Music

Izzy MacArthur’s latest single, “Landmines,” is a compelling mix of deep emotions and nostalgic melodies. With a prominent acoustic guitar foundation, the track immediately draws listeners into a space that is intimate, with the raw sounds of an emerging artist.

Some of the UK’s most beloved stars and musical talents, including Sandi Toksvig, Trevor Nelson, Jamie Cullum, Anna Lapwood and Paloma Faith, will take to the Royal Albert Hall, offering something for everyone in the lead-up to the holiday season.

An evening at the Somerset House Summer Series, featuring Corinne Bailey Rae and the Euro ‘24 Finals, embodied the epitome of a British summer celebration.

With an all-female headline bill, this year’s lineup is more electrifying than ever, promising a weekend filled with unforgettable acts and experiences. Here’s our unmissable five.

Returning for its second year in the enchanting Welsh black-forest hills, get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of Madruga Festival.

Wilderness Festival is calling all adventurers, dreamers, and dance enthusiasts to dive headfirst into its latest enchanting creation: The Riddle.

Nestled in the heart of central London, the Somerset House courtyard will once again transform into a vibrant hub of musical magic from July 11th to July 21st, hosting an array of global artists across diverse genres.

Our favourite Disney classic celebrates its 30th anniversary! In two special in-concert screenings this July, the iconic animated film will appear amidst concerts and a special musical performance at The Royal Albert Hall.

Brick Lane’s Jazz Festival was a wave of revival. As a proudly female-led festival, founded by Juliet Kennedy, the long weekend celebrated the freshest artists on the UK’s jazz scene - and it didn’t disappoint. 

Samara Joy transported us into a universe of realised dreams and revival. Her timeless vocals and inviting stage presence brought an auditorium to our feet for two standing ovations.

Weaving on and around the iconic streets of East London, Brick Lane Jazz Festival showcases the freshest artists on the UK’s thriving jazz scene.

False Idols is back for another round of rebellious antics at DRUMSHEDS. This Saturday, be prepared for a wild experience of queer hedonism.

On a chilled summer Sunday in South London, Cloud X Festival became a secret garden party hosted for the best of the UK’s emerging R&B, Soul and Alt rap music.

Field Day 2023 was a sold-out success. Against the backdrop of a sunlit Victoria Park, London, this year’s festival welcomed 50,000 guests to an audio visual celebration of some of the electronic music scene’s most visionary artists.

Dubbed London’s #1 Soul and Alt rap festival, Cloud X is back for its third year - this time, in a new scaled up location - Beckenham Park, South London. The festival promises a day to remember, drawing together good music, connection and the energy of independent creatives.

Ahead of her upcoming show at Patterns in Brighton this Friday, we caught up with mutli-genre DJ, Arthi - ‘The Arthi starter for every occasion’.

Following her ascent to internet stardom, Nieve Ella takes the stage at Boardmasters Festival, August 11th. After a whirlwind European tour with pop superstar Dylan, this breezy indie pop sensation doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon!

Summer’s in full swing. On Saturday 29th July, celebrating its third year running, Body Movements is back - rooted in colour, queer family and beautiful mayhem, the multi-venue festival is taking over Hackney Wick, London, and its labyrinth of indoor and outdoor venues. 

We’re celebrating Field Day’s homecoming at Victoria Park. After a sold out 15th anniversary, which drew in crowds of 50,000, we’re looking forward to another day-long festival with some of electronic music’s most revered acts. Here’s GIFTED’s rundown of 5 female acts not to miss.

Festival season has come around once again and we’re excited to jump into a promising summer line up. To kick things off, we’ll be at El Dorado, an enchanting boutique festival set in the heart of Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire. Here’s GIFTED’s list of five things we are most looking forward to.

Some traditions need to be broken in order to be restored. At an intimate night at The Roundhouse, London, Gambian artist Sona Jobarteh - the first female professional kora player from a griot family, extends the role of the mother through music and myth.

Briggs sat down with Madison McFerrin - an American singer, songwriter and producer. Madison delved into her influences, her relationship with music, how residing in different US states over time has influenced her journey and helped shape her community - as well as new video visuals for her single ‘God Herself’ off her debut album “I Hope You Can Forgive Me”.

To kick start Women’s History Month, Briggs sat down with Kara Jackson ahead of her debut album - Kara unravelled stories from her journey so far, including her sonic influences, how the creative scene in Chicago has inspired her growth and the healing experience of art in community.

As we welcome in a new month, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the festivals we’ve experienced over an endless summer. From inclusive, female-led line ups to spaces that centre care and openly affirm queer identities, we round-up the summer festivals that brought us closer together.

We Out Here was indeed a something-for-everyone kind of festival. People may have left physically exhausted from all of the dancing but undoubtedly mentally and emotionally recharged with a frequency of soul-filled new memories.

Body Movements Festival: a place where queer bodies were allowed absolute liberty to move, breathe, and flow - just as they were meant to.

For South Asian Heritage Month, we’re celebrating our very own Vicky Pasion. We caught up with Pasion to ask her 5 questions… 

Self-described as “The Ronettes filtered through 80s DIY and 90s riot grrrl, with a sprinkling of dashikis”, Black feminist punk band Big Joanie are taking the world by storm.

Over the weekend, Vicky Pasion was invited by UN Women UK to be at the Strawberries & Creem festival. With an inclusive, female led line-up, Strawberries & Creem is the first ‘Safe Spaces Now’ Festival committed to making safer spaces for women and marginalised groups.

Check out what we got up to at the UK’s first queer camping festival!