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Live Updates

Georgie Rogers & Paul Glynn

All times stated are UK

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  1. What a day

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    Like new Radio 1 brekkie show host Greg James in his new job we've learned a lot today.

    Scroll down for news of Nicki Minaj calling out Travis Scott for foul chart play, a pair of total Motown legends paying tribute to Aretha Franklin and a tearful Ariana Grande discussing her new song about not giving in after the Manchester bomb attack.

    Plus Liam Gallagher and Richard Ashcroft join forces to send out a powerful message of their own and plenty of Green Man action from the likes of King Gizzard, Jane Weaver and Phoebe Bridgers.

    We'll have more where that came from tomorrow.

    So see you then.

  2. Marilyn Manson collapses on stage

    Marilyn Manson

    The shock rocker cut short his set in Houston, Texas last night, telling the crowd he was suffering from "heat poisoning", according to the Houston Press.

    Footage online shows Mason stumbling backwards and collapsing during his cover of Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).

    He seems to be OK now though and later thanked fans for their understanding.

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  3. Phoebe Bridgers: There's a real space for young girls in music right now

    Paul Glynn

    Music News LIVE reporter

    Phoebe Bridgers

    So we went down to the woods of Green Man Festival and found US country-folk singer Phoebe Bridgers there waiting for us.

    The nature-loving singer/songwriter is in her element on her first ever European tour and was pretty chuffed too to have been nominated recently for three AIM awards (track, album and breakthrough).

    "I don’t think I've ever really been nominated for anything before so I'm very, very, very, excited," she beamed.

    Motion Sickness from her 2017 breakthrough album, Stranger in the Alps, caught the ears of the panel and you can check it out below. Why then does she think they opted for that particular one in their 10-strong list of best tracks of the year.

    "I don’t know because it's such a private process but I love that people relate to it in their own way and interpret it, that’s cool," said Phoebe.

    Quote Message: And with the album I made this thing and kind of didn’t think about what was going to happen afterwards. I had no idea that it was going to reach an audience like this.
    Quote Message: Having people for who English isn’t their first language sing my words back to me is one of my favourite things.
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    Bridgers, alongside the likes of Dream Wife and Hinds and many more, has been campaigning to make gigs safe spaces for girls.

    She said she loves being "part of a community" that is being "revitalised".

    "It definitely feels like a lot of woman have a hunger to make it clear that music is for young girls and women.

    Quote Message: It's such a weird thing to me that people try to skew bands as being bad by saying only teenage girls like that band and the opposite for boys.

    She went on: "Like Nirvana... huge teen boy fandom band and The White Stripes - kid boys love those bands.

    "Then Carly Rae Jepsen or Bright Eyes - people are like 'they suck because teen girls like that band' and I'm like 'what's wrong with that?'

    "And it feels like that’s really changing and there's a real space for young girls in music right now and that’s awesome."

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    The guitarist, who performed in all white at the intimate Walled Stage on Saturday evening, also explained how she became part of an impromptu mini country-folk supergroup, alongside Mumford & Sons, at Newport Folk Festival a few weeks ago.

    "That was so weird - I kind of have no idea.

    "They reached out to me literally the day of the festival.

    "Marcus was like 'do you know this Radiohead song [All I Need]?' and I was like 'yeah'.

    "It was really trippy as it was the first day of meeting them all and they whisked me on stage - crazy."

    Enough to give you the bends.

  4. Lana Del Rey defends Israel show: Music is universal

    Lana Del Rey

    Lana Del Rey has hit back at critics defending her decision to perform at Meteor festival in Israel this week.

    She tweeted: “I believe music is universal and should be used to bring us together…

    "Performing in Tel Aviv is not a political statement or a commitment to the politics there, just like singing here in California doesn’t mean my views are in alignment [with] my current government’s opinions or sometimes inhuman actions.”

    In response The Palestine Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel issued a statement urging the singer "to reconsider."

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    New Zealand singer Lorde faced a similar reaction when she booked a gig in Tel Aviv but later backed down cancelling it saying: "I didn't make the right call on this one".

    Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and Roger Waters showed their support for Lorde in an open letter.

    The conversation about artists performing in Israel is still very politicised.

    Roger Waters, Lauryn Hill and Elvis Costello have boycotted Israel over in recent years.

    But there are also plenty of artists who have played Tel Aviv, the likes of Justin Bieber, Elton John, Guns N' Roses and Lady Gaga.

    Radiohead went ahead with their performance there in 2017. Frontman Thom Yorke argued that "playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing its government … We don’t endorse Netanyahu any more than Trump, but we still play in America.

    “Music, art and academia is about crossing borders not building them, about open minds not closed ones, about shared humanity, dialogue and freedom of expression.”

  5. Green Man: What makes you green?

    Paul Glynn

    Music News LIVE reporter

    Video content

    Video caption: Green Man: Stars tell us what makes them green

    In keeping with the hippy vibe up in the Welsh mountains, we asked a selection of the music stars what makes them green?

    Some interpreted 'green' to mean eco-friendly.

    For others it meant envy, naivety or even Incredible Hulk-esque anger.

    There's no real right answer... but there are some funny ones.

    Watch above.

  6. Tom Waits makes rare appearance at Jack White gig

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    We don't see all that much of Tom Waits in the press.

    He duetted with Mavis Staples in 2017 and appeared on David Letterman in 2015, before the long-running show finished.

    However, last Thursday, he showed up to Jack White's Boarding House Reach tour in San Francisco.

    It seems Waits did his best Fagin impression nipping off with White's watch.

    A post on Jack White's official Instagram account read: "Tom Waits came to Jack White’s performance in San Francisco and made all the musicians in the band confirm and pay testament to their love of the religion of music.

    "He also stole jacks watch. A million thanks and tributes to Saint Tom from Jack and the band."

    Watch out White!

    Sorry not sorry - pun intended.

  7. Jane Weaver: I've got 'pure work' waiting for me

    Singer enjoys down time at Green Man before upcoming solo tour

    Paul Glynn

    Music News LIVE reporter

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    Of all the acts on at Green Man this year, few squeezed as much fun out of the festival as Jane Weaver.

    The singer brought her entire family - fresh from a holiday in Mallorca - along for the whole weekend, spun a few records on Green Man Radio and generally soaked up the vibes before performing alongside her band on the Sunday.

    Jane, who's been to practically every Green Man since it began 16 years ago, planned to take it easy with her family this time around but suggested to us on Saturday afternoon that she was suspicious certain other members of her band might have had other ideas.

    (We're looking at you keyboard player probably Raz).

    "I hear of some friends who are coming in at six in the morning and I can't do that anymore", said Jane.

    "And also because our gig is on Sunday you have to pace yourself.

    "So I’ll be taking it easy tonight anyway, I can't speak for other members of the band who I've got my eye on, saying 'don't be going missing or anything like that'.

    "I had two of his friends coming up to me last night saying 'oh make sure he gets to that stage on Sunday'.

    "I was like 'yeah or else he'll get sacked!'

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    Jane played tracks from her last album, 2017's Modern Kosmology and says she's already started planning its follow-up.

    Once festival season is over she'll give the band a rest and embark on a solo tour entitled Loops in the Secret Society, which entails her performing on her own using backing tracks made of vinyl dub plates.

    Not as simple as it sounds.

    "I used to do it in a basic way in around 2010" Jane explained, "and it's kind of stressful."

    "It's great having a band and everyone plays their bit, then to do a solo tour I didn’t want to stand up on my own and play guitar.

    Quote Message: I've kind of challenged myself and now I'm like 'what the hell have I done?'
    Quote Message: I've absolutely wrapped myself up in knots. But I'm kind of looking forward to the challenge of it and it will be an audio visual thing.

    She added: "I'm enjoying festival season but when I get back I've got pure work to do.

    "Pure rehearsals, mapping it out.

    "It wont be just having a few ciders and going on stage jumping around.

    "It's going to take a lot of concentration and notes, etc."

    Maybe just the one cider then?

  8. Backstreet Boys fans hurt in Oklahoma storm

    Backstreet Boys

    At least 14 Backstreet Boys fans have been injured after a metal structure at an outdoor concert venue collapsed in a storm in the US state of Oklahoma.

    Staff were evacuating fans when rain and winds of 70-80mph (113-128 kph) knocked over the concert entrance trusses, the venue said in a statement.

    All of the people injured were taken to hospital. Some have since been released.

    In a tweet, the US band cancelled the show, saying: "We never want to put our fans in harm's way."

    Read more.

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  9. Paris Jackson apologises over Harper's Bazaar Singapore cover

    Paris Jackson

    Paris Jackson has apologised for appearing on the cover of Harper's Bazaar Singapore.

    It comes after an article criticised the model for appearing on the title in a country where homosexuality is illegal.

    The star took down an Instagram post of the cover, saying: "I don't want to be hypocritical or hurt anyone."

    The daughter of the late Michael Jackson confirmed to her fans last month she is bisexual.

    The 20-year-old's appearance on the September issue of Harper's Bazaar in Singapore saw her labelled "hypocritical" in an op-ed by Gay Star News' entertainment editor.

    Read more.

  10. Green Man: King Gizzard ascend to the headliner throne

    Aussie band join elite club of major UK festival headliners with mercurial debut

    Paul Glynn

    Music News LIVE reporter

    King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

    King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard hit the Green Man crowd with an all-out attack on the senses on Friday evening to mark their first ever major UK festival headline performance.

    The psych-rock Aussie seven piece - complete with two drummers facing each other, playing in tandem - ripped through a blistering set on the Mountain's Foot stage in the heart of Wales' beautiful Brecon Beacons

    Seattle indie folk band Fleet Foxes and Philadelphia shoegazers The War on Drugs topped the bill on the same stage the next two nights at the 25,000 capacity event.

    Speaking before their set, Gizzard frontman Stu Mackenzie told Music News LIVE that they were humbled to see their biggest of names in the biggest of fonts on the festival poster but didn't plan on doing that much different.

    "It's kind of a spin out, we definitely don't feel overly worthy," he said.

    "We’re gonna be having fun just jamming doing the same thing.

    "I think you’ve just got to get out there and do your thing.

    "The outdoor shows, you’ve got to vibe it a little bit differently and you play to that a little bit.

    "But more or less it's just put on a show, let’s go!"

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    At the end of 2016 the band caused a stir by announcing their plan to release FIVE albums the following year.

    They managed it with just days to spare, with the release of the typically wonderfully-named Gumboot Soup on New Year's Eve.

    Talk about cutting it fine...

    Stu says he enjoyed the whole process, which came about as he felt he had (initially) four very distinct batches of songs that did not fit together and required "sibling songs" around them.

    But he admits he was pretty wiped out by the end of it.

    "Last year was amazing, we were so busy and we did make a lot of records.

    "It was kind of maximum, we’re at the limit of extremities here.

    Quote Message: It was completely self-inflicted and we were doing a lot of recording on the road, overdubbing stuff in a bus. We were recording harmonica in the channel tunnel! Recording at the venue before the show started - which was kind of fun.
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    "But it was around December when the songs for Gumboot Soup existed and it was just about making them studio recordings."

    He added: "It was like Christmas day and I was in the [Melbourne] studio and I was like 'what the hell am I doing?'

    "Those final days were so ridiculous."

    The final track of a ridiculous year's worth of recording, entitled I'm Sleeping, got finished after Christmas.

    The title left little doubt as to the mental state of the prolific songwriter, while most of his bandmates were on holiday or enjoying the festivities with their families.

    "I was listening back to the almost finished record – and it was so close to the end of the year and we said we were gonna put it out but the record was not done.

    Quote Message: It needed another song, so I recorded I'm Sleeping in on one of the last days and it's so literal... It's just like, 'I'm so tired, I cannot wait to sleep in. I'm gonna record this song and finish it and then go to bed for January!'

    As a result of their Herculean efforts in the studio in 2017, the band have - rather sensibly - been concentrating on playing those songs live as much as possible and to as many people as they can this year.

    "When the year was up we just thought 'let's try and play a a lot of shows this year, try play everywhere, get to places we've never been - just switch gear.'

    "We've been on tour pretty much constantly and it's been great.

    "This year has been about clearing space to make room for whatever will happen next."

    What it is we can't wait to hear it.

    Stu and his pals are now a big name band in every sense.

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    Aside from the Motorik sounds of The Gizzards (or The Lizards / Wizards if you prefer) and plenty of great folk/country music, the weekend also saw a memorable performance from Arctic Monkeys producer James Ford's electronic outfit Simian Mobile Disco, backed by the incredible Deep Throat Choir, on the Far Out Stage.

    They played tracks from their collab album Murmurations to a packed tent of ravers and you can check out a heavenly snippet above.

    London indie band The Big Moon were not performing over the weekend but were spotted delivering messages to people's tents, in their newfound role as official Green Man 'posties'.

    Green Man
    Image caption: The Green Man gets it

    Elsewhere the likes of Baxter Dury, Goat Girl, Alex Cameron, Snail Mail and Jane Weaver all clearly enjoyed the hippy vibes of the festival before the green man himself met his inevitable fiery end on Sunday night.

    We caught up with them backstage and you can listen below to their tales of jazz falafels, 'Pleasantville', jet-lag and providing fun for the whole family.

    Listen back to Tom Ravenscroft's 6 Music show live from Green Man in full now.

    Video content

    Video caption: Green Man: 'The perfect festival to have a party at'
  11. 10 albums in Cat Power details new offering Wanderer

    Georgie Rogers

    BBC Music

    Video content

    Video caption: BBC Radio 6 Music's Georgie Rogers chats to Cat Power on her new album 'Wanderer'.

    Cat Power has given one of the first interviews since announcing her new album Wanderer, her first in six years.

    Speaking to BBC 6 Music, Chan Marshall discusses how "great, great love and great great loss" inspired her song-writing on the LP set for release on 5 October.

    Wanderer is her first album since 2012’s Sun and comes off the back of Marshall having her first child. Recorded in Miami and Los Angeles over the course of the last few years and produced entirely by Cat Power, it features guest vocals from friend and recent tour mate Lana Del Rey on Woman.

    Just last week Marshall shared the video for Woman.

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    Wanderer also includes a cover of Rihanna's Stay, which Marshall said in the interview made her cry the first time she heard it.

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    Moon Pix, Cat Power's fourth studio album, is celebrating it's 20th anniversary this year.

    She likened Wanderer to a highlight from 1998's Moon Pix, the song Metal Heart.

    Quote Message: When I wrote Metal Heart there was a place that I couldn't move from. Not trapped, but my choices were limited and there are different things we can do when we are forced to suck it up or kneel down or whatever.
    Quote Message: We have a choice to make and I think Metal Heart, just writing that song those were words from my subconscious forcing me to get up, to not choose to let any pain take me over.

    "That song was about a hymn to, even if you feel you are in the darkest, most alone corner of your life at that point I just knew that I wasn't."

    Marshall concluded: "I think my songs are always about knowing you are alone or something and that you have to create the choice out of that."

    Cat Power heads out on tour from September 15 with a gig at London's Roundhouse on October 23.

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  12. Nicki Minaj calls out Travis Scott (and Spotify) as Queen album debuts at No.2

    Nicki Minaj
    Image caption: Nicki Minaj: 'Queen's looking at you Travis Scott...'

    Second best is clearly first loser in Nicki's eyes...

    The Trinidad/US rapper criticised the roll out of Travis Scott's Astroworld album after her own record, Queen, only debuted at No.2 in the Billboard US album chart.

    Texan rapper Travis claimed another week in the top spot, where Nicki obviously feels she belongs. Astroworld sold 205,000 equivalent units, with 78,000 from traditional sales while Queen sold 185,000 units with 78,000 from traditional sales.

    Minaj said Scott only bagged pole position by selling 'Season Passes', giving fans pre-sale access to his tour if they bought the album.

    She wrote on her Twitter page: “Travis sold over 50K of these. With no requirement of redeeming the album! With no dates for a tour, etc. I spoke to him. He knows he doesn’t have the #1 album this week. I love my fans for the #1 album in AMERICA!”

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    In the UK, Queen went in at number five in the album charts and currently sits one place above Astroworld.

    The 35-year-old Barbie Dreams singer implied that Billboard are now looking into changing the US chart rules.

    Travis Scott
    Image caption: Travis Scott: 'Who's still number one?'
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    View more on twitter

    Meanwhile streaming service Spotify was also in the firing line, from the rapper/Apple Music DJ.

    Nicki alleged she was being punished for playing tracks from her record on her Beats 1 show Queen Radio 10 minutes before its release.

    Drake's Scorpion album, Nicki claims, was promoted heavily despite him presenting an Apple Radio show on the station, OVO Sound, since 2015.

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  13. Red Arrows help Greg James get off to flying start

    New Radio 1 breakfast show got underway today

    BBC Radio 1

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    The new Greg James Breakfast Show on Radio 1 is underway.

    Show #1 this morning featured a live report from comedian Joe Lycett as the Red Arrows performed a display to mark the occasion in the forecourt of the BBC's new Broadcasting House.

    Due to budget restraints they left the planes at base and opted for bicycles instead .

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    Calvin Harris was on the phone with Greg as well as listener Gemma, who named her cat after the Scots music producer.

    It turns out the hit-maker is a keen gardener and so the chat quickly turned to his watermelons. No really.

    It's clearly a dream job situation for the 32-year-old presenter, who has swapped slots with previous Breakfast host Nick Grimshaw.

    He opened proceedings by saying: "My name is Greg James and I love radio more than anything else in the whole world.

    "It is the best thing. It is there when you're happy, it's there when you're sad. It cheers you up, it makes you laugh, it sums up moments in your life.

    "This is the most famous radio show in the world and it's a privilege to share it with you every morning."

    Read more about the new Greg James Radio 1 Breakfast show here.

  14. Liam Gallagher and Richard Ashcroft join forces to honour Manchester attack victims

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    Liam Gallagher was joined on stage by his friend and fellow rock 'n' roll star Richard Ashcroft to honour the victims of last year's Manchester bombing at the city's Old Trafford Cricket Ground on Saturday.

    The Verve frontman joined Gallagher Jr on guitar and vocals at the end of the night for a poignant rendition of the Oasis classic Live Forever.

    An image of a worker bee - the symbol of the city - and the number 22 appeared on the screen to remember those who lost their lives after an Ariana Grande gig in 2017.

    Check out some fan-shot footage of the moving moment below.

    Scroll down this page to hear more from an emotional Ariana herself on her first new album since the tragedy, which came out on Friday.

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    View more on twitter
  15. Tearful Ariana Grande discusses Manchester Arena attack aftermath

    Beats 1

    Beats 1

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    Ariana Grande broke down during an emotional interview discussing the aftermath of the Manchester Arena terror attack.

    She detailed writing new album track Get Well Soon about "helping each other through scary times".

    Get Well Soon concludes her fourth album Sweetener and features 40 seconds of silence at the end to bring the running time to 5:22, marking the 22 May date last year when the bombing at the venue she'd just performed at killed 22 people.

    Speaking to Beats 1 she said: "It's about being there for each other and helping each other through scary times and anxiety."

    She added: “I just wanted to do something to make people feel good - and less alone.

    “I feel like the lyrics can be kind of corny when I talk about wanting to hug you and stuff, but I do."

    Grande continued to play her scheduled tour dates after the attack, including a hastily-arranged all-star One Love Manchester tribute concert.

    Speaking about that decision, the singer said:

    Quote Message: You try not to give in to fear because obviously, that’s the whole point of being here - that was the point of finishing my tour. You want to not be afraid, because of course, that’s what [the terrorists] want. If you give them that, then they’ve won.
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    “But the truth is, it’s scary. It’s scary going anywhere. You look at places differently.”

    The 25-year-old went on to underline the importance of mental health and how "people don't pay enough mind to it because we've things to do."

    Listen above to the emotionally-charged interview but before you do be warned that some swear words have been edited out.

    The Sweetener LP features Pharrell, Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott and a cameo from Madonna.

    Read more of the stories behind Ariana Grande's new songs.

  16. Detroit church remembers Aretha Franklin with special service

    Late soul singer's funeral also announced to be held next week

    A fan holds up albums outside the New Bethel Baptist Church to pay his respects to the late Aretha Franklin in Detroit

    Friends and fans of Aretha Franklin celebrated her life with a special service at her father's old Baptist church in her hometown Detroit this weekend.

    The funeral for the legendary singer - who died last week aged 76, following a battle with pancreatic cancer, will be held on August 31 in Detroit, after a two-day public viewing period, local media reported.

    The New Bethel Baptist Church - located in a pretty deprived neighbourhood of Detroit - has been the focus of tributes and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson led the service and talked about her life and her importance as a political figure.

    Aretha's father, C.L. Franklin, was a Baptist preacher, who in June 1963 helped Dr Martin Luther King organize the Walk to Freedom through downtown Detroit, only two months before his historic march on Washington and 'I Have a Dream' speech.

    Reverend Jackson recalled the time Dr King was facing bankruptcy and Aretha did an 11-city tour and gave all the money to him.

    Reverend Jesse Jackson
    Image caption: Reverend Jesse Jackson addresses the congregation
    Detroit church remembers Aretha Franklin with special service
    Detroit church remembers Aretha Franklin with special service

    Fellow US star Smokey Robinson spoke to the media for the first time since the news broke of the death of his childhood friend.

    He too emphasised the importance of her role as a civil rights hero.

    Listen below.

    Video content

    Video caption: Smokey Robinson on Aretha Franklin's role as a civil rights hero

    Another Motown legend Stevie Wonder has also been talking about his relationship with Aretha.

    Stevie visited her at her bedside days before she died and confirmed they had been planning on working together.

    Listen below.

    Video content

    Video caption: Stevie Wonder on visiting Aretha Franklin's bedside and how they planned to work together

    Read more: Why Aretha Franklin's Natural Woman still moves us, 50 years on

  17. Rise and shine everyone

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    Especially you Greg - you should be well awake by now.

    Coming up on Music News LIVE today:

    • The new Radio 1 breakfast show gets underway
    • Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson pay tribute to Aretha Franklin at a special church service
    • A tearful Ariana Grande on her new track dedicated to those affected by the Manchester attack
    • Richard Ashcroft joins Liam Gallagher on stage in is home city for a special tribute
    • Nicki Minaj calls out Travis Scott for foul play after her album Queen debuts at #2 behind his record Astroworld
    • Plus action and reaction from Green Man Festival in Wales' Brecon Beacons

    All that and much more throughout today so keep checking in with us.

    Check out the 5 Things We Learned Last Week and we'll get cracking.