Music legend Morrissey has criticised Capitol Records for promoting Sam Smith’s divisive new material whilst refusing to support his.
The former Smiths frontman turned controversial solo artist parted company with Capitol at the end of 2022 after they refused to release his latest album, Bonfire of Teenagers, the name and title track of which centre around the Manchester Arena attack.
Back in December, Morrissey‘s team said he had “voluntarily withdrawn” from all association with the company and now believes that they may have signed on for the record in order to ‘sabotage’ it.
Now, following the release of Sam Smith’s latest album and his much-talked-about live performance at the Grammys, the Manchester local has taken aim at his former employers for promoting Smith’s ‘satanism’. In case you haven’t seen what he and many others are discussing at the minute, here it is:
“Capitol Records (Los Angeles) proudly promotes Sam Smith’s ‘satanism’; yet they consider the honest truth of Morrissey’s factual ‘Bonfire of Teenagers‘ to be their biggest threat and they will not release it despite their contractual obligation and promise to do so.”
Morrissey’s album was due to release this month and included a number of collaborators such as Chad and Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Iggy Pop and Miley Cyrus.
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However, following the backlash after performances and the lyrics from the lead single were shared online, Cyrus (who provided backing vocals on the track) asked for her contributions to be removed.
Capitol ultimately decided they were no longer willing to publish the album knowing that the subject matter could cause distress and further controversy. The Davyhulme-born musician is no stranger to causing a stir.
As a result, the record still remains unreleased despite Morrissey alleging that the label are in breach of their contract and accusing them of hypocrisy.
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Much like the discussion surrounding Sam Smith’s Grammys performance, we suspect this is a situation that won’t be resolved any time soon.
Kings of Leon announce Manchester arena show on short run of UK dates
Daisy Jackson
Kings of Leon have just announced a short run of UK shows for next year, which includes an arena gig here in Manchester.
The multi-Grammy Award-winning rock band will be performing at the Co-op Live arena, along with two other British dates in Leeds and Glasgow.
Kings of Leon are one of the biggest alternative rock bands in the world, and never fail to sell out arenas in Manchester when they perform here.
The group of brothers (plus one cousin) have headlined some of the world’s most iconic festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, as well as reclaiming an all-time attendance record with a fifth night at Hyde Park in London last year.
Kings of Leon have been dominating charts for more than 20 years, ever since the release of their debut album Youth & Young Manhood in 2003.
They now have nine studio albums, including last year’s Can We Please Have Fun, which (as with all their albums so far) comfortably reached the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
The band is made up of Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill, and just last week they dropped an EP with four new songs.
Now, it’s another brief run of live shows for the UK, with Kings of Leon performing at Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 4 July 2026.
Tickets for Kings of Leon in Manchester will go on sale from 9am on Friday 21 November, and you can get yours HERE.
Pulp announce epic Live from Wythenshawe Park gig, with support from Self Esteem
Daisy Jackson
Pulp have been announced as the latest headliners of next year’s Live from Wythenshawe Park gig series – and they’re bringing a very special guest along to support.
The legendary Sheffield band will be joined by fellow Sheffielders Self Esteem for the outdoor summer show.
The news of Pulp’s epic gig in Wythenshawe Park follows a run of live reunion shows this year and the release of More, their first album in 24 years.
Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks, Mark Webber, and their collaborators will bring their electric live show to Manchester in summer 2026.
This will be the only chance to see Pulp perform outdoors up north next year.
Their announcement concludes the line-up for Live from Wythenshawe Park, which now consists of The Cure, Lewis Capaldi, Courteeners, The Prodigy and Pulp across five nights in August.
Pulp have announced an epic Live from Wythenshawe Park gig, with support from Self Esteem
Founded in the late 1970s in Sheffield, Pulp have become one of Britain’s best-loved bands and proudest exports, from Common People and Disco 2000 to This Is Hardcore.
Pulp with be joined at Wythenshawe Park by Self Esteem, the critically-acclaimed fearless pop project of Rebecca Lucy Taylor.
Pulp will play Live From Wythenshawe Park on Friday 28 August 2026, with tickets going on general sale on Friday 21 November at 10am HERE.
There’s also a pre-sale live on Wednesday if you sign up HERE.
Live from Wythenshawe Park 2026 line-up
Friday 21 August – The Cure (Sold Out) Saturday 22 August – Lewis Capaldi (Sold Out) Friday 28 August – Pulp (Just Announced) Saturday 29 August – Courteeners (Sold Out) Sunday 30 August – The Prodigy (Last Remaining Tickets)
Danny Jones -
16th February 2023 
