As Saudi Arabia celebrates becoming football’s World Cup hosts in 2034, it was enjoying a huge music festival that was breaking world records.
MDLBEAST set a Guinness World Record for the Largest Continuous Outdoor LED Screen (Temporary) during its flagship Soundstorm 2024 music festival. Stars such as Eminem, Muse, Linkin Park and more are performing at the MENA region’s biggest music festival, with the concluding night this weekend.
On opening night of the Soundstorm festival, Eminem captivated the audience with a high-energy display of fan-favourite tracks, including Love the Way You Lie. His performance was taken in by the 75,000 capacity crowd, who were also able to watch along on the record-breaking screen which spanned 4808.84 metres squared. The huge screen beat the previous record that had been held by Adele in Munich earlier this year.
The screen broke a Guinness World Record
The record-breaking screen is a seamless, high-resolution LED marvel designed to elevate the audience experience to unprecedented heights. The screen’s size and visuals have transformed the festival’s main stage into an impressive canvas, displaying cutting-edge visuals and immersive content synchronised with the performances of some of the biggest names in music today.
Executive Director Events at MDLBEAST, Michael Jobson, spoke on the technical elements of the achievement: “The screen represents more than just a technical achievement. This stage is the result of over two months of on-site work and thousands of man-hours leading up to its completion. Numerous teams came together with a shared goal, working harmoniously both throughout the festival weekend and long before, to ensure we could achieve this record-breaking feat. From engineers and designers to artists and technicians, every individual played a vital role in creating something truly extraordinary. With meticulous planning, testing, and adjustments taking place long beforehand to ensure everything was perfect.”
Eminem’s appearance comes just weeks after his mum, Debbie Nelson, tragically died after being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Last week, the rapper whose real name is Marshall Mathers returned to the stage seemingly with a subtle message.
He took to the stage at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, where he appeared to pay tribute to his mum by choosing not to rap the infamous lyric “F**k you, Debbie”. While fans continued to sing it, Eminem’s silence may have been louder than his words of grief could have ever been.
The mother and son had a mostly estranged relationship before her passing. The rapper appeared to use his music to help him process the emotions he felt toward her at times with the occasional brutal lyrics. Some even resulted in a defamation lawsuit filed by Debbie, where she sought $10 million in compensation and caused even more of a divide between them. Debbie’s defamation case was settled, with the majority of the $25,000 she won going toward her legal fees
British Actor Jude Law’s mother died just after he found out that he was to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The 51-year-old actor had to push back his unveiling ceremony on the Los Angeles tourist spot because his mum Maggie had passed away, but noted that the honour served as a “final gift” from her amid his grief. He told People: “It’s been actually quite a long process because I found out and was originally going to have the service a couple of weeks back.
“And actually, I lost my mum. So we had to delay it. But in a very odd way as a kind of final gift, it meant that a few more of my family could actually be here. So honestly, the whole event has been quite an emotional experience, and obviously just a very personal occasion and really touching.”
But The Holiday star – who shares children Rafferty, 28, Iris, 24, and Rudy, 22, with ex-wife Sadie Frost, alongside Sophia, 15, with ex Samantha Burke, Ada, nine, with Catherine Harding, and two young children with his current wife Phillipa Coan – noted that his family were a great deal of support during the sensitive moment.
He said: “They were just lovely. I mean, they’re always so supportive and loving. We are very lucky to have each other, but they’re my backbone.” Jude, who played a young Albus Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, did not address the passing of his mother directly in his speech at the ceremony, but did reveal that his parents instilled a passion for film in him.
He said: “I had a mother who showed me the great silent movies and comedies and musicals and dramas of the Hollywood Golden Era, American new wave [and] foreign movies. And I had a dad who took me in the ’70s and ’80s to blockbuster movies where we ate our bodyweight in popcorn and chocolate.”
When Jude’s star was unveiled, he gave a humble speech thanking all of those who’d helped in reach the heights of Hollywood, alongside sharing his gratefulness for his loved ones. “Unlike playing an instrument or writing or painting, you can’t act alone. It’s a frustrating side of the job, but the need to collaborate is very much at the heart of the medium’s biggest reward,” he said.
“And some of you here, and many, many others that I’ve collaborated with over 30 years, people who I’ve learned from and been encouraged by, guided by, inspired by – they’re the reason I have this star. I’ve been very, very lucky to have had a family around me that have lived with and supported my passion for acting and filmmaking, and some of those members of my lovely family are here today. They know what they mean to me, I love them so much.”
When it comes to making a style statement, nobody does it better than actress and fashion it girl Sienna Miller, who has regularly delighted fans with her keen eye for outfits since first barrelling onto our screens in the 00s. However, as well as packing a sartorial punch, the star’s latest outfit has actually served as a subtle nod to her brand new role, alongside King Charles himself.
On December 12, the 42 year old actress was officially announced as the latest star to be joining forces with the monarch as an ambassador for his charity, The King’s Foundation. Founded in 1990, The King’s Foundation is dedicated to fostering communities and transforming lives both in the UK and abroad, and advocates for the change His Majesty wants to see in the world.
Cutting across a range of sectors, disciplines and levels, The King’s Foundation represents areas where The King has been decades ahead of the curve, including in education and sustainability, farming and agriculture, traditional arts and crafts, health and wellbeing, and architecture and urbanism.
Sienna Miller teased her new role with a stunning blue jumpsuit crafted by students ( Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
Sienna Miller is the latest star to have joined the King’s Foundation, following in the footsteps of David Beckham who joined back in June ( Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
Born in New York, but raised in London, Miller holds a personal and vested interest in the core values of the foundation, and hopes to champion key causes close to her heart ahead of the charity’s 35th anniversary next year. According to the foundation, textiles and textile production are two key areas she hopes to contribute to.
Alongside the announcement, which came during The King’s Foundation’s annual Christmas carol service at St. Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge, Sienna also played a starring role in the proceedings when she read Sir John Betjeman’s iconic “Christmas” alongside Angelica Ellis, an embroidery graduate from The King’s Foundation and CHANEL Metiers d’art Embroidery Fellowship.
However it was her outfit choice that also paid homage to her new role with the charity, as it was designed by The King’s Foundation’s textiles students themselves! Miller looked sensational in an elegant navy double-breasted herringbone jumpsuit which she accessorised with a pair of red open-toed heels and a matching red clutch bag for the occasion.
Actress Sienna Miller delivers a reading during the King’s Foundation Carol Concert at St Paul’s Church ( Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
Reflecting on her new role, she endearingly gushed that she was “thrilled” to be an ambassador “for an organisation with such an important ethos – looking to our natural world to create a better future for our planet.”
She also went on to add: “I am particularly looking forward to exploring my interest in textiles and textile production, which the Foundation has so much expertise in. I’m excited to support the huge range of hands-on opportunities for young people to develop their talents in the sector and see the amazing things they go on to next.”
Sienna is just one of several high profile stars to have joined the foundation in recent months, as she follows hot on the heels of footballing legend David Beckham who joined back in June.
Gregg Wallace has allegedly told his friends he is “f****d” while expressing his fears that he will be sacked from MasterChef once the investigation into harassment and groping claims ends.
The 60-year-old judge has stepped away from presenting the cookery show after producer Banijay UK announced it would be launching an external review into historical allegations of misconduct. He has denied any wrongdoing as his lawyers said “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
However, after coming under fire in recent weeks, Wallace has “quietly conceded” that he has “lost everything” and knows that there is a possibility he will be fired from MasterChef, a source has claimed. The unnamed source added that the judge knows he will have to “step aside” and “has come to terms with it.”
A source claimed the judge has conceded he has ‘lost everything’ ( BBC)
Speaking to The Sun, the source said: “Gregg’s conceded he has lost everything. To put it bluntly, he’s told people, ‘I’m f***ed’. He came out swinging but he has quietly conceded that he knows his time on MasterChef is over and that he will be stepping aside. He has contested the sexual allegations and insisted any jokes he made were just jokes. He said he never meant to cause any offence. Gregg has been under a huge amount of pressure since the allegations came to light and tried his best to fight his corner.”
The newspaper also mentioned another source who claimed that while the probe is ongoing, John Torode will stay on MasterChef and a female will step into Wallace’s role. They said: “MasterChef is a juggernaut of a show and the wheels don’t stop turning. Not long after the probe into Gregg’s conduct, casting started for the celebrity series. While the probe is ongoing, it has been made clear to production that John is going to be staying and that a female will step into Gregg’s role.”
“The BBC and Banijay UK have now spoken to a number of different individuals and they know they must be seen to take action. Gregg knows the time will come when he has to step aside and as much as that pains him, it seems he has come to terms with it.”
Last week, Banijay UK – the producers of MasterChef – said in a statement: “It is important to note, that MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors. These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously. HR contact details are promoted, and contributors are assigned a point of contact on set available to discuss any issues or concerns.”
Meanwhile, BBC bosses said the corporation will not “tolerate behaviour that falls below the standards we expect” and will continue to champion “a culture that is kind, inclusive and respectful.” In the message sent to staff by the corporation’s director-general Tim Davie, and Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer, on Friday last week, they further said that they would be supporting Banijay UK with their investigation and added: “It is critical that every part of the BBC upholds our values including where companies are working with us.”
A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror: “In recent days there has been concerning allegations made via the media about the alleged conduct of Gregg Wallace many of which relate to shows made for the BBC. These media stories are running alongside an independent investigation, which was instigated after formal complaints were made direct to the BBC and were referred to Banijay UK for further investigation. We would like to thank those who have had the courage to speak out. It can be hard to come forward, but we want to assure everyone who does that we will treat anything raised with us with the greatest possible care.
“Banijay UK launched the review because they have the direct contractual relationship with Gregg Wallace. He is not employed by the BBC. When issues have been raised with the BBC we have taken action, referring issues to the relevant production company and challenging his behaviour directly as has been widely reported.
“We hope Banijay UK’s independent investigation can be concluded rigorously and as swiftly as possible. We want the review to follow due process and ensure fairness to all involved. We will provide whatever assistance we can to the investigation. We are already running our own review into workplace culture. It is vital that we have an industry that is not only committed to the highest standards of behaviour and conduct, but that is reflected in people’s experiences. We have always been clear that should people want to raise issues with the BBC, they will be taken very seriously.”
The Mirror has contacted Gregg Wallace’s representative for comment.
It’s something Beatles fans thought they would never hear again – Sir Paul McCartney and John Lennon harmonising on stage.
And Sir Paul has admitted it is “very emotional” to play new Beatles track Now And Then on his current tour – because it is a “John song” and so it feels wonderful to be singing with him.
Now and Then was released at the end of 2023, after a recording process that started in the late Seventies with a John Lennon demo, and ended with Ringo Starr and Sir Paul in the studio in 2022 finishing the song. It has been described as the last ever Beatles song and after wowing fans the world over on release, it now has two Grammy nominations.
Sir Paul has been including it in all his sets on his Got Back world tour and speaking for the first time about playing it, he says: “It’s really great. When you introduce a new song, even though it’s an old song, like ‘Now and Then’, the first reaction is, people aren’t quite sure what it is or what you’re doing.
“But during the run of the concerts, they get the idea. The word gets out on the internet, you know. So now the reaction is really strong, and for us it’s great to play because it’s a nice song to play, and for me, it’s particularly great because it’s a John song. And so it’s very emotional for me. I love it. I love doing it, and the audience seem to love it too.”
Paul McCartney performing on the Got Back tour in Bogota
Paul is talking having just returned to the UK after being on the road since October with his Got Back Tour going to South America and round Europe. He and his band, who have been together 22 years, will end the year with four homecoming gigs, kicking off this weekend in Manchester and then moving onto more sold out shows in London.
Aside from his Glastonbury headline set in 2022, and an intimate warm-up gig the night before in nearby Frome, these are the Beatles legend’s first UK dates since 2018. Paul said: “Manchester is like, you know, next to my old hometown. It’s a great city, and we love it really.
“So that’s going to be good to be there. And then London, we finish it up around Christmas time. So that’s exciting. We’re looking forward to London, and then that will finish this tour, and we’ll all be very glad to have a nice Christmas holiday.” Looking back over the year he highlights some particularly enjoyable shows in October and those close to him who have been on the road say it is clear he still loves playing live, treating fans to shows lasting nearly three hours every night with over 35 songs.
“The audiences in South America are insanely wonderful,” he says, having played 15 shows there to over 500,000 people. And they are so keen and crazy that we have a party every time we play to them. So it’s been great.” More recently he has played Paris and Madrid to incredible ovations, with fans aware that the chance to see the iconic 82-year-old does not come around too often these days.
And with 12 Beatles studio albums, 26 solo albums and 22 UK number ones to his name, he has also answered the question of how you manage to choose a set list each night. Aside from perhaps some obvious hits which must stay on heavy rotation, he still likes to be inspired by culture and the world around him.
In the tour programme, Sir Paul writes: “If I see a movie and then hear one of my songs in it, I think: ‘Oh, I should do that one.’ Sometimes it will give me the impetus to actually look at that song and think of doing it. It may even just be someone saying to me, ‘Oh, I love that song of yours,’ and you go, ‘Oh…’ They love it enough for me to think, ‘Yeah, I should do that, just for you.’
“There are songs that some people say, ‘Oh, I love that one,’ and it makes a difference. That’s always happened. One of my own Wings albums, I’ll be thinking, ‘Well, it didn’t do too well, so maybe it wasn’t that good,’ and then you find some kids are playing the hell out of it saying, ‘This is a great album,’ so it gets me back into it.”
Paul’s fans will hear him sing some of The Beatles’ biggest hits ( PA Wire/PA Images)
He adds: “I’ll just hear it at a random place like you say, on the radio, at a party, and decide to include it. That’s always a good feeling, it’s like a little light bulb moment “ding, eurika” we should definitely try that one. That is often the way I decide how to do things, or decide what to do. You work on the setlist over time, and you finally feel you get it to a place where it’s working well. That’s how we all feel on the tour now – and it looks like the audiences agree!”
One downside of social media is fans coming to see the tour have had a good idea of the show they are going to see and especially what it will look like. As with all music gigs these days, thousands of phones are out to record the songs, perhaps even more so when it is a Beatle on stage.
But Sir Paul, who will be supported at the UK gigs by friends and family including wife Nancy McCartney, does his best to keep an element of surprise, so fans coming to the shows in the coming days won’t know exactly what to expect apart from some huge singalong hits.
He says: “On the first night we can pull some surprises, but then the minute that gets on social media… It’s like the old comedians who used to complain that their jokes got told, so the next people who saw them knew the jokes. I approach every show and every audience in a slightly different way depending on the location of the show, so I suppose that’s the way I change it up a little bit.
“You’ll see your set list published and we’ll go, ‘Right, we’re gonna change it!’ We keep trying to be ahead of the guy who’s giving the game away. I would like it much better if people had no idea what they were coming to see, but the only answer to that is for us to make changes occasionally. So if he said, ‘They open up with this song,’ we’ll go, ‘Let’s open up with a different song,’ just to prove them wrong.”
Recent opening songs he’s played include Can’t Buy Me Love in Madrid and Hard Days Night in Paris, so whatever he chooses for Manchester, I’ve got a feeling Beatles fans won’t need much encouragement to sing along.
* Sir Paul McCartney’s Got Back tour ends in the UK with two dates at the Manchester Co-Op Live followed by two shows at London’s O2 Arena next week. New documentary Beatles 64 is out now on Disney+
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Five suspects who are being investigated over Liam Payne’s death are set to learn if they will be prosecuted early in the New Year.
The One Direction star fell to his death aged 31 on October 31. The tragedy happened at the Casa Sur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Judge Laura Bruniard now has ten days to decide whether the suspects should face charges as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, or if the case against them should be closed. The two hotel employees who last week became the latest of the five men now under official investigation are set to be questioned over Zoom next week. It’s thought this will happen between December 17 and 19 defence lawyers will be present.
The court quiz dates of the original three suspects, who include Liam’s alleged drug dealer, have not yet been made public. It’s expected that by the time the judge makes her decision, she will have received expert reports drafted following analysis of mobile phones and computers that belong to the suspects and witnesses.
The judge is also said to be hoping to have received missing CCTV footage that could show the moment the tragic singer hit his head on the concrete base of a giant sunshade on a restaurant terrace underneath his room. Local reports claim there is a hard drive thought to contain the footage. It’s claimed this was handed in by restaurant bosses – but the video has yet to be located and incorporated into the case files.
Liam Payne’s death is under investigation ( Getty Images)
At the start of the week Judge Bruniard demanded police cybercrime specialists carry out “22 examinations of different phones and computers” confiscated from witnesses and suspects during prosecutor-requested raids. The orders followed the reactivation of the stalled investigation after a successful appeal by lead prosecutor Andres Madrea against the judge’s decision last month to rule herself out of the criminal probe on a technicality.
She had claimed the case had to be investigated by a conventional Buenos Aires court under Argentinian law because one of the allegations was Liam, 31, had been abandoned before his October 16 death at the Casasur Palermo Hotel. Mr Madrea’s submission that her decision was “premature” was accepted at the start of last week by a higher court.
Earlier, a toxicology report shed light on the singer’s final moments, with experts sharing a devastating find about his horror fall. On November 7,a report from the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Officedetermined that traces of “alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants” had been found in Liam’s system. Officials also ruled out suicide, explaining that “in the state he was in, he did not know what he was doing and could not understand it”.
