Category News

The closure of grassroots music venues is threatening to derail the British music industry, warns The K’s frontman Jamie Boyle ahead of a landmark performance at Hillsborough Stadium

Indie band The K’s admit it’s harder for unsigned bands as grassroots venues face further closures. The band from Earlestown, located between Manchester and Liverpool are today playing The Sarah Nulty main stage at Tramlines Festival in Sheffield, enjoying the recent release of their second album, Pretty On The Internet.

“We’re well excited,” said frontman Jamie Boyle. Speaking to the Mirror from Hillsborough Stadium, he went on to add: “As soon as we finished our first album, our minds were set on the second.”

Last year, their debut album reached Number Three, being beaten by Beyoncé and The Libertines. But should their album get to number one, what would it mean for the band?

“It means everything to us. We’d love it. We said yesterday when we did our album release show, there’s still one box I haven’t ticked for my first album campaign, as amazing as it was but to finally tick that box and get that Number One accolade to our name.

“But regardless, as long as we keep doing what we’re doing for a living, making music we love, that’s all that matters but a Number One, would be that cherry on the top.”

Prior to the record being released, four tracks racked up an impressive four million streams, something the band struggled to get their heads around.

“I think when you see it on paper, you don’t even think about it until you have to,” said guitarist Ryan Breslin. He added: “It’s unfathomable the number itself, you see it on paper and then you sit down and think how many people know these songs, it’s crazy. I don’t think you can actually visualise that community, so all that put into context, it’s class.

“As long as people keep listening, as long as everything keeps going down so well, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing, hopefully it stays that way for a while.”

However, they admit that during the creation of the record, they learned to mainly focus on nothing but the album process. “Don’t let anything cloud our vision,” they added.

But having worked their way up the industry for the past decade, bassist Dexter commented: “It’s been a lot of hard work over the past ten, seven years. It’s been quite hard work. Obviously we’re getting to these stages, it’s kind of like the fruits coming out of the trees now. It has been hard work but it’s served us well.”

More recently, the band have launched a pop-up shop in their hometown to celebrate the release of their album, with Ryan admitting it was “cool” to meet the people who have supported them over the years and seen their rise to success.

He went on to add: “The streams on Spotify, it’s hard to kind of comprehended when you’ve got 100 people still in a shop buying your albums. Yeah, it’s a good feeling.”

Living between Manchester and Liverpool has been a huge help for the band. “You get more doors open for you when you live between massive music scenes. There are more venues on your doorstep, which is why it’s such a shame. See so many closing doors on a lot of the venues that we started off playing aren’t there anymore. Theres a lot of focus on keeping them open now which I hope succeeds.”

One of the venues the band have played the most was The Leadmill, Ryan said: “There’s just something in the water.” Speaking about their set at Tramlines, drummer Nathan said: “We can’t wait I think was an extra buzz as well obviously, because we just dropped the album. So I think it’s just going to be a little extra special on stage for us and for the fans as well.”

Jamie added: “I think it’s going to be f**king mint. I think it’s going to rock.”

Jade Thirlwall, the former Little Mix star, put on a show to remember as she reconnected with her North East roots to create BBC Proms history.

Jade Thirlwall made an emotional return to her native North East with a powerful and intimate performance for BBC Proms. The former Little Mix star, 32, admitted she had gone “full circle” as she took to the stage at Gateshead’s exquisite venue, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, on Friday night.

It marked the South Shields star’s first welcome home as a solo artist over a decade after catapulting to fame after her X Factor success. And the show she put on for her adoring fans was nothing short of spectacular.

After being introduced to the stage by Radio 1’s Greg James, Jade gave the crowd a show to remember on the history-making occasion. Accompanied throughout by the immensely talented Royal Northern Sonfonia, who were superbly orchestrated by Robert Ames, Jade’s tunes had an added twist to them.

She mixed things up with beautiful covers, medleys, and even her own songs, which was entertaining. Oh, and of course, one of her favorite Little Mix numbers, which the orchestra made even more special.

The setting, which is situated along the banks of the River Tyne, made for Jade’s potent vocals. The talented vocalist impressed with covered songs that meant a lot to her, as well as her own significant tracks like Plastic Box, FUFN, and Angel of My Dreams.

She then performed one of her top three Little Mix numbers to the audience after opening with Madonna’s Frozen. She belted out Sweet Melody with the backing of the sinfonia, expressing how she had “waited years for this moment.”

Before she dedicated a Clubland medley to her brother Karl, who was present, she might have the evening’s performance soon after. Jade gave a flawless and mesmerizing performance of Sam Fender’s Remember My Name in a tribute to the “King of the North.”

Before Jade teased up while explaining the sentimental significance of her choice, the emotional number had the audience crying. She revealed that the song had been played at a friend’s funeral just weeks ago, breaking her voice.

The crowd overwhelmingly praised the open confession, some of whom yelled “Gush over their “Angel of the North.”

Between the tunes, Jade continued to give praise to her north-eastern roots whenever she saw the need, including her love of homemade dumplings and mince. And as she sipped her tea, she happily responded to crowd adoration outbursts of adoration.

At the end of the night, she also had time to pack her last surprise, but she insisted that phones be kept in tact and kept the moment private. Fans will definitely enjoy a treat, let’s just say!

The Proms was the first time a Proms had been recorded for television outside of London, despite the fact that it was being broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 that night and will return on BBC Radio 1 on Sunday.

The night’s occasion started with DJ Becky Woodcock’s upbeat DJ set, before Middlesbrough’s Finn Forster impressed with a stage warm-up performance. Finn would not have looked out of place when he had led his own show that night, his dulcet tones and clever songwriting captivated the audience with a stripped-back acoustic performance while also displaying his vocal prowess.

However, there were other opportunities for the Proms in the area. The BBC Proms had four days of live music playing throughout the North East that night. The Glasshouse in Gateshead is reflected in a region that is on the rise musically and culturally, including Jade’s. Additionally, on Thursday, Music City Sunderland, the newly crowned Music City Sunderland, held its very first BBC Proms performance at The Fire Station.

However, tonight reinforced Jade’s enormous vocal range by dominating the solo performance and having everyone watch her in her palm. An artist was proud to return to her roots in a fiercely passionate display that pulled back the layers. She also discovered the perfect opportunity to demand that the government provide funding for the arts on a stage she first graced as a 15-year-old novice.

This story, do you like? Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads for more latest news and gossip.

READ MORE: Olivia Attwood stuns in flattering yellow top for This Morning presenting debut