Entertainment News

Cobhams Asuquo is now one of Nigeria's leading music figures both for his production and singing, but he started his career behind the scenes because he didn't like the sound of his own voice.

His tone is serious and measured when explaining his dislike of his own voice, almost as though he is describing someone else.

Newcomer Imen Siar is proof that greatness can be found in the most unlikely of places. The 23-year-old dreamed of a music career while working in Nando’s in South London, her only creative outlet being to post videos of her singing into a mop during breaks from work.

Her talent was discovered by the New York label icons + giants, which had just been launched by two influential hitmakers Billy Mann & Benton James, whose previous credits include P!nk, John Legend and Supah Mario.

B:Music, the music charity responsible for Birmingham’s Town Hall and Symphony Hall are delighted to announce that their Jazzlines Summer School returns later this year, as they look forward to opening their doors once again to young musicians from Birmingham and the surrounding areas.

Celebrated local comedy star, George Fouracres, made a special appearance at the University of Wolverhampton’s Arena Theatre recently to record a BBC Radio 4 one man show/comedy pilot. George is an actor and comedian from the Black Country.

He is the third member of sketch group Daphne and a regular performer on BBC Radio 4 and 4extra, (The Lenny Henry Show, The Now Show, Newsjack, Ross Noble’s Britain in Bits).

One of Britain’s most treasured bands, the multi-award-winning Kaiser Chiefs have announced a nationwide arena tour for November 2022 with live favourites The Fratellis and The Sherlocks.

On the announcement, Kaiser Chiefs said: “It’s been a while but we’re going on tour in November and can’t wait to see you all again. We’re looking forward to putting on a big KC show. See you there!"

Chris Rock has announced his first UK dates in more than four years.

The comic will be bringing his Ego Death World Tour 2022 - an “introspective” and “very personal” - to Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, and at London’s Royal Albert Hall in May.

Multi-platinum global superstar Jason Derulo teams up Belgian artist/producer Robinson and afrorave prodigy Rema for new trendsetting single. Robinson & Jason Derulo Feat. Rema’s "Ayo Girl (Fayahh Beat)” is available now via Future History/Artist Partner Group/Atlantic Records at all DSPs and streaming services.

Kanye West was suspended from Instagram for 24 hours after using a racial slur in reference to comedian Trevor Noah.

The rapper posted about him after he said Kanye's actions towards his ex-wife Kim Kardashian were terrifying. Kanye's been criticised for repeatedly posting remarks about Kim, their children and her partner Pete Davidson.

Influential names of South Asian heritage from the world of TV, media and the arts, will be gathering for three roundtable discussions which will delve into the experiences that inspired their work. Speakers include pioneering theatre director and activist Jatinder Verma, internationally acclaimed choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh, and prominent media figure Anita Bhalla.

Daniel, a four-year-old Border Collie, and Mariann Bayliss, 17, from Worcester, won the Young Kennel Club (YKC) Agility Dog of the Year at Crufts. The competition, which was open to YKC members aged from 6-17 and their dogs, saw top young agility handlers compete for the coveted title of YKC Agility Dog of the Year, before Mariann and Daniel (Lilihaze Spring Dan Sir) triumphed in the Resorts World Arena at the NEC, Birmingham. 

Record-breaking, global comedy superstar, Jeff Dunham, is bringing his cast of characters to the UK in 2022 for six dates only. America's favourite ventriloquist has announced the UK leg of his 'Seriously!?' tour.

For more than 14 years, Jeff Dunham and his delightfully irreverent cohorts, Peanut, Walter, José Jalapeño, Bubba J. and Achmed the Dead Terrorist, have filled arenas across the world with their multiple blockbuster tours.

British reggae legends UB40, featuring Ali Campbell, got the good-vibes party rocking on when they hit the open-air stage at Sustainability Plaza.

Backed by a seven-piece band, the show aptly kicked off with Here I Am. Celebrating some of the group’s biggest hits, including (I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You; I Got You Babe; Cherry Oh Baby; and Red, Red Wine, the band also performed new music. The international crowd of all ages swayed in time to the hits, while smart phone flashlights shone in the air for Many Rivers to Cross. 

Making a very welcome visit to Birmingham as part of 29 UK dates on her rescheduled ‘First Farewell Tour’, the charismatic Peggy Seeger - singer, songwriter, feminist, icon, Ewan MacColl’s partner and muse - is the undisputed queen of folk and political song. Covering the UK from top to bottom and left to right, Peggy will perform at Symphony Hall, a B:music venue with her son Calum MacColl, an exceptional musician in his own right and producer of many of her albums, including the hugely successful First Farewell.

Pop icon Tony Hadley is to open Lichfield Festival’s 40th anniversary celebrations this summer with a stunning Lichfield Cathedral concert on Thursday 7 July.  The singer and Festival patron is one of the incredible headliners at this year’s event (7-17 July) alongside singer/songwriter Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Ballet Cymru, folk group The Longest Johns, comedian Zoe Lyons, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Brodsky Quartet and cellist Steven Isserlis, and jazz coupling James Pearson and Lizzie Ball.

The Rolling Stones have unveiled a new look for 'SIXTY', their 60th anniversary tour of Europe in 2022, designed by Creative Director Mark Norton and his creative team at Thinkfarm, the award-winning British design and branding agency.

Norton worked with other Thinkfarm designers Elke Pettitt, Zoe Prosser and Will Naish to create a brand new look for this year's heavily-anticipated tour, which returns to home turf UK venues along the way.

This Spring, people can enjoy Verdi’s ever popular La traviata, broadcast LIVE from Covent Garden to over 800 cinemas, in 18 countries, around the world. Richard Eyre’s production, with sumptuous belle époque-inspired designs by Bob Crowley, has long been a Royal Opera favourite, winning critical acclaim for its exquisite sets, lavish costumes, and unforgettably dramatic staging.