This Week At Music News Monthly — Your Essential Music Round Up
By David Weddle | Music News Monthly | 22nd May 2026
It has been an extraordinarily busy week here at Music News Monthly, covering everything from Hollywood stars in Newcastle to emerging North East talent on the biggest stage of their lives. Here is everything we have been covering, in case you missed any of it.
We kicked off the week with a live review from Newcastle, where Hollywood actor turned country musician Kiefer Sutherland brought his Love Will Bring You Home tour to the intimate and characterful Boilershop. It was a fantastic night, with a brilliant support set from Irish singer Colin Andrew and a headline performance from Kiefer himself that genuinely exceeded expectations. His new album Grey is out on the 29th of May via Maple Creek Records, and if the live show is anything to go by, it is well worth your time. You can read the full review on the site.
Elsewhere, The Coral continued to do things entirely on their own terms with the surprise release of 388, their thirteenth studio album. Rather than months of promotional build up, the Merseyside legends quietly stocked it in independent record shops and let word of mouth do the rest. New single Let The Music Play is out now, and with MOJO and Uncut both rating the album among their finest work, it sounds like a bold move that has paid off handsomely.
We kicked off the week with a live review from Newcastle, where Hollywood actor turned country musician Kiefer Sutherland brought his Love Will Bring You Home tour to the intimate and characterful Boilershop. It was a fantastic night, with a brilliant support set from Irish singer Colin Andrew and a headline performance from Kiefer himself that genuinely exceeded expectations. His new album Grey is out on the 29th of May via Maple Creek Records, and if the live show is anything to go by, it is well worth your time. You can read the full review on the site.
Elsewhere, The Coral continued to do things entirely on their own terms with the surprise release of 388, their thirteenth studio album. Rather than months of promotional build up, the Merseyside legends quietly stocked it in independent record shops and let word of mouth do the rest. New single Let The Music Play is out now, and with MOJO and Uncut both rating the album among their finest work, it sounds like a bold move that has paid off handsomely.
The Coral - Photo: John Johnson
On the new music front, Manchester four piece GETNER made a striking debut with Motorman, a politically charged and historically rooted punk track addressing The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Fuelled by what Far Out Magazine describe as positive rage, it is an intelligent and powerful debut from a band with something real to say.
There is big news too for Liverpool's Jamie Webster, who has announced his fourth studio album Running Round The Sun, due September 4th on Modern Sky, alongside new single Just Begun. After years of scaling arenas and outdoor stages, Webster is returning to intimate venues for his autumn tour, a deliberate and interesting choice from an artist who has clearly never lost sight of where he came from.
Bath indie-americana four piece Young Martyrs have shared Sugar On My Tongue, the second single from their upcoming third album Might Just Be Enough. Recorded at Real World Studios and mastered at Abbey Road, it is a track about unspoken attraction and physical longing that fuses shuffling drums, searing guitars and gorgeous melodies into something genuinely compelling.
Swedish artist Gaeya has announced her second EP Growth, due June 19th, timed to coincide with Midsummer celebrations. Lead single Higher Ground is already out and is a beautifully atmospheric blend of ethereal synths, tribal rhythms and enchanting vocals that calls for positive change. Gaeya is also the founder of the WE ARE NATURE Festival and the FIND Foundation, making her one of the more fascinating and multi-dimensional artists we have covered this week.
Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson has released a stunning new video for his reimagining of classic track Tears Of The Dragon, filmed at a disused brewery in São Paulo alongside the Almai orchestra and Brazilian ballet dancer Renata Bardazi. The result is an emotionally charged and visually spectacular piece of filmmaking that has already picked up Best Music Video awards at festivals across the world including Los Angeles, New York, Berlin and beyond.
Skid Row bassist and songwriter Rachel Bolan has shared Memory, the third single from his debut solo album Gargoyle Of The Garden State, out June 12th. Produced by multi Grammy winner Nick Raskulinecz and featuring an impressive roster of guests including Corey Taylor and Nuno Bettencourt, it sounds like an album worth getting very excited about indeed.
And finally, a special mention for Sunderland's own Swindled, who have been confirmed for BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, taking place right on their doorstep at Herrington Country Park this weekend. Named as one of BBC Introducing's ones to watch in 2026, and with recent singles earning multiple Radio 1 airings, this is a huge and thoroughly deserved moment for a band that is very much on the rise. Good luck lads.
There is big news too for Liverpool's Jamie Webster, who has announced his fourth studio album Running Round The Sun, due September 4th on Modern Sky, alongside new single Just Begun. After years of scaling arenas and outdoor stages, Webster is returning to intimate venues for his autumn tour, a deliberate and interesting choice from an artist who has clearly never lost sight of where he came from.
Bath indie-americana four piece Young Martyrs have shared Sugar On My Tongue, the second single from their upcoming third album Might Just Be Enough. Recorded at Real World Studios and mastered at Abbey Road, it is a track about unspoken attraction and physical longing that fuses shuffling drums, searing guitars and gorgeous melodies into something genuinely compelling.
Swedish artist Gaeya has announced her second EP Growth, due June 19th, timed to coincide with Midsummer celebrations. Lead single Higher Ground is already out and is a beautifully atmospheric blend of ethereal synths, tribal rhythms and enchanting vocals that calls for positive change. Gaeya is also the founder of the WE ARE NATURE Festival and the FIND Foundation, making her one of the more fascinating and multi-dimensional artists we have covered this week.
Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson has released a stunning new video for his reimagining of classic track Tears Of The Dragon, filmed at a disused brewery in São Paulo alongside the Almai orchestra and Brazilian ballet dancer Renata Bardazi. The result is an emotionally charged and visually spectacular piece of filmmaking that has already picked up Best Music Video awards at festivals across the world including Los Angeles, New York, Berlin and beyond.
Skid Row bassist and songwriter Rachel Bolan has shared Memory, the third single from his debut solo album Gargoyle Of The Garden State, out June 12th. Produced by multi Grammy winner Nick Raskulinecz and featuring an impressive roster of guests including Corey Taylor and Nuno Bettencourt, it sounds like an album worth getting very excited about indeed.
And finally, a special mention for Sunderland's own Swindled, who have been confirmed for BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, taking place right on their doorstep at Herrington Country Park this weekend. Named as one of BBC Introducing's ones to watch in 2026, and with recent singles earning multiple Radio 1 airings, this is a huge and thoroughly deserved moment for a band that is very much on the rise. Good luck lads.
Swindled - Photo: Adam Kennedy
In Other News
A few more stories from across the music world that caught our attention this week
A few more stories from across the music world that caught our attention this week
Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo is back with The Cure, the second taste of her upcoming album You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love, hot on the heels of her number one single Drop Dead. If Drop Dead showed one side of Rodrigo's songwriting, The Cure shows another darker, more complex, and pulling at the emotional seams. A remarkable talent continuing to grow.
GRAMMY and BRIT award winning singer songwriter Lola Young returns with From Down Here, her first new music since her acclaimed album I'm Only F**king Myself. Created alongside James Blake, it sounds like a collaboration worth getting very excited about indeed.
Alessi Rose follows up her acclaimed Voyeur EP with Skin, described as her most vulnerable song yet. Opening on taut piano and crystal clear vocals before building into something far bigger, it sounds like an artist really coming into her own.
GRAMMY and BRIT award winning singer songwriter Lola Young returns with From Down Here, her first new music since her acclaimed album I'm Only F**king Myself. Created alongside James Blake, it sounds like a collaboration worth getting very excited about indeed.
Alessi Rose follows up her acclaimed Voyeur EP with Skin, described as her most vulnerable song yet. Opening on taut piano and crystal clear vocals before building into something far bigger, it sounds like an artist really coming into her own.
Mystery Jets
Mexican rock trio The Warning unleash Ego, a ferocious Spanish language anthem fresh from its live debut on tour with Yungblud. Crushing riffs, razor sharp attitude, and apparently some of the heaviest moments of their career so far. One for the rock fans.
Cult London band Mystery Jets have announced their seventh studio album, A Hole To See The Sky Through, arriving August 21st via Fiction Records. The title track is out now, and fascinatingly, the album cover features Yoko Ono's original minimalist artwork of the same name, granted with permission from the artist herself. Longtime fans are going to be very happy indeed.
Becky Hill has announced a special intimate show at London's legendary 100 Club on Wednesday 27th May. Tickets go on sale 24 hours prior via her mailing list, and her new single Hands On Me is out now and sounds like an absolute floor filler.
Cult London band Mystery Jets have announced their seventh studio album, A Hole To See The Sky Through, arriving August 21st via Fiction Records. The title track is out now, and fascinatingly, the album cover features Yoko Ono's original minimalist artwork of the same name, granted with permission from the artist herself. Longtime fans are going to be very happy indeed.
Becky Hill has announced a special intimate show at London's legendary 100 Club on Wednesday 27th May. Tickets go on sale 24 hours prior via her mailing list, and her new single Hands On Me is out now and sounds like an absolute floor filler.