Music

Cardi B Defends Her Success, Addresses Light-Skin Privilege: ‘Colorism Is Real’

• Cardi B says colorism is real but not the sole reason for her success.
• She says she faced rejection and had to prove herself repeatedly.
• Her hits include five Hot 100 No. 1 singles.

Cardi B has defended her rise to fame after podcaster Damona “Mona” Love argued that her lighter complexion and Dominican heritage helped her gain opportunities, including brand deals. Cardi said she recognises that colorism exists, but rejects the claim that her skin tone alone explains her success. In…

Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 3 has been announced, marking another attempt at a free-to-play team game after Gundam Evolution’s unfortunate fate

• Bandai Namco announced a free-to-play Gundam team action sequel.
• Japan’s network test is planned for 20–22 November.
• The trailer hints at paid content after Evolution’s troubled run.

Bandai Namco has announced Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 3, a free-to-play team action game and sequel to 2018’s Battle Operation 2. Its large-scale battles feature both mobile suits and infantry, offering another attempt to bring Gundam into team-based multiplayer after the closure of Gundam Evolution. No release…

US Midterms: Texas Democrat Talarico holds last rally ahead of vote

• Talarico closed his campaign with a rally in Austin.
• He faces Republican Ken Paxton in a closely watched Senate race.
• Turnout and support beyond each party’s base could decide the result.

Democrat James Talarico held his final rally in Austin on 2 November, the eve of voting in Texas’s closely contested US Senate election. Local musicians performed before the state legislator urged supporters to turn out and help him defeat Republican Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general. Talarico has…

The “painfully stupid” band who sold 120,000,000 records, and represented everything Lou Reed hated about classic rock

• Lou Reed saw The Doors as a symbol of what he disliked in 1960s rock.
• He disparaged their music and songwriting in interviews.
• The band went on to sell more than 120 million records.

Lou Reed criticised The Doors as “painfully stupid and pretentious”, seeing them as emblematic of the classic rock and counterculture he disliked. His hostility contrasted with the band’s lasting popularity and influence, and reflected a sharp divide in how he and Jim Morrison approached poetic songwriting. Reed attacked…

Offset Reveals New Release Date for Upcoming Album ‘GMFU’: ‘For Too Long I Let People Speak on My Name’

• Offset set *GMFU* for release on 13 November.
• The album follows his 2025 release *Kiari*.
• He and Quavo are slated to make a final Migos project in 2027.

Offset has announced that his upcoming album, *GMFU*, will be released on 13 November. In a social media post, the Migos rapper said he wanted listeners to hear his account after people had spoken about his life and career; he acknowledged mistakes and hardships while saying he had…

From star births to The Black Dog: What to expect at Festival of the Mind 2026

• Sheffield’s free Festival of the Mind runs from 6 to 15 November.
• Its programme includes 43 projects linking research and the arts.
• Co-founder Vanessa Toulmin is stepping down after 15 years.

The University of Sheffield’s Festival of the Mind returns to city centre venues from 6 to 15 November 2026, bringing academic research together with artists and performers. Its free programme aims to make research accessible and engaging, with projects ranging from an immersive installation about star formation to…

13-Time Grammy-Winning Country Trio Forced to Postpone Concert Just Hours Before Showtime

• The Chicks postponed their Hollywood concert due to illness.
• The show was rescheduled for 4 November.
• Fans raised concerns about travel costs and refunds.

The Chicks postponed their Dolby Theatre concert in Hollywood on Monday, 2 November, just hours before it was due to begin, citing illness. The show was moved to Wednesday, 4 November, disrupting plans for fans who had travelled or arranged accommodation and transport. The trio said existing tickets…

‘Supercharged’ AI Bots Are Disrupting the Ticketing Market. The Industry Is Desperate for a Solution

• RAYE’s show drew 1.8 million registrations for 5,000 tickets.
• A bot attack delayed Sam Fender’s presale by a day.
• UK plans to cap resale prices at face value are still being drafted.

AI bot activity has disrupted ticket sales for RAYE and Sam Fender, prompting calls for stronger protections for fans. The cases highlight how automated attacks are challenging ticketing systems as live music demand grows and the UK considers limits on ticket resale. RAYE said her 5,000-capacity Royal Albert…

Journey seemingly walk back on retirement plans despite announcing farewell tour

• Journey may continue beyond its farewell tour.
• Neal Schon cited 110 shows and a stronger bond between bandmates.
• No further dates have been confirmed.

Journey appear to be reconsidering their farewell plans after founder Neal Schon said the band’s connection with fans and renewed closeness have made the future feel less final. The shift matters because the group had billed its ongoing run as the Final Frontier Tour, but has not yet…

CPS faces scrutiny, data centres threaten net zero, and scientists probe the zeptoverse

The bulletin also covers a David Bowie exhibition in Dundee, The Wiggles joining 5 Seconds of Summer onstage in Melbourne, and instrumental band Long Distance Runner’s rising profile.