Latest news with #SultansofSwing
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Dire Straits Manage A Surprising Comeback With Several Big Albums
Dire Straits haven't released a new album in years, and the band is no longer together. Still, the act's music continues to resonate with a massive audience, especially in the U.K., where the group got its start. This week, the classic rock outfit returns to the Official Albums chart with two different collections – an impressive feat considering neither of the sets appeared on the tally last week, and that neither one is new. Now, both sit side-by-side on the competitive ranking. Sultans of Swing – The Very Best of returns to the Official Albums chart at No. 99, landing in second-to-last place on the 100-spot roster. Just below that, Private Investigations – The Best Of reenters at No. 100. This week marks a relatively rare occurrence in which two compilations from the same band appear on the list of the most-consumed full-lengths in the country, despite some serious overlap in track listings. The two collections have followed different paths on the Official Albums tally. Sultans of Swing has peaked as high as No. 6, but has only remained on the ranking for 37 weeks. Private Investigations, on the other hand, reached a high of No. 20 – yet it has charted for a far longer span, with 143 weeks on the tally. As both titles perform well on the main albums ranking, they also appear on the Official Albums Streaming chart, which measures the top-performing full-lengths on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Private Investigations climbs from No. 100 to No. 87, while Sultans of Swing lifts from No. 96 to a new peak of No. 85. That's a new all-time peak for the latter set on this streaming-only roster. While Dire Straits has claimed many hit singles throughout the years the band was together, 'Sultans of Swing' continues to perform especially well to this day. The tune, which lends its name to one of the group's compilations, surges nearly 20 spaces on the Official Singles chart. This frame, it lands at No. 65. The track originally peaked at No. 8 decades ago, and it introduced the outfit to the general public. It has now spent 15 weeks on the tally, though those appearances span many years.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
James Pearce Reveals how Liverpool Players Celebrated Winning the Premier League Title
Liverpool's Title Party: A Night to Remember at Anfield When Liverpool clinched their 20th top-flight title with a resounding 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, it was always going to be a night to remember. Inside the plush Carlsberg Dugout bar at Anfield, the celebrations stretched into the early hours, with players, staff, family and friends soaking up the glory. Advertisement As James Pearce of The Athletic reported, the DJ kept the dancefloor alive with requests, as players in 'Champions 24-25' shirts sang along to favourites like Sultans of Swing – a season-long anthem courtesy of Alisson's Spotify playlist. Arne Slot, Liverpool's trailblazing manager and the first Dutchman to win England's top flight, stayed true to his promise, enjoying 'a glass of beer or two or three' with his family. True to the camaraderie Slot has fostered, there were no speeches, no forced formalities – just pure, heartfelt celebration. Photo: IMAGO Emotional Reflections Under the Kop While the party raged indoors, a few poignant moments unfolded on the hallowed turf. Virgil van Dijk, dressed in his tracksuit, and other players returned to the pitch for photos with their families. Perhaps the most stirring image, as captured by James Pearce, was Ibrahima Konaté sitting alone in the Main Stand, looking out over an empty Anfield. Advertisement 'I don't have words to describe what I felt,' Konaté said. 'I just wanted to enjoy the moment on my own. I was close to crying. It's crazy, unbelievable, and we have to really enjoy it now.' For Konaté, the first French Liverpool player to lift the English title, it was a deeply personal moment amid the chaos of celebration. Respect, Unity and Symbolism The post-match festivities were peppered with wonderful gestures symbolising Liverpool's unity and respect. Darwin Núñez's attempt to soak Mohamed Salah was a classic party prank – but tellingly, it was alcohol-free Nozeco in the bottles, showing respect for the team's Muslim players. Advertisement Salah's iconic selfie with the Kop – organised with a club photographer's phone – encapsulated the players' deep bond with the fans. 'I worked my mind a little bit around that idea and it was fine,' Salah explained to Opus Sport. Photo: IMAGO Meanwhile, Curtis Jones created lifelong memories by lifting young supporter Harry Whitehurst onto the pitch, a beautiful extension of their relationship built over the season. Anfield and Beyond: Celebrations Continue Outside the stadium, fireworks and red flares lit up the Liverpool skyline. Even after 3am, the streets around Anfield were thronged with supporters, climbing lamp posts and rooftops to soak up the atmosphere. Advertisement Back inside the stadium, the Champions Wall and Walk of Champions were quickly updated to mark Liverpool's 20th league crown. As Klopp himself posted on Instagram: 'Super grateful for the past. Super, super happy about the present, extremely positive about the future! Congratulations — YNWA. Thank you Luv.' Liverpool's players were granted a well-earned two-day break before preparations resume, but the party will roll on – a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge awaits, followed by the trophy lift against Crystal Palace on May 25th. Photo: IMAGO Our View – Anfield Index Analysis As Liverpool fans, we are absolutely buzzing after reading James Pearce's brilliant insight into the title celebrations. This was more than just a party; it was the culmination of a journey built on resilience, smart recruitment, and a seamless transition from Jürgen Klopp to Arne Slot. Advertisement Seeing Virgil and the boys dancing with the fans' songs ringing out, knowing Alisson picked Sultans of Swing as the soundtrack to our victories, it just makes it feel properly ours. Slot deserves massive credit – what a smooth handover he's masterminded. Leading a Klopp chant in front of a packed Anfield shows he not only understands the job but respects the emotional heartbeat of the club. And moments like Konaté's quiet reflection, Curtis Jones lifting Harry Whitehurst, and the ball boys joining the celebrations prove that Liverpool isn't just about winning – it's about winning the right way. The little touches – Nozeco bottles for Muslim players, Salah's brilliant selfie idea, and Jota proudly cycling around Crosby in his Champions shirt – underline a squad absolutely in love with the club and the community. We can't wait for the trophy presentation, and with Slot at the helm, it feels like this could be just the beginning of a new era. Stamford Bridge better be ready – the Red wave is coming!
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Inside Liverpool's Premier League title party: A 3am finish, cigars and a bike ride
It was shortly before 3am when the party finally ended inside Anfield's Carlsberg Dugout. The plush sports bar in the Main Stand was the setting for Liverpool players and staff to celebrate clinching the Premier League title on Sunday following their 5-1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur. With family and friends also in attendance, the dancefloor was packed for most of the evening, with a DJ taking requests. The Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz songs led to both players being serenaded by their jubilant team-mates, many of whom were wearing their special 'Champions 24-25' home shirt. Sultans of Swing by British rock band Dire Straits, which has become the squad's anthem of the season, went down a storm. It was Alisson's contribution to the dressing-room Spotify list and has been first on after every cherished victory. Arne Slot had vowed in his post-match press conference that he would enjoy 'a glass of beer or two or three' and he was true to his word. Having become the first Dutch manager to win England's top flight, he soaked up the occasion with his family. It was all very informal, with no speeches. Liverpool principal owner John W. Henry and his wife Linda Pizzuti made an appearance at the party but said their goodbyes long before the early hours. Advertisement Liverpool actor James Nelson-Joyce was also there, along with former British super-middleweight boxing champion Paul Smith, who is a good friend of Kostas Tsimikas, and his younger brother Liam Smith, the former world light-middleweight champion. Some of the players, including Van Dijk in his club tracksuit, took the opportunity to go back out on to the pitch to have photographs taken in front of a deserted Kop with their loved ones. Ibrahima Konate walked up the first tier of the Main Stand before taking a seat and then spent a few minutes in quiet contemplation. Ibrahima Konate sat in the Main Stand looking out over the pitch: 'What a feeling to see it from up here.'#LFC — James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) April 27, 2025 'I don't have words to describe what I felt. I just wanted to enjoy the moment on my own,' Konate said. 'We won it with 60,000 fans and us on the pitch. I just wanted to feel something different and I am very happy now. I was close to crying. It's crazy, unbelievable, and we have to really enjoy it now. I'm the first French player from Liverpool to lift it.' A few hours earlier, it had been bedlam inside Anfield as the final whistle sparked an unforgettable outpouring of emotion as Liverpool won the title in front of their supporters for the first time in 35 years. There was the classy gesture of Slot leading a chant of 'Jurgen Klopp', returning the compliment from nearly a year ago when his predecessor helped ensure it was the smoothest of handovers. 'I did it because of what he did before I even arrived here,' Slot explained. 'I think that is something not one manager ever did before. That definitely helped me. But he helped me even more by the team he left behind and the culture he left behind.' A video went viral of Darwin Nunez trying to drench Mohamed Salah with what appeared to be a bottle of champagne. However, it was actually alcohol-free Nozeco in all the large bottles used for the celebrations out of respect for Liverpool's Muslim players. On his return to the home dressing room, Nunez posted a picture of himself with a large cigar. Advertisement Salah had celebrated scoring Liverpool's fourth goal by taking an iconic selfie as he stood on the pitch with the triumphant Kop behind him. Initially, it looked like the Egyptian had borrowed the mobile phone from a fan at the front of the stand, but it was in fact given to him by one of Liverpool's club photographers, who Salah had spotted. Liverpool have a lucrative commercial partnership with Google Pixel and Van Dijk did something similar after Nunez's late winner away at Nottingham Forest in March 2024. The players do not have to get involved but they know where the phone is if they want it. 'Since the beginning of the season, I've always taken a selfie with the players (who scored) so for this one I said: 'OK, I have to think of something special' because this picture is going to be there forever,' Salah told Opus Sport. 'So I worked my mind a little bit around that idea and it was fine.' What was certainly impromptu was the wholesome sight of Andy Robertson and Alisson inviting the ball boys from the club's academy, who were grouped together just off the pitch, to embrace their heroes in a joyous huddle. And then there was midfielder Curtis Jones giving young supporter Harry Whitehurst a memory he will cherish forever, as he lifted him from the Kop and brought him on to the field so he could be part of the celebrations. Earlier this season, the LFCTV cameras had captured some touching footage of Jones making a surprise visit to meet Whitehurst, who suffers from the rare genetic condition Williams syndrome, while he was volunteering at Homebaked cafe close to the stadium. Amid all the dancing and the singing, there was the sight of former Manchester United goalkeeper turned TV pundit Peter Schmeichel on the touchline putting club allegiances aside to congratulate Alisson on his outstanding contribution to Liverpool's 20th title, and time for the entire playing squad and coaching staff to pose in front of the Kop for a group photo — a recognition that this had been a truly team effort. 1. Curtis Jones, 2. Mohamed Salah, 3. Alexis Mac Allister, 4. Dominik Szoboszlai, 5. Arne Slot, 6. John Heitinga (assistant coach), 7. Harvey Davies, 8. Conor Bradley, 9. Harvey Elliott, 10. Luis Diaz, 11. Ryan Gravenberch, 12. Darwin Nunez, 13. Kostas Tsimikas, 14. Sipke Hulshoff (assistant), 15. Vitezslav Jaros, 16. Trey Nyoni, 17. Caoimhin Kelleher, 18. Andy Robertson, 19. Diogo Jota, 20. Wataru Endo, 21. Federico Chiesa, 22. Conall Murtagh (head of physical performance), 23. Fabian Otte (head of first team goalkeeper coaching), 24. Jonathan Power (director of medicine and performance), 25. Aaron Briggs (first team individual development coach), 26. Ruben Peeters (lead physical performance coach), 27. Clare Farrell (lead performance nutritionist), 28. Brendan McIlduff (kit co-ordinator), 29. Tyler Morton, 30. Jarell Quansah, 31. James McConnell, 32. Trent Alexander-Arnold, 33. Joe Gomez, 34. Alisson, 35. Virgil van Dijk, 36. Ibrahima Konate, 37. Chris Morgan (head of performance physical therapy), 38. Cody Gakpo, 39. Phil Holliday (director of first team operations & travel), 40. Louise Dobson (head of first team operations), 41. Roderick van der Ham (first team tactical analyst), 42. Michelle Hudson (masseur), 43. Max Thompson (doctor), 44. Jansen Moreno (opposition analyst), 45. Lee Nobes (head of rehab physiotherapy), 46. Lee Radcliffe (kit operations manager), 47. Paul Small (masseur) With thousands of fans who hadn't attended the game converging on Anfield, fireworks and red flares lit up the sky outside the ground late into Sunday night. Nearly three hours after the final whistle, Walton Breck Road, which runs behind the Kop, was still closed to traffic due to the sheer volume of people with many clambering up railings, lamp posts or onto nearby roofs to gain the best possible vantage point as the beer flowed. Advertisement As the clean-up operation got underway early on Monday morning, Liverpool wasted no time in getting both the Champions Wall outside Anfield and the Walk of Champions inside the ground updated to reflect sealing their 20th top-flight title. 'Super grateful for the past,' Klopp posted on Instagram with an image of Liverpool's players and staff standing together in front of the Kop during You'll Never Walk Alone on Sunday. 'Super, super happy about the present, extremely positive about the future! Congratulations — YNWA. Thank you Luv.' Klopp will be back on Merseyside next month when he's the guest speaker at the LFC Foundation gala dinner and he's been invited to attend the final game against Crystal Palace on May 25 when the trophy presentation will take place. Everyone based at the club's Kirkby training base has been given two days off to get over Sunday's exploits with Slot's squad due to reconvene on Wednesday. Diogo Jota was spotted cycling along the coast in the town of Crosby, north of the city, on Monday while proudly wearing his 'Champions 24-25' home shirt. A guard of honour awaits Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next weekend. And the celebrations will keep on coming. (Top photos: Instagram/darwin_n9; Getty Images)
Forbes
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Dire Straits Hits One Chart For The First Time, Decades After Splitting Up
'Sultans of Swing' gives Dire Straits its first streaming hit in the U.K., as renewed interest in ... More Mark Knopfler's work seems to lift the band's music. ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - NOVEMBER 01: Mark Knopfler and David Knopfler from Dire Straits performs live on stage at Ahoy, Rotterdam, Holland on November 01 1979 (Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns) Dire Straits hasn't released a new album in decades, but the band seems to be returning to the minds of listeners in the United Kingdom. The rock outfit, fronted by legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter Mark Knopfler, returns to a ranking in that nation this week, and for the first time ever, the band lands on one particular tally – something that few could have predicted would happen in the year 2025, especially the outfit's own members. 'Sultans of Swing' opens at No. 83 on this week's Official Streaming chart, a ranking of the most-played songs on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music (to name the most popular options) in the U.K. Somehow, this is the first time the band has ever appeared on the streaming-only tally. Even though the group's output predates the shift to these sites, some listeners may still be surprised to find out that the group has never before landed a win on this roster. 'Sultans of Swing' isn't just another song in Dire Straits' catalog, it's the cut that introduced the band to the world. The tune helped the group land a record deal in the late 1970s, and it fronted the act's self-titled debut album, which later became a major success in the U.K. and abroad. The last time 'Sultans of Swing' could be found on the main U.K. songs chart was in 1979, when it debuted at No. 45 on the Official Singles chart, the country's all-genre ranking of the most-consumed tunes. It didn't take long to catch on, and within a month, it cracked the top 10, where it held for two weeks at No. 8. The arrival of 'Sultans of Swing' on the Official Streaming chart may be fueled by renewed attention to both Dire Straits and Knopfler. The solo musician and band's frontman recently returned to the U.K. charts with a very different composition, 'Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero).' Originally created for the 1983 film Local Hero, the instrumental cut became a minor hit decades ago and was later adopted as the walkout song for a U.K. football team. After the athletes won a major game and superstar Sam Fender covered the cut, it surged back onto the charts. Last year, Knopfler re-recorded the tune as a charity single with a staggering list of collaborators, including Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow, Jeff Beck, and many more. The updated version charted under a slightly different name and brought the song back into public consciousness once more. As 'Sultans of Swing' debuts, another Dire Straits release is also on the rise. Private Investigations: The Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler moves up on the Official Album Downloads chart, stepping to No. 43 and inching closer to the top 40. Meanwhile, it remains at No. 91 on the Official Albums Streaming chart.
Khaleej Times
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Remembering Rohan Malhotra: A legacy of passion, golf, and friendship
As the Ultimate Golf Challenge reaches its grand finale in Dubai on Thursday, emotions run high for one team in particular - The Sultans of Swing. Former by Sanjay Pahwa and Amol Awasthi, with Vijay Devnani as their mentor, the Sultans are not just playing for victory this year—they are playing for Rohan Malhotra on a very poignant day. February 13 would have been Rohan's birthday, a day that now carries both joy and sorrow for those who knew and loved him. His sudden passing on October 1, 2024, left a huge void in the sporting community, but his spirit burns fiercely among the players in the team. Rohan is remembered not just as a golfer but as a man who embodied the essence of sportsmanship and some who had an insatiable zest for life. A True Sportsman, A True Friend Rohan was a gifted athlete whose love for competition extended beyond the golf course. Whether swinging a golf club or wielding a cricket bat, he brought passion, skill, and an infectious enthusiasm that made him a standout both on and off the field. His unwavering commitment to fair play made him a role model for many. More than that, he was a mentor, a leader, and a friend who made everyone around him feel special. Rohand's teammates remember his larger-than-life presence, his signature smile, and his ability to make even the most intense competition feel like a game among friends. His love for the game was undeniable, perfectly captured by one of his favorite quotes: 'We are not here for a long time, we're here for a good time!!!' A Team Playing for Rohan This year, the Sultans of Swing have a greater purpose. As they step onto the course, they do so with the determination to honor their friend. They are playing for Rohan, on his birthday, in a tournament that meant so much to him. His memory fuels their drive and his laughter echoes in their hearts. Before the Second Round of the UGC at the Faldo Course on February 7, players, officials, and attendees observed a moment of silence—a tribute to a golfer whose presence is still deeply felt. But Rohan wouldn't have wanted solemn faces. He would have wanted smilesand celebratory fist pumps. And that's exactly how the Sultans intend to honor him. To ensure Rohan's passion for sports and his unwavering sportsmanship continue to inspire future generations, plans are underway to introduce The Rohan Malhotra Sportsmanship Award in the next UGC season in 2026. This award will be presented to an athlete who exemplifies his values—fair play, perseverance, and respect for the game. The Impact of Rohan The impact Rohan had on those around him is best described by the people who shared the greens, the fairways, and the unforgettable moments with him: "Rohan had swashbuckling style, long booming drives with graceful long back swings and a deft touch around the greens. He was the true epitome of how golf should be played, with a smile on your face and a gentlemanly handshake at the end!" – Shiv Kapoor, pro golfer "Rohan's strength as a golfer was his skill and ability to hit almost every kind of shot. He was dependable under pressure. The last game we played together, as my partner, he holed an 8-foot putt to help us tie our cart game against Thomas Detry. And almost suffocated me during the celebration!" – Sujjan Singh, pro at Els Dubai "Rohan's talent on the golf course always amazed me. The way he could move the ball when he wanted to hit a certain shot shape was a treat to watch. He inspires me to live life with the same infectious energy that he possessed, smiling his way through life and making friends like family all over the world." – Vishal Uppal, former India Davis Cup player "Rohan inspired us all to strive for excellence in business while enjoying the finer things in life—never forgetting to have fun along the way. He never missed a beat—forever in the meeting with you, Rohan." – Sunny Madra, President of Groq and startup entrepreneur from the Bay Area "Rohan played an incredibly powerful long game, had a brilliant record (I saw it each time we played) in getting out of the occasional trouble he was in, and a sublime short game." – Suneel Bakshi, President of Mizuho Bank, London On his birthday, his teammates hope to honor him the best way they know how—by giving it their all and by playing the game he loved to kee legacy alive. Rohan, this one's for you.
