Latest news with #JoyCrookes
Glasgow Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Singer Joy Crookes announces Glasgow O2 Academy show
Joy Crookes, famous for songs like Feet Don't Fail Me Now and When You Were Mine, will be performing at the O2 Academy in the Southside. (Image: Image supplied) The gig will take place on Monday, November 10. READ NEXT: Indie band to perform in Glasgow after TRNSMT performance The singer, who has over two million monthly listeners on Spotify and has performed at the likes of Glastonbury and BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, first rose to fame in 2013 after she uploaded a cover of Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles to YouTube at the age of 15. The video gained the attention of over 600,000 viewers, one of which included her current manager. The upcoming Glasgow show follows the singer's latest release, Carmen. READ NEXT: Popular Irish band announce huge Glasgow show Tickets for the show go live at 10am on May 30. Pre-sale tickets will go live on May 29 at 10am. To purchase and/or sign up for pre-sale tickets, visit
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Joy Crookes details her struggles with self-doubt and horrific experiences of racism as she poses for striking shoot with Glamour UK
Joy Crookes revealed she still doubts herself in the music industry and detailed her horrific experience with racism in a new interview and photoshoot with Glamour UK. The British singer, 26, rose to fame in 2021 after her debut album, Skin, garnered widespread praise. And although she has 2.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Joy admitted she still faces the typical anxieties we all go through. Detailing her struggles with the publication, she said: 'I sometimes worry I'm not interesting enough for this industry. She continued: 'Men don't have to be that interesting to receive a lot of attention and praise, and then I look at the greats like Lauryn Hill and see how she was treated in the industry and worry about my future.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The British singer, 26, who rose to fame in 2021 after her debut album, Skin, garnered widespread praise, looked radiant as she posed for a stunning spread with the magazine Elsewhere in the interview, Joy revealed that when she left school at 16, she went to work in hospitality. However, she was treated poorly by 'racist' customers. Discussing working at a Polish restaurant near her family home, Joy recalled: 'That was one of the most racist experiences of my life, actually. 'I would pass customers the cutlery, and they would look at me, and then they would clean it.' Yet she left hospitality to pursue her successful music career - which saw her nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Brit Awards. Joy, who was born in Lambeth, South London, in 1998, started uploading cover versions of songs to YouTube at the age of 13. She released an EP in 2017 and was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Brits. Her debut album, Skin, features a collection of soulful R&B songs exploring relationships, her Bangladeshi-Irish heritage, and the changing face of south London, which received significant critical acclaim. Now, Joy has delighted critics once again as she announced on Thursday that she is releasing a new album. Joy will support her new album with a UK and European tour of the same name this winter. Tickets for the tour are set to go on general sale at 10am local time on May 30 Juniper, the highly anticipated follow-up to her debut album Skin, is due for release on September 26, 2025. According to Stereo Board, the album includes 12 tracks, including her previously shared singles: Pass The Salt featuring Vince Staples, Mathematics with Kano, I Know You'd Kill, and Carmen. Joy will support her new album with a UK and European tour of the same name this winter. The highly-anticipated UK tour will kick off in Dublin on November 3 before making stops in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Bournemouth, and Bristol, and concluding at the O2 Academy Brixton in London on November 18. She will then jet abroad to perform a string of shows in Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Tickets for the tour are set to go on general sale at 10am local time on May 30. Glamour UK unveiled the covers for its Sound of the Summer issue, featuring Joy as well as singers Darkoo, 23, and CMAT, 29. This issue will be the first under the new Head of Editorial Content, Kemi Alemoru, who took the reins of the publication earlier this year. Read the full interviews in the Glamour UK May Digital Issue online now. In her first editor's letter as Head of Editorial Content, Kemi Alemoru said: 'I believe wholeheartedly in the power of magazines and media companies at large to actually make sure people are plugged into what the hell is going on around us, 'To regularly tap into a range of fandoms, communities or underrepresented voices to reflect what women today are experiencing, creating and also consuming. She concluded: 'I'm honoured to lead a talented team of journalists into this magazine's bright future.' Spotlighting phenomenal female music talent, the Sound of the Summer issue celebrates artists hailing from London, Nigeria and Ireland respectively, all concentrated in London and emblematic of the broad range of tastes that audiences in the UK relish.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Radio 1's Big Weekend 2025: Top picks for Liverpool
Radio 1's Big Weekend is about to get going in Sefton Park, year the station rounds up some of the hottest artists in the world and gets them together for three days of music in a UK with about 100 acts across four stages, there's a lot to take BBC Newsbeat spoke to DJs Greg James, Sian Eleri and Jack Saunders to get their top tips on what to watch out for. Greg James tips Sam Fender for a Big Weekend highlight Radio 1 Breakfast host Greg James says Sam Fender's main stage headline slot on Saturday will be "incredibly significant". "He's an artist that Radio 1 has supported from day one," says Greg."We all knew that something special could happen with him, and it has."Official UK Chart Show host Jack says the weekend is a chance for him to watch artists he's interviewed performing."Joy Crookes is an artist who I've never seen live before who I love to hang out with on the radio," he says."She's so much fun. Her music is so soulful, so euphoric and she is just a great time and I think her set's going to be a great time." Future Artists host Sian says dance act Barry Can't Swim is her big Scottish DJ, real name Joshua Spence Mainnie, was nominated for last year's Mercury Music Prize and a host of other awards for his debut, When Do We Land?."I've been lucky enough to see him live a couple of times now and every single time he delivers," she says. "It's the best gig of your life. It's colourful. It's vibrant. The vibes are there," says Sian, who's also hoping to hear "secret unreleased bits" from Barry's upcoming album. Under the radar "The whole point of Big Weekend is that we have big headliners," says Greg. "But we also have the New Music Stage and then we have the Introducing stage, which finds the next Sam Fender."I think that Big Weekend tends to do that."We put artists on the radio and back them from the early days... you can chart their progress."Greg says it's well worth paying attention to lesser-known artists before they become the next big thing. And one of those Sian is backing is "phenomenal" singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro, who plays the BBC Introducing stage on Saturday."She's one of those vocalists who stops you in your tracks," says Sian."Imagine if I'd discovered Adele, for example, all those years ago, I would feel the same way as I do about Sienna Spiro. "She is definitely one of those artists who's going to skyrocket, so be an early fan now."Jack's shout is ex-Little Mix member Jade, who's topping the New Music stage bill on Sunday. "She's obviously been at the top of many bills with Little Mix, but in her own right as a solo artist is a completely different proposition," says Jack."We have only seen her do it at the Brit Awards so far, so Big Weekend will be a big moment for her." Magic moments Like any festival, Big Weekend is all about those moments that you'll remember for years to recalls Charli XCX's performance last year, in Luton, on the New Music Stage, "just before Brat summer took hold of the world"."It felt like something was really bubbling under the surface with her," he says."And we got it just before it went mad."Sian's memory is a little more personal."My first Big Weekend, 2010, in Bangor, when I went as a punter," she says."I was a huge Vampire Weekend fan at the time... I was front and centre, leaning up against the barriers, having the time of my life. "I've still got rubbish pictures on a digital camera that I took with me at the time. "I'll never forget that moment," she says. "I was losing my mind." Make the most of the festival If you're actually heading down to Sefton Park, the weather forecast is looking... in particular, is threatening to be soggy, with showers predicted for most of the Sian's staying optimistic."I don't want to jinx it, but it has been sunny every single year," she says. "So bring sun cream, bring hats." Some wellies might be a good shout, too."Look after yourself. Keep an eye on each other. Get some water going. Just be sensible and have a good time," says 1's Big Weekend stage times and line-upsIf you're looking to make the most of the music, the Radio 1 crew have some tips."Look at the clash finder," says Jack, referring to the tool that tells you whether two artists you want to see are playing at the same time."Work out which artists you want to see the most, and which you would be OK with missing," he says."And don't leave it until you get to the festival."Greg says you shouldn't be too strict with your schedule, though."Go and see some stuff you've never heard of because those people will become the next big things," he says."And then you can go: 'Yeah, but I saw them five years ago in Sefton Park on a tiny stage'."So go and be there, the handful of people in the crowd for a new band or a new artist. That's quite a cool thing." "But don't overplan. Have a couple of headliners to go to. But then just get lost."You can watch highlights from Radio 1's Big Weekend over the years on BBC iPlayer. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
The Independent
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Behind the scenes of Brits Week for War Child's live shows
The 2025 Brits Week for War Child performances are underway, with stars including Rachel Chinouriri, Joy Crookes, Cat Burns, Frank Turner and Kasabian performing intimate, sold-out shows ahead of the Brit Awards on Saturday 1 March. Proceeds from the 11 shows are going towards War Child's efforts to help provide protection, education and mental health support by children affected by war. The organisation began putting on performances ahead of the annual ceremony around 2009, with their record-breaking double headline show of Coldplay and The Killers taking place at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London. War Child then officially teamed up with the Brit Awards in 2019, in partnership with AEG Presents, to deliver what is now known as Brits Week. The Independent spoke with Clare Sanders-Wright, Live Music Lead at War Child UK, to learn more about the work that goes into the shows each year. How has the Brit Awards partnership evolved over the years and how has it helped raise awareness for War Child? The relationship between War Child and the BRIT Awards has flourished since we began working together, and evolved into our annual BRITs Week shows. The biggest names in music have lent their support over the years, and BRITs Week has become a staple in the music industry's calendar, ultimately raising awareness of our work as well as millions of pounds, that have truly changed the lives of children caught in wars they didn't start around the world. Since the inception of BRITs Week for War Child, the awareness raised by the BRIT Awards as well as the amazing artists and their teams who have donated their time and talents has seen music fans help raise over £7m to support the children we work with. Our local teams are in communities and refugee camps around the world, creating safe spaces for children to play, learn and access mental health support, as well as delivering immediate emergency aid in crisis situations, and this money has been integral to facilitating our continued work. Why is War Child still relevant today — could you detail some of the work the organisation has been involved in in the past year? War Child is more relevant today than ever before. It's never been more deadly to be a child, with an estimated one in five children living in or fleeing from conflict globally. Together with our partners, War Child delivers vital work in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, all with our ultimate mission in mind – ensuring a safe future for every child affected by war. In the past year, a huge focus for the time has been on the children affected by the conflict in Gaza. While a ceasefire has been announced, this is only the first step, and children will need specialist support to process the trauma they've experienced. War Child and our partners have stepped in to provide life-saving assistance, having reached more than 180,000 individuals, including upwards of 118,000 children – over 1 in 10 children in Gaza. This includes mental health and psychosocial support activities, and emergency provisions such as food, clean water, hygiene kits, warm clothing, and blankets. War Child is also working to help address the needs of the estimated 17,000 unaccompanied and separated children in Gaza, many of whom have had their immediate family members killed. So far, over 580 of these children have been directly supported by War Child, with efforts ongoing to connect them with essential services and caregivers. Our work has continued to span the globe, however. For example, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, 120,000 children have been displaced in 2025 alone, on top of the hundreds of thousands already displaced. Our teams have reached more than 227,000 people in the region so far with our emergency response, and supported more than 1,500 children with catch up classes through 2024. What is the organisation's hopes for this year's Brits Week shows? Awareness of our work. We've seen time and again that the artists we invite to play BRITs Week have fan bases that really care about the issues we work on. The goal is to give music lovers information about these crises around the world, what exactly it is that we do to support children caught in the middle of them, and ultimately, encourage them to engage and support us at and through these shows. I think artists love to see how engaged their fans are, and how much they care just as much as we do. So, while we obviously want to raise as much desperately needed funds as possible to support our work, we hope more people become aware of who we are, what we do, and are empowered to get involved however they can. We're also really happy this year to be taking our shows outside of London and hope to see this expand year on year. You can find more information on Brits Week for War Child 25 and the ongoing shows here. The 2025 Brit Awards take place on Saturday 1 March at the O2 Arena in London.
The Guardian
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Joy Crookes review – an enthralling, intimate set from this rising London soul star
Joy Crookes is only 26, but the south Londoner's music already feels omnipresent. One song in particular, at least: Feet Don't Fail Me Now seems to be absolutely everywhere. I hear it in cafes and bars, trendy boutiques and grimy off-licences and, when I forget to turn it off, the autoplay function on my streaming app of choice. The song only came out in 2021, as a single from Crookes's acclaimed debut album, Skin, and even if it doesn't yet feel canonical, it has at least thoroughly saturated certain pockets of the city. Which makes it all the more remarkable that, when Crookes plays it at Islington Assembly Hall this evening – an 'intimate', or intimate for her, show at only 890 people – one of the Brits Week for War Child charity shows, it doesn't even garner the biggest singalong of the evening. That honour might go to the understated funk earworm Trouble, about a tumultuous, toxically appealing relationship; or Don't Let Me Down (Demo), an early song performed by Crookes solo with an electric guitar, preserving all the warm minimalism of the original track. The enthralled crowd roars in appreciation during these moments, which belie the fact that Crookes is still a relatively early-career artist: she's only released one album, with, she assures fans this evening, another set for release later this year. Born to a Bangladeshi mother and Irish father, Crookes makes music that feels reflective of a melting-pot upbringing: while it's mainly soul revivalism that colours her music, you'll also find elements of dub, synth-pop, hip-hop and 2010s pop balladry across Skin. She has been praised for a willingness to inject her songs with political themes – Skin features songs about gentrification, racism and misogyny – and despite the vintage tone, Crookes's music presents an inversion of classic soul tropes. If classic Motown often had a mournful, bleeding-heart spirit, Crookes's music more often captures a sense of independence and empowerment, befitting a generation in search of anti-anxiety anthems. These preoccupations are at the heart of tonight's show, the bulk of which comprises as yet unreleased material. These songs, which largely fit the mould of the tracks on Skin with a little added pop oomph (sturdier and simpler beats, big choruses), are frequently about top-of-mind topics for young people: anxiety, beauty ideals, toxic exes, reliable besties. I sometimes found myself wishing for more bullish defiance or abject sadness, coming from a voice so brassy and rich, but there is no denying that Crookes can write a killer hook. Never more so, perhaps, than on the as-yet-untitled song whose hook goes 'You're a killer', a bouncy, surely viral-ready track that Crookes introduces as one of her favourites of the new batch. Slick and energetic, it's a highlight of the evening. Another new song, Crookes explains, is about 'unrealistic beauty standards, and how they're kicking all our arses'. The track centres on a fictional character called Carmen, who represents an impossible ideal; with its halting piano intro, it brings to mind Frank Ocean's Super Rich Kids and the opening bars of Bennie and the Jets. Later, she plays a song about anxiety and the queasy feeling of adrenaline, inspired in part by the scene in Pulp Fiction when Uma Thurman's character is given an injection to the heart. ('This song is a fuck off to mental health issues,' she quips.) Although Crookes warns the crowd early in the night that she has 'bubble guts' because she hasn't performed for so long, her voice sounds pitch-perfect, resonant and full in a room that – likely not built for pop concerts – doesn't always sound particularly great. She's backed by a crack four-piece band whose deft, warm style is far more appealing than that of the unsubtle hired hands usually drafted in to perform with rising stars like her. Not everything lands. Pass the Salt, a recently released new song featuring Vince Staples, feels harsh and metallic in an otherwise finely tuned set. On the track, Crookes engages a cadence approaching hip-hop over a crisp, booming beat; performed with live drums, the song never really coalesces, and coming second in the set it feels like a shaky start. It's a bum note she thankfully recovers from. Mathematics, a recent Kano-featuring single performed later in the set, allows Crookes to show off her almighty belt, a remarkable, room-filling thing. The most poignant moment comes when, bathed in blue light, she addresses the reasons behind tonight's show. 'I really wish we weren't raising money for children that are in conflict and wars,' she tells the audience. As she dedicates a new piano ballad, Forever, to just such children, it feels like a perfect combination of pop and politics.
