Entertainment

In celebration of International Women's Day we've put together an unrelentingly awesome playlist of the female acts rocking our world at TLE. These range from the matriarchs who paved the way for a strong female presence in the music industry, right up to the new blood pushing the envelope at the forefront of the 2016 music scene. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and if you spot a glaring omission then please feel free to add to the playlist or...

By Alex Lodge (@alexlodgemusic | Insta @alexlodgemusic7) Alex Lodge is a music supervisor for film, TV and advertising at Studio 32 Music. All I've been listening to this week is jazz and Steve Mason, which will become very apparent when you play this list. I discovered a great album by Matthew Halsall and the Gondwana Orchestra which is pretty straight on the first disc, but moves into some wonderful astral jazz on the second with a tribute to one of...

It’s been four years… but now Francis, a Swedish folk quintet, are back with their second full-length album Marathon. Co-produced by the band and Nicolas Vernhes (The War on Drugs, Bjork, Dirty Projectors), the album is soaked in delayed guitars and Petra Mases’ melancholy vocals. Staying true to Scandinavian indie pop the album is full of natural themes, such as ‘Horses’ and ‘Winters Wind’. The band says themselves that pretty much every song is about “children, divorce or love. But...

By Eleanor Sammeijer (@ElStammjam)   Chris Stapleton’s got the chops. Two Grammy’s, winner of the 2015 Country Music Association Awards for Best Male Vocalist, New Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year. Expectations for a new listener going into his new album Traveller are understandably high. The album itself is an interesting mix of classic, high-energy country tones and more restrained ballads. ‘Fire Away’ is a slow-burner with unquestionable grit at an unhurried pace, like a slow, continuous...

By Grant Bailey (@GrantDBailey) The Berghain has a bipolar reputation. For those able to breach the walls of this notorious techno club, which is positioned on the border of East and West Berlin, a homecoming, a religious experience, an unforgettable night of sex, drugs and industrial noise awaits. For the salty revellers turned away at the door there’s only negative Trip Advisor reviews for consolation, with cries of unreasonable policies, unfriendly staff and an unsightly twinge of national supremacy in their strict...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor I am from Newcastle and yes I have what some would call " a stupid incomprehensible accent," and inevitably some "joker" in the pub will try and mimic it for "comic" effect. It makes me cringe especially when begged to say "why aye man," to a group of trainee accountants from Kent, who then go on to give my northern dialect a go. But nothing has prepared me for this...US television show Castle's interpretation of...

By Alex Lodge (@alexlodgemusic | Insta @alexlodgemusic7) Alex Lodge is a music supervisor for film, TV and advertising at Studio 32 Music. I've spent the last week having a love-in with my record collection as it's been in boxes for the last few weeks, so there are a few old classics on here that I've rediscovered over the last few days. Microsillon and Saul Williams came straight out of a dusty old box of CD's and Amon Tobin, Origamibiro, Nick Cave and...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor It’s hardly surprising that lots of audiences are a bit scared of Red Bastard. Think a team-building away day, but with an aggressive, brutal red blob as the motivational speaker. We caught up with him, with our hands slightly shaking... You are bringing Red Bastard to London’s Arts Theatre from feb 22nd - march 5th, can you tell us a bit about the show? Sure... Close your eyes. Now imagine: a dangerous, seductive comedy-monster. What...

By Grant Bailey (@GrantDBailey) Long live Holy Roar. The record label have announced a 2-stage, 1-day event to celebrate their tenth anniversary this spring. The show will take place across the Dome and Boston Music Rooms venues, Tufnell Park, London on the 21st May, and will feature the biggest names in the Holy Roar roster.   Rolo Tomassi are slated to headline, with support from Departures, Hang The Bastard, Giants and many more. The £15 ticket also includes unlimited access to the HRX:...