Music news: The Strokes announce ‘Reality Awaits’ album
The New York legends will make a return ‘this summer’ to release their seventh full-length album after a six-year hiatus.
After the roaring success of 2020’s comeback album, The New Abnormal, it has been quite the period of radio silence from the five-piece.
Julian Casablancas and co. originally burst onto the scene in 2001 with the release of the classic album ‘Is This It’, cementing themselves as indie music royalty with subsequent releases.
A leading force for the 2000s garage-rock movement, the group have been credited as direct influences for major acts including Arctic Monkeys, The Killers and Kings of Leon.
Music News Blitz’s Freddie Thomas-Neher went further into the upcoming release.
Music review: Gorillaz powerful as ever as ‘The Mountain’ tour stops in Leeds
Gorillaz staged a standout performance at First Direct Arena in Leeds last week as a part of the latest tour for their new album, The Mountain.
The show highlighted the band’s tenure as pioneering musical figures as they celebrated decades of creativity with songs old and new, writes Music News Blitz’s Macy Wright.
Taylor Swift dominates the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards with record-breaking wins
Taylor Swift once again proved her unmatched influence in the music industry, sweeping the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards with a series of historic wins that have once again cemented her legacy.
Music News Blitz writer Anna Ferraz expands on the night's details.
The depiction of female artists in the media
Some of the greatest and most listened-to artists of all time are women, but we still live in a day where sexism exists, and the media often focuses on female artists' bodies, romantic lives and clothing instead of their talents.
Here, Music News Blitz writer Megan Rogers-Jones looks at the depiction of some of the biggest female artists in the media.
Music opinion: Geese review - Getting Killed tour storms through Manchester
Geese’s Getting Killed was a perfect storm; Winter’s eclectic Heavy Metal had slowly but surely captured the attention of the mainstream, and upon turning back to the company of his high-school compatriots, he seems to have capitalised.
With UK dates also including Leeds, Bristol, Glasgow and London, their Manchester date seemed to have caused quite the stir.
The concert was originally slated to take place in New Century Hall, but overwhelming demand saw the band take the stage in the O2 Victoria Warehouse instead, with similar instances happening across the country.
Music News Blitz’s Freddie Thomas-Neher offers his thoughts on the gig.
WATCH: ‘Mic Drop’ St Patrick’s special: Irish music, Tiny Desk and the craft of production
The latest episode of the Mic Drop from Music News Blitz embraces the spirit of St Patrick’s Day with a special instalment spotlighting Irish music, the power of stripped-back performances and the often-overlooked artistry of music production.
Hosted by Will Gardner and featuring guests Nisha Cullen and Katie Slater, the episode opens with a celebration of Ireland’s rich musical landscape.
St Patrick’s Day 2026: The best Irish songs to celebrate in style
Happy Paddy’s Day to those who celebrate! While you're having a few drinks to wet the whistle, you need some of the best songs by the best artists to come out of Ireland to get you in the spirit.
Here, Music News Blitz writer Megan Rogers-Jones curates the perfect Paddy’s playlist.
Jazz underpinned by nostalgia - but has paved the way for other genres
Jazz is, undeniably, a core pillar of music as it stands today.
As a genre, it has had unshakeable influence and development - its traits can be heard in all sorts of genres, and jazz singers have earned their places as some of the most renowned vocalists of modern history.
Here, Music News Blitz’s Isaac James details the intricacies of the genre - from its origins to its legacy today.
‘Mic Drop’ episode 3: Women and politics in music
The latest episode of Music News Blitz’s Mic Drop podcast saw host Katie Slater joined by Will Gardner and Nisha Cullen to discuss women in music production and the growing intersection between music and politics.
Up-and-coming UK festivals to watch in Summer 2026: ‘Tramlines’, ‘Forwards’ and more
Soon enough, the clocks will be light past 5 pm – we won’t need to wear 4 layers to leave the house, and the main plans for the day will be getting a tan. Indeed, summer is rapidly approaching, and with it comes the festival season!
And although there is no Glastonbury this year (not that I could get tickets anyway), there are still plenty of fabulous festivals with a stack of headliners.
Here, Megan Rogers-Jones, writer for Music News Blitz, will provide an overview of the most anticipated and up-and-coming UK festivals for Summer 2026, which you won't have to sell your organs to afford.
Grassroots music venues are disappearing - Here’s what fans can do
Grassroots venues are where most of our favourite artists started out - ‘Radiohead’, ‘Oasis’ and ‘Ed Sheeran’ - the list goes on. But these venues are struggling, so what can we do to keep them alive?
Music News Blitz’s writer Megan Rogers-Jones explains.
Is 2026 the year of indie rock? Five bands that could hit new heights this year
The UK and Ireland’s constant indie-band-producing conveyor belt remains in full flow and, if anything, is speeding up with an overflowing pool of new upcoming bands filling the airwaves.
Music News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills expands.
Music News: Ones to watch - five more alternative acts who could have a breakthrough year
Last week saw Geese, Mac DeMarco, the return of Death Grips and more mentioned as 2026 starts to take shape in the music scene.
Music News Blitz writer Freddie Thomas-Neher gives his final five in a two-part ‘ones to watch’ series for the year.
The rise of concert ticket costs – Oasis, Beyoncé, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift
The music industry has changed drastically over the past two to three decades, with one of the most notable shifts being the sharp rise in concert ticket prices.
Here, Music News Blitz’s Megan Rogers-Jones discusses the rise of concert ticket prices.
Dylan Mulvaney joins the cast of ‘Six’ in landmark Broadway debut
Social media star and theatre performer calls opening night the “best night of my entire life” as she steps into the role of Anne Boleyn at the Lena Horne Theatre in New York.
Music News Blitz writer Anna Ferraz expands on her iconic Broadway debut.
Award season news: What to expect in the 2026 BRIT awards
One of the most anticipated award shows of the year is just around the corner.
The Brit Awards are this week, Music News Blitz's Megan Rogers-Jones is here to tell you what to expect!
Music news: Ones to Watch – Five alternative acts who could have a breakthrough year
With last year being a year dominated by bands such as Turnstile, Fontaines D.C and Geese, which bands could spring forward and break through this year?
Music News Blitz writer Freddie Thomas-Neher gives the first five of his 10 acts to watch in part one of a two-part series.
X Factor star Chico defends Simon Cowell amid contestant criticism
As conversations continue about how reality TV shows supported contestants behind the scenes, former X Factor favourite Chico Slimani is offering a contrasting view - praising Simon Cowell and describing the famously tough judge as “a pussycat” away from the cameras.
WATCH! Podcast celebrates Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl 60 half-time show
A Music News Blitz discussion featuring host Anna Ferraz alongside Katie Slater, Nisha Cullen and Will Gardner explores the global impact of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl half-time performance.
The podcast unpacks the cultural symbolism, industry significance, and audience response that made the show a defining pop-culture moment.
Is Phoebe Bridgers making a comeback?
The sad girl we all love and need has gone off-grid, but we’ve heard through the grapevine she might be making a return.
Music News Blitz writer Megan Rogers-Jones takes a deep dive into Phoebe Bridges’ past work, where she is now and whether she’s coming back.