Latest news with #HEREatOuternet
Perth Now
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
The Hives' frontman Pelle Almqvist declares the group is at ‘peak' of its powers
The Hives' frontman Pelle Almqvist thinks the band is at the 'peak' of its powers. Pelle, 46, made the comments during an interview with NME, following a livestream by the group from Mexico City where they unveiled their new record The Hives Forever Forever The Hives — the follow-up to 2023's The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons. He said: 'After 30 years of being a band, we're at the peak of our powers. That doesn't happen a lot.' His declaration comes as The Hives have announced a run of intimate UK shows to celebrate the release of their upcoming album. The new album has been described by the group as 'so full of energy, joy, anger and life that you will be questioning reality as you have known it'. To mark the album's arrival, The Hives will perform a series of small-venue shows across the UK, beginning on 30 August at Nottingham's Rescue Rooms. The run continues with dates at Arts Club in Liverpool on 31 August and Leeds' Brudenell Social Club on 1 September. A special London performance at HERE at Outernet — in collaboration with Rough Trade — is scheduled for 2 September, before the band closes out the dates at Brighton's Concorde 2 on 3 September. The band said in a statement on Instagram: 'COME ONE, COME ALL! The Hives will be gracing intimate venues across the wondrous United Kingdom.' Tickets for the gigs go on sale at 10am BST on Friday (30.07.25.) The announcement follows the release of new single Legalize Living, a riff-driven track taken from the forthcoming album. It comes after earlier releases Enough Is Enough — which debuted in April — and Paint A Picture. Discussing Enough Is Enough, Pelle said: 'I think Enough Is Enough got picked as a single really early when there were demos because our manager thought it would sell concert tickets. '(The record company) wanted to release that first because it's got a big riff and it's a perfect tempo for a crowd to jump up and down. 'It got picked so early when the other songs weren't done, but I really like how it starts: 'Everyone's a little f****** b****…'. 'That's as close to political commentary as you're gonna get! Basically, 'F*** both sides.'' The Hives — completed by Nicholaus Arson, Vigilante Carlstroem, Chris Dangerous and The Johan and Only — will also embark on a full UK and European tour later in the year. The dates include arena shows at OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Aviva Studios in Manchester, and Alexandra Palace in London. Joining them on the tour are Yard Act, who will serve as support for all UK and EU dates. Announcing the support slot, Pelle said: 'That's right! Your king has spoken. Yard Act will be joining The Hives, not just at their Alexandra Palace show but on the whole UK/EU tour. 'A worthy contender, let's see if they can handle The Hives.'
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Big Brother star to play Princess Diana in new musical in theatre debut
The drag queen won Celebrity Big Brother in 2019 after receiving 49 percent of the public vote and is now set to step into the shoes of royalty Celebrity Big Brother winner Courtney Act is set to make her UK theatre debut in the unexpected role of Princess Diana in a bold new musical. The production, which is called The Diana Mixtape, will have its world premiere at HERE at Outernet in London. It will be running in the English capital from 28 July to 10 August 2025, before transferring to The Lowry in Salford for a week-long run from 19 to 24 August. The show has been described as a hybrid of concert, biopic and musical. It was created, written, and directed by Christopher D. Clegg, and reimagines the life and legacy of Princess Diana through a soundtrack of modern pop hits. The songs that will be used to lead the audience through Diana's major milestones were originally performed by artists including Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue. Courtney Act, whose real name is Shane Gilberto Jenek, will be one of five drag performers playing the People's Princess. Fellow RuPaul's Drag Race alumni Rosé and Priyanka will be joining Courtney on stage as Diana, alongside UK drag favourites Divina De Campo and Kitty Scott-Claus. Other members of the cast include The Greatest Showman star Keala Settle as Queen Elizabeth II, former Hear'Say singer Noel Sullivan as King Charles III, and Lucinda Lawrence as Queen Camilla. Courtney first came into the public eye as a finalist on Australian Idol in 2003, and went on to earn more global recognition on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6, where she finished the series as the runner-up. But it was her 2018 win on Celebrity Big Brother UK with 49 percent of the public vote that made her a British household name. Courtney made headlines before even stepping foot in the Big Brother house, thanks to a memorable wardrobe malfunction where her skirt fall off during her grand entrance, exposing the drag star's bits. Thankfully, this only boosted her popularity, as Little Mix star Jade dubbed it "iconic". While on the reality show, Courtney won audiences over with her bubbly personality while advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, and also formed a close and slightly flirty friendship with The Apprentice star Andrew Brady. When asked about their relationship after the Channel 5 show ended, she shared: "The thing I love about Andrew is that he's so comfortable with everything and everyone... not caring about what anyone in the house thinks... I love and respect him. The thing that I really did respect was that we both had that understanding." After winning Celebrity Big Brother, the drag queen described the experience of coming in top place as "very surreal". She also gushed: "It's amazing to think that the public chose me – I guess it's validation in the things that I believe in." Now Courtney is prepared to step into the shoes of royalty for the first time, and will be joining the show alongside a creative team led by musical director Matthew Harvey, choreographer Taz Hoesli, costume designer River Smith, and lighting designer Toby P. Darvill. The show's dramaturg is Geri Allen, with wigs by River Medway and video design by Adam Nightingale.
