Singer AURORA on how music transformed her mental health: ‘It helped me connect to the world'
The singer rose to fame with her 2015 debut EP, Running with the Wolves.
'When I was small, I didn't know how to connect to people or the world, so I was very isolated,' the 29-year-old told The Independent at the Silver Clef Awards on Wednesday (July 2).
She received the Contemporary Music Award at the event, which raised £715,000 for UK music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins.
'Music really helped me grow to connect with people and be more engaged with the world,' she said.
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Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
Oasis reunion: A high-five and a hug - the gestures were there, but ultimately it was all about the music
Oasis have reunited on stage for the first time in almost 16 years - with brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher sharing a high five and the briefest of hugs as they closed a performance that for fans was more than worth the wait. After the split in 2009, for many years Noel said he would never go back - and for a long time, as the brothers exchanged insults through separate interviews (and on social media, for Liam), it seemed pretty unlikely to ever happen. But now, here they are. As they walked out on stage at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, all eyes were on the Gallaghers for a sense of their relationship - dare we say it, friendship? - now after all these years. There was no reference to their fall-out or making up, but the gestures were there - lifting hands together as they walked out for the first time. Headlines and tweets of speculation and then confirmation of the reunion filled the screens as the show started. "This is happening," said one, repeatedly. In the end, it was all about the music. Liam has received criticism in the past for his voice not being what it once was, but back on stage with his brother tonight he delivered exactly what fans would have hoped for - a raw, steely-eyed performance, snarling vocals, and the swagger that makes him arguably the greatest frontman of his day. This was Oasis sounding almost as good as they ever have. 2:56 They opened with Hello, because of course, "it's good to be back". And then Acquiesce, and those lyrics: "Because we need each other/ We believe in one another." The song is said to be about friendship in the wider sense, rather than their brotherly bond and sibling rivalry, but you can't help but feel like it means something here. Over two hours, they played favourite after favourite - including Morning Glory, Some Might Say, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Supersonic and Roll With It. In the mid-section, Liam takes his break for Noel to sing Talk Tonight, Half The World Away and Little By Little; the tempo slows but there is by no means a lull, with the fans singing all his words back to him. Liam returns for hits including Stand By Me, Slide Away, Whatever and Live Forever, before sending the crowd wild (or even wilder) with Rock And Roll Star. When the reunion announcement was made last summer, it quickly became overshadowed by the controversy of dynamic pricing causing prices to rocket. As he has done on X before, Liam addressed the issue on stage with a joke. "Was it worth the £4,000 you paid for the ticket?" he shouted at one point. "Yeah," the crowd shouts back; seemingly all is forgiven. After Rock And Roll Star, the dream that very quickly became a reality for this band, Noel introduced the rest of the group, calling Bonehead a "legend". Then he acknowledges all their young fans, some who maybe weren't even born when they split. "This one is for all the people in their 20s who've never seen us before, who've kept this shit going," he says before the encore starts with The Masterplan. Noel follows with Don't Look Back In Anger, and the screens fill with Manchester bees in reference to the arena bombing and how the song became the sound of hope and defiance for the city afterwards. 1:31 During Wonderwall, there's a nice touch as Liam sings to the crowd: "There are many things I would like to say to you, but I don't speak Welsh." It is at the end of Champagne Supernova, which closes the set, that it happens; Noel puts down his guitar, and they come together for a high-five and a back-slap, a blink-and-you'd miss it hug. 0:26 "Right then, beautiful people, this is it," Liam had told the crowd as he introduced the song just a few minutes earlier. "Nice one for putting up with us over the years." From the roar of the audience, it's safe to say most people here would agree it's been worth it.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Young Archie competition 2025: Australia's awards for child portrait artists
'This is a portrait of my dad. He is kind and strong, and always takes care of me' 'This is my soccer coach. He always says 'Give it your best shot!' so I painted him giving HIS best shot! He loves showing us cool tricks, like bicycle kicks, even though he sometimes falls on his back. His hair is spiky because he runs so fast and his face looks serious because scoring goals is serious business. I think this is the best goal he ever scored … even if it's just in my painting!' 'This is me with Cinnamon the chicken. I really love birds and I want to be a birdwatcher when I grow up. My favourite part of my picture is the crest and the criss-cross feet of the chicken' 'I wanted to show how my dad feels when he listens to music. It's like the music takes him to a new place when he closes his eyes. I used colours to show how the sound turns into waves and light. Music isn't just something we hear, it's something we feel, too' 'I chose Dan because he is my good friend Dawar's dad and he's an artist. He turns people into pirates in his paintings, makes big artworks on buildings that have nice shadows, makes artworks with lots of round mirrors that you can see different reflections in, and he is famous for his art. He is really nice and cool. He is from Kudjala, Ghungalu, Wangerriburra, Wakka Wakka, Gubbi Gubbi, Kuku Yalanji, Bundjalung – and Yuggera Countries and lives on Gadigal land. He's really good at basketball. The whole family does lots of sport. They have a pug named Solo' 'This is my great grandma, Oma. She has lived for 93 years. She has seen a lot. She was originally from Lithuania. I love that I can connect with that side of my family' 'This is my brother. I watched him cradling the tiny kitten with his arms wrapped around it as if protecting the most precious treasure. His face was calm and his breath was in rhythm with its tiny purrs. I used to think he was just a noisy kid, but in that moment I saw something else – a heart big enough to love so completely, to care so deeply. As they slept, I realised how lucky I was to grow up alongside a soul as gentle as his' 'When I was little, I had a favourite stuffed toy. I would often hug it and bite it. This portrait blends my memory of biting the toy's ear with things from my imagination. Half of my face transforms into my favourite animal – a cat. Cats are curious and adventurous, always wanting to explore and discover. This represents my way of seeing the world – mixing real experience with fantasy' 'This is my goofy brother, Joey. He's evil; he ate the forbidden peach and broke the straw brush. He likes LEGO and would do anything to get it but then he uses it to make booby traps all over our bedroom floor. Sometimes he's sweet, though. He does jobs that I don't want to do, such as asking for screen time and then getting into trouble from Mummy instead of me' 'There's something special about a box – the treasures inside, the possibilities it holds and the people who find magic in them. Whenever my grandpa visits, we struggle to throw anything away. 'You know what that's good for?' he'll ask, turning a pill jar or cookie tin in his hands like a treasure. Cereal boxes, shoe boxes, chewing gum containers – each one has a purpose. But maybe it's not about the boxes at all. Maybe it's about the love of saving them and the environment – a quiet reminder that even the smallest things are worth holding onto' 'This artwork depicts my little sister as its main subject through the lens of my own perspective. To me, this portrait is about showing familial love and appreciation for my sister. As I reflected on why I chose her for this portrait, I realised how truly grateful I was to have her in my life as both a sister and a friend. Her support and love are unconditional and unmatched and no amount of paint can express how much I admire her kind, caring and brave personality' 'In my artwork I have depicted my grandpa and younger brother, some of the most important people in my life. Both of them have taught me valuable lessons in life, like how to show leadership and empathy. Through my artwork I have tried to portray how hard it was for them to separate at the airport when we moved to Australia. We regularly FaceTime each other to show our love for one another and catch up' 'I wanted to draw my teacher, Ms Jensen, because she is kind, encouraging and caring, and I know she will continue to support me as I progress through school. I am part of an extracurricular group at my school for students interested in human rights and inclusivity that Ms Jensen runs. Here she is wearing a hand-painted, wooden pendant from the Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission, representing her support for the Indigenous peoples of Australia. Ms Jensen inspires me to be the best person I can be!' 'I owe my love of reading to my mum. She has collected many books that line the walls of our house. Despite their contents being unknown to me, they have always had a presence in my life. Here she sits and reads as research for her own book, which will be about child therapy (she works as a child psychologist). She has been writing it all summer. As I get older, I begin to steal all her old books and read them for myself' 'I decided to paint a self-portrait as a tribute to myself and my strength. My bedroom is a representation of me and all the factors that contribute to who I am today, including pictures of my friends and memories pinned on my walls. Our spaces are a reflection of our minds, and the walls behind me offer a look into my personality' 'Brahmi is a drawing of one of my best friends who was in the grade above me at school. I have chosen to make her the focus of this piece as she is the first of my friends to go off to university. I wanted to find a way to show her how much I will miss her during my last year of high school, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do just that' 'I have chosen to depict my grandad in this portrait. I chose him because he is a great supporter of my art. I love how he would crack jokes and give me life advice when I was facing a problem. He's always been there for me, and I wanted to encapsulate his warmth and wisdom in one of my artworks' 'I have chosen to depict my mum and her younger self in this portrait. Over the years, she's faced many challenges that have left lasting impacts on her, both physically and mentally. She was once a beautician and developed a sickness that changed her appearance. She also had an operation in order to give birth to me. Without her, I would not be in this world right now. I am very grateful for the care and love that she has nurtured me with' 'What does a mother's love look like? Is it the warmth of her smile, the softness of her eyes, or the way she always turns back to make sure you're still there? This is my mum, Monette, drawn in the glow of a bustling street. The world blurs behind her into passing figures and neon lights, but she remains radiant, her endless kindness an anchor and a guide for my family. This portrait reflects of the love that shapes me – a love that needs no words to be felt'
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Liam Gallagher makes cheeky quip about THAT dynamic ticket pricing fiasco during Oasis' reunion tour opening night - after fans shelled out hundreds to attend
Liam Gallagher made a very cheeky remark to the crowds at Cardiff's Principality Stadium over the dynamic ticket pricing furore which caused outrage last summer. Tens of thousands of fans descended upon the Welsh capital on Friday to watch Liam and Noel Gallagher at last reunite, 16 years after a feud in Paris tore Oasis apart. Rumours began to swirl about a possible reunion last summer, with the Oasis Live '25 tour being announced a short time later, leaving scores of supporters in a frenzy. But when tickets were at last released, fans were left appalled as £148 standard prices sky-rocketed to more than £350, with many unable to secure a seat at one of the gigs. The ordeal in fact caused such controversy that it prompted a UK watchdog to investigate the use of dynamic ticket pricing. And taking to the stage on Friday evening, Liam - who has previously taunted fans over the fiasco - once again joked with the 75,000 supporters who had flocked to see him and his brother. Taking time away from the set list, the 52-year-old asked: 'You're having a good time, yeah?' Before cheekily adding: 'Is it worth the £40,000 you paid for the ticket?' Liam had previously hit back at criticism over the dynamic pricing scandal during a rant on X last year. The rock n roll star told a supporter to 'SHUTUP' in a comment after the fan quipped: 'Didn't expect them to rip fans off as much as they have done. It's genuinely a shame.' When asked whether he had any spare tickets, Liam hit back: 'S*** loads but there really expensive 100 thousand pounds Kneeling only.' After thousands of supporters were left without a ticket, Oasis later added dates to the tour due to high demand. And once again, with the beginning of the reunion just weeks away, the band also offered tickets to loyal members of their official supporters club via exclusive emails. Anticipation in the Welsh capital had been building all week ahead of Friday evening's 'momentous' return of one of the iconic British bands. Cardiff's streets were lined with Oasis supporters from all corners of the continent counting down the minutes to Liam and Noel's arrival. And the big moment came shortly after 8pm, with the Manchester-born brothers waltzing onto stage arm-in-arm sending the crowd wild. Liam and Noel stopped to gaze at the supporters who had waited years for the moment, holding hands in a moment which seemingly proved they've put their differences aside. 'Manchester vibes in the arena', Liam announced with his iconic maracas in-hand before beginning the set with Hello, singing the apt lyrics: 'It's good to be back.' Continuing with some of their biggest hits, Oasis then went into Acquiesce before transitioning into the fan-favourite 1995 tune Morning Glory. 'Yes beautiful people! It's been too long,' Liam announced. He then ordered the crowd to 'turn around and bounce' ahead of Cigarettes and Alcohol. Later, Noel appeared emotional as he performed Half The World Away and even stopped singing for a few bars at one point. They closed the show with their smash hits Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova as the crowds descended into tears over the incredible show. There was also a heartwarming moment as the band paid to tribute to Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident earlier this week. While belting out the lyrics of the iconic Live Forever, a photo displayed on the big screen of the much-loved Portuguese star wearing his number 20 Liverpool shirt. Jota died at the age of just 28 along with his brother Andre Silva. Diogo had celebrated his wedding days earlier. The evening brought a host of celebrities to the Welsh capital for what has been described as a 'momentous' occasion. Danny Dyer was pictured bounding through the streets of the city along with a pal shortly after 7pm, while Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon was seen taking in the atmosphere with his family. Vernon Kay was also in attendance, though his wife Tess Daly was nowhere to be seen. Before Oasis took to the stage, Richard Ashcroft was their support for the night, telling the crowd: 'So glad to be here with the greatest rock 'n' roll band. When I heard Oasis were reforming I thought I was in it!' Richard's former band The Verve toured with Oasis back in the early days, and Noel was spotted in the crowd ahead of his own performance to catch some of Richard's set. Noel's ex-wife Meg Mathews and daughter Anais were in the crowd to support him. A source told The Mirror: 'After posting about her ex-husband for weeks, Meg Mathews had a prime seat for watching the band. 'She was in great spirits before the set, watching Richard Ashcroft with pals.' Liverpudlian indie rock band Cast also paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota as they kicked off the Cardiff show. Frontman John Power also took a moment to pay tribute Diogo as he dedicated their song Walkaway to the star after his death. In an emotional moment, he said: 'This is Walkaway. This one is for Diogo Jota. Take it easy brother.' The Portuguese international and his brother were driving a Lamborghini Huracan when a tyre blew out while overtaking another vehicle on the A-52 at Cernadilla near Zamora - just ten miles over the border from Portugal. The £180,000 car is said to have rolled and burst into flames, with emergency services unable to save the footballing duo. No other vehicles were involved, police have said. The siblings were heading to Santander to catch a ferry to Britain after Diogo was advised not to fly following lung surgery, it was reported in his home country. Jota's untimely death sent shockwaves through the footballing world and fans have gathered in their hundreds to lay and pay tribute to the 28-year-old. The tragedy came just days after Jota married his new wife Rute Cardoso - who he shares three young children with - on June 22. After 15 years, Liam and Noel finally reunite for 41 shows across Europe and the 900,000 fans who have eagerly snapped up tickets will not be disappointed with the set list which is crammed with the nineties band's classics. The streets of Cardiff were 'electric' ahead Oasis's opening night with Wonderwall blasting from work vans while superfans are queuing up to purchase bucket hats and T-shirts.
