First ever Pride event in Caerphilly to take place in June – South Wales Argus
First ever Pride event in Caerphilly to take place in June South Wales Argus
Latest South Wales News
Sony chief financial officer to lead electronic giant as president South Wales Guardian
Sony has appointed a veteran executive as its president to lead the Japanese electronics and entertainment conglomerate through times of change.
Hiroki Totoki, Sony’s chief financial officer, will become president and chief operating officer, Sony said in a statement.
Kenichiro Yoshida remains chairman and chief executive, signalling continuity at the Tokyo-based maker of PlayStation consoles, Bravia TVs and Spider-Man movies.
Sony is forecast to report a decline in earnings in its corporate results update later in the day.
Mr Yoshida proposed the executive change to strengthen Sony’s management across its diverse operations last year. It won unanimous board approval on Thursday.
Sony, for decades synonymous with Japan’s technological prowess, brought mobile entertainment to the world with the music-on-the-move Walkman more than four decades ago.
In recent years it has been criticised as struggling to co-ordinate its sprawling operations spanning video games and music to digital cameras and robot dogs.
Mr Totoki said he will try to live up to the challenge.
“I would like to create a positive spiral that begins with Sony being chosen by customers, which then energises our employees, enables us to attract more new talent, increases our corporate value and ultimately enables us to give back to society,” he said.
First ever Pride event in Caerphilly to take place in June South Wales Argus
CAERPHILLY is set to host its first ever Pride parade in June this year, the council has announced.
Caerphilly County Borough Council has said Pride Caerffili will be a day-long celebration to recognise LGBTQ+ people’s contribution to society.
The “family friendly” celebrations will take place on Saturday, June 24, from midday until 7pm and will include live entertainment and an “iconic” Pride parade.
Deputy leader Jamie Pritchard, said: “We’ve been meeting for several months to consider the planning of the inaugural Pride Caerffili event. We’re confident that it will be an amazing day of live music, entertainment, and celebration as we come together in support of our LGBTQ+ community in Caerphilly County Borough.
“We at CCBC, are committed to ensuring Caerphilly County Borough remains an inclusive place to live, work and visit for all, and this event is just one way we can listen to the voices of our LGBTQ+ community.”
The parade is due to set off from St Martin’s School at midday, before making its way down through the town and looping around the Twyn car park area where it will finish.
The council’s announcement came on the first day of February, which is LGBT history month.
Wales rugby choirs banned from signing ‘Delilah’ at Principality … South Wales Guardian
Choirs have been banned from singing the Tom Jones hit ‘Delilah’ during their performances on rugby international matchdays at the Principality Stadium.
The song’s lyrics include reference to a woman being murdered by her jealous partner.
The Welsh Rugby Union – the governing body which has recently been hit by sexism and discrimination allegations – took the song off its half-time entertainment and music playlist during Test matches in 2015.
And guest choirs have also been asked not to feature the song.
All the things they need to do and they do that first….😶
— Louis Rees-Zammit ⚡️ (@LouisReesZammit) February 1, 2023
“Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium,” a Principality Stadium spokesperson said.
“The WRU removed the song from its half-time entertainment and music playlist during international matches in 2015.
“Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games.
“The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind.
“We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song, and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of its subject matter.”
Wales kick off their Guinness Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday.
Allegations of a “toxic culture” at the WRU were aired in a television documentary last week, resulting in the resignation of chief executive Steve Phillips on Sunday.
An independent taskforce is to be set up to tackle the allegations, with Sport Wales – a Welsh government-funded body – advising on the make-up and remit of the panel.
The allegations have rocked the whole sport in Wales to its foundations.
In a tweet posted on Wednesday afternoon, Wales international wing Louis Rees-Zammit said: “All the things they need to do and they do that first….”
Welsh Conservative Sports Minister Tom Giffard said: “The decision is a wrongheaded one that amounts to simple virtue signalling, designed to ease the pressure the WRU are currently under. Calls to ban the song span at least the last decade, yet the WRU have chosen now to act.
“What people have been calling for is institutional change, improved working practices and a better complaints process for the WRU, but instead they are choosing to ban a much loved Tom Jones song. This action will solve nothing.”
Cardiff Council denies claims St David’s Hall takeover deal claim South Wales Argus
The council said this claim is not true and there are still several legal steps it has to follow before any agreement can be signed.
Ben Herrington, who works at St David’s Hall, made the claim on Twitter on Sunday, January 29, the day that the public consultation on the council’s budget proposals closed.
Mr Herrington said he and other members of staff are heartbroken over the prospect of St David’s Hall changing operators.
He added: “I am in the process of finishing my masters. I have worked in the building for the past six years.
“I would have liked to have graduated in that building surrounded by colleagues I have known for the last seven years. We feel completely disillusioned with Cardiff Council.”
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “The claim that Cardiff Council has agreed, approved or signed the handover of St David’s Hall to AGM is not true.
“In fact, doing what is claimed without concluding the voluntary ex-ante transparency (VEAT) process and without taking a recommendation to cabinet for it to decide, along with the results of the public consultation on the budget for consideration, would be unlawful.”
With the council facing a £23.5 million budget gap and maintenance costs at St David’s Hall running into the millions of pounds, the council has been looking for a new operator to come in and take on its running.
An offer by AMG to take on St David’s Hall via a long-term lease was approved in principle by Cardiff Council’s cabinet in December.
The proposal has faced widespread opposition from employees, concert-goers and musicians. A petition opposing the proposal has received more than 21,700 signatures.
After a draft contract is drawn up, the council will publish what is known as VEAT notice, which is used to publish a commercial intention to the wider market.
This allows competitors to come forward with a challenge to the proposal, which would lead to a procurement process.
A VEAT notice will normally stand for about 10 to 20 days.
If no challenge is presented once the VEAT period is up, a final report will be presented to the council’s cabinet for approval.
At the time of the offer being approved in principle, Cardiff Council’s cabinet member for culture, parks and events, Cllr Jennifer Burke Davies, said: “There is undeniably a need to secure investment into St David’s Hall.
“Given the current pressure on budgets – we face a significant budget gap next year – the council is keen to explore alternative models which can revitalise and upgrade the building, while protecting the venue’s status as the National Concert Hall of Wales.
“This council knows the importance of St David’s Hall to classical music lovers and the proposal does protect the main classical programme, community events, and includes opportunities for these to be extended.
“The hall would continue to deliver a world-class international concert series and classical music programme which gives residents and visitors access to classical music, delivered by respected full symphonic orchestras in the hall’s specially-designed auditorium.
“It also commits to a substantial investment to repair and upgrade the building while ensuring the hall’s reputation for world-class acoustics will remain.
“The original acoustic engineers Sandy Brown have seen the plans for the seating arrangements and are content that they will not adversely affect the acoustics and that St David’s will maintain its reputation as one of the best sounding concert halls in the world.
“The proposal also protects all existing employees on their current terms and conditions through a TUPE agreement, but the council will absorb the Arts Active team into the education department so that they can continue the great work they do bringing classical music to new audiences each year.”
Cardiff Council is aiming for a final cabinet decision on the potential takeover in March.
The Who announce July 2023 orchestral UK tour Planetradio.co.uk
They play nine dates at indoor and outdoor venues
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 16 hours ago
The Who have announced a very special Hits Back! UK tour for July 2023 visiting outdoor venues and one arena.
Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and co. will be flanked by a full orchestra each night on the nine-date tour, which opens at Hull Sewell Group Craven Park on Thursday 6th July.
The Who play two nights at Edinburgh Castle before visiting London’s The O2, Derby The Incora County Ground, Bristol Badminton Estate, Durham Seat Unique Riverside, St Helens Totally Wicked Stadium and Brighton The 1st Central County Ground.
The Edinburgh Castle concerts are The Who’s first appearance in the Scottish capital in over 40 years, and they haven’t played Derby since way back in 1966.
The gigs follow last year’s highly acclaimed ‘The Who Hits Back’ tour of the US, where the band shared the stage with some of the finest orchestras in America.
Tickets to The Who’s UK tour go on sale from Planet Rock Tickets at 10am on Friday 3rd February 2023.
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will support The Who at the majority of their UK dates except Edinburgh and London.
The 2023 UK tour will feature The Who’s full live band comprised of guitarist/backup singer Simon Townshend, keyboardist Loren Gold, second keyboardist Emily Marshall, bassist Jon Button, drummer Zak Starkey and backing vocals by Billy Nicholls, along with orchestra conductor Keith Levenson, lead violinist Katie Jacoby and lead cellist Audrey Snyder.
The Who will perform music from throughout their nearly 60-year career, including sections devoted to classic albums ‘Tommy’ and ‘Quadrophenia’ as well as other beloved Who tracks and songs from their 2019 ‘WHO’ album, their first studio release in 13 years.
Roger Daltrey says: “Having not toured the UK for six years, it’s great that at this time of our careers we have the chance to go to places that are not on the usual touring map Edinburgh Castle and Derby, as well as the other cities across the country that we haven’t been to for decades, will make this very special for me.
“This opportunity will give our UK Who fans the chance to hear our current show, which, with the addition of an orchestra, takes our music to new heights.”
Pete Townshend: “Roger initially christened this tour with an orchestra ‘Moving On!’ I love it. It is what both of us want to do. Move on, with new music, classic Who music, all performed in new and exciting ways. Taking risks, nothing to lose. I’m really looking forward to bringing this show to the UK.”
Ahead of the UK tour, The Who are releasing the live album ‘The Who With Orchestra Live At Wembley’ on Friday 31st March 2023.
Immortalising their concert at London’s Wembley Stadium in July 2019, the album will be released as a limited edition yellow, orange & red 3LP set, triple black vinyl, 2CD / Blu-Ray set which features the audio remixed in Dolby Atmos and 1CD edition.
JULY 2023
Hull Sewell Group Craven Park – Thu 6th
Edinburgh Castle – Sat 8th
Edinburgh Castle – Sun 9th
London The O2 – Wed 12th
Derby The Incora County Ground – Fri 14th
Bristol Badminton Estate – Sun 16th
Durham Seat Unique Riverside – Wed 19th
St Helens Totally Wicked Stadium– Fri 21st
Brighton The 1st Central County Ground – Sun 23rd
Swedish rock icons Europe will embark on a 40th anniversary UK tour this autumn. The UK leg of The Time Capsule Tour opens at Cardiff St David’s Hall on Tuesday 17th October and visits Glasgow, Gateshead, Wolverhampton, Salford and Leicester before culminating with two nights at London’s world-famous Palladium. The shows will consist of a career retrospective “evening with” performance featuring all the hits together with deep cuts and fan favourites from all of their 11 studio albums.
Buy tickets here
Suzi Quatro will celebrate the 50th anniversary of her breakthrough single ‘Can the Can’ with a five-date UK tour in November 2023. Visiting Cardiff St David’s Hall, Brighton Dome, London Palladium, Wolverhampton The Halls at The Civic and Manchester Bridgewater Hall, Quatro will perform her hits, classics and more.
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The Who have announced a very special Hits Back! UK tour for July 2023 visiting outdoor venues and one arena. Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and co. will be flanked by a full orchestra each night on the nine-date tour, which opens at Hull Sewell Group Craven Park on Thursday 6th July. The Who play two nights at Edinburgh Castle before visiting London’s The O2, Derby The Incora County Ground, Bristol Badminton Estate, Durham Seat Unique Riverside, St Helens Totally Wicked Stadium and Brighton The 1st Central County Ground.
Buy tickets here
When: Thursday 30th November – Sunday 3rd December 2023
Where: Trecco Bay, South Wales
Headliners: TBC
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Planet Rockstock returns to Trecco Bay in south Wales from Thursday 30th November to Sunday 3rd December 2023. We’ll bring your details of the special event very soon!
Metal legends Iron Maiden are bringing a brand-new live show, The Future Past Tour, to UK arenas in June and July 2023. The Future Past Tour will feature previously unperformed songs from Iron Maiden’s 2021 album ‘Senjutsu’ together with material from their seminal 1986 album ‘Somewhere in Time’, and classic tracks. The UK tour opens at Glasgow OVO Hydro and visits Leeds First Direct Arena, Manchester AO Arena, Nottingham Motorpoint Arena and Birmingham Utilita Arena before concluding at London’s The O2 on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th July 2023.
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Planet Rock presenter and blues singer extraordinaire, Elles Bailey, is playing 15 shows in spring 2023. Elles opens her trek at The Globe in Cardiff on Friday 3rd March and visits Exeter, Liverpool, Hull, Sunderland, Wolverhampton, York, Edinburgh, Leeds (co-headline with Chantel McGregor), Brighton, Cambridge, Southampton, London and Newbury before concluding at Bristol Trinity Centre on Saturday 15th April.
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Headlined by Elles Bailey (Friday) Von Hertzen Brothers (Saturday) and Kris Barras Band (Sunday), Planet Rock presents Winter’s End 2023 takes place at Trecco Bay in Porthcawl, Wales from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th February 2023. The final day and weekend tickets are on sale now.
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The Pink Floyd icon’s This Is Not a Drill Tour opens at Birmingham Utilita Arena on 31st May and takes in two nights at Glasgow OVO Hydro and two shows at London The O2 before culminating at Manchester AO Arena on Saturday 10th June. Waters has described the trek as his “first farewell tour.”
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Fast-ascending rockers Kira Mac will hit the road in May and June 2023 on The Downfall Tour. Named after their Planet Rock playlisted anthem ‘Downfall’, the UK tour opens at Chester Live Rooms on Wednesday 17th May and visits Blackpool, Glasgow, Sheffield, Southampton, Bristol, Birmingham and Stoke before culminating at London’s The Garage on Sunday 4th June.
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Joined by special guests The Virginmarys, the mighty Massive Wagons play a 10-date headline tour in April 2023. The Lancaster rockers bring their searing sounds to Portsmouth, Cambridge, Bristol, London, Manchester, Norwich, Birmingham, Buckley, Leeds and Edinburgh, and at least two dates are already sold out. The tour is in support of their latest album ‘Triggered!’ which stormed into the UK official album chart at Number 6.
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Steelhouse Festival has made its first big announcements for 2023, revealing that Airbourne will headline the Saturday and Black Stone Cherry on the Sunday. Both headliners are performing UK exclusives and also their Steelhouse debuts. The line-up for the festival, which takes place from 28-30 July 2023 in Ebbw Vale, Wales, also includes Friday headliners the Kris Barras Band plus When Rivers Meet, The Karma Effect, Dead Man’s Whiskey, The Answer, Blues Pills, Florence Black, The Vintage Caravan, The Damn Truth, Austin Gold, Kira Mac, Empyre, The Cruel Knives and Jordan Red.
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The Boss and his legendary band will open their four-date trek at Edinburgh’s BT Murrayfield Stadium on Tuesday 30th May 2023 before playing Birmingham Villa Park on Friday 16th June 2023. Following the two stadium concerts, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band headline American Express Presents BST Hyde Park on Thursday 6th and Saturday 8th July 2023. Tickets are all completely sold out.
Fresh from denting the UK album chart Top 20 with her ‘A Tribute to Led Zeppelin’ album last year, Beth Hart will play dates in Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, London (two nights at The Palladium) and Brighton in March 2023.
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Canadian blues rockers The Commoners and British slide guitar maverick Troy Redfern are joining forces for a co-headline UK tour this spring. The 15-date tour opens at The Grace in London on Thursday 13th April 2023 and visits Sittingbourne, Southampton, Brighton, Sheffield, Oxford, Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, York and Chester before concluding at Nottingham Bodega on Saturday 29th April 2023.
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Husband and wife blues rock duo When Rivers Meet are playing their biggest UK tour yet in spring 2023. Joined by special guest Arielle, Grace and Aaron Bond will play a total of 14 headline shows in April and May 2023 on the Breaker of Chains Tour. Opening at Colchester Arts Centre on Friday 28th April, the tour visits Norwich, Brighton, London, Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton, Tavistock, Barnard Castle, Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham and Bradford before concluding at Manchester Academy 3 on Saturday 27th May.
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Having wowed stadiums across the UK last summer, Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe are bringing their co-headline tour to the UK in 2023. The UK leg kicks off with a very special homecoming show for Def Leppard at Sheffield Bramall Lane – home of Joe Elliott’s beloved Sheffield United – on Monday 22nd May 2023. Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe then play a gargantuan concert at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1st July 2023 before playing Lytham Festival in Lancashire (Sun 2nd July) and Glasgow Hampden Park Stadium (Thu 6th July).
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Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett is coming to the UK & Ireland in March 2023 for a six-date solo tour. Shiflett kicks off his short run of shows at Whelan’s in Dublin on Tuesday 21st March before he plays Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and London. “I am so excited to announce my upcoming tour of the UK & Ireland,” says Chris Shiflett. “The gigs I did over there in 2019 were some of the wildest, most rocking solo shows I’ve ever done, and I expect this one will be even better. We’ve got a bunch of new tunes to play and we’re fired up! See ya soon!!!”
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Jack Black and Kyle Gass will bring their spectacular live show to London’s The O2 on Friday 16th June 2023. It’s the first time the comedy metal duo have graced our shores since they performed two sold-out concerts at The SSE Arena, Wembley back in early June 2019. Sadly, tickets for The O2 show are also sold out.
Metallica, Slipknot and Bring Me The Horizon headline Download Festival’s 20th anniversary event in 2023. Taking place over four nights at Donington Park from Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th June, Metallica will headline both the Thursday and Saturday nights with two completely different sets. Other confirmed acts include Ghost, Within Temptation, Placebo, Disturbed, Evanescence, Parkway Drive, Pendulum, Architects, The Distillers, and many more.
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Genesis legend Peter Gabriel has announced a four-date UK arena tour for summer 2022. i/o – The Tour opens at Birmingham Utilita Arena on Saturday 17th June and visits London The O2, Glasgow OVO Hydro and Manchester AO Arena. It’s the first time Peter Gabriel has toured the UK since the Back To Front Tour back in autumn 2014.
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Tyketto, FM and Dare are joining forces for a major headline UK tour in May 2023. The aptly entitled Triple Headline Tour will see the three musical kindred spirits share the stage together for the very first time at venues in England, Scotland and Wales. The 12-date, two-week trek opens at Glasgow The Garage on Thursday 11th May 2023 and visits Newcastle, Nottingham, Barnsley, Hull, Buckley, Wolverhampton, Newport, Manchester, Southampton and Norwich before culminating at London O2 Academy Islington on Thursday 25th May 2023.
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The Winery Dogs – Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan and Mike Portnoy – kick off their short run of shows at Wolverhampton KK’s Steel Mill on Friday 16th June before playing Nottingham Rock City (Saturday 17th June) and London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (Sunday 18th June). The English shows follow the Friday 3rd February 2023 release of The Winery Dogs’ third studio album ‘III’ via their own Three Dog Music label.
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Comedy glam metallers Steel Panther have lined up a headline UK tour for May 2023, which visits Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Bristol and Leeds. The tour follows the Friday 24th February release of Steel Panther’s sixth studio album ‘On the Prowl’, which is their first record without former bassist Lexxi Foxx, who departed after 21 years in July 2021.
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Always phenomenal in the live arena, Samantha Fish’s nine-date tour opens at Sunderland’s The Fire Station on Thursday 19th October and concludes at Birmingham O2 Institute on Saturday 28th October. The tour also calls in at Glasgow Barrowlands, Manchester Ritz, Bristol SWX, York Barbican, Cambridge Junction, Bournemouth O2 Academy and Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion.
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Rock legends Blue Oyster Cult headline this year’s one-day rock extravaganza. Also heading to Newark Showground on Saturday 26th August are the likes of Therapy?, The Answer, King King and Mason Hill. The Friday pre-party is headlined by Myke Gray’s Skin with Kira Mac and The Karma Effect.
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Hollywood Vampires are coming to our shores for the first time in five years this summer. Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry and Tommy Henriksen’s tour kicks off in Scarborough on Wednesday 5th July 2023, before calling at Swansea (Fri 7th July), Manchester (Sat 8th July), London (Sun 9th July), Birmingham (Tue 11th July), and culminating in Glasgow (Wed 12th July). Support comes from South-African hard rockers Seether, and San Franciscan punk legends The Tubes.
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Phenomenally brilliant Pink Floyd tribute act The Australian Pink Floyd Show are coming to the UK in October, November and December 2023 for their Dark Side of The Moon 50 1973- 2023 Tour. Kicking off on Friday 27th October 2023 in Swansea, The Dark Side of The Moon tour takes in concerts across England, Scotland and Wales and culminates at Bournemouth on Saturday 9th December 2023.
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Those Damn Crows have announced a headline UK tour for February 2023. Opening at Leeds Key Club, the quintet play Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Bradford and London before concluding with a show at the 3,500-capacity Swansea Arena on Saturday 25th February. The shows support the release of Those Damn Crows’ new studio album ‘Inhale/Exhale’.
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The Darkness and Black Stone Cherry are kicking off 2023 in spectacular style with a co-headline UK arena tour. The British and American rock acts will join musical forces at seven shows, kicking off at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena on Saturday 28th January and calling in at Liverpool M&S Bank Arena (Sun 29th Jan), Glasgow OVO Hyrdo (Mon 30th Jan), Birmingham Resorts World Arena (Tue 31st Jan), Manchester AO Arena (Thu 2nd Feb), Leeds First Direct Arena (Fri 3rd Feb) and London OVO Arena Wembley (Sat 4th Feb). Support at all dates comes from Canadian hard rock trio Danko Jones.
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Headlined by Killswitch Engage, Meshuggah and Megadeth, Bloodstock takes place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023. Other acts performing across the weekend are Triptykon, Helloween, In Flames, Devildriver, Biohazard, Sacred Reich, Heaven Shall Burn, Ugly Kid Joe, and many, many more.
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Muse’s The Will Of The People 2023 UK Tour opens at Plymouth Home Park on Saturday 27th May and visits Huddersfield John Smith’s Stadium (Tuesday 20th June) and Glasgow Bellahouston Park (Friday 23rd June) before concluding at Milton Keynes Bowl on Sunday 25th June. Matt Bellamy, Dominic Howard and Chris Wolstenholme will be joined by very special guests Royal Blood at all dates except Glasgow.
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Black Star Riders’ 10th anniversary headline UK trek opens at Nottingham Rock City on Monday 13th February and calls in at Norwich, Ipswich, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Leeds, Cardiff, Bristol, Glasgow, Newcastle and London. Special guests on all dates are Michael Monroe and Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. Frontman Ricky Warwick comments: “For the UK tour only, we will be bringing back the legendary Scott Gorham (guitar) and Jimmy DeGrasso (drums) for the dates to make them extra special!”
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Blackberry Smoke’s quartet of UK shows take place 13 months later than planned, and they kick off at Birmingham O2 Academy on Sunday 26th March 2023 before calling in at Glasgow, London and Manchester. The band’s seventh studio album ‘You Hear Georgia’ was released in May 2021 and it dented the UK album chart at no.17.
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Guitar icon Joe Satriani will grace the UK in May 2023 for a six-date trek. The Shapeshifting Tour will feature material from Satriani’s seventeenth studio album, ‘Shapeshifting’, which was released in April 2020, alongside other gems from his sprawling back catalogue including ‘Surfing With The Alien’, ‘Always with Me, Always with You’ and ‘Flying In A Blue Dream’.
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Swedish power metal titans Sabaton will be joined by special guests Babymetal and Lordi on their April 2023 UK arena tour. Supporting their chart-denting tenth studio album ‘The War to End All Wars’, The Tour To End All Tours opens at Leeds First Direct Arena on Friday 14th April 2023 and visits London OVO Arena Wembley (Sat 15th April), Cardiff Motorpoint Arena (Sun 16th April) and Glasgow OVO Hydro (Tue 18th April).
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Following their triumphant appearances at Planet Rock’s Rocktober and Planet Rockstock last year, Scottish blues rockers King King play 18 headline shows across the UK in March 2023. Opening with a homecoming show at Glasgow Barrowland on Thursday 2nd March, King King play concerts in Leeds, Newcastle, London, Norwich, Manchester, Nottingham, New Brighton, Cardiff, Wolverhampton, Oxford, Bexhill, Leamington Spa, Exeter, Frome, Bournemouth, Cambridge and Blackburn. Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook is the very special guest at all dates.
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Stone Broken hit the road in early 2023 playing 13 shows across England, Scotland and Wales. The Come Closer tour will offer fans a more intimate chance to experience Stone Broken perform the breadth of their fan-favourite repertoire, but with a more personal set-up to previous shows.
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Supporting their first new album in seven years, ‘Sundowners’, The Answer will kick off their UK tour at Blackpool Waterloo Music Bar on Thursday 16th March 2023 and visit Birmingham, Bristol, London and Leeds before concluding at Belfast Limelight 2 on Thursday 23rd March 2023. Singer Corman Neeson says: “It’s been almost 6 years since our last gig and you better believe we are both nervous and pumped at getting back in front of our fans with our new music. Look forward to seeing you down the front!”
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GUN frontman Dante Gizzi and his brother/band mate Jools Gizzi (guitars) will head out on an acoustic tour in April and May 2023. Taking in 13 shows in some of the UK’s more intimate spaces, Dante and Jools will perform stripped-back versions of songs from GUN’s back catalogue, and they will also be regaling stories about life on the road too. The tour opens at Dundee Beat Generator on Thursday 6th April 2023 and visits Bathgate, Stoke, Raynes Park, Dover, Gravesend, Manchester, Norwich, Brighton, Southend and Milton Keynes before culminating with a full band show at London’s 100 Club on Friday 5th May 2023.
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Grammy nominated blues rock maverick Marcus King is coming to the UK in March 2023 for five headline shows. Supporting the 26-year-old’s critically acclaimed second album ‘Young Blood’, the aptly entitled Young Blood Tour sees the South Carolina musician play London O2 Forum Kentish Town (Tue 21st), Bristol O2 Academy (Wed 22nd), Glasgow SWG3 Studio Warehouse (Thu 23rd), Leeds Beckett Students Union (Sat 25th) and Manchester O2 Ritz (Sun 26th). Special guests at all dates will be British purveyors of Americana, IDA MAE.
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The Laws Relating to Public Nudity in New South Wales Lexology
Free the Nipple is a feminist campaign with goals to make it legal and socially acceptable for women to be topless in public and to post topless images on social media websites such as Instagram and Facebook.
But what’s this all about? And what are the laws relating to public nudity in New South Wales?
Obscene nipples
The Free the Nipple movement was started by US filmmaker, actor and activist Lina Esco in 2012, after she documented herself running through the streets of New York topless.
Esco argues that laws and social norms which treat female toplessness as inherently sexual or obscene, promote a double standard. “Free the Nipple is just a Trojan horse in order to start the conversation of gender equality” Esco told Comedy Central in 2017, “It’s not really about going topless. It’s about having the choice.”
The Free the Nipple movement aims to change laws which prohibit women from being topless in public as well as to change community standards on websites who apply a double standard towards top-half exposure.
Some US states allow toplessness for women in public areas where toplessness for men is acceptable, around 35 states still apply a gendered distinction as to what constitutes obscene exposure.
The movement has attracted a number of high-profile celebrity supporters including: Amber Rose, Miley Cyrus and Cara Delevingne.
Not everyone is thrilled by the Free the Nipple campaign.
Writer Jessica Megarry wrote in Feminist Current in 2015 that the movement has a narrow, barely feminist goal which “seems to be less about a woman’s right to breastfeed and more about a woman’s right to post a topless selfie”. She goes on to note that rather than challenging male social dominance, “young women are being urged to strip for the entertainment of an infinite number of men”.
Whether you’re for or against freeing the nipple, the laws around female toplessness in NSW may not be what you expect.
The offence of obscene exposure in New South Wales
Obscene exposure is an offence which may, depending on the circumstances, prohibit certain acts of public nudity in New South Wales.
It is an offence under section 5 of the Summary Offences Act 1988 (NSW) which carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in prison and/or a fine of 10 penalty units.
A penalty unit in NSW is currently $110, which means the maximum fine is $1,100.
To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:
What is a public place?
A public place is defined by the Act as a place or part of a premises that is open to, or used by the public, whether or not for payment, and whether or not only open to a limited class of persons.
This includes:
What is the meaning of obscene?
‘Obscene’ has been defined by the courts as conduct which ‘[o]ffends against the susceptibilities of the citizen by violating… contemporary standards’.
This is determined by the magistrate on a case-by-case basis, depending on the factual circumstances.
The offence is most frequently prosecuted where a person is intentionally exposes him or herself in a public place, whether or not it is accompanied by a sexual act.
What does wilfully mean?
‘Wilfully’ means intentionally so, being ‘dacked’ would not suffice, provided you pulled your pants up in a timely manner nor would passers-by seeing you naked in your home, provided you did not know you could be seen from a public place.
Exception
Section 633(6) of the Local Government Amendment (Nude Bathing) Act 1996 (NSW) lists a number of beaches and adjacent seas where it is permissible to bathe naked.
These are:
Legal defences
Defences to the charge of obscene exposure include duress and necessity.
In the event you are able to raise evidence of a legal defence, the onus then shifts to the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defence is not available in the circumstances.
You are entitled to an acquittal (a not guilty verdict) if the prosecution is unable to do so.
Breastfeeding, genital exposure and female toplessness
Generally, breastfeeding cannot be deemed “obscene” due to the operation of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.
On the flip side, the exposure of genitalia has generally been deemed “obscene” by the courts.
When it comes to female toplessness, things get more complicated.
Bare female breasts may or may not be obscene depending on the circumstances of exposure. For example, it has become socially acceptable for woman to sunbathe topless on beaches generally, even if those beaches aren’t listed as a ‘designated beach’.
So, toplessness at beaches is unlikely to be deemed obscene as long as it’s practised with a degree of social etiquette in mind.
Police generally have taken a more “liberal” view of female toplessness in public, allowing it to occur as long as it isn’t causing too much of a public disturbance.
If a woman were to wilfully expose her breasts to shock members of the public, particularly in the presence of children, this would be more likely to fall short of community standards and constitute an offence of obscene exposure.
What about private property?
It should be noted that although NSW police are generally tolerant of female toplessness in public, this doesn’t mean that there is any “positive right” to free the nipple (with the exception of breast feeding).
Private business and venues can remove anyone who doesn’t meet their clothing standards, including toplessness. Refusing to leave a private premises on the principle of nipple equality is admirable, but it could also land you in legal trouble.
Section 4A of the Inclosed Lands Protection Act 1901 (NSW) makes it an offence punishable by 10 penalty units ($1,100) for a person to remain and conduct themselves in a manner that is offensive on an inclosed land after receiving a directive to leave.
So, is the nipple free in NSW? Generally, yes, but women should be wary of crossing the threshold of community standards and violating private clothing standards which could see them removed from venues.
Ryan Reynolds goes through range of emotions in FA Cup match Santa Maria Times
Ryan Reynolds went from joy to despair, and punch-the-air ecstasy to desolation.
The unlikely new love of his life — Welsh soccer club Wrexham — put the movie star on an emotional roller coaster Sunday in a thrill-a-minute FA Cup match that had an ending not quite in the script.
Dame Esther Rantzen remaining ‘optimistic’ following lung cancer … South Wales Guardian
Dame Esther Rantzen has said she is remaining “optimistic” after revealing she has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
The 82-year-old broadcaster, long-time activist and founder of charities Childline and The Silver Line, confirmed the news on Sunday.
Dame Esther said in a statement to the PA news agency: “In the last few weeks I have discovered that I am suffering from lung cancer which has now spread. At the moment I am undergoing various tests, to assess the best treatment.
“I have decided not to keep this secret any more because I find it difficult to skulk around various hospitals wearing an unconvincing disguise, and because I would rather you heard the facts from me.
“At the age of 82, this diagnosis has prompted me to look back over the years, and I want to express my profound thanks to everyone who has made my life so joyful, filled with fun, and with inspiration.
“First and foremost my family. My three children Miriam, Rebecca and Joshua have been the most wonderful support, company, and source of love and laughter and I am deeply grateful to them.
“My friends have been amazing and have created memories which sustain me and give me strength.
“My colleagues with whom I have worked, and continue to work with in broadcasting, journalism, the voluntary sector, and in many other organisations have been a constant pleasure, and have amazed me with their tolerance of my wild ideas and awful jokes.
“I have been continuously inspired by the courageous children, older people and viewers who have trusted me with their life stories. I have always tried to live up to that trust.
“As I am sure you will understand, while I am awaiting the results of the tests, I am unable to answer questions. Thanks to the extraordinary skills of the medical profession there are wonderful new treatments, so I am remaining optimistic.”
Dame Esther, who was a trailblazer for female broadcasters, became a household name during her career at the BBC.
She is best-known for presenting That’s Life! – a programme featuring a mix of investigations, topical issues and entertainment – from 1973 to 1994.
In addition to her success as a journalist and broadcaster, Dame Esther is also the founder of children’s charity Childline, which she established in 1986.
The charity offers counselling and support for children and young people in the UK up until the age of 19, and became part of the The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in 2006.
Following the news of Dame Esther’s cancer diagnosis, NSPCC chief executive Sir Peter Wanless said: “I speak on behalf of Childline’s volunteers, staff and supporters in sending love and best wishes to Dame Esther Rantzen and her family.
“Esther’s tireless commitment to Childline and the wider NSPCC over the years is truly inspiring and the positive impact that’s she had on children’s live is unimaginable.
“No matter what, she has always been here for children and young people and likewise, we are here to support her during this challenging time.”
Dame Esther also set up The Silver Line in 2013, a charity which supports elderly people in the UK who are battling loneliness.
In 2021 Dame Esther received the lifetime achievement award at the Women of the Year Awards for her charity work.
She was made a DBE in 2015 for services to children and older people through ChildLine and The Silver Line.
Koala Man’s Bizarre Alt-History, Explained CBR – Comic Book Resources
January saw the release of Koala Man, a new adult animated series on Hulu. Created by Michael Cusack, the series follows Kevin Williams, an ordinary suburban husband and father who secretly moonlights as Koala Man, the premier (and only) superhero in Dapto, New South Wales, Australia. Most of Kevin’s family see his crusade as an overwrought midlife crisis, but with strange creatures and sinister villains menacing the Land Down Under, Koala Man may just be the hero Dapto needs.
The show is cut from the same cloth as Rick and Morty, thanks to its combination of magical realism and character-driven humor (and the fact that Justin Roiland is an executive producer). However, Koala Man‘s best jokes come from poking fun at the quirks and eccentricities of Aussie culture. One bit, in particular, is the show’s alternate history, which sees the destruction of the United States and Australia taking its place as a world superpower. It’s a strange piece of world-building that works to enhance Koala Man‘s surreal atmosphere and comedic potential.
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In Koala Man‘s third episode, “The Red Hot Rule,” it’s established that Australia being in a different time zone means it’s actually 15 hours in the future from America, with the Aussies swearing a sacred oath to never interfere with the flow of time. The consequences of breaking the titular Red Hot Rule are shown when in 1912, a young boy named Maxwell hears of the sinking of the Titanic and sends a telegram to warn Captain Edward Smith of the iceberg. The ship is saved, but Maxwell is arrested by the time bobbies for his transgression, unaware of the consequences his actions will have on the world.
It turns out the Ship of Dreams was carrying a cursed sarcophagus in its cargo, releasing a centuries-old mummy into New York City. The mummy wound up joining the armed forces, using her supernatural powers to defeat the Germans twice, become a national hero and in 1961 get elected President of the United States. Things went awry when President Mummy signed a peace treaty with the Soviet Union and wound up falling in love with General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. The two decided to abandon their duties and live a quiet life together on the Moon.
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With its leader gone, the United States fell into chaos and ended up destroying itself with nuclear missiles — save for Hollywood, which broke off into a floating island and is still making entertainment. Australia took its place as a superpower with Nicole Kidman becoming the nation’s queen, but Maxwell — who is over 100 in the present — fears that the Americans will return to reclaim their place at the top of the world.
Koala Man‘s take on world history is a unique one, to say the least, but it fits into the show’s fantastical tone. What’s more, it reinforces the show’s depiction of Australia as a place where everyday oddities can grow into world-ending menaces. Time paradoxes are just one of the threats facing Dapto, alongside superpowered trade unions, murderous children’s bands and vengeful emus. It’s a weird world, but luckily, Koala Man is there to maintain order and defend Australians from harm.
Season 1 of Koala Man is available to stream on Hulu.
Record rainfall in New Zealand’s largest city leaves at least three dead South Wales Guardian
Authorities said on Saturday that three people had died and at least one was missing after record levels of rainfall pounded New Zealand’s largest city, causing widespread disruption.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins flew to Auckland on a military plane after a state of emergency was declared in the region.
“Our priority is to ensure that Aucklanders are safe, that they’re housed and that they have access to the essential services that they need,” Mr Hipkins said.
He said the city was in for a big cleanup and that people should remain indoors if possible. He said a break in the weather could prove temporary, with more heavy rain predicted.
“This is an unprecedented event in recent memory,” Mr Hipkins said.
Friday was the wettest day recorded in Auckland, according to weather agencies, as the amount of rain that would typically fall over the entire summer hit in a single day.
On Friday evening, more than six inches of rain fell in just three hours in some places.
The rain closed highways and poured into homes. Hundreds of people were stranded at Auckland Airport overnight after the airport stopped all flights and parts of the terminal were flooded.
Police said they found one man’s body in a flooded culvert and another in a flooded carpark. They said fire and emergency crews found a third body after a landslide brought down a house in the suburb of Remuera.
One person remained missing after being swept away by floodwaters, police said.
Mr Hipkins said power had been restored to most places, although about 3,500 homes remained without electricity.
Video posted online showed chest-deep water in some places.
Politician Ricardo Menendez posted a video of water surging into houses.
“We’ve just had to evacuate our home as the water was already rising rapidly and coming in aggressively,” he tweeted.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said crews had responded to more than 700 incidents across the region and staff had taken more than 2,000 emergency calls.
Air New Zealand said it resumed domestic flights in and out of Auckland on Saturday afternoon, but was not yet sure when international flights would resume.
In a series of updates on Twitter, Auckland Airport said people were able to leave the airport early on Saturday for their homes or accommodation after hundreds spent the night in the terminal.
The storm also caused a Sir Elton John concert to be cancelled just before it was due to start on Friday night. A second concert by Sir Elton that was planned at the stadium on Saturday night was also cancelled.
About 40,000 people were expected to attend each concert at Mt Smart Stadium. Thousands were already at the venue on Friday night when organisers decided to cancel not long before the singer was due to take the stage at 7.30pm local time.
Many concertgoers who had braved the conditions were frustrated the decision had not been made hours earlier.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown defended criticism that his office did not communicate the seriousness of the situation well and held off on declaring an emergency until about 9.30pm on Friday.
He said the timing of the emergency declaration was guided by experts.