Ocean Tisdall returns with shimmering party anthem Crying Room

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentAs Paramount+ prepares for its splashy, star-studded U.K. and Ireland launch in London on Monday, Paramount’s president and CEO of streaming Tom Ryan spoke to Variety about the rebranded company’s global streaming biz expansion that, besides being powered by original content, stands out in the field for its diversified model.This model involves a mix of platforms and partnerships, combining direct-to-consumer and a la carte offerings with a market-by-market approach.

Rina Sawayama has dropped a glitzy video for the track, ‘This Hell’.The visual, directed by Ali Kaur, depicts the singer getting married in a lavish wedding, all while drinking, line-dancing, and playing air guitar. “We’re burning up together, baby, that makes two / Cause the devil’s wearing Prada and loves a little drama / This hell is better with you,” she sings on the track’s euphoric chorus.‘This Hell’ was first shared last month as the lead single to her new album, ‘Hold The Girl’.

Naman Ramachandran The Walt Disney Company’s streamer Disney+ will be available in 42 new countries and 11 new territories this week following the launch on Tuesday in Greece, Turkey and countries in Central Eastern Europe, including Poland, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic and Croatia. Tuesday’s series of launches follow the arrival of the service in South Africa on May 18 and across West Asia and North Africa on June 8.

Emilio Mayorga France’s “The Tern,” “Phil & Sophia” and “Nino Dino,” along with Spain’s “Zoey Oceans,” Poland’s “Happy not Lucky,” Ireland’s “Natu Natu,” and Romania’s “Karma” lead a packed 84-title line-up of animated TV projects to pitch at the 2022 Cartoon Forum.It will take place in Toulouse, Southern France, over Sept. 19-22.“The Tern” is a 10-episode half-hour from Paris-based family entertainment company Cyber Group Studios. Directed by Slimane Aniss, it tells the adventures of a fleet of massive dirigibles traveling endlessly above a devastated Earth, following the flight paths around the planet of a particular bird, the tern.Targeting preschoolers, “Phil & Sophia” is written by Martine Gasparov.

Outlander author Diana Gabaldon is to be awarded with an honorary degree from a Scots university.

Fontaines D.C. have shared a new video for their track ‘Roman Holiday’, in which they recreate a ‘70s heist movie – scroll down the page to watch it now.The track is taken from the band’s latest album ‘Skinty Fia’, which arrived in April and topped the charts in the UK and Ireland.In the video, which was directed by Sam Taylor, Fontaines take on new monikers, including frontman Grian Chatten’s Marty “Stir” Crazy and guitarist Conor Curley’s David Leatherman.

Katherine Ryan looked every inch the proud mother as her baby son Fred was christened in Ireland.The 38 year old, who is mother to a daughter from a previous relationship, gave birth to her nearly one year old son Fred, who she shares with husband Bobby Kootstra, last June. And proud parents Katherine and Bobby, who are currently in dispute with their neighbours over their balcony, could not wipe the smile from their faces as they christened the youngster. Canadian-Irish comedienne Katherine looked sensational in a tiered, ruffled, green floral dress that featured pussy-bow front detailing and fell at a chic midi-length level.

Rina Sawayama has discussed how she was inspired by the “fake stories” on Taylor Swift‘s ‘Folklore’ for her new album ‘Hold The Girl’.The singer’s follow-up to 2020 debut album ‘SAWAYAMA’ is due out on September 2, via Dirty Hit, and was previewed last month with the single ‘This Hell’.In a new interview with Rolling Stone UK about the album, Sawayama spoke of being struck by the way Swift told stories of other people on her 2020 lockdown album, moving away from the autobiographical work of her past.“I remember when Taylor Swift released Folklore, I was like, ‘This bitch is writing about fake stories and she just wrote a whole album. If she can do it, I need to do it,’” Sawayama said, revealing that it was too painful to write songs about her own experiences while going through therapy.Discussing how she wants to keep her personal issues out of her songs for the time being, the singer added: “For me, it’s important that the listener is able to listen to it as a pop record first without that background, [and] make their own feelings about it.

The Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend is expected to get off to a sunny start in Greater Manchester. Highs of 19C are forecast for the region today although some areas could see rain later on.

We're kicking off this week's gig round-up with some exciting news! Ahead of Neighbourhood Weekender 2022, the festival organiser has announced that its Neighbourhood Festival is coming back to Manchester this October.

Dublin-based alt-pop connoisseur EFÉ returns today with a brilliant brand-new single called Lime. 

Bolton Wanderers reshaped their squad in the January transfer window to make it more fit for purpose to challenge at the summit of League One in the future.

Just Mustard have unleashed a brand new single, ‘Seed’ – you can check out the track below.The song is taken from the Irish five-piece’s upcoming second album ‘Heart Under’, which arrives this Friday (May 27) via Partisan and can be pre-ordered here. It follows on from previous single releases ‘Still’, ‘I Am You’ and ‘Mirrors’.The eerie album highlight sees the band experiment with revving twin guitars and a techno-infused rhythm section.“Along with a lot of electronics and noise, I was listening to a lot of music which featured bowed string instruments,” guitarist Mete Kalyoncuoglu said of the song’s inspiration.

Cathal Coughlan, frontman with acclaimed indie bands Fatima Mansions and Microdisney, has died, aged 61.His family announced the news, saying he “slipped away peacefully in hospital after a long illness”.The statement added: “It is with deep sadness that we have to inform you of the passing of Cathal Coughlan on 18th May 2022.“Cathal Coughlan first came to prominence as the singer and songwriter, alongside Sean O’Hagan, of their band, Microdisney. Formed in 1980 in Cork, Ireland, the duo relocated to London, became a five-piece, and recorded five albums for Rough Trade Records, first, and then Virgin Records.

Cannes Film Festival on Sunday. The actress, 42, flashed her abs and toned legs in a black mesh co-ord as she posed on the red carpet. The jewel-embellished crop-top drew the eye to the star's enviable midriff while flared sleeves added a touch of drama.

Cannes film festival at Palais des Festival. Swedish native Alicia, 33, pulled out all the stops as she cut a glamorous figure in a unique Louis Vuitton ensemble.  Alicia wowed in the gladiator inspired metallic co-ord which featured a floor length skirt and cross front halter neck top from the French luxury fashion house.

streaming and based on the 2017 Rooney novel of the same name, the drama series, set in Dublin, follows Frances (Alison Oliver) and Bobbi (Sasha Lane), two college-aged ex-girlfriends (and current friends) who perform spoken-word poetry together in local bars. When they meet Melissa (Kirke), a successful writer who’s about a decade older, she compliments their work and they exchange phone numbers.