Music news

• Google Brings Lyria 3 Into Gemini, Adds ‘SynthID’ Audio-Watermark Detection to the Chatbot

  19-02-2026 01:07 via digitalmusicnews.com
  Photo Credit: Alban_Carguy
  Google has added its newly released Lyria 3 music generator to Gemini, which can now determine whether audio uploads contain the SynthID watermark.
  The tech giant debuted Lyria 3 today, touting the DeepMind-developed model as its most advanced music offering to date. At the top level, this refers to automatic prompt-based lyric generation, bolstered control over outputs, and the ability to pump out “more realistic and musically complex tracks.”
  Against the
  
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• Extreme Hollywood Backlash Continues Against ByteDance’s Seedance 2.0: Netflix, Warner Bros., Disney, Paramount

  18-02-2026 23:57 via digitalmusicnews.com
  Photo Credit: Venti Views
  Netflix is the latest company to send ByteDance a cease and desist over its Seedance 2.0 AI service, and the first to threaten litigation outright.
  Netflix has joined three other major studios in sending cease and desist letters to ByteDance for enabling copyright infringement through its Seedance 2.0 AI platform. On Tuesday, Netflix sent a letter demanding that the company remove Netflix IP from training datasets and prevent further infringement from occurring. The ent
  
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• Rival Sons’ Jay Buchanan on Solo Album, Springsteen Movie, and Sleeping With a Pistol

  18-02-2026 23:56 via rollingstone.com
  The rock singer tones it down for Weapons of Beauty, his new solo project that he wrote in isolation while living in a bunker in the Mojave Desert
  
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• Lana Del Rey Cooks Up Some Whimsy in ‘White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter’ Video

  18-02-2026 23:05 via rollingstone.com
  With a garage, a snow machine, and a dream, the artist created a light-hearted visual that feels like a home video featuring a cameo from her husband
  
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• Behemoth cancel India show amidst safety fears and “threats” from “religious Christian groups”

  18-02-2026 23:02 via nme.com
  Behemoth have been forced to cancel their upcoming show in India amidst safety fears and “threats” from “religious Christian groups”.
  The show, which was due to take place on March 3, was cancelled following what the band described as “credible threats stemming from religious Christian groups.”
  In a statement on social media, the band explained: “Over the past few weeks, we and our team have received numerous credible threats stemming from religious Chri
  
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• London’s Wide Awake will not be going ahead in 2026

  18-02-2026 22:38 via nme.com
  London’s Wide Awake Festival will not be taking place in 2026, organisers have announced today (February 18).
  The festival, which has been a fixture in the capital since 2021, was known for championing new and emerging acts as well as independent artists.
  Last year’s line up included sets from Kneecap, CMAT, English Teacher, Daniel Avery and Nadine Shah. 
  Previous iterations of the festival have seen artists perform including Primal Scream, Self Esteem, and Amyl and the Sniffers
  
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• Superfan Platform Even and Universal Music Ink ‘Multi-Year’ Deal Following ‘The Fall-Off’ Promo Collaboration

  18-02-2026 22:31 via digitalmusicnews.com
  Photo Credit: Even
  Universal Music Group (UMG) is looking to take its superfan game to the next level with Even, a self-described “infrastructure platform powering direct-to-fan music sales before streaming release.”The major label and four-year-old Even confirmed their “multi-year agreement” today. Unsurprisingly, however, the companies have been testing the partnership waters for a while – including by collaborating to promote J. Cole’s The Fall-Off.
  In the
  
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• More Clues Surface on a Gunna Documentary—Though Netflix Isn’t Confirming Anything

  18-02-2026 21:48 via digitalmusicnews.com
  Photo Credit: Rap Alert (X/Twitter)
  A billboard pops up for Gunna’s reported upcoming Netflix documentary after the rapper hosted a private screening last year, but Netflix isn’t talking.
  Whispers in the wind have hinted since last year that Gunna has a documentary coming to Netflix titled “The Last Wun,” mirroring the name of his sixth studio album. The rapper reportedly hosted a private screening of the film last year in New York City. Now, a billboard promoting it and
  
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• Bono opens up about U2’s new ‘Days Of Ash EP’: “The songs all being presented here are all reactions to present day anxieties”

  18-02-2026 20:30 via nme.com
  Bono has opened up about U2’s new ‘Days Of Ash’ EP and its politically charged tracks saying, “the songs all being presented here are all reactions to present day anxieties.”READ MORE: Bono: Stories of Surrender’ review: U2 frontman’s stunning stage show becomes unmissable filmThe new EP, which you can listen to here arrived earlier today (February 18), on Ash Wednesday, and fans can watch lyric videos for all the project’s five tracks (plus a poem
  
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• TikTok Is Suddenly a Big Competitor In Long-Form Podcasting — With Music a Major Focus

  18-02-2026 20:26 via digitalmusicnews.com
  Photo Credit: Jack Coyne and Megan Moroney for TikTok
  TikTok continues its expansion into long-form podcasting with the second episode of ‘TikTok in the Mix’ featuring special guest Megan Moroney.
  After the successful launch of its new live podcast series late last year, TikTok continues that momentum with another foray into long-form podcasting with a focus on music. “TikTok in the Mix,” a four-episode season of conversations with artists shaping the culture right now, d
  
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• California AG Ready to ‘Take It to the Mat’ with Live Nation/Ticketmaster if Trump’s DOJ Settles

  18-02-2026 20:23 via digitalmusicnews.com
  Photo Credit: Claudia Raya
  Several state attorneys general vow to press on with the antitrust trial against Live Nation even if the Department of Justice opts to settle.
  In the face of concerns that a Trump-allied Department of Justice might decide to settle with Live Nation/Ticketmaster ahead of the federal antitrust trial seeking to break it up, several state attorneys general are prepared to press ahead. That includes California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Connecticut Attorney General Will
  
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• Who Will Be Next to Headline the Sphere? We Make Our Educated Guess

  18-02-2026 20:20 via rollingstone.com
  As fans await No Doubt and Phish residencies, we look ahead to what other acts just might descend on Las Vegas to play the innovative venue
  
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• Newcastle to host 2026 Mercury Prize as "Centre of Gravity" shifts north

  18-02-2026 19:55 via music-news.com
  
  For the second consecutive year, the prestigious Mercury Prize is heading to the North East. Following a historic and record-breaking 2025 ceremony
  
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• Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton Lead 2026 Bourbon & Beyond Festival Lineup

  18-02-2026 19:03 via rollingstone.com
  Queens of the Stone Age, Kacey Musgraves, thbe Red Clay Strays, Hootie & the Blowfish, Counting Crows, Foster the People, Goose, Noah Cyrus, and more will also perform
  
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• Charley Crockett Readies ‘Age of the Ram’ Album

  18-02-2026 18:55 via rollingstone.com
  The new LP will complete the songwriter's "Sagebrush Trilogy" of albums, which began with 2025's Lonesome Drifter
  
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• Social Music Platform Hook Scores $10 Million Series A, Says Its ‘Active Users Have Increased by More Than 45X’ During the Past Year

  18-02-2026 18:41 via digitalmusicnews.com
  Photo Credit: Hook
  Social music platform Hook has scored a $10 million Series A, teed up an Android app launch, and elevated Spotify vet Simmi Singh to COO.New York City-headquartered Hook formally disclosed the fresh funding this morning, about 11 months after drawing $3 million in seed capital from Khosla Ventures, Kygo’s Palm Tree Crew, and more.
  According to the AI-powered remix and mashup platform, things have been going well since then: Across “the last 12 months alone, Hook&rs
  
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• Sunflower Bean’s Julia Cumming Goes Solo

  18-02-2026 18:15 via rollingstone.com
  New York rocker's first solo album, Julia, is out this spring on Partisan Records
  
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• U2 Are Recording a ‘Defiantly Joyful’ Album with Larry Mullen Jr. Back on Drums

  18-02-2026 18:08 via rollingstone.com
  "The album contenders are very different in mood and theme than the ones we've chosen to put out on the Days of Ash EP," says Bono. "More songs of celebration than lamentation"
  
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• U2 Are Recording a ‘Defiantly Joyfu’ Album with Larry Mullen Jr. Back on Drums

  18-02-2026 18:08 via rollingstone.com
  “The album contenders are very different in mood and theme than the ones we’ve chosen to put out on the Days of Ash EP,” says Bono. “More songs of celebration than lamentation”
  
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• Yungblud announces “new chapter” ‘Idols II’: “It’s about realising that you can feel invincible when you actually feel yourself”

  18-02-2026 18:00 via nme.com
  Yungblud has announced the second part of his ‘Idols’ album, and revealed that it marks the start of an uplifting “new chapter”.READ MORE: Yungblud is ready to leave his idols behindThe first part of the concept album was released in June 2025, and featured hit singles including ‘Hello Heaven, Hello’, ‘Lovesick Lullaby’ and ‘Zombie’.
  The Doncaster-born singer – real name Dominic Harrison – also confirmed that a second part t
  
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• U2 surprise release politically-charged ‘Days Of Ash’ EP: “These songs were impatient to be out in the world. They are songs of defiance and dismay”

  18-02-2026 18:00 via nme.com
  U2 have surprise released a “defiant”, politically-charged EP called ‘Days Of Ash’, and announced a new one-off edition of their classic fanzine, Propaganda.READ MORE: Bono: Stories of Surrender’ review: U2 frontman’s stunning stage show becomes unmissable filmArriving today (Wednesday February 18), the release features six tracks and is released via Island Records. Bono and co. describe it as a response to current events, and dedicate it to those fighting on
  
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• U2 Surprise Drop Politically-Charged ‘Days of Ash’ EP With Six New Songs

  18-02-2026 18:00 via rollingstone.com
  The collection delves into ICE, Israel, the West Bank, Ukraine, Iran — and features a guest vocal by Ed Sheeran
  
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• Residente Wants to Share Puerto Rico’s ‘True History’ in Star-Studded Directorial Debut

  18-02-2026 18:00 via rollingstone.com
  Bad Bunny will play the leading role in the Caribbean western and historical drama, titled Porto Rico
  
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• Hilary Duff didn't 'feel good' about With Love dance memes

  18-02-2026 18:00 via music-news.com
  
  Hilary Duff has reflected on how she was perceived earlier in her career.
  
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• Yungblud expands the ‘Idols’ Era with new chapter ‘Idols II’ following historic Grammy win

  18-02-2026 17:55 via music-news.com
  
  Fresh off a monumental victory at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, Britain’s premier rock icon, YUNGBLUD, has announced the
  
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• Taylor Swift Secures Global Artist of the Year Title for Fourth Consecutive Year

  18-02-2026 17:37 via rollingstone.com
  The artist has been presented with the award six total times her career for her record-breaking streaming, physical, and digital sales
  
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• Luck Reunion 2026 to Feature St. Vincent, Trampled by Turtles, and, Yep, Willie Nelson

  18-02-2026 17:00 via rollingstone.com
  The 14th annual bucket-list festival at Willie's Texas ranch returns March 19
  
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• North West Was Born To Be a Star

  18-02-2026 16:51 via rollingstone.com
  With her new single "Piercing on my Hand," as well as a possible fashion line on the horizon, Hollywood's new nepo baby era has arrived. Thankfully, the music is pretty good
  
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• Mike Gordon on Bob Weir: ‘I Don’t Think the Dead  Could Have Worked Without Him’

  18-02-2026 16:28 via rollingstone.com
  The Phish bassist remembers his friendship and performing with the Grateful Dead co-founder
  
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• Paul McCartney Will Open Archives From Wings Era for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Exhibit

  18-02-2026 16:12 via rollingstone.com
  Opening in May, the collection uses archives and memorabilia to travel back to the Seventies, when Paul McCartney and Wings launched their decade-long, post-Beatles run
  
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• Sharon responds as hundreds dress as Ozzy Osbourne for Mardi Gras

  18-02-2026 15:59 via nme.com
  Sharon Osbourne has shared her approval after hundreds of fans dressed up as Ozzy for this year’s Mardi Gras. Check out the footage below.READ MORE: Ozzy Osbourne, 1948-2025: culture-smashing revolutionary that redefined rock and reality TVThe 2026 edition of the annual parade took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, yesterday (Tuesday February 17).
  A video on social media shows a group called the Dead Rock Stars marching through the city during the Krewe Of Muses parade last Thursd
  
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• DeVotchKa to celebrate 20th anniversary of the music from ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ with 2026 UK tour

  18-02-2026 15:11 via nme.com
  DeVotchKa have announced details of a UK tour, celebrating 20 years of the music from Little Miss Sunshine. Find all the details below.
  The band first got approached to write the music for the hit 2006 film after filmmakers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris heard them playing on a Santa Monica radio station.
  They went on to soundtrack and score the movie, which went on to help shape the trajectory of indie cinema. The songs, including ‘Til the End of Time’ and ‘How It Ends&rsqu
  
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• Failure announce new album ‘Location Lost’ featuring Hayley Williams with brooding ‘The Air’s On Fire’

  18-02-2026 14:54 via nme.com
  Failure have announced their seventh album ‘Location Lost’, featuring a collaboration with Hayley Williams. Listen to new single ‘The Air’s On Fire’ below.
  The Los Angeles band are due to release the follow-up to 2021’s ‘Wild Type Droid’ on April 24, marking their first project under Failure Records/Arduous Records/Virgin Music Group. Pre-order/pre-save here.
  Comprising nine new tracks, the forthcoming LP is said to “showcase a focused, moder
  
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• Thundercat shares funky banger ‘She Knows Too Much’ with the late, great Mac Miller

  18-02-2026 14:03 via nme.com
  Thundercat has shared a groove-driven new track called ‘She Knows Too Much’ which features the late Mac Miller.READ MORE: Thundercat on the inspiration behind new material: “This time, there’s an air of just letting things be what they are”The new single comes as the latest to be shared from the bassist and singer’s first new album in six years, ‘Distracted’. It will be Thundercat’s fifth studio record, and is set to arrive via Brainfeeder on
  
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• ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ stars call for Korean culture to be mainstream: “Drop the K”

  18-02-2026 14:02 via nme.com
  The stars of KPop Demon Hunters have called for Korean culture to be considered mainstream, rather than being distinguished with a “K” in front of it.
  The Netflix animation has become a global phenomenon, becoming the streamer’s most watched film of all time as well as achieving chart success with the song ‘Golden’ from the movie.
  A new interview with Variety brought together the film’s stars: EJAE, Ji-young Yoo, Audrey Nuna, Arden Cho, May Hong and Rei Ami, w
  
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• Life celebrate “new adventures and beginnings” on striking single ‘The Dollywagon’ to announce new album ‘Abstract/Natural’

  18-02-2026 13:42 via nme.com
  Life have announced their fourth studio album ‘Abstract/Natural’ – listen to new single ‘The Dollywagon’ below.READ MORE: LIFE live in Hull: Yorkshire punks prove anger is an energy at socially conscious knees-upThe Hull band are due to release the follow-up to 2022’s ‘North East Coastal Town’ on June 19 via Launchpad+ in partnership with EMI North. Pre-order/pre-save here.
  The striking first taste of the forthcoming record boasts sw
  
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• Why Amy Winehouse’s band going back on tour 20 years after release of Back to Black

  18-02-2026 13:00 via music-news.com
  
  To celebrate 20 years since the release of the tragic singer’s album Back to Black, Amy Winehouse’s original band is launching a 30-date tour.
  
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• Alfie Boe reveals the 80-year-old rocker who taught him to songwrite

  18-02-2026 13:00 via music-news.com
  
  As he prepares to release his first album of original material in two decades, Alfie Boe has credited Pete Townshend with helping him unlock his songwriting voice.
  
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• Mercury Prize to return to Newcastle for 2026

  18-02-2026 12:51 via nme.com
  The Mercury Prize will be returning to Newcastle in 2026, organisers have confirmed.READ MORE: Sam Fender live in Leeds: generational Geordie star safely coasts into a new eraThe announcement comes following the biggest year yet for the awards in 2025, where it took place in Newcastle – the first time in its history that it was held outside of London.
  Now, organisers have shared that they have teamed up with Newcastle City Council and will be hosting the 2026 edition of the ceremony in the
  
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• Ex-Misfits frontman Michale Graves speaks out gigs cancelled across the UK due to right-wing views

  18-02-2026 12:14 via nme.com
  Ex-Misfits singer Michale Graves has spoken out about a number of his shows being cancelled in the UK due to his right-wing views.
  The singer has faced criticism in recent years due to comments stemming back to 2020, when he publicly endorsed American far-right group The Proud Boys online. He then sparked more debate in 2021 when he spoke out in support of the MAGA supporters who took to Capitol Hill on January 6 to protest the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory in Congress.
  Now
  
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• Ex-Misfits frontman Michale Graves speaks out after gigs cancelled across the UK due to right-wing views

  18-02-2026 12:14 via nme.com
  Ex-Misfits singer Michale Graves has spoken out about a number of his shows being cancelled in the UK due to his right-wing views.
  The singer has faced criticism in recent years due to comments stemming back to 2020, when he publicly endorsed American far-right group The Proud Boys online. He then sparked more debate in 2021 when he spoke out in support of the MAGA supporters who took to Capitol Hill on January 6 to protest the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory in Congress.
  Now
  
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• Raye 'devastated' after system error leaves 65 ticketholders stranded outside Paris concert

  18-02-2026 12:00 via music-news.com
  
  Raye has offered affected fans a signed vinyl and complimentary tickets to a show of their choice.
  
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• Twenty One Pilots release cult fan favourite ‘Drag Path’ as a single

  18-02-2026 11:58 via nme.com
  Twenty One Pilots have officially released ‘Drag Path’ as their latest single – listen to it below.READ MORE: The NME Big Read – Twenty One Pilots: “I hope our fans will hang on for the ride”The Ohio duo, comprising Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, originally shared the song as an exclusive bonus track on ‘Breach: Digital Remains’ – a limited-edition expansion of their 2025 album, ‘Breach’.
  However, this version of the record was only a
  
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• The Maccabees add Maxïmo Park, Everything Everything, Mystery Jets and more to indie-heavy Live at Kirkstall Abbey show line-up

  18-02-2026 11:28 via nme.com
  The Maccabees have added more acts to the line-up for their big show at Leeds’ Kirkstall Abbey this summer. Find all the details below.READ MORE: The Maccabees live at Glastonbury 2025: a glorious, emotional reunionThe London band are heading to the West Yorkshire city on Friday July 31 as part of their 2026 outdoor headline tour. It’ll follow their run of reunion shows last year, including an emotional return to Glastonbury and a bill-topping homecoming slot at All Points East.
  
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• The massive career move Brandon Flowers is said to be making – alongside David Beckham

  18-02-2026 11:00 via music-news.com
  
  In an apparent upcoming ad campaign described as a “masterstroke” by insiders, Sir David Beckham is reportedly stepping back into the spotlight for Pepsi alongside Brandon Flowers of The Killers.
  
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• Fleur East reveals the one brutal reason she begged to be released from Simon Cowell record contract

  18-02-2026 11:00 via music-news.com
  
  After shooting to fame after reaching the final of The X Factor in 2014, Fleur East begged to be “let go” from Simon Cowell’s Syco label.
  
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• Survey finds more Americans believe Bad Bunny “better represents” US than Donald Trump

  18-02-2026 10:45 via nme.com
  A recent poll has found that more Americans believe that Bad Bunny “better represents” the country than president Donald Trump.READ MORE: Bad Bunny – ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ review: ode to homeland is a new high for the Puerto Rican starThe survey was conducted by Yahoo! and YouGov shortly after the Puerto Rican superstar headlined the coveted Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday February 8, and asked 1,700 adults to share their thoughts on the performanc
  
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• Evan Dando’s wife explains his “meltdown”, and how NPR Tiny Desk show won’t be aired as he was “out of his mind”

  18-02-2026 10:17 via nme.com
  The wife of The Lemonheads‘ Evan Dando has spoken out about the frontman’s “meltdown”, and how he was “out of his mind” during the filming of an abandoned Tiny Desk session.
  The musician is currently receiving mental health treatment in hospital after being accused of sending an unsolicited explicit video to a fan.
  His wife, Antonia Teixeira, has now discussed the episode that led to his hospitalisation. She explained that the issues began earlier this ye
  
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• Nick Cave on recruiting Carly Paradis to The Bad Seeds after discovering she wrote the theme of ‘Line Of Duty’

  18-02-2026 10:08 via nme.com
  Nick Cave has recalled recruiting Carly Paradis to perform in The Bad Seeds after discovering that she wrote the theme tune to Line Of Duty.
  Responding to a recent fan question on his Q&A website The Red Hand Files, Cave discussed the Canadian-born British composer, songwriter and pianist joining the band on keyboards in 2022.READ MORE: Nick Cave interview: “There’s no metric that says virtuousness makes good art”Paradis’ work as a film and TV scorer has seen her
  
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• Foo Fighters announce 2026/27 ‘Take Cover’ Australia and New Zealand stadium tour

  18-02-2026 09:20 via nme.com
  Foo Fighters have announced the Australia and New Zealand leg of their ‘Take Cover’ tour for 2026 and 2027. Find all the details below.READ MORE: Foo Fighters – ‘But Here We Are’ review: Grohl and the gang work through their griefDave Grohl and co. are due to head Down Under this November for a run of huge stadium shows, following their UK/European leg and North American dates over the summer/autumn.
  The forthcoming trek will begin in Brisbane on November 5, wi
  
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