Hot Hits & Celeb Bits

Gary Campion

Hey everyone, this prepride column is probably the most bipolar column I have ever put out! I couldn’t decide on a theme or a clear run of what to feature, so I went with the “a little bit of everything” option. The usual top 5’s and vinyl features with a bit of added queer book, theatre and art, now try tell me I’m not cultured! By the time this comes out, it will be single-digit days on my Mighty Hoopla countdown; I can’t wait to share it all with you again next issue!

Vinyl of the moment...

Pre-release spotlight: Cynthia Elviro - I Forgive You (released 6th June)

The incredibly talented Cynthia Erivo, known for her GRAMMY, Tony, and EMMY Awards, not to mention her 3 Academy Award nominations, is about to drop her much-anticipated new album, “I Forgive You,” marking a bold new chapter in her artistic journey.

Cynthia has poured her heart and soul into this album, co-writing every track and showcasing her breathtaking vocal range. She’s unfiltered and open like never before, taking us on a deeply personal ride filled with themes of romance, heartbreak, love, forgiveness, and fresh starts. It’s a poetic journey that is sure to resonate with listeners. Cynthia is poised to make her significant mark on the Billboard charts as a solo queer artist, and I can’t wait to see it!

Earlier this year, Cynthia received a “Best Actress” nomination at the Oscars for her stunning performance as Elphaba in the mega hit “Wicked”. She even took the Oscars stage by storm with a breathtaking performance, proving once again that she is a force to be reckoned with.

With “I Forgive You,” we’ll be treated to a tender 20-track LP. This album is divided into 4 parts: a breakup, something new, the deepening of a connection, and finally, acceptance. In between each section, listeners will find haunting interludes, with Cynthia’s angelic voice taking centre stage. The mix of pop, R&B, folk, Britpop, hip-hop, and gospel creates an intimate atmosphere that reminds us of the beauty and complexity of our lives, both the good and the bad.

top 5 iconic covers:

My top iconic covers that are as good as and in some cases better than the original:

TOM ODELL

TRUE COLOURS

An acoustic piano-led masterpiece of an iconic song!

HAIM THAT DON’T IMPRESS ME MUCH Effortlessly cool, as HAIM always are!

Whispers are circulating in the queer entertainment community that she might perform at this year’s Mighty Hoopla! Honestly, I don’t know how I’ll handle it if it happens, as for the thought of possibly meeting her in the press pit? Prepare for some serious ugly crying on my end! I’ve been a fan for what feels like forever, long before “Wicked” was even a topic of discussion. Her debut album, “Ch. 1 Vs. 1,” is a staple on my record player, headphones, and in my spotify playlists.

I can’t wait to dive into “I Forgive You” and see what more Cynthia has in store for us in 2025!

SHAWN MENDES USE

Somebody - an unexpected Kings of Leon cover that just works on every level!

GIRLS ALOUD EVERY HEARTBEAT

Taken from one of their BBC live lounge performances with Sarah sounding at her best!

JOHN MAYER FREE FALLING

A Guitar-led acoustic modernisation of Tom Pettys debut solo album.