Ben Browning

4 days ago | theupcoming.co.uk | Ben Browning

The last two years have seen both upheaval and renewal in James Blake’s world. After splitting from his parent label Universal Music Group in 2023, he’s been working furiously to create an independent space in the music industry. CMYK Group is the result, a creative studio and record label that seeks to liberate new artists from dependence on corporate monopolies. His recent string of shows champion this turn: a solo tour with Blake’s voice and piano front and centre.

1 week ago | indiependent.co.uk | Ben Browning

Among Stevie Wonder’s 23 studio albums, there’s bound to be some buried gold that’s been outshone by his titanic singles. Ahead of his performance at BST Hyde Park on 12 July, let’s comb through his discography and dig up some treasures. The fifth track of 1966’s Down To Earth contains many of the melodic flourishes that will come to characterise his iconic catalogue.

3 weeks ago | theupcoming.co.uk | Ben Browning

SXSW London 2025 Day Three: Elevation Orchestra, Shambolics, Tankus and more | Live reviewOriginating in Texas, SXSW’s British counterpart has settled into a satisfying rhythm by day three. 93 Feet East opens the evening programme with an energising set from a rising jazz octet. Comprised of eight accomplished session musicians in their own right, Elevation Orchestra exceeds the sum of its parts.

3 weeks ago | theupcoming.co.uk | Ben Browning

Leftfield’s Neil Barnes and Paul Daley made an indelible mark on the music industry with their debut album, Leftism, in 1995. Earning a Mercury Prize nomination, it was an important step in proving the mainstream viability of dance music. It furthermore demonstrated that an electronic album can be crafted with as much cohesion as any other genre. Leftfield have released three more albums since then, establishing themselves as a significant force in the development of the UK dance music scene.

2 months ago | theupcoming.co.uk | Ben Browning

Many people associate Jeff Goldblum with his decades-long filmography and quirky off-screen persona. He starred in cult movies such as The Fly and Jurassic Park, and his most recent acting credits include Netflix’s Kaos and the blockbuster hit Wicked. However, Goldblum is also a dedicated jazz pianist who, alongside his band The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, regularly performs classic standards from the Great American Songbook.