ThePensmith

Bit of a mixed bag tonight, so many repeat or second performances on first episode. Toni Braxton on first episode what an absolute banger that remains. May I say top 3 Rodney Jerkins for me (the others - "The Boy Is Mine" and "It's Not Right But It's Okay"). Some great UK garage on both episodes from True Steppers and Dane Bowers and also MJ Cole. I was less keen on Oxide and Neutrino although the Casualty / Lock Stock samples were kinda cool. Mandy Moore's brief emergence is where you can tell all the major labels were scrambling to find a teen pop princess in the wake of Britney's success. But as her pre-release performance of "Oops..." testified, no one could really hold a candle to her. Oh and it appears re: BBC Music Live episode from Sheffield Arena that that's not getting a second airing. Hopefully we get it turn up on YouTube!

Thank you @-Jay- bless your heart for the mention - I did get one this morning as I was on my break just as the announcement video went live ☺️ I've got both the Plastic Pop pressings from a few years ago but nice to add this to my collection as well!

Leona Lewis and Olly Murs both confirmed as well for this.

One other thing I forgot to mention... and I guess we'll get our answer in a matter of days. I wonder if they’re going to show the special BBC Music Live episode of TOTP from Sheffield Arena from the May Bank Holiday that year that's been trailed in the last couple of episodes? I remember watching that (as well as the special edition of Live & Kicking that was on that day) and it'd be good to see that again.

I think it was a hoodie, I couldn't quite see. I know it had Mis-Teeq written across the front and it was black.

Sabrina is announcing a solo tour for 2027 this coming week performing Mis-Teeq hits. Apparently neither Alesha or Su-Elise were told about this. Sad, although not surprising. I have to say it's been a while since I've been disappointed by a gig I'd so been looking forward to, but last weekend at Wembley was one of them. Now it makes sense to me why the vibe overall felt off up on stage and why it didn't feel like a truly great show.

Good set of episodes again this week, glad to see these ones didn't get skipped after all 👍🏻 "Deeper Shade of Blue" is top tier Steps for me, it felt like they matured and went up a level on that single. Sweet Female Attitude "Flowers", absolute classic of UK garage. Crazy that that charted the same week as "Fill Me In". Speaking of which, superb solo number one debut for Craig David. Still a classic to this day. Forgot about Hanson's comeback this year, quite in common with other pop acts of 97 / 98 returning this year, the truth was the gap was so large between when they released their last single from Middle of Nowhere (June 98) and this first single back that whatever momentum they had was lost. Still a good song though, I remember seeing them when they supported Busted a few years back and I found myself singing along to the chorus even though I hadn't heard it since it was released. Lonestar "Amazed"... I won't say too much about that in terms of chart performance just yet as don't want to spoiler too much but that song was everywhere on Radio 2 and Magic that year. Felt bigger than it actually was. Sisqo "Thong Song" though 🤣 I'd forgotten just how extra that performance was. I saw a video on social media recently of Cynthia Erivo choosing it as a standout vocal performance and she called it there and then. He took it to church on a song about thongs 🤣 Did find it hilarious that several of the audience behind Jessica Simpson couldn't hide how bored they were 🤣 Well spotted re: the Let Loose drummer on Point Break's performance, I thought that was him! Also shoutout to their commitment to a full on dance routine for a string laden midtempo 🤣👏🏻 Didn't remember it first time round but I loved that song from Black Box Recorder that was on this week. Will likewise be adding that to my playlists, very Zero 7 / Morcheeba-esque. Fragma - "Toca's Miracle". I mean. Inspired and absolute classic dance anthem. Glad we do have the 'original' (and I do use that term loosely) back on streaming in some form or another.

National Album Day release list is out for 17th October, theme of which this year is Icons. And my wallet is marked safe: https://www.nationalalbumday.co.uk/2026-releases-a-p Likewise with HMV's exclusive vinyl drops next week which are a bizarre selection to say the least: https://hmv.com/store/music/exclusive-vinyl-drop?_gl=1*1rh59cp*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDkxODA0MjI1LjE3ODk3MTkwOTE.*_ga_WJW9FR9YBD*czE3ODk3MTkwOTEkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODk3MTkwOTEkajYwJGwwJGgw

"Not Such An Innocent Girl" turns 25 today! I have to say whilst I probably wouldn't have gone with this as her first single, the video remains an absolute serve!

Clip of the new video for "Monster" off the EP is up on their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdWrKlwNVoK

Been confirmed today that the boys have moved - along with Olly Murs - to the new management company NDA Talent, set up by Sarah Gallagher who was their previous manager at Modest and oversaw the tour last year and summer shows they did this year: https://www.musicweek.com/management/read/modest-management-md-sarah-gallagher-launches-management-firm-nda-talent/094992 She's hinted in a Music Week interview here that something will be happening to mark what will be their 30th anniversary next year. So looks like there's something else coming from them inside the next 12 months!

It was basically everything - bar the vinyl - that's on their merch store at the moment.

Wembley last night, then. My immediate thoughts... It was... good. But compared to other bands of my youth I've seen come back together, some of whom have done so on an even lower budget or promotional backing? It wasn't outstanding. The positives: THE Zena McNally coming on as a surprise guest to do "Why?". Honestly, the audible gasps that were surrounding me when she got introduced to stage were unmatched 🤣 Probably the highlight of the show. "One Night Stand" was such a strong opening, especially as they combined the original and Sunship mixes of the track. Alesha Dixon. Honestly, that lady has star quality in absolute spades. Even if this is really all they're doing beyond last night, I would not be averse to her doing summer festivals etc solo next year. Damage and Kele Le Roc as surprise guests in the support DJ set from Rampage - excellent choices both. The negatives: It did feel like certain members were phoning it in a little bit up there, mentioning no names. The random ten minute filler DJ set between costume changes. It cannot take that long to change costumes, and it did feel like a common or garden UK garage bottomless brunch when that happened. "B With Me". This was the one song I was looking forward to hearing live the most (mainly because I knew I would have to leave before the encore to get my tube and train back home, and thus knew I would miss both "All I Want" and "Scandalous") and I'll just call a spade a spade. They f***ed it with the whole bringing fans up on stage to do Alesha's rap. Whilst admittedly the girl from the two fans they bought up on stage to do Alesha's rap was unexpected fire, I've paid good money to see Alesha alone do that rap, which is her high watermark in terms of MCing on their songs, not some random people from the crowd. She eventually did the rap in full once they'd done the whole naff "cheer for which one was better" bit. But by then, the moment had passed and I felt let down. The staging and merch... left a lot to be desired. It says a lot that I'd just come across town from the new Music is Black exhibition at the V&A East in Stratford that afternoon (which Mis-Teeq are featured in, there's also a postcard of them in the gift shop) and a £1 postcard from that felt more luxe than a £40+ hoodie did. Whilst I am not one for divulging in gossip or rumours, based on what I saw last night, I wouldn't be surprised if what apparently has been going down between them all in rehearsals for this and also Summertime Ball is true. A shame, because overall, this could have been so much more than it was.

#19 - Official Independent Album Chart #21 - Official Record Store Chart #28 - Official Album Download Chart #51 - Official Album Sales Chart #53 - Official Physical Album Chart #88 - Official Scottish Album Chart

I decided to pre-order the CD boxset on a whim from one of my favourite indie record stores (Spinning Around Records, the lady Emma who runs it is a total pop girlie and I've got loads of my record collection from her store before). Quite excited for it actually!

Admittedly there is that re: the demos. But hey. As I said above, this is more effort than they have put in the best part of a decade, so that in itself is to be applauded. One of those times where my low expectations are pleasantly exceeded.

Got my Palladium tickets today as well. Met her at her HMV signing last weekend, what a lovely lady. Had a nice little chat to her as well which was good. The album itself is really strong, I wasn't a fan of the title track when that came out but I appreciate it more in the context of the album as a whole. Overall favourites for me are "Who Dimmed The Lights", "Jesus On Mars", "Beautiful Love" and "Just Drive".

My signed bundle from their official store finally showed up today, nearly a week on 🤣 Have to say though - really strong EP this. It's a nice continuation on of the sound they established on Everything's Eventual whilst taking it up a notch. "Strange Kinda Paradise" is probably my favourite, it's got that same kind of Madonna-esque energy with a Britpop feel from tracks like "Supernaturally" on the first album. I suspect given it was nowhere to be seen on any midweeks it'll just be on the indie charts etc tomorrow, but hey. New Appleton material and getting to see them live twice over in 2026 means I am a happy inner 14 year old me, regardless of what comes next ☺️

Lols at all the casuals on socials foaming at the mouth with messages of the "This could have been an email, huns" variety when most fans knew what was actually coming 🤣 All jokes aside... this actually looks quite beautifully done and presented, which given the merch drops we've had with "will this do" energy in recent years is a massive compliment. Not entirely sure I'd invest in the vinyl version (for storage reasons) but I could be tempted by the CD version when I next get paid.

Some undeniable classics on this week's episodes - namely Mel C and Left Eye, Moloko, Destiny's Child and also Santana (although I didn't appreciate those two random session singers standing in for Rob Thomas, who made it sound like a Strictly Come Dancing version of the song before that was even a thing). Westlife were incredibly lucky to get that fifth number one. I remember them on CD:UK the Saturday before it charted and they all looked panic stricken at potentially missing out. That said, "Fool Again" is one of their better chart toppers, although I do wish Sony would throw the 2000 Mix on streaming already. I had hoped they finally would with the recent 25 Ultimate Collection release, alas they didn't. Poor B*Witched going out with a whimper a year on after their own record breaking shenanigans. Sony really didn't have a clue what they were doing with them by this point throwing them in the direction of the FHM market and hoping that would work. I hope some day the third album they recorded before they were dropped will see the light of day.

Certain tabloids are full of "a source says" stories today claiming that ITV are on the verge of bringing it back next year. Honestly? It had its place and time, and there are so many elements not in its favour that it just wouldn't work now.

Queen, icon and legend, and for all the right reasons. Incomparable and irreplaceable. Rest in eternal power Dolly ❤️

New video on Instagram showing a closer look at the vinyl version of the EP: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DceEpO1t1nt Shame it doesn't appear there's any in-stores or anything lined up for this on release week, I thought there would be at least one. Still I am seeing them on Friday cause they're supporting JLS so that will be consolation at least.

Just my take here: there's only one of the Girls Aloud albums that are awaiting a vinyl reissue now which will more than likely be next year ("Out of Control"). I wouldn't mind betting tour or no tour that Fascination will probably turn their attention to some form of vinyl pressing for the Saturdays next, especially as it's their 20th anniversary in 2028.

By the way... I had a quick look on the BBC page today. I suspect we're about to have a few more episodes skipped over as after the reshowing of 31st March episode on Friday 28th August, it then jumps forward to 28th April: Looking at the list of Top 40 broadcasts on Radio 1 from this year, I suspect this is because S**** M**** was filling in for Mark Goodier on those weeks, and thus doing the top 20 rundown on the episodes from those weeks in between. I dare say they'll probably turn up on YouTube as the other 1999 ones did but something to bear in mind.