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Metro
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
I won't risk my safety by seeing Charli XCX at Glastonbury 2025
Having been eight times, I'd never felt unsafe at Glastonbury. Murmurs of crowds becoming claustrophobic and even potentially dangerous felt like a myth or unfortunate chaos that belonged in the past. That was until I was in the crush to get to Sugababes. In 2022, they were performing at the Avalon stage, a pop-friendly area with my name written all over it. It has seen some of the greatest artists from the Smash Hits era finally make it to Worthy Farm, when it would have been unthinkable to see them on the bill 20 years ago. The Avalon stage has a capacity of around 3,000 people and Sugababes were playing in the early evening. They've had six number one singles, four platinum albums and headlined the 02 Arena this year – clearly a 3,000 capacity stage wasn't going to accommodate one of the most successful artists on the Glastonbury bill. But somehow we managed to make it into the stage. I couldn't see Mutya, Keisha or Siobhan at any point but we made it in when thousands of others didn't, and endured the fresh hell of being part of the stampede trying to get into the tent. The Astroworld crush, which killed 10 people during rapper Travis Scott's gig, was just the year before and while Glastonbury would never let anything like that happen, it was still suffocating enough to cling onto friends and begin to panic. It was the first time I've ever been genuinely quite scared at Glastonbury and was sure I would never find myself in the same precarious situation again. Jump two years and Sugababes were back at Glastonbury, this time bumped up to the West Holts Stage – a significant upgrade with a 30,000 capacity, but still, it was obviously going to be another health and safety nightmare. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Stewards were trying to enforce a one-way system but there's only so much a handful of volunteers in high-vis jackets can do when there are thousands of fans with tunnel vision slipping through the net. They played on a Friday afternoon, clashing with Paul Heaton who was on The Pyramid, and once again it was an unnerving crush to see Push The Button live at Worthy Farm. I've spoken with friends and, after our previous experiences, many of us are concerned about this year. Subsequently, I've made the decision to avoid seeing the artist I was most excited to see. Charli XCX has by far been the most colossally important artist of the last 12 months. It was impossible not to get swept away by the Brat summer of 2024, whether you were a party girl functioning on Golden Virginia and Smirnoff Ice or you were just a spectator enjoying the ride from afar. She is the moment and I don't have a doubt she'll bring in the biggest crowd of the entire festival. Last year, she played a DJ set at Silver Hayes and thousands of people turned up just to watch her spin decks. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Huge crowds were turned away disappointed and it became one of the most celebrated moments of the weekend. It wasn't even a full Charli XCX show and the crowd was determined, engrossed and, more importantly, humongous. It is unthinkable, then, that she isn't topping off her Brat era on The Pyramid Stage where almost the entire festival could – and would – descend as one 170,000-strong army. Instead, she is on at The Other Stage, which has under half the capacity of the Pyramid, and sadly where I wouldn't dare try to see her. Last year Avril Lavigne performed on The Other Stage, her last hit single now 14 years old, and crowds complained they felt crushed as the swarm of fans expanded into camping areas. The thought of Charli on The Other Stage is genuinely terrifying and while every single person I know is dead set on watching her set, reluctantly I just can't face it. Glastonbury offers assurances every year that it always has a 'robust, dynamic crowd management plan in place', which I don't doubt, and Emily Eavis has admitted they've sold fewer tickets this year in an attempt to avert crushes. But logistically, I don't see how they can possibly keep the enormous Brat army confined to the limited space surrounding The Other Stage. At best it will be unbearable, at the very worst, potentially dangerous. There is a clash which might thin the crowd ever so slightly with rapper Doechi performing at the same time, but I can't see that being much of a deterrent for fiercely loyal Charli fans. More Trending It's sad that Glastonbury seems to specifically treat its pop artists this way, sidelining them to smaller stages, undermining their enormous fanbases and essentially losing grasp on its evolving identity. Granted, Olivia Rodrigo is closing the Pyramid Stage, but would it have been too much to have two humongous popstars headlining the same weekend? Glastonbury needs to realise what it is and who it's for before someone gets hurt. Yes, I am very lucky to be able to be in the field come the last weekend of June, but I can't deny I'm absolutely gutted that seeing Charli just feels like a dangerous option, which could so easily have been avoided. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: How to find Glastonbury's secret spots according to people who've been before MORE: I've applied for 38 jobs and got nowhere – I blame ageism MORE: Glastonbury organiser reveals drastic measure taken after crowd-crush fears
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sugababes admit comeback 'obstacles' as fans deserved 'different ending'
EXCLUSIVE: The Sugababes have opened up about their meteoric comeback and gaining the right to use their band name again, but admit their fans deserved the reunion The Sugababes admit facing "obstacles" during their comeback without having the iconic band name. Original members, Muyua Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy left fans gobsmacked in 2011 when it emerged that they would be reuniting for the first time since Donaghy's departure in 2011. But after Keisha's exit from the group in 2009, the original members joined forces under the name MKS and performed a string of sell-out shows across the country, as well as releasing original music. But it was in 2019 that the band won back the legal rights to use their name, which propelled them to fame. Reflecting on their comeback during an exclusive chat with the Mirror, Siobhán admits that the legacy behind the iconic girl group is "amazing". She said: "On one hand, it makes everything super easy when you're doing a show, everyone sings along to every show. Also, it's a lot to live up to, so it's a bit of good pressure in terms of new music – I think that's a good pressure and it motivates us." Keisha added: "It's always been important to us, and I think that was one of the main things for us getting back together, is that we wanted to pick up where we left off." Mutya added: "And give back to the fans as well, I think we've had such great supporters from then til now." Keisha added: "They deserved a different ending." Speaking about the bombshell MKS reunion, Keisha said: "That was amazing." Mutya added on their reaction from fans: "Like they still cared and we were still relevant because when you haven't done something for so long, you don't know how the tickets are going to sell, you don't even know if people still like you." Keisha added: "That was incredible, we hadn't had the name back yet. And so we were meeting all these different obstacles of 'Can you do it without the name? Can you do this?' We always knew that with us, it was about the music, and our voices were the most recognisable thing, even without the name. "So being able to come back and having all these obstacles and still being able to have sell-out shows and the support we had was really great." But the band admit it has been a "long journey" since they reformed, revealing that the past three to four years have been the most hectic for them. "It was a whole ten-year journey before that," Keisha said, adding: "When it was starting to happen, it was everything that we dreamt of and more." The band are now busier than ever, having recently performed a sell-out arena tour across the UK, as well as appearing at dozens of festivals. Two of those festivals were Glastonbury, which saw an unprecedented demand for the group, with the fields being closed down on both occasions. Siobhan admitted that the band would have loved to shut the fields down but had no idea it would actually happen on both occasions in 2022 and 2024. But how do the band get their heads around the staggering success of the band? "We kind of embrace it," Keisha explained. She went on to add: "Like Siobhán was saying, it's such a big legacy and it's great when we're on stage, the hardest thing when you're performing is trying to reintroduce new stuff. "Even when we were first performing the Round Round's and Overload's, I think really, the goal is what legacy you leave. The fact that we can come back 25 years later, we started so young, and reintroduce things in a different way. Everything is reimagined in the music, and it sounds very current." One thing they have reintroduced is a new version of Too Lost In You, with a garage aspect on the classic ballad, which has since become a fan favourite at Sugababes concerts. Siobhán said: "It's not as mentally daunting being in your mind as when you're a teenager." The band were in their early teens when they were signed by Ron Tom and Sarah Stennet before going on to release their debut single, Overload, in 2000 – which peaked at Number 6. "We're very humble," says Mutya, adding that they count their blessings. Despite their current and rather hectic schedules ahead of festivals, the band admit that there will be new music soon". "More festivals, singles and an album," said Keisha, before Siobhán joked they needed to "hurry up." She added: "The body of work is there, we just need to finish it off, we've gone straight from touring to festival season, we're finding the slots where we can get the opportunity," before confirming the singles are "lined up." Although the band are leading the industry with their top-tier vocals, Keisha admits that there are "so many talented" female vocal groups. She added: "It's so good that we get to be amongst them. Back then, it was really about the harmonies; we did have a unique way of doing our harmonies. Even the boy bands are singing now." "We've got some great British groups and vocalists," said Mutya. One thing Mutya doesn't understand is why the UK's Eurovision Song Contest entry, Remember Mondays received no points. "I actually thought they were good, they got zero," she said, adding: "I think people were just being really mean. Vocally, they were really, really good. "They didn't deserve zero." Since finding fame in 1998, what has been their favourite look and fashion highlight? "I really liked my Glastonbury look," said Siobhán, adding: "I used to wear a lot of Vivienne Westwood, I'm a massive fan." Mutya went on to say: "I don't know, I always seem to like a baggy look, cropped jacket, I don't mind where it's from. On the tour, I did Evisu, I kind of brought that back out for myself." Keisha said: "For me, I feel like braids, the chunky ones. "I didn't really do braids throughout the Sugababes. I had one nightmare, I had this bobbed braid in Year 7, and it was done really badly by someone. I walked in, and one of the boys was like, 'Your hair looks like worms.' It was just done terribly. There's a knack to how you do it. "I was obsessed with Brandy [Norwood], so that's why I had it done. Looking back, when I had that moment, I didn't do it again until I we did the video for Round Round – my cousin was really good with braids, so I did it that one time and that was it. I do like the braids." Mutya added: "I love Keisha with braids." The Soundtrack of Style — Celebrating 30 Years at Cheshire Oaks. Sugababes were unveiled as the secret headliner of Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet's 30th anniversary event, providing shoppers and the local community with the ultimate surprise and delight moment to celebrate three decades in fashion and business. The iconic pop group performed at the one-off non-ticketed event, supported by Take That 's Howard Donald and Hits Radio DJ and former Pussycat Dolls star Kimberly Wyatt to honour the outlet's 30-year legacy.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Footballer appears in court accused of beating Sugababes ex Keisha Buchanan in ‘ten-year campaign of terror'
A FOOTBALLER has appeared in court charged with beating his Sugababes ex Keisha Buchanan in a ten-year "campaign of terror". Taiwo Leo Atieno is accused of grabbing the singer's neck and punching her in the arm and back. 6 Taiwo Leo Atieno is accused of assaulting Keisha Buchanan 6 He also allegedly controlled the singer's finances Credit: Getty The 39-year-old, who played for Luton, also controlled what Keisha, 40, ate and blocked her from wearing red lipstick, it is said. Atieno appeared at Southwark Crown Court today charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He is also accused of engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour, harassment without violence and breaching a non-molestation order. The footballer did not enter pleas during the hearing, which was adjourned until August 22 for technical reasons. A five-day trial has been set for April 13 next year at the same court. Atieno was granted bail subject to a series of conditions including a £10,000 surety and residence at his home address in Brixton. He must not enter the London Borough of Barnet, not contact the complainant and not apply for any international travel documents. Atieno, who will also have to surrender his passport, is accused of assaulting Keisha on three occasions - including one that left her needing physiotherapy treatment. The court heard previously how he allegedly conducted a "campaign of terror and abuse against the complainant for over ten years.' Keisha alleges he controlled her finances and use of the shower while they were living together. The footballer is also accused of allowing her to only go the gym "at certain times" and blocking her from watching TV. When he was blocked from contacting the singer by a family court order, it is alleged Atieno still sent emails to her. He is also accused of harassing Keisha over the course of three years with texts, emails, social media contact and a request for £25,000. Atieno has been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2015 and May 2018 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm between January 2012 and January 2015. He is also accused of harassment between January 2021 and December last year and an alleged breach of a non-molestation order. His lawyer claims the pair first met in 2006 and began dating in 2011, and that the footballer also worked as her business manager. The Kenya international played for a string of teams - including Walsall, Tamworth, Luton Town, Stevenage, and Torquay United - before retiring in 2013. Keisha was one of the original members of Sugababes alongside Mutya Buena and Siobhan Dohaghy. She enjoyed solo success before reuniting with her former bandmates. 6 Keisha is one third of the original Sugababes Credit: Getty 6 Keisha recently reunited with her former bandmates Credit: Getty 6 She enjoyed success with songs such as Round Round and Push the Button Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Footballer appears in court accused of beating Sugababes ex Keisha Buchanan in ‘ten-year campaign of terror'
A FOOTBALLER has appeared in court charged with beating his Sugababes ex Keisha Buchanan in a ten-year "campaign of terror". Taiwo Leo Atieno is accused of grabbing the singer's neck and punching her in the arm and back. Advertisement 6 Taiwo Leo Atieno is accused of assaulting Keisha Buchanan 6 He also allegedly controlled the singer's finances Credit: Getty The 39-year-old, who played for Luton, also controlled what Atieno appeared at Southwark Crown Court today charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He is also accused of engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour, harassment without violence and breaching a non-molestation order. The footballer did not enter pleas during the hearing, which was adjourned until August 22 for technical reasons. Advertisement A five-day trial has been set for April 13 next year at the same court. Atieno was granted bail subject to a series of conditions including a £10,000 surety and residence at his home address in Brixton. He must not enter the London Borough of Barnet, not contact the complainant and not apply for any international travel documents. Atieno, who will also have to surrender his passport, is accused of assaulting Keisha on three occasions - including one that left her needing physiotherapy treatment. Advertisement Most read in Showbiz The court heard previously how he allegedly conducted a "campaign of terror and abuse against the complainant for over ten years.' The footballer is also accused of allowing her to only go the gym "at certain times" and blocking her from watching TV. When he was blocked from contacting the singer by a family court order, it is alleged Atieno still sent emails to her. Advertisement He is also accused of harassing Keisha over the course of three years with texts, emails, social media contact and a request for £25,000. Atieno has been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2015 and May 2018 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm between January 2012 and January 2015. He is also accused of harassment between January 2021 and December last year and an alleged breach of a non-molestation order. His lawyer claims the pair first met in 2006 and began dating in 2011, and that the footballer also worked as her business manager. Advertisement The Kenya international played for a string of teams - including Walsall, Tamworth, Read more on the Irish Sun Keisha was one of the original members of Sugababes alongside Mutya Buena and Siobhan Dohaghy. She enjoyed solo success before reuniting with her former bandmates. 6 Keisha is one third of the original Sugababes Credit: Getty Advertisement 6 Keisha recently reunited with her former bandmates Credit: Getty 6 She enjoyed success with songs such as Round Round and Push the Button Credit: Getty 6 Atieno has now been bailed Credit: Pinnacle
Black America Web
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Netflix Renews Black Teenage Love Series ‘Forever' For Season 2
Source: Netflix / Netflix If you were hooked by the emotional rollercoaster of 'Forever,' Netflix's heartfelt teen romance, get ready—Season 2 is on the way. Created by award-winning storyteller Mara Brock Akil, the series returns to explore the next chapter in Keisha and Justin's love story, according to a press release published Wednesday. Inspired by Judy Blume's classic novel, 'Forever' follows two Black teens from opposite sides of Los Angeles who reconnect at a New Year's Eve party after years apart. Keisha, played by actress Lovie Simone, is a driven track star with dreams of attending historic Howard University and the weight of her family's future on her shoulders. Justin, portrayed by Michael Cooper Jr., struggles to navigate ADHD and is uncertain about his path in life, but he finds solace in music — and in Keisha. The first season delicately tackled the highs and lows of first love, family expectations, and identity, all set against the backdrop of 2018's social media-fueled world. Over eight episodes, viewers watched the teens navigate miscommunication, systemic pressures, and the unique realities of being Black in predominantly white spaces. By the season's end, Keisha and Justin chose to go their separate ways, not out of heartbreak, but out of growth. Season 2 promises to pick up where they left off, exploring how young love can evolve when both people are learning to stand on their own. Cooper Jr. shared that the first season of 'Forever' taught him about 'the importance of self-love' and power. 'You have to love and know yourself in order to love anyone else or create space for someone else,' the actor said. Simone, on the other hand, was enamored by the way Keisha and Justin remained confident and communicated their emotional needs throughout the show. 'The way these characters communicate is just so advanced,' the actress shared. 'It was nice to have a little bit of my faith restored in young love through this show. Young people can communicate.' Looking ahead to Season 2, Brock Akil teased that Keisha and Justin's relationship will face new challenges as they transition into college life. With the pressures of higher education and growing independence, the big question is: can their love survive this next chapter? 'Who are they going to be on the other side, or during that first semester? After all, Howard University has been Keisha's focus for far longer than Justin has,' the famous showrunner revealed. 'Howard is Keisha's first boyfriend, let's just be honest. I want to see who she is in this environment. For Justin, what is he going to do in this gap year, now that he's got a direction? He needs to figure out who he is outside of Keisha.' Brock Akil added, 'How do you re-engage, how do you go back through the door that you know is open?' Stay tuned. 'Forever' is far from over. SEE ALSO: 5 Ways Netflix's 'Forever' Gave Us the Young Black Love Story We Deserve 'Black Barbie' Documentary Is Netflix-Bound SEE ALSO Netflix Renews Black Teenage Love Series 'Forever' For Season 2 was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
