Courteeners, Blossoms and Nothing But Thieves to headline Y Not 2022

Rick Astley and Blossoms’ joke-that-got-out-of-control shows celebrating the music of The Smiths got good reviews this weekend, and from fans of The Smiths as well as fans of Astley and Blossoms. Though Morrissey has now given his official endorsement, which probably dooms any future iterations of the Astley/Blossoms sing The Smiths project.OK, it was a somewhat muted endorsement.

Morrissey had kind words for Blossoms and Rick Astley‘s joint shows covering old The Smiths classics.The singer, who fronted the band between 1982 and 1987, said that he was grateful for the acts’ tributes to his former band.

Blossoms and Rick Astley performed the first of two one-off Smiths cover shows last night (October 8) at Manchester’s Albert Hall – you can see footage below.Billed as ‘The Songs Of The Smiths’, the gig saw Blossoms become Astley’s backing band for a full set of theirs and fans’ most-loved Smiths songs, including ‘This Charming Man’, ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ and ‘What Difference Does It Make?’“The Smiths have always meant so much to Blossoms, with even their rainiest songs complete with

Metallica‘s Lars Ulrich has shared an update on the status of the band’s long-awaited new material.Speaking in a new interview with Zane Lowe for his Apple Music 1 show, the 57-year-old drummer was asked where the band are at with regards to a follow-up to 2016’s ‘Hardwired… To Self-Destruct’.“I mean, listen, we haven’t been out of the house for a year and a half, and so it’s very rejuvenating,” Ulrich said.

Jeffrey Sipe Every now and then, a country emerges from decades of oppression and a film industry, once squashed lest it tell truths uncomfortable for the powers that be, begins to blossom with new, unfettered voices.

Billie Eilish has been confirmed as the first headliner for Glastonbury 2022 - making history in the process. 

On Manchester’s music scene this week, there’s a great crop of gigs scheduled for autumn and beyond, with tickets currently on sale for Picture This, The Skints and Nothing But Thieves.

Courteeners, Blossoms and Kasabian are among the big names revealed to be taking part in the 2022 return of the Neighbourhood Weekender Festival.

Johnny Marr has told NME that the row surrounding Blossoms and Rick Astley‘s The Smiths covers band has been “dealt with”.Astley and Blossoms made headlines last week when they appeared on stage together at the Stockport band’s headline show at the O2 Kentish Town Forum to play surprise covers of The Smiths’ ‘Panic’ and ‘This Charming Man’, before announcing two special one-off tribute shows to the Manchester indie legends in London and Manchester.Not long after, former Smiths guitarist Johnny

Rick Astley has spoken out about his upcoming The Smiths covers shows with Blossoms, admitting that he “doesn’t want to tread on the history” of the legendary Manchester band.The Lancashire ’80s pop icon and the Stockport band made headlines last week when they appeared on stage together at Blossoms’ headline show at the O2 Kentish Town Forum in London to play surprise covers of The Smiths’ ‘Panic’ and ‘This Charming Man’, before announcing two special one-off tribute shows to the Manchester

Rick Astley has said that Blossoms are “doing exactly the same” as The Smiths ahead of his special live shows with the Stockport group.Astley made an unexpected appearance with Blossoms at their gig at London’s O2 Kentish Town Forum last week (September 13), with the two acts joining forces to cover Morrissey and co’s ‘Panic’ and ‘This Charming Man’.It was subsequently announced that two special live shows – billed as ‘The Songs Of The Smiths’ – will see Astley and Blossoms celebrate the iconic

Morrissey‘s website has shared a blog entry discussing the response to Rick Astley and Blossoms‘ divisive Smiths cover shows.Blossoms and Astley teamed up last week week at the former’s gig in London to cover Smiths classics ‘Panic’ and ‘This Charming Man’, with the artists subsequently announcing two Smiths covers shows in Manchester and London next month.In the new piece on Morrissey Central, written by freelance journalist Fiona Dodwell and titled ‘Morrissey, Astley and the usual suspects’,

Johnny Marr has delivered his verdict on the new Smiths covers band that’s been created by Rick Astley and Blossoms, calling it “funny and horrible”. Although it doesn’t seem like he was laughing when he said that.The Smiths guitarist was responding to footage of Astley joining Blossoms on stage at The Forum in London last week to perform ‘This Charming Man’.

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