ThePensmith

I think with hindsight, it was obvious that this was coming, but even so it didn't make it any less sad when it did happen. I think the announcement on stage was the right one; it was far more sensitively done hearing it from their mouths rather than through a press release or a Twitlonger(!) It's just so sad and so cruelly unfair that 20 years later, in the exact same month, they're a six piece again, but this time for more permanent reasons. It's why for a long time as well I've been suspicious of years ending in 3. JLS split up in 2013 and that was a hard year for me as well as a fan of theirs.

I think the whole way round this has been a very difficult album campaign. But fundamentally, for me, the music is the foundation of a good campaign, and I say this as a long standing fan of his... He can do so much better than what he's put out on this album. "Go Ghost" and "Dancing On Cars" are the two obvious standout singles and great tracks for me, but not much else is on this album, I'll be honest. And I was disappointed. This should really, after four years away, have been his moment to reaffirm that he was back and was still at the top of his game. What didn't help was when someone somewhere on his team at EMI decided "Die Of A Broken Heart" and "I Hate You When You're Drunk" were the singles. I'm still baffled they were the chosen ones. And they were the wrong choice anyway, because both got overshadowed by social media backlash (from certain people reading too much into it in the case of the latter, admittedly) that the tabloids then latched onto, which killed any momentum they might have had going for them.

Ah well, it was a nice idea anyway. It's had a very solid chart run anyway. Also nice - this version he did in the Live Lounge yesterday on Radio 1 (and a rather gorgeous cover of "Ceilings" by Lizzie McAlpine): HaXdF3LKUkQ STrWTV60Pho

The tour starts on Friday in Glasgow, and he's confirmed the final show in Manchester on May 5th will be livestreamed around the world. Tickets here: https://driift.live/shows/olly-murs

Very exciting! I wonder what it will sound like?

So someone who has been in the public eye for 11 years(?) and who surely knows how the media works and how they play against you as much as they play with you posts this video up? It's always been the nature of the beast, and unless her PR have said any questions about Little Mix were off limits, then really you're giving them an open goal. And even regardless of that, as Klaus has correctly pointed out, if you've been part of a successful pop group or cast member on a long running TV show, regardless of if you're actively part of it at any given point or not, rare is the time the line of questioning won't dwell on it in some form or another. Honestly, until she realises this for herself - which hopefully is sooner rather than later - she is better off being out of trying to push solo music altogether. She already did enough damage and burned a lot of bridges with the fire sale that was "Boyz". And this new one is hardly much better. She would be better advised to go work on herself, do some growing, taking ownership and making genuine amends for her behaviour that she's been rightly called out for and still hasn't addressed, and ultimately doing something else fulfilling with her life until such a time comes that she becomes part of the Little Mix fold again, whenever that may be.

My copies of the CD and 7" picture disc single were both dispatched late on Friday. So I'm assuming that this will this give "Heaven" one last boost before the focus switches to "Meltdown"?

Shayne Ward (who I'm seeing tomorrow night, coincidentally enough) is currently on tour. His cover of "Over The Rainbow" that he did on X Factor is in the setlist and he's dedicated it to both Paul and Paul O'Grady:

From his newsletter:

Great new podcast that Nicola has appeared on that's out today that's worth a listen. About half an hour long but really insightful, especially with what she says about people passing away which really resonated. https://spotify.link/8eNUq5H0Xyb

I would like to hope that they are taking their time and are not pressured into anything they don't feel comfortable doing yet. The fact that there hasn't been an official announcement as to what happens with the tour yet is a sign that they are taking their time which is absolutely right at this point.

I was about to say I thought that they would - rightly - pause the EPs until it was an appropriate time to release them again.

I'm surprised no one has yet ventured forth Robbie Williams - Rock DJ. Fairly obvious why that was a controversial number one, I remember all the big hype about the video being banned.

As these posts are starting to appear it's starting to hit home the reality of this all 😔💔

Just confirmed on their socials this afternoon that this album will be reissued on blue vinyl for the first time as part of their 10th anniversary celebrations on 9th June. Available for pre-order now: https://getvamps.com/*/Music/Meet-The-Vamps...int/7S1T21PA000

It's too soon to say. An overwhelming part of me thinks it'll probably be delayed, especially cause they've not given any official word on what happens regarding the tour etc.

Nicki Chapman - who of course was at 19 Management and involved with putting S Club together - paid tribute to Paul whilst standing in for Zoe Ball on the Breakfast Show on Radio 2 this morning and played "Reach". She said he was a really lovely guy and so enthusiastic about the band, and did love his rock music. She said she's also spoken to Tina, Rachel and Hannah and none of them can quite believe it.

I'm gonna donate some money to National Youth Music Theatre when I get paid later this coming week. One thing that I have found a great comfort is seeing so many of the other bands from S Club's era - Steps, B*Witched, Blue, 911, Five - all rally around and offer their support and tributes. Especially because this era of pop was often mocked, criticised and derided, it shows that there is real community there even though all those bands went on different journeys whilst sharing similar experiences.

Catching sight of this Tweet this morning left a chill down my spine. @1644385825352712195 I sincerely hope that the girls - Rochelle, in particular, who has posted on her IG Stories about Paul's death - get their heads together and do something soon. The thought that they'll end up in this middle member club absolutely terrifies me. Tomorrow's not promised. They can flog M&S ready meals any old week or month. Doing even just one tour might not be able to happen again.

I don't know about anyone else but I slept awfully last night. I feel like I've been hit by a ton of bricks so I don't know how those close to him must feel.

Well said, and exactly how I feel.

f***, this is heartbreaking beyond words 😢 First Sarah Harding, and now Paul. I'm so sad. Can't begin to imagine how firstly his family are feeling but secondly the rest of the band in all of this.

Nice little new interview and photoshoot on the Esquire website: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music...album-the-show/ Also on the cover of a magazine called Dork, out in May with three collectible covers available to pre-order: https://shop.readdork.com/products/dork-may...all-horan-cover

Oh I wasn't saying anything about Jesy (and I'm with you there, because her choices since leaving the band have highlighted her inability to choose correctly). But like I know Perrie and Jade both don't like "We Are Who We Are" off the first album for example.