Grassroots Support - Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust (MVT), which works to preserve the UK's grassroots music venues. The singer was presented with the cheque on 16 October as his third album People Watching was named the best record of the last 12 months.
He has decided to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues played in his early career. "I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the North-East, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed their doors – about 16% of the entire UK sector. In the last year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which goes to help smaller concert halls. Fender also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Superstar Returns - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar will have a summer run at the London Palladium next year, with the team behind the 2016 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production reuniting for the show. Sam Ryder will play the title role in a production directed by Tim Sheader, former artistic director at Regent’s Park, who helmed the 2016 production when it ran at the venue. It is produced by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals and follows the hit run of Evita this year, starring Rachel Zegler.
Announcing the show, Harrison said: “It is thrilling to be bringing this astounding creative team from the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production back together, and I am excited to see them create Jesus Christ Superstar specially for the London Palladium. In Sam we have a true superstar to play the iconic title role, and I look forward to sharing further announcements about the production in the coming months.” The show will play from 20 June to 5 September 2026.
“I’m honoured to take on this responsibility as I follow in the footsteps of rock vocal titans such as Ian Gillan and John Farnham. I can’t wait to immerse myself in the word of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2026,” said Ryder. The creative team is joined by musical supervisor Tom Deering, lighting designer Lee Curran, sound designer Adam Fisher, fight director Kate Waters and casting director David Grindrod.
Grammy Awards - Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar lead the nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards, while K-Pop has broken into the song of the year category for the first time. For the second year in a row, rapper Lamar has the most nominations - nine in total - including album of the year for GNX. Gaga is also up for the main prize for Mayhem. She has seven nominations overall.
Two K-Pop songs are shortlisted for song of the year: Rosé and Bruno Mars' APT, and Hunter/x's Golden, the breakout hit from Netflix's animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters. The winners will be announced at a star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles on 1 February 2026.
Backstage - The Old Vic in London has officially opened its new Backstage space, a creative hub that features a free-to-use script library, a writers’ room and a studio theatre. Planned and developed over a decade, the £17.2m Backstage annexe building is next door to the theatre and promises to expand on the Old Vic’s mission to be at "the centre of its civic, creative and cultural community".
Artistic director Matthew Warchus said: "It is a true honour to be a custodian of this magical theatre at such a momentous time in its 200-year history. Located at the heart of our city, the Old Vic has always strived to be a beacon of entertainment and exploration that hopes to engage as many people as possible. For a decade, the team and I have been committed to making our theatre more welcoming, more adventurous and less intimidating through changes to the physical spaces and through the work on and off stage. The Backstage building demonstrates this ongoing commitment and marks a new chapter in the life of this wonderful theatre.”
Headliners - Lewis Capaldi, Kasabian and Richard Ashcroft have been announced as the headliners for the TRNSMT music festival in 2026. Other acts on the line up at Glasgow Green in June include Amy Macdonald, Wolf Alice, Sonny Fodera, CMAT, The Snuts and Two Door Cinema Club. Organisers DF Concerts said the festival was "evolving" and it wanted to give "fans, artists and the city the best possible experience".
Farewell - Drummer Gilson Lavis has died at his home in Lincolnshire at the age of 74. Lavis rose to fame in the 1970s as drummer in rock band Squeeze, before performing with the Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra until last year. Long-time bandmate Holland paid tribute to his "dear friend" on social media on Thursday, with tributes also paid from musicians KT Tunstall, Curtis Stigers and Gregory Porter. RIP.
(Jim Evans)
11 November 2025