Fragile is a simple and beautiful acoustic guitar song with double bass and percussion about human fragility, love, respect and hope for peace.
Sascha Osborn is a London based singer songwriter of reflective and heartfelt folk songs, inspired by jazz harmony, soulful melodies, descriptive lyrics and a love of simple everyday natural beauty.
An unexpected mandatory six-month hiatus from singing proved to be a catalyst in finding her stylistic voice. Unable to sing, she listened to mountains of music, started writing songs on the guitar, singing melodies in her head and then, following further and fuller engagement in song writing, released her debut five-track EP ‘Love Finds You’ on 14th September 2015.
Further developing Sascha’s distinctive sound and influences, her debut album, ‘Looking Out and After’ due to be released in the autumn 2018, introduces the musical personalities of the talented Patrick Wood (guitars, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, piano) Roy Dodds (drums and percussion) and Simon Edwards (double and electric bass.) If, the EP is a watercolour, then the album is an oil painting weaving shades of hope, loss, change, love and reflection; introduced by the second single release ‘Fragile.’
Panic! At The Disco dropped by NBC'S Today show this morning, where they performed 'I Write Sins Not Tragedies', 'Say Amen (Saturday Night)' and 'High Hopes'. Panic! are of course amidst heavy promotion for their recently released album 'Pray For The Wicked' and Brendon also took some time to talk with the hosts about the album and the way in which it came together.
"I had just finished a stint at Broadway, and when I got home I planned to relax and take the rest of the year off, and just spend some family time. My heart, my inspiration and my brain did not want to do that, so my second day into my sabbatical I just started working and came up with this album," Urie said.
Brendon also spoke a little about the human rights organization that Panic! have created which you can find more details about on their website.
The rock singer said Thursday that the nonprofit will support “communities subject to discrimination or abuse on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Panic! At the Disco will allocate $1 of each ticket from U.S. dates of its “Pray for the Wicked Tour” to Highest Hopes. The tour starts July 11 in Minneapolis and will also visit arenas like New York’s Madison Square Garden and Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Panic! At the Disco released its debut in 2005. The band has downsized over the years, and now only includes Urie. A touring band accompanies him on the road.
Its 2016 album, “Death of a Bachelor,” earned a Grammy nomination for best rock album. Panic! At the Disco released a new album, “Pray for the Wicked,” last week.
You can watch all of the fantastic performances below!
Here at CONTROLRadioUK we are always on the look out for the best music, be it for playlisting or bringing to you lovely readers and in #NewMusicFriday we're bringing you some of the best songs released this week.
I do love a good dance song, and Axwell /\ Ingrosso have more than delivered here. 'Dancing Alone' is a fantastic song from start to finish. It features vocals from RØMANS and the chorus is absolutely sublime. I will say though when it comes to the dance genre, I much prefer the pure instrumental dance-floor smashes to songs featuring vocalists. Pure instrumentals just flow better naturally, and sometimes with vocalists the lyrics can feel a little repetitive since the focus is on the music. Thankfully that repetitiveness was avoided here and this song will be rooted to my playlist for the next week at the very least, and should definitely be on weekend party playlists.
Last week we were fed well with Little Mix and Cheat Codes releasing their collab 'Only You' and of course the Panic! At The Disco album. This week we've been fed just as well with OneRepublic releasing this beauty 'Connection'. It sounds fresh, has immense replay value, is a little different to some of the songs they've released in the past, and is all the more better for it. The chorus will be stuck in your head after the first listen, I adore how it just explodes, and lyrically OneRepublic never disappoint. Truly the only complaint I can have is that at 2:28 it is far too short.
THIS. IS. LIT. Like my word, this is an absolute pop-tastic stomper of a song. Years & Years release their new album "Palo Santo" next Friday and I absolutely cannot wait. All of their pre-album singles have in one way or another been absolutely terrific, but 'All For You' truly is the best of them all. It's just got such a feel good, disco, dance vibe to it musically, whilst telling quite a deep, heartbreaking story lyrically. The way it starts off so softly, almost luring us into a false sense of security before exploding and keeping that tempo up is just wonderful to listen to and we are truly being spoiled this week.
I honestly do not know how this woman does it, but she just keeps on slaying. After delivering a Pop/Rock anthem in 'Numb', Meg Myers slowed the pace down a little with 'Take Me To The Disco' which basically ripped my heart out because it is so devastatingly beautiful. 'Jealous Sea' ups the pace just that little bit to deliver the most beautiful Pop/Rock ballad I've heard all year. The way that it starts off, and just hauntingly builds and builds throughout the song is incredible. It's just got THAT type of sound to it musically that you can't turn off and can't help constantly replaying, and then the lyrics. It's just so dark, broody, emotional and of course powerful. I know I've said it a lot but it is something that bears repeating; Meg Myers is criminally under-rated. She's got such an excellent voice as a vocalist, excellent mind as a songwriter, and the emotion she pours into her music videos is on a completely different level to most of the music we hear on mainstream.
Some other tidbits:
Florence + The Machine's new album "High As Hope" was released today. It should absolutely be compulsory listening because it is a fabulous album that I've listened to around 4 times now & will probably listen to another 4 over the weekend. Pre-album singles are obviously quite good, but 'Patricia' and '100 Years' are my stand-out album songs.
How on earth did it take me until 3am this morning to have heard Tom Walker's'Leaving A Light On' for the first time? The song came out 8 months ago. I have never once heard it anywhere and this completely baffles me because it is a LIT tune, as the 53 million and counting views on Youtube shall inform you.
You probably know of Priyanka Chopra as an actress on ABC's soon to leave our screens for good 'Quantico'. Well now you can enjoy knowing that she had an extremely brief singing career where she made such bops as 'In My City' featuring Will.I.Am
Whilst they're not included above, Paramore dropped the music video for 'Caught In The Middle' this week and Panic! At The Disco dropped 'Hey Look Ma, I Made It' for those who fancy watching an extremely naughty muppet.
Alasca might well be one of the Netherlands’ best kept secrets. Think of an Amsterdam-based Big Star or Arthur Lee’s Love hidden, unknown like some treasure to be discovered and cherished ten to twenty years from now. But why wait that long? With its third album “Plea for Peace” the band delivers 12 instant playlist classics that combine 60’s pop elements with a straightforward 90’s attitude in a highly topical approach. Whether the band actually achieves its goal of making one of the snappiest indie records of the 2010’s is yet to be seen, but it is definitively a memorable endeavor.
Frank studied English Literature and Literary Sciences at the University of Amsterdam, obtaining his Master of Arts Degree in 2009. His MA thesis “Bob Dylan Lyrics versus the Academics” was groundbreaking on two levels: it argued for the possibility of song lyrics as a subject of academic research and presented a method to set up this field of study. After Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016, Frank’s thesis has become even more relevant and Frank is still regularly contacted by students, academics and professors from all over the world in this respect.
Bob Harris (BBC 2) “Brilliant!”
Steve Bennett (Acoustic Magazine) "Imagine discovering a lost Arthur Lee classic from 1967. This comes close to that.”
Chris Hawkins (BBC Radio 6) "Joyous positive nu-folk”
De Volkskrant “There should no longer be any doubt whatsoever. AlascA makes albums of great significance"
“Pure Magic!”
Jan Akkerman (Focus)
Links :
Twitter @Alascamusic Web www.alascamusic.com Bandcamp www.alasca.bandcamp.com
First things first: This article is meant to be a fun celebration of LGBT in the media. This list isn't exhaustive and I'm sure some great Musicians/Actors/Storylines/Couples have been missed, which isn't at all deliberate but an article can only be so long.
With it being the month of Pride, it is all about the LGBT community. We've rightfully talked about the negative, and now we're focusing on the positive with some of the best LGBT musicians, couples, actors and storylines.
MUSICIANS
Where else to start but with music? In the past just like with other industries, musicians have been encouraged to keep their sexuality secret for fear of alienating fans and backlash from the public. But over the last decade that has slowly and surely been changing, and it's great to now see some musicians able to be comfortable with their sexuality and put that into their music.
'Tongue' fast became my favourite MNEK song, which was a bit surprising considering the first time I listened to it I wasn't really feeling it. Now it's constantly on repeat. Back in 2017 on National Coming Out Day, MNEK revealed his sexuality in an emotional Instagram post reflecting on when he first came out as gay, first experience of going to a gay club and telling his parents. Since then MNEK has never shied about his sexuality, and thatis very much reflected not only in his songwriting but also his videos.
Have to choose just one of Tove Lo's songs to feature here was extremely difficult, but 'Disco Tits' is one of the best songs off her album. For Pride month Billboard asked a number of Artists to write letters to the LGBT community and in hers , Tove Lo speaks about being a bisexual woman growing up in liberal Sweden with liberal parents. She's another artists who through her songwriting and music videos has never shied away from her sexuality, including in her most recent collab 'Bitches'.
Halsey and Lauren Jauregui are two people who have never been shy about the their sexuality, which was particularly a positive surprise in the case of Lauren, since she did used to be in Fifth Harmony. A prime teen demographic who records labels are always overly cautious about scaring off. Lauren somewhat 'famously' came out in an open letter to the President on Billboard and when it was originally announced that she had collaborated with Halsey it was celebrated. However there has since been a bit of backlash over the music video above. The song was originally praised for being a love letter to bisexuality, and as the video ends with Halsey's character being with a man, some have accused Halsey of straight washing her own song. In fact the song's video tells the story of two former lovers who happen to both be female, fighting it out in the ring, with Halsey's character defeating Lauren's and ending the video with a man. Given that both singers are bisexual, it is actually good to see a music video represent both sides of the coin.
Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander is another musician completely owning his sexuality. It's something he has never really shied away from, and it is most certainly reflected marvelously in their music videos. If there's one thing Years & Years do better than up tempo songs, it's ballads. The video for 'If You're Over Me' serves as a narrative follow-up to 'Sanctify' with both songs being taken from their upcoming album "Palo Santo".
I think it's basically illegal to have an article talking about LGBT Artists and not mention 20GayTeen's Queen Hayley Kiyoko. Any song of hers could feature here because Hayley Kiyoko completely and utterly owns her sexuality. It's ingrained in her song writing, it's ingrained in her videos and whilst she may have started out with other actresses holding the narrative gaze, she soon found the confidence to be the star and her videos are all the better for it. She has a keen sense of the story that she's trying to tell with them, which is also reflected in the fact she's directed nearly all of her videos, and she is extremely supportive of the community on a whole with many fans telling of how Hayley's music helped them to come out.
COUPLES & STORYLINES
This is where I'll once again reiterate the couples and the storylines they were or are involved in aren't meant as a definitive representation, as I was once again spoiled for choice.
KATE & RANA
Where else can I start but with Kate Connor and Rana Habeeb. They are two characters who under Coronation Street's former producer weren't exactly going anywhere interesting. Rana was in a relationship with Zeedan, known as a man-eater, more or less devoid of personality and Kate was the baby of the Connor's, in a relationship with Caz that was extremely volatile and on occasion violent, and had a bit of a flirtation with Sophie that never even made take off. Taking a look at both of the characters, soon to be departing producer Kate Oates could see they both had bundles of potential to be more than they were and she basically struck gold when she decided to start the storyline that would see the two of them become a couple. Yes the storyline has very much had its ups and downs as a result of soap pacing and plot contrivances, but there's no denying the excellent work that has been put into the characters by their portrayers and the fact you can easily look back on the storyline and see the signs of what was to come. Highlights of the storyline so far have to be the relationship being outed and the fallout where Rana's parents attempted to kidnap her. I'm never getting over Kate under pressure revealing to Zeedan how many times she and Rana had slept together, Kate putting her fears and trepidation aside to support Rana as she was prepared to go to Pakistan with her mother, and then stopping Rana from being shipped off through the simplicity of Rana's bag with Kate's jewel still being inside the house. The two of them have such a deep rooted relationship both friendship and romantically
KAT AND ADENA
By American TV standards, Kat and Adena on The Bold Type are quite groundbreaking. They are two women of colour with Kat being an African American whilst Adena is Iranian. Freeform in itself is no stranger to diversity, over the years counting Emily Fields, Paige McCullers, Stef, Lena and Judge Foster, Alex Lightwood and of course Magnus Bane from Shadowhunters as some of its most well known LGBT characters. Season 1 saw Kat and Adena meet and Kat immediately start to question her sexuality. It wasn't dramatic or built up for the ratings, but an honest look at herself and that look saw Kat and Adena become a couple. In the season 2 premiere the two had a sex scene which by Freeform's standards was quite graphic in its nature, but no different to the type of sex scenes we see between heterosexual couples constantly and truly, the only way we as a society can normalize LGBT so it's not treated as a big shock when someone comes out or we see sex scenes is to treat it like it's no big deal. Whilst the show is only really still in the beginning of its 2nd season and has already been renewed for a 3rd, it does need to be said that it is is danger of falling into the same old cliches that have sniffled other LGBT relationships. It is Kat's first official f/f relationship so she is obviously going to be a bit nervous, not know exactly what to do, and go through a lot of learning curves, which Adena has been extremely respectful of. However instead of giving the relationship time to breathe and grow naturally, the writers have already started throwing obstacle after obstacle at it, all in the name of fake drama.
LEO & RAY
There aren't a lot of things that the Arrow-verse does right, but when it strikes gold, it truly strikes gold. Leo and Ray aren't a relationship that a lot of time has been given to, due to Wentworth Miller leaving the Arrow-verse and Russell being tied up in other projects. But what we did get in Leo & Ray's limited screen time over the crossover, was far more in depth and emotive than 90% of the relationships the Arrow-verse throws at us. The fact the characters are both played by gay actors is something that also needs to be touched on. Sure heterosexual actors are quite good at playing it gay, but it always means more to the community seeing a gay couple and characters portrayed by people who are gay in real life. They have a deeper understanding and meaning of the storyline that they're portraying than other actors would, and it shows to an extent in the way they act.
CELIA & AURORA
This is probably one of the relationships and character arcs featured here that you may not know a lot about, but let me tell you they were awesome. Played by two supremely talented actresses, Celia & Aurora and Seis Hermanas was my first furor into Spanish TV and I've never looked back. What I think makes their relationship so unique to some of the other relationships featured here and in general, is they were basically free of silly drama. They were completely and utterly faithful to one another, no cheating drama, constantly confessing their undying love for each other, extremely protective and supportive of each other and no-one could ever get in between them. All of which is pleasantly surprising since Seis Hermanas was a period soap opera, and the two characters first met when Celia was forced through treatment to curb her homosexual urges. Aurora was her nurse who rescued her in more ways than one, and the rest as they'd say is history.
AVA AND SARA
If you'd told me when I first tuned back into Legends of Tomorrow I'd end up falling for a ship, I would not have believed you and yet here we are. From their very first interaction, I was completely down with Sara and Ava. They're two characters who are constantly pushing each other with electrifying results, and it was no surprise at all to eventually see them take that next step in their relationship. It did somewhat turn to crap when Ava discovered that she was a clone and goes into season 4 with the two of them apart and dealing with an identity crisis, as she tries to rediscover just who she is. Whilst she might have that to work out, Sara is one person who has no doubts about who Ava is and considering all that she's lost over the years, having the courage and confidence to admit her love for Ava was no small feat.
HOLT AND KEVIN
Again I think it's pretty much illegal to have an article that doesn't mention Raymond Holt and Kevin Cozner. They aren't characters who together get a lot of screen time with Brooklyn Nine-Nine rarely focusing on the personal lives of its characters, but when their relationship does get the spotlight it is always a great time. Their relationship is another one here that is completely devoid of drama. No cheating, no silly plot devices. Just two characters who love, care, support and protect each other no matter what, which was shown in all its glory during the small arc last season where Holt believed Kevin's life was in danger. In an episode that had Holt taking extreme measures to protect his husband, much to his husbands own detriment, it ended with Kevin willing to risk his life in order to save Holt's because neither of them can even contemplate the thought of living without each other.
CELEBRITIES
Having to come out really shouldn't be a thing in 2018. Society should've long moved past the point where ones sexuality is anyone's business, it shouldn't be greeted with furor and headlines all over the press for the next week.
Wentworth Miller in 2013 came out as gay in an open letter to decline invitation to St Peterburgs International Film Festival, citing Russia's anti-LGBT laws. His sexuality was unfortunately long speculated about and Wentworth has spoken on numerous occasions about coping with that, and his eventual decision to come out. He's also one of a growing number of out actors, taking up lead roles on Network Television, with his roles on Prison Break and of course The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.
He was joined in the Arrow-verse for an extremely brief time by Russell Tovey who in the past spoke with The Guardian about how being gay made his career. It has certainly been one of longevity with roles in 'Being Human', 'Him & Her', 'Looking' and of course the recently cancelled 'Quantico' among his list of credits.
Someone who came out a bit more recently is Keiynan Lonsdale who revealed his bisexuality in a touching Instagram post last year. He was immediately greeted with a rave of support from his co-stars including Candice Patton who plays Iris West. The fact he has now left the Arrow-verse is a great shame as there was a ton of potential left for his character, but a decision that is respected with Keiynan having undergone a number of changes since he first stepped foot into the Universe and the door is not closed on him.
Stepping away from the Arrow-verse and into the Brooklyn Nine-Nine world again, I of course have to mention Stephanie Beatriz. Her character Rosa Diaz went through an extremely emotional arc on Brooklyn Nine-Nine last season, as she revealed herself to be bisexual to her friends and colleagues and explored the dating scene, with Gina Rodriguez guest starring as one of her girlfriend's. The arc gave us great scene between Gina and a number of characters, but most importantly Raymond Holt, who had obviously been in Rosa's shoes having previously revealed himself to be gay. We were also treated to some touching scenes between Gina and her parents as they tried to reconcile the truth about their daughter. In real life, Stephanie Beatriz recently revealed that she is bisexual and in an article on GQ last week, explained why getting married to a man doesn't erase her bisexuality. It's a point that again shouldn't have to be emphasized but we do unfortunately live in times where being gay is thankfully becoming more accepted by society, but bisexuality is still erased.
In October, I will marry a heterosexual man. We’ll make vows that I will take very seriously—till death do us part. But I’ll be bi till the day I die, baby, and I vow to myself to always sing that truth.
Daniel Knight is a born & raised Northampton based Singer/Songwriter who takes many influences from multiple genres in order to be able to deliver his own song writing and performance technique in which one would describe as easy listening Pop/Rock
Daniel can often be found busking in the Northamptonshire streets but he also turns in many gigs/festival performances along side many competitions such such as open mic uk and uk's rising star which has seen him as one of the grand finalist
Daniel Will be launching his brand new Ep Breakthrough 3rd Aug at The Charles Bradlaugh in Northampton https://www.facebook.com/events/1459595890739320/?ti=cl
FOX ANNOUNCES FALL PREMIERE DATES FOR THE 2018-2019 SEASON HIT DRAMA “9-1-1” RETURNS WITH TWO-NIGHT SEASON PREMIERE: NIGHT ONE AIRS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING “NFL ON FOX” DOUBLEHEADER ON SUNDAY, SEPT. 23; NIGHT TWO AIRS MONDAY, SEPT. 24, IN REGULAR TIME PERIOD, FOLLOWING SEASON TWO PREMIERE OF “THE RESIDENT”, “THE GIFTED” AND “LETHAL WEAPON,” FEATURING NEW CAST MEMBER SEANN WILLIAM SCOTT, AIR TUESDAYS, BEGINNING SEPT. 25 “EMPIRE” AND “STAR” RETURN WITH MORE MUSIC AND DRAMA WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 26
“THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL,” WITH HALL OF FAMERS TERRY BRADSHAW, HOWIE LONG AND MICHAEL STRAHAN HEADLINING PREGAME SHOW, DEBUTS SEPT. 27 THE RETURN OF “LAST MAN STANDING,” STARRING TIM ALLEN; AND NEW COMEDY “THE COOL KIDS,” STARRING COMEDY VETERANS DAVID ALAN GRIER, MARTIN MULL, VICKI LAWRENCE AND LESLIE JORDAN, PREMIERE FRIDAY, SEPT. 28, FOLLOWED BY THE SEASON PREMIERE OF “HELL’S KITCHEN”
NEW MULTI-CAM COMEDY “REL” LAUNCHES WITH SPECIAL AIRING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING “NFL ON FOX” DOUBLEHEADER ON SUNDAY, SEPT. 9; THEN JOINS SUNDAY LINEUP OF “THE SIMPSONS,” “BOB’S BURGERS,” IN ITS NEW TIME PERIOD, AND “FAMILY GUY,” BEGINNING SUNDAY, SEPT. 30
FOX has set the fall premiere dates for its new and returning series.
Hit drama 9-1-1, featuring new cast member Jennifer Love Hewitt, returns with a two-night season premiere: Night One airs immediately following the NFL ON FOX doubleheader on Sunday, Sept. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/live in all time zones); Night Two airs Monday, Sept. 24 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), in its regular time period, following the season premiere of THE RESIDENT (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).
Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 25, THE GIFTED (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and LETHAL WEAPON (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), featuring new cast member Seann William Scott, air.
On Wednesday, Sept. 26, EMPIRE (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and STAR (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) return.
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, with NFL Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Michael Strahan headlining the pregame show, debuts Sept. 27 (7:30 PM-CC ET live/4:30 PM-CC PT live).
On Friday, Sept. 28, the return of LAST MAN STANDING, starring Tim Allen (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), and new comedy THE COOL KIDS, starring comedy veterans David Alan Grier, Martin Mull, Vicki Lawrence and Leslie Jordan (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) premiere, followed by the season premiere of HELL’S KITCHEN (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), which, in a new twist, pits veteran contestants against rookies.
New multi-cam comedy REL launches with a special preview immediately following the NFL ON FOX doubleheader, Sunday Sept. 9 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/live in all time zones). On Sunday, Sept. 30, following the season premieres of THE SIMPSONS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), BOB’S BURGERS (8:30-9:00 PM, in its new regular time period) and FAMILY GUY (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT), REL makes its time period premiere at 9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT.
FOX fall premieres of new and returning series are listed below in chronological order (all times are ET/PT):
FOX FALL 2018 PREMIERES
(All Times ET/PT, except where noted)
Sunday, Sept. 9, Immediately Following NFL ON FOX Doubleheader
8:00-8:30 PM ET/ REL (Special Preview)
live in all time zones
Sunday, Sept. 23, Immediately Following NFL ON FOX Doubleheader
8:00-9:00 PM ET/ 9-1-1 (Special Season Two Premiere, Part 1)
live in all time zones
Monday, Sept. 24
8:00-9:00 PM THE RESIDENT (Season Two Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM 9-1-1 (Special Season Two Premiere, Part 2)
Tuesday, Sept. 25
8:00-9:00 PM THE GIFTED (Season Two Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM LETHAL WEAPON (Season Three Premiere)
Wednesday, Sept. 26
8:00-9:00 PM EMPIRE (Season Five Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM STAR (Season Three Premiere)
Thursday, Sept. 27
7:30 PM-CC ET live/ THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (FOX Sports Premiere)
Well this is a cracker! The Hollywood Reporter have confirmed that 4 years after it was first put into development, US Cable Network Showtime have ordered to series a live-action Halo TV show.
It comes with a 10 episode order and will have Kyle Killen serving as Executive Producer along of course with writing and serving as showrunner. He's joined by Rupert Wyatt as Executive Producer, and he'll also be directing multiple episodes of the first season. Production on the show, which is being produced by Showtime and Microsoft/343 Industries, will begin early next year.
"Halo is our most ambitious series ever, and we expect audiences who have been anticipating it for years to be thoroughly rewarded," Showtime CEO David Nevins said in making the announcement. "In the history of television, there simply has never been enough great science fiction. Kyle Killen’s scripts are thrilling, expansive and provocative, Rupert Wyatt is a wonderful, world-building director, and their vision of Halo will enthrall fans of the game while also drawing the uninitiated into a world of complex characters that populate this unique universe.”
DC UNIVERSE goes beyond streaming to deliver a deeply engaging experience; members can watch, read, connect, explore, win and shop, all in one place
Original live-action series include Titans, Doom Patrol and Swamp Thing; original animated series include Young Justice: Outsiders and Harley Quinn
Sign up today for an opportunity for beta access at dcuniverse.com
DC UNIVERSE is a first-of-its kind digital subscription service that gives fans access to exclusive content and experiences not available anywhere else. With membership, fans will enjoy all-new original live-action and animated series, classic TV series and films, a curated selection of digital comic books, breaking news, an expansive DC-centric encyclopedia, and access to exclusive merchandise. Additional fan features include opportunities to connect with others in the DC community, earn premium rewards and participate in sweepstakes and contests.
“Developing new ways for consumers to access some of our most popular and iconic brands and franchises as well as exclusive new content whenever they want, on the devices they choose, is one of our studio's top priorities,” said Craig Hunegs, president, Warner Bros. Digital Networks. “The DC UNIVERSE platform gives fans a place to tailor their experience and build a direct relationship with DC in a way they never could before.”
Members of DC UNIVERSE can:
WATCH exclusive originals and classic favorites; READ from an extensive list of curated comic books; CONNECT with the DC community; EXPLORE the latest breaking news and the ever-expanding DC encyclopedia; WIN premium rewards and participate in sweepstakes and contests; SHOP for exclusive merchandise.
Fans can sign up today for an opportunity for beta access, which will open in August 2018. Beta access will give members a chance to test the new digital experience and provide valuable feedback on the early version of the service before it goes live later this fall 2018.
“DC UNIVERSE is so much more than a streaming service. It’s a welcoming place for everyone to immerse themselves in their own level of DC fandom, with the epic characters, stories, and experiences they have come to expect from DC,” said Jim Lee, chief creative officer and publisher, DC Entertainment. “We are investing in and creating original, high-quality shows including the new Titans series, and curating the most beloved nostalgic content, while at the same time elevating the comic reading experience to new heights. Nothing this robust has ever been offered to fans before.”
WATCH
At the heart of DC UNIVERSE will be all-new exclusive original live-action and animated series based on DC’s iconic characters. Developed by Warner Bros. Television, Swamp Thing and Doom Patrol are scheduled to debut in 2019, following the dramatic, live-action adventure series Titans which premieres later this year. Warner Bros. Animation is also developing a slate of animated TV series based on existing fan favorites, including Harley Quinn and the highly anticipated third season of the popular Young Justice: Outsiders animated series which are both scheduled to debut in 2019.
Titans follows young heroes from across the DC Universe as they come of age and find belonging in a gritty take on the classic Teen Titans franchise. Dick Grayson and Rachel Roth, a special young girl possessed by a strange darkness, get embroiled in a conspiracy that could bring Hell on Earth. Joining them along the way are the hot-headed Starfire and loveable Beast Boy. Together they become a surrogate family and team of heroes. Doom Patrol is a reimagining of one of DC’s strangest group of outcasts: Robotman, Negative Man, Elasti-Woman and Crazy Jane. Led by the mysterious Dr. Niles Caulder they're called into action by the ultimate hero for the digital age, Cyborg. Banding together these rejects find themselves on a mission that will take them to the weirdest and most unexpected corners of the DC universe. Swamp Thing follows Abby Arcane as she investigates what seems to be a deadly swamp-born virus in a small town in Louisiana but soon discovers that the swamp holds mystical and terrifying secrets. When unexplainable and chilling horrors emerge from the murky marsh, no one is safe. Young Justice: Outsiders features the return of the fan favorite animated series with a huge cast of DC's most iconic young superheroes - plus brand-new characters, many of whom are just discovering their unique meta-powers and special abilities. Set against the backdrop of a rich, deep world that touches all corners of the DC universe, the season focuses on meta–trafficking, and an intergalactic arms race for control of these super–powered youths. Harley Quinn follows Harley’s adventures after she breaks up with the Joker and strikes out on her own in this new adult animated comedy. With the help of Poison Ivy and a ragtag crew of DC castoffs, Harley tries to earn a seat at the biggest table in villainy: the Legion of the Doom.
An assortment of DC’s most beloved superhero films will also be available at launch for exclusive streaming windows, including all four original Superman movies as well as a selection of epic animated movies including Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, Green Lantern: First Flight, and Wonder Woman. The service will also feature classic TV shows, including the first two seasons of Batman: The Animated Series and the original Wonder Woman series available for the first time in HD.
READ
The DC UNIVERSE comics reader will include native, untethered access across devices from a smartphone or tablet to a living room screen rendered in vivid detail. Fans can scroll through some of their favorite comics from the comfort of their couch with family or friends and see this vibrant art form come to life like never before. A curated selection of thousands of DC comics will be available to DC UNIVERSE members from a library that includes decades of comics creations.
Members can read some of the most famous stories in comic book history such as the first 1938 Action Comics that introduced Superman to the world as well as Detective Comics #27 which first introduced Batman in 1939. Other titles include Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s iconic Justice League (2011), Swamp Thing (2011) written by Scott Snyder, and Harley Quinn (2013) written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner. Rotating selections will cater to both members new to comics and passionate fans looking for hard-to-find titles. Comics can also be downloaded for reading offline on a smartphone or tablet.
“We wanted the DC UNIVERSE comic reader to be a blend of art and technology that would further enhance fans’ experiences of the live-action and animated programming on DC UNIVERSE,” said Dan DiDio, publisher, DC Entertainment. “This hand-curated selection from our decades of comic creations gives fans a thematic digital longbox to carry with them on the device of their choosing or lets them watch exclusive video content on a big screen followed by the comic that inspired it.”
CONNECT
The community within DC UNIVERSE will be a place where members can rate, create and share their own personalized playlists of their favorite heroes and villains. Members can personalize their profile and select their own avatar, be it Superman, Wonder Woman, or another heroic character or symbol. Designed to be a place for finding commonality and sharing favorite rivalries or the latest list of must-read comic books, members will have a forum for posting information, finding friendship and sharing their DC passions in a shared, moderated space within DC UNIVERSE.
EXPLORE & WIN
Latest news, an extensive DC encyclopedia, and chances to win round out the membership benefits of DC UNIVERSE. Short-form news, interviews and previews in daily video segments will keep fans up-to-date on the latest from all corners of the DC universe. The ever-expanding DC encyclopedia, to which fans can contribute, will house bios of hundreds of DC characters and places. In addition, members will have chances to win premium rewards, including game unlocks, first-chance access to pop-culture events, exclusive experiences and more.
SHOP
Exclusively for DC UNIVERSE members, DC Collectibles—the award-winning line of collectibles from DC Entertainment—will offer a wide range of new action figures and collector’s items based on DC’s iconic characters and stories. Members will have exclusive access to all-new six-inch Justice League Animated action figures based on designs from the fan-favorite animated series (2001-2004), starting in fall 2018. In addition to DC Collectibles, members will have access to a wide range of exclusive, curated and hard-to-find DC merchandise from a variety of licensing partners before the rest of the world.
The operation of DC UNIVERSE will be managed by Sam Ades, general manager and senior vice president, Warner Bros. Digital Networks, based in Burbank. The digital media executive formerly served as the senior vice president, direct to consumer, for DC Entertainment, where he was responsible for creating and executing DC’s digital marketing strategy.
DC UNIVERSE will be available in the United States at launch on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV, as well as the web and mobile web. To learn more and register for an opportunity for beta access, visit dcuniverse.com and follow DC UNIVERSE on social networks including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Years & Years never ever disappoint! Last week they dropped the title track from their new album and today they dropped 'All For You' which is a certifiable BOP! From start to finish this is a complete pop-tastic tune, and in case you need any reminder the album "Palo Santo' is almost upon us with it due for release on the 6th July.
You can pre-order the album by clicking here and we'll have more thoughts on the song in #NewMusicFriday
Mark this as a pleasant surprise! Hawaii Five-0 alum is making her return to broadcast television. In her first major role since leaving the hit CBS show, Grace Park has been cast in ABC's red hot new series 'A Million Little Things' which has already been greeted my mass critical acclaim and it hasn't even officially hit the air yet, due to its comparison's with NBC smash hit family drama 'This Is Us'.
Deadline have confirmed that the actress is taking on the role of Katherine. It's a big recasting as she was played in the pilot by Anne Son. Her character is described as living the plight of every working mother. A loving mom, she’s juggling being the parent she wants to be with her very successful legal career. And there’s a frustration that comes from feeling like being good at one requires compromising the other. When she married Eddie (Giuntoli), he was a successful musician. But now that she’s the sole provider, Katherine is the one who has to be the rock star.
She is joined on 'A Million Little Things' by David Giuntoli, Ron Livingston, Romany Malco, James Roday, Allison Miller, Christina Moses, Christina Ochoa, Stephanie Szostak and Lizzy Greene, and you can look forward to the show hitting your TV screen very soon.
Carnival, the new single from the Northwest’s premier urban & EDM collective, The Moods, will be mixed at the world-famous Metropolis Studios by Grammy award-winning producer Paul Norris. Paul has worked with major Top 10 artists including Alicia Keys, Gorillaz, Ed Sheeran and Kygo, and scooped a 2014 Grammy for his work with Rihanna on her album Unapologetic.
THE MOODS LAND GRAMMY AWARD-WINNER FOR NEW SINGLE
Summer anthem Carnival released 20th July and new UK tour dates announced.
Featuring Jamaican artist, Tixxy Bang and a vivid mix of brass, sun kissed calypso dance beats, and bold lyrics, Carnival is the ultimate summer 2018 anthem. It celebrates the freedom of finishing work for the weekend, of festival life, unforgettable times with good friends & brilliant music. Carnival was made to be played live and this summer, it certainly will be...
After a monumental 2017, The Moods are set for a massive festival season stretching from May right through to September. The party starts on 19th May on the BBC Introducing stage at Highest Point festival, Lancaster, which will be recorded live and broadcast on BBC radio.
The Carnival tour is the fourth major UK for the Moods in eight months: Since last June, 20,000 people in 16 different venues across 12 towns and cities have been blown away by their immense live show.
The Moods share the stage at Highest Point with an impressive roster of international acts including Hacienda Classical, Rae Morris and the Hospital Records DJs. Later in the summer, they open the main stage at Moovin Festival for legends De La Soul, Goldie and the Stereo MCs.
The Moods also play the main stage at Audio Soup, and elsewhere headline two gigs: a slot at the huge Stramash venue for Edinburgh Fringe, as well as a London all-nighter at Nambucca for Camden Rocks. Add in performances at urban dance festivals Stampede and Sonderfest, supporting the likes of The Skints, Undercover Hippy and Jeramiah Ferrari, and it's easy to see why The Moods and their fans have plenty to look forward to this summer.
The Moods' debut album Missing Peace was released in September 2017 and rapidly made a phenomenal impact, with physical and download sales in over 24 countries, hundreds of thousands of streams and stellar reviews. Two powerful singles: Joy and P.O.P (Profit over People) received multiple plays on BBC Radio Lancashire & Sheffield, along with 35 other UK, regional and student FM stations. Further afield, global internet radio stations broadcasted tracks from Missing Peace to over 100 countries, whilst videos racked up in excess of 40,000 views on YouTube, Facebook, & Vevo TV.
Hell's Gazelles premiere music video 'Take Your Medicine' ahead of Amplified Festival slot
Oxford hard rock four piece Hell's Gazelles have released a music video for 'Take Your Medicine', the title track from their new ep out 27th July. Ballsy riffage with foot to the floor drive and groove, Hell's Gazelles deliver a truckload of ROCK ahead of their slot at Amplified Festival this July.
Whilst sonically monstrously fun, the lyrics cast a slightly darker shade on society today. "This song is about second guessing the duplicity of others, and fighting what lurks in the shadows, both within and without", explains vocalist Cole Bryant. "Musically it represents so much of what we're here to do as a band and as soon as it was written we knew it should fly the flag for this EP."
Recorded and produced by Chris D'Adda (Wayward Sons, Toseland) at Vale Studios and mixed / mastered by Neil Kennedy (Creeper, Milk Teeth) at The Ranch Production House, the forthcoming ep 'Take Your Medicine' features five high-energy slabs of modern hard rock goodness tinged with metal influences! Hell's Gazelles have been making a name for themselves on the live circuit supporting the likes of Black Moth, The Treatment, Desert Storm plus playing Bloodstock Open Air, HRH Roadtrip and more with their own brand of big hooks, bulldozer riffs and soaring vocal acrobatics courtesy of enigmatic frontman Cole Bryant. The new five track offering is set to heighten this young band's profile and strengthen them as a British rock group to must see!
To celebrate the EP launch Hell's Gazelles will play a special hometown show at The Bullingdon, Oxford on Friday 20th July. Herman Terrance Aubrey Boyce (better known as 'Boycie' from popular classic sitcom 'Only Fools And Horses', played by actor John Challis) had this to say about the event and new ep: https://youtu.be/U4hHLAryMUw
The track listing for 'Take Your Medicine' is:
1. Give Me Something 2. Stone Cold 3. Out Of Time 4. Take Your Medicine 5. She Devil
Encapsulating the energised, thought provoking and wild delivery of 'Take Your Medicine'; the EP artwork (by Very Metal Art) features the maniacal scientist 'Dr. Strangechild'.
Hell's Gazelles new ep 'Take Your Medicine' is out 27th July 2018.
Hell's Gazelles live:
8 July - Quarrydowns, Amplified Festival (w/ Therapy, Xentrix and more) 20 July - Oxford, The Bullingdon (EP launch show) 25 Aug - Royston, Reaperfest (w/ Falling Red and more)
Having recently released their duet with Logic from the 13 Reasons Why soundtrack, OneRepublic today unveiled their brand new single called 'Connection'.
The song has a little bit of a different sound than what we're used to from OneRepublic, and is all the better for it. Both the lyrics and music sound refreshing, and you will probably be breaking the replay button. We'll have more thoughts on the song in this weeks #NewMusicFriday.
Taken from the e.p. Refracted Moments Volume 2 - out now.
Toby Benson is an acoustic singer/songwriter from London, England. He sings, writes and performs his own songs as well as playing the occasional cover.
Toby released his debut EP in 2015, but has since rebranded and has recently released the first collection of new music as part of a three part project called 'Refracted Moments'.
When Toby first moved to London in 2008 he met Singer/Songwriter James Carrington who he had been a fan of for a couple of years having heard his beautiful song 'Ache' in Smallville.
The two became firm friends as they hung out and wrote together over the next couple of years, with James mentoring Toby and helping him build his confidence and develop his talent for songwriting.
Toby then went on to record his debut EP with the extremely talented award winning composer Xiaotian Shi working with other talented musicians Phil Ward (SYLVIA), Thaddeus Wiseman (Brian Travis Band, The Waitress Band) and the Sacconi Quartet.
The EP was recorded and mixed in 2013 and mastered at Abbey Road studios in 2014. His latest project was recorded in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside and is a collection of songs Toby has written over the last few years, the first of which is out now - the next two parts are coming out later in 2018.
Toby has featured on established live music YouTube channel Ont' Sofa, as well as having played many of the leading music venues around London and has also played gigs around the world, sharing a stage with Tom Chaplin of Keane, The Dunwells, The Brevet as well as many up-and-coming acts.
Toby's 'Refracted Moments' project is the culmination of years of experience as a rhythm guitarist & vocalist and many hours/months/years spent writing melodies and lyrics and Volume 1 can be purchased on iTunes, Google Play, or streamed on Spotify or via Toby’s website.
Toby has also created a Youtube Channel where he is regularly uploads his covers of songs he loves (in a variety of genres) as well as his own songs. Check it out and subscribe to stay up to date with his latest videos or visit the videos page.
North London based artist, C86, has released his spine –tingling debut single ‘The Dark Ages’, taken from the EP, ‘Shadows in the Darkness’.
C86 is a lyricist, rapper, songwriter and producer, with a talent for sculpting a restless atmosphere through intrepid minimalism and bold vocals. After making a name for himself at various venues, including a stand out show at the O2 Academy Islington, C86 has developed a great reputation in the North London urban music scene and has received radio recognition from BBC Introducing.
‘The Dark Ages’ is an exquisitely produced single, with unsettling atmospheric effects, piercing synths and a heart pounding kick, it could almost be the soundtrack to an A-list thriller movie. When combined with C86’s gutsy vocal delivery, this track hits the listener hard.
The equally eerie music video, shot in reverse stop motion under flickering candlelight is available on Vevo. After such a unique and powerful debut, C86 will, without a doubt, be one to watch as we head into the summer months.
'Change the rules of the game, take the face from the name, trade the soul for the fame...I'm an Atari Pilot.'
After a long hiatus which took in a serious illness, Atari Pilot finally returns in 2018 starting with a set at the Swindon shuffle in July.
"Following a battle with cancer I've never been more excited and grateful to be able to play and create music. it really feels like my best days are ahead. I had such amazing support from people during my illness it was humbling. I feel like I'm on a mission to spread a positive energy and message to as many people as I can.”
“Atari Pilot is the sound of someone searching for something or someone, trying to the put the pieces together to escape or overcome whatever they struggle against.”
“The songs are a like series of film scenes, where we're in that particular moment at that particular time, trying to come out on top against the odds and wondering what it's going to cost us.”
“I hope the songs can inspire people to keep up the fight, to believe in themselves and the people around them, that's the message I'm trying to send, I’m on your side and in your corner.”
2018 will see the relaunch of the debut album, acoustic sets and full band shows beginning in the Autumn. Cutting Room Floor marks the debut music video, with more releases planned.
GET IN TOUCH WITH ATARI PILOT IN THE FOLLOWING PLACES
THE 100 “How We Get to Peace” — (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET) (TV-14, LV) (HDTV)
DETERMINATION — Clarke’s (Eliza Taylor) determination to protect Madi (guest star Lola Flannery “Home Again,” “Shadowhunters”) puts Bellamy (Bob Morley) in an impossible position, Paige Turco, Henry Ian Cusick, Marie Avgeropoulos, Lindsey Morgan, Richard Harmon, Chris Larkin and Tasya Teles also star. Antonio Negret directed the episode written by Lauren Muir (#508). Original airdate 6/26/2018.
USELESS CITIES RETURN WITH NEW SINGLE ‘A LITTLE TOO OBTUSE’
London-based, multi-national post-rockers Useless Cities are back with their new single A Little Too Obtuse (availableon all download/streaming platforms) and a new video to accompany the track. The atmospheric, expansive and beautiful new song explores an imploding relationship and is produced by Paul Tipler (Placebo/The Horrors/Idle wild). It’s driven by tense, building guitar lines, haunting piano and the band’s ethereal male/female vocals.
“A Little Too Obtuse is a song about trying to successfully navigate a romantic relationship, ”explains Useless Cities singer/guitarist Tom Argent. “It draws on feelings of vulnerability when things are starting to go wrong. The second half is a little more fraught, yet optimistic in tone - perhaps, after all, this is something worth fighting for.”
With members from Austria, Romania, Ireland and the UK, the four-piece have made London their home and quickly built a fanbase there since forming in 2016. Theirunique, glacial and unpredictable take on nineties and noughties-influenced shoegaze -rock has yielded two EPS and a string of singles so far.
BBC 6 Music’s Fresh On The Net have already supported the band, and their songs have gained rave press coverage with GigSlutz, XS Noize, Soundchip, She Makes Music and many more.
Useless Cities celebrate the release of A Little Too Obtuse with a headline show at London’s The Finsbury on 29th June. For more info, head to uselesscities.co.uk
USELESS CITIES A Little Too Obtuse (Single) RELEASE DATE - 29th June
Icy guitar lines, alternating male/female vocals and urgent, restless drum patterns XS Noize A band confident in their unique brand of shoe-gazey doom and gloom GigSlutz
FOR FANS OF Interpol Wolf Alice Editors The National
Born out of a collective of musicians & creatives from Kingston-Upon-Hull, Young Jack are a UK funk phenomenon ready to stand up & tell the world how to get down. With their latest Double A-Side single Move / Mojo, released on fiercely independent Hull label Warren Records, this family of funk ambassadors dish out spiritual rhythms & groovy vibes, topped off with the organic sounds of Paolo Nutini’s Horns of Thunder.
Having recorded sessions for BBC Humberside Introducing & performed at Kendal Calling, Humber Street Sesh & Hull’s Freedom Festival, Young Jack have also received a stamp of approval from the godfather funk himself George Clinton. They live and breathe their music in the here and now with a body of work that truly encapsulate the spirit of the funk genre and its cultural footprint.
First up on this latest offering is the track Move. Although distinctly British, it contains flavours reminiscent of Parliament/Funkadelic & Miles Davis’s On The Corner period. Lyrically its described by lead vocalist Luke Bowe as “a song about our frustration with the confusing times we’re living in andhow people can be the holders of their own fortune by letting go of all that’s holding them back – change the way you think now, move . .
Other track Mojo continues in the same vein musically but with touches of Rick James in its vocal delivery. It’s a song about elevating the senses & reconnecting with the fun side of funk. There are underlying themes of addiction and “the monkey on your back” inspired by seeing their friends and family crumble when their social structure isn’t running smoothly but Young Jack believe their songwriting should be open to individualinterpretation by the listener - take what you like and leave the rest.
Young Jack are Luke Bowe(leadvocals/guitar), Danny Higgins (guitar/vocals), Ben Morrod (Bass) & Jack Allbones (Drums) along with The Horny Brass(aka Paolo Nutini’s Horns of Thunder). Born of Irish & America roots, Luke & Danny grew up together making music in Danny’s room, with a huge canvas of Bob Marley looking over them & getting inspired by a wide range of artists from Funkadelic & The Brothers Johnson to Carole King & Kraftwork. At 14 they bought fake IDs & soon found themselves getting down to Prince in the mosh-pit when he played Leeds. Enter Warren Records’ Stew Baxter (also the drummer inLife) & things start to take shape with Young Jack rehearsing at the back of legendary Hull venue The Adelphi. Meanwhile, local graffiti pioneer Pinkie, who back in the day was interviewed by indie soothsayer John Peel no less, was creating Young Jack’s visual representation with his vibrant imagery.
Check out the band’s website for gig listings, latest news pieces & signup to the mailing list - but hold on tight cause it’s gonna get funky! www.youngjack.co.uk
In a move that will surely be welcome, The Official Charts today announced a massive change that is coming to the charts. From 6th July (next Friday), videos will count towards the weekly rundown for the first time ever.
The addition of video streams is designed to ensure the chart remains a showcase for hit music, however music fans choose to access it. The Official Singles Chart will continue to be the only official and most comprehensive countdown in the UK market, reflecting sales of downloads, CD and vinyl, as well as streams of audio or video tracks, whether on premium subscription or ad-funded services.
The services which will contribute video streams to the chart will include Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music and Tidal, who have all added video to their platform over the past year.
Official Charts Company chief executive, Martin Talbot, said: “This is a significant step for the UK and ensures The Official Chart continues to be the most comprehensive and trusted chart in the UK, bar none. Consumption of recorded music via more than 15,000 retailers, download stores and streaming services of all kinds contribute to the weekly chart countdown.
“In the modern era, artists are increasingly multi-faceted creators, with a highly developed visual sense running in parallel with their music. The addition of video ensures that the Official Singles Chart reflects the creativity of the artist in the broadest way possible – and music fans’ engagement with that vision.”
Official Charts Company non-executive chairman Derek Allen (svp commercial for Warner Music UK) added: "It’s always been important that the Official Charts keep pace with an ever evolving and dynamic market, while also retaining their integrity, something which has set the UK charts apart from many of those operating elsewhere around the world. These latest changes are just another step down that road.”
This change will most surely be welcomed by those who have in the past accused the Official Charts of being out of touch with the ways in which music is consumed now. Back in 2008 the Official Charts had the first of many revamps when it dropped 'Company' from its name, in 2015 it changed its chart methodology from the traditional Sunday slot to Friday and just last year its methodology was once again changed to better reflect streaming.
CHANNEL 4’S NEW POLITICAL DRAMA STARS BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH AND RORY KINNEAR
WRITTEN BY JAMES GRAHAM, PRODUCED BY HOUSE PRODUCTIONS
24 June 2018: Filming has begun on Channel 4’s timely and compelling new 1x120’ behind-the-scenes drama about the run up to the Brexit referendum, from award-winning writer James Graham and House Productions.
Brexit (w/t) follows the Brexit campaign from the perspective of the largely unknown strategists in both the leave and remain camps as they plot to gain advantage over each other through media and social media activities, while having to deal with the more public role played by politicians jostling for the limelight and each side’s controversial financial backers.
At a time when explosive revelations about the mining of personal data and the corrosive effect of fake news and micro-targeted advertising through social media feeds are at the forefront of the news agenda, Brexit (w/t) explores how modern data-driven campaigning techniques contributed to one of the most unexpected, highly-charged and controversial decisions in modern political history.
Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Doctor Strange, The Imitation Game, Patrick Melrose) stars as Dominic Cummings, the leading strategist and Campaign Director of Vote Leave.
Rory Kinnear (The Imitation Game, Skyfall, The Hollow Crown) stars as Craig Oliver, Prime Minister David Cameron’s Director of Communications, who was brought in to oversee the Remain campaign’s communications strategy.
John Heffernan (Collateral, The Crown) is Matthew Elliott, political lobbyist and Chief Executive of Vote Leave; Liz White (Ackley Bridge, Call The Midwife) plays Mary Wakefield - journalist and Dominic Cummings’ wife; and Kyle Soller (The Hollow Crown, Poldark) plays Zack Massingham, founder of data technology and digital marketing company AggregateIQ, which received several millions of pounds from Vote Leave to help target voters through social media advertising campaigns.
Lee Boardman (Outlander, Bancroft) is Aaron Banks, the controversial businessman, UKIP donor and financial backer of Leave.EU, and Nicholas Day (RSC’s Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies) plays labour supporting businessman John Mills, who was another prominent donor to the Leave campaign.
Politicians portrayed in the drama include Richard Goulding (The Windsors) as Boris Johnson; Oliver Maltman (The Crown) as Michael Gove and Paul Ryan (The Five) as Nigel Farage.
Brexit (w/t) blends extensive research based on first-hand accounts from the key players involved, with humour and compelling drama to bring to life the political strategists, pollsters, provocateurs, politicians and divisive figures driving it in the backgrounds – and tells the story of how a modern political campaign is run, in a way never seen before.
Brexit (w/t) is produced by House Productions for Channel 4. Written by RTS and Olivier Award-winning writer James Graham (Quiz, Ink, Coalition), and is directed by the award winning Toby Haynes (Black Mirror, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Sherlock). The producer is Lynn Horsford (Philip K Dick’s Electric Dreams, The 7.39, Birdsong), and executive producers are Tessa Ross and Juliette Howell. It was commissioned by Channel 4 Head of Drama Beth Willis. Brexit (w/t) is distributed globally by BBC Studios.
