Street Cred Magazine - July 2021

@PhoenixNewsUK

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021 - Page 13

MUSIC FASHION FILM GADGETS HOLIDAY EDUCATION HEALTH AND FITNESS

JULY 2021

/streetcredmagazine www.streetcredmagazine.com

LORDE GETS SOLAR POWER

New Single and Album Drop For the NZ Songstress

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

Page 14 - The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

thephoenixnewspaper.com

www.streetcredmagazine.com

THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLEMENT

/streetcredmagazine

/streetcredmagazine

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Empress of Soul to return for UK tour T he great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Very few singers over the last 50 years have matched her unassailable artistry.

Now Gladys Knight – The Empress of Soul and seven-time Grammy winner – have announces a series of special UK dates for June 2022.

Starting June 18th in Manchester, the 9-city tour concludes with two nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall on June 29th and 30th.

Gladys comments: “UK I have missed you! I can’t wait to be back in 2022 and very much look forward to seeing you all soon!” Since she

began her career in the 1950s performing with The Pips, the award-winning singer has recorded more than 40 albums and enjoyed No.1 hits on the Pop, Gospel, R&B and Contemporary charts.

Known for her collection of classic hits such as Midnight Train To Georgia (which remains one of the most famous Motown records to date and was honoured as one of 'The Greatest Songs Of All Time'

by Rolling Stone Magazine), Help Me Make It Through The Night, Licence To Kill (the official theme song to the James Bond film), The Way We Were, Baby Don't' Change Your Mind, and You're The Best

Thing That Ever Happened To Me, Gladys Knight is one of music’s icons, and her contribution to pop culture unparalleled.

Gladys Knight has been honoured with the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame; a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has dozens of TV, film and theatre credits.

Tour Dates June 18 Manchester O2 Apollo June 19 Birmingham Symphony Hall June 21 Bournemouth International Centre June 22 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena

June 23 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall June 25 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena June 26 Leeds First Direct Arena June 27 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall June 29 London Royal Albert Hall June 30 London Royal Albert Hall

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021 - Page 15

www.streetcredmagazine.com

ENTERTAINMENT

Ash Williams Returns in Evil Dead: The Game

S

aber Interactive and Boss Team Games have released a new gameplay overview trailer for Evil Dead: The

Game.

Featuring Bruce Campbell as the original boomstick-brandishing, chainsaw-wielding hero Ash Williams, this video is your first major look at the co-op and PvP multiplayer action game, coming later this year to PC, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

You’ll also get a glimpse of new surprises like Cheryl Williams and Henry the Red as playable characters, plus Ash’s Delta (and yes, you can drive it).

Inspired by the iconic horror, humour, and action of the "Evil Dead" universe, Evil Dead: The Game brings the biggest characters from the franchise together in an over-the-top, gorefilled experience against the forces of darkness.

Work as a team of four survivors,

including Ash, Kelly Maxwell, Pablo Simon Bolivar, Scotty, Lord Arthur and more, to fight the Deadites and banish the vile Kandarian Demon.

Or become the mighty Demon yourself, using your powers of possession to stop the good guys dead and swallow their souls!

Battle across memorable sights from the franchise, including the infamous Knowby cabin, brought to life with tons of terrifying visuals and all-new dialogue from Bruce Campbell.

Discover more than 25 weapons, including Ash’s Gauntlet, Boomstick, and chainsaw, and level up a variety of skill trees to grow even stronger and survive the night.

Evil Dead: The Game is a collaboration between Saber Interactive, Boss Team Games, Renaissance Pictures, Creative Licensing on behalf of STUDIOCANAL, leading entertainment company Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), and global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B).

Inhaler To Headline Birmingham O2 Institute In October DUBLIN'S INHALER have released their new single It Won’t Always Be Like This on Polydor.

The song launched as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record In The World on Radio 1 alongside a video directed by James Slater.

Sharing its name with the band’s debut album, which is set for release on July 9th, It Won’t Always Be Like This is a re-recorded version of an early single that the Irish rock quartet wrote over four years ago, but its meaning has changed between now and then.

It Won’t Always Be Like This is a coming-of-age record, an album about adolescence, love, getting lost and finding yourself again. It closes one chapter of the band’s life and opens another.

Inhaler will play an 18-date tour of the UK & Ireland later this year.

New Single FOR Old Dominion

A

fter teasing its arrival, GRAMMY n o m i n a t e d Nashville band Old Dominion released their brand-new single ‘I Was On A Boat That Day.’ It marks the group’s first new music since their 2019 selftitled third full-length album, Old Dominion—which became their second straight #1 bow on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and second consecutive Top 10 debut on the Billboard Top 200.

Of the new track, front man Matthew Ramsey said: “When you listen to ‘I Was On a Boat That Day’ you are hearing us in the full joy of making music together.

From the moment I counted the band off we were smiling from beginning to end. The tequila was flowing, the laughter was loud, and we knew in that moment we were creating something that would

bring people as much joy as it was bringing us.”

Amplifying the hallmarks of their signature sound, the track ignites an instantly chantable hook buoyed by a massive groove and arena-size scope. ‘I Was On A Boat That Day’ features songwriting contributions from all five band members— Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Whit Sellers, and Geoff Sprung— alongside co-writers Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.

The band will return to the road in 2021 for their We Are Old Dominion: Live at The Ballpark Tour across North America.

Teaming up with Indigo Road Entertainment, the group’s first full-scale headline run since 2019 kicks off July 17 at The Ballpark at Jackson in Jackson, TN, visits major markets and historic venues coast-to-coast with more announcements on the way.

To advertise in The Phoenix

0121 339 5885 (Birmingham) l The Stereophonics return to Arena Birmingham on February 29th

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

Page 16 - The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

thephoenixnewspaper.com

www.streetcredmagazine.com

New partnership sets gold standard for Covid secure events Lady Leshurr And Toddla T Team Up To Release ‘2gether Now’

G-Man CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

TWO OF THE UK’s most distinctive talents, Lady Leshurr and Toddla T, have teamed up to release ‘2Gether Now’, a modern update on The Farm’s 1990 Top 5 classic ‘All Together Now’, which has been adopted as an iconic football song.

The track is released as part of JD Sport’s #JDPassItOn campaign on TikTok, which has already achieved a staggering 2.1 billion views.

Built around a sample from the original track, ‘2Gether

Now’ kicks the song firmly in 2021, with punchy UK hip-hop production from Lady Leshurr and Toddla T’s ferocious fullthrottle flow.

Her rhymes expand upon the message of unity that the original expressed, this time celebrating the nation coming together as lockdown eases and excitement for EURO 2020 reaches fever pitch. The track’s immediacy will also introduce the song to a whole new audience at TikTok.

T

he London Festival has announced a landmark partnership with Knights Security Group (KSG) to deliver a Covid safe event in 2023.

The London Festival is an extravaganza of live music performances, cultural events, engaging new technology and feel-good entertainment.

Knights Security Group will work in collaboration with The London Festival to deliver a strategic and fully comprehensive 360-degree Covid-safe blueprint.

It will deploy their wide range of COV-RID products across multiple locations in the festival to keep festival goers safe.

Planning is already under way and will continue as arrangements are made to kick off the inaugural event.

With significant experience in dealing with high traffic locations, the KSG Team will ensure that over 250 hand sanitiser stations are kept in operation throughout the two-week festival, regular thermal fogging will be deployed to ensure that all attractions are clean and safe.

Going above and beyond, The London Festival will offer free 50ml hand sanitiser bottles to families with young children free of charge on entry to the festival.

All COV-RID products to

be used during the London Festival are alcohol-free and are specifically designed to be nontoxic and non-hazardous to use.

The COV-RID products are natural and friendly to the environment as they are derived from plants and biodegradable.

Achieving the gold standard for disinfecting locations with lots of visitors and people, KSG will become an integral part of The London Festival team throughout the event with pre-tested teams continually disinfecting all areas of the immersive and technologically advanced event at regular intervals.

Mr Andrew Knights, CEO of Knights Security Group Ltd said: “The London Festival will be provided with the full range of COV-RID products to achieve levels of hygiene and cleanliness that no big event has experienced before.

“All products planned for the festival are alcohol-free, non-toxic and non-Hazardous. By thermally fogging all of the exposed surfaces in the enclosed locations the London Festival will ensure they are disinfected and safe for the whole family.”

The London Festival is organised

by Empower London Foundation in partnership with the Nascent Vek Group.

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021 - Page 17

HANGING OUT WITH HIGGINS

www.streetcredmagazine.com

MONTHLY COLUMN steve@stevehigginsproductions.com www.stevehigginsproductions.com

JAMAICAN FOLK MUSIC

“D

ip an’ Fall Back! Dip an’ Fall Back! My advice- Dere is Notting nice, Like de Dip an’ Fall Back!”

Dr. Olive Lewin taught me this Jamaican Folk Song But what does it mean? How about ‘Peel Head Jahncro’ siddung pan tree tap, pick aff de blassam’? (See answers below) Decades ago, Jamaica’s history -written by otherswas sometimes questionable.

That changed when as a young nation, Jamaica produced brilliant, passionate

scholars, who took pride in the research, documentation, and preservation of Jamaica’s culture and artforms. Thanks to them, generations to come can learn about our Foods, Customs, Language, Dance and yes- Folk Music!

These scholars included the erudite Professor Rex Nettleford (dance), the effervescent Louise BennetCoverly (speech), and of course, Olive Lewin (music).

Born in Hayes, Clarendon, (Jamaica), Olive nurtured a love and respect for music, and became a distinguished

luminary of Jamaican Folklore, specifically, Jamaican Folk Music. In fact, she was hand-picked by independent Jamaica’s first Minister of Culture (Edward Seaga), to go into the deep recesses of Jamaica, interview purveyors of our heritage and document our own narrative!

This Associate of the Royal School of Music (London), not only researched and documented, but used her musical brilliance to arrange Jamaican folk songs, so that, years after we all have exited this stage called life, your

descendants will have our rich music and be able to teach their children. Olive founded the Jamaican Folk Singers (1967), who have taken our authentic Folk music worldwide, to critical acclaim! Her work resides at the Memory Bank,

Institute of Jamaica, Kingston.

So, plan a visit to Jamaica!

Teach your children our Folk songs and dances! Get them culturally aware! Share it with the world!

Answers: Folk Song#1: (Recipe for) Mackerel

RunDung.

Song#2: Until you see a ‘Johncro’ picking blossoms, we shall always be friends!

More songs at https://www. stevehigginsproductions.com/ physical-music-store

JAMAICA HI-5 5K WALK/RUN! H

undreds turned out on Saturday June 5th 2021, for Jamaica’s Consul General in MiamiOliver Mair’s annual 5K Walk/ Run. The mission of the Hi-5 5K Walk/Run is to raise funds for Jamaica’s Ministry of Health’s Adopt A Clinic Initiative, which was launched some years ago, to support some of Jamaica’s over 300 clinics. The adoption of each is a 3-year commitment, whereby charitable organizations or individuals support specific clinics to the tune of J$1M per year for three (3) years. Partners are recognized at the starting point of the engagement with the clinics as well as with the

To advertise in The Phoenix

community. The clinics are mostly in rural towns and funds go towards training, equipment, and supplies.

An enthusiastic crowd of almost 700 folks met at The Miramar Regional Park, (Miramar, Florida) to support the cause.

The high-octane electricity filled the air throughout the event as we had great music pumping up the ‘vibes’.

Georgia, Jamaica, New York & Canada also participated virtually, as they did their own Walk/Run in full support.

Link with us at w w w. j a m a i c a h i 5 k r u n . c o m for more information or to participate.

0121 339 5885 (Birmingham)

Page 18 - The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

www.streetcredmagazine.com www.streetcredmagazine.com

S Club 7 Star to Release New Solo Album

J

o O’Meara enjoyed phenomenal success with S Club 7 as the group landed four UK #1 hits, won two BRIT Awards and repeatedly packed arenas all over the UK. Now one of British pop’s most distinctive voices is set to return with the news that her new solo album ‘With love’ will be released on August 27th. The album has today been launched alongside its first single ‘On The Surface.’

And how better to mount a

comeback than with a song like ‘On The Surface’? The voice that powered some of the era’s most irresistible pop classics is back and sounding better than ever before.

Full of passion and soul, Jo’s timeless vocal is the midas touch that elevates an already elegant power ballad to new heights. It’s reflective and emotional too, as Jo sings about how we portray ourselves and how we can be let down by how others choose to portray themselves.

Jo says, “This song is about

thephoenixnewspaper.com

how we can keep things bottled up inside, And people never knowing the true pain of what maybe inside someone!

Sometimes it’s easier to put on a smile ! Everyone is ok ….. on the surface <3 ” “I’ve made this album with all my love,” she says, “but I’m also sending it with love to all the fans out there that have been so supportive to me for all of these years, through the ups and downs. I’m so proud of what I’ve done with this album, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

Lorde Embrace Solar Power FO NEW ALBU I

n 2013, a 16-year-old Lorde quietly, yet confidently asserted herself as the voice of a generation with her full-length debut, Pure Heroine.

The album would go tripleplatinum, win two Grammy Awards, and spawn the seventimes platinum record-breaking international juggernaut single, “Royals,” and quadruple-platinum follow up “Team.”

The former reached #1 on the UK Official Charts and cemented Lorde as “the youngest solo artist and the only New Zealander to achieve #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1987.”

Time exalted her amongst the “Most Influential Teenagers in the World,” she landed on Forbes’s “30 Under 30” List, graced the cover of Rolling Stone and performed alongside Nirvana during the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

She also curated the official soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 and recorded “Yellow Flicker Beat” as the lead single.

In 2017 Lorde released her second full-length studio album,

Melodrama which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Chart, making her the first ever NZ artist to land a #1 debut album in the United States.

The album reached #1 in over 45 countries and earned Lorde a nomination for Album of the Year at the 2018 Grammy Awards.

She won the Brit Award for International Female Solo Artist in both 2014 and 2018.

Lorde makes her highly anticipated return with critically acclaimed new single, “Solar Power,” from her third full-length studio album, Solar Power, due out August 20th.

Lorde currently has over 12 million albums sold worldwide and over 10 billion streams worldwide.

In a surprise move, Lorde released her new song “Solar Power.”

The song, which appropriately dropped timed to the only solar eclipse of the year, came alongside the announcement of her highly anticipated third studio album of the same name, Solar Power.

She has additionally revealed the album release date as August 20th and announced her 2022 World tour dates.

The 40+ show tour begins in her homeland of New Zealand in February 2022 and takes in dates in Australia and North America before arriving in the UK for six shows beginning on May 25 and

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

@PhoenixNewsUK

ENTERTAINMENT

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

www.streetcredmagazine.com www.streetcredmagazine.com

es

ENTERTAINMENT

Full Cast Announced for World Premiere of Disney’s Bedknobs And Broomsticks MICHAEL HARRISON has announced the cast for Disney’s Bedknobs And Broomsticks, which will make its world premiere as an exciting new stage musical, visiting Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 April 2022.

Dianne Pilkington will star as Miss Eglantine Price, the mysterious lady that the three orphaned Rawlins children are evacuated from wartime London

OR UM

culminating in two dates at the Roundhouse, London, on June 1 and 2.

“Solar Power” debuted to fan and critical acclaim, with Billboard stating, “Solar Power” is a fresh

The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021 - Page 31

chapter in a riveting book, and Lorde fans should be thrilled to meet this new author.”

The Guardian called the song, “… a distinct reinvention, one that gleefully puts a gap between Lorde and everyone else in terms of her creativity” while noting, “Lorde’s comeback single is a lesson in letting pop stars take their time.”

The song is the first single from Lorde’s forthcoming third studio album which will be released via Universal Music New Zealand on August 20th.

The album includes 12 tracks and is produced by Jack Antonoff who she collaborated with on her charttopping last album, Melodrama.

“The album is a celebration of the natural world, an attempt at immortalizing the deep, transcendent feelings I have when I’m outdoors," explained Lorde.

"In times of heartache, grief, deep love, or confusion, I look to the natural world for answers. I’ve learned to breathe out, and tune in.

This is what came through.”

Of the single she added, “The first song, also called Solar Power and written and produced by myself and Jack, is the first of the rays.

to live with. Dianne’s West End credits include Les Misérables, Wicked, Mamma Mia and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.

Charles Brunton will play Emelius Browne.

Charles starred in the iconic role of Miss Trunchbull in Matilda both in the West End and on Broadway. Other credits include Love Never Dies, Chess and Scrooge.

The rest of the company includes Mark Anderson, Jessica Aubrey, Georgie Buckland, Kayla Carter,

Jonathan Cobb, Jacqui Dubois, Matthew Elliot-Campbell, Sam Lupton, Rob Madge, Vinnie Monachello, Nathaniel Morrison, Conor O’Hara, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Robin Simoes Da Silva, Emma Thornett and Susannah Van Den Berg.

The Rawlins children will be played by Dexter Barry, Izabella Bucknell, Haydn Court, Poppy Houghton, Evie Lightman and Aidan Oti.

It’s about that infectious, flirtatious summer energy that takes hold of us all, come June…”

To honour the natural world the artist is presenting the album in a first-of-its kind, discless format.

An eco-conscious Music Box will be available for purchase as an alternative to a CD. This innovative offering will contain extra visual content, handwritten notes, exclusive photos, and a download card.

The card will give purchasers a high-quality download of the music, two exclusive bonus tracks, and access to some special surprises along the way.

When talking about the concept Lorde says, “I decided early on in the process of making this album that I also wanted to create an environmentally kind, forwardthinking alternative to the CD. "I wanted this Music Box product to be similar in size, shape and price to a CD, to live alongside it in a retail environment, but be something which stands apart and that’s committed to the evolving nature of a modern album.”

To advertise in The Phoenix

0121 339 5885 (Birmingham)

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

Page 32 - The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021

ENTERTAINMENT MOTORS

thephoenixnewspaper.com

www.streetcredmagazine.com www.streetcredmagazine.com

Cornwall Crowned As Europe’s Most Pinned Road Trip Destination

Highfields Amateur Boxing Club Saved From Knockout A DONCASTER boxing club, which helps young people around Adwick, Bentley and beyond, has been saved from the brink of closure – thanks to the support of a significant local business donation.

Since being established in 2001, the amateur club has trained people of all ages and skill levels, becoming a vital resource in the area. As well as taking boxers to English National Levels, the club has become a pillar of the community – aiding the mental health of young people and encouraging the importance of discipline and other life skills.

After a series of national lockdowns left the club on the ropes, coach John Loosemore launched an appeal in the local area.

“Since we started Highfields ABC over 20 years ago, we’ve always managed to generate our own income through memberships, shows and school visits.”

Thanks to a significant £2000 donation by SYNETIQ – the UK’s leading integrated vehicle salvage and recycling company based on Bentley Moor Lane - Highfields ABC has surpassed that target, and is now ready to take on 2021.

SYNETIQ’s donation will go towards the training and certification required by the ABA Governing body, such as First Aid and Child Safety, as well as COVID-19 safety measures.

PETROLHEADONISM

P

etrolheadonism Live has launched its premier event in the park of Knebworth House; this must-see family spectacular will bring some of the world’s most exclusive and desirable cars to this epic weekend to celebrate all things automotive!

On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September over 1,000 cars will be on display from Supercars to Classics, Americana to the Highly Modified and the ‘Interesting’, at this must-see event for any automotive fan.

Petrolheadonism Live will host a £50m+ Hypercar

enclosure in the shadows of Knebworth House.

Our event supporter Zach’s Garage will be hosting Hypercars and Supercars as well as extremely valuable vehicles worth in excess of £1m each with some very rare cars joining the display including our Hero Car of the event, the 24Ct Gold Leaf inlayed Koenegsigg Regera.

The Koenigsegg Regera is one of the most expensive and fastest cars in the world! It’s limited production combined with its cutting edge revolutionary technology as well as crushed diamonds and 24ct gold make

To advertise

it one of the most exclusive cars on the road, in the world, today.

In addition, over 50 car clubs are set to attend the event, so enthusiasts will see an incredible array of Classics, Highly Modified, American and Supercars to rival any automotive event.

There will be a programme of events within the Main Arena; the highlight of which will be the ‘Petrolheadonism Elite 2021’ competitors, displaying the most astounding vehicles from 7 varied classes presented by 7 different experts in their class. These cars will parade around a ‘catwalk’ each day

creating a moving masterpiece of horsepower.

The event takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Knebworth Park. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and stay all day. Once you have looked at the vast range of cars why not explore some of Knebworth’s other attractions.

Perfect for a family day out your ticket to the event also includes free on-site parking and FREE entrance to the adventure playground, the dinosaur trail with 70 life-sized dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures and 28acre formal gardens including a maze!

CORNWALL has been revealed as the most ‘pinned’ road trip destination in Europe, according to a new study.

The research conducted by Honda used Pinterest data to look at more than 650 popular destinations across Europe.

The study ranked the most ‘pinned’ road trip locations based on the number of boards made for each place, as inspiration for future travel.

Cornwall was revealed as the most ‘pinned’ destination for road trips with 78 boards dedicated to the coastal county.

The picturesque coast has also seen a surge in Google searches, with a 50% increase in people searching for ‘Cornwall’ from January 2021 to March 2021.

Tuscany came out second in the research, attracting visitors with its architecture, history and renaissance art.

Italy topped the list for having the highest number of road trip locations feature in the top 15 with Amalfi, Rome, Sicily and Florence also appearing as top road trip locations.

0208 865 1922 (London)

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021 - Page 33

www.streetcredmagazine.com

NISSAN CELEBRATE NEW QASHQAI

N

issan Sunderland Plant is marking the start of production of the third generation Qashqai with a renewed pledge to inspire future generations of manufacturing talent.

Following a £400m investment, the latest version of the segment-defining crossover is now rolling off the plant’s production Line One, as the plant celebrates 35 years of manufacturing in the UK. Qashqai represents one in five of all cars built in Britain since its launch 14 years ago – and to celebrate the new generation model, Nissan is offering every schoolchild in North East England the opportunity to take part in a Nissan Skills Foundation event

BENTLEY MOTORS has announced the appointment of Richard Leopold as Regional Director for UK, Middle East, Africa and India, commencing 1 September. He replaces Sarah Simpson who leaves Bentley to join Porsche GB as CEO. As part of a career that spans two decades in the automotive industry, starting with Saab Automobile, Richard joined Bentley in 2007 when he assumed the role of Director of Product Marketing.

He then moved to China as Brand and Marketing Director playing a crucial role in establishing the region as one of Bentley’s largest markets.

After three years in China, Richard became Head of Bentley Russia with sole responsibility for all the luxury marque’s activities in a period where the country was one of the fastest growing luxury markets in the world.

– the company’s programme of activities designed to excite youngsters about careers in manufacturing and engineering.

Alan Johnson, Nissan Vice President for Manufacturing in the UK, said: “Sunderland Plant is built on 35 years of manufacturing excellence, and from the skills and expertise of our world-class team comes a car for the future.

“More than 3.5m customers have chosen a Qashqai made in Sunderland since it went on sale in 2007, and the third generation model delivers the new levels of technology, design and performance that people have come to expect from the original crossover.

“We know it has been a tough year for young people, so we’re using the launch of this

next-generation car to step up our efforts to inspire the nextgeneration of manufacturing talent. We want every child in the North East of England to have the opportunity to be inspired by the Nissan Skills Foundation.”

Since the launch of the original model in 2007, Qashqai has broken record after record. It was the fastest UK car to reach one million, two million and three million units built, and more than 3.5 million have now been produced in Sunderland – about a third of the plant’s all time total.

Those numbers also mean that one in five cars built in the UK since 2007 has been a Qashqai – the highest-volume car made in Britain.

MOTORS

International Women Drivers' Day - June 24th

24 JUNE was a day of celebration.

International Women Drivers' Day, an initiative promoted by the Women's World Car of the Year, aims to draw attention to the importance of women in the automotive world.

Just three years ago on 24 June, the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia was lifted. On that day, one of the great remaining walls in the automotive world came down.

Women gained mobility, personal freedom and a passion for cars. They became more visible and made society aware of the potential of more than 50% of the population.

Today, women influence more than 80% of car purchases in advanced countries.

Bentley Announces New Regional Director

After six years away from Crewe he returned in 2016 to the position of Sales Planning and Operations Director. This before commencing his current role four years later

as Global Sales and Network Director responsible for Bentley’s sales planning, operations and retailer development around the world.

To advertise in The Phoenix

0121 339 5885 (Birmingham)

Page 34 - The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

thephoenixnewspaper.com

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Birmingham Royal Ballet Returns To Birmingham Hippodrome

A

fter 14 months away, Birmingham Royal Ballet have announced their plans to return to Birmingham Hippodrome with a season from Director Carlos Acosta that again balances the new and the classic, beginning with contrasting tellings of, arguably, the greatest love story ever told.

Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s passionate Romeo and Juliet choreography and Prokofiev’s score will set hearts alight in this enduringly popular, classic interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragedy created especially for Birmingham Royal Ballet.

From the balcony scene’s ecstatic pas de deux, exploring love in all its soaring wonder, to the lovers’ heart-breaking

ends, Romeo and Juliet is ballet at its most poignant and beautiful.

R&J Reimagined sees Romeo and Juliet get a very different treatment with the Company premiere of Romanian choreographer Edward Clug's Radio and Juliet, a reinvention of the classic story set to the music of Radiohead, featuring tracks from Kid A, Amnesiac and OK Computer.

This version explores what could have happened if Juliet decided not to take her own life, and is an exhilarating, emotional rollercoaster that has toured the world to widespread acclaim since its premiere in 2005 - it will form a double bill with a new work from Birminghambased choreographer Rosie

Kay, further details to be announced.

This festive season, Birmingham Royal Ballet will bring The Nutcracker back to the city when Birmingham Hippodrome welcomes the return of Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy in November.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s superb dancers and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia weave their magic with the timeless choreography and glorious Tchaikovsky score to create a quintessential Christmas treat for all the family.

For spring 2022, Acosta promises entertainment for all ages when he brings an explosion of Spanish sunshine, spectacular dance and vivacious comedy to the Birmingham Hippodrome stage.

Ed Sheeran backs footy mad rapper’s England EURO 2020 anthem

G Coventry Moves To Form UK City Of Culture Centrepiece Event PEOPLE ARE being invited to turn on radios at their doorsteps to premiere a piece of music as part of Coventry's year as UK City of Culture.

Nine radio stations played different parts of the piece in June forming the full version when they were heard at the same time.

Residents in the city were asked to talk to neighbours to plan who listened to which station to mark the culmination of the signature event.

Coventry's year as UK City of Culture officially launched in May with thousands of people tuning in to watch a short film posted on the festival website.

Its centrepiece, Coventry Moves, was originally due to coincide with the launch, but was moved to today to because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Like other events planned for the coming months, it has had to negotiate Covid-19 restrictions, including social distancing.

Broadcasting on the festival website and social media, as well as coverage on television platforms, the day included the retelling of the city's pioneering past, present and future.

Digital content also featured six people with Coventry connections representing the city's energies - described by organisers

as resilience, social justice, youthfulness, sustainability, people power and innovation.

One of the six, Pauline Black, from 2-Tone band The Selector, performed a new song written for the event.

The day's activities also included 14 modern Lady Godivas, chosen from more than 140 nominations, to represent the city's women.

Although details were a closely guarded secret, some of them were learning to ride a horse for the first time as part of films planned on the day.

lobal music star Ed Sheeran has thrown his support behind an England song recorded by a diehard football fan and rapper ahead of the Euro 2020 tournament T8PES, who releases ‘This Is Football’ across streaming services, counts the best-selling singersongwriter amongst his friends and fans.

Sheeran said, “I love this England tune from my old mate T8PES. England’s gonna bring it home – make sure you check the song out!” Described as a ‘people’s anthem’ by Birmingham artist, youth worker and Aston Villa fan Jimmy Davis, who records and performs under the moniker T8PES, the track is a rousing call to arms for fans to get behind Gareth Southgate and team progress through the major sporting event.

Unlike previous international tournaments, the FA did not endorse an official single ahead of the delayed Championships as yet.

As bookies slashed the odds of England winning the tournament to clear favourites, the song came at the perfect moment to rally support following a difficult year for sports and music fans alike.

T8PES said: “The last 14 months have been a rollercoaster for musicians, footballers and

their fans. It was a dream to combine two of my biggest passions – I put ‘This Is Football’ out there for supporters of all teams to unite under one song and help cheer England all the way to the final.”

"The great England songs of the past like ‘Three Lions’ and ‘Vindaloo’ were not official so I was hoping that the country took this tune to their hearts. After the year we’ve all had, the Euros was set to be a joyous explosion with

‘This Is Football’ being part of it.”

The track features a myriad of musical styles, including rapped verses from T8PES, guest vocals from emerging local talent Wolverhampton indie singer Jack Cattell and Hertfordshire pop artist Zoe Philips, as well as the brass section from UB40’s favourite tour support band Kioko. This Is Football is out across all streaming platforms.

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

@PhoenixNewsUK

ENTERTAINMENT

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021 - Page 35

www.streetcredmagazine.com www.streetcredmagazine.com

Junodream New ‘Travel Guide’ Mixtape Out Now

L

ockdown should be the worst environment for a rising live band to emerge from, but Junodream have been flourishing in recent months.

They were recently named Radio 1 Future Artists Tune of the Week and Jack Saunders has consistently championed the band, highlighting them in both the Next Wave and Future Artists segments, while other key airplay has included John Kennedy at Radio X plus BBC Introducing.

Meanwhile, they’ve just sold-out their headline show at London Omeara and streaming support has constantly grown, culminating in two big cover moments: Hot New Bands at Spotify and Indie Britain at TIDAL. Junodream now crown their recent achievements with the release of their brand new mixtape ‘Travel Guide’.

The band’s most ambitious body of work to date, the mixtape is released alongside the new single ‘White Sunday’.

The ‘Travel Guide’ mixtape is informed by new ideas and sounds.

Set to a wider hybrid of influences from synth-pop to punk and even prog, Junodream take us back to 2000 and the potential for a bright new future that was promised by the new millennium. The benefits of an increasingly digital world are countered by the claustrophobia of 24/7 rolling news and the constant demands of progressively more polarising social media. On a more personal level, it also looks at how perceptions change during the transition from childhood to adulthood, and the realisation that seemingly innocent events often had a darker undercurrent.

ENTERTAINMENT

Dave 'Big Dave' Gauder

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

Send your stories in to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

Page 36 - The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

thephoenixnewspaper.com

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Blessed strikes positive chord with ‘Black Man’ and ‘New to You’

A Nathan Dennis

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE NEWS

ward-winning Jamaican Reggae sensation Blessed has been echoing in the consciences of the musicloving masses with his song ‘Black Man’.

The Toronto-based artiste has been enlightening listeners with this uplifting offering which is the lead single off his recently released EP, ‘New to You’.

Black Man was written by Blessed and produced by Jumpshot Records.

The single was inspired by the 2020 murder of George Floyd, tackles issues such as black-onblack crime and seeks to effect positive change as well as dispel several falsehoods which have lingered around society’s fabric for generations.

According to him; “The track Black Man is a call to all black men to unite against the forces that are destroying us.

To advertise

“It’s a call to stop killing each other and to recognize why others feel justified killing and mistreating us.

“It’s a reminder that our history doesn't start at slavery! It ultimately aims to boost the selfesteem of all black people.”

With its melodious flow and expressive lyrics, Black Man has resonated within the public psyche and has already amassed over 100,000 streams on Spotify, with its accompanying music video racking up over 50,000 streams on the Reggaeville YouTube channel.

The song is nominated for a Juno Award (Canada's equivalent of a Grammy Award) in the Best Reggae Recording category and has generated immense anticipation for Blessed’s newly released EP ‘New to You’.

The nine-track EP, New to You is a collection of conscious and uplifting songs which tells

a story from first track to last. It provides a platform where both entertaining and inspirational musical material co-exists in unique harmony.

New to You explores different dimensions of the Reggae & Dancehall experience and features dynamic collaborations with industry heavy-hitters such as roots Reggae stalwart Bushman and Grammy-winning producer Walshy Fire (of Major Lazer fame).

Also featured is the song ‘The Question’ which was produced

by Jah Waxman and was mixed & mastered at the famous Tuff Gong Studio in Jamaica.

Though humble and hardworking Blessed is quite accomplished and renowned in his field.

He is a two-time Juno and Urban Music Association of Canada Award winner and in 2017 was the recipient of a

JunCtian Award of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award.

Even with all the accolades throughout his 20-year professional music journey which also includes several major Caribbean and NorthAmerican festival performances and numerous dub-plate requests from international DJs, Blessed remains steadfast in his goal to be a positive example for

other artistes and the younger generation to follow “In these unpredictable times.”

Blessed says, “stay strong, help wherever help is needed and live in love knowing we are all a part of the Human Family.

“Please continue to support Reggae Music!”

‘New to You’ is distributed by Zojak Records and is available now on all streaming platforms.

0208 865 1922 (London)