WEEKEND AT GLASTONBURY
AN ELECTRIC HOMECOMING FOR THE MUSICAL GIANTS



"Bet you never thought you'd see us here!" Billy Khan quips with a sly smirk as soon as the famous five-piece take to the stage before a mere syllable has been sung. Yes, all five, Scott Wellington included.

Back in 2012, the sheer hypothetical suggestion that Weekend would be playing Glastonbury would have called the obdurate "music bros" to arms. Add headlining and playing to a record-breaking crowd in excess of 100,000 on the Pyramid Stage to your statement and you'd have avid NME consumers targeting ever member of your family. That's not to say that Weekend never had the pulling power. They pretty much always have. The early 2010's just weren't so kind. Times have changed, however, and the court of public opinion hangs heavily in the pop juggernaut's favour. Boyfriends and fathers are equally fighting their way to the front rather than wishing they were receiving root canal treatment instead. Anywhere is better than a Weekend gig, right? Well, it appears that sentiment is long since a thing of the past. The avid fans were ecstatic. The drunken stereotypes were bombastic. Weekend were electric. Even the most uppity and atrabilious of musos hit the roof when "Smile About It" erupted over the field.

Khan's opening statement also held weight in a completely different regard. Aside from achieving worldwide household name status through their string of chart-topping hit singles and albums, Weekend are also known for a drama or two. Having not performed together since pre-covid in 2019 and Billy going on to launch a highly successful solo career, it has often been speculated that a split is just around the corner. Alleged internal conflict between Khan and Oscar Ward has also kept the gossip columns afloat for the past decade. Let's not forget Dustyn's recent turmoil with estranged and seemingly splenetic ex-boyfriend, Blake Williams, spiking chatter of security concerns. Further adding fuel to the ever-burning fire, it was heavily rumoured that Scott had decided not to participate in the monumental career moment. A screenshot of a FaceTime call minus Wellington being uploaded to Instagram only fanned the flames. Yet, there they all were. What was the catch?

Many people on the front row had reportedly been camping out since midnight, yearning to bask in the stardust of arguably Britain and Ireland's biggest export of the last 10 years. The pressure was on and rumours were rife. Due to their dominant presence within the industry, multiple connections and very own high-profile marriages and relationships, talk of special guest stars went stratospheric in the build up to showtime. Ultimately, Weekend proved they only needed themselves to make history. That's not to say this was a mere "turn up, sing the hits, then leave" affair for them. Nothing was simple in regards to their slot. Older pop recordings had been reworked to grittier, meatier live arrangements. Some vocal line redistribution went on, allowing other members who never got a chance to shine on earlier hits to have more moments on stage. Although albeit very light and minimum, there was even some choreography. Work really went into this set, dropping jaws of sceptics and allowing those familiar with the band's often flippant ways to breathe a sigh of relief as they watched all five execute it all with precision and professionalism.


[Brotherly Love: Billy Khan & Oscar Ward shared the stage for 80 minutes without killing each other]

Dustyn Blue-Conners, Billy Khan, Oscar Ward, Riley Hamilton and Scott Wellington portrayed a united front, not only as friends but as a well-oiled and perfectly polished musical machine. The seismic, 20 song strong set went without hitch. From the bombastic opening in the form of their latest release to date, "Pucker", to the rockier reinterpretation of their debut single "Everything About You" closing out the show, the fivesome owned every square inch of their stage, oozing charisma and snarling with their musical chops as they went. Despite suffering from vocal issues in the past, Oscar sounded and presented himself more confident and commanding as ever. Dustyn was rarely seen without one of his beloved guitars, absolutely shredding at points during some heavier rearrangements of their classic hits. Riley's crowd interaction and general "favourite cousin" demeanour bridged the gap from stage to crowd. Scott held his own, showing belief in himself and performing assuredly as part of a unit for the first time in years. Billy's ego also remained in check and he appeared to work with his bandmates rather than against. This was a moment for Weekend, not a part of The Billy Show, and he appeared to understand that. Nobody faltered. No one gave the Twittersphere a reason to persecute them. On the flip side, if you're looking to pick out the standout star of the show, you'd be in for an incredible challenge.

Of course, being a Weekend show, it wasn't all just about meticulous musical prowess. The crowds both at Glastonbury and watching from home equitably relished in their on-stage banter and crowd interaction. Being transmitted live on the BBC, the famous five jokingly reminded themselves not to use colourful language throughout the set. Billy Khan couldn't help but highlight the irony of being warned by a broadcaster with "those initials!". Riley Hamilton's interaction with a zealous front row fan sporting a handmade "I'LL LEAVE MY BOYFRIEND FOR YOU!" sign also provided a much-loved comedy moment in between songs, only further propelled by Dustyn's infectious giggle down the microphone relaying out to the 100k strong crowd, resulting in a sea of glorious and warming cackles. Blue-Conners also received a flurry of supportive cheers and whistles after explaining to the crowd how "overwhelmed" he felt in regards to "all the love" he and the band were experiencing on the Pyramid Stage, slightly welling up in the process.

From being the industry's punching bag and the "uncool" band your little sister loves, to revered pop culture icons and respected musicians, the love and growth witnessed could have brought a tear to a glass eye. Weekend did what they did best and, finally, the crowd were on their side.

Joshua: Taking names of all the fucking whiners. I'm not above causing a scene.

BILLY'S FIRST SOLO TOUR KICKS OFF *ALMOST* WITHOUT HITCH
THE STAR HALTS SHOW TO EJECT A PHONE-FLINGING ASSAILANT



The anticipation was palpable as fans thronged the SSE Arena Belfast for the opening night of Billy Khan's first solo tour, "BILAL: Live on Tour." Known for his "bad boy" persona and a string of chart-topping hits, the 31-year-old pop sensation did not disappoint. From the moment he took the stage, it was clear that Billy was ready to prove himself as a solo artist, stepping out of the shadow of his globally iconic boy band, Weekend. The energy in the arena was electric as Billy launched into his set, delivering hit after hit with charisma and a voice that was in top form.

The concert was a carefully curated blend of high-energy performances and intimate moments, showcasing Billy's versatility and depth as an artist. He performed his biggest singles, including "Attention," "The Entertainer," and "Gemini," each song met with deafening cheers from the audience. However, it was during a particularly stripped-down part of the show, as Billy began to sing his latest #1 hit "Model Citizen," that the evening took an unexpected turn.

In the midst of this poignant performance, a phone was hurled onto the stage, narrowly missing Billy. The arena fell silent as he abruptly paused, clearly taken aback. In true Billy fashion, he handled the situation with a mix of sternness and comedy. A tense but brief debate ensued between Khan and the guilty party. "We're here to enjoy music, not to dodge shit. Get the fuck out, mate." he admonished at the end, his voice echoing through the stunned crowd. He then directed security to remove the offending party, reinforcing that such behaviour would not be tolerated. The crowd's support was immediate and overwhelming, with applause and cheers as the individual was escorted out.

Watch the video below:





Despite this incident, Billy quickly regained his composure and resumed his performance, seamlessly bringing the audience back into the magic of the evening. His ability to handle the disruption with grace and authority only added to his allure. Throughout the night, Billy engaged with the audience, his humor and charm shining through. Whether cracking jokes or sharing heartfelt stories, he made every person in the arena feel like they were part of something special.

The support for Billy was evident not just from the fans, but also from notable figures in attendance. His younger brother, Deneil, a successful rapper who served as the opening act, set the stage with an energetic performance. Pop newcomer Cameron Jacobson also delivered a stellar opening set, being dubbed by Khan himself as "one to watch". Among the crowd, Billy's Weekend bandmate and best friend, Dustyn Blue-Conners, along with pop star Mercedes Payne, were spotted cheering him on. Their presence highlighted the close-knit circle of support around Billy as he embarked on this new chapter.

As the final notes of the evening echoed through the SSE Arena, it was clear that Billy had made a powerful statement. Despite the brief interruption, the show was a resounding success. Long-term fans and newcomers alike were left impressed by his vocal prowess, stage presence, and the emotional connection he fostered with the audience. Khan's first solo tour not only lived up to the hype but set a new standard for what it means to be a true entertainer. The opening night of "BILAL: Live on Tour" was a testament to Billy's talent and resilience, promising even greater things to come.

Khan's sold out tour resumes on Tuesday 9th July, where he will be performing to a packed audience in Dublin's 3Arena.

FESTIVE CHEER: RILEY BRINGS THE STARS TO LIGHT UP HOMETOWN
POP ICON BRINGS CELEB PALS TO GRAND OPENING OF BEESTON HOMELESS & COMMUNITY CENTRE



[Hamilton's bandmate Dustyn Blue-Conners and showbiz buddies Jack Dunn & Mercedes Payne rolled up their sleeves for the community.]

It certainly is the season of goodwill as far as Weekend heartthrob Riley Hamilton is concerned. The 30-year-old star spread joy with abundant glee on Friday with a star-studded line-up in tow as he officially opened his "community hub" in his hometown of Beeston, Leeds just in time for Christmas. The suburb's most famous export returned to his roots for an evening of camaraderie and community spirit, formally launching the Beeston Community Hub - a project that has been in the making between Hamilton and several local charities for the best part of two years. The Hub aims to tackle Leeds' alarming rising rate of homelessness, providing food and shelter for those in need. The building also offers numerous other services and classes to the community, ranging from sexual health clinics, to cookery workshops, to wash facilities. Spearheaded and co-funded by Riley, and run by committed, impassioned volunteers, the Beeston Community Hub is aiming to be the first step towards the regeneration and revitalisation of what is unfortunately classed as one of the UK's most deprived areas.



Rather than following the typical, play-by-play celebrity appearance model by showing his face, giving a quick speech then heading back off to his London townhouse, Hamilton showcased his true passion and belief in the project and his hometown, spending the entire weekend at the centre. From meeting the locals, to dishing up free meals from the canteen, the Weekend star rolled up his sleeves and played his part. The local hero wasn't alone, however. Also making appearances were Hamilton's long-time friend and bandmate, Dustyn Blue-Conners, and everyone's favourite all-round entertainer, Mercedes. Jack Dunn, rising indie star and close friend of Hamilton, also stayed the duration of the weekend, lending a hand and bringing in more pulling power to an already astronomically successful launch.



[One of many derelict, unsafe streets. The area of Beeston has seen brighter days.]

On top of mucking in with the local community, the stars also did what they did best and provided sporadic entertainment over the course of the weekend, all free of charge. The Saturday night culminated in a surprise, short yet stunning three-song acoustic set from Hamilton and Blue-Conners. The residents were treated to a rare duo-incarnation of Weekend as the two band mates touchingly performed stripped down versions of some of the group's hits. The performance was kept swift, under wraps and showcased after midnight to avoid unsafe crowd numbers. Avid 'Weekenders' instead had to live vicariously through videos posted over social media. The posts have since gone on to receive widespread praise with many commenters lauding the charitable actions of the stars, as well as the impeccable vocal performances and often overlooked combination of Hamilton and Blue-Conners together.

The Weekend boys weren't the only ones to pull a fantastic, heartstring-tugging performance out of the bag. Industry newcomer and one of this year's breakout stars, Jack Dunn, briefly stepped away from peeling potatoes in order to treat attendants to a small acoustic set. The fellow Northerner took things one step further, penning and showcasing an original song in aid and honour of the situation. Think an eye-watering charity Christmas song but with a Jack Dunn twist. Sharp, no punches pulled, poignant to an unfathomable degree. The Newcastle sensation announced plans to officially release the track over the festive period. After his stellar performance, we managed to pull Dunn aside very briefly to ask him about his thoughts and involvement in the remarkable event.



[Best Buds: Riley & Jack have formed a close, endearing friendship over the last year]




Mercedes was also there. We aren't sure what she was doing but her presence was greatly appreciated.

The newly launched Beeston Community Hub remains opened to the public 24/7, including this coming Christmas and New Year. Hamilton has stated that he plans on visiting and volunteering whenever he can, becoming directly involved as much as his bust schedule allows. The centre does not currently offer any child day care facilities due to an ongoing legal process with Ofsted but is being treated as "top priority" by Riley and his fellow volunteers.