English singer-songwriter; Mercury Prize nominee; UK chart pioneer
Sainsbury’s has agreed to sell Argos and the Habitat brand to Swift Partners, a new vehicle led by Richard Pennycook and supported by Trevor Strain and Matt Truman. The deal will see Argos, including its standalone stores and in-store outlets, transferred to Swift, enabling Sainsbury’s to concentrate on its food business. Completion is expected in February 2027 with full separation by 2029.
Barry Mitchell, Queen’s second bassist during the band’s formative period in 1970–1971, has died. Mitchell played 13 gigs before leaving the group and later reflected that he wasn’t enthusiastic about their music at the time. He subsequently played with Tiger and left a legacy celebrated by fans and fellow musicians.
Princess Diana’s black Christina Stambolian evening dress, worn in 1994 as a public response to Charles’s affair, is returning to Sotheby’s for auction with a conservative estimate around $200,000. The item will tour displays in London, Hong Kong, Geneva and New York ahead of a December sale, with portions of proceeds benefiting NHS Lothian Charity.
The Guardian and The Scotsman analyze the evolving role of culture and arts funding in the UK. They highlight investments like Freelands’ £1.5m over five years to nurture art education and warn that cutting arts education infrastructure risks undermining community renewal and creative opportunity.
The Mercury Prize has announced the 2026 ceremony in Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, with PJ Harvey as a two-time winner and Sam Fender highlighted as last year’s winner. The Scotsman outlines eligibility rules, past winners and current contenders, including Olivia Dean and Nia Archives among favourites.
The rise of AI-generated music has prompted major platforms to act. Spotify and other services are removing AI-slop from recommendations, while Deezer offers a toggle to exclude AI-created tracks. Artists vary in stance, with Grimes and A$AP Rocky embracing some AI use but urging human credit. The debate centers on labeling, user choice, and the future of music charts.
BBC and The Guardian report on Sam Fender’s 2027 Proper Massive Stadium Tour. Fender has criticised high ticket prices and the splitting of standing sections, saying prices have inflated beyond the cost of putting on the shows. Presales begin soon, with general sale scheduled for Friday.