6 h. ago ‘We spent £100,000 doing a gig in a scout hut!’ The Beta Band on debt, disastrous decisions – and their defiant comeback

Fiercely original and stunning live, they should have been massive – but they imploded. As the Scots return, they relive disowning their debut album, blowing Top of the Pops – and getting shocks off their battery-powered illuminated suitsSteve Mason is remembering the day in 2004 he was told the Beta Band was over. “There was enough money in the bank account to pay each of us a month’s wages,” says the singer, seated in a busy London greasy spoon. “And by that point, we were only on a grand a month. Then that was it.”For the previous eight years, life in the band formed in the Scottish seaside town of St Andrews had been one of constant reinvention and innovation. They’d made fiercely original records and experimental films, while putting on visually stunning live extravaganzas. Their transatlantic fanbase included Oasis, Radiohead, Irvine Welsh and actor John Cusack, who’d recommended their song Dry the Rain for a now-famous scene in High Fidelity. Playing a record store assistant,...

Economics

11 h. ago UK seaside town sees sudden surge in tourists before summer for magical reason

Newquay in Cornwall has seen an early uptick in tourism, arriving much sooner than the usual summer rush, and it's because everyone wants to see one thing

Politics

34 h. ago Insanely beautiful UK seaside town in Lake District brimming with charm

Nestled in the heart of Cumbria, just a few miles from the iconic Lake District National Park, Grange-over-Sands is a hidden gem that has captivated visitors for centuries

Politics

38 h. ago Beautiful UK seaside town has barely changed in 100 years with 'finest' high street

St Ives may be a popular tourist spot, but it's not hard to see why when it has retained charm and its historic value for decades

Politics

58 h. ago Insanely beautiful Spanish seaside town with incredible beaches and £1 pints

A Spanish town that enjoys year round sunshine has a number of beautiful beaches surrounded by bars and restaurants where you can quench your thirst with a super cheap pint

Economics

59 h. ago Pretty UK seaside town is one of the cheapest in England with £109k homes

This heritage-rich coastal town boasts nature reserves, cycle tracks, and sandy beaches, while also being one of the most affordable coastal towns to buy a home in the UK

Economics

60 h. ago Incredible EU seaside town so magical it's inundated with Spanish tourists

A town in southern Europe has miles of golden sandy beaches, beautiful scenery and a cool, relaxed vibe that has attracted Spaniards looking for a chilled break for years

Politics

3 d. ago Boost for UK tourists visiting Majorca this summer as new charge 'to be delayed'

The Balearic government held a meeting this week to discuss sustainable tourism

Politics

4 d. ago Brit tourists warned as Spain brings in new brutal rules ahead of summer

Following furious anti-tourism protests across Spain over the last year, the country is introducing strict new rules to control the hordes of tourists who visit the holiday hotspot this summer

Events

4 d. ago Spanish island tourists face new tax and rules as destinations reach 'limit'

The Balearic Islands are set to limit tourist numbers and charge more to visit this summer as leaders warn a record 18 million visitors in 2024 was the 'limit'

Politics

5 d. ago Incredible Spanish city with less tourists in March and still 17C before summer

Barcelona is one of Spain's most visited cities, and you'd be surprised to know that the best month to visit it is in March. Why? Less tourists and warm temperatures.

Politics

6 d. ago Insanely beautiful European seaside town with £1.50 pints rivalling Spain

It’s a great destination for those wishing to relax, but also do some sightseeing. Located in Bulgaria, Varna is an alternative from other European retreats - and it’s much cheaper

Economics

7 d. ago Cheap £60k flat in north west seaside town with beach on its doorstep

It is bound to get snapped up at a bargain price

Economics

7 d. ago Underrated UK seaside town about to get tourism boom after £20m regeneration

Once in the shadow due to popular seaside towns like Brighton, this 'overlooked' and 'left behind' resort is starting to gain a pretty decent reputation - and it's only bound to get better

Economics

8 d. ago Inside Skegness before it became one of the 'worst' UK seaside towns: Spellbinding historic photos capture the resort's yesteryear glory days

Although it's now one of the UK's best-known seaside towns, Skegness was just a small village with fewer than 400 residents in 1850. Find out how it's changed over the years...

Culture

8 d. ago Is this REALLY the UK's most romantic town? Residents of faded seaside community once ranked among the worst resorts in Britain refuse to believe it has become the new hot spot for lovers

It was ranked one of England's worst seaside resorts in Britain in 2023 but its new claim to fame is that the most top-of-the-range bouquets are bought here.

Politics

9 d. ago TV chef says 'f*** that' after filming in Welsh seaside town named 'worst in Britain'

Chris 'Flamebaster' Roberts visited the Welsh town for his BBC Wales show Chris Cooks Cymru and said he 'loved every second' of his visit

Culture

9 d. ago New map shows every UK seaside town where house prices are falling fastest

While the UK saw house prices climb 4.6 per cent over the last year, several stunning seaside resorts surprisingly witnessed property sales fall. So, if you've been dreaming of a life by the sea, now might be the right time to take the plunge

Politics

9 d. ago Underrated UK beach is named one of Europe's best with three miles of golden sands

This friendly seaside town with a stunning bay and wide curving sandy beach is an absolute hidden gem and is the perfect destination for your next staycation

Politics

1 week ago Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt spotted at Welsh seaside town as he teases project ‘coming soon’

Celebrity chef Matt Tebbutt has been spotted in one famous Welsh seaside town and he's been talking about a new project that's on the way

Politics