewlett – release The Mountain on March 20.

The ninth Gorillaz album brings Indian music to the fore but also finds room for guest appearances by Sparks, Gruff Rhys, Idles and Johnny Marr. Drummer Hobbs calls it “a journey of the soul – with beats.” 

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN 

THIS was a year when The Boss gave us so much.

Another visit to the UK with the E Street Band followed by two significant raids on his archives – Tracks II with its SEVEN unreleased albums and an expanded Nebraska to coincide with the recent biopic.

Yet he told Rolling Stone: “I have a record finished. It’s a solo record  . . .  I imagine it will come out in ’26 some time.”  

MUMFORD & SONS 

THE trio of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Deane have reunited with Taylor Swift associate, The National’s Aaron Dessner.

He has produced and co-writes Prizefighter.

Set for release on Feb 13, the band’s sixth studio album arrives less than a year after their UK No 1 fifth, Rushmere. Gracie Abrams, Chris Stapleton & Hozier guest. 

LUCINDA WILLIAMS 

BEARER of one of the most passionate voices in American music, Williams returns with World’s Gone Wrong on January 23.

She addresses head-on the divisions in her country while taking specific aim at the sandy-haired White House incumbent.

She duets with the mighty Mavis Staples on a cover of Bob Marley’s So Much Trouble In The World. 

THE DAMNED 

WHEN the punk pioneers’ founder member Brian James died earlier this year, the current line-up recorded a covers album celebrating the Sixties music loved by their fallen comrade.

Not Like Everybody Else is out on January 23.

Singer Dave Vanian turns There’s A Ghost In My House into a hoot and Captain Sensible takes the lead on Pink Floyd’s See Emily Play. 

LEGENDARY British singer-songwriter Chris Rea has tragically passed away aged 74.

The singer, from Middlesbrough, penned the smash hit Driving Home For Christmas in 1978.

Christopher Rea was born on 4 March 1951 in Middlesbrough in the North Riding of Yorkshire to an Italian father, Camillo Rea, and an Irish mother, Winifred K. Slee.

In 1973 he joined the local Middlesbrough band, Magdalene and began writing songs.

He went on to enjoy a long and sucesfull career on the British music scene.

His most famous song Driving Home for Christmas, song has made a reappearance on the UK Singles Chart every year since 2007.

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It’s now a chart regular at this time of year, reaching its highest position in 2021 when it made it to number 10.

Rea was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of just 33 and faced nine serious operations – spending a total of 32 weeks in hospital.

While appearing on the TV show Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing Christmas special in 1994 Rea told the hosts he had “never really gotten over” his diagnosis.

He has previously opened up on his health battle, revealing that some of his internal organs, his pancreas, gallbladder, and left quadrant of the liver were “all gone” after an operation.

It was after he had received the lifesaving surgery that the star discovered he had type 1 diabetes.

Speaking candidly about the moment he told his wife Joan Lesley about the diagnosis Rea said: “She pulled the car over and burst into tears.”

Chris has previously said he has to take “34 pills every day” after his health struggles.

His wife Joan was there when the hitmaker wrote the Christmas favourite Driving Home for Christmas.

The pair have been together since they met as 16 year olds in Middlesbrough and it is said Rea has the longest surviving relationship in the music industry.

The couple have two daughters together Josephine, born 16 September 1983, and Julia Christina, born 18 March 1989.

Speaking to Bob Mortimer about its origins, Chris previously said: “I was on the dole when I wrote that.

“My manager had just left me. I’d just been banned from driving.

“My now wife, Joan, had to drive down to London to pick me up in the Mini and take me home, and that’s when I wrote it.”

That Christmas drive up north was a magical one indeed, not only did he write a famous song, he also received a cheque for £15,000 upon stepping through his front door.

His song Fool (if you think it’s over) had become a hit in America and earned him a pretty sum. The timing couldn’t have been better given he was down to his last £200.

It was a while before Driving Home would make any money.

AN unreleased track by rock legends Queen that “no one has ever heard” will be played publicly for the first time today.

Guitarist Sir Brian May, 78, will broadcast Not For Sale (Polar Bear) on radio station Planet Rock.

It was originally recorded during the sessions for the band’s 1974 album, Queen II, but did not make the final cut.

This remastered version will feature in the 2026 re­release of the album.

While a “bootleg” version of the song by May’s pre-Queen band Smile may already have circulated, he says “no one” has heard this version.

It will be played during Sir Brian’s Planet Rock Christmas Special at 6pm — featuring his favourite seasonal tracks.

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He said: “It’s a song that goes back a very long way, but to my knowledge no one has ever heard this version.

“It’s a work in progress and will appear on the forthcoming rebuild of the Queen II album.

“But I’m sneaking this into my Planet Rock special because I’m fascinated to know what people think about it.”     

Formed in the 1970s, Queen was made up of guitarist Sir Brian, drummer Roger Taylor, late frontman Freddie Mercury and bassist John Deacon.

The group has since had six UK number one singles and 10 UK number one albums with some of their best known songs including Bohemian Rhapsody, Killer Queen, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, and We Are The Champions.

IT was the year when those noisy Mancunian brothers brought the Britpop Nineties back to packed stadiums everywhere.

It was the year when Pulp made a charming first album in 24 years, with Jarvis Cocker singing about getting older with a wry smile on his face.

But I contest that one band from the era has been the most forward-facing, the most creative and the most kick-ass – Suede.

Which is why their vibrant, visceral, unflinching and wildly adventurous Antidepressants is our Album Of The Year.

Back in September to mark its release, frontman Brett Anderson told me: “We’ve fallen in love with being a rock band again.” And this week I caught up with him again to impart some good news . . . 

Congratulations! Antidepressants is the SFTW Album Of The Year. Does that make you happy?

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Thank you. Very!

In all the years of Suede, where does 2025 rank?

Right up there. Somewhere between 2024 and 2026.

What have been the highlights of the year for you?

The South Bank takeover gigs in September were great – playing those new songs live for the first time was special.

I particularly enjoyed the Clore Ballroom show where we just did post-reformation stuff.

I thought that was an exciting and fairly unique thing to do for a band of our generation.

Also, I just love the South Bank. Walking over the footbridge from Embankment tube and looking at the skyline always gives me a sense of awe, a feeling of London being this big, beautiful, living thing.

Which of the new songs have you enjoyed singing live the most?

June Rain has a nice dynamic and slow sense of build which works great live. Plus the first half is spoken-word so I get to sit down a bit.

I personally think the album’s opening song Disintegrate should be the Christmas No.1 . . . do you agree?

Ha! Yes, love it. A kind of resolutely unseasonal Christmas song full of dread and fear.

Which album, aside from Suede’s, has been your favourite this year and why?

I liked Sprints’ All That Is Over. It was sharp and shouty and brainy and brash. (Sprints are an Irish garage punk band).

You told me that Suede are “the anti-nostalgia band”. What keeps you facing forwards rather than reflecting on the past (unlike some of your peers)?

Hmmm, huge question. I’ve always thought the point of any artist was to create rather than to repeat and consolidate.

That search for the next great song, the next great album, the next great moment has always been the carrot I’ve chased.

I come from a fiscally poor but culturally rich family background. My mum was an artist and a dressmaker and my dad was a classical music-obsessed taxi driver who made our furniture.

When I was a kid, we didn’t have any money, so if you wanted something you made it yourself.

I’m much less interested in what I wrote 30 years ago than in what I’m going to write next.

Have you started work on the third album of Suede’s “black and white” trilogy, following Autofiction and Antidepressants?

Yes, we’ve written a handful of songs already. I want it to be harder and more extreme than Antidepressants, a relentless onslaught, incessant and uncompromising and very rhythmic.

I already have a title which I’m keeping secret.

You also spoke to me of the importance of family relationships. Does that mean Christmas is a special time for you?

My family and my band are of course so, so important to me and in many ways they feed into each other. It’s hard to write about family without coming across as schmaltzy but luckily I can find the cloud in any silver lining.

Among my favourite songs I’ve ever written are Life Is Golden and She Still Leads Me On which have both been inspired by fatherhood and family.

And yes, Christmas is especially great when you have kids.

Happily though, now my son is older, there’s less pressure for me to dress up in a Santa suit.

What are your hopes for 2026 – for you, your family, the band, and for humankind?

For the band to write a great follow-up to Antidepressants and for humankind to stop scrolling. My hope for myself is always the same – to be a good husband and father.

2. ROSALIA

Lux

THE Spanish star known for her reinvention of ­folk and flamenco turned her attention to more bombastic, classical genres on this fourth album.

Backed by the London Symphony Orchestra it was a lavish production sung in a variety of languages. Bonkers but brilliant. JS 

People Watching

WITH its widescreen ambition, driving intensity and visceral lyrics, songs about “the human experience” couldn’t fail to draw comparisons with Fender’s “biggest hero”, Bruce Springsteen.

But it also marked the Geordie’s coming of age as a major artist in his own right. SC 

4. ROBERT PLANT with SUZI DIAN

Saving Grace

FOR six years, Led Zeppelin legend Plant has surrounded himself with acoustic musicians who live near his Worcestershire home, singer Dian among them.

Together, they gave us a ravishing mix of trad and contemporary covers. Rarely has he sounded so sublime. SC 

5. BIFFY CLYRO 

Futique 

A REFLECTIVE album shaped by friendship, family and loss, it captured Biffy Clyro at their most emotionally open.

Goodbye explored mental health, while A Thousand And One and Two People In Love delivered some of the most moving moments. JS 

6. MARGO PRICE 

Hard Headed Woman

FURTHER proof that Price tells it like it is. This was a stirring return to her country roots, following the trippy rock textures of Strays.

It drew comparisons with her beloved debut, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, but was inspired by another decade of life experience. SC 

7. TURNSTILE

Never Enough

THIS fourth album from the hardcore punks from Baltimore, known for their energetic live shows, crossed into the mainstream.

The title track had a catchy chorus and melodic guitar breaks while at its heart there was still an uncompromising mandate to rock out. JS 

8. THE DIVINE COMEDY

Rainy Sunday Afternoon

WE’VE long been intrigued by Neil Hannon – not just because he once wrote a song called Something For The Weekend.

These 11 tracks assumed a reflective tone, with love and loss prominent themes, and featured some of Hannon’s most sumptuous tunes. SC 

9. YUNGBLUD

Idols

THIS album sees Yungblud questioning hero worship and identity after a life-changing encounter with a fan.

Inspired by Britpop, it’s his most confident work yet, opening with a nine-minute rock opera and driven by limitless self-belief and ambition. JS 

10. LADY GAGA

Mayhem 

GAGA proved why we loved her in the first place, returning to her dance-pop roots.

She recalled the vibe of her 2008 debut The Fame yet delivered an album for the here and now.

It was marked out by strong singles Abracadabra and Disease. SC 

11. GEESE

Getting Killed

THIS was a case of do believe the hype. With mesmerising singer Cameron Winter at the helm, Brooklyn’s indie rock saviours might channel The Strokes, The Stones, or even Nirvana, but they’re too weird and original to be slaves to their influences.

On the brink of greatness. SC 

12. JACOB ALON

In Limerence

FEW debuts arrived so perfectly formed as this one featuring the tender storytelling of Scottish singer Alon.

With an impossibly pure voice which sat somewhere between Bon Iver and Thom Yorke, it was full of fragile hope.

Vulnerable and haunting ambient soundscapes. JS 

13. PULP

More

JARVIS and Co’s first album in 24 years was dedicated to dear departed bassist Steve Mackey – and it summoned the old mischief. “I am not ageing.

No, I’m just ripening,” cried the singer on Grown Ups, a song filled with lyrical twists and turns. SC 

14. CMAT

Euro-Country

WITH songs about Teslas and Jamie Oliver, there was a quirky, kitsch element to Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson’s third album.

It also plumbed deeper depths of emotional pain but was allied to soft pop melodies.

Issues tackled included social media and objectification. JS 

15. MATT BERNINGER

Get Sunk

TALL, elegant, blessed with a sumptuous baritone, The National’s frontman and lyricist is an, er, National treasure.

But he managed to save wonderfully evocative songs for his second solo outing, including the intoxicating ebb and flow of opener Inland Ocean. SC 

16. DAVE

The Boy Who Played The Harp

HIS first album in four years found Dave drawing on the power of his biblical namesake King David to explore vulnerability and masculinity.

With James Blake’s ghostly production on Selfish and Chapter 16 (ft. Kano), it struck a reflective mood. JS 

17. JASON ISBELL

Foxes In The Snow

THE Alabama-born artist recorded his latest offering without his ace band, the 400 Unit, but with an old acoustic guitar for company.

“This is the first time I’ve done an album with just me and a guitar,” he told SFTW of the exquisite, stripped-back song cycle. SC  

18. BILLY NOMATES 

Metalhorse 

METALHORSE emerged from a personal, tumultuous period for Tor Maries.

A loose concept album set in a dilapidated funfair it featured radio hit The Test, while Strange Gift offered hope.

Closing song Moon Explodes was especially moving, written after Maries’ MS diagnosis. JS 

19. BIG THIEF

Double Infinity

FEW vocalists could handle the word “incomprehensible” like Adrianne Lenker on this LP’s fuzzy joy of an opening track.

Though the indie darlings have contracted to a three piece, there was nothing shrinking about their fearless, exilharating sonic adventure .SC  

20. OLIVIA DEAN

The Art Of Loving

MELLOW and sumptuous, the second album from the stylish Londoner was smooth soul to relax into.

Tracks such as Nice To Each Other and Lady Lady were warm and all-enveloping, exploring affairs of the heart with a particular emphasis on self-care. JS 

21. LILY ALLEN

West End Girl

LILY’S fifth album, the first in seven years, was also her most vulnerable and intensely personal.

It came after her split from actor husband David Harbour and the songs laid it all out in heartbreakingly painful detail.

Infidelity and betrayal were constant themes. JS 

22. BON IVER

Sable, Fable

DIVIDED into two distinct halves, the first was an understated return to the folky stylings of Justin Vernon’s wintery debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago.

The second blossomed into more upbeat territory, primed for glorious spring sunshine. SC  

23. THE WATERBOYS

Life, Death And Dennis Hopper

MIKE Scott took us on a wild ride with this 25-track album celebrating “one of the great American lives”, actor and hellraiser Dennis Hopper.

He summoned a blizzard of musical styles and included cameos from Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle and Fiona Apple. SC  

24. AFRICA EXPRESS 

Bahidora 

EVEN before Blur completed their reunion gigs, Damon Albarn headed to the Mexican jungle with a dizzying array of 70-plus artists from four continents.

The result? A thrilling mash-up of African rhythms, electronic textures, Latin soul, rock, hip hop – everything! SC  

25. MAVIS STAPLES

Sad And Beautiful World

SHE bears one of the greatest living voices . . .  and it remained in towering form.

Well into her Eighties, Staples tackled our uncertain world with unerring compassion.

Guests included Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. SC  

26. BRANDI CARLILE

Returning To Myself 

THIS record found Brandi in an introspective, stripped-back mood after a landmark year.

Working with Aaron Dessner, Andrew Watt and Justin Vernon, the album reconnected her with loneliness, self-belief and politics, from the reflective title track to the powerful Church & State. JS  

27. WOLF ALICE

The Clearing

THE fourth album from the Brit award winners was a grandiose affair, a bold and confident leap forward.

Tracks like Bloom Baby Bloom incorporated all their strengths with bombastic choruses and lush melodies, showcasing Ellie Rowsell’s exceptional rock vocal range. JS 

28. STEREOLAB

Instant Holograms On Metal Film

A STRONG return after 15 years from the much-loved Anglo-French combo.

Led, as ever, by Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier, the album revisited their distinctive blend of art-pop and motorik beats, really hitting the mark on the effervescent Electrified Teenybop! SC  

29. RICHARD ASHCROFT

Lovin’ You

ASHCROFT’S first album of new music since 2018 arrived after he supported Oasis on tour.

From the Joan Armatrading-sampled Lover to the title track, which sampled Mason Williams’ 1968 Classical Gas, it was a vocally focused, emotionally wide record. JS 

30. WET LEG

Moisturizer

MORPHING from duo to fully-fledged band, the follow-up to their debut album was still as oddball as ever, but it came with a tighter focus.

Tracks like Davina McCall and Jennifer’s Body were heartfelt, kooky love songs backed by ragged, punky basslines. JS  

31. SOMBR

I Barely Know Her

A SPECIAL debut full of heartbreak from the bedroom pop star who quit school to make music.

His melancholy voice accompanied by his own guitar, bass and keyboards and drums, made this magical, with Dime and disco-tinged 12 To 12 emerging as standouts. JS 

32. MOLLY TUTTLE

So Long Little Miss Sunshine

THE Grammy-winning singer forged her reputation at the forefront of the bluegrass revival.

Now she has spread her wings with this ravishing work of myriad styles. It also provided her with the confidence to be open about her alopecia. SC  

33. TOM GRENNAN

Everywhere I Went, Led Me To Where I Didn’t Want To Be

THE down-to-earth singer from Bedford laid his feelings bare on this reflective fourth album shaped by growth, friendship and vulnerability.

It balanced anthemic pop with emotional depth, from Shadowboxing to Boys Don’t Cry. JS 

34. TAYLOR SWIFT

The Life Of A Showgirl

RECORDED in stolen moments during the record-shattering Eras tour, it found Swift reflecting on love and life in the spotlight after falling for NFL star Travis Kelce.

Working with Max Martin and Shellback, it was polished, theatrical pop with self-aware glamour and emotional insight. JS 

35. JOHN FOGERTY

Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years

FOGERTY celebrated the recent end of his decades-long fight to get his publishing rights back.

It meant he could belt out timeless hits Proud Mary, Born On The Bayou, Bad Moon Rising and Up Around The Bend with unbridled joy rather than lingering bitterness. SC  

36. MIDLAKE

A Bridge To Far

BEST remembered for their second record, 2006’s The Trials Of Van Occupanther, these enduring Texans rekindled their love of melody-rich folk rock. Two decades on, A Bridge To Far might just have been their best since that hallowed album. SC 

37. TATE MCRAE

So Close To What

THE Canadian singer’s third album was slick and polished futuristic pop and highlighted her journey from teenage dancer to arena-selling pop princess.

Tracks like Purple Lace Bra were multilayered with beats, synths and strings, and created a sultry, sizzling mood. JS 

38. BEIRUT

A Study Of Losses

FOLLOWING Zach Condon’s sortie to the Arctic Circle for 2023’s exquisite Hadsel came this work of unerring beauty.

The 11 songs and seven instrumentals, spanning nearly an hour, struck a melancholy tone but they left a lasting and profound impression. SC 

39. ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION

Arcadia

TO Robert Plant’s duet pal Krauss, her latest project was “like stepping into an old pair of shoes”.

Her first album with her virtuoso bluegrass band since 2011 evoked bygone times, while still connecting with 21st Century listeners. SC

40. TOM SMITH

There Is Nothing In The Dark That Isn’t There In The Light

AFTER 20 years fronting Editors and two records with Andy Burrows, Tom Smith stepped out on his own.

His first solo album stripped everything back to the core of his songwriting, capturing the honesty, anxiety and hope that shaped this new chapter. JS 

41. FKA TWIGS 

Eusexua 

THE album title was a made-up word taken from euphoria and sexual to describe “a feeling so intense it transcended the human form”. 

And it lived up to its name.

On the arty, left field side of electronica, this third record was her most complete and satisfying. JS 

42. THE DELINES

Mr Luck & Ms Doom

WHEN ex-Richmond Fontaine frontman Willy Vlautin (lyricist/guitarist in this band) is involved, you tend to get songs with disturbing narratives about people from the wrong side of the tracks.

This firmly ticked that box – and then there was Amy Boone’s enriching, expressive vocals. SC 

43. DAVID BYRNE

Who Is The Sky?

THE world may be going to hell in a handcart, but at least Talking Heads legend Byrne kept a smile on his face.

That was the vibe you get from his latest effort, most notably on rousing opening track Everybody Laughs, which came with a cameo from longtime collaborator St Vincent. SC 

44. BLOOD ORANGE

Essex Honey

ECLECTIC and imbued with an aching sense of loss and nostalgia, Dev Hynes’ fifth album as Blood Orange was an exploration of his upbringing in London.

A collection of memories recalled through spindly indie, jazz, chunky beats and evocative soundscapes. JS 

45. DAMIANO DAVID

Funny Little Fears

FOR Maneskin’s Damiano David, this felt the right moment for a solo album, revealing a more personal, previously hidden side.

It was less rocky than Maneskin, confronting fear and identity through piano-led pop inspired by Keane, The Killers, and Elton John. JS 

46. RON SEXSMITH

Hangover Terrace

THE Canadian has assembled a fine body of work, marked out by sumptuous melodies and perceptive lyrics.

He returned with one of his strongest collections.

Recorded in London, the album visited his childhood, his current concerns and much more in between. SC 

47. MY MORNING JACKET

Is

SINGER Jim James hoped the band’s genre-hopping tenth album would help people “navigate the chaos in the world”. 

If the overall vibe was psychedelic rock with plenty of reverb, MMJ employed elements of pop, country, soul, reggae, you name it. SC 

48. ETHEL CAIN

Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You

FEW artists have been able to express the intimate, sometimes painful, feelings about first love as well as the singer from Florida.

Evoking a haunting, Southern gothic atmosphere, her ambient rock sound-scapes framed a raw, heartfelt song cycle. SC 

49. CAR SEAT HEADREST

The Scholars

THE career trajectory of Will Toledo is nothing short of breathtaking.

He started out making lo-fi DIY albums in his parents’ car and now, as frontman of a fully fledged band, he made this crazily ambitious rock opera in the vein of Tommy or Ziggy Stardust. SC 

50. ADDISON RAE

Addison

THE debut album from the former TikTok star, who rose to popularity with her dance videos, broke the code.

Stepping confidently beyond influencer fame, she moved into sleek, self-aware pop.

Playful hooks and glossy production balanced vulnerability and attitude. JS 

WOKE BBC bosses could thwart a fresh bid to finally get Fairytale of New York to the Christmas number one spot – 38 years after it was released.

The corporation’s radio stations refusing to play a newly released ‘live’ version of The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York because it contains the “cheap, lousy f****t” lyric.

The track by the Irish rockers, originally released in 1987, is one of several vintage festive tracks that only reached number two in the charts, despite becoming classic anthems

Another example is White Christmas by Wham! which was kept off the number one spot by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas in 1984.

But fans finally got that to the top spot in 2023.

Fairytale has long been surrounded by controversy because it contains a perceived homophobic slur which has either been removed in some versions or not played at all.

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A music industry insider said: “It feels unfair that this live version which shouldn’t be edited has now been barred from the Beeb’s playlist.

“It’s an authentic performance of a much loved track by a much loved band and this move might be the measure that prevents it from getting to number one at Christmas, which is where it has always deserved to be.”

The original single was only kept from the top spot by Pet shop Boys classic Always On My Mind, which was a high-energy cover version of the Elvis Presley ballad.

Despite always making it into the top ten every Christmas, and featuring in the 2019 festive special of Gavin & Stacey, it’s never made it to number one.

The BBC were approached for comment.

THE Rolling Stones have called off plans for a UK and European tour next summer.

It would have been their first string of live dates since their huge Hackney Diamonds tour in the US in 2024 – which sold almost one million tickets.

It’s understood the band – who’ve sold over 250 million records worldwide – were looking at plans to play huge stadiums across Europe and the UK after pulling the plug on dates in 2025.

An American music critic said Keith Richards, who turns 82 on Thursday, told his bandmates Mick Jagger, 82, and Ronnie Wood, 78, he couldn’t commit to the trek at this time.

They added: “The Rolling Stones had all the big promoters throwing loads of ideas and dates at them for next summer.

“But when they properly sat down to discuss the tour, Keith said he didn’t think he could commit and wasn’t keen on a big stadium tour for over four months.”

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A spokesperson said at the time: “The band were looking to tour earlier this year but couldn’t make it work either.

“It’s hard for their fans but The Stones will get back onstage when they’re good and ready.”

In September, Ronnie confirmed to The Sun that he was waiting on the nod on the 2026 tour dates.

He also confirmed they had been working on their next album, which was recorded at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick, west London.

Ronnie said: “You will be getting new music from the Rolling Stones with an album next year. It is almost done. ”

Their last album, Hackney Diamonds, came out in 2023 and was their first record of original material in 18 years.

The album went straight to No1 in the album charts and spawned hits including Angry, which had Sydney Sweeney in the official music video.