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Global music icon Billy Ocean has today announced a string of headline dates for summer 2026, where he’ll be joined by very special guest Marti Pellow.

The chart-topping legend behind such classic hits as Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run), Suddenly and Red Light Spells Danger – kicks off the summer at Leigh Sports Village on Friday May 29 before headlining venues including TK Maxx Presents Live at Lincoln Castle, Southampton Summer Sessions, Live at Llangollen Pavilion, Scarborough Open Air Theatre and Live at The Piece Hall.

Billy will be joined at all shows by very special guest Marti Pellow, the unmistakable voice of Wet Wet Wet and solo star in his own right.

Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday October 17 via cuffeandtaylor.com

BILLY OCEAN – SUMMER 2026
May 29 Leigh Sports Village Stadium – Friday 29th May
Jun 20 TK Maxx Presents Live at Lincoln Castle
Jun 21 TK Maxx Presents Southampton Summer Sessions
Jun 27 TK Maxx Presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion
Jun 28 TK Maxx Presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre
Jul 9 TK Maxx Presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle
Jul 10 TK Maxx Presents Live At The Piece Hall
Aug 20 Colchester Castle Summer Series

One of Britain’s most enduring and successful artists, Billy Ocean has sold more than 30 million records worldwide, earning a place among the most iconic voices in British music history. With a career spanning more than five decades, his distinctive blend of pop and soul has brought him a wealth of Gold and Platinum albums, chart-topping singles across the globe, and an extraordinary collection of awards.

A GRAMMY Award winner for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, Billy also holds an Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement, two Billboard Music Awards, a MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award, and an Honorary Doctorate in Music from Westminster University. In 2020, he was awarded an MBE for services to music.

Born in Trinidad and raised in London’s East End, Billy was inspired by the great soul singers Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, alongside the British pop sounds of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. His breakthrough came with Love Really Hurts Without You in 1976, followed by a string of global hits including Red Light Spells Danger, When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going, Loverboy, Suddenly, Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car, and the GRAMMY Award-winning Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run) attracting millions of streams worldwide.

A natural performer and one of the finest live vocalists of his generation, Billy Ocean continues to light up stages across the world, captivating audiences old and new with his timeless hits and magnetic energy.

With more than 15 million albums sold, multiple Number 1 singles, and iconic hits like Sweet Little Mystery, Goodnight Girl, Love Is All Around, and Angel Eyes, Marti Pellow is one of the UK’s most enduring and versatile vocalists.

Alongside a successful solo career – spanning pop, jazz, and soul – he’s also earned acclaim on the musical theatre stage, starring in Chicago (West End and Broadway), Evita, Jekyll & Hyde, Blood Brothers, and Chess.

For more information and to purchase tickets please visit cuffeandtaylor.com

GRAMMY Award winning international superstar rapper, singer, songwriter and actor Pitbull will bring the ultimate party to Wales as he headlines Cardiff’s Blackweir Fields.

With billions of audio streams and video views, along with hundreds of gold and platinum certifications, Pitbull’s career stands as one of the most impressive in music history and he is now bringing his I’m Back Tour to Cardiff on Saturday July 4.

Fans can sign up for Thursday’s midday pre-sale via blackweirlive.com/pitbull with tickets going on general sale at midday Friday via blackweirlive.com and ticketmaster.co.uk

Pitbull, aka Armando Christian Perez, is affectionally known as Mr Worldwide. Earlier this year fans caused a viral storm during his high energy European tour with tens of thousands of them wearing bald caps and dubbing themselves “The Bald E’s” in honour of his signature look and larger-than-life persona.

With the I’m Back! Tour Pitbull guarantees to continue to celebrate this culture and bring the unstoppable pure party energy for fans. Set to be on an even bigger stage with highly stunning visuals, explosive pyrotechnics, and Pitbull’s signature performance. With a fusion of music, lights, and special effects—alongside his band, The Agents, and dancers, The Most Bad Ones—the show will deliver an unforgettable, one of a kind high-energy party for everyone to enjoy.

An international superstar, education ambassador, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker, Pitbull does not stand still. Aside from global success with hits including Fireball, Hotel Room Service, Give Me Everything, Timber and Don’t Stop The Party, beyond music he has built a diverse and expanding business portfolio.

His signature “EEEEEEEYOOOOOO” grito (yell) is one of fewer than 40 sound trademarks protected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He recently made history by partnering with Florida International University to rename its football stadium Pitbull Stadium, and he is also a passionate advocate for education.

Last year Pitbull teamed up with rock legends Bon Jovi for the powerful track Now or Never, blending his signature high-energy sound with the band’s anthemic rock style. The unexpected collaboration quickly gained global traction, further proving Pitbull’s ability to transcend genres and generations.

With no signs of slowing down, Pitbull continues to push boundaries and inspire millions around the world, leaving a profound cultural impact and cementing a legacy that spans entertainment, business, education, and beyond.

Pitbull joins a Blackweir line up which will already see a headlining show from US vocal powerhouse Teddy Swims and two headlining shows from Scottish superstar Lewis Capaldi.

Launched earlier this year, Blackweir is Cardiff’s new live music hotspot in a partnership between DEPOT Live (the live-events arm of Cardiff music venue, DEPOT) and UK promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Nick Saunders, founder of DEPOT Live said: “Pitbull presents the ultimate party so where better to bring that than Cardiff. This will be an unmissable night filled with hit after hit and with the phenomena created around his shows earlier this year, we expect to see a lot of bald caps in honour of Mr Worldwide.

“Adding Pitbull to our line up alongside Teddy Swims and Lewis Capaldi makes for a very strong line up for Blackweir 2026 and we still have more announcements to come!”

The UK’s undisputed Queen of Cruising Jane McDonald is inviting fans to join her for a week of luxury on the high seas.

Just hours after Cruise with Jane McDonald set sail on its SELL-OUT maiden voyage, national treasure Jane revealed the cruise will take to the seas again next autumn with a private charter onboard Ambassador Cruise’s flagship Ambience.

Cruise With Jane McDonald is a seven-night round-trip from London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury visiting Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), Zeebrugge, Cherbourg and Honfleur. Cabins can be secured by signing up at CruiseWithJaneMcDonald.com to access the exclusive online pre-sale from 9am Monday October 13. The cruise will go on general sale on Friday October 17 at 10am.

Jane fans are currently enjoying the first ever Cruise With Jane McDonald after it set sail from London on a Baltic cruise yesterday (SATURDAY). Joining her as special guests are Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera West End star John Owen-Jones, TV personality and comedian Bobby Davro and drag tartan songstress Mary Mac, and with plans now confirmed for 2026, the demand for cabins is expected to be high.

Highlights of the 2026 voyage will include guaranteed entry to see Jane perform two different headline shows as well as exclusive new show ‘Afternoon with Jane – Songs from the Piano’ where fans will be able to enjoy a conversation with Jane and learn about the music that defines her life and career. Jane will also be joined by a number of yet to be revealed special guests.

Jane said: “I’m not going to lie, I’m currently having a very lovely time sailing with 1,400 of my friends and it’s brilliant. You all know I love a cruise so I couldn’t resist the opportunity to do this again next year.

“It will be the same lovely ship, but I’ll be performing new shows for you all and I will be joined by some very special guests.

“This cruise sold out really quickly. It will be fun to do it all over again and if you missed out this time I hope I get to see you next year instead.”

Jane won the hearts of the nation overnight when she appeared in the BBC docusoap The Cruise back in 1998.

She has sold-out countless tours and concerts, including the Royal Albert Hall, The London Palladium and The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, while also releasing 10 studio albums.

Jane is a popular presenter for TV travel shows, including fronting the BAFTA Award-winning Channel 5 series Cruising with Jane McDonald and has dipped her toe into the waters of watching TV with the nation appearing multiple times with best friend Sue Ravey on Celebrity Gogglebox.

Last year Jane was back on the road with her With All My Love Tour performing to sold out theatres and arenas across the UK, and she also performed in The London Palladium’s Christmas panto. Between touring and appearing on stage Jane has also found the time to write three bestselling books about her life, the most recent being last year’s Sunday Times Bestseller Let The Light In.

Cruise with Jane McDonald departs London Cruise Terminal onOctober 2 2026. Guests will sail onboard Ambassador Cruise Line’s first lady of the sea, Ambience, and enjoy exceptional full board dining and features includingCaptain’s Gala Dinner and Baked Alaska Parade, Captain’s cocktail party, spa access, use of gym, swimming pool and hot tubs and a week of amazing entertainment.

In addition to headlining live performances during the cruise, Jane will be onboard throughout the seven-day trip making special appearances including hosting bingo, quizzes and much more!

Prices start from £919 per person based on two people sharing an inside cabin. Guests purchasing the cruise through the pre-sale will be able to upgrade to the Ambassador Fare incorporating the top Expedition drinks package for just £99 per person (normally £262pp). This includes all premium and house brand spirits and wines; premium teas and coffees; non-alcoholic beverages including unlimited soft drinks; and all gratuities and service charges.

For more information go to CruiseWithJaneMcDonald.com or call 0808 304 2404.

The most successful duo in UK music history Pet Shop Boys are heading to TK Maxx presents Lytham Festival 2026.

Pet Shop Boys are one of the most requested acts for the North West’s largest music festival and it is announced today Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe will bring their groundbreaking, euphoric pop spectacle Pet Shop Boys – DREAMWORLD – The Greatest Hits Live show to Lytham on Saturday July 4.

And in a move sure to please fans, the headlining show will mark the biggest ever homecoming date for Chris Lowe who was born and raised on the Fylde coast in Blackpool.

Fans can access Lytham Festival’s pre sale from 5pm Friday, while tickets go on general sale at 10am Saturday via lythamfestival.com

2026 marks the 15th anniversary of Lytham Festival which will return for five nights from Wednesday July 1 to Sunday July 5. It has already been revealed GRAMMY nominated vocal powerhouse Teddy Swims will headline the opening night of the festival on Wednesday July 1 with support from Lauren Spencer Smith and Jordan Rakei, with more to be announced later this week.

As Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe are listed in The Guinness Book of Records as the most successful duo in UK music history. Since signing to Parlophone Records in 1985, they have achieved 44 top 30 singles in the UK, including 22 top 10 hits and four number ones.

In their live shows Pet Shop Boys have created an original style of pop musical theatre, collaborating with a multitude of directors, designers and artists, including Derek Jarman, Zaha Hadid, Es Devlin and Tom Scutt.

Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live kicked off in Milan in May 2022 touring arenas and festivals across Europe and the UK to great acclaim. Critics hailed the show a ‘sleek, nostalgic treat’ (The Telegraph), ‘an utterly joyous celebration’ (Metro), and ‘an ecstatic presentation of 40 years of brilliance’ (Evening Standard).

Last year Dreamworld played a sold-out five-night residency at the Royal Opera House, as well as headline performances at the Isle of Wight Festival and Radio 2 In The Park. In yet another 5-star review, London’s Metro raved “The finest British pop group of the past 40 years are in the form of their lives – a life-affirming, soul-reviving joy of a show.”

As writers, producers and remixers, Tennant and Lowe have collaborated, remixed or written for a wide range of artists including Dusty Springfield, Lady Gaga, Liza Minnelli, Blur, Madonna, David Bowie, Yoko Ono, The Killers, Girls Aloud, Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher and the Sleaford Mods. Of their career, The Independent stated “their career has perpetually shown that pop music and high art cannot only co-exist but surpass supposedly superior musical forms.”

Lytham Festival co-founder Peter Taylor said: “Finally! It is no secret we, and our loyal customers, have wanted Pet Shop Boys at Lytham Festival for a long time so we are delighted to have secured a headlining show with them for our very special 15th anniversary.

“Pet Shop Boys are legends. Their music has shaped generations and they are as relevant today as they were when they first broke through in the mid-80s. This is going to be an unmissable night and following our announcement that Teddy Swims will headline the festival’s opening night, Lytham Festival 2026 is looking very special.

“There’s still a lot more exciting news to come though so keep your eyes peeled.”

TK Maxx presents Lytham Festival 2026 returns Wednesday 1 to Sunday 5 July. For more information and to secure tickets head to lythamfestival.com

GRAMMY nominated vocal powerhouse Teddy Swims is today announced as the first headliner for TK Maxx presents Lytham Festival 2026.

Joined by his band Freak Freely, The Lose Control and The Door hitmaker will headline the opening night of the North West’s largest music festival on Wednesday July 1, as one of only five huge outdoor shows for the global superstar in mainland UK next summer. He will be supported by breakout vocalist and songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith and multi-instrumentalist Jordan Rakei.

Fans can access Lytham Festival’s pre sale from 5pm Friday, while tickets go on general sale at 10am Saturday via lythamfestival.com

2026 marks the 15th anniversary of Lytham Festival which will return for five nights from Wednesday July 1 to Sunday July 5. More headliners will be announced later this week.

Lytham Festival co-founder Peter Taylor said: “What an incredible first headliner to reveal for Lytham Festival 2026. Teddy Swims is a vocal powerhouse and someone who has enjoyed a meteoric rise to success over the last few years so we are delighted to be bringing him to the Fylde coast.

“He will present a huge opening night as we celebrate the 15th outing of Lytham Festival, and this is only just the start. We have four more amazing headliners to announce with more news coming very, very soon.”

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Teddy Swims has been putting in real work for years going from YouTube sensation to international chart-topper. A quiet, steady grind brought him to the forefront with record-breaking songs, sold-out global tours, and iconic performances. With a voice that effortlessly blends R&B, soul, and pop, Swims captivates listeners with raw emotion, soulful resonance, and lyrics that explore love, loss, and self-discovery.

2024 marked a record year, with multi-platinum hits “Lose Control” and “The Door” from his debut album I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1). “Lose Control” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, became the longest-charting Hot 100 hit in history, and is now 6x Platinum with more than 4 billion streams. With more than 12 billion streams across his catalogue, Swims continues to cement his place as one of music’s most powerful voices.

His breakout success earned him a 2025 GRAMMY nomination for Best New Artist and three 2025 BET Award nominations, including Best New Artist, Best Collaboration and Best Male R&B/Pop Artist.

Swims has also won multiple prestigious international awards, including Best International Album and Best International Act at the Los 40 Music Awards, Most Radio Airplay in France, and Billboard Music Awards for “Lose Control,” including Top Hot 100 Song and Top Radio Song.

He followed his debut album with Part 2, featuring standout singles “Bad Dreams,” “Guilty,” and “Are You Even Real” ft. GIVĒON. The journey continued with the Complete Edition with the expanded album including six new tracks and across the full project, Swims also collaborated with Muni Long, Coco Jones, and GloRilla.

TK Maxx presents Lytham Festival 2026 returns Wednesday 1 to Sunday 5 July. For more information and to secure tickets head to lythamfestival.com

GRAMMY nominated vocal powerhouse Teddy Swims today announces a run of outdoor shows and festivals across the UK and Ireland for summer 2026 including a date at Cardiff’s Blackweir Fields.

Joined by his band Freak Freely, The Lose Control and The Door hitmaker will headline Blackweir on Friday June 26.

Fans can sign up for Thursday’s 10am pre-sale via blackweirlive.com/teddyswims with tickets going on general sale at 10am Friday via blackweirlive.com and ticketmaster.co.uk

Swims will be supported by breakout vocalist and songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith and multi-instrumentalist Jordan Rakei.

TEDDY SWIMS SUMMER 2026
Sat 20 June – Sky Presents Isle of Wight Festival
Mon 22 June – Belsonic, Belfast
Tue 23 June – Malahide Castle, Dublin
Thu 25 June – TK Maxx presents Live at Powderham, Exeter
Fri 26 June – Blackweir Fields, Cardiff
Sun 28 June – Glasgow Summer Sessions, Bellahouston Park
Wed 1 July – TK Maxx presents Lytham Festival
Wed 22 July – TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Teddy Swims has been putting in real work for years going from YouTube sensation to international chart-topper. A quiet, steady grind brought him to the forefront with record-breaking songs, sold-out global tours, and iconic performances. With a voice that effortlessly blends R&B, soul, and pop, Swims captivates listeners with raw emotion, soulful resonance, and lyrics that explore love, loss, and self-discovery.

2024 marked a record year, with multi-platinum hits “Lose Control” and “The Door” from his debut album I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1). “Lose Control” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, became the longest-charting Hot 100 hit in history, and is now 6x Platinum with more than 4 billion streams. With more than 12 billion streams across his catalogue, Swims continues to cement his place as one of music’s most powerful voices.

His breakout success earned him a 2025 GRAMMY nomination for Best New Artist and three 2025 BET Award nominations, including Best New Artist, Best Collaboration and Best Male R&B/Pop Artist.
Swims has also won multiple prestigious international awards, including Best International Album and Best International Act at the Los 40 Music Awards, Most Radio Airplay in France, and Billboard Music Awards for “Lose Control,” including Top Hot 100 Song and Top Radio Song.

He followed his debut album with Part 2, featuring standout singles “Bad Dreams,” “Guilty,” and “Are You Even Real” ft. GIVĒON. The journey continued with the Complete Edition with the expanded album including six new tracks and across the full project, Swims also collaborated with Muni Long, Coco Jones, and GloRilla.

Teddy Swims joins a Blackweir line up which will already see two headlining shows from Scottish superstar Lewis Capaldi.

Launched earlier this year, Blackweir is Cardiff’s new live music hotspot in a partnership between DEPOT Live (the live-events arm of Cardiff music venue, DEPOT) and UK promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Nick Saunders, founder of DEPOT Live said: “This is another huge headline show for Blackweir and Cardiff. Teddy Swims is an absolute vocal powerhouse who has enjoyed an incredible rise to success so we are thrilled to be adding him to our line up for 2026.

“What a glorious summer we are going to have in Cardiff!”

Global superstar Lewis Capaldi will headline a second massive outdoor show in Cardiff next summer due to overwhelming demand.

Lewis’ June 30th show at Blackweir Fields has sold out after fans rushed to secure tickets in today’s pre-sale but the much-loved Scottish singer-songwriter will now headline a second night at Blackweir on Wednesday July 1st.

Tickets go on sale at 9am Friday via blackweirlive.com and ticketmaster.co.uk

The Blackweir dates are part of a run next summer which will see Lewis headline his biggest ever UK and Irish shows.

Presented in a partnership between DEPOT Live (the live-events arm of Cardiff music venue, DEPOT) and UK promoters Cuffe and Taylor, Blackweir is the new live music hotspot for Cardiff launched in 2025

Nick Saunders, founder of DEPOT Live said: “To say announcing Lewis Capaldi coming to Blackweir has been popular is an understatement. We have experienced a huge demand for tickets, selling out our June 30th show, so we are delighted Lewis is able to come to Cardiff for a second date on July 1st.

“Lewis is undoubtedly one of the most beloved performers in the UK today. He presents incredible live shows and we now have the pleasure of welcoming him to Cardiff not once, but twice next summer. These are going to be two very special nights.”

To stay up to date with all announcements for Blackweir head to blackweirlive.com

Following his headline Legends set at Electric Picnic, David Gray announces a brand-new summer run of UK & Ireland dates for 2026.

David brings his Past & Present World Tour – joined by special guests The Divine Comedy – to:

June 4 TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre
June 5 TK Maxx presents Live The Piece Hall
June 26 TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion
June 28 TK Maxx presents Live at Lincoln Castle
July 11 TK Maxx presents DEPOT Live at Cardiff Castle

The Past & Present World Tour has already seen David sell out 68 shows across the USA, Australia, UK and Ireland in 2025, including landmark nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo, Manchester’s O2 Apollo and Dublin’s 3Arena. His Electric Picnic set marked another milestone in support of his widely praised new album Dear Life (out now via Laugh A Minute Records/Secretly Distribution).

David said: “We’ve had the most amazing tour this year, from the opening night in Boston to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and then on to the Royal Albert Hall in London and the 3Arena in Dublin.

“These have been some of the most memorable and magical shows of my entire career. We’ve pushed ourselves as a band but it’s been richly rewarding and SO MUCH FUN! When everyone is in such fine form it would seem wrong to stop the ball from rolling – so with that in mind I’m delighted to announce a string of further dates for the summer of 2026. Exciting times!”

David Gray’s story is unlike any other. He spent almost a decade striving to make a breakthrough, and when it happened it did so in the biggest way imaginable as White Ladder became one of the best-selling British albums of recent decades and established him as an arena-filling artist.

As the years have passed, his songcraft has only deepened — his natural ability to convey specific emotions, atmospheres, or, as heard on his acclaimed 2021 album Skellig, a sense of place, has positioned him firmly in the lineage of classic poetic singer-songwriters. While the likes of Ed Sheeran, Adele and Hozier have acknowledged his influence, Gray has continued to follow his own artistic path.

The response to Gray’s 13th album Dear Life has been extraordinary. Produced by Ben de Vries, critics have hailed it as “a brooding triumph” (Telegraph), “his most confessional and emotive work to date” (Clash), and “a slow-burner that catches fire” (Mojo). The album has also drawn comparisons to Gray’s multi-platinum White Ladder — “the sonic DNA of White Ladder is present here” (Rolling Stone) and “his poppiest and most successful album since White Ladder” (Music OMH). His artistry as a songwriter has also been singled out — “this 13th album confirms Gray’s not lost his touch” (Guardian) and “a soulful collection of richly poetic songs about love, change and mortality” (Independent).

For tickets and information go to cuffeandtaylor.com