Latest news with #Brian
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Queen legend Brian May leaves fans in tears over emotional family announcement
Queen rockstar Sir Brian May has shared a touching family tribute online with fans flocking to the comments to share messages of support Queen legend Brian May has been flooded with support from fans after sharing a touching throwback snap from 1971 on social media. The rock icon shared a moving picture of a map that was created by his late father, Harold May, to memorialise the band's first tour across Europe. Alongside the illustration, the 77-year-old penned: 'My Dad's supportive handiwork for our first Queen tour of Europe... 1974!!! As honoured in Stockholm last night. Love to all - Bri.' Queen's European tour consisted of ten shows in six countries which they performed over a two and a half week period. Sir Brian shared the snap to Instagram, where he has 3.5M followers and thousands of his loyal fans flocked to the comments to offer kind messages to the singer. One replied: "Oh what a heartfelt map full of love for you, Sir!" A second commented 'Wow!! What a treasure!! Can't you just picture him sitting there, drawing, coloring, marking the routes, all the time thinking proudly, 'That's MY boy!'' A third fan exclaimed: 'I saw and crying, I didn't expect than I'm a small girl at 1994 in Russian my Papa brought me a CD The Works and told 'See, this is a good Music' then a couldn't explain my life without Queen music.' A fourth added: "What beautiful attention to detail your father gave to these maps and what a lovely tribute you gave to him last night. Inspiring word". Brian's touching post comes after he and Queen drummer Roger Taylor were awarded the 2025 Polar Music Prize at a gala ceremony in Sweden this week on Tuesday May 27. The legendary musicians were honoured for their remarkable careers and contribution to music. Stepping up to accept the award, Brian told the crowds: 'In this special moment, I contemplate how that younger Brian May in 1974 would have felt if he knew that we would be living this kind of dream 50 years in the future.' While Roger recalled: 'When we started our band… we had ambitions, but never dreamed of the journey that was to follow. "We were fortunate in the fact that our four wildly different personalities came together to achieve a wonderful chemistry. 'The Polar Music Prize is exceptional in the fact that, unlike other awards, it recognises the entirety of an artist's career. "What an honour to be included in the glittering cavalcade of previous laureates.' The evening featured live musical performances celebrating Queen's legacy and the other award winners and nominees as rock band Ghost performed a rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody alongside Opeth guitarist Fredrik Akesson. Queen frontman Adam Lambert, who was appointed as the de facto lead singer of the band in 2011, then took to the stage. He sang Queen hits Who Wants to Live Forever and Another One Bites the Dust, which were originally performed by the late Freddie Mercury.
National Geographic
12 hours ago
- National Geographic
Is this Canadian festival the best place to see grey whales?
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Stand on the western shores of Vancouver Island in March and you'll spot some of British Columbia's most famous visitors. Each spring, thousands of grey whales glide past this stretch of coast on their journey from the warm breeding waters of Mexico to the nutrient-rich waters of Alaska — a round trip of up to 15,000 miles, making it the longest mammal migration on Earth. In the mid-1980s, Brian Congdon, a resident of Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island, had an idea. He wanted to celebrate this natural spectacle with a home-grown festival, much like those he'd seen in California. Drawing on his experience running a whale-watching tour company, he brought together volunteers and local authorities, devised an events programme and the Pacific Rim Whale Festival was born. Taking place in the coastal towns of Tofino and Ucluelet, as well as throughout the Pacific Rim Reserve, the festival runs for a week at the height of the whale migration (around March every year), with ample opportunity to spot these graceful giants. A busy calendar of events includes panel discussions, wildlife-watching trips and hands-on workshops honouring the traditions of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, for whom the grey whale has long held cultural significance. Though the festival has evolved since Brian first envisioned it more than 30 years ago, its mission remains unchanged: to raise awareness of grey whales and support their long-term protection. The Huu-ay-aht First Nation Community offers village tours for visitors to the Pacific Rim Whale Festival; Photograph by Mark McKeough Festival highlights Naturally, the wonders of the ocean take centre stage. At the Whale Spotting from Shore session at Amphitrite Point Lighthouse, naturalists and marine biologists will be on hand to explain the fascinating behaviour of grey whales, which — with a dash of luck — can be spotted from the coast. But getting out on the open water is the most exhilarating way to see these majestic beasts in action. Local operators offer boat and sea kayak trips off the coast, and whale-watching company Subtidal Adventures runs three-hour Marine Mammal Research Days as part of the festival. On rigid inflatable boat excursions into Barkley Sound, experts will share tips on identifying individual whales and unpick some of the animals' unique behaviours, from lobbing and fluking to breaching — a breathtaking sight on any whale-watching cruise. Spring also marks the herring spawn season, when countless herring lay their eggs off the coast, turning the shallows into a cloudy swirl of turquoise. The spawning is doubly spectacular for the wealth of wildlife it attracts, from hungry seabirds and eagles swooping overhead to seals, sea lions and even black bears, which have been known to graze on the eggs at low tide. Visitors can learn even more about local marine life at the Beach Seine with Ucluelet Aquarium, on Terrace Beach. Using a seine net, aquarium staff carefully catch (and then release) an array of ocean critters — from shallow-dwelling crustaceans to Pacific Ocean perch — demonstrating how the underwater ecosystems connect them. There's plenty on land to enjoy, too. Tofino comes alive with music for the Parade of Whales and Wonder, where local community groups display imaginative ocean-themed floats, while the Maritime Kids Day in Tofino and Ucluelet promise plenty of interactive craft and science sessions for a fun-filled introduction to marine biology. On the final day, Wick Beach in Ucluelet will play host to a morning of family-friendly fun, including the ever-popular Tug-O-Whale challenge, as well as the Nuu-chah-nulth storytelling session, which brings First Nations traditions to life. The Surfrider Foundation Pacific Rim joined the Pacific Rim Whale Festival and organised Coastal Canada Whales Festival beach clean-ups around the shore. Photograph by Andi Wardrop Get involved The Pacific Rim Whale Festival runs two types of event: button events, all of which guests access by purchasing a badge (with a suggested donation for each one), and events that require the purchase of a ticket to attend, which are available from the website under each specific event. These are run on a first come, first served basis, and some — particularly the Marine Mammal Research days — are very popular, so book well in advance. Those keen on helping to organise, marshal or meet-and-greet during the festival can find out more on the 'Volunteering' page. The action mostly takes place between the surfing hotspot of Tofino and laid-back Ucluelet, which are around half-an-hour's drive apart. Most accommodation options can be found in and around each town; try 1970s-inspired Hotel Zed Tofino, or Ucluelet's Snug Harbour Inn, whose fresh and breezy rooms overlook the ocean. When it comes to the weather, March on Vancouver Island can be chilly, with highs of around 12C, and rain showers are common. Events are held in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, so pack accordingly. Of course, the festival is only part of the appeal in this rugged corner of Vancouver Island. Strike out on the Wild Pacific Trail, a five-mile walking route that twists along the coast around Ucluelet, through craggy cedar forests and around storm-battered lighthouses, or sea kayak around the Broken Group Islands, scattered through Barkley Sound. For a true sense of adventure, escape to Hot Springs Cove — accessible only by boat or floatplane — and swim beneath geothermal waterfalls as they tumble down to the sea. Published in the Coastal Collection 2025 by National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Irish Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Anthem Vinyl offering 'interesting new approach' to vinyl pressing for artists
Newly launched Anthem Vinyl, Ireland's only vinyl pressing plant, are offering an 'interesting new approach' to vinyl pressing for Irish artists. Born out of a shared love for vinyl and a deep respect for its craft, Anthem Vinyl was founded in 2024 by a team of passionate music industry and business professionals. Located just 30 minutes from Dublin, in Clane, County Kildare, the new pressing plant is embracing new technology, sustainability, and accessibility, ensuring that artists and fans can experience vinyl at its best. 'Obviously, a lot of Irish artists would be keen to have their physical music produced here in Ireland,' Anthem Vinyl founder Brian Kenny told the Irish Mirror. 'It's also very accessible, they can come here, visit the plant. We offer that anyone who's getting records pressed can come in and see it getting pressed, shoot some social content. 'We're building out a media room here where, if they want to shoot their own social media content in the room, listen to it on the Hi Fi, and sign copies of it.' Brian says by pressing locally in Ireland, clients benefit from faster lead times and lower shipping costs thanks to Ireland's unique position within the EU. 'It's that unique access that we have to the global market. Even though we will do everything we can to support Irish acts, we don't want to create the impression we're only supporting Irish acts either.' 'Because the Irish industry is not big enough to sustain this business or any pressing plant,' he added. 'It's probably mostly led by artists not having to go far afield, Irish in particular, to get their pressings. 'But we also think we can tick a box for UK and European-based artists to get their product out to the States in particular, or UK artists to get their products into mainland Europe.' With the addition of traditional pressing services, Anthem has also introduced Smart Vinyl, a forward-thinking innovation that pairs physical records with the digital world. 'It's a very early product. Declan O'Rourke's album was done; he's an early adopter of it,' he shared. 'It gives a great new level of engagement between an artist and a fan. That they have this content that's utterly unique to that particular album, that they bought that vinyl record. 'Then the artist, in turn, can have visibility of fans that are buying records and binder releases. And there's opportunities there for early concert ticket access or early new release access to fans that are showing loyalties to them. It's a very interesting kind of new approach to it.'
The Star
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Indonesian govt scrambles to help Indonesian students in the United States amid visa suspension policy
JAKARTA: The Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry is looking for options to accommodate Indonesian students currently staying in the United States or planning to depart for their studies amid Washington's move to suspend visa processing for international students globally. Several options considered by the ministry to avoid the students being stranded and hindered from continuing their studies were changing their scholarships, looking for possibilities to move the student's destination to other countries and continuing their studies at an Indonesian institution. 'We are anticipating [this situation] by also coordinating with the Foreign Ministry and scholarship providers, including the Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP),' said Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto in Bandung on Thursday (May 29). 'We are watching, waiting and anticipating so that should the policy come into effect, we won't be caught off guard,' he continued. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered on Tuesday for embassies and consulates to pause scheduling appointments for student visas, pending new guidelines on checking applicants' social media postings, as reported by AFP. The US State Department said on Thursday the suspension would be brief, with its spokesperson Tammy Bruce encouraging prospective students to seek visa appointments. 'I would not be recommending that if this was going to be weeks or months,' Bruce said, as quoted by AFP. 'I can tell you that it's something that would happen perhaps sooner than later.' Following the announcement of Rubio's decision on Tuesday, Minister Brian said in a statement issued on Wednesday that his ministry would coordinate with various parties, universities abroad and in the country to explore possibilities of current and prospective Indonesian students in the US to move to their respective institutions. The ministry also suggested Indonesian students in the US to not leave the country to avoid being denied reentry. Brian also added that the higher education ministry would list Indonesian students for their study field, education level and visa status. Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) rector Tatacipta Dirgantara separately conveyed the university's readiness to accept Indonesian students from the US should the government decide to push them to continue their education from Indonesia. 'We have a clear procedure for transfer students should the situation force us to do so,' Tatacipta said. He added that ITB had done similar things after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC on Sept. 11, 2001, when the university received Indonesian doctoral students and helped them continue their study in the country. Harvard saga Rubio's decision on student visa suspension was announced one week after the US Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard University's certification to participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The decision effectively barred the university from accepting foreign students, who account for more than a quarter of its student body. The revocation was reportedly triggered by Harvard's refusal to comply with a federal request to provide records of visa-holding students allegedly involved in 'illegal and violent activities'. Minister Brian said the higher education ministry would ensure that affected students receive the necessary assistance should the situation deteriorate. The Foreign Ministry said it was watching the policy's development closely, while the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, DC established communication with Indonesian students at Harvard. Harvard filed a lawsuit against the federal government's decision, with US district judge Allison Burroughs ordering the halt of the policy. During an injunction hearing for Harvard's lawsuit in Boston on Thursday, Judge Burroughs said she would later issue a preliminary injunction that gives 'some protection to international students' as the university and Trump's administration prepare to make their cases, AFP reported. Former foreign minister and Prasetiya Mulya University rector Hassan Wirajuda welcomed Judge Burrough's injunction in Harvard's case. He added that Prasetiya Mulya would be ready to receive Indonesian students studying in the US should the government decide to repatriate them. In a post uploaded on Thursday, former deputy foreign minister and cofounder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) Dino Patti Djalal urged Foreign Minister Sugiono to communicate with Rubio to convey Indonesia's concerns regarding the US administration's recent policies that potentially affect international students. The Indonesian Embassy in Washington, DC previously said they had spoken with the US government and shared its 'deep concern over the negative effect' the policy has on Indonesian and other foreign students. The embassy also called for a solution that could ensure Indonesian students at Harvard and other US universities to continue their studies. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brian Avnet, Longtime Artist Manager and Music Executive, Dies at 82
Brian Avnet, the respected personal manager and music executive who discovered Josh Groban, collaborated with David Foster and helped The Manhattan Transfer to great success, has died. He was 82. Avnet died May 14 at his home in Los Angeles after a years-long battle with Parkinson's disease, a publicist announced. More from The Hollywood Reporter Ed Gale, 'Chucky' and 'Howard the Duck' Actor, Dies at 61 Shaboozey Defends Megan Moroney Amid AMAs Backlash: "Let's Not Twist the Message" Judge Quickly Rejects Mistrial Request at Sean "Diddy" Combs Trial The Baltimore native also worked closely with the likes of Johnny Mandel, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Cyndi Lauper, Take 6, Jean-Luc Ponty, Eric Benét and Joshua Ledet. Avnet began working with The Manhattan Transfer in 1979, and two years later the vocal group became the first to win Grammys in the pop and jazz categories in the same year, earning trophies for 'The Boy From New York City' and 'Until I Met You (Corner Pocket).' 'Brian was an excellent manager and like a brother to me,' Manhattan Transfer founding member Alan Paul said in a statement. 'He was savvy, honest, funny and gifted with a heart of gold. I never met anyone personally or in business who didn't like him.' Added fellow founding member Janis Siegel: 'Brian got into the rough and tumble with us as we all negotiated the ups and downs of the music business. He was fiercely loyal, passionate about his opinions, smart and kind.' With composer and producer Foster, Avnet teamed on recording projects for Whitney Houston, Céline Dion, Toni Braxton, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Faith Hill, Brandy, En Vogue, Olivia Newton-John, the Bee Gees, Michael Bolton, All-4-One, Julio Iglesias and Smokey Robinson. Avnet discovered Groban through vocal coach Seth Riggs, who helped develop his career and became his manager. And in 1995, when Foster launched 143 Records at Warner Bros., he appointed Avnet to lead the label. The roster included Groban, Michael Bublé, The Corrs and Beth Hart. Avnet was born in Baltimore on July 16, 1942. His father, Duke, practiced law in the area for 54 years and was blacklisted during the McCarthy era for his defense of actor-singer Paul Robeson. His mother, Beatrice, was a social worker. At 15, Avnet landed a job at the newly opened Painters Mill Music Fair in Owings Mills, Maryland, and he would become the venue's youngest-ever manager. He also assisted Lee Guber at the Westbury Music Fair on Long Island. A graduate of Gettysburg College, Avnet completed an internship with Princeton's theatrical department. He worked in summer stock, shared a New York apartment with Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight and went on to produce A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Voight, at the Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo, New York. Avnet also collaborated with Bette Midler, starting when she was playing bathhouses in New York before becoming a Broadway sensation in the 1970s. He served as G.M. for her 19-show run at the Palace Theatre in New York in December 1973, for which she won a special Tony Award 'for adding lustre to the Broadway season.' In 1974, Avnet moved to Los Angeles to work with Lou Adler on the production of The Rocky Horror Show at The Roxy, and the success of that nine-month run led to the 1975 film adaptation. He also produced an L.A. stage production of Tommy and managed Jesus Christ Superstar at the Universal Amphitheatre, where he oversaw its first season. Avnet, who in 2017 was named Manager of the Year by Pollstar and inducted into the Personal Managers Hall of Fame, never signed a contract with any of his artists. 'It was a long career, and he was beloved. His word was his bond. And that's rare in the entertainment industry,' said his wife of 26 years, Marcia. Survivors also include his brother, Richard, and his nephew, Evan. A private memorial service will be held in L.A. in September. Donations in his memory can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
