
Pulp on track to claim first number one album in 27 years
The last time the Sheffield-based group topped the UK album charts was in 1998 with This Is Hardcore, which followed on from their best-known album, Different Class, which was released three years prior and is their only other chart-topping LP.
The band are playing a number of gigs throughout the summer, including sets at Montreux Jazz Festival in July and Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival in August.
The veteran rockers have a gap in their schedule between June 21 and July 10, which has fuelled speculation that they could be among the secret acts currently listed as 'TBA' in the line-up for Glastonbury Festival, which is taking place later this month.
Elsewhere in the album charts, UK rapper Little Simz could land her personal best if her latest offering, Lotus, scores the number two spot.
The London-born artist has had three of her albums chart in the UK, including Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, which peaked at number four and earned her the Mercury Prize in 2022.
Addison Rae's mononymously named debut album is looking to enter the charts with her first ever top five.
The TikTok star broke into the music scene in the past few years, with her most recent song, Fame Is A Gun, looking to make it into the top 20 singles charts while her album Addison is predicted to debut at number three.
Welsh singer-songwriter Marina, whose real name is Marina Diamandis and is known by her former stage name, Marina and the Diamonds, is expected to reach number four in the album charts with Princess Of Power.
My Chemical Romance could also rejoin the charts with Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge Deluxe Edition, more than 20 years after the album was first released.
The second studio LP from the rock band previously peaked at number 34 in 2004, with the new release including 2025 remixes and bonus live tracks.
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Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
The 10 best pictures from 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
It wouldn't be the festival season without the annual spectacle of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. For 2025, there is an extra special show to mark the spectacle's 75th anniversary. Running from August 1 to 23, this year's extravaganza features performances from the UK, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Poland, Ukraine and the United States of America. The theme this year is the Heroes Who Made Us, reflecting on the history of the iconic event and the 'everyday heroes' who make up the UK armed forces. There are more than 800 performers in total, with incredible international guests including the United States Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the Representative Band of the Polish Border Guard, the Top Secret Drum Corps and the United States Air Force Honor Guard. The Odessa-based Ukraine Naval Forces Orchestra is also making its debut this year. The Scotsman was lucky enough to go along to the preview of the show ahead of its official opening on Friday evening. Here are ten of the best pictures to enjoy. 1 . The Massed Pipes and Drums The Massed Pipes and Drums perform in a formation to mark the 75th year of the tattoo | JeffPhoto Sales 2 . United States Air Force Drill Team The United States Air Force Drill Team put on a jaw dropping performance involving precise, synchronised movements and complex weapon exchanges | JeffPhoto Sales 3 . Highland dancers Dancers perform in front of playful projections lighting up the Castle | JeffPhoto Sales 4 . Top Secret Drum Corps Fan favourites, the Top Secret Drum Corps, return for their eighth performance on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade | Getty Images Photo Sales

The National
13 hours ago
- The National
Scottish crew 'excluded from Spider Man 4 filming in Glasgow'
Filming for Marvel's upcoming blockbuster is set to begin this month as fake construction sites, prop vehicles and American flags have appeared in the city centre. Despite Scotland being chosen as the preferred filming location by Hollywood, with actors Tom Holland and Zendaya featuring in the film, the head of one of the largest talent agencies in the country has claimed that Scottish workers have been shut out from working on the production. Iain Wilkie, owner of BBB Talent Agency – which represents more than 10,500 actors, extras and stunt specialists – has claimed that a London-based talent firm has been chosen to provide talent and that no Scottish crew is working on the film. READ MORE: James McAvoy does the most Scottish thing in London – and Martin Compston loves it Wilkie, who is a veteran actor and body double for Sam Heughan in Outlander, told The National that very few Scottish facilities had also been chosen while the film is shot in Glasgow. He also claimed that it was the same story with the last four Hollywood blockbusters which were filmed in the country. He said while the film industry looks like it is thriving on the surface, few in Scotland is benefiting from these large-scale filming activities. 'You see these Hollywood red carpets, and it's all glitz and pure glamor, and you see these ordinary-looking actors with supermodels. Well, that's Scotland right now,' he explained. 'We're turning up at these events and hiring a supermodel. It looks glamorous but there's just no substance to it. 'On the surface, we look absolutely amazing. We look like we're booming with these major Hollywood productions all over Scotland, but there's no benefit to us. 'There's absolutely no benefit. Nobody in Scotland benefited from this. 'When these production companies are coming to Scotland, they are wiping their feet on their way out.' (Image: Supplied) Wilkie (middle) said that the London-based firm Entertainment Partners was chosen to provide talent for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. He also claimed that Scottish firms weren't even given the opportunity to speak with either Sony or Marvel, who are the main forces behind the film, about working on it. 'The state of Scotland's creative industries is that unless you have a London-based agent, you're not going to get it if you're an actor,' he said. 'Unless you've got a London-based agent, you're not going to get any work in Scotland.' Wilkie said he has decided to speak out about Scottish firms being overlooked by film projects, as he said after eight years of the 'biggest talent platform' in the country, he has seen his opportunities, along with his colleagues from other agencies, become fewer. He said: 'We never moaned. We just got on. But now we were not even given the opportunity.' Wilkie has now called on Screen Scotland, a national body set up to support Scotland's film and TV industry, to do more to champion the industry. Screen Scotland says its purpose is to drive development of all aspects of Scotland's film and TV industry, through funding and strategic support, which includes improving employment opportunities in the sector. However, Wilkie argues that the government agency has lost sight of one of its core commitments to help improve employment opportunities for Scots in favour of over-focusing on promoting the country to the world. He said: 'Their function, they believe, is to promote Scotland. And I'll tell you what, I'll give them ten out of ten for it, because they are seriously promoting Scotland. 'There's some great productions coming to Scotland, but there's nobody in Scotland benefiting from that.' Wilkie added: 'They are bringing work to Scotland, but for who?' The agency boss said he would like Screen Scotland to understand what it's like working in the industry and how it is 'impossible' for Scots to reach all the 'amazing productions' that are coming to the country to film. He added: 'I would love there to be a facility in Scotland for people that work in TV and film in Scotland to access these productions. 'Right now, it's a closed shop, and Screen Scotland are helping keep it closed' Wilkie said that Screen Scotland is good at supporting Scots if they 'tick the right boxes' but there is no follow-up. He said that young first-time writers or directors who are given some money to make the content they want are left with no support or help from the government agency. He added that Screen Scotland should be trying to get Scots practical experience on the big productions that are coming to Scotland in a bid to help cultivate the country's own talent pool, and has called for them to create a branch to develop the industry's opportunities. (Image: Supplied) 'The key to Screen Scotland is to get back to basics. Remember why they're here,' Wilkie (above) said. 'They've done a phenomenal job of promoting Scotland. If they were to put the same energy into the people in Scotland working within TV and film, that's where the success will lie. 'What they need to do is create a branch within Creative Scotland that is only there to promote us.' Wilkie said along with establishing a branch in Screen Scotland to promote Scottish workers, there should also be a legislative change in how production companies can recruit. He said that there should be an introduction of some form of quota of Scottish people to work on productions shot in Scotland, or that people with Scottish postcodes should take priority over those outside the country. 'I'm not saying every job should be filled with people from Scotland on average,' Wilkie said. 'I'm just saying I think we should be scooping up the talent in Scotland first and then when that talent runs out, look to the bigger pools that are in England.' Wilkie also said the Scottish Government should take note of how Wales and Northern Ireland prioritise homegrown talent and incentivise productions to hire from inside the country instead of looking to London. One example is the Foot in the Door initiative by Ffilm Cymru, which aims to connect people with opportunities in the creative sector, regardless of their background. Wilkie added: 'There's just no support for us out here. There's just no support from Screen Scotland at all.' Earlier this week, John Swinney said more needs to be done to increase the number of Scots benefitting from Scotland's screen industry. The First Minister said that the [[Scottish Government]] needs to 'make sure' that there is better access to screen infrastructure for Scots, adding that there needs to be more recognition of the 'economic benefits' the sector brings. A Screen Scotland spokesperson said: 'Screen Scotland is committed to supporting Scotland-based film and TV talent as well as maximising the benefits that filming creates across the wider Scottish economy. We encourage incoming productions to utilise local crews and services. 'That said, the majority of our production funding remains focused on films and [[TV]] programmes from Scotland, which regularly hire local crew and facilities. Recent projects from Scotland developed and produced with Screen Scotland's support include Only Child, Mayflies and Dinosaur for BBC Scotland, An t Eilean (The Island) for BBC Alba, Summerwater for Channel 4, The Rig for Amazon Prime, and the feature films The Outrun, Aftersun, My Old School, Janey, On Falling, California Schemin' and Tornado.' Entertainment Partners and Sony have been approached for comment.

The National
15 hours ago
- The National
Spider-Man 4 uses no Scottish crew during Glasgow filming
Filming for Marvel's upcoming blockbuster is set to begin this month as fake construction sites, prop vehicles and American flags have appeared in the city centre. Despite Scotland being chosen as the preferred filming location by Hollywood, with actors Tom Holland and Zendaya featuring in the film, the head of one of the largest talent agencies in the country has claimed that Scottish workers have been shut out from working on the production. Iain Wilkie, owner of BBB Talent Agency, which represents more than 10,500 actors, extras and stunt specialists, has claimed that a London-based talent firm has been chosen to provide talent and that no Scottish crew is working on the film. READ MORE: James McAvoy does the most Scottish thing in London – and Martin Compston loves it Wilkie, who is a veteran actor and body double for Sam Heughan in Outlander, told The National that very few Scottish facilities had also been chosen while the film is shot in Glasgow. He also claimed that it was the same story with the last four Hollywood blockbusters, which were filmed in the country, claiming that despite the film industry looking like it is thriving on the surface, nobody in Scotland is benefiting from them. 'You see these Hollywood red carpets, and it's all glitz and pure glamor, and you see these ordinary-looking actors with supermodels. Well, that's Scotland right now,' he explained. 'We're turning up at these events and hiring a supermodel. It looks glamorous but there's just no substance to it. 'On the surface, we look absolutely amazing. We look like we're booming with these major Hollywood productions all over Scotland, but there's no benefit to us. 'There's absolutely no benefit. Nobody in Scotland benefited from this. 'When these production companies are coming to Scotland, they are wiping their feet on their way out.' (Image: Supplied) Wilkie (middle) has claimed that the London-based firm Entertainment Partners was chosen to provide talent for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. He also claimed that Scottish firms weren't even given the opportunity to speak with either Sony or Marvel, who are the main forces behind the film, about working on it. 'The state of Scotland's Creative Industries is that unless you have a London-based agent, you're not going to get it if you're an actor,' he said. 'Unless you've got a London-based agent, you're not going to get any work in Scotland.' Wilkie said he has decided to speak out about Scottish firms being overlooked by film projects, as he said after eight years of the 'biggest talent platform' in the country, he has seen his opportunities, along with his colleagues from other agencies, become fewer. He said: 'We never moaned. We just got on. But now we were not even given the opportunity.' Wilkie has now called on Screen Scotland, a national body set up to support Scotland's film and TV industry, to do more to champion the industry. Screen Scotland says its purpose is to drive development of all aspects of Scotland's film and tv industry, through funding and strategic support, which includes improving employment opportunities in the sector. However, Wilkie argues that the government agency has lost sight of one of its core commitments to help improve employment opportunities for Scots in favour of over-focusing on promoting the country to the world. He said: 'Their function, they believe, is to promote Scotland. And I'll tell you what, I'll give them ten out of ten for it, because they are seriously promoting Scotland. 'There's some great productions coming to Scotland, but there's nobody in Scotland benefiting from that.' Wilkie added: 'They are bringing work to Scotland, but for who?' The agency boss said he would like Screen Scotland to understand what it's like working in the industry and how it is 'impossible' for Scots to reach all the 'amazing productions' that are coming to the country to film. He added: 'I would love there to be a facility in Scotland for people that work in TV and film in Scotland to access these productions. 'Right now, it's a closed shop, and Screen Scotland are helping keep it closed' Wilkie said that Screen Scotland is good at supporting Scots if they 'tick the right boxes' but there is no follow-up. He said that young first-time writers or directors who are given some money to make the content they want are left with no support or help from the government agency. He added that Screen Scotland should be trying to get Scots practical experience on the big productions that are coming to Scotland in a bid to help cultivate the country's own talent pool and has called for them to create a branch to develop the industry's opportunities. (Image: Supplied) 'The key to Screen Scotland is to get back to basics. Remember why they're here,' Wilkie (above) said. 'They've done a phenomenal job of promoting Scotland. If they were to put the same energy into the people in Scotland working within TV and film, that's where the success will lie. 'What they need to do is create a branch within creative Scotland that is only there to promote us.' Wilkie said along with establishing a branch in Screen Scotland to promote Scottish workers, there should also be a legislative change in how production companies can recruit. He said that there should be an introduction of some form of quota of Scottish people to work on productions shot in Scotland, or that people with Scottish postcodes should take priority over those outside the country. 'I'm not saying every job should be filled with people from Scotland on average,' Wilkie said. 'I'm just saying I think we should be scooping up the talent in Scotland first and then when that talent runs out, look to the bigger pools that are in England.' Wilkie also said the Scottish Government should take note of how Wales and Northern Ireland prioritise homegrown talent and incentivise productions to hire from inside the country instead of looking to London. One example is the Foot in the Door initiative by Ffilm Cymru, which aims to connect people with opportunities in the creative sector, regardless of their background. Wilkie added: 'There's just no support for us out here. There's just no support from Screen Scotland at all.' Earlier this week, John Swinney said more needs to be done to increase the number of Scots benefitting from Scotland's screen industry. The First Minister said that the [[Scottish Government]] needs to 'make sure' that there is better access to screen infrastructure for Scots, adding that there needs to be more recognition of the 'economic benefits' the sector brings. A Screen Scotland spokesperson said: 'Screen Scotland is committed to supporting Scotland-based film and TV talent as well as maximising the benefits that filming creates across the wider Scottish economy. We encourage incoming productions to utilise local crews and services. 'That said, the majority of our production funding remains focused on films and [[TV]] programmes from Scotland, which regularly hire local crew and facilities. Recent projects from Scotland developed and produced with Screen Scotland's support include Only Child, Mayflies and Dinosaur for BBC Scotland, An t Eilean (The Island) for BBC Alba, Summerwater for Channel 4, The Rig for Amazon Prime, and the feature films The Outrun, Aftersun, My Old School, Janey, On Falling, California Schemin' and Tornado.' Entertainment Partners and Sony have been approached for comment.