Latest news with #BillyIdol
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Steve Stevens On Ciari Signature Series Guitar, New Billy Idol Album
Guitarist Steve Stevens poses with his new Signature Series Ascender guitar line, now available via ... More Ciari Guitars For artists across the country, the idea of traveling with a musical instrument can be a complicated one both logistically and financially. Seeking to address that problem, Ciari Guitars has created a uniquely engineered instrument that's foldable for travel, a guitar that's able to be stowed easily in most airplane overhead bins or under most airplane seats. Partnering with guitarist Steve Stevens, Ciari launched their debut signature series, the Steve Stevens Signature Ascender, this week. 'I mean, this is a real solution to a problem,' confirmed Stevens during a recent video call. 'More and more, touring musicians are having to write while being on the road. I have a little recording set up that I put in my hotel room and this has enabled me to continue to write and send off guitar ideas. I've even recorded tracks for people's records on this while I've been on the road,' the guitarist explained. 'It's not a gimmick. It's a really great playing guitar that happens to fold up. And I think there's a good price point for it, you know?' Stevens said. 'We were really concerned about the affordability of it - because it's a super high quality instrument. But I think it's within the grasp of people.' NEW YORK, NY - [July 1983]: Steve Stevens and Billy Idol perform July 1983 in New York City. (Photo ... More by) Since 1982, Stevens has worked alongside rocker Billy Idol, co-writing hits like 'Rebel Yell,' 'Eyes Without a Face' and 'Flesh For Fantasy.' On the new album Dream Into It, Idol's ninth (now available on CD or vinyl and for online streaming via Dark Horse Records/BMG), Stevens co-writes each of the record's nine tracks. Set to begin an international tour this Friday, May 23, 2025 in Toronto, Canada, one which travels abroad through June and July, Stevens will join Idol and fellow punk Joan Jett for a U.S. summer run set to kickoff Thursday, August 14 in Tinley Park, Illinois. I spoke with Steve Stevens about traveling with gear, the Ciari Steve Stevens Signature Ascender series, the autobiographical storytelling that drives Dream Into It and the key to maintaining a partnership with Idol that now spans nearly 45 years. A transcript of our video call, lightly edited for length and clarity, follows below. Jim Ryan: Every time I travel with my photographer, and he's trying to carry on thousands of dollars in lighting and equipment, it becomes a complete mess at the gate. And, every time, I wind up thinking, 'How is a musician even able to travel with a guitar or an upright bass or any other instrument anymore?' How is Ciari kind of addressing this? Steve Stevens: Well, amazingly, they've designed a guitar that folds up and fits in a backpack - you can stow it away underneath the seat of a plane. Ryan: How did this partnership come about? Stevens: My older brother of five years is an industrial designer, so I've always been intrigued by new designs - and [Ciari founder and CEO] Jonathan Spangler brought one down to a Billy Idol rehearsal. He takes it out of the backpack and unfolds this thing and it's perfectly in tune - plays great, sounds great! And I'm like, 'This is revolutionary.' I mean, this is a real solution to a problem. More and more, touring musicians are having to write while being on the road. I have a little recording set up that I put in my hotel room and this has enabled me to continue to write and send off guitar ideas. I've even recorded tracks for people's records on this while I've been on the road. It's not a gimmick. It's a really great playing guitar that happens to fold up. And I think there's a good price point for it, you know? We were really concerned about the affordability of it - because it's a super high quality instrument. But I think it's within the grasp of people. Designed for the travelling musician, foldable Ciari Guitars are designed to fit in most airplane ... More overhead bins or underneath most airplane seats Ryan: I've seen Jonathan kind of make that distinction that it isn't just a guitar that travels well, it's a guitar that plays well. In terms of a playable instrument, what does the Steve Stevens Signature Ascender deliver both to you and other players? Stevens: Well, sonically, it's super versatile. I thought, if you're going to be traveling with one guitar, it'd be nice to have one that can replicate all the classic guitar sounds, from a Les Paul to a Strat to a Tele. So, we have a nice set of pickups in there. And I've worked with the Bare Knuckle Pickups company for a number of years and they helped us design a really versatile pickup. Everything about the guitar is quality - really amazing components. I'm so proud of the wiring and the mechanics of this guitar that I insisted on having the back plates clear so people could see what's going on there. Originally, they had black plastic. But I said, 'No. We gotta show the guts of this thing!' Because it's really, really cool. Ryan: I imagine there's going to be a skeptic out there who reads this and scoffs at the idea of a foldable guitar. But you've traveled with it. You've performed on stage with it. What do you say to that person? Stevens: Play one. I mean, the proof is in the pudding. I can talk about it till the cows come home. I was that same person. I was skeptical! When Jonathan sent me photos of it, I said, 'Oh, well, bring one by rehearsal and, if I have time, I'll check it out.' And then I saw the incredible mechanics that go into this thing and how it feels. And what's really cool about it is that it's still a rock and roll guitar. The body style is very rock and roll. And it's a cool little, hot rodded, fold up guitar. Guitarist Steve Stevens poses with his new Signature Series Ascender guitar line, now available via ... More Ciari Guitars Ryan: Let's get into the new album. What struck me about Dream Into It is the narrative that drives it. I know that's a bit of a departure from how Billy usually handles an album. I remember you kind of telling me previously that you take your musical cues from his lyrics. So, what was it like working on the music this time around from that sort of autobiographical template? Stevens: Yeah, I sort of approach my role with Billy as almost a director. I'm presented with a storyline and that's my motivation. What emotion is behind it? What's the feeling that he's trying to convey? And then it's my job to create the sonic picture that fits with that narrative. I'm very rarely concerned with showing off my guitar capabilities or something like that. Maybe early in my career that was something - but I'm certainly not waiting for my three minutes into the song solo and, you know, my moment of glory. As a matter of fact, I kept making the solos - if there were any solos on this record - shorter. Because I wanted this record to feel and sound contemporary. And there's not a lot of guitar solos on contemporary records. It's a don't bore us, get to the chorus kind of thing. And if a song needed a solo, sure - but we didn't necessarily have to put one in just for the sake of it being there. Ryan: In terms of the storytelling too, it almost kind of takes on a cinematic feel to me in the way the guitar playing combines with the lyrics to drive the story. You get those flamenco flourishes we know from you so well on 'I'm Your Hero.' There's also more rocking elements. But, in terms of that storytelling, who's a guitar player who really takes on that kind of cinematic feel and drives the narrative in that way to you? Stevens: Pete Townshend would be the ultimate. Because he's a writer, you know? I mean, there's guitar players - and then there's writers that play guitar. I understood that early on: that if you want to have a career, it has to be more than just being able to play guitar. And that is the basis of my partnership with Billy. I'm a co-writer on all these songs. And we work with some other really good writers on a lot of these songs. But it always starts with us two sitting in a room with a couple of acoustic guitars and pen and paper going, 'Alright, what's going on?' And then there's a little bit of a therapy session - what's going on in each other's lives? Or what movie we happen to watch or what's a great line from a movie that can spur an idea? It's been that way from day one with Billy - and it's never changed. That is how we operate. And I think that's something that's really cool about the chemistry between us. JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET and features a ... More diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band. The guests for Monday, April 28 included David Harbour, Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell and Hannah John-Kamen ("Thunderbolts*"), Billy Idol ("Dream Into It"), , and musical guest Billy Idol featuring Avril Lavigne. (Disney/Randy Holmes) BILLY IDOL, AVRIL LAVIGNE (Photo by Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images) Ryan: Well, there's obviously such strong female vocalists on this album. Were you kind of writing with them in mind or did they arrive after the songs were written? Stevens: I think that idea really came from when we did the concert at Hoover Dam. Alison Mosshart came and joined us and I thought she was phenomenal. And she had requested that we do 'John Wayne.' And we were like, 'Oh, really?' It wasn't a particularly well-known tune on one of Billy's records. 'OK, great!' And she interpreted it so well! We were really open to having other collaborators on the record. Avril Lavigne became interested in doing something. I think that the chemistry between Billy and a female is really cool. And we've always had that. We had our female keyboard player Judi Dozier back in the day. You just get a female's point of view on things, a female perspective. Because lord knows Billy's got a lot of female fans. So, I think they identify with that. Ryan: You mentioned Alison and Avril. Joan Jett's also there on 'Wildside' as part of that kind of age old tale of not slowing down that defines the song (as well as the impact that can have on the relationship side). But I love the solo in that. What was kind of your approach there? Stevens: I'm always the classic rock guy. I'm always the one going, 'Hey, what if we did something that sounds like Brian May or Jimmy Page or something? Or Billy Gibbons?' I just throw out these influences and little snapshots or little flavors of things. And, way back in the day, I had actually guested with Joan. I got up and played with her at, I think it was Disneyland. She did a show in Los Angeles. We've crossed paths over so many years. And, from what I understand, she was actually in London in like the early days of the punk thing. And I think our original demos were cut with Steve Jones and Paul Cook from the Sex Pistols. So, she's got that connection to Billy way back then. JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET and features a ... More diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band. The guests for Monday, April 28 included David Harbour, Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell and Hannah John-Kamen ("Thunderbolts*"), Billy Idol ("Dream Into It"), , and musical guest Billy Idol featuring Avril Lavigne. (Disney/Randy Holmes) BILLY IDOL (Photo by Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images) Ryan: Well, it's hard to believe we're coming up on almost 45 years here. Through highs and lows, ups and downs over that period, what's been the key to keeping that partnership with Billy Idol together? Stevens: Respect. He knows that I don't have my own agenda. As a collaborator, I'm there to make the very best Billy Idol music that I can. And I'm a really good team player. I love collaborating with not only Billy, but other writers that we worked with - and Tommy English, our producer. I really love those working relationships. To me, that is what is so amazing about making music. There are those guys that create their own thing. And they sit in a room and turn out a record. I'm just not that guy. I've always been a band guy and I've always loved reading stories about bands. When you're in making a record, you really are creating a band for that period of time. And we're so fortunate to have Josh Freese on drums and Chris Chaney on bass. That's the band that created this record. And those guys are not only phenomenal musicians but they're friends of ours. Ryan: Well, it's such a unique stretch here for Billy with the autobiography and the documentary that's coming. And now Dream Into It also takes a look back. I know you're always striving to push this stuff forward, but what's it been like taking this look back with Billy the way you have? Stevens: I mean, I know all the stories of his life before I met him. Obviously, I was there from the moment that he pretty much arrived in the U.S. So, there's a lot of shared craziness that's gone on! Being a part of the initial success with him and all of the things that accompany that for an artist making a big splash in the 1980s? I haven't seen the documentary but I'm sure that it will reflect that. Those were crazy times - and amazing years to be successful. I was all of 22 years old. And we enjoyed every bit of it, you know? But it's the music. I always tell people that and they say, 'Well, the drugs and booze and chicks and girls…' And I go, 'But the music always came first.' We always made sure that we put the music first and all the other stuff could wait. I don't feel that the music ever suffered.
Axios
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Weekender: 30 things to do in Charlotte this weekend, including PGA Championship and festivals
It's going to be another busy weekend for Charlotteans with a list of events this month from PGA Championship to Ballantyne's Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival. Friday, May 16 ⛳️ Check out the PGA Championship in Quail Hollow. | Prices vary | Runs through Sunday | Details 🏒 Cheer on the Checkers in their playoff game against Hershey at Bojangles Coliseum. | $29+ | 7pm | Details 🍿 Bring a blanket or chair to watch a film screening of "Cool Runnings" in the courtyard at Rally in LoSo. | Free | 7:30pm | Details 🛍️ Shop from a vintage night market in the Boileryard at Camp North End. | Free | 6-9pm | Details 🎶 Vibe to live music at Camp North End after work. | Free | 6-9pm | Details 📚 Listen to poets read selections from their collections at That's Novel Books in Camp North End and stick around for an open mic night where you can share your talents with the audience. | Free | 6-8pm | Details 🏌️ Practice your swing with golf simulators at HopFly Brewing Co. plus stick around for golf vendors, themed cocktails and a chance to win tickets to the PGA Championship. | Free | 4-9pm | Details 🎷 Vibe to contemporary jazz saxophonist Marion Meadows at Middle C Jazz. | $53+ | Times vary | Details 🎪 Take the entire family to see the UniverSoul Circus at Route 29 Pavilion in Concord. | $41-$78 | Runs through Sunday | Details 🥅 See Charlotte Independence play One Knoxville SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. | $13-$18 | 7pm | Details 🏃♂️ Team up with friends to participate in a 24 hour relay race that include camping and food at the Whitewater Center. | $150 | 3:30pm | Details 🎤 See Billy Idol make a tour stop in Charlotte at PNC Music Pavilion. | $43+ | 7:30pm | Details 😆 Laugh at jokes from comedian Funny Marco at Comedy Zone. | $42+ | Times vary | Details Saturday, May 17 👕 Head over to TAOH outdoor Gallery in NoDa for live painting, a spray paint workshop, T-shirt making workshop, food trucks and more for | Free | 12-4pm | Details 🤣 Laugh the night away at Watershed Charlotte and enjoy follow up discussions aimed at raising awareness on mental health issues. | $15 | 7pm | Details 🌸 Stop by Sycamore for their Spring Fest for live music from bands, dog adoptions and drink specials. | Free | 12pm | Details 🥐 Grab a bite from an Ashik Bakery + Caffeto pop-up at Grow's plant shop. | Free | 11am | Details 👯♀️ Party to music from DJs with Souled Out Dates at Camp North End. | Free | 3-10pm | Details 🎉 Attend One Fest at Lenny Boy Brewing for 80+ classes and workshops, live music, yoga, arts and a marketplace | $0-$189 | 10am-10pm | Details 🧘 Bring a yoga mat to stretch in an outdoor yoga flow at the Big Moon Green in Romare Bearden Park. | Free | 9am-10:30am | Details ⚽️ Cheer on Charlotte FC as they take on Chicago Fire FC at the Bank of America Stadium. | $41+ | 7:30pm | Details 🍽️ Eat your way through a Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival with live music at Ballantyne's Backyard. | $45+ | 12-6pm | Details 🇯🇵 Pull up to a Japan Fest at Urban District Market with food, games, demonstrations, performances and contests. | Free | Runs through Sunday | Details 🌷 Go on a self-guided tour of private gardens and courtyards across Uptown's Fourth Ward, all paired with food and cocktail tasting along the route. | $36.30 | Runs through Sunday | Details Sunday, May 18 🍽️ Eat a Spanish-themed four course dinner for Sunday supper at L'Ostrica. | $75 | 5:30pm | Details 🕯️Create a custom candle with Paddywax at Wooden Robot Brewery. | $20 | 1pm | Details 👯♀️ Catch an aerial dance show with brunch, a tiny tattoo pop-up and giveaways at Monday Night Brewing Garden Co. Proceeds benefit non profit kitten rescue Inked Kittens Club. | $30 | 11:30am-1pm | Details 🧘 Unwind with a yoga flow followed by brunch at the Whitewater Center. | $50 | 9:15am | Details 🍾 Have a Sunday fun day experience with brunch, drink specials and music from a live DJ at STATS. | $0-$100 | 12-9pm | Details 🎶 Relive the 90s in a day party with music from a live Dj at Alibi Patio & Garden. | Free | 4-9pm | Details
Gulf Today
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Billy Idol talks about his album, documentary and more
When Billy Idol first entered American consciousness in the early, leather-clad and bleached hair in tow, he not only brought a punk rock sound to the mainstream. The Englishman brought a new attitude, a new, rebellious way of being. In the time since, songs like 'White Wedding,' 'Rebel Yell' and 'Eyes Without a Face' have become instant classics — for those who've worn a spiky jacket and those who've only imagined what it might be like. Now, over four decades later, he's got the wisdom to reflect. It's led to a new documentary about his life, 'Billy Idol Should Be Dead,' which will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival — and a new album, the polished punk-pop of 'Dream Into It.' 'It was a gradual process, really,' he said of 11 year span between albums. 'It wasn't so much that we didn't want to make an album, it was more like we were building up to doing this.' Idol discussed about his new album and forthcoming documentary, his past struggles with addiction, his first-ever Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination and more. You've described 'Dream Into It' as autobiographical. I thought your last album, 2014's 'Kings & Queens of the Underground,' pulled from your life as well. Being this age, in particular, 69, when you look back, you can really see your whole life, how it plays out. And maybe it's also having grandchildren. My children are having children. You sort of reach this vantage point where you can really look back and see all the sort of different eras of my life. And you can sing about it. And I think I didn't go deep enough with the songs I did on 'Kings and Queens.' I thought lyrically I could go deeper. That's one of those regrets I had about the last album. So I really went for it, and I went for more imagery, (on 'Dream Into It,' in the) way of talking about my life. I'm not spelling it out exactly. There are a lot of rock 'n' roll women on the album. Joan Jett, Avril Lavigne and The Kills' Alison Mosshart are all featured. (Mosshart's) voice is just incredible. And of course, Joan Jett, I've known since 1978 after a Germs/Dead Kennedys concert. We hung out at the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles. I was on a Generation X promotion tour for the first album. And then Avril, I mean, I've just been watching her career forever and she's fantastic. So, it was just great. I've heard that sentiment from other performers. When we were young, with lots of stuff, one minute people were there and then next week they weren't. We were just living the rock 'n' roll lifestyle 24/7, dressing like it, thinking like it. And in those days, it embraced bad things. It's just what it was like. I took acid at 12 and a half, 13 (years old.) You get sucked into that world and it takes a hell of a long time to get away from it. And that's partly what I'm singing about in the album as well. There's a point in my life where I was very drug addicted, and it ruins relationships. Yeah, I'm lucky that I've kept the brain I've got, because some people went brain-dead and some people ended up in jail forever. Or dead. You're nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the first time. Do you think your younger punk rock self would be excited? I do sort of think about Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry and Little Richard. 'And what? Are you going to be in something with those guys?' You know, Buddy Holly. These are some of the seminal people who turned on the people that turned me on, you know? Somewhere down the road, it led to punk rock. Also, my motorcycle has been in the Rock & Roll of Fame for like five years. So I might as well be in it, too. Associated Press
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Q&A: Billy Idol On Dreaming His Iconic Career Into Existence
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET and features a ... More diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band. The guests for Monday, April 28 included David Harbour, Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell and Hannah John-Kamen ("Thunderbolts*"), Billy Idol ("Dream Into It"), , and musical guest Billy Idol featuring Avril Lavigne. (Disney/Randy Holmes) BILLY IDOL, AVRIL LAVIGNE (Photo by Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images) I have no real qualms with this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class, except, damn, Billy Idol should have made it. Not only does Idol deserve it for his amazing career with Generation X and as a multi-platinum solo act, but the timing would have been so perfect with Idol having made one of his best albums, Dream Into It, this year. As I found out when talking to him the record, which features appearances by Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett and Alison Mosshart, is very much a look back at his iconic career. I spoke with Idol about the album, tour, being a grandfather and more. Steve Baltin: It's funny that you're nominated this year and you've made one of the best albums of your career. Billy Idol: Yeah, it's kind of fantastic timing. I enjoyed Ozzy's induction solo, I really enjoyed being part of it. It was a great night. There are so many people I saw that I know and I met a million people. I didn't know Jelly Roll, playing with Wolfgang van Halen and stuff and just hanging out. It was a great night. My motorcycle has been in the Rock Hall of Fame for like five years so I might as well be. Baltin: I love 'John Wayne.' Idol: That's actually my favorite on the record. Baltin: But like 'People I Love,' for example, where you talk about letting down people you love. Were you surprised by some of the writing on this record? Idol: Yeah, exactly. I didn't tell my parents, I'm leaving university and joining a punk rock group, they didn't even know what a punk rock group was. He saw that, all their dreams for me just went like those cartoons, we're like going to pieces in front of you. So, you're really upsetting them, but you had to do what you loved. Then, just doing this job you're just not always there. I couldn't be at my daughter's graduation. So, I sent a card, congratulations. But this job is a bit like that. It rips you away from family at times and so you kind of hurt sometimes the people you love. So, that was the thing we were making the documentary during the Coronavirus, which is going to come out quite soon around the time of the album. So, I was bouncing off what we were talking about you know my life in the documentary so it's easy to bounce off that and make the album very much about different facets of my life and talk about but not spell out your life talk about it in imagery and give you vignettes or feelings about what my life was like rather than spell it out but I enjoyed it. Then the album is my life, '77' is the punk rock days. 'Too Much Fun' is coming to America. Then 'John Wayne' and 'Wildside' are realizing about human relationships and dealing with growing up or whatever and then 'I'm Your Hero' is about having grandchildren and seeing that they see you, they know you now. They don't know your backstory and they love granddad and stuff like that. So you get to talk about all these different things. I've got one foot in the past, one foot in today, and one foot in the future on this album in a way lyrically. Baltin: I'm a big believer in writing being subconscious. So, are there things that were revealing in this record that surprised you in a good way? Idol: Yeah, I didn't really realize how much making the documentary was making me reappraise my life because I'm 69. So, you find you are at this vantage point where you can really see your life and then actually doing the documentary at the same time, I got it spelled out. Like actually going back and revisiting like where we started this punk rock club in London the Roxy because there was this unofficial ban on all the punk rock groups, The Sex Pistols had broken up the Marquis club so a lot of the clubs. 'Let's have an unofficial ban.' So, we started our own club, The Roxy. Then going back and thinking about things like that, that was a bit of a dream to have a club that we start and then we could rehearse there and play in it and of course the first night that we put on people at the club, there was a clash, The Heartbreakers and Generation X. It was just a killer night and so you dreamt up your life really in a way. That's what the album's kind of talking about, like the Aborigines in Australia, we dreamt up the landscape. We never thought with punk rock it was going to go mega, we just thought it's going to last six months, maybe a year, maybe two years. Then it went kaboom in England. You could never imagine that. So we were doing this purely for the love. That was the thing. It paid off in spades. That says a lot to me about why you should do things in life. Baltin: When you look back on it, does it seem in a way not surprising that you are here nominated for the Rock and Roll All Fame because of the success of friends and punk rock? Idol: I went to school with Siouxsie and Steve Severin in the Banshees. So, 1973, 74 we were talking about what we wanted to do, and we were following the scene in the States and what's going on in CBGBs. Then we were digging David Bowie and people like that, and we wanted to be part of this music revolution we were seeing. I knew and then watching us both get somewhere and really love and create a style, we created definite styles for ourselves and all of that. You couldn't have imagined all that. It was just so exciting to do that and then end up spending your life doing that. It's been really fantastic. Then being able to talk about all that on this album and then even doing an album that's satisfying at this stage of your life. I could never have imagined that, sitting here today being excited about music and giving a damn and still caring and loving it, really loving what we do. It was a life I, I could say, I dreamed into it. There was a door, I saw the door opening and we were bored with what was going on. There was a massive depression in England at the time. America was depressed. So, if America is depressed, Europe's really f**ked. And England was just tearing itself apart. Not so different from what's going on today in America actually, where England's always a bit of a microcosm. In a way, you're able to talk about all that. And with this album, look back on the vista of your life, the documentary helping to realize I'm at this vantage point I've never had. Even when I wrote my book, I wasn't quite at this vantage point. We can really see what happened. And you're a little bit divorced from that person too. You're still him, but you're not the young guy anymore. Baltin: Like you say you have grandchildren now, you are a totally different person than the person who wrote 'White Wedding and 'Rebel Yell' and Generation X songs and in a way you can almost look at those as a fan. So, when you think about touring in a is it fun to revisit those songs because it's like a different person. Idol: Yeah, but there are also touchstone things in the songs that don't get old. That's 'White Wedding,' 'Rebel Yell,' 'Dancing With Myself,' I don't know what it is. They just don't get old when I perform them, they don't get boring. I've done, I can't think how many times I have done 'Rebel Yell,' t's like a million f**king times, but it's always fresh. I don't know how. How is it still fresh, Steve? It's because there was something intrinsic built into it at the time we made it that doesn't get old. It's alive. We really cared at the time. Something about Keith Forsey did an incredible job working with us and helping us as musicians to get somewhere or come to terms with writing songs. Then we've had a long time working together where we're still excited. We give each other room and we don't crowd each other. All of that kept the bond strong, and keeps us firing each other up. I couldn't have imagined any of that.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sheffield DocFest Sets Films on Ukraine War Field Medics, Agency Matching North and South Koreans
Billy Idol, female war field medics on the frontlines in Ukraine, a marriage agency matching North Korean women and South Korean men, a whistleblower in Vladimir Putin's Russia, the aftermath of Brexit, and Indian sex workers who begin making short films – those are just some of the topics to be featured in documntaries screening during the 32nd edition of Sheffield DocFest next month. Overall, the festival in the north of England will screen 116 films, 82 features and 34 shorts. It will feature 51 world premieres, 16 international premieres, eight European premieres, and 39 U.K. premieres from 68 countries of production. More from The Hollywood Reporter Among big names, Billy Porter will attend as executive producer of I Was Born This Way, Sam Pollard and Daniel Junge's celebration of the life of Carl Bean, from a tough childhood through to his musical success and queer rights advocacy. It will feature in the Sheffield fest's Rhythms section, along with the likes of Jonas Åkerlund's Billy Idol Should Be Dead, in which the rock icon, his family, friends, and collaborators reflect on 'his tumultuous career, personal life and lasting impact on global popular culture.' Of course, political themes and conflicts will also be in focus, for example in the festival's People & Community strand where Amber Fares' Coexistence, My Ass! will screen. 'Comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi turns satire into resistance, employing humor to expose hard truths about the relationship between Israel and Palestine – where coexistence feels like a bad joke,' reads a synopsis of the film. 'Cuba & Alaska' And the Rebellions section will include David Borenstein's Mr. Nobody Against Putin. 'A primary school teacher in Russia becomes an unlikely whistleblower as he goes undercover to document propaganda and militarization inside Russia's school system,' according to its description. 'At Sheffield DocFest, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire change and create an alternate future,' said Mimi Poskitt, Sheffield DocFest's managing director. 'And this is what DocFest 2025's program is all about: coming together to learn and be inspired to take action. In planning this year's edition, we reflected deeply on where we can make a real difference — how, in an environment where filmmakers are facing ever greater challenges, our festival can be a place where documentaries thrive.' Added Raul Niño Zambrano, Sheffield DocFest's creative director: 'This year, we've brought together some of the most powerful shorts, documentary features, series, podcasts, talks, and immersive works from across the globe to transform the city of Sheffield into a truly unique space where perspectives meet, just as our tagline proudly proclaims. Our 2025 program delves into urgent, creative, and cutting-edge stories — from activism and climate justice, to queer perspectives and powerful journeys through archival treasures.' The 32nd edition of the Sheffield DocFest takes place June 18-23. 'North South Man Woman' Check out the lineup for its international competition and its international first feature competition below. International Competition Cuba & Alaska – Yegor Troyanovsky – Ukraine, France, Belgium, 2025 (World Premiere) Two female medics in Ukraine's army, whose lives are captured via phone and body-cam footage, navigate the chaos of war with bravery, humour and friendship. Factory (Gong Chang) – Hao Zhou – Macau, 2025 (World Premiere) Acclaimed director Hao Zhou journeys into one of China's vast factories around the time of the pandemic to detail the impact of global supply chains and coercive business practices on workers' lives. The Gas Station Attendant – Karla Murthy – USA, 2025 (World Premiere) A daughter reflects on her South Asian father's life, his never-ending pursuit of the American dream, and the human capacity to love and survive. North South Man Woman – Morten Traavik, Sun Kim – Norway, Latvia, South Korea, 2025 (World Premiere) North Korean women meet South Korean men in a fascinating and often surprising look at love, business and geopolitics. Shards of Light – Mila Teshaieva, Marcus Lenz – Germany, Ukraine, 2025 (World Premiere) War has ravaged the Ukrainian city of Bucha, whose residents have endured unimaginable hostility and suffering. If hope remains a faint glimmer, the will to survive still shines through in this powerful and unflinching film. Still Pushing Pineapples – Kim Hopkins – United Kingdom, 2025 (World Premiere) A melancholic yet heartfelt story of the former singer of pop band Black Lace and his journey on the road with his aging mother and his partner, as he aims for a comeback. Welded Together – Anastasya Mirashnichenko, Anastasiya Zinovieva – France, Netherlands, Belgium, 2025 (World Premiere) A young welder confronts her fractured past to protect her sister, forging a future from sacrifice, resilience and the spark of second chances. Yanuni – Richard Ladkani – Austria, Brazil, USA, Canada, Germany, 2025 (International Premiere) In this love story and urgent call to action, an Indigenous couple risk everything to defend the Amazon and their unborn child's future. International First Feature Competition (supported by Netflix) Blue Has No Borders – Jessi Gutch – United Kingdom, 2025 (World Premiere) A young filmmaker is determined to know her neighbours in the port town of Folkestone. But in the aftermath of Brexit, building new relationships isn't easy. The Broken R (Rotacismo) – Ricardo Ruales Eguiguren – Ecuador, Italy, 2025 (World Premiere) This intimate journey about self-acceptance follows Ricardo, a 24-year-old man born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, who has struggled to pronounce the letter R since birth. Carmela and the Walkers (Carmela y los Caminantes) – Luis Herrera, Esteban Coloma – Ecuador, 2025 (World Premiere) As the world appears increasingly intolerant of 'outsiders,' an Ecuadorian woman welcoming Venezuelan migrants into her home is a moving reminder of our capacity for warmth and humanity. Comparsa – Vickie Curtis, Doug Anderson – Guatemala, USA, 2025 (World Premiere) In a Guatemalan town, two fiery sisters channel their grief and anger into a local street performance to protest against gender-based violence in the country. December (Grudzień) – Grzegorz Paprzycki – Poland, Lithuania, Qatar, 2025 (World Premiere) Amid December's festive glow, refugees remain hidden in forests along the Poland-Belarus border. This powerful documentary gives voice to their silent cries. A Little Gray Wolf Will Come (Dolazi mali sivi vuk) – Zhanna Agalakova – Croatia, Netherlands, France, 2025 (World Premiere) On the eve of the war in Ukraine, a Russian journalist from pro-Kremlin TV channel brings her rebellious and Westernized teenage daughter on a journey through Putin's Russia. Lullaby For The Mountains (Օրոր Լեռների Համար) – Hayk Matevosyan – Armenia, USA, 2025 (World Premiere) In this hypnotic odyssey, the ancient monasteries of Armenia's highlands bear traces of epochs past. Landscapes give way to soundscapes, and the shadowy depths within. Redlight to Limelight – Bipuljit Basu – India, Finland, Latvia, 2025 (World Premiere) A high-spirited group of Indian sex workers and their families begin making short films to transform their own lives and inspire others. International Short Film Competition Alboroque – Sabrina Fernández Casas – Switzerland, Spain, 2025 (World Premiere) To protect their villages and restore biodiversity to the landscape of Galicia, a unique collective unites to fight invasive plants and municipal neglect. Animal Eye – Carlo Nasisse – USA, Costa Rica, 2024 (International Premiere) Scientists and philosophers confront the limits of their own vision through the eyes of animals. A Colour I Named Blue (色をこえて青を見る) – Sybilla Patrizia – Japan, 2025 (European Premiere) Two Japanese indigo dyers embark on an inner journey: one finding his own shade of blue, the other discovering new meaning through his color blindness. The Dam (La Presa) – Manuel Ojeda, Cuba, 2025 (World Premiere) A mysterious fish, rumoured to be three metres long, swims behind a dam. Tingo is obsessed with catching this shadowy creature and proving everyone wrong. Faith (La Fede) – Antonio Napoli – Italy, 2025 (World Premiere) According to an ancient Neapolitan proverb, 'More things happen in a day than in an entire century'. For the city of Naples, that day is today. From The Mountain We See The Mountain (Desde La Montaña Vemos La Montaña) – Julián García Long – Belgium, 2025 (World Premiere) In the mist of the Patagonian Andes, an indigenous forest is recovering from a fire, with animals and humans emerging from a landscape scarred by colonisation. In A Whisper (Dans un Souffle) – Catarina Gonçalves – Portugal, Hungary, Belgium, 2025 (World Premiere) A breath caught on ice … This film traces the commitment and quiet resilience behind the graceful façade, as figure skater Nina Pinzarrone prepares to perform. My Name Is Oil – Igor Smola – Azerbaijan, Singapore, 2025 (World Premiere) On a platform in the middle of the sea, the industrial machinery of an oil rig attempts to send out a warning of an impending catastrophe. Oscurana – Violeta Mora – Honduras, Hungary, Portugal, Belgium, 2025 (World Premiere) When darkness falls, the walking begins in this vital, visceral evocation of the experience of migrants undertaking a hazardous journey on foot across the US border. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
