Year In Review: Fifteen Of The Best Live Performances Of 2018

Words: Saam Das

We've had the pleasure of going to a number of gigs and festivals across the year and across the lands - from our native London to Sussex coastal voyages to Rockaway Beach and The Great Escape, with a cheeky debut visit to Handmade Festival in Leicester. We've collated fifteen of our favourite live sets of 2018 below.

Watch: CHVRCHES + BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra - Miracle [New Video]

Words: Saam Das

We didn't quite take the opportunity to write about CHVRCHES' storming 2018 hit 'Miracle' but this rather unexpected new rendition has presented the perfect chance for redemption, as the band teamed up with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for a specially commissioned film launching the new BBC Scotland channel. Watch the short (entitled 'Beginning') below, alongside the original version of 'Miracle'.

Year In Review: Ten Of The Best Films Of 2018

Words: Saam Das

As ever, the recent Oscar nominations lead to discussion of what is and isn't worthy of celebration across the last year or so of film. This list of our favourite films of 2018 may evoke a similar response from some readers. Alas, a number of 2018's acclaimed films have escaped our attention ranging from Alex Garland's Netflix Original 'Annihilation' to Bollywood comedy-drama 'Pad Man', and there's plenty of honourable mentions to address first.

Surfacing: YVA [New Act]

Words: Saam Das

London singer-songwriter Eva Stone has embraced the whole "new year, new you" mantra, emerging with a new guise YVA. The first taste of her new self is unusually a cover, albeit a considerable departure from the James Bay original. Listen to YVA's 'Pink Lemonade' below.

Watch: Lady Leshurr - Horrid [New Freestyle]

Words: Saam Das

In a break from our regular programming, we bring you the latest freestyle from 2016 MOBO Best Female Act Lady Leshurr. Mainly because 'Horrid' appropriates the classic primary school playground phrase "liar, liar, pants on fire". No, really, it does. Having initially shared an unfinished version of the track as a freestyle rap on social media earlier this week, she's impressively managed to bash out an excellent studio version and a video in about 48 hours, which you can check out below.