Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Review – A Powerful Rock Performance with a Curious Omission
"I'm not a very good storyteller," Joan Jett admits, her signature poker face in place beneath a black leather ensemble. For those anticipating sentimental anecdotes during this anniversary tour celebrating 45 years of her seminal albums "Bad Reputation" and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," prepare for a different experience. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is not here for extensive reminiscing or self-congratulation.
This marks her first UK headline performance in 16 years, and it delivers a no-nonsense, hard-hitting rock experience. The setlist spans from early material with The Runaways to her most recent output with the Blackhearts. At 67, Jett's voice remains deep and commanding. While time has indeed added a layer of grit, it has only enhanced her vocal prowess. The current Blackhearts lineup, a streamlined three-piece, delivers a robust and rapid-fire performance.
The concert effectively showcases genuine rock history. However, at times, it feels more like an academic presentation of history than a truly visceral experience. Even the raw, teenage energy of "Cherry Bomb" is delivered with a notable, almost rigid, coolness and a lack of overt emotional engagement.
Fresh materials — Society news

Esther Rantzen, TV Presenter and Childline Founder, Dies at 86
Esther Rantzen, the Bafta-winning television presenter and creator of the charity Childline, has died at 86. Her family described her as “the most wonderful mother” and “cherished grandmother,” whose “legacy of compassion and understanding will live on in her charities Childli

How Zach Cregger's Resident Evil Captures the Game's Essence
Some Resident Evil fans have voiced dissatisfaction online with Zach Cregger’s film adaptation, calling it "not a real Resident Evil movie." Yet, despite the absence of iconic heroes like Leon or Claire, familiar villains, and well-known settings, Cregger's interpretation stands out a

Questions for Michael Winterbottom
The 90s are currently in vogue, but they wouldn't have happened without the 80s. Michael Winterbottom's 2002 film, 24 Hour Party People, explores Manchester's music scene from the Sex Pistols' 1976 gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, through Factory Records, Joy Division, New Order, an

Mighty Sparrow, Trinidad and Tobago's 'Calypso King of the World,' Dies at 91
Slinger Francisco, known on stage as the Mighty Sparrow and hailed as the “calypso king of the world,” has died at 91. His family confirmed his peaceful passing surrounded by loved ones in New York on Sunday, stating it followed a brief illness. Francisco rose to prominence in calypso music

Korea review – a nirvana of wild beauty shattered by the 20th century
Can they replicate the success? The British Museum's blockbuster Bayeux Tapestry exhibition has set a high bar. Now, they follow with "Korea," an exploration of "2,000 years of creativity" from a land that, prior to the 20th century's hardships, experienced millennia of peace, as refl

Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore": A Human Glimpse Amidst Bitter Love Songs
Taylor Swift's decision to release an expanded version of her album, "The Life of a Showgirl," titled "The Encore," has sparked speculation. Many fans believe it's a strategic move to influence Grammy voters or to disrupt chart records. This follows Swift's earlier statement that "