Latest news with #DefLeppard
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bryan Adams and Def Leppard to headline Radio 2 in the Park 2025
Bryan Adams and Def Leppard have been announced as the headline acts of the BBC Radio 2 in the Park music event will take place at Hylands Park in Chelmsford from 5 to 7 will be the first time both headliners have performed in Chelmsford."I'm genuinely looking forward to bringing the show there," said Adams. Saturday line-up The Canadian singer-songwriter, Bryan Adams, has topped charts in more than 40 countries during his glittering hits throughout the 1980s and 90s are iconic, including the anthems Everything I Do (I Do It For you) and Summer Of '69."There's something exciting about playing in a new place, especially somewhere that's filled with a Radio 2 crowd ready to rock. I'm thrilled to be part of this event... brace yourselves, we're gonna roll with the punches!" Belinda Carlisle The American singer-songwriter gained fame as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's. Her voice can be heard on songs like Our Lips Are Sealed, Heaven Is a Place on Earth, I Get Weak, Circle in the Sand, Leave a Light On, Summer Rain and most recently Big Big Love. Belinda said: "After having such a fantastic time recording the Piano Room for Radio 2, I am super excited to be joining up with them again this year." Ronan Keating When Ronan Keating answered a newspaper advert to audition for Boyzone in 1993, he would have been hard pressed to believe more than 30 years later he would still be hitting the sold more than 45 million albums with Boyzone and as a solo artist, with 30 consecutive Top 10 hits to date. Ronan said he was "thrilled" to be on the set list. Jessie J Brit Award winner Jessie J has sold more than 20 million records and has massive global hits including Price Tag, Domino, and Bang Bang, and newer song Living My Best said: "It's in Essex and I get to sing some old classics and new music? Bring it ON!!" Kid Creole & The Coconuts Kid Creole and the Coconuts scored seven UK Top 40 hits in the 1980s, including three Top 10 singles – Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy, It's a Wonderful Thing Baby and Stool Pigeon. August Darnell - aka The Kid - has also been called the Sultan of Suave, the High Priest of Hip, the King of Pizazz and the Tropical Creole said he was "looking forward" to bringing "three stunning Coconuts and the baddest band in the land" to Hylands Park. Marti Pellow The former Wet Wet Wet frontman and platinum-selling solo artist has a career spanning four decades. Marti has sold millions of albums worldwide and enjoyed multiple UK No 1 singles — including Love is All said: "There's something really special about live music and that shared connection with the audience — especially when it's for Radio 2, who've supported me and my music over so many years." Ella Henderson The British singer-songwriter is known for her hits, such as Ghost and Crazy What Love Can Do, alongside new single Me & You, Ella said she was "truly ecstatic" and said the atmosphere would be "unforgettable". Stereophonics Stereophonics have three decades and a wealth of record-breaking achievements under their April 2025, the band marked their return with Make 'em Laugh, Make 'em Cry, Make 'em Wait - their ninth number one album. Stereophonics are expecting to perform to more than 500,000 fans this summer, headlining shows in stadiums, fields, and said: "We are looking forward to kicking off the weekend in Chelmsford." Sunday line-up The rock and roll band Def Leppard have sold more than 110 million albums worldwide. They have been heralded as the world's greatest live rock band and have produced numerous hit singles like Rock of Ages, Pour Some Sugar on Me and Foolin' and multi-platinum group said they were looking forward to playing with our "good friend Bryan Adams" and what would be a "fantastic weekend". Anastacia Off the back of a sold-out European tour celebrating 25 years, Anastacia is a well celebrated and best-selling female artist. Her multi-platinum I'm Outta Love, One Day In Your Life, Paid My Dues and Left Outside Alone, have sold more than 30 million records in the said: "I'm so looking forward to performing at Radio 2 in the Park in Chelmsford, singing the hits, having a party on stage, sharing nostalgic memories and making new memories all at once. It's going to be a lot of fun!" Soul II Soul Soul II Soul, created by school friends Jazzie B and Daddae, were born from the UK sound system culture of the 1980s, evolving into a 25-piece band. Their hits include Keep On Movin' and Back To Life from their debut album, Club Classics Volume 1, solidified their global fame and earned them two Grammy sold more than 10 million albums B from Soul II Soul said: "It's always a blessing to bring the Soul II Soul vibes to the people." Suede Suede formed in 1992 and quickly gained recognition with their debut album, Suede, which topped the UK Albums Chart and won the Mercury Music Prize. "We have have great memories of headlining in Hylands Park [at V Festival] way back in 1999 , so are really looking forward to returning." Louise With a career spanning more than 30 years and 15 million record sales, Louise returned to the music scene in 2025 with her new album, first found fame in girl band Eternal - which became the first girl group to sell one million copies of an album with their debut, Always and Forever - before going solo in said: "I am so excited to perform at Radio 2 in the Park." David Gray David Gray is a British singer-songwriter best known for his breakthrough album, White Ladder, which featured the hit single Babylon. His most recent album, Dear Life, was released in January 2025, and he is in the midst of his globe-spanning Past & Present said he was "thrilled" to be making Chelmsford his last UK appearance of the year."The only way is Essex!" he quipped. Sophie Ellis-Bextor With a musical career that spans more than 25 years, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has achieved five Top 10 albums and eight Top 10 on the Dancefloor saw renewed global success last year after featuring in the epic final scene of the film said: "Radio 2 has a special place in my heart – from my very own weekly Kitchen Disco show, to performing in the legendary Piano Room with the BBC Concert Orchestra. "It's always a joy, so it's wonderful to be returning to Radio 2 in the Park this year to sing for the lovely Radio 2 audience in Chelmsford. "As everyone knows, I love to dress up and have a good time, so I'll definitely be bringing the sparkles, sequins and disco with me!" Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Press and Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Bad Actress: Meet the five friends from the Highlands who hope to pack out stadiums with their glam rock band
'You go to a Bad Actress show and you just see so many happy faces.' Shaun Middleton, from Inverness, has only been an official member of the glam rock band for about a week. But already he says his time playing bass guitar for the group has been 'unreal'. 'Everybody's always dancing and the mix of ages is fantastic,' he told The Press and Journal. 'Especially lately. It's been insane.' Chick McFarlane is quick to agree with him, noting their recent performance at Elgin's MacMoray, where 10,000 people packed out Cooper Park. Chick, 24, along with his brother Lui, 21, were still pupils at Forres Academy in 2017 when the band first formed. They joined forces with Tommy Bell, 28, and former members Vinnie and Fearghas to create the band Airrade. The name didn't stick. After a bad review was less than complimentary about their choice, the group became Bad Actress – after a 'lesser-known' Def Leppard song from the album Songs from the Sparkle Lounge. Since then, they have been a major hit in the Moray music scene as well as further afield. Now, the band, made up of Shaun Middleton, Euan Campbell, Tommy Bell, Chick and Lui McFarlane, are playing a series of gigs across the UK. And they are thinking big. Their dreams are to do music full-time and they 'hope to pack out stadiums one day'. At present, they have an array of jobs, from waitering and dishwashing, to working in retail and joinery and in a warehouse and joinery. The McFarlane brothers first met Tommy when Chick auditioned to play drums in his band. Chick was unsuccessful, but months later Tommy joined what would later become Bad Actress. Chick said: 'Me and Lui wanted to start a new band, playing the type of music we're performing now. 'I asked Tommy if he wanted to join and he said 'as long as Chick isn't playing drums' – which I wasn't because I was playing guitar, so it worked out.' Ever since the band was formed, they have been practising in Chick and Lui's dad's house in Forres. They became even more familiar with the practise room during the Covid pandemic. The band used the time that afforded to better promote themselves, which led to the group gaining attention from new fans in England and Wales. Only a week ago, musicians Shaun Middleton and Euan Campbell, both from Inverness, joined the band. Euan, 19, is now the youngest member and was originally a fan of Bad Actress. So, when he was asked to play drums for them it was a 'full circle moment'. Meanwhile, Shaun, 37, also joined as a permanent member a week ago. 'People compare us to a lot of different bands,' said Chick, who revealed band members take inspiration from acts such as AC/DC, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Van Halen, The 1975 and Tenacious D. 'A lot of people describe our music as a mix of glam and hard rock.' Bad Actress are particularly looking forward to their gig at the Tooth and Claw in Inverness on June 13 as well as a show in Elgin on August 30. 'The show is really important to us,' Chick added. 'We love performing with a bit more flair.' Lui, who is from Forres, was previously the drummer for Bad Actress. Now he's now the lead singer. In fact, MacMoray was only his second time performing as a vocalist. He said: 'Our top goal would obviously be a stadium tour. 'That would be amazing and that's what we're working towards.' Donnie Squair is manager of Elgin Town Hall and first watched Lui – then just nine – and Chick perform at the Wall of Rock in Lossiemouth in 2014. He knew right away they had something special. When asked if he thinks Bad Actress can make it big, he is very optimistic. 'The potential they have, the people they're meeting, the bands they're playing with, the audiences they're getting, I really can see it,' he said. 'When they played MacMoray, they held their own on that stage. 'You could see the talent years ago, and they're just something else now.' With an album in the works and a line-up of gigs and festival performances for the rest of the year, who knows what they will do next.
Belfast Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast musician who shuns limelight hailed as one of world's greatest: ‘I'm no celeb – the only people who know me are guitar junkies'
New biography on Lisburn man Vivian Campbell who shuns limelight but makes a fortune in one of world's biggest bands The first ever biography of Northern Irish rock musician Vivian Campbell has hailed him as one of the greatest guitarists in the world. Even so, the Def Leppard star could probably still walk through the streets of Belfast unrecognised, the biographer writes.
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic music venue where the likes of Oasis and Coldplay played closes down after 45 years
Pulp played their first ever gig at the venue, back in 1980 OFF STAGE Iconic music venue where the likes of Oasis and Coldplay played closes down after 45 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LEGENDARY music venue, which has hosted huge names such as Oasis and Coldplay has announced it has been forced to close after 45 years. The Leadmill in Sheffield, which will have to close its doors after it lost an appeal against eviction, described the decision as a "heart-breaking moment." Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Leadmill has hosted big name bands such as Oasis, Coldplay and Arctic Monkeys Credit: Alamy 2 Def Leppard playing at the venue in 2023 Credit: Alamy The venue, where Sheffield-based band Pulp played their first ever gig back in 1980 said that the closure felt like a 'betrayal of the cultural fabric of our city'. Liam Gallagher described the closure as "scandalous" whilst Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker has also publicly backed the venue. The Leadmill will now have to leave the property within three-months, after losing a lengthy battle with its landlord, the Electric Group, who first issued an eviction notice back in 2022. Electric Group issued the notice because they plan to run the 900-capacity business themselves. In a statement released on Wednesday, the venue, which been a Sheffield staple since 1980, said that the closure will mean the loss of 70 jobs. It said: "This is a heart-breaking moment not just for our team but for the entire Sheffield community. 'We've fought tirelessly to protect this independent venue which has supported countless artists, musicians and creatives for over four decades. 'Today's decision feels like a betrayal of the cultural fabric of our city.' 'We're truly devastated by this outcome, but we also know hand on heart that we did everything possible to stop the Leadmill being evicted. 'We have poured our energy, time, love and determination into this fight and we're immensely proud of our team and the community that stood by us." Car dealership abruptly closes after 60 years with customers' vehicles trapped inside as they find note on door Electric Group, which also owns Electric Brixton, as well as venues in Bristol and Newcastle, said it plans to keep the building as a music venue, and promised "substantial investment." The Leadmill said that the decision shows that tenants have "no rights whatsoever" and accused Electric Group of "copying the tenant's business" to make more profit. It said: "If you worked all the hours God sends over years to build a successful business, it can be forcibly seized in the most egregious way. 'Our advice to every business tenant in the country is: if you can, get out of the building you occupy and go online. Your business cannot be stolen there.' The venue will be hosting a number of farewell venues for fans, with punters who have tickets for future events told that that gigs will be relocated to other locations in the city. After winning the initial court case, back in February, the Electric Group said: "The successful legal outcome paves the way for a bright future for this venue, ensuring it will receive the substantial investment it needs to thrive. 'It will continue to be a cornerstone of the live music scene in Sheffield, supporting artists, fans, and community projects for the next 100 years.' His Honour Justice Sir Alastair Norris, who ruled in favour of the Electric Group said that the "present intention" is to rename the venue SK 35. The Leadmill has been at the forefront of Sheffield's music scene for over four decades, helping to launch the careers of bands such as Artic Monkeys.
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Iconic music venue where the likes of Oasis and Coldplay played closes down after 45 years
A LEGENDARY music venue, which has hosted huge names such as Oasis and Coldplay has announced it has been forced to close after 45 years. The Leadmill in Sheffield, which will have to close its doors after it lost an appeal against eviction, described the decision as a "heart-breaking moment." Advertisement 2 The Leadmill has hosted big name bands such as Oasis, Coldplay and Arctic Monkeys Credit: Alamy 2 Def Leppard playing at the venue in 2023 Credit: Alamy The venue, where Sheffield-based band Pulp played their first ever gig back in 1980 said that the closure felt like a 'betrayal of the cultural fabric of our city'. The Leadmill will now have to leave the property within three-months, after losing a lengthy battle with its landlord, the Electric Group, who first issued an eviction notice back in 2022. Electric Group issued the notice because they plan to run the 900-capacity business themselves. Advertisement Read more closure stories In a statement released on Wednesday, the venue, which been a Sheffield staple since 1980, said that the closure will mean the loss of 70 jobs. It said: "This is a heart-breaking moment not just for our team but for the entire Sheffield community. 'We've fought tirelessly to protect this independent venue which has supported countless artists, musicians and creatives for over four decades. 'Today's decision feels like a betrayal of the cultural fabric of our city.' Advertisement Most read in The Sun 'We're truly devastated by this outcome, but we also know hand on heart that we did everything possible to stop the Leadmill being evicted. 'We have poured our energy, time, love and determination into this fight and we're immensely proud of our team and the community that stood by us." Car dealership abruptly closes after 60 years with customers' vehicles trapped inside as they find note on door Electric Group, which also owns Electric Brixton, as well as venues in Bristol and Newcastle, said it plans to keep the building as a music venue, and promised "substantial investment." The Leadmill said that the decision shows that tenants have "no rights whatsoever" and accused Electric Group of "copying the tenant's business" to make more profit. Advertisement It said: "If you worked all the hours 'Our advice to every business tenant in the country is: if you can, get out of the building you occupy and go online. Your business cannot be stolen there.' The venue will be hosting a number of farewell venues for fans, with punters who have tickets for future events told that that gigs will be relocated to other locations in the city. After winning the initial court case, back in February, the Electric Group said: "The successful legal outcome paves the way for a bright future for this venue, ensuring it will receive the substantial investment it needs to thrive. Advertisement 'It will continue to be a cornerstone of the live music scene in Sheffield, supporting artists, fans, and community projects for the next 100 years.' His Honour Justice Sir Alastair Norris, who ruled in favour of the Electric Group said that the "present intention" is to rename the venue SK 35. The Leadmill has been at the forefront of Sheffield's music scene for over four decades, helping to launch the careers of bands such as Artic Monkeys.
