English musician, founder/frontman of Pulp; radio presenter and solo artist
Album and live review roundup shows veteran icons collaborating with younger artists across genres, highlighting a shift toward genre-blurring rock and electronic influences. Guardians The Guardian notes Loathe's radical departure in A Stranger to You; Scotsman highlights Foreigh Tongues with star guest appearances; Independent spotlights Wolf Alice, Moby, Lorde and CMAT at Madrid festival. Reviews suggest a wave of veteran swagger meeting new electronic and indie sensibilities.
UKRI has pulled the Lovell telescope funding, triggering a funding crisis at Jodrell Bank. Observations are due to end in March 2028 unless new funds are found. A broad coalition is calling for immediate alternative funding.
The Booker Prize has announced its longlist of 13 novels for 2026, featuring veterans and debut authors from seven countries. Mary Beard chairs a panel that has prioritised risk-taking, with titles spanning Jamaica, Scotland, Mexico, Turkey, and the United States. The list aims to diversify the canon and spark debate ahead of the November winner reveal.
New film, theatre and music events have been announced, spanning cinema premieres, stage productions and live tours across the UK. The Guardian and Independent cover forthcoming releases and performances; dates run through September with festivals and exhibitions filling the calendar.
A new Oasis documentary charts their 2025 reunion tour, showing Liam and Noel Gallagher reconciling and delivering a stadium-scale return. Directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern capture rehearsals, the Cardiff comeback, and fan ecstasy, while exploring why the music endures across generations.
Aardman’s Shaun the Sheep movie deploys Halloween-themed mischief as Shaun invents a serum that magnifies a pumpkin patch. Chaos ensues when a bald farmer is transformed into a hair-raising Big Foot, while the sheep race to save Mossy Bottom in a silent, humour-forward adventure.
Booker Prize judges have announced six finalists from a longlist of 163 submissions. The shortlist includes Jamaican author James, Scottish author Stuart, Elizabeth Strout, M. John Harrison, Luke Kennard, and Rebecca Perry. The winner will be revealed on November 9 with a prize of £50,000.