66 h. ago ‘Who would not want to dance to Boogie Wonderland?’: Alison Balsom’s honest playlist

The classical trumpeter had her mind blown by Dizzy Gillespie and has a tin ear for karaoke. But which Christmas banger really grinds her gears?The first song I fell in love with When I was seven and I started playing the trumpet, my mum would take me to the library. They just happened to have Afro by Dizzy Gillespie, and I fell in love with Con Alma, which Dizzy plays on the trumpet with so much soul that it feels like a voice. I remember thinking: Wow, this is something else.The song I do at karaoke I can recognise the melodies in most songs because I have the ear of a musician. But I don’t really listen to the words – I feel having the words in front of me would throw me off, so I’ve never done karaoke. If I had to, I’d probably do an old classic like Crocodile Rock by Elton John. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago 'Trumpet Crumpet' Alison Balsom will retire after final gig at last Night of the Proms to spend more time with Skyfall director husband Sam Mendes and rest of her family

The musician, who is married to Skyfall director Sam Mendes, confirmed this would be her 'last night on stage'.

Politics

4 d. ago Trumpeter Alison Balsom to retire from performing after Last Night Of The Proms

Balsom will play the Hummel Trumpet Concerto in E flat major.

Politics

1 week ago Photos show ballerinas taking center stage on Bucharest’s iconic avenue Calea Victoriei

Ballerinas perform outside Romania’s National History Museum as part of Dance Night, a festival that brings a mix of dance styles to Bucharest’s Calea Victoriei iconic avenue.

Culture

1 week ago Travis Scott fans all have same reaction as rapper 'leaves early' at Leeds Festival

Leeds and Reading Festival is underway for the Bank Holiday weekend, however fans were left gobsmacked by what happened during the festival's first night as Travis Scott performed

Politics

2 w. ago Adam Thomas says 'was a first' as he melts fans' heart with adorable Manchester 'date night'

The 37-year-old actor shared his night at Wythenshawe Park to see Sam Fender perform live

Sport

2 w. ago Oasis Croke Park set list in full and performance times confirmed for night two

Oasis are gearing up for their second concert at Dublin's Croke Park later tonight, and they've confirmed the set list for their historic Irish concerts as part of the mammoth tour

Politics

2 w. ago Chase & Status at All Points East review: Three headliners for the price of one

Chase & Status set the crowd on fire in Victoria Park last night, but their performance was easily matched by the second and third on the billing

Politics

2 w. ago 'People need laughter in their lives to make it worth living'

"I was putting on tracks, moving props, and scenery, and cleaning the stage. But every night I just wanted to perform and it was doing my head in."

Politics

2 w. ago Thomas Frank eyes chance for Spurs to take star billing on Super Cup stage

New head coach hopes team steal limelight on Wednesday against PSG, who only returned to training last weekFor your first trick, please show us Tottenham can trade blows with the best team Europe has produced this decade. If Thomas Frank wanted to make a statement two months after crossing London then defeating Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night would set this season’s bar for performance somewhere beyond the stratosphere. His new role, or at least the relentless public scrutiny of it, begins in earnest beneath the Friulian foothills and it is an opportunity to form the kind of first impression that leaves a lasting signature.Hearts have never been won or lost through showings in the Uefa Super Cup, which has traditionally been as much a late-summer beauty parade as a high-octane heave between the previous campaign’s big winners. There is certainly no guarantee that a hot night in the beguiling surroundings of Udine, whose modest solar-powered stadium has been feted for its envi...

Politics

3 w. ago Oasis in Edinburgh: Ian Rankin meets Oasis star Bonehead in Edinburgh for coffee ahead of Murrayfield gig

It comes ahead of Oasis’s final performance in Edinburgh on Tuesday night.

Politics

3 w. ago Theatre company set up on Scottish refugee ship to perform at Fringe

The show will be performed for one night at the EICC in Edinburgh

Events

3 w. ago Good Night, Oscar at the Barbican: 'Sean Hayes gives an astonishing performance'

Will and Grace’s Sean Hayes stars as trouble pianist Oscar Levant in a fast-paced, zinger-packed play which has an unforgettable climax

Politics

4 w. ago 'Some ideas': Aberdeen transfer update as Jimmy Thelin quizzed on new signings after Hearts defeat

Dons boss has say on performance at Tynecastle on opening night

Politics

4 w. ago Oasis fans at Wembley gig where man died question alcohol use and security

Heavy drinking at concert as well as how staff were deployed could have been factors in fatal fall, say witnessesOasis fans who witnessed a fatal fall at Wembley during a reunion concert on Saturday have questioned the security setup and the amount of alcohol being consumed in the stands.The Metropolitan police said a man in his 40s died after suffering injuries consistent with a fall at the end of the band’s performance at about 10.19pm on Saturday night. On Monday, the Met announced that the Health and Safety Executive, the body which investigates accidents, had been informed. Continue reading...

Events

last month The start of the comeback? Outcast Hollywood star Kevin Spacey launches ambitious bid to claw back showbiz career... by singing in a big band at a Cyprus resort

The disgraced Hollywood outcast, 66, will perform for one night at the Parklane Luxury Collection Resort in Limassol, Cyprus.

Culture