The Week in Light & Sound
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Speaking about the announcement, Kylie said: "I am beyond thrilled to be honoured with the global icon award and to be joining a roll call of such incredible artists. The UK has always been a home from home so the Brits have a very special place in my heart. I have some amazing memories from the awards over the years and I can't wait to be back on the Brits stage."
The Brits icon award is the highest accolade given by the award organisers and is "reserved for truly exceptional artists". In 2021, Taylor Swift became the first woman to win the prestigious award. Previous winners include Sir Elton John, David Bowie and Robbie Williams.
Half-Time Show - Usher delivered a hit-heavy half-time show at Sunday's Super Bowl - with help from will.i.am, Alicia Keys, Ludacris and a pair of roller skates. A disclaimer shown before the performance jokingly warned viewers it may cause "singing, dancing, sweating, gyrating, and possible relationship issues". It would go on to deliver on all fronts.
Dressed in all-white and surrounded by a swarm of energetic dancers, Usher emerged on the stage at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and launched straight into one of his best-known songs, Caught Up. Before the show, Usher admitted it had been "a challenge to squeeze 30 years in to 13 minutes". But the singer did an admirable job of cramming in as many of his most recognisable songs as possible.
Elbow’s Back - Elbow has been announced as the fourth headline act for a series of outdoor summer concerts in Shropshire. Ludlow Castle will host the band on Friday 26 July, in between gigs from James, Madness and Anne-Marie. Elbow will be supported by Villagers, Nadine Shah and Katherine Priddy. The venue was recently given permission to increase the number of gigs there from four to eight each summer.
The expansion was proposed in the wake of a successful concert series in 2023, featuring Rag'n'Bone Man, Kaiser Chiefs, Nile Rodgers & Chic and Bastille. Business groups said the events had boosted visitor numbers to the town, with about 7,000 concert-goers at each one.
Standon Off - The organisers of an annual music festival have announced this year's event has been cancelled. Standon Calling founder and director Alex Trenchard blamed the rising costs of running the Hertfordshire festival. It follows reports that performers and caterers at the 2023 event had still not been paid, despite tickets for the 2024 festival being on sale. Trenchard said: "the only sensible decision is to take a fallow year for the very first time in our history.” He said those who had bought tickets for the cancelled event could use them in 2025. Those who chose to rollover their ticket, instead of requesting a refund, would also receive an additional ticket for next year's event, he said. The line-up for this year's event had not been announced, but previous events have featured artists including George Ezra, Lewis Capaldi and Florence & The Machine.
(Jim Evans)
13 February 2024
