Raul Delapena Setiawan

UK Jazz & Soul

Echoes of Khartoum: The Scorpios, Lemon Barah, and the Resilient Transnational Odyssey of Sudanese Jazz

by

Executive Overview In the shadowy corridors of modern world music preservation, few labels carry the uncompromising curatorial vision of Afro7. Founded by Norwegian vinyl collector Fredrik Lavik as a Finnish-based sister imprint to Jazzaggression, Afro7 carved its initial reputation out of unearthing and recirculating rare East African 45s—sparking archival projects like Soundway’s definitive Kenya Special. … Read more

British Music History & Nostalgia

When the Black Parade Marched on London: Inside My Chemical Romance’s Dystopian Masterclass at Wembley Stadium

by

Executive Overview On Friday, July 10, 2026, Wembley Stadium did not merely host a concert—it became the capital of a fictional, authoritarian state. My Chemical Romance’s long-awaited return to London transformed the historic grounds into a sprawling, post-Soviet, nuclear-dystopian theater. Bringing their legendary 2006 masterpiece, The Black Parade, back to life on an unprecedented scale, … Read more

Electronic & Club Culture

Breaking Boundaries: Ezra Collective Make History as the First UK Jazz Group to Score a Number One Album

by

Executive Overview In a watershed moment for contemporary British music, the London-based quintet Ezra Collective has officially rewritten the history books. Securing the Number One spot on the UK Official Albums Chart with their latest release, Here Because of Hope, the trailblazing group has become the first-ever UK jazz act to claim the country’s most … Read more

UK Jazz & Soul

Charting the Cosmos: Elin Forkelid’s Plays For Trane Vol. 2 and the Global Centenary of John Coltrane

by

Executive Overview One hundred years to the day after John Coltrane drew his first breath in Hamlet, North Carolina, the global jazz community stands suspended between retrospective reverence and radical forward-motion. Tonight, Swedish saxophonist and composer Elin Forkelid takes to the stage at Brussels’ prestigious Ancienne Belgique (AB), anchoring a landmark festival dedicated entirely to … Read more

BBC Music & Broadcasting

Austen’s Forgotten Sister Returns: BBC Unveils First-Look Romantic Picnic for ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ Christmas Special

by

Executive Overview The festive television landscape is set to receive a heavy dose of Regency-era romance and wit, as the BBC officially releases the first promotional imagery from the highly anticipated The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special. Following the runaway success of its debut series—which captured the imagination of 7.3 million UK viewers within its … Read more

UK Pop Music

Pop Royalty Collide: Madonna and Charli XCX Join Forces for the High-Octane Remix of "Danceteria Afterhours"

by

Executive Overview In a monumental convergence of pop music royalty, the undisputed Queen of Pop, Madonna, has teamed up with contemporary trailblazer Charli XCX for a thrilling new rendition of her Confessions II standout track, "Danceteria." Entitled "Danceteria Afterhours," the collaborative single is slated for release on Thursday, September 24, via Warner Records. The track … Read more

British Folk & Acoustic

Master of the Sonic Excursion: Dean McPhee Deepens His Dub-Inflected Electric Guitar Craft on Forthcoming LP ‘Northern Earth’

by

Executive Overview In the contemporary landscape of avant-garde and experimental guitar music, few practitioners command the singular sonic territory carved out by Bradford-based guitarist and composer Dean McPhee. Operating at the intersection of ambient minimalism, traditional folk idioms, psychedelic exploration, and bass-heavy dub weight, McPhee has steadily refined a signature voice that relies entirely on … Read more

Classical & Opera UK

Amplifying Young Voices: The National Youth Choir of Scotland Expands Its Legacy with the Launch of NYCOS Glasgow

by

Executive Overview As the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) marks three decades of musical excellence, youth empowerment, and cultural enrichment, the organization is taking a monumental step toward expanding its nationwide footprint. This week, NYCOS officially inaugurates its newest regional ensemble: the NYCOS Glasgow Choir. Kicking off its inaugural rehearsal cycle on September 16, … Read more

UK Indie & Alternative

Embracing the Beautiful Imperfect: Keo on the Raw, Live Ethos of Debut Album ‘Put A Smile On For Me’

by

Executive Overview In an era dominated by hyper-polished digital production, quantized drum grids, and pitch-corrected vocals, London-based alternative rock outfit Keo is mounting a quiet revolution. Following a triumphant, high-energy performance at the Reading Festival 2026, the four-piece band—led by brothers Finn and Conor Keogh—sat down backstage with NME to unpack the philosophy driving their … Read more

UK Pop Music

Miley Cyrus and Maxx Morando Turn Romance into Reality with Intimate, Glamorous Video for "Let’s Get Married"

by

Executive Overview In an era where pop stardom is often meticulously curated, sanitized, and filtered through months of corporate strategy, Miley Cyrus continues to upend the modern playbook of music promotion. Releasing work with the immediacy of a midnight thought, the multi-platinum singer-songwriter has returned with Bass Persuades, a bold, streamlined album issued under her … Read more

You missed