More stories

  • in

    British pop superstar’s brother following in her footsteps by launching music career

    DUA LIPA is flying high as one of Britain’s leading music acts – and her brother could soon follow suit.I’ve learned Gjin, 18, pictured below in 2019, is cutting his teeth as a music producer after forging a friendship with rapper AJ Tracey.Dua Lipa’s younger brother Gjin, (pictured in 2019 with Dua and parents Dukagjin and Anesa) is embarking on a music careerCredit: AlamyDua’s is currently on course to top the charts with her third album, Radical Optimism, which came out on FridayCredit: GettyThey met three and a half years ago while doing cameos in Dua’s live-streamed lockdown concert, Studio 2054, and are now working together.A music insider said: “Gjin really knows his stuff when it comes to hip-hop and grime. “During lockdown he got really into music production and now he is making tentative steps to work in that field.“Being mates with AJ has been really inspiring for him too. read more on dua lipa”His music is totally different from what his big sister does and will be more behind the scenes as a producer.”Dua’s third album, Radical Optimism, came out on Friday and is on course to top the charts, toppling Taylor Swift.Last week we revealed that Dua is in talks with legend Cyndi Lauper to come out as a special guest during her Glastonbury headlining set.A source said: “Dua is raring to go for Glastonbury and she can’t wait for people to hear her new music.Most read in Celebrity“She knows the record will strike a chord with her fans but for the old school muso’s at the Farm, she wants a touch of nostalgia.“Kevin Parker from Tame Impala, who worked on Radical Optimism with Dua is another.Move over the Momager – siblings have become the new movers and shakers in the careers of many A-list celebrities“She wants this set to go down in history.” More

  • in

    Lily Allen admits she resented ‘mean’ Elton John after writing emotional letter – which she forgot to send

    Lily Allen spent years hating on Sir Elton John after thinking he blanked an emotional letter she sent him.The Smile singer was managed by a company he owned for a few years, and they would regularly talk.Lily Allen spent years hating on Sir Elton John after thinking he blanked an emotional letter she sent himCredit: GettyLily later admitted she had forgotten to send the letter to Sir EltonCredit: GettyElton even offered her his home in the South of France to stay in during a tricky period.She poured her heart out in a note to him when she left his management company and was devastated when he didn’t respond.Lily explained: “Over the next few years as my life began to spiral out of control, I held much resentment for the fact that I’d made myself very vulnerable in this letter and told him all about my sobriety.“He’s a sober person so I thought he would have responded to this letter.READ MORE ON LILY ALLEN“I was quite cross with him for a few years. I thought it was mean of him.”But she added on her Miss Me? podcast: “Then, when I moved here to America, I was unpacking and I found the letter.“I hadn’t sent it. I’d been harbouring all of this Elton resentment.”Awkward.Most read in BizarreCheek out BeyBeyonce racked up more than a million likes when she shared pics of herself in this pair of chapsCredit: InstagramThe singer didn’t even seem to have a reason for getting all dressed up, as she posted the images without a captionCredit: InstagramThe bottom line is Beyonce racked up more than a million likes when she shared pics of herself in this pair of cheeky chaps.She put the photos of the grey cowboy outfit on Instagram.Beyonce steals Super Bowl spotlight by abruptly dropping two singles and announcing new album after Halftime ShowThe Texas Hold ’Em singer didn’t even seem to have a reason for getting all dressed up, as she posted the images without a caption.Fresh from the success of her latest album Cowboy Carter, fans are poised for her to announce another tour, following on from 2023’s sell-out Renaissance dates.But given those were so popular, getting tickets for her next tour will likely be even harder.Boot it like BeckhamsCruz Beckham is wearing a surgical boot just like his mum VictoriaCredit: Click News and MediaVictoria Beckham been wearing a surgical boot since February when she fractured her footCredit: Click News and MediaCruz Beckham is a fan of the bootiful game – just like his mum Victoria.Posh has been wearing a surgical boot since February when she fractured her foot.Now her lad is sporting one too.He was out and about in London at the weekend but seemed to be able to move without crutches – so it doesn’t look like anything too serious.Have the Beckhams got uneven floors in their house or something?Drake in Ken feud fake talesKendrick Lamar and Drake’s feud is rumbling on for another day, with the latter dropping an extra track badmouthing his rap rival.The Heart Part 6 was released in the early hours of yesterday, and in it, Drake claims to have secretly fed fake stories to Kendrick for his diss tracks, such as the claim the Canadian star has a secret daughter.In the song, Drake raps: “We plotted for a week and then we fed you the information, a daughter that’s 11 years old, I bet he takes it.”He also slams Kendrick for referring to him as a “paedophile” on his song Not Like Us at the weekend.Drake, above, replies: “I’ve never been with no one under age, but now I understand why this the angle that you really mess with.“Just for clarity, I feel disgusted. I’m too respected. If I was f***ing young girls, I promise I’d have been arrested.”At least that’s cleared up.Rita’s got some Y-frontSinger Rita Ora wore this checked coat over a top and pants as she left her hotel for a clothes fitting in New YorkCredit: SplashRita Ora hadn’t even made it to the Met Gala red carpet . . . But 24 hours before fashion’s biggest night, she was already making sure that all eyes were on her.The R.I.P. singer wore this checked coat over a top and pants as she left her hotel for a clothes fitting in New York.Loads of celebrities jetted into the Big Apple ahead of the annual fashion bonanza, which was due to get under way in the early hours of this morning.I’ll bring you all the gossip tomorrow.Win gig ticketsThere are a pair of gig tickets for Nicki Minaj, above, Eagles, Pearl Jam, Doja Cat, and Moby up for grabsCredit: GettyThanks to our friends at Live Nation, we have some amazing tickets to give away to celebrate Concert Week.There are a pair of tickets for Nicki Minaj, Eagles, Pearl Jam, Doja Cat, and Moby up for grabs – and it couldn’t be easier to enter. Head to thesun.co.uk/concertweek and fill in your details. You could see Pearl Jam in Manchester or London, Eagles in Manchester or Moby in London. Nicki is in Glasgow, Birmingham, London, and Manchester. If you prefer Doja, catch her in Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle, or London.Live Nation’s Concert Week is offering fans more than 40,000 tickets from £25 for some of the biggest shows this year, from pop superstars to legendary rock bands, so keep an eye out for promotions. Good luck all!Rebel Wilson says she did not originally use weight loss drug Ozempic to shift 35kg.But she told the Diary of a CEO podcast: “I wish I had known about it in 2020.READ MORE SUN STORIES“If I’d known about it, I would have tried it, 100 per cent.”She took it after having her daughter in 2022 and added: “I was very worried that the weight would come back on.” More

  • in

    Alesha Dixon teases new music video as she films in red bikini top and denim shorts while on the beach in Jamaica

    IT has been more than 20 years since Alesha Dixon burst onto the pop scene as one third of the R& B girlband Mis-teeq.Since splitting in 2005, the 45 -year-old has become a star on prime time telly, appearing as a judge on BBC Strictly from 2009, then subsequently being poached by Simon Cowell to star on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012.Alesha shows off her incredible physique as she films her music videoCredit: InstagramThe star travelled to Jamaica, the birthplace of her father to film the videoCredit: InstagramBut now the mother-of-two appears to be returning to her roots, having recently got back from a work trip in Jamaica, where she filmed her new music video for her latest track.The TV star shared behind the scenes footage of her dancing in a pair of  denim hotpants and a red bikini top, her hair in long tresses down her back.The star clearly enjoyed being in Jamaica, which is the birthplace of her father Melvin, as she revealed that name of the single in the photo caption: “It’s bout to be a situation.”Featuring a raga style beat, the lyrics include: “We’re about to burn it down, its about to be a situation, Don’t say I don’t want ya, I’m about to put it on ya.’read more aboutThe images delighted her 1.1 million followers many of whom rushed to comment, including a slew of her famous friends.Singer, Paloma Faith wrote: “There is no one on this earth with a face as beautiful as yours.”TV star and activist Kate Piper said: “Good vibes”While others told her that she’s “smashing it.”Most read in ShowbizAfter leaving the girlband, Alesha released her solo album Fired Up in 2006 followed by her second album, The Alesha Show which landed her a BRIT Award nomination and was certified by the British Phonographic Industry.The star’s most recent albums, The Entertainer and Do It for Love, debuted in 2010 and 2015.The star has barely aged as she gyrated for the camerasCredit: InstagramThe star could certainly give younger pop stars a run for their moneyCredit: InstagramAlesha has a cross-generational appeal thanks to her role on BGTCredit: Rex More

  • in

    Madonna performs for 1.6MILLION fans in Brazil as she closes out Celebration Tour

    MADONNA keeps her crown as the Queen of Pop — as an incredible 1.6million people turn up to her show in Brazil.The 65-year-old performed a free set on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.Madonna puts on her last gig on her Celebration Tour as she performs for a whopping 1.6million fansCredit: APThousands gathered on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, BrazilCredit: EPAHer 26 songs included hits such as Like A Prayer and Vogue — with giant screens erected to allow more people to see.Fire crews sprayed the crowd with water as temperatures topped 30C.The concert was the final date of Madonna’s Celebration Tour.A source said prior to the show: “Madonna is unstoppable and she wants to mark her historic tour with a truly special ending.READ MORE ON MADONNA“Fans from all over the world are expected to travel to see her perform in what is expected to be an extravaganza.“Her Celebration Tour has already sealed itself as the pop concert of the decade.“But this concert will be the cherry on the cake.”Meanwhile the city’s official tourism office, Visit Rio, told fans to brace themselves for the big show.Most read in MusicA post advertising the concert read: “It’s time to get ready! On May 4, the Queen of Pop arrives in Rio de Janeiro for a free and historic show at Copacabana Beach.“Madonna closes The Celebration Tour here in Wonder City, marking her 40-year career with a show that promises to be her biggest yet.”Madge embraces and kisses a dancer during the showCredit: Splash NewsMadonna and Kylie stun fans as legendary pop icons appear on stage together for the first time ever More

  • in

    Legendary 90s RnB singer, 43, has barely aged a day 26 years after number 1 smash, tragic lover’s suicide and three kids

    GRAMMY-award winning American singer-songwriter Monica Arnold, appears to have found the elixir of eternal youth in new fabulous Disney World snaps.The nineties R&B icon had a fun day out last month with friends and family in the popular amusement destination Disney World in Orlando, Florida. R&B queen Monica left fans in awe when she posted pics of her recent Disney World trip – appearing to not aged a day over 90s fameCredit: instagram/monicadeniseIn 1997, the ageless artist became the youngest artist ever to achieve two number 1 hits on the Billboard R&B singles chart in the same yearThe Disney World enthusiast has endured many of life’s roller-coasters – many of which she details in her extensive catalogue of musicMonica and fellow 90s music teen idol Brandy have their first and only Grammy-award together, for 1998 smash hit duet: The Boy Is MineCredit: AlamyThe Georgia-born singer, 43, best known for her Brandy duet The Boy Is Mine, posted gorgeous pics on Instagram of her latest adventure to Disney World in Orlando, Florida last month.In the pics, the Billboard-award winner who graced numerous classic R&B and pop hit songs of the 90s and 00s, can be seen enjoying Disney’s Dash & Dodge roller-coaster with her friends and family.The ageless singer soaked up the sun with her blonde waves – no longer sporting her signature 90s pixie cut hairstyle music lovers initially knew her when she launched her career back in 1991.Fans stormed the comment section of the Don’t Take It Personal singer’s social media accounts to comment on her luminous appearance in the pics.Read More Sun StoriesOne fan wrote in her Instagram comment section: “You look so pretty! I thought this picture was your daughter!”Another fan chimed in with the comment: “You do not age! You look the same [since 90s fame]! You’re like fine wine that gets better with age! Love that you’re making memories for them [her kids].”The Atlanta-based songstress responded to the fan, and replied: “Thank you! Gotta make memories with them!”Monica took some much needed downtime from recording music and touring, which she has consistently done since she launched her career over 30 years ago.Most read in ShowbizHer body of work includes hit songs such as Angel of Mine, So Gone and, of course, her global number 1 smash with chart rival, singer Brandy, 45.MONICA’S EARLY BEGINNINGSThe multi-award winner began singing at 4-years-old, and released her 1st album, 10 years later at the young age of 14Credit: GettyMonica was born and raised in College Park, Georgia and began singing at the age of 4, and eventually joined a travelling gospel choir at the age of 10.Kobe Bryant and Brandy Norwood arrive at 1996 prom and star in sitcom ‘Moesha’In 1993, Monica signed a record deal with pop tycoons TLC and Madonna’s record producer, Dallas Austin, 53, who had been looking for a promising new talent to launch his label, Rowdy Records.She gained prominence following the release of her debut studio album, Miss Thang, which was released in 1995 when she was just 14-year-old.Miss Thang was a runaway success, selling an estimated 4 million units worldwide, and producing hit singles Don’t Take It Personal, Before You Walk Out of My Life and Why I Love You So Much.She would follow up this success with her sophomore effort The Boy Is Mine, named after the hit single, which to this day, sold 16 million singles worldwide.The R&B superstar released 5 albums since then: 2002’s All Eyez On Me, 2003’s After the Storm, 2006’s The Makings of Me, 2010’s Still Standing, 2012’s New Life and 2015’s Code Red. She’s also ventured into the acting world, with TV roles in sitcom Living Single back in 1996 and a film role in 2000 comedy film Boys and Girls.In 2010, Billboard magazine listed Monica at number 24 on its list of the Top 50 R&B and Hip Hop Artists of the past 25 years. Monica has sold over 25 million records worldwide.BRANDY AND MONICA ‘RIVALRY’Then teen stars Monica, Brandy and the late R&B singer Aaliyah are cited by music critics and fans alike for ushering in a new era of popular music in the 90s and 00sCredit: ReutersThe four-time Grammy-nominee, won her first and only Grammy-award for Best R&B performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for her duet with Brandy, back in 1999. Initially, the then teen-stars teamed teamed together to record the song, in an effort to diffuse any conversations around a music rivalry. It had even been rumoured that an alleged verbal fight turned into a physical one between the two young stars, backstage at the 1998 VMA’s. The singers never spoke directly about the alleged incident, but spent many years speaking of each other publicly in the press.However, they reunited in 2012 to but any perceived animosity aside, to record their second duet called It All Belongs To Me.The singers bonded during the singles promotional run, often laughing and making positive comments towards each other in interviews.That same year, the two supported each other through the loss of their shared mentor, the late pop queen Whitney Houston. In 2020, the R&B starlets broke the internet when they both participated in now viral Verzuz battle, where they took turns to play their beloved hit songs to the delight of fans.Their timeless duet, The Boy Is Mine is both Brandy and Monica’s highest streamed song on Spotify, with an astounding 234 million streams.MONICA’S HIGHS AND LOWS The singer has experienced many ups and downs personally and professionally, including the loss of boyfriend Jarvis WeemsCredit: GettyMonica has three children, including two sons, Rodney, 18 and Romelo, 16, with former boyfriend rapper and producer Rodney Ramone Hill Jr, 44.She also has a 10-year-old daughter, Laiyah Shannon with ex-husband, professional basketball player Shannon Brown.The R&B crooner met Rodney Ramone shortly after the suicide of her boyfriend Jarvin Weems.She credits Rodney for helping her heal after experiencing severe trauma back in 2000, from watching Jarvis commit suicide using a gun in front of her at the grave site of Jarvis’s brother.The singer channelled the sudden loss into critically-acclaimed album After The Storm in 2003.Monica and Rodney became engaged in 2007, before splitting in early 2010. In June 2010, she met NBA player Shannon Brown in a quest to cast a love interest for her 2010 song Love All Over Me.In October 2010, she announced their engagement on X formerly known as Twitter. The two got married in a secret ceremony at their LA-home November of that same year.They divorced after almost a decade together, in October 2019.CURRENT PLANS Monica considered one of the R&B’s most successful artists of the past 3 decades having sold 25 million records worldwideCredit: GettyThe So Gone singer released the single Letters, last year in June.She also collaborated with rap queen Nicki Minaj, 41, and fellow R&B singer Keisha Cole, 42, on the song Love Me Enough that same year. Monica is currently on the US leg Nicki’s Pink Friday 2 World Tour, which will be arriving in the UK at the end of this month, including a stop May 28th at the London’s 02 arena.In October 2023, news about Monica dating TV executive producer Anthony Wilson became public. READ MORE SUN STORIESLast month For You I Will singer opened up about the new relationship to blog HelloBeautiful.She said: “I’m enjoying being supported and loved in a way that allows me to be a lot softer than I typically am.”The mother-of-three is still releasing music and touring, including recent tour with rap queen Nicki MinajCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Inside Dua Lipa’s incredible rise to stardom from working as a waitress to Glastonbury headliner with £30m fortune

    POP star Dua Lipa has the world at her feet.In less than a decade, she has gone from waitressing in London’s Soho to become one of the most in-demand stars on the planet — amassing a fortune of £30million and clocking up three Grammys and seven Brit Awards.Dua Lipa has gone from being a waitress in London’s Soho to one of the most in-demand stars on the planetCredit: GettyDua performed at this year’s Grammy’sCredit: GettyWith close friends including designer Donatella Versace, Sir Elton John and supermodel Gigi Hadid, the daughter of refugees from Kosovo has transformed herself into the ultimate global It Girl.And as befits a British superstar, she has an £8million mansion in affluent West Hampstead in North West London, boasting a swimming pool, home studio and ­cinema.Now she is on course to go to No1 this Friday with her third album Radical Optimism — her first since 2020’s Future Nostalgia, which turned her into a major superstar.The new record has already given Dua another three Top Ten singles in the form of Houdini, Training Season and Illusion, bringing her total to 16.READ MORE ON DUA LIPANot too shabby for someone who is still 15 months away from celebrating her 30th birthday.Its release has ushered in the biggest summer of her career, which will include a massive headline slot at Glastonbury Festival next month.The feat solidifies Dua’s spot in music history, as she follows in the footsteps of the Rolling Stones, Adele and BeyonceDua said of her milestone: “This is the pinnacle. For me, Glastonbury has always been the biggest dream.Most read in Celebrity“It’s been my barometer every time I go into the studio, when I write a song I love. It’s like, ‘How is this going to sound at Glastonbury? Is it going to work?‘Hurtful and humiliating’“It’s just always been on my dream board of something that I want to do. It’s the biggest show of my career.”How Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are set to be Hollywood’s hottest itemThe set, expected to be attended by 100,000 music fans, will come in stark contrast to the last time she ­performed at the famous festival.In 2017, she sang on the John Peel Stage — known for hosting up-and-coming artists — and was worried no one would even turn up.She recalled: “It was just as I was about to go on and there really wasn’t anyone there. And I was like, ‘Oh, f**k. No one’s going to come’.“But I just went, ‘Do you know what? It doesn’t matter — I’m going to get out and I’m just going to ­perform and I’m going to have fun’.“By the time I went out, the whole thing was full and I jumped out and had the best time.”At the weekend, Dua hosted and performed on one of US telly’s ­biggest shows, Saturday Night Live — becoming the first British star to do so since Harry Styles in 2019.Born in London in 1995 to Kosovo-Albanian parents Anesa and Dukagjin Lipa, Dua grew up in the capital before returning to her parents’ homeland when she was 11.Determined to follow her dream, Dua persuaded her mum and dad to let her return to the UK when she was just 15 years old.She said: “I wanted to do music. As much as I loved living in Kosovo, it was a very different experience. I was living with a roommate and my parents knew her parents. My parents put a lot of trust in me so I really tried to be as good as possible.”Dua worked a series of jobs in the UK, including as a guest list girl on the door of nightclubs, before finding a manager and landing a record deal.The star won the best new artist Grammy in 2019Credit: GettyDua even starred in 2023’s Barbie MovieCredit: Instagram/@dualipaBut before earning fame, fortune and accolades, she had a tough ride following the release of her self-titled debut album.She was criticised for her lacklustre dancing on stage and was mocked online with a comment that went viral, reading: “Go girl, give us nothing.”Speaking to a newspaper about the jibes, she said: “When people took that snippet of me dancing online and just turned it into a meme, and then when I won the Best New Artist Grammy and people were like, ‘She’s not deserving of it, she’s got no stage presence, she’s not going to stick around’. Those things were hurtful. It was humiliating.“I had to take myself off Twitter. The thing that made me the happiest — performing and writing songs — was also making me really upset because people were picking everything apart that I’d been ­working on, and I had to learn all that in front of everyone.“In the public eye, I was figuring out who I was as an artist, as a performer. All that was happening while I was 22, 23 years old and still ­growing up. You have to build tough skin. You have to be resilient.”However, she then underwent months of intensive dance rehearsals before her return in order to silence her critics, and she now pulls off complex choreography during her sold-out stage shows.At the 2019 Grammy Awards she won two gongs — Best Dance Recording for single Electricity and Best New Artist for explicit track IDGAF.Two years later, she returned to the US music industry ceremony to pick up her third accolade — Best Pop Vocal Album — for second album Future Nostalgia‘I was over the moon’With three wins and ten nominations to her name, Dua has more Grammys than pop icons Britney Spears (one win from eight nominations) and Kylie Minogue (two wins from six nominations).Even global music legend Cher has fewer, bagging just one from seven nominations. Meanwhile, back on home soil, Dua has won seven Brits.With such star power, it’s no ­wonder the great and the good started lining up to record with Dua.Miley Cyrus enlisted her for 2020 single Prisoner, while the following year Sir Elton John snapped her up to create chart mega-hit Cold Heart.Madonna, the Queen of Pop herself, even gave her royal seal of approval by appearing on a remix of Dua’s smash hit Levitating in 2020, alongside rapper Missy Elliott.Dua said of Madge’s involvement: “It was very much a manifestation thing. I was thinking out loud.“She was so down. I was over the moon. I couldn’t believe that she wanted to do this record with me. I’m such a fan. It was really exciting.”Dua Lipa as a childCredit: InstagramDua Lipa performing at Glastonbury Festival 2017Credit: GettyNot content in dominating the charts, Dua has turned herself into a global brand.She currently has deals with Porsche — said to be worth seven figures — and YSL Beauty.Dua has previously been snapped up by Jaguar, Evian, Mac Cosmetics and Versace, for whom she made her catwalk debut at Milan Fashion Week in September 2021.Last year she co-designed a collection for the Italian fashion house alongside industry powerhouse Donatella Versace.In a gushing statement at the time, Donatella said: “You are now both a Versace supermodel and a Versace super-designer.“We designed this collection with true friendship, love and joy at the heart of every piece.“Your passion and vision have inspired me throughout this creative journey.”The deals have boosted Dua’s net worth to more than £30million — which is set to jump even further in the coming 12 months thanks to a soon-to-be announced global tour.In her last live shows, Dua played to 1.3million fans around the globe over 91 dates — and the ten-month trek took just shy of £100million.Dua appears keen to make her mark on the big screen, too‘Proved them wrong’In 2023, she made a cameo in Oscar-winning film Barbie, playing a Mermaid Barbie alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, as well as topping the charts with Dance The Night from the soundtrack.Earlier this year, she starred alongside Henry Cavill in Apple TV’s spy thriller Argylle.But don’t expect her to call time on creating chart hits.She said at the Golden Globes: “At the moment, music is my priority. I love acting and it was fun — but music is first.”Her love life has also kept her in the news after relationships with model Anwar Hadid and French director Romain Gavras.But she is now in a British power couple with rising screen star Callum Turner, 34.With her album Radical Optimism on track to be another hit, Dua’s sights will now be set on her live shows.Next month she will kick off a series of mini outdoor gigs across Europe before her landmark Glastonbury set on June 26, and a prestigious show at the Royal Albert Hall in October.And she will be making sure there is no reason for people to criticise her performances.READ MORE SUN STORIESShe said: “Every time someone has doubted me, I’ve proved them wrong. And for me, I’m like, this is fuelling me.“This is pushing me to be better, to work hard. And I get a real kick out of proving people wrong.”The family of Dua Lipa, parents Dukagjin and Anesa Lipa and siblings Rina and Gjin attending the Brit Awards 2019Credit: PA:Empics EntertainmentDua Lipa was snapped with boyfriend Callum TurnerCredit: SplashAt the weekend, Dua hosted and performed on one of US telly’s ­biggest shows, Saturday Night LiveCredit: BackGridThis year the artist starred alongside Henry Cavill in Apple TV’s spy thriller Argylle More

  • in

    ‘We shall return’ says iconic 80s band as they tease live dates after claims they’d turned down £62m to reunite

    A MEMBER of a legendary 80s rock group has teased the band will reunite for a series of shows later this year.Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz took to Instagram to state “we shall return”, alongside an image of Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre. Talking Heads’ Chris Frantz has dropped a big hint they’ll reunite this yearCredit: AlamyChris Frántz shared this image of Hollywood’s Pantages TheatreCredit: Instagram / @frantzchrisIlluminated on the front of the venue is “Talking Heads Dec 13, 14, 15, 16, 8pm” as well as “Tix at all ticketron outlets”.The emphatic message got fans excited, though some felt it was a little too good to be true.One wrote: “What do you mean by this Chris…”Another said: “don’t play with my emotions.”READ MORE ON REUNIONSA third posted: “Chris, you’re teasing us! We are extremely hopeful you’ll be back on the road for one last tour. . .”It would be a homecoming of sorts if the Heads were to grace the Pantages stage as it played an important part in the band’s story.The group recorded its concert film, Stop Making Sense, there in December 1983. The production is widely considered one of the best live films of all time.Focused on the band’s magnetic on-stage presence, it features tracks such as Psycho Killer, What a Day That Was, This Must Be the Place, and Once in a Lifetime.Most read in MusicBack in January it was reported that the band turned down tens of millions of dollars to reunite after being approached to perform at six to eight festivals, including headlining slots.Despite receiving an alleged £62m offer, Billboard claimed the group’s four members – David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Frantz and Tina Weymouth – walked away.Talking Heads – Once in a LifetimeThe music publication stated that global producers Live Nation made the bid but there was no solid explanation as to why the band turned it down.Billboard also claimed Talking Heads said ”no” to another offer made by Coachella co-founder Paul Tollett.Tollett apparently travelled to the Toronto International Film Festival last September in an effort to convince them to reunite at the California-based event.A 40th anniversary celebration of Stop Making Sense was being marked in Toronto at the time and he made a beeline for the group.But Tollett told Billboard that, despite meeting with David, Jerry, Chris and Tina and their reps, he “sensed there were no shows happening, so I didn’t make an offer”.Talking Heads formed in New York City in 1975 and became pioneers of New Wave music.Talking Heads enjoyed commercial success from 1975 to 1991Credit: GettyThe group were pictured together last year at the Toronto Film FestivalCredit: GettyThe group were together for 16 years before announcing their split in 1991. A year later, Chris spoke out about the ‘disbandment’ but pointed at a feud between the members and David. He told The Los Angeles Times in 1992: “As far as we’re concerned, the band never really broke up. David just decided to leave. “We were never too pleased about the way David handled the situation.”Talking Heads rebranded as Shrunken Heads and toured briefly before going their separate ways. However, last year, the group showed any past disagreements had been put to bed as all four members sat together for the screening of their movie in Toronto. READ MORE SUN STORIESChris told film maker Spike Lee: “It’s so good to be here with my bandmates tonight. It’s been a long time.”Jerry, meanwhile, added: “We get along OK. It’s all very cordial and whatever. It’s not like we’re all best friends. But everybody’s very happy to see this film coming back out.” More

  • in

    Take That’s Gary Barlow praises musician who stood in as support act after Olly Murs’ flight was cancelled

    GARY Barlow has heaped praise on an unknown musician who stood in as Take That’s support act with 30 minutes’ notice.Daniel Rooney, 26, replaced Olly Murs at the huge arena gig after the pop star’s flight from London was cancelled.Gary Barlow has heaped praise on an unknown musician who stood in as Take That’s support act with 30 minutes’ noticeCredit: The Mega AgencyDaniel Rooney replaced Olly Murs at the huge arena gig after the pop star’s flight from London was cancelledCredit: danielrooney_music/InstagramAnd singer Gary said his performance had “saved the day”.Daniel had been performing at a hotel near the Hydro in Glasgow when the news about Olly broke.Telly host Ross King happened to be in the bar and when Take That pal Gary jokingly asked if he knew of any singers available at short notice, he told him about Daniel.Within an hour, he was performing to 14,000 fans.read more on take thatDaniel said: “It’s hard to take it in, it’s surreal. “It was fast. “I met Gary and the guys 20 minutes before going on and we talked about what songs to do.“It was great, I got some good singalongs with the crowd and it felt like they were behind me.”Most read in MusicTake That’s Mark Owen also thanked him. Hotel boss Graham Chalmers said: “It was strange when I looked over and saw Danny put his coat on and lift his guitar, but how can you stand in the way of that sort of opportunity?”Olly Murs CANCELS Glasgow show minutes before doors open because he’s stuck in an airport More