BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge Month announce star-studded line-up
It’s that time of year again - where BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge hosts the stars of the current music industry for live performances and never-heard-before covers. What’s not to like?
The Live Lounge has become a staple of Radio 1 since its beginnings in 2006, and every September, a new batch of artists is announced for a month-long slate of performances.
Since 2021, the segment has been presented by Rickie Haywood-Williams, Charlie Hedges and Melvin Odoom, and the 2025 artists were revealed on their highly popular show on Monday.
But who exactly can we look forward to?
Music News Blitz writer Rhys Rogers has selected some of his personal standouts.
From Cardiff to Dallas: Inside the reunion wave led by Oasis and Fifth Harmony
In 2025, two high-profile music reunions captured global attention, each from a different side of the pop culture spectrum.
On July 4, British rock band Oasis reunited in Cardiff, Wales, marking their first onstage appearance as a full band since 2009.
Just weeks later, on August 31, American girl group Fifth Harmony made an unexpected return at a Jonas Brothers concert in Dallas, Texas.
Though sonically worlds apart, both acts demonstrated something powerful: the past isn’t just preserved in playlists.
Scorpion Kings Live with Friends: A historic celebration of amapiano and South African culture
More than a concert, the Scorpion Kings’ live performance became a cultural milestone, blending music, identity and pride in South Africa’s biggest genre, writes Music News Blitz’s Lindokuhle Mlombo.
On Friday, August 29, Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium was transformed into an epicentre of rhythm, culture and celebration as DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, collectively known as the Scorpion Kings, hosted the highly anticipated Scorpion Kings Live with Friends.
This monumental concert not only solidified the duo’s status as pioneers of Amapiano but also underscored the genre’s cultural and social significance in South Africa and beyond.
K-pop takes Wembley: Blackpink become the second girl group to ever headline Wembley
Blackpink are not only the first K-pop girl group to sell over one million albums, but they are now also the first K-pop girl group to headline Wembley Stadium.
On Friday, August 15, the South Korean group wrapped up the European leg of their world tour on the Wembley stage, following in the footsteps of great artists such as Michael Jackson, Oasis and Taylor Swift.
Music News Blitz writer Evie Scroggie tells us more about this iconic performance.
Music news: Are you saving for concert tickets or a car?
Do you remember the days when you could go and watch your favourite music artists in a smaller venue for the price of a pizza and a few cans of Coke?
Now we’re having to start saving plans earlier, at the possibility of an upcoming tour, with artists selling out entire football stadiums for the price of two months’ rent.
Music News Blitz writer Evie Scroggie, who loves a good live performance, discusses this dramatic economic shift.
Oasis ‘25 in Manchester: It’s good to be back
At the time of writing this introductory paragraph, Music News Blitz’s Charlie Gardner has just got back from the July 12 show at Heaton Park.
Here he’ll be aiming to fanatically rant about the experience under the guise of a review of the whole day, with some tips on how to make the most of it too.
Spoiler alert: they’ve still got it.
Oasis ‘25 - Supersonic setlist?
It’s real - Oasis are back, Liam and Noel probably won’t fall out before the show you’ve got tickets for, and you’re hoping your favourite song makes the cut.
But will it? Written by Music News Blitz’s Charlie Gardner, here’s an overview of the songs played so far, with a couple comments on key tracks that may be missing.
(DISCLAIMER: This setlist is amazing - if your song gets swapped out, well - sorry!)
Sabrina Carpenter celebrates back-to-back sold-out shows at BST Hyde Park
Sabrina Carpenter has reached another milestone in her fast-rising career after performing two back-to-back sold-out shows at London’s BST Hyde Park.
The pop star headlined on both Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6, drawing in a combined crowd of more than 130,000 fans over the two nights.
BST Hyde Park Festival news: Olivia Rodrigo surprises fans as Ed Sheeran joins the stage
Olivia Rodrigo lit up London as she kicked off the BST Hyde Park festival on Friday, June 27 2025, taking the stage as the first headliner for the event.
This year's BST Hyde Park Festival is three weekends long, running from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, July 13, with even more exciting headliners and sets, writes Music News Blitz’s Amelie Da Costa.
Music news: Sam Fender delivers the goods for Geordies in staggering shows at St. James Park
Sam Fender’s three-night takeover at St James’ Park brought together over 50,000 Geordies each night to celebrate their local hero on his People Watching Tour.
With emotional highs, crowd anthems, surprise appearances and a firework finale, it was a monumental achievement in the rising star’s career, writes Music News Blitz’s Katie Jones.
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter era reins in London - But not without a fight
Beyoncé is back in London, and she’s not here to play it safe.
Ditching the silver sequins of Renaissance for rhinestone fringe and cowboy boots, the global superstar has taken over Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with her Cowboy Carter residency.
Four out of six dates to go. One of music’s most decorated performers. And yet - despite the spectacle, the soul, and the show-stopping vocals - there’s been an unexpected wrinkle: tickets aren’t exactly flying off the shelves.
Live music review: James at Piece Hall in Halifax - Tim Booth’s voice as good as ever
Since its grand reopening some years ago, Halifax’s iconic Piece Hall building has been revitalised in purpose and experience as it was filled with various shops and high-end bars.
Along with this, the Piece Hall has since been repurposed as a venue for concerts, with names like Johnny Marr, Underworld, Weezer and more - a range of styles and artists are available.
As far as a venue goes, the experience offered was fantastic, writes Music News Blitz’s Charlie Gardner, who saw the band strut their stuff on Saturday night.