Five best UK festivals happening in summer 2026
This summer is going to be a summer to remember – as always, there is a wide variety of festivals to pick from but these are the top five in the country, writes Music News Blitz’s Bella Ford.
Olivia Rodrigo: The cure to the cultural devaluation of ‘Girlhood’
Music News Blitz’s Darshan Kaur Gill explores the superstar Olivia Rodrigo’s success, not only as an artist, but also as a cure to the continued devaluation of the things we associate with ‘girlhood’.
Singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo emerged as a global pop phenomenon just over a month before her eighteenth birthday when her debut hit single, drivers license, was released on January 8, 2021.
Great films, greater soundtracks - underrated music from popular films
Music News Blitz’s Zach Heynes discusses three standout scores from already popular films to shine a light on an aspect of the cinematic experience that warrants some more credit.
Radio 1's Big Weekend 2026 comes to Sunderland this weekend with Olivia Dean and Zara Larsson making appearances
As revealed by Greg James on Radio 1's breakfast show, the festival season is officially upon us, with Big Weekend serving up some big artists for 2026.
Music News Blitz writer Bella Ford reports…
Music analysis: Why music feels less monumental in the streaming era
Claims are often made that “music used to matter more,” and “it used to tell stories,” implying that today's music doesn’t hold the same substance that it once did, writes Music News Blitz’s Darshan Kaur Gill.
Eurovision Song Contest: Nine global stars you didn’t know competed
Before the Grammys, sparkling costumes and world tours, Eurovision was a launchpad that transformed unknown performers into superstars.
Eurovision has always been more than a song contest. It’s a celebration of unity, friendly competition and cultural expression, writes Music News Blitz’s Harry Perdios.
The competition is a platform where European countries can showcase not only their musical talent, but also their individuality, creativity and identity.
Music News: Everything you need to know about Charli xcx’s new single ‘Rock Music’
Charli xcx released a new single on May 8 titled ‘Rock Music’ ahead of her upcoming eighth studio album.
Here, Music News Blitz’s Amelie Da Costa gives us a rundown on the new single and the future album.
Music news: Gracie Abrams announces new album ‘Daughter From Hell’ to be released in July
Gracie Abrams has announced her new album, ‘Daughter From Hell’, which is set to release in July, explains Music News Blitz’s Bella Ford.
Her new single ‘Hit The Wall’, which will provide insight into the new record, is out on May 15.
WATCH: FORRM’s Firouz FarmanFarmaian talks ‘digital tyranny’, artistic freedom and the cinematic vision behind BOUTIQUE album
Music News Blitz’s brand-new podcast segment ‘Artist Spotlight’ launched on May 12 with an in-depth conversation between Anna Ferraz, Will Gardner and Firouz FarmanFarmaian - the leading creative force behind psychedelic art-rock collective FORRM.
Music news: Party101 is a global sensation - How #nostalgia has taken over this decade
Robbie Shapiro, a character from Nickelodeon’s ‘Victorious’, re-emerged in 2022 as DJ Matt Bennett with a new showstopper: ‘Party 101’.
Music News Blitz’s Abbie Latymer delves into why this party is the one that every Gen Z person wants an invitation to.
Music news: Olivia Rodrigo’s celebration of Spotify Billions Club Live performance in Barcelona
Olivia Rodrigo took to the stage in Barcelona, Spain, on May 8, 2026, for Spotify’s exclusive Billions Club Live show.
Music News Blitz’s Amelie Da Costa is here to tell us everything we know about the performance.
20 years on: How Taylor Swift transformed the music industry
In 2006, 16-year-old Taylor Swift stepped into the music industry; two decades later, her influence is impossible to ignore.
Music News Blitz writer Abbie Latymer calls her “an authentic voice who transforms personal insecurities and experiences into uplifting and inspiring music”.
How Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing works and how to avoid it
From £90 to £500 in a matter of minutes, does dynamic pricing make sense, or is it robbing fans? Music News Blitz’s Harry Perdios gives his thoughts.
Music news: Everything you need to know about Dua Lipa‘s surprise performance at Tame Impala’s London show
Tame Impala have recently performed in the UK following his 2026 European/UK leg of the Deadbeat Tour from May 7 to May 11, where he brought out Dua Lipa as a surprise guest in his London show.
Here, Music News Blitz’s Amelie Da Costa gives a breakdown of the tour and the performance in London.
Music analysis: Why have concert ticket prices risen so much?
Is it artist greed? Ticketing websites? Or are fans just willing to pay?
Spending a fair amount to see your favourite artist is not new, and even expected. But it definitely feels like concert prices have become ridiculous.
Music Blitz Writer Bella Ford reports…
Harry Styles news: What to expect at Wembley, outfits, travel and more
Harry Styles is set to make history with a 12 night run at Wembley Stadium, and here is everything fans need to know before attending.
Cowboy boots, feather boas and a sea of sequinned outfits sparkling under stadium lights. It sounds like a 1970s disco collided with a country music festival.
And that is only the beginning, writes Music News Blitz’s Harry Perdios.
Vinyl revival: Is physical music making a comeback?
Vinyl records, CDs and cassettes are all experiencing a resurgence – some may have thought this was a trend but as time progresses it's clear that there's something deeper going on.
Streaming has made everything easier and more convenient, with skippable tracks and quick music discovery – but physical formats are a commitment to an album.
Small effort changes can alter the experience entirely.
Music News Blitz writer Bella Ford reports.
Music news: Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna’s ‘Bring Your Love’ success - and what’s to come in the future
Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna joined forces and dropped a new track ‘Bring Your Love’ which was released on April 30.
The track is a single that was released ahead of Madonna’s upcoming album ‘CONFESSIONS II’, dropping in the summer on July 3 2026.
Here, Music News Blitz’s Amelie Da Costa gives a breakdown of the new track and their weekend two performance at Coachella.
10 years of La La Land: How a perfect musical film was created
A movie that achieved huge successes on every front was bound to have brilliant music, but the end product provided by Justin Hurwitz is breathtaking.
With Damien Chazelle as director, fans of music-heavy films were already well aware of his work with Justin Hurwitz from the brilliant 2014 film, Whiplash.
Released in the summer of 2016, La La Land picked up an Academy award for both ‘Best Original Score’ and ‘Best Original Song’ (City of Stars).
The connection between what is shown on screen and what is heard from the score feels perfectly seamless.
Wonderfully orchestrated pieces of music match the vivid and energetic scenes which create some of the finest cinematic experiences in any film, writes Music News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills.
Music analysis: Nostalgia and cultural influence of FIFA soundtracks
With every new edition of a FIFA game, a new soundtrack containing diverse, energetic and underground music arrived with it.
These playlists solidified the bridge between football and music in a way nothing else has.
Among the overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction with the direction Electronic Arts (EA) have taken the FIFA franchise down, the soundtrack behind the games remained a constant success every single year.
From its first soundtrack on FIFA ‘98 which featured Blur’s iconic ‘Song 2’ up until more recent editions in the early 2020’s – the songs behind the videogames have become as influential as the game itself.
But how was this created and why is the nostalgia behind FIFA songs so strong?
Music News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills shares his thoughts.