Latest news with #2025BritAwards
Japan Today
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Ezra Collective's infectious energy defies jazz 'elitism' to win new fans
By Clara LALANNE UK five-piece Ezra Collective has built up a loyal fan base with its upbeat jazz fusion, successfully challenging the genre's "elitism", saying that they embrace everyone. Over the last two years alone, "EZ" has become the first British jazz group to win the prestigious Mercury Prize and have a Top 10 UK album with 2024's "Dance, No One's Watching." Its crowning glory came in March when it was named group of the year at the 2025 Brit Awards, an annual celebration of UK music. "Jazz, when I was growing up, was an expensive thing to tap into. I couldn't afford to get into most jazz clubs, I definitely couldn't afford a drink," drummer Femi Koleoso told AFP at his small music studio in North London, close to where he grew up. "Jazz felt like an upper class, elitist high art form... so we're just making people feel like this is for everyone," he added. The story of Ezra Collective, named after the biblical prophet, began around a decade ago when Koleoso and his younger brother TJ, a bassist, began playing in teenage jazz clubs, where they met keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones and saxophonist James Mollison. They were later joined by trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi. "We learned jazz... but we fell in love with Afrobeat first. That was our first love, and infusing the two was the first sound," explained Koleoso. A decade later, the band, which will play at the Glastonbury Festival later this month, has incorporated other influences such as hip-hop, dub, reggae, Ghanaian highlife music and "most recently salsa music", he said. But jazz still "underpins" everything the band creates, added the drummer. Its danceable and inventive concoction has won fans far beyond jazz's traditional base, helped by the wild energy of its concerts where the charismatic Koleoso, like a preacher, exhorts the crowd to create a "temple of joy". One of the leading groups in an insurgent jazz scene, driven by a new generation of musicians, the quintet surprised everyone by winning the prestigious Mercury Prize for their second album, "Where I'm Meant To Be", released in 2023. The victory "finally acknowledges a golden age for UK jazz", said Guardian music critic Alexis Petridis. "A lot of us have a similar origin story in that a lot of us met in these youth clubs," which, according to bassist TJ Koleoso, have helped make London "the best place to be born in the world" for aspiring young musicians. The thriving community owes much to the "Tomorrow's Warriors" program established by Gary Crosby and Janine Irons. Attempting to address the lack of diversity in jazz, they founded the program in 1991 to provide young people with free spaces to practise, learn to play together and meet artists. It has fostered numerous talents such as Nubya Garcia, Kokoroko, and Ezra Collective, and the band's members now give lessons or donate instruments to the city's clubs, which have seen their numbers dwindle amid spending cuts. "This moment right here is because of the great youth clubs, and the great teachers and the great schools that support young people playing music," Femi Koleoso said at the Brits in March, as his band triumphed against music giants such as Coldplay and The Cure. Devout Christians and fans of Fela Kuti and Arsenal Football Club, the brothers grew up in the north London neighborhood of Enfield. "I grew up next to a Bangladeshi family, my best friend in school was Turkish, I'm Nigerian, my best mate is Ghanaian and (there's) Jamaicans everywhere you go," said Femi Koleoso. "That kind of melting-pot" has inspired "everything I wrote and created", added Femi Koleoso, who also toured with top group Gorillaz in recent years. When Ezra Collective takes to the stage, "the first part of the song will be played accurately" but "the moment the last note of the first part of the song is done, it's just a free-for-all, just see what happens, and long may that continue," said a smiling Femi Koleoso. "I don't know if AI could be doing that gig," added TJ Koleoso, addressing the debate about technology. He insisted that "real, authentic things survive" such upheavals. © 2025 AFP
France 24
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Ezra Collective's infectious energy defies jazz 'elitism' to win new fans
Over the last two years alone, "EZ" has become the first British jazz group to win the prestigious Mercury Prize and have a Top 10 UK album with 2024's "Dance, No One's Watching." Its crowning glory came in March when it was named group of the year at the 2025 Brit Awards, an annual celebration of UK music. "Jazz, when I was growing up, was an expensive thing to tap into. I couldn't afford to get into most jazz clubs, I definitely couldn't afford a drink," drummer Femi Koleoso told AFP at his small music studio in North London, close to where he grew up. "Jazz felt like an upper class, elitist high art form... so we're just making people feel like this is for everyone," he added. The story of Ezra Collective, named after the biblical prophet, began around a decade ago when Koleoso and his younger brother TJ, a bassist, began playing in teenage jazz clubs, where they met keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones and saxophonist James Mollison. They were later joined by trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi. 'Temple of joy' "We learned jazz... but we fell in love with Afrobeat first. That was our first love, and infusing the two was the first sound," explained Koleoso. A decade later, the band, which will play at the Glastonbury Festival later this month, has incorporated other influences such as hip-hop, dub, reggae, Ghanaian highlife music and "most recently salsa music", he said. But jazz still "underpins" everything the band creates, added the drummer. Its danceable and inventive concoction has won fans far beyond jazz's traditional base, helped by the wild energy of its concerts where the charismatic Koleoso, like a preacher, exhorts the crowd to create a "temple of joy". One of the leading groups in an insurgent jazz scene, driven by a new generation of musicians, the quintet surprised everyone by winning the prestigious Mercury Prize for their second album, "Where I'm Meant To Be", released in 2023. The victory "finally acknowledges a golden age for UK jazz", said Guardian music critic Alexis Petridis. "A lot of us have a similar origin story in that a lot of us met in these youth clubs," which, according to bassist TJ Koleoso, have helped make London "the best place to be born in the world" for aspiring young musicians. 'Free-for-all' The thriving community owes much to the "Tomorrow's Warriors" programme established by Gary Crosby and Janine Irons. Attempting to address the lack of diversity in jazz, they founded the programme in 1991 to provide young people with free spaces to practise, learn to play together and meet artists. It has fostered numerous talents such as Nubya Garcia, Kokoroko, and Ezra Collective, and the band's members now give lessons or donate instruments to the city's clubs, which have seen their numbers dwindle amid spending cuts. "This moment right here is because of the great youth clubs, and the great teachers and the great schools that support young people playing music," Femi Koleoso said at the Brits in March, as his band triumphed against music giants such as Coldplay and The Cure. Devout Christians and fans of Fela Kuti and Arsenal Football Club, the brothers grew up in the north London neighbourhood of Enfield. "I grew up next to a Bangladeshi family, my best friend in school was Turkish, I'm Nigerian, my best mate is Ghanaian and (there's) Jamaicans everywhere you go," said Femi Koleoso. "That kind of melting-pot" has inspired "everything I wrote and created", added Femi Koleoso, who also toured with top group Gorillaz in recent years. When Ezra Collective takes to the stage, "the first part of the song will be played accurately" but "the moment the last note of the first part of the song is done, it's just a free-for-all, just see what happens, and long may that continue," said a smiling Femi Koleoso. "I don't know if AI could be doing that gig," added TJ Koleoso, addressing the debate about technology. He insisted that "real, authentic things survive" such upheavals.
BreakingNews.ie
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Charli XCX teases ‘different kind of summer' at Coachella
Pop star Charli XCX has teased a 'different kind of summer', prompting speculation about new work from the artist. The singer shared a post on Instagram on Sunday about her performance at the music festival Coachella with the caption 'coming soon…' Advertisement In the carousel post the British star, 32, included a photograph of her on stage with the words 'Maybe it's time for a different kind of summer?' on the screen, hinting at last year's 'Brat summer' cultural trend sparked by her album Brat. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charli (@charli_xcx) The singer-songwriter shared a collection of images from the festival which included photographs of pop star Addison Rae and American singer The Dare, after performing two weekends at Coachella where she brought out singers including Troye Sivan and Lorde. The final video sees Charli standing on stage with the words 'Does this mean that brat summer is finally over????? IDK? maybe? maybe it's time for a different kind of brat summer? maybe it's time for me to let go? maybe it's time to make way for….' This comes after Green Day's singer Billie Joe Armstrong closed the rock band's headline set wearing a bright green Brat cap. Advertisement Charli XCX won five categories at the 2025 Brit Awards including the coveted album of the year for her culture-shaping record Brat. She also secured artist of the year, dance act, song of the year for her track Guess featuring US superstar Billie Eilish, and was awarded the songwriter of the year trophy. Charli XCX (Lucy North/PA) Released in June 2024, Brat soared in the charts and inspired the 'Brat summer' trend which became a cultural movement promoting self-love, positive body image and sultry style choices. The trend became so big that Brat was named the 2024 Collins Word Of The Year, redefined as 'characterised by a confident, independent and hedonistic attitude'. Advertisement The singer topped the UK singles charts with the Icona Pop song I Love It and has had two number one albums including Brat and Crash.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"For your own safety" - Warning issued to Sabrina Carpenter fans ahead of Co-op Live gigs
Sabrina Carpenter fans have been warned not to queue or camp outside the venue ahead of her shows in Manchester. The Espresso singer is performing two nights at Manchester Co-Op Live Arena this week as part of her Short n' Sweet 2025 Tour, with thousands expected to go and see her. It comes shortly after the Espresso singer gave an iconic performance at the 2025 Brit Awards at the O2 in London. After her Manchester dates, Carpenter has just one more planned UK performance this year at BST Hyde Park in July. Ahead of her gigs on Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14, Co-Op Live has released some safety guidance for fans who are looking to head to the venue early to watch the popstar. READ MORE: The signs have gone up outside Stockport Pyramid ahead of major change READ MORE: Sabrina Carpenter fans issued warning ahead of Manchester Co-Op Live performances On social media, Co-Op Live wrote: "For your own safety, we do not allow fans to arrive early to queue or camp outside. "We ask that you arrive no earlier than 9:00 on the day of the event. We do not issue wristbands for the purpose of reserving a space in the queue. "Be sure to review our safety page for more information. Ahead of tomorrow's Sabrina Carpenter show, we remind fans to always purchase tickets from recognised and official ticket agents, and to be aware of a high number of a high number of potentially fraudulent tickets on unauthorised platforms."
Fox News
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Sabrina Carpenter's racy Brit Awards performance sparks outrage among viewers
Sabrina Carpenter's 2025 Brit Awards performance is causing a wave of debate among viewers. On Saturday, the former Disney star got a mix of reactions after opening the show with hit songs such as "Bed Chem" and "Espresso." Wearing a red lingerie ensemble, Carpenter's racy performance had U.K. residents threatening the broadcasting company, Ofcom, as the segment was shown ahead of the 9 p.m. watershed. According to the BBC, the 9 p.m. watershed policy is intended to prevent programming unsuitable for children from airing too early. "What have I just watched Sabrina carpenter," one viewer wrote on X. "WTF That was pure soft porn before the watershed." "It's cool to be sexy and empowered. Unfortunately, this throw back was none of those things. Cheap and tacky," another wrote. "The other acts did very creative routines, with impressive sets and costumes. This was lazy and thoughtless. The "dancers" looked as foolish as she did. It wasn't kitch, it was cringe," one viewer wrote. Despite the outrage among some viewers, others were impressed with the singer's creativity. "Some people threatening to complain to Ofcom about Sabrina Carpenter's BRIT Awards performance need to get a life. It was a fun show with great energy! If you can't handle a little excitement before 9 pm, maybe it's time to lighten up!" one fan wrote. "Sabrina Carpenter at the brits doing bed chem before the watershed is absolutely iconic. she's a sexy little lady who wants everyone to feel sexy for themselves not for other people! Go cry about it it ofcom," another wrote. On Sunday, Carpenter - who won the Global Success award at the UK award show - took to social media to share a series of photos and videos from the Brit Awards, cheekily writing, "i now know what watershed is!!!!" Representatives for Carpenter did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. A representative for Ofcom told Fox News Digital that they plan to publish an audience complaint report on March 5. If they receive more than 50 complaints about the performance, Carpenter's performance will be documented. Carpenter has always stayed true to who she is, especially when it comes to expressing herself through her artistry. "This is my diary," she said in an interview with Vanity Fair in 2024. "Once I put it out there, it's for other people to interpret. I try to not tell people what a song is explicitly about. People don't always know what's going on inside the minds of anyone, let alone a young girl who's navigating love and a lot of things for the first time."
