Friday, May 1, 2026

Hot Chocolate co‑founder and You Sexy Thing co‑writer dead at 78

Tony Wilson, the bassist, songwriter and co‑founder of Hot Chocolate, has died at the age of 78. His...

Latest Posts

Is Beyoncé’s rock album going to feature a cameo from Stevie Nicks?

Beyoncé has sent the BeyHive into full detective mode after uploading a new video to her website — and fans are now...

Lizzo unleashes B**** and a wild circus video

Lizzo has unveiled the title track from her upcoming album B****, giving fans the latest preview of her newly announced third studio...

Zara Larsson rallies a global girl gang for Midnight Sun: Girls Trip remix takeover

Zara Larsson is keeping her Midnight Sun momentum blazing with a brand‑new project — and this time, she’s brought an entire international...

Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter turn up the heat with Bring Your Love

Madonna has released her hotly anticipated Sabrina Carpenter duet, Bring Your Love, from her upcoming Confessions II album. The...

Frank Turner admits live stream shows can’t replace ‘actual gigs’

Frank Turner admits his live stream shows are no replacement for an "actual gig".

The ‘I Still Believe’ singer has been putting on weekly performances for fans during lockdown, which have seen him playing full albums – as well as rarities and covers – while encouraging people to donate and support a different independent venue each week.

He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I am relieved to say that a streaming show is still not the same as an actual gig.

"It’s funny, pretty much every other aspect of my professional life has been made downloadable and I’m pleased to say that that’s not the case of a live performance.

"There’s something about gathering in a room, but then that’s the irony of the whole situation.

"I’ve spent the last two decades of my life trying to gather people in a room – that’s what I do. And now suddenly that’s the one thing we can’t do, and that’s crushing in its way."

The live streams have proven popular, with many of them raising around £10,000 for venues at risk due to the current pandemic.

Frank’s Independent Venue Love concert series – which has been expanded by the Music Venue Trust and turned into a winder Save Our Venues campaign – are a positive amid the coronavirus lockdown.

However, the 38-year-old singer songwriter admitted there is still something missing from the living room gigs.

He added: "The great thing about a live show that it’s an interaction between a performer and an audience.

"There’s an exchange of energy that makes every performance and every show memorable. It is weird sitting in your front room trying to recreate that."

Still, Frank is enjoying the chance to perform for his fans each week – and he can’t wait for everyone to reunite in the future.

He said: "I would suspect that as and when people are allowed out again there will be an upsurge in people wanting to go to gigs because everybody’s starting to realise how valuable that is."

Latest Posts

Is Beyoncé’s rock album going to feature a cameo from Stevie Nicks?

Beyoncé has sent the BeyHive into full detective mode after uploading a new video to her website — and fans are now...

Lizzo unleashes B**** and a wild circus video

Lizzo has unveiled the title track from her upcoming album B****, giving fans the latest preview of her newly announced third studio...

Zara Larsson rallies a global girl gang for Midnight Sun: Girls Trip remix takeover

Zara Larsson is keeping her Midnight Sun momentum blazing with a brand‑new project — and this time, she’s brought an entire international...

Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter turn up the heat with Bring Your Love

Madonna has released her hotly anticipated Sabrina Carpenter duet, Bring Your Love, from her upcoming Confessions II album. The...

Don't Miss

Iron Maiden won’t retire

Iron Maiden won't retire. Although the English heavy metal band plan to take a break in 2027 after their...

Cara Delevingne signs deal with Warner Music

Cara Delevingne has signed a deal with Warner Music. The 33-year-old model and actress is set to branch out...

Kneecap say undercover police, banned songs and Belfast politics shaped their rise

Kneecap have lifted the lid on the chaos, politics and undercover‑police chases that shaped their early years, revealing how their breakout tracks...

Ringo Starr says Beatles bandmates ‘laughed hysterically’ at his early songwriting

Ringo Starr has admitted his earliest stabs at songwriting didn’t exactly impress the rest of The Beatles — and the band would...

Shed Seven confirm new album as Rick Witter says fresh songs are ready to record

Shed Seven are wasting no time after their huge chart comeback — frontman Rick Witter has revealed the band already have “a...

Stay in touch

To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements.