She played four 'Music, Fashion, Film' songs for 'Live At The BBC'
She played four 'Music, Fashion, Film' songs for 'Live At The BBC'
Charli XCX has filmed a stripped back performance at Maida Vale and discussed the inspiration behind her track ‘2007’.
The singer’s latest session and accompanying interview were recorded inside the famous London studios. The complete programme will become available through iPlayer at midday BST today, Wednesday, August 5.
Created for BBC Music, the performance includes four tracks from her newest album, ‘Music, Fashion, Film’. Charli played ‘I’m Afraid’, ‘SS26’, ‘Wink Wink’ and ‘No One Lasts Forever’.
Alongside the live performances, Charli joined Radio 1 presenter Jack Saunders to talk about the album and several individual songs. “This album is about process and my love for making things, the joy that comes with that, sometimes the difficulty that comes with that,” she explained.
Discussing ‘2007’, Charli told Saunders: “The song itself is about making TikToks, because it’s like everyone can be a star from their bedroom, which is sort of what I talk about in the song and I think that’s fabulous!
“Like it’s so Warholian in a way. You know everybody can kind of have this moment where they blow up on TikTok because they’ve done a cool dance or a really aesthetically pleasing video or whatever it may be, and I think that’s really fun and creative.”
Turning to her latest single ‘Wink Wink’, Charli said: “I think it’s actually about romantic relationships and, in the past, having maybe been a bit misunderstood by previous partners and having felt the pressure of wanting to become what they wanted me to be.”
She explained that her husband, The 1975 drummer George Daniel, “gets it and he gets me”. Charli described her marriage to Daniel as “a different thing” from her earlier romantic experiences.
“So this song, in a way, is kind of me talking to my previous partners being like, ‘Yeah, sure. I’m this perfect person now, wink wink’,” the singer continued. “Whereas in reality, who is perfect, you know? No one.”
During another part of the conversation, Charli said the opening song ‘Rock Music’ was “about that joy of getting to have fun making things with your friends”.
She continued: “Obviously I know there are some people who really think I’m just constantly living in an eye roll and being ironic all of the time, and I’m more than happy for people to feel that way.
“But actually [with] this song, it’s obviously like fun and funny, and there are funny elements about it, but when we were making it we were really connecting with each other, and actually the silliness in the song doesn’t necessarily mean that the song is not serious or real.”
NME gave ‘Music, Fashion, Film’ four stars and noted that Charli’s “mincing delivery on the chorus of ‘2007’ lends the song a self-aware preciousness”. The review concluded: “‘Music, Fashion, Film’ can feel fragmentary and fleeting, distracted by its imagined, hyper-contemporary audience. But its celebration of art – and its capacity to let you transcend your bounds for something new – feels urgent and timeless.”
All four performances from Maida Vale will also arrive on BBC Music’s YouTube channel at 11am BST. Charli XCX: Live At The BBC can be heard here.
Charli completed the recording shortly before Fontaines D.C. delivered the BBC’s final session at Maida Vale.
Last week, the singer presented her first complete headline concert of the ‘Music, Fashion, Film’ era during Lollapalooza in Chicago. She also appeared with Lorde for a joint performance of ‘Girl, So Confusing’.
Charli will make her first headline appearance at Reading & Leeds later this month. A North American arena tour with Underscores will follow in September, with remaining tickets available here.
In other developments, Charli has “begrudgingly” issued the ‘B-sides Edition’ of ‘Music, Fashion, Film’ through iTunes and released a companion film for the standard album. She has also named her five favourite Charli XCX songs, including the “ultimate party song” and another track that leaves her feeling “very sentimental”.
"Hope to see you some other time down the road"
Roxette appear to be the latest group affected by rising tour expenses, telling followers that Live Nation cancelled their planned North American concerts because of the increasing costs.
Every US and Canadian date on the Swedish pop group’s 40th anniversary tour was called off late last month, on July 25. People who had purchased tickets received notifications confirming that refunds would be issued.
The concerts were scheduled for venues throughout North America, with Roxette leading a three artist lineup that also featured 1980s favourites Nick Lowe and Taylor Dayne. A message posted through the band’s social media stated: “Due to logistics and hugely increased touring costs, Live Nation US has decided to postpone the Northamerican [sic] tour. Hope to see you some other time down the road.”
Founding member and singer Per Gessle later offered further details about the cancellation, stressing that Live Nation had made the choice. “Lena [Philipsson, the new vocalist], I and the band are of course disappointed. We were really looking forward to this northamerican tour and US is by far our biggest streaming market.
“This decision was made by Live Nation USA, which they probably based on their own calculations. I hope we can play for our fab fans in the USA and Canada at some point in the near future.”
The North American run was scheduled to start at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan, on September 10. It would have concluded at White River Amphitheatre in Washington on October 9.
NME has contacted Live Nation seeking a response.
Roxette’s cancellation arrives amid several widely discussed tour changes involving both current performers and established acts. The situation has been labelled “blue dot fever”, referring to the large number of empty seats displayed as blue dots on ticket maps for concerts struggling with sales.
David Lee Roth, Lily Allen and Zayn Malik are among the musicians who have cancelled complete tours or substantial portions of their schedules this year. Post Malone and Jelly Roll’s shared stadium run has also faced cancellations.
Noah Kahan has shared a humorous reaction after former U.S. President Barack Obama selected one of his tracks for his annual summer playlist.
The former leader unveiled his seasonal book recommendations and music choices on Thursday, revealing that he and his wife Michelle had been enjoying Noah’s song Doors.
The Stick Season singer celebrated the recognition during his regular phone call routine at Thursday night’s tour performance in Arlington, Texas.
As reported by Billboard, Noah acted as though he was speaking with Obama over the phone and joked, "Obama? You finally put me on your summer playlist after 15 f**king years?"
He then referenced the track’s emotional mood and asked, "Are you doing OK? It's not a happy song at all. Is everything all right with Michelle? OK, we f**king miss you so much."
Marking the special moment, a Noah fan shared a collection of screenshots showing earlier tweets in which he complained about being left off Obama’s summer and year end playlists.
Across the posts, which were originally shared from 2021 through 2023, the musician teased, "Why does Obama hate my music," and "Why is Obama mad at me (sic)."
Noah revisited the recurring joke on Thursday by sharing Obama’s playlist on X alongside the message, "I can finally rest."
Obama’s selection also includes music from Glen Hansard, the Irish artist who died in a motorcycle accident this week, along with Coldplay, Raye, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Beatles, Mumford & Sons, Chaka Khan, David Bowie, and several others.
The recognition arrives only days after Noah criticised U.S. President Trump and his administration for featuring his track American Cars in one of their videos.
"Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration," he wrote beneath the post.
Both Doors and American Cars appear on his 2026 record The Great Divide. Noah is now touring internationally to promote the album, with his current run scheduled to continue through December.
A business split between Max B and Karen Civil turned into a public dispute as both addressed rumors and management online.
A simple business update quickly turned into an online dispute after Max B and Karen Civil shared different versions of how their professional relationship came to an end. The rapper revealed this week that Civil is no longer working with him, while also explaining that the partnership had ended over a month earlier.
“Karen Civil is no longer a part of my team. Ms. Civil was effectively terminated on June 28th. For all business inquiries and matters moving forward, please contact Breon or Jow directly.” Civil did not challenge the fact that they had separated. Instead, she highlighted the work her company handled while helping Max B return to public attention, mentioning several accomplishments that she believes Always Civil played an important role in achieving.
“From supporting your return home, to securing GQ, helping position the business for its partnership with @defiantxrecords, and bringing this chapter to the BET Awards stage, @alwayscivil's work is not complete. We are proud of everything we built together and wish you and your new team continued success!”
The disagreement grew more complicated after people on X began discussing possible reasons for the split. When one person accused Civil of taking money, Max B’s account replied that “the business was fine,” appearing to dismiss the accusation. That message was soon followed by another post from the account alleging that Civil had taken control of his Instagram, which led the experienced publicist to answer again.
“Max's IG page was not hacked,” Civil wrote, explaining that the Always Civil team had only “closed out the backend access, relationships, and connections tied to that work.” She later issued another message. “To provide clarity, Always Civil has concluded operating any NEW business with/for Max B since the BET Awards. Certain Max B social properties STILL will remain under the direction of @AlwaysCivil. Wishing him the best moving forward!”
Max B later posted his own response on Instagram: “I'm not sure why you're trying to save face, but the reality is you've done a lot that led me to letting you go. So getting on social media and acting like you've done all these great things for me is simply not true. Leave me out of your narrative, keep my name out of your mouth, and move on.”
Max B and Civil have not revealed any further information about the circumstances that caused their partnership to end.
Wunderhorse have launched their 2026 North American tour and introduced two unreleased tracks titled ‘Kerosene’ and ‘Promises’.
The British rock band began their first headline run of the year at Washington DC’s 9:30 Club on July 23. They opened the 15 song performance with ‘Midas’, the title track from their second album, before moving through ‘Butterflies’, ‘Emily’, ‘Girl’, ‘Cathedrals’, and other favourites.
Midway into the concert, the group gave fans their first preview of an unheard song called ‘Promises’. The restrained yet emotionally strong track finds frontman Jacob Slater exploring betrayal, uncertainty, and personal turmoil.
“Promise me you’ll take all of it/ keep it in a thousand miles/ twist this cruise and tell her that I have darkest snakes and lies,” he appears to sing during its dark and intense chorus. Other lines include “It’s just a little rain” and “But far away, the fear shows”.
Following performances of ‘Silver’ and ‘Arizona’, Wunderhorse unveiled another fresh track named ‘Kerosene’. The song presents a heavier, bolder, and more self assured direction for the band.
“It’s time to go/I know you can dance because I’ve seen it/ I’ve seen you by the water with an angel,” Slater sings during the number, which draws from 1990s grunge while incorporating elements of punk.
After recordings appeared across social media, listeners began discussing the direction of the new material. Many compared ‘Kerosene’ to Queens Of The Stone Age, while others noticed connections to Slater’s former group Dead Pretties, whose music carried a stronger punk influence than Wunderhorse.
Since beginning the tour in Washington DC, the band have visited Brooklyn, Boston, and Philadelphia, performing both unreleased songs at every stop. Their next appearance will take place at The Phoenix Concert Theater in Toronto on Thursday, July 30, followed by Osheaga Festival on Friday, July 31.
Back in the UK, Wunderhorse will headline Sheffield’s Rock N Roll Circus on Saturday, August 29. The event will be one of only two outdoor British concerts for Jacob Slater and his bandmates this year, before they support Twenty One Pilots at All Points East 2026.
Baxter Dury, Mercury Prize winners English Teacher, and former NME Cover artists Fat Dog will also appear at the Sheffield event.
There is currently no confirmed release date for ‘Kerosene’ or ‘Promises’, and the band have not revealed whether either song will feature on a future album.
Wunderhorse issued their praised second record, ‘Midas’, in 2024. It was selected for NME’s ranking of the year’s 50 greatest albums, where the publication called it “visceral [and] impulsive”.
During Glastonbury 2025, the musicians spoke to NME about the project’s success and suggested they had started considering their next material.
“There’s a few ideas flying around, but nothing concrete yet,” Jacob Slater told us at the time. “We’re just focusing on doing shows and getting those to a high standard.”
Asked about the possible direction of Wunderhorse’s third record, Slater replied: “I’ve got a couple [of] ideas but I’ll keep them under here”, while gesturing toward his hat.
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