Britain’s flagship pop award, run by the BPI
The Mercury Prize shortlist has been unveiled, featuring Olivia Dean, Paul McCartney, Dave, Florence + the Machine and Suede among others. The ceremony is scheduled for 22 October at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, with Jack Russell’s team of judges selecting the winner.
Edinburgh has introduced a five per cent overnight accommodation levy, capped at five nights, to fund city services and cultural initiatives. The move aims to reinvest in streets, housing, policing and public spaces ahead of August festivals, with Glasgow and Aberdeen adopting similar schemes by 2027.
Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has died at the age of 75 in a hospital in Portugal after an illness. Her career peaked with Total Eclipse of the Heart, produced with Jim Steinman, and she represented the UK at Eurovision in 2013. She had a decades-long career and was awarded an MBE in 2023.
The Total Eclipse of the Heart star has died aged 75 in a Portuguese hospital. Her family has announced funeral details, with a public accompaniment through Swansea and Skewen on 15 and 17 August. Tributes have poured in from peers, including Catherine Zeta-Jones and Rod Stewart, who describe her as a Welsh icon.
Charli xcx has released Music, Fashion, Film, a 11-track project that blends electronic textures with guitar-driven moments. The artist has explained the release as a reflection on creativity, identity, and the pressures of fame, with responses to Brat and earlier projects.