NME about how 2023 was the “worst year for venue closures” – calling upon the upper echelons of the industry to contribute and for the government to introduce a mandatory ticket live on arena and stadium gigs.Earlier this year, it was revealed that the UK was set to lose 10 per cent of its grassroots music venues in 2023. An MVT report from January warned that grassroots gig spaces in the UK were “going over a cliff” – shutting off the pipeline of future talent without urgent government action and investment from new large arenas.The latest stats from the MVT show that this year saw 125 grassroots venues shut down in 2023 – causing a loss of 4,000 jobs, with 14,500 events no longer possible and 193,230 opportunities lost to musicians.One of the more high-profile gig spaces to shut its doors was Bath Moles.
‘A Year of No Significance’ Chronicles a Fading Generation of Chinese-Educated Singaporeans – SGIFF
02.12.2023 - 10:17 / variety.com
Naman Ramachandran Prolific Singaporean filmmaker Kelvin Tong‘s latest feature “A Year Of No Significance,” which has its world premiere at the 34th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), mourns the loss of a generation. Set in Singapore in 1979, the film chronicles the gradual disintegration of a middle-aged architect as changes rock the 45th year of his life. Sidelined in the office because of his inability to speak English, Lim Cheng Soon is cut further adrift when his wife inexplicably leaves him.
His elderly father moves in, forcing him to confront the fact that the former has always preferred his younger brother. Robbed of his identities as architect, husband and son, Cheng Soon struggles in the dusk of his life. The cast includes Peter Yu, Tan Tiow Im, Mandy Chen and Naomi Yeo.
Tong made his feature debut with “Eating Air” and has made several features since, including “Love Story” (2006), which won best director at the 19th SGIFF. His last film was “Confinement,” which released earlier this year. “The language policies of Singapore in the 1970s affected a lot of people in ways profound and intimate.
It’s not a subject that is discussed often. As a filmmaker, I am as affected by sound as I am with sight. As that generation of the Chinese-educated is dying out, I felt compelled to make a film about them before they are all gone,” Tong told Variety.
The filmmaker sees parallels between contemporary Singapore and the country as it was in the 1970s, “every day,” he said. “Every policy carries a benefit and a cost. Some will get ahead; others will invariably be left behind.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's 2023 year in headlines
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex weren’t shy about making headlines in 2023 as they continued to map out a life in California. Meghan Markle, an American actress who starred in the legal drama "Suits," became the Duchess of Sussex when she married Britain’s Prince Harry in 2018.The prince, 39, is the younger son of King Charles III. In 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals and moved to California.
Dictionary.com names ‘Era’ as 2023’s “vibe” word of the year
Taylor Swift’s ongoing tour of the same name.The word was named by the website as its inaugural Vibe of 2023 yesterday (December 18), with the organisers crediting it for its evolution across the year, as well as its surge in popularity across the world in recent months.“Vibe was one of Dictionary.com’s top lookups of the year, which led us to consider what word could best represent 2023’s overall culture vibe,” said Grant Barrett, head of lexicography at the website (via Billboard).“Like vibe, the word era has been undergoing a similarly slangy evolution, referring to our moods, aesthetics, and life stages—and in 2023, we saw a real surge in this use of eras across popular culture.”The term, which was originally derived from Latin and has been used commonly in the English language since the 17th century, is formally defined as the “periods of time in a person’s life characterised by something distinctive and noticeable, such as a particular emotional state, relationship, achievement, or interest”.Its usage also grew substantially throughout 2023, namely due to its use on social media platforms and newer slang meaning to refer to either an artist’s album cycle or a stage in someone’s personal life.However, one of the main factors driving the word into popularity over the past 12 months will no doubt be in relation to the monumental live shows by Taylor Swift, titled the ‘Eras Tour’.Since kicking off with the US leg back in March, now-billionaire Swift has broken numerous records with her live shows this year, and the ‘Eras’ tour is projected to raise a total of $5.7billion – enough to send every person in the United States $20.Showing how widespread the impact of the tour is, software company QuestionPro calculated that
NHS dentistry “at its most perilous point in its 75-year history”, report warns
NHS dentistry is at its "at its most perilous point in its 75-year history" and needs urgent reforms, a think tank has warned. A report by The Nuffield Trust has highlighted issues such as lack of funding, the pandemic, and growing inequalities in oral health.
State Pension top-ups surge during last year as people boost retirement payments before upcoming deadline
New figures published by the UK Government show that at the end of March, the number of people making voluntary National Insurance (NI) contributions to top-up missing or incomplete years on their State Pension surged by 85 per cent over the 2022/23 financial year.
Lonely Harry’s New Year wish: Determined to rebuild bridges with or without Meghan
Christmas is a time for family – and forgiveness – and that appears to have struck a chord with the Duke of Sussex who, we can reveal, has been hoping for a royal reunion this festive period. It’s no secret that relations between Prince Harry and the royal family have been strained in recent times.
Strictly Come Dancing judge 'to be replaced next year' amid show shakeup
A Strictly Come Dancing judge might be saying goodbye to the show next year. Anton Du Beke, the newest addition to the judging panel, could be leaving the BBC show in 2024 according to bookies' predictions. Ladbrokes has revealed that Anton is just 4/1 to be replaced on next year's series, reports The Mirror.The 57 year old joined the show as a new judge after Bruno Tonioli left in 2021 to focus on the US series Dancing with the Stars.
Strictly Come Dancing judge 'could be replaced next year' after dividing opinion
A Strictly Come Dancing judge is said to be in danger of getting the boot from the series next year.
Sir Kenny Dalglish to receive lifetime achievement award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards
Sir Kenny Dalglish has spoken of his joy after it was revealed he is to receive a lifetime achievement gong at BBC's Sports Personality of the Year awards.
The best New Year’s Eve events in Greater Manchester from DJ discos to indulgent feasts
It’s not long until Christmas Day, which means that New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. Many of us will be thinking about how to say goodbye to 2023 and say hello to 2024.
The British Royal Family, Ranked by Net Worth! See How Much Each Royal, Including 10-Year-Old Prince George, Is Worth
The British royal family is known across the world, and people love to follow their lavish lifestyles. They live in palaces, wear royal jewels and do so much in the public eye. But how much money does one make as a royal?
ITV I'm A Celeb fans 'knew Danielle Harold would be evicted' due to 4-year 'jungle curse'
Some I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! fans expected Danielle Harold to leave the show ahead of her elimination - because of a four-year curse. The former EastEnders actress, 31, became the fifth contestant to be voted out of the jungle on Thursday night.
Three-year mortgage warning issued to millions of homeowners as interest rates 'heighten risks'
A three-year warning has been issued to millions of homeowners as mortgage costs are expected to rise once again. Almost five million UK households are set to see their mortgage repayments jump by hundreds of pounds over the next three years, the Bank of England has said.
Singapore’s Mediacorp Debuts in Virtual Production With Chinese Dramas ‘Once Upon a New Year’s Eve,’ ‘Strangers in the Dark’ – ATF
Naman Ramachandran Singapore‘s Mediacorp has begun introducing virtual sets into its scripted content, starting with two Chinese drama series, it was revealed during the ongoing Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF). “Strangers in the Dark” is about an outcast in school, who uses her vivid imagination to help solve various mysteries.
What are the chances of a white Christmas in Manchester this year?
Many of us dream of having a white Christmas, just like you see in the movies. Yet that’s not often the case here in Greater Manchester, where you’re probably going to get rain instead of snow.
Beach House Pictures’ Donovan Chan Finds Positives in a Year of Turmoil in Asian TV Production: ‘If You’re in True Crime, It’s a Good Time to Be Alive’
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Donovan Chan, co-chief and creative director of Singapore-based Beach House Pictures has operations that span scripted, unscripted and branded TV as well as film, across the width of the Asia region. That gives him a unique perspective on a trying last year and where the upsides appear to be. He sat down with Variety on the eve of the Asian Television Forum.
Pilot of the Year honour for Perthshire-based captain Russell Myles of Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance’s (SCAA) longest-serving pilot has proved he’s the best in the business.
Sky Censured By Ofcom For Second Time In A Year Over Swearing, This Time On ‘Entourage’ Repeat
Sky has been rapped by Ofcom for the second time in the space of a year over swearing in one of its repeat shows, this time Entourage.
Specific group of older women may be due State Pension back payments of around £12,383 next year
New figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that by the end of October, nearly 18,000 widowed older people, mostly women, have received an average of £12,383 in backdated State Pension payments following a review of their entitlement to the contributory benefit.
Taylor Swift will reportedly earn $100million from Spotify streams alone this year
Taylor Swift will reportedly earn over $100million (£78million) from Spotify streams alone in 2023.The popstar was recently crowned Spotify’s Top Global Artist of 2023, with Swift racking up over 26 billion streams on the platform.Now, Billboard has estimated that Swift will bring home $100million from Spotify alone. According to their royalty calculator, the 26 billion streams Swift has accumulated will have earned her $101million in royalties by the end of December 2023.