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SZA‘s headlining set at Glastonbury 2024 is here – but not without complications.

READ MORE: Glastonbury 2024 liveblog: all of Sunday’s action as it happens

On Sunday (June 30), the ‘Kill Bill’ singer took to the Pyramid Stage to close out the festival. However, the biggest set of her life turned out to be a nightmare for fans watching via livestream at home, as it was mired with technical difficulties.

For the first 30 minutes of the performance, SZA’s mic was muffled and muddy, rendering the singer nearly inaudible. After 30 minutes, the singer’s voice sounded clearer and louder, but would occasionally dip back into muddy quality.

Fans on X have taken to the social media platform to air their grievances. One user wrote: “Absolutely unforgivable that Glastonbury sound techs don’t have a spare, wired mic for SZA to sing into.” Another wrote: “Took over 30 minutes to fix SZA’s mic at Glastonbury?? Somebody’s getting fired.”

Absolutely unforgivable that #Glastonbury sound techs don’t have a spare, wired mic for #SZA to sing into.

— Shmups as a Hobby (@Shmups_Hobby) June 30, 2024

took over 30 minutes to fix sza’s mic at glastonbury?!?

somebody getting fired.

— autumn ? (@leviisbey) June 30, 2024

See more reactions below.

sorry wtf is going with sza’s mic this is crazy

— synchro (@sy_nchro) June 30, 2024

What is going on with the mic on SZA’s set? Do the engineers not realise how bad it sounds or is this distortion part of her sound? #Glastonbury2024

— Rob Kewley (@robkewley77) June 30, 2024

someone in the sound department is getting sacked straight after sza’s performance because this mic quality is abysmal #Glastonbury2024

— jess (@SUKIPAN3SAR) June 30, 2024

Glastonbury sound has been utterly shocking on iplayer, is it as bad there? Wtf is up with SZA’s mic??? I can barely hear her.

— Olly Powell (@OllyPowellMusic) June 30, 2024

For Sunday’s performances, Avril Lavigne treated the Other Stage to an unashamed nostalgia fest, earning the Canadian pop-punk princess a three-star rating. Meanwhile, Shania Twain rocked the Pyramid Stage for the coveted Legends slot, also garnering a three-star review from NME.

Coldplay‘s electric headlining set on Saturday scored them a four-star review. Little Simz‘s Pyramid performance marked her bid as a future headliner, while Camila Cabello turned in a chaotic performance.

The post SZA’s headlining Glastonbury set plagued by technical difficulties, social media reacts appeared first on NME.

for your listening pleasure

Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan has released her first single, titled ‘Shoes, More Shoes’, in aid of LGBTQ+ charities – check it out below.

READ MORE: ‘Bridgerton’ season three review: still sweet and seductive but the taste is growing stale

After revealing her hidden ambition to release a jokey pop-anthem earlier this year, Coughlan has teamed up with producer Ellis Miah to make her dream a reality.

In an interview with Hits Radio UK in May, Coughlan shared her admiration of the musical careers of her favourite reality TV stars. “You know, when the Real Housewives release pop songs just exclusively for gay men? That’s like my dream job,” she said. “‘Cause they don’t even really sing, they just list things. They’re like, ‘Shoes, private yachts, caviar – more shoes.”

After the interview, Miah remixed Couglan’s words above a house instrumental, and posted it on TikTok with the caption “Let’s get Nicola Coughlan her dream job and make her a club icon!”

In celebration of Pride Month, the pair united to record a full version of the track, with proceeds from the song going to LGBTQ+ charities Not a Phase and The Trevor Project. ‘Shoes More Shoes’ was released on Friday (June 28), just in time for London’s Pride celebrations.

Listen to the track here:

@ellismiah

Lets get Nicola Coughlan here dream job and make her a club icon! #bridgerton #houseremix #nicolacoughlan #nicolacoughlanedit #bridgertontiktok #shoesprivateyactcaviarmoreshoes #spycms #gaytiktok #gaypride @nicolacoughlan

♬ Nicola Coughlan shoes private yacht Ellis Miah – ellis

In an Instagram post announcing the song, Coughlan wrote: “Like Lennon & McCartney, Dylan and the other great lyricists I too wrote my first song by improvising some voice notes to [Ellis Miah] in the 30 minutes I had before getting ready to go to Mighty Hoopla

“Thank you to all the Queer Icons and Real Housewives who served as inspiration, I live for you.”

Bridgerton’s relationship with pop music has been well-documented, with Season Three including an orchestral version of Pitbull’s club hit ‘Give Me Everything’ used during a particularly steamy love scene. The cover went viral, leading to Pitbull responding to the song’s success. On Instagram, he wrote that it “Shows the world how music is the international language that transcends over boundaries more so how a hit song can remain timeless.”

In a three star review of the new season, NME said: “Based on a series of blockbuster novels by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton may be more playful and progressive than most shows of this ilk, but it still relies on tired tropes like the need to beget a male son and heir. Thankfully, even at its cheesiest, it’s a treat to look at. Queen Charlotte’s brilliantly ridiculous wigs are set off by Rosheuvel’s scene-stealing facial expressions: her bored and haughty look is particularly meme-able.

The post Listen to Nicola Coughlan’s debut pop song ‘Shoes, More Shoes’ appeared first on NME.

Berlin-based singer/songwriter Kitty Solaris has released Go with the Flow, the third single from her upcoming album James Bond, due July 19, 2024, on Solaris Empire. Jonathan Mayer’s innovative direction elevates the song’s narrative in the engaging music video, making it a visual and auditory treat. Kitty Solaris, a rising star inspired by the dreamy soundscapes of Sonic Youth, The Cure, and Cat Power, crafts a musical reflection of her introspective world with her electric guitar.

Go with the Flow is available on all digital platforms and carries a vibe reminiscent of The War on Drugs but with an electronic twist. You can thank a rather unorthodox place – a driving school – for inspiring the song, which draws from the empowerment that comes with facing your fears head-on and getting behind the wheel. With Go with the Flow playing on the radio, we drive into the sunset as the moon rises over the horizon.

Edited by Jonathan Mayer, the music video for Go with the Flow bursts with vibrant scenery, showcasing Gran Canaria’s picturesque coastline and laid-back vibe.

Solaris elaborates, “We were envisioning a young criminal who was attempting to flee their previous life. We intended to film a video featuring rides all around the island. We traveled the entire island in search of breathtaking photos; the people we encountered were incredibly friendly, and at the end of our journey, we found ourselves stranded in a hidden vacation spot with minimal tourist traffic. We got to know a former London bus driver who was relocating there. “Dream come true” was how he described his current existence. According to a thirty-year-old Indian resident, it’s the greatest spot on earth. It’s all about striving for greatness in this anthem, refusing to let your passions simmer on the backburner. Consider that you have already arrived“.

Kitty Solaris’ upcoming album James Bond will be available on CD, Vinyl, and all digital platforms from July 19, 2024. Listeners can expect Solaris’ patented brand of vocal expression, built upon the collective rhythms that define her artistic identity and an unspoken unity with her devoted fanbase.

In Go with the Flow, Kitty Solaris crafts a song that reads like an intimate journal entry, imbuing every note with palpable emotion and poetic flair – the result is utterly mesmerizing. With James Bond on the horizon, fans can prep for a thrill ride by experiencing Solaris’ impressive landscape, where high-octane adventure and sky-high aspirations await. Keep an eye out for the full album release this July and enjoy the journey with Kitty Solaris.

instagram.com/kitty_solaris

The 21st of June may seem a strange time to release a single titled New Year’s Day, but the internet phenomenon singer-songwriter Christine Tarquinio knew exactly what she was doing with this quintessentially eccentric indie-pop release which brings to mind the futility of allowing the calendar to dictate the date of your transformations and resolutions. The twee in all the right places installation of indie bedroom pop carries a touch of art pop expressionism in its quirky authenticity which allows the recording artist to emerge as an unrestrained icon of creative freedom and heartfelt individuality. With dustings of 90s pop aesthetics in the release which wears Kate Bush influences on the vocal harmonies, there’s just enough nostalgia and familiarity within New Year’s Day for listeners to find their footing in the labyrinth of arresting unconventionality. New Year’s Day is now available to stream on Spotify. Review by Amelia Vandergast

The post Lose yourself in a labyrinth of arresting unconventionality with Christine Tarquinio’s indie pop single, New Year’s Day appeared first on A&R Factory.

GSEPP is back on S&S Sound House with a new single, “Dancing,” and it goes beyond any expectations you could have set for it. This track is packed with exotic percussion, flawless timing, and an intricate production that flows effortlessly. The arrangement is smooth and confident, delivering a tech house banger that’s destined to stick around. It showcases GSEPP’s expertise and sets the tone for his 2024 journey.

With over 250K+ streams on Spotify and support from prominent EDM press outlets, GSEPP is no stranger to success. Now, he’s returning to the fast-rising tech house label S&S Sound House, bringing his infectious tech house vibes and groovy basslines to the dance floor.

His connection with Smith & Sorren, known for their dynamic and engaging style, creates an unbeatable synergy. Their paths crossed meaningfully during Miami Music Week in March 2024, deepening their bond at the Hood Politics label showcase. GSEPP’s previous release with Smith & Sorren on S&S Sound House made waves, and “Dancing” continues that momentum.

This collaboration highlights their individual talents and hints at a promising future together. Their work on “KISS” shows just how powerful they are as a team, setting up more exciting tracks ahead. Keep an eye on GSEPP – he’s on the rise.

The post S&S Sound House Releases GSEPP’s Latest Single ‘Dancing’ – Tech House At It’s Finest first appeared on Daily Beat.

Indie folk artist Noah Solt has finally dropped his highly anticipated debut album, Big Water, released through Starita Records. Solt’s bold experiment began with a breakup – not of the band, but of the album itself. Over the past ten months, each of its six tracks emerged as a soloist, capturing our undivided attention on FM’s pages.

Sunrise ignites the horizon, symbolizing the transition from contrasting perspectives to a unified whole – a concept captured in Big Water. Buried within the album’s textured soundscapes and emotional lyrical candor lies an undeniable intimacy, as if the artist has handed you a velvet-covered journal, emboldening you to confront the shadows and radiance that make you, you. 

Photo by Tam Akiko

As Solt’s musical exploration unfolds, each track melds smoothly into the next, crafting a deeply personal narrative. Raised in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Solt’s musical path began with the guitar and led him to Berklee College of Music in Boston. However, the onset of COVID-19 in 2020 prompted him to trade academics for the life of a professional sailor.

He spent countless mornings awestruck by the rising sun, reflected in the ocean’s rippling mirror. This intimate bond between light and water fermented a fusion of tracks, becoming Big Water, an aural fusion of journey, self-empowerment, and the restless human spirit. The album was meticulously recorded at the historic FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, under the guidance of GRAMMY®-recognized producer Starita. Teaming up with FAME’s in-house musicians, The Slow Burners, Solt weaves a lush sonic tapestry that lets his lyrical paintings breathe. 

Spheres: The album’s emotional opus, urging listeners towards authenticity with deep grooves, lush soundscapes, and poetic lyrics.

After All: A pop-infused track praised by Glamglare for its “mesmerizing” melodies and “velvety power vocals.”

The Fold: An energetic, Americana-toned song that Solt completed during his recording session, emphasizing intuition and bravery.

Ever Been: A melancholic yet hopeful folk track that captures the essence of returning to oneself after heartache.

Dawn: An ethereal composition inspired by a sunrise over the Atlantic, reflecting on the duality of human nature.

Big Water: Nature’s splendor is music to our ears in the title track, where rhythms ebb and flow like ocean waves, a soothing soundtrack for our reverence. 

Photo by Tam Akiko

With the Rocky Mountains in his rearview mirror, Solt arrived at the coast and crafted an album that’s both broader than the open sea and more intimate than a whisper. In the midst of FAME Studios’ rich creative atmosphere, musicians and producers joined forces to produce something special: a collection of sounds that refuse to be pinned down and reverberate deeply with audiences. Backing the album’s mission are a string of talented industry professionals, including recording and mix engineer Wes Sheffield, producer, mix engineer, and background vocalist Starita, executive producer Toma Ramirez, and an impressive lineup of musicians – Andy Dixon, Brad Kuhn, Justin Holder, Trevor McKay, Andy Mann, Tam Akiko, Caleb Elliot, and Kimi Samson. Cinematography and photography by Tam Akiko and Andy Mann, with creative direction by Tam Akiko.

 Within Solt’s carefully crafted aural landscapes, the fragmented rhythms of life start to make sense, as the harmony of emotional chaos comes alive in a soaring fusion of sound and introspection. In one swift motion, Noah Solt surges into the limelight, unfurling a debut that’s at once heart-wrenchingly intimate and disarmingly inclusive, beckoning all who listen to partake in his journey.

instagram.com/noahsolt

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‘Say’ sees the musician steer into a firmly club-focused lane, following previous releases taking an electronic-meets-pop approach