country singers tour uk 2024

All of the biggest Country tours in the UK in 2024 and beyond

With country festivals too - there's a lot of live music to look forward to!

The world of live country music in the UK is truly heating up at the moment! With 2023 seeing us enjoy huge country festivals such as The Long Road and C2C, incredible UK tours from Shania Twain and Luke Combs , and an epic show from Morgan Wallen , it's fair to say that 2024 has been just as impressive - and there's STILL more to come! Coming in the form of both festivals and tours, 2024 has been huge for live country music in the UK.

We've had the incredible Ashley McBryde bring us her string of UK dates, as well as the incredible Noah Kahan - and who can forget HISTORIC Taylor Swift 'Eras Tour'?! But don't worry, we can still look forward to the likes of Chris Stapleton, Megan Moroney and the hit-making Morgan Wallen bring us epic live shows this year. Here's our handy guide of the biggest country tours and festivals coming up in the UK this year, and in 2025...

UK Country tours and festivals in 2024 and 2025:

Tenille arts.

Fresh from the release of her fourth album 'To Be Honest', the wonderful Tenille Arts will be bringing tour dates to the UK in September 2024! The singer will begin the string of dates on 4th September in Glasgow, then performing in Manchester and London before concluding in Birmingham on 9th. Buy tickets here!

Megan Moroney

The incredible Megan Moroney delighted country fans when she announced her UK & Europe tour dates! The 'I'm Not Pretty' singer will be heading to the UK in September 2024, beginning her string of dates in Cardiff on 4th, performing in Manchester, Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham and Cambridge - before finishing the run in London on 13th September! Buy tickets here!

Morgan Wallen

Record-breaking country star Morgan Wallen returned to the UK for another incredible show on 4th July, as he performed as one of the headline acts at BST Hyde Park 2024. Now, following the famous London festival show, you can catch the singer in Glasgow on his 'One Night At A Time 2024 Tour' - with Morgan performing on 5th September. Buy tickets here!

Little Big Town

September 2024 will also see country legends Little Big Town perform UK tour dates! Heading across the pond, the UK will see dates from their 'Friends of Mine' tour, with the 'Take Me Home' singers performing in Manchester, Bristol, Cambridge, Newcastle and London from 10th - 16th September 2024. Buy tickets here!

Chris Stapleton

October 2024 will see 'Tennessee Whiskey' legend Chris Stapleton head to the UK on his 'All-American Road Show' tour, in support of his latest album 'Higher'! The Country singer, famed for songs such as 'Daddy Doesn't Pray Anymore', 'Either Way' and 'Traveller' will be playing a series of headline arena shows around the UK and Ireland, starting from 16th October 2024, including stops at Manchester's AO Arena, Glasgow's OVO Hydro, Dublin's 3Arena, Birmingham's Utilita Arena and London's The O2 - featuring special guest Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives. Due to phenomenal demand, Chris added an extra date to the tour, serving as his final European show on the trek - with him now set to end the run at London's O2 on 24th October 2024. Buy tickets here!

Brothers Osborne - 2025

Kicking off 2025 strong will be country rock duo Brothers Osborne, who are lined up to be heading to the UK & Ireland in January. The duo will be bringing us nine dates as part of their 'Might As Well Be Us World Tour', with John and TJ Osborne playing shows in Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and London in January 2025, from Friday 17th - Thursday 30th January, with support coming from Tyler Braden. Buy tickets here!

The Long Road Festival 2025

August Bank Holiday 2025 will see the return of the three-day The Long Road Festival - celebrating the music, lifestyle and influences of Country! From Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th August 2025, the festival returns to Stanford Hall estate in Leicestershire with a range of incredible artists across the five stages. Buy tickets here!

16 of the most awarded country artists of all time 🏆

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THE BRITISH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

29th to 31st aug 2025 | winter gardens blackpool, first time flyers.

The First Time Flyers born from the collective talents and friendship of Tim Prottey-Jones, Vicki Manser, Jake Morrell, and Poppy Fardell.

Beth Nielsen Chapman

Grammy-nominated and Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame artist Beth Nielsen Chapman will headline Sunday TBCMF 2024

Gina Larner

Brighton-based singer-songwriter blending country and pop-rock influences has garnered acclaim for her captivating live performances and songwriting.

Doug Levitt

An American singer-songwriter, known for his innovative approach to storytelling and his extensive travels across the United States on Greyhound buses.

The Livergirls

Siobhan Maher Kennedy, St. Catherine’s Child, Eleanor Nelly, and Neeve Zahra will showcase Liverpool’s exceptional female musical talent in a Nashville-style songwriter’s round, promising captivating performances blending country, folk, and Americana.

Randall King

The vibrant neon glow of Blackpool and the gilded Empress Ballroom set the stage for our headliner, the one and only Randall King.

Experience the magic of Kezia Gill’s Irish and country music fusion headlining Friday night at TBCMF 2024.

Girls’ Night In The Round

Experience the camaraderie of Girls Night In The Round at The British Country Music Festival, the quartet’s only festival outing in 2024!

Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys

From the Saskatchewan prairies, Canadian songwriter Jake and the Boys merge bluegrass, 50s rockabilly and electrifying stage presence, captivating worldwide music lovers.

The country-pop trailblazer making waves from Nashville to The British Country Music Festival 2024

Foreign Affairs

Brothers Adam and Lawrence create southern-inspired music that blends blues, rock, and Americana.

St. Catherine’s Child

St. Catherine’s Child, led by singer-songwriter Ilana Zsigmond, offers a transatlantic musical journey blending Americana influences with British wit and poignant songwriting.

We are back for our fifth adventure in 2024. Unlock your exclusive early bird ticket offers now by clicking the red button! Limited availability. Act fast!

Join us for the UK Country Music Festival 2024

Uniting international connections and singer-songwriters.

Greetings Country Music Enthusiasts,

We are thrilled to share our excitement about the incredible array of artists who graced the stages in Blackpool in 2023. The rave reviews have poured in, and the response has been nothing short of phenomenal. What’s more, we are delighted to announce that we have shattered our own record for ticket sales at the festival for 2024, setting the stage for an even bigger and better event in the coming year.

Mark your calendars because The British Country Music Festival is making its triumphant return to mark our fifth birthday edition, scheduled for August 30th to September 1st, 2024. As the curtains close on one year, the thrill of planning for the next begins anew.

This year has been an absolute treasure trove of musical discovery. We spent weeks sifting through apply-to-play submissions, and the sheer amount of talent emerging from the UK has left us awestruck. While all the artists who graced our stage last year were exceptional singer-songwriters, our Making Waves and Pavilion stages introduced us to incredible artists like The Coaltown Daisies, Preston D. Barnes, and Shea Rafferty. They’ve captivated a whole new fanbase, many of whom were fortunate enough to experience their music for the first time.

Our headliners, Graham Nash, Donna Taggart, Megan McKenna and Campbell Jensen delivered unforgettable performances that left us wanting more. We’re currently on the cusp of securing our headliners for 2024, one of whom happens to be the most requested act we’ve ever had.

Expanding the boundaries of Country Music UK

Once again, we’ll be introducing you to a fresh wave of awe-inspiring singer-songwriters. Together, we can play a pivotal role in helping them to navigate the path to success. You can show your support by following them on social media, streaming their music on Spotify, and adding their albums to your collection.

The love for Country, Americana, and their various subgenres continues to surge across the UK, with live streaming gaining momentum year after year. British music lovers embrace homegrown artists who push the boundaries with their unique brand of homespun Country Music.

In 2024, we’re expanding our horizons by welcoming more international acts into the mix and fostering collaborations with our homegrown talents for the benefit of UK and international talent.

Unveiling the Stages: A Journey Through the British Country Music Festival 2024 Venues

Our festival spans three glorious days, featuring performances on four indoor stages across three distinct venues. But it’s not just about Country Music; we delve into Americana, Folk, Celtic, and bluegrass whilst keeping the spotlight on our beloved singer-songwriters.

Our stages are all under one roof in the beautiful Winter Gardens entertainment palace, Blackpool.  The weather cannot spoil the fun.

The Horseshoe Pavilion, with its rich history dating back to 1878, provides an intimate setting for acoustic singer-songwriters. The audience enjoys the comfort of an all-seated theatre, whilst the tented indoor ceiling enhances the acoustic experience. Acts will grace the stage on Friday afternoon and throughout Saturday.

The Arena, featuring two Making Waves stages, is a dynamic space. Arena 1 caters to bands, while Arena 2 showcases solo acts, duos, and trios. Here, the audience has the choice of standing, sitting or finding their groove on a small dance floor in front of Arena 1 Stage. Originally known as the Indian Lounge in 1896, this room boasts a starlit ceiling. Acts take the stage on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday.

Our pièce de résistance is the Empress Ballroom, our main stage. Here, the audience comes together to celebrate music from our headliners on Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as all afternoon on Sunday. You can choose between seating and standing options. The iconic gold gilded, vaulted ceiling and candlelit tables provide an unmatched backdrop for Country and Americana Music.

“Unlocking Your British Country Music Festival 2024 Weekend Experience”

Weekend tickets are available for purchase online through our festival website or in person at The Winter Gardens box office. Our ticket pricing is dynamic, with Early Birds receiving special rewards. As the festival draws near, ticket prices will incrementally rise, so seize the opportunity while our Early Bird offers last.

Your tickets will grant you access to wristbands, allowing you to come and go as you please throughout the weekend. This flexibility lets you savour the offerings from independent local food outlets and explore the myriad of attractions that Blackpool has to offer.

The UK’s premier seaside resort has a wide choice of accommodation, from cosy bed and breakfasts to renowned hotel chains, as well as campervan and caravan parks. It’s an experience tailor-made for music lovers and adventure seekers alike.

In the words of our attendees, we are

“ a beautiful music discovery festival, carefully curated in fantastic venues, attracting a loyal and appreciative music-loving audience.”

Join us in celebrating the magic of music at the British Country Music Festival 2024!

Twinnie’s Back

As TBCMF heads towards its fifth birthday, we are delighted to announce the return of country-pop crossover sensation Twinnie.

First Artist Announcement 2024

The British Country Music Festival has announced the first artist for its 2024 festival. Multi award-winning singer-songwriter Kezia Gill has been announced as the Friday night headliner at The British Country Music Festival (TBCMF) in Blackpool (30 Aug-1 Sept).

History of Country Music 2012-2020

PART TWO: 4 The History of UK Country Music 2012-2020 Revolutionizing Country Music: Chris Stapleton's CMA Awards Breakthrough...

A DEEPER DIVE INTO UK COUNTRY & AMERICANA

We are developing a history of UK country music and the effect the British Isles have had on American country music.

Click the link to our article  The Origins of Country Music, the first in a four-part series exploring country music in the UK. Delve into our history and influence on the birth of country music.

To access our History of Country Music articles which is the second instalment in our series on country music in the UK. Immerse yourself in the captivating narrative of our country's rich musical heritage.

History of Country Music 1930s to 1960s

History of Country Music 1970 to 1989

History of Country Music 1990 to 2012

 TBCMF's New Country & Americana Playlist is updated weekly. Our spotify playlist shares the latest realease from UK artists.

Welcome to the UK Country and Americana  Chart - The most listened to songs of 2023/24 powered by The British Country Music Festival.

Frequently Asked Questions , advice on tickets, timings, travel, accessibility  accommodation, festival details for The British Country Music Festival

Click the link to learn more About The British Country Music Festival , explore our history, our place in the UK country music scene, and our future ambitions.

TBCMF GALLERY & REVIEWS

EARLY BIRD TICKETS NOW ON SALE UK Country Music Festival 2024

General admission tickets for the british country music festival 2024.

A limited edition of loyalty Weekend tickets providing access to all stages and dance floors for 2024 is now on sale.

Weekend tickets include a wristband to let you come and go throughout the weekend, a souvenir pocket programme and meet and greets with artists

Junior and  Under-18 tickets are available

An additional ticket for the exclusive music tram rides is available for those that arrive at the Resort on Thursday.

Prices increases as we get closer to the festival

VIP Ticket Package For The British Country Music Festival 2024

The upgraded  VIP package includes a general admission weekend ticket and access to all stages and dance floors.

The same benefits as the Weekend tickets include a wristband to let you come and go throughout the weekend, a souvenir pocket programme and meet and greets with artists

PLUS: A special reception with a surprise guest, welcome drink, priority VIP arrival ticket desk; exclusive access to balcony viewing, VIP bar and seats, and souvenir lanyard.

Due to the limited capacity of the viewing balcony, our VIP packages sell out each year. There is only a limited amount of  VIP package tickets available.

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Kate Garraway 10am - 1pm

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Chris Stapleton announces UK tour for 2024: Tickets, dates and venues revealed

26 September 2023, 15:51

By Tom Eames

Chris Stapleton, the country music superstar from Kentucky, has confirmed that he will bring his All-American Road Show to the UK and Ireland in autumn 2024.

Listen to this article

The tour will feature special guest Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, who have collaborated with Stapleton on several occasions.

The All-American Road Show is a celebration of Chris Stapleton 's highly anticipated new album, Higher , which will be released on November 10, 2023.

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The album showcases Stapleton's incredible voice and musical versatility across 14 songs that defy genre boundaries. Stapleton has already released two singles from the album: 'Think I'm In Love With You' and 'White Horse', which have received rave reviews from critics and fans alike.

Stapleton is one of the most acclaimed and successful artists in country music today, having won eight Grammy Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards and 15 Country Music Association Awards. He is also nominated for three more awards at this year's CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year.

His previous albums, Traveller, From A Room: Volume 1 and Volume 2 , and Starting Over , have all achieved platinum or multi-platinum status and topped the charts in the US and abroad.

Chris Stapleton - Think I'm In Love With You (Official Audio)

The UK and Ireland tour dates are as follows:

- October 16, 2024: Manchester AO Arena

- October 17, 2024: Glasgow OVO Hydro

- October 20, 2024: Dublin 3Arena

- October 22, 2024: Birmingham Utilita Arena

- October 23, 2024: London The O2

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 10am.

Fans can expect a spectacular show from Stapleton and his band, who will perform songs from his new album as well as his classic hits.

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Country Concerts in London

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75 upcoming concerts

• Monday 09 September 2024

Julia Jacklin

Lyric Theatre , London, UK

• Thursday 12 September 2024

Peter Bruntnell Small Town Jones

Half Moon , Putney, UK

• Saturday 14 September 2024

Blackberry Smoke Bones Owens

Eventim Apollo , London, UK

Robyn Hitchcock and Stewart Lee

EartH , London, UK

• Monday 16 September 2024

Little Big Town Ashley Monroe

• Wednesday 18 September 2024

Bex Marshall

The Water Rats , London, UK

• Thursday 19 September 2024

Johnny Flynn

• Friday 20 September 2024

NEEDTOBREATHE Mosa Wild

O2 Shepherds Bush Empire , London, UK

• Tuesday 24 September 2024

Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets

The London Palladium , London, UK

• Thursday 26 September 2024

Bush Hall , London, UK

• Friday 27 September 2024

G Live Guildford , Guildford, UK

• Tuesday 01 October 2024

Samantha Crain

The Green Room at 21soho , London, UK

• Sunday 06 October 2024

Cadogan Hall , London, UK

• Monday 07 October 2024

Islington Assembly Hall , London, UK

• Tuesday 08 October 2024
• Wednesday 09 October 2024

Robert Vincent

The Waiting Room , London, UK

• Saturday 12 October 2024

Robert Vincent Alexander McKay

The Star Inn , Guildford, UK

• Tuesday 15 October 2024
• Wednesday 16 October 2024

The Long Ryders

229 , London, UK

• Thursday 17 October 2024

Great Lake Swimmers

Rich Mix , London, UK

• Monday 21 October 2024

The Slaughtered Lamb , London, UK

• Wednesday 23 October 2024

Chris Stapleton Marty Stuart

The O2 , London, UK

• Thursday 24 October 2024

Chris Stapleton and Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives Shelby Lynne

• Saturday 26 October 2024

Rose Theatre , Kingston Upon Thames, UK

• Sunday 27 October 2024

Koe Wetzel and Giovannie and the Hired Guns

The Garage , London, UK

• Tuesday 29 October 2024

Laura Marling

Hackney Church , London, UK

• Wednesday 30 October 2024

Iron & Wine

The Antlers and Okkervil River

Union Chapel , London, UK

• Friday 01 November 2024
• Saturday 02 November 2024

Danny & The Champions Of The World

• Tuesday 05 November 2024

Shannon and the Clams

• Thursday 07 November 2024

The Felice Brothers

Electric Ballroom , London, UK

• Friday 08 November 2024

Sunny Sweeney

St. Mary's Church , Walthamstow, UK

• Tuesday 12 November 2024

Royal Albert Hall , London, UK

Lissie Tyler Ramsey

• Wednesday 13 November 2024
• Thursday 14 November 2024

Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Imelda May, and Toby Lee

• Saturday 16 November 2024 – Saturday 16 November 2024

EFG London Jazz Festival 2024 Andrew Bird and Dianne Reeves

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre , London, UK

• Sunday 17 November 2024

The Lexington , London, UK

• Wednesday 20 November 2024

The Coal Porters

Social Club , Leytonstone, UK

• Saturday 23 November 2024

Robert Plant and Taylor McCall

New Victoria Theatre , Woking, UK

Imelda May and Bernhoft

Royal Festival Hall , London, UK

• Monday 25 November 2024

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

• Friday 29 November 2024

Theatre, EartH , London, UK

Green Note , London, UK

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Brits in Boots

Stomping around the British country music scene…

Upcoming UK Tours (Country & Americana)

It’s happened. The UK country music revolution has been a success and Nashville artists are regularly crossing the pond to visit us. This is largely good news, though there are the small downsides for our bank balances, liver health and stress levels from the dreaded  ‘Country Clash’ . Below are some of the biggest country and Americana shows coming up over the UK . For full listings from intimate songwriters rounds to massive arena shows check out the up-to-date calendar lovingly compiled by our mates at  Country Lowdown ,  here or, to find a UK country music festival near you, visit our festivals map .

JULY / AUGUST 2024

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2024

COMING UP IN 2025

Once again, the full gig calendar is here , or for regular events like Country music club nights and bars, check out our ‘country nights out’ page or our UK festival map .

Hope to see you in the crowd!

(Find us on socials @ britsinboots )

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15 thoughts on “ upcoming uk tours (country & americana) ”.

Sasha Mcveigh And Sonia Leigh, Various UK Venues.

Thanks Karl – Knew we’d have missed some gooduns!

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hey, great site love it!

Just one thing, striking matches are playing the union chapel on the 8th not dingwalls.

@johnchappell99

Cheers John, good spot! Have updated and added Will Hoge dates too.

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4 Jul 2018 Cordovas – Night & Day Cafe Manchester 7 Jul 2018 Eric Pasley Liverpool 12 Jul 2018 Free Vibes: Izzie Walsh Band On The Wall 22 Jul 2018 Jade Bird / Holly Macve / Emily Barker St George’s , Bristol 28 Jul 2018 FSA FEST Newark-on-Trent 6 Sep 2018 Lee Ann Womack Royal Northern College Of Music 7 Sep 2018 The Long Road Festival Lutterworth, 8 Oct 2018 Luke Combs The Ritz 19 Oct 2018 Drake White Manchester Academy 6 Nov 2018 Old Dominion Manchester Academy

Thanks Mark, we’ve been very slack about keeping this page updated but I’ll get on the case now!

Gretchen Peters 29/1 – 9/2 Demi Marriner @ Robbie Cavanagh 23/11 – 17/12 Amelia White 11/4 – 26-4

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• Pingback: Get Your Boots On: 3 Best UK Country Music Festivals – Brits in Boots

I’m working through these artists. Does anyone know of any Bluegrass bands coming to the UK or anyone with a great Mandolin player?

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Country Music Tours and Concerts

A handy guide to the country music tours taking place across the world in 2024.

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Country Music Tours Scheduled for 2024: Full List

Great country music never stops. This list of tours scheduled for 2024 features hitmaker, legends and newcomers embarking on a first set of headlining dates.

See all country music tour dates from your favorite artists by clicking on any link below. Several tours have been added to start 2024, including headlining tours from Zach Bryan , Morgan Wallen and Kenny Chesney . All ongoing tours are at the top of this comprehensive list, with those slated to start later to follow.

The opening acts for each tour are included with the full set of dates when you click. This list is updated frequently to include new tours, with new dates, canceled and postponed dates all added as they become available.

Related : Your 2024 Country Music Festivals Guide

2024 Ongoing Country Music Tours:

Brantley Gilbert's Off the Rails Tour (Through Oct. 19) Morgan Wallen's 2024 One Night At a Time Stadium Tour (Through Aug. 8) Luke Combs Growin' Up and Gettin' Old Tour (Through Aug. 9-10) Chris Stapleton's 2024 All-American Road Show Tour (Through Aug. 22) Kenny Chesney's Sun Goes Down Tour (Through Aug. 25) Parker McCollum's 2024 Burn It Down Tour (Through Aug. 31) Walker Hayes' Same Drunk Tour (Through Sept. 1) Oliver Anthony's Out of the Woods Tour (Through Sept. 13) Kane Brown's 2024 In the Air Tour (Sept. 14) Luke Bryan's Mind of a Country Boy Tour (Through Sept. 14) Dierks Bentley's 2024 Gravel & Gold Tour (Through Sept. 21) Sam Hunt's Locked Up Tour (Through Sept. 28) Jason Aldean's 2024 Highway Desperado Tour (Through Oct. 5) Hootie & the Blowfish's Summer Camp With Trucks Tour (Through Oct. 12) Jordan Davis' Damn Good Time World Tour (Through Oct. 20) Carrie Underwood's Reflection Las Vegas Residency (Through Oct. 26) Alabama's Roll On II Tour (Through Nov. 9) Lainey Wilson's Country's Cool Again Tour (Through Nov. 15) George Strait's 2024 Stadium Tour (Through Dec. 7) Kacey Musgraves' Deeper Well Tour (Through Dec. 7) Cody Johnson's Leather Tour (Through Dec. 13) Shania Twain's Come On Over Las Vegas Residency (Through Dec. 14) Zach Bryan's the Quittin' Time Tour 24 (Through Dec. 14) Garth Brooks' Las Vegas Residency (Through Dec. 22)

Country Music Tours Scheduled for 2024:

July 18: Dan + Shay's 2024 Heartbreak On the Map Tour (Through Sept. 21) July 27 : Koe Wetzel's Damn Near Normal World Tour (Through Nov. 13)

August 2024: Aug. 2 : Alan Jackson's Last Call Tour (Through May 17, 2025) Aug. 27 : Jelly Roll's 2024 the Beautifully Broken Tour ( Through Nov. 23 )

September 2024: Sept. 6: Tyler Hubbard's Strong World Tour (Through Nov. 21) Sept. 6: Wynonna's Back To Wy Tour (Through Oct. 5) Sept. 8 : Post Malone's F-1 Trillion Tour (Through Oct. 19) Sept. 12 : Anne Wilson's Rebel Tour (Through Nov. 17) Sept. 12 : Mitchell Tenpenny's Woke Up In a Dream Tour (Through Nov. 16) Sept. 21 : Luke Bryan's Farm Tour (Through Sept. 28)

See the Most Played Country Song from the Year You Were Born

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

2024 Country Music Festivals Guide

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End of the Road review: Closing festival season with an eccentric, brilliant lineup

The bill across the weekend spans a rich and eclectic range of sounds, from moshy young american outfit lip critic to the charismatic country-pop powerhouse cmat, article bookmarked.

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Is there any festival more aptly named than End of the Road ? As people and performers gather at the woodland site in Larmar Tree Gardens, near the border of Dorset and Wiltshire, it does inevitably feel like an ending – festival season, and summer itself , drifting into a gentle and bittersweet close.

It’s something felt by the artists as much as the attendees. Introducing a moving, pared-back set on the scenic Talking Heads stage, Jess Williamson (one-half of the Waxahatchee collaboration Plains) remarks that it has “last day of school vibes”. For others, such as the brilliant and sonically mercurial electro-pop duo Jockstrap, the weekend also marks the end of a long summer run: a tour in lambent twilight.

The biggest coup of the weekend actually comes on Thursday, as Bonnie “Prince” Billy, the indie-folk music project of actor-songwriter Will Oldham, holds court on End of the Road’s main Woods stage. His is a sound that has influenced a generation of songwriters: sparse, soulful and cerebral Americana. Oldham seldom plays festivals, and his booking here is said to be more than a decade in the making.

It’s worth the wait: watching him and his small band pluck and strum their way through songs such as “Like It Or Not” and the rousing anticapitalist ballad “In the Wilderness” feels like a rare privilege. Not many festivals would yield a primetime spot on their biggest stage to music this gentle and intimate; he is rewarded with an audience that’s pin-drop quiet. When people say that End of the Road is a music lover’s festival, one with audiences that are “more attentive” than typical festival punters, it’s easy to dismiss it as spiel or hyperbole. Oldham’s set suggests it’s right on the money.

But it’s not all acoustic guitars and mellifluous choruses. The bill across the weekend spans a rich and eclectic range of sounds, from moshy young American outfit Lip Critic (playing in the darkened Big Top tent), to rowdy British rockers Idles , to Irish trad experimentalists Lankum, who headline Saturday’s garden stage slot with a set that’s by turns exhilarating and laden with doomy dissonance. Quirky singer-songwriter Joanna Sternberg is raw and captivating, performing twice, the second time in one of the festival’s many secret sets. Indie rock maven Julia Jacklin takes another, performing a terrific set of songs on her birthday – marked by a cake being brought out on stage.

Another of the highlights of the weekend is Irish country-pop powerhouse CMAT, whose athletic, funny and charismatic set includes an astonishingly well-executed cover of Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights”. “This is one of the best shows we’ve ever done,” she says towards the end.

Away from the music, the festival is just as eccentric in its choices, with the cinema tent – moved this year into a brick-and-mortar hall, in the part of the site patrolled by peacocks – featuring a diverse and unpredictable mix, from Kelly Reichardt’s wonderful indie Old Joy to classics such as Back to the Future . The comedy billing, meanwhile, includes Stewart Lee, Josie Long, and Fern Brady, who delivers a sharp half-hour about her experience turning down a slot on Strictly Come Dancing , one of the “most sinister programmes on TV”, and a magic mushrooms-dazed trip to Thailand.

A drop-out from Fever Ray sees indie rock veterans Yo La Tengo seamlessly upgraded to the main-stage headline slot, at one point bringing out a young child to join them on guitar, to the delight of the crowd. Despite this, and a few other cancellations, it’s a weekend replete with great music and great vibes. The end has never looked so full of possibilities.

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Crawlers announce 2024 UK headline tour

The tour is in support of the band's debut EP 'The Mess We Seem To Make'

Crawlers have announced their first-ever 2024 UK headlining tour which is set to kick off later this winter.

• READ MORE: Crawlers – ‘The Mess We Seem To Make’ review: energetic alt-rockers seize the moment

The Liverpudlian quartet – comprised of Harry Breen, Liv May, Holly Minto and Amy Woodall – are set to play a string of live dates in support of their debut album ‘ The Mess We Seem To Make ‘. Kicking off on December 2 at the SWG3 Warehouse in Glasgow, the band will make their way across the UK making stops in Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham. The tour will wrap up at The Dome in London on December 7.

A ticket pre-sale will commence tomorrow (August 28) at 10am local time for fans who have signed up for the band’s official mailing list here . General ticket sales will commence on Friday (August 30) at 10am local time. Check out a full list of tour dates below and visit here to purchase tickets .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by CRAWLERS (@crawlersband)

Crawlers UK 2024 headlining tour dates are:

DECEMBER 2 – Glasgow, SWG3 Warehouse  3 – Manchester, Gorilla 4 – Liverpool, O2 Academy 6 – Birmingham, O2 Institute 2 7 – London, The Dome

Speaking about the tour in a press release, Crawlers shared: “We’ve been waiting for the perfect time to do our first headline in the UK with an album in the world — we can’t wait to get back on the road.”

In a four-star review of ‘The Mess We Seem To Make’ , NME shared: “There are also more poignant and beautiful moments on ‘The Mess We Seem To Make’: the guitar line of ‘Kills Me To Be Kind’ is so euphoric, it’s as though it could single-handedly lift someone out of a rut. Above all else, Crawlers reaffirm their place as one of the young guiding lights in British guitar music.”

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Crawlers previously spoke to NME while at Mad Cool Festival and discussed opening for My Chemical Romance. “I wish we could do it now because we never had like pre-production like guys, on tour that’s a thing. You need to be rehearsing. We were babies. We’d only played like basements in Liverpool and then we were playing with My Chemical Romance ,” frontwoman Holly Minto told us.

She continued: “We walked on to Shania Twain. I am sorry, the lack of realisation how big that was going to be for us but yeah. When Gerard Way said the band’s name, that was the best moment of my life.”

Elsewhere, the band are currently supporting Jane’s Addiction and Love & Rockets on a US tour and recently announced a run of headlining US dates in September. Check out the full list of dates below and visit here for tickets .

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for KING + COUNTRY

A drummer boy christmas.

• Date 12 Dec 2024
• Venue indigo at The O2
• Availability Sep 6 at 10:00 AM

Event Details

GRAMMY® award-winning duo for KING + COUNTRY is bringing their ‘A Drummer Boy Christmas’ Tour to indigo at The O2 this December.

for KING + COUNTRY is one of the music industry’s most respected and decorated duos. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone have been awarded four GRAMMY® Awards, an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, 10 GMA Dove Awards, and 17 K-LOVE Fan Awards.

Their 13 No. 1 songs have produced an astonishing 2 billion career streams. for KING + COUNTRY’s WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?, released this year, became the duo’s second Top 10 album on the Billboard 200; following their RIAA Gold certified album, BURN THE SHIPS, which also debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart.

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Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s four-day tour cost Colombia almost £45,000

Vice-president Maria Fernanda Cabal’s office revealed cost to the country included transport and security

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s four-day visit to Colombia cost the country almost £45,000, according to figures released by the vice-president’s office.

They were requested by Maria Fernanda Cabal , a Right-wing senator and political opponent of Francia Marquez, Colombia’s vice-president, who orchestrated the trip and hosted Harry and Meghan.

Ms Cabal, who has previously dismissed the quasi-royal tour as “showmanship”, branded it “wasteful spending”. The costs were released in response to a “derecho de petición”, or right to petition.

“Did you know that the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cost Colombians a total of $244,245,305 (£44,419.26)?” Ms Cabal’s office said.

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The cost included internal transport throughout the visit and security.

Prince Harry and Meghan paid for their own flights, their accommodation in Bogota and general expenses, according to the vice president’s office. 

The security costs for the engagements held in San Basilio de Palenque , the first African Freetown in the Americas, founded by escaped slaves, was almost £7,500.

In Cali, where the couple attended a music and culture festival, a forum and a meeting with young people, the security bill was just under £4,500.

The total cost covers an eight-day period as it includes four days of advance visits from staff including security and logistics teams who organised “transport, sound, refreshments and everything involved” for each engagement, sources said. 

The Colombian government has previously stated that the Sussexes paid for their own travel but admitted that the extensive security operation - or “technical requirements” - was funded by the vice-president’s office.

It said the visit had “contributed to continue demonstrating that Colombia is a country of confluence for global causes, a country capable of hosting diverse interests, as well as an attractive destination for investment, tourism and business”.

“During this visit, the country received the attention of international media and the world who were given the message that Colombia is changing positively,” the government added.

The criticism comes in the wake of various domestic issues , including a healthcare and social housing  crises. 

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Oasis fans report sky-high prices, glitches while trying to purchase reunion tour tickets

Oasis may have told listeners to not "look back in anger" in a hit song, but fans of the band are doing just that after reporting problems with concert giant Ticketmaster.

The British rockers, known for hits like “Wonderwall,” “Champagne Supernova" and, yes, "Don't Look Back in Anger," announced in August that they would reunite for a tour for the first time in 15 years.

But some Oasis fans say when they tried to purchase tickets to concerts scheduled for next year in the U.K. and Ireland over the weekend, Ticketmaster let them down.

Outraged fans have taken to social media where they report experiencing extensive wait times, system glitches and head-spinning surges in ticket prices for the concert dates.

On Aug. 31, British journalist Faye White posted a time-lapsed video on TikTok to document her experience when she tried to purchase Oasis concerts.

“I’ve been in the line now for an hour and a half and there’s still 14,000 people ahead of me,” White said at one point. Later, White said Ticketmaster offered her three tickets at prices equal to between $555 and $660 per ticket.

“I just think it’s too much,” White said, adding, “So it’s the end of the road for me.”

British YouTube star Paul Wood posted a nearly seven-minute rant on TikTok and Instagram to express his frustration with Ticketmaster after he said he unsuccessfully tried to secure Oasis tickets for nine hours.

“Where do we start with Ticketmaster? The fact that your systems can’t handle this is an absolute joke. We’re in 2024, people. And your systems can’t handle the traffic. Disgrace," Wood said in a video.

British television host Dan Walker posted on X about his own frustrations when he tried to purchase Oasis tickets, writing, “There has got to be a fairer, simpler, more efficient way of selling tickets that isn’t so open to touts, scammers, resellers & bots.”

“In the queue, out of the queue, refresh / don’t refresh, wait in line, back of the line, accused of being a bot… timed out,” Walker said.

A message on Ticketmaster UK’s website stated the ticket distribution company doesn’t set prices for concert tickets. “Promoters and artists set ticket prices. Prices can be either fixed or market-based. Market-based tickets are labeled as ‘Platinum’ or ‘In Demand,’” the message states.

Official "Platinum" tickets are not resale tickets, rather the price is adjusted based on supply and demand, "similar to how airline tickets and hotel rooms are sold," according to a blog post on Ticketmaster's website.

While Oasis didn't directly address the issues fans faced when they tried to purchase tickets to its concerts over the weekend, the band repeatedly warned fans on X to be wary of counterfeit and void tickets. "Tickets can ONLY be resold, at face value, via @TicketmasterUK and @Twickets," read one of band's messages.

NBC News reached out to Ticketmaster and Live Nation for comment but didn’t hear back at the time of publication.

It's a story familiar to Taylor Swift fans who faced similar i ssues when they tried to purchase tickets to t he “Eras Tour” from Ticketmaster.

In November 2022, Ticketmaster bungled a presale rollout for Swift's "verified" fans who applied for a code to early ticket access. Many applicants never received a code or were waitlisted for one.

On Nov. 15, 2022, the day the presale began, Ticketmaster.com crashed, leaving those lucky enough to receive a code waiting in online queues for hours .

The same day, Ticketmaster issued a statement addressing the glitches, saying there has been “historically unprecedented demand” for tickets to Swift's concerts.

Another presale for Capital One card holders was marred by similar problems, prompting Ticketmaster to cancel a ticket sale to the general public.

Swift herself responded to the fiasco in a lengthy message on social media, saying the situation "really pisses me off."

"It goes without saying that I’m extremely protective of my fans,” Swift said Nov. 18, 2022, on her Instagram story. “It’s really difficult for me to trust an outside entity with these relationships and loyalties, and excruciating for me to just watch mistakes happen with no recourse."

Swift went on to say that she was "trying to figure out" what exactly had gone wrong on Ticketmaster's end.

"I’m not going to make excuses for anyone because we asked them, multiple times, if they could handle this kind of demand and we were assured they could," she told fans.

Ticketmaster followed up by issuing an apology to Swift's fans for their "terrible experience." In a statement on its website , the company explained that not only did a “record number of fans” seek tickets for Swift's concert tour, the company was also besieged by a "staggering number of bot attacks" as well.

Some U.S. lawmakers and state authorities took note of the brouhaha at the time and criticized Ticketmaster, alleging it had a monopoly over the distribution and sale of concert tickets.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, told Ticketmaster in an open letter that she had "serious concerns about the state of competition in the ticketing industry and its harmful impact on consumers.”

“Ticketmaster’s power in the primary ticket market insulates it from the competitive pressures that typically push companies to innovate and improve their services,” wrote Klobuchar. “That can result in the types of dramatic service failures we saw this week, where consumers are the ones that pay the price.”

Meanwhile, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced plans to launch an anti-trust probe into Ticketmaster, Nashville NBC affiliate  WSMV reported .

“There is an incentive there for the company to profit twice off the sale of these ticket,” Skrmetti said, according to WSMV. “I am not saying it happened, but we are going to make absolutely sure it didn’t.”

In May 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice, joined by 30 state and district attorneys general, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation for "monopolization and other unlawful conduct that thwarts competition in markets across the live entertainment industry."

The lawsuit "seeks to restore competition in the live concert industry, provide better choices at lower prices for fans, and open venue doors for working musicians and other performance artists."

Live Nation's Executive Vice President for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Dan Wall wrote in a lengthy blog post on the company's website that the case "misleads the public into thinking that ticket prices will be lower if something is done about Live Nation and Ticketmaster."

"This lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster won’t reduce ticket prices or service fees," Wall said.

Gina Vivinetto is a writer for TODAY.com.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Father killed three ‘angelic’ boys before taking his own life

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A father is believed to have killed himself after murdering his three ‘angelic’ sons after their bodies were found in a house in Surrey on Saturday.

The discovery of Piotr Swiderski, his twin boys and their older brother , all under the age of four, shocked the ‘quiet little neighbourhood’ in Staines where they lived.

Mike Cresswell, 68, said: ‘He seemed like a lovely guy but you couldn’t get to speak to him because he was always so stressed.

‘They were a beautiful family. The kids were well loved and well looked after.’

Another neighbour, 55, said the ‘angelic’ boys were ‘angelic’ were always laughing and seemed ‘happy as larry’, MailOnline reported.

‘There’s never any trouble around here’, one neighbour, who asked not to be named, said.

‘There was nothing to indicate that something like this was going to happen – no rows, no noise, nothing.’

Another said: ‘They were a perfect family, lovely kids. He was a nice guy and his wife was really nice.

‘No one on the street knows why [this happened], but we can’t believe it – it’s horrific.’

The boys’ mother is being supported by specialist officers after the discovery of their bodies around 1pm on Saturday.

Next-door neighbour Shehr Sikandari said he heard a woman’s ‘horrific screams’ shortly before police arrived yesterday.

He said: ‘It is unbelievable and traumatic what we have heard. We are still in shock.

‘Three lovely children – we have seen them playing.’

Mr Sikandari, a 48-year-old telecommunications consultant, added: ‘I haven’t met the dad much, but the children and the mum were quite lively, quite jolly.

‘The children used to play in the back all the time – making noises of joy, jumping around, playing and being very happy.

‘They were full of life. They used to often go for a walk in the park or a stroll.’

He described the house being quiet in the morning and ‘we thought they were not at home – maybe outside somewhere. Usually they take their children out on their bikes.’

But after 12pm, he said he heard screams and then the police arriving.

He added: ‘The woman, she was screaming. They were quite horrific screams and everyone came out to see what was happening.’

Surrey Police believe the ‘isolated incident’ involved no third party.

But the force has referred itself to the police watchdog due to previous police contact with the family in August last year.

A spokesperson said: ‘We were called [Saturday] afternoon at around 1.15pm by South-East Coast Ambulance service to a property in Bremer Road, Spelthorne, where officers found the bodies of three children and a man.

‘A thorough investigation is being carried out to establish the circumstances of their deaths.

‘We can now confirm that the children and man involved were all related and the three children were all under the age of 4. Postmortems and formal identification will take place in due course.

‘Their mother and next of kin are aware and being supported by specialist officers. We request their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.’

A floral tribute left outside the house on Sunday read: ‘Rest in peace little ones.

‘We will always think of you.’

DCI Gareth Hicks who is leading the investigation, said: ‘This is a truly tragic incident and a thorough investigation is underway to establish exactly what happened. We would like to thank the local community for their support and understanding whilst we have been conducting our enquiries.

‘We can also now update that whilst Bremer Road was closed for a significant amount of time yesterday, it has now fully re-opened and there will continue to be a police presence in the area for the foreseeable.’

An Independent Office for Police Conduct spokesperson said: ‘We have been notified by Surrey Police about the tragic incident in Spelthorne.

‘We will be assessing a referral from the force to decide whether any action is required by the IOPC.’

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The Home of British Country Music

Gigs, Concerts and Festival listings for Country music events around the UK and beyond. Anyone can submit a show and listing is currently free. On this site you will find plenty of information about Country Music in the United Kingdom.

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August 12, 2024

Money blog: Liam Gallagher's 2017 tweet comes back to haunt him

The Money blog is your place for consumer and personal finance news and tips. Today's posts include Expedia data showing the cheapest dates to go on holiday and an old Liam Gallagher tweet about ticket pricing. Leave a comment on any of the stories we're covering in the box below.

Tuesday 3 September 2024 09:56, UK

• Cheapest holidays dates before Christmas
• Pay-per-mile tax scheme proposed for electric vehicles
• Liam Gallagher's 2017 tweet about £350 tickets comes back to haunt him
• Millions to get cost of living payments this winter as scheme extended

Essential reads

• Basically... Free school meals
• 'This job has saved lives': What's it like selling the Big Issue?
• Best of the Money blog

Tips and advice

• How else to eat Greggs on cheap as O2 Priority scraps freebies
• Money Problem : 'My dog died but my insurance is still demanding whole year's policy payment'
• Holiday money golden rules

Ask a question or make a comment

By James Sillars , business reporter

It's a fairly muted start to the day's trading, again, on financial markets.

The FTSE 100 has opened 10 points higher at 8,373.

Rolls-Royce, the civil aerospace-to-defence firm (not to be confused with the luxury motor car manufacturer), is leading the gainers.

Its shares rallied by 4% early this morning after a 6.5% decline the previous day.

That tumbled was in reaction to the apparent mid-air failure of one of its engines on a Cathay Pacific flight .

Analysts said that the share price recovery was down to an update from  the airline that the fleet affected should be back to full operation by the weekend.

A tweet Liam Gallagher wrote seven years ago criticising the eye-watering price of gig tickets has come back to haunt him.

His message, written in September 2017 about his older brother Noel, who was touring America with his band High Flying Birds at the time, read: "350 dollars to go and see rkid in USA what a c*** when will it all stop as you were LG x"

The tweet has resurfaced after dynamic pricing for Oasis's much-hyped reunion next year left fans - many of whom had spent hours queueing online - stunned after some standard tickets more than doubled in price from £148 to £355 on Ticketmaster due to demand.

X users pointed out the irony upon seeing the 2017 tweet, posting comments including, "Well this is evergreen", "What's your excuse for charging over 368 quid then?" and "Not ageing well, Liam".

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Using a phrase Liam adopts in his own social media comments, another fan wrote simply "BIBLICAL".

Hundreds of people have complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over "misleading claims about availability and pricing".

In response, Sir Keir Starmer has said the government will get a "grip" on the issue of surge pricing, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy promising a consultation over the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, and the technology around queuing systems, to ensure fans don't get ripped off.

Yesterday we revealed that official reseller Twickets had lowered its fees after criticism from Oasis fans.

Scroll through today's Money blog for: Cheapest dates to go on holiday this year (6.42 post); how do you get free school meals (7.58 post); pay-per-mile tax proposed (7.38 post)

Basically, free school meals are aimed at making sure the country's more vulnerable youngsters don't go hungry while they're learning in their earlier years.

Children of certain ages automatically qualify without having to apply, but the rules differ across the four nations.

Children whose parents claim certain benefits or asylum support may also be eligible - though an application may be needed.

Free school meals without having to apply

In England, outside of London , all state school children in reception to year two automatically qualify for infant free school meals, while in the capital , all state primary school children up to age 11 qualify for the benefit in the 2024-25 academic year.

In Scotland , all state school children up to primary five (around four to nine years old) get the meals automatically. There are plans for this to be extended to pupils in receipt of the Scottish child payment in primary six and seven from February.

In Wales  all primary school children in state schools can get free meals from September.

Families who claim benefits

If your child falls outside the eligibility criteria for automatic free school meals, they'll still be able to benefit in certain circumstances.

Wherever you are in the UK, your child may be able to get free school meals if you get one or more of the following:

• Income support
• Universal credit
• Income-based jobseeker's allowance
• Income-related employment and support allowance
• Support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of pension credit
• Child tax credit
• Working tax credit (Scotland and Northern Ireland)
• Working tax credit run-on England and Wales) – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit

There's some specific criteria for families by devolved nation, which we'll break down below...

England and Wales

If you're claiming universal credit, your net household income must be less than £7,400 after tax, and not including any benefits.

Those receiving child tax credit must not also be entitled to working tax credit and must have an annual income of less than £16,190.

If you're classed as having no recourse to public funds - a type of condition placed on temporary visas in the UK - and the parents are able to work, they must have a household income of no more than:

• £22,700 for families outside of London with one child
• £26,300 for families outside of London with two or more children
• £31,200 for families within London with one child
• £34,800 for families within London with two or more children

People claiming universal credit in Scotland must have a household monthly income of no more than £796 (£9,552 per year) to qualify for free school meals. 

Families on child tax credit, but not working tax credit, can get the meals if they earn less than £19,995. For those on both benefits, their income must be no more than £9,552.

Northern Ireland

You may be able to claim free school meals in Northern Ireland if you receive universal credit and your post-tax earnings are £15,000 or less per year.

If you get child tax credit or working tax credit, you can still get free school meals on an annual income of up to £16,190.

How can I claim the meals?

In England, Wales and Scotland, you apply to your local council.

The UK government website has a local authority postcode checker here , which directs you to the council running services in your area. There are similar tools on the Scottish and Welsh government websites.

In Northern Ireland, you can use this form to apply directly to the government.

How many children are eligible - and how much does it cost? 

According to the latest data from the Department for Education, 2.1 million pupils were eligible for free school meals in the 2023-24 academic year - 24.6% of pupils. This was a rise from 23.8% the year before.

According to the London mayor's office, it's estimated that school meals cost £13.25 per week - or £2.65 meal - on average.

It says its free school meals offer for all state-educated primary school children in the capital saves parents around £500 per year.

According to a 2023 report from the IFS, the current system of free school meals in England – both means-tested and universal provision – costs the government around £1.4bn a year.

But separate research from the Food Foundation found that expanding free school meal eligibility to all primary school students could generate around £41bn in direct benefits to students and a further £58bn to the wider economy over 20 years.

Read other entries in our Basically series.. .

Tax receipts from petrol and diesel duty bring in £25bn for the Treasury each year - and questions have been raised about what happens as more drivers go electric.

Today, the public transport charity Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) is proposing that drivers of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), such as electric cars, should be charged based on how far they travel.

They are asking Chancellor Rachel Reeves to impose the pay-per-mile scheme, saying it's the solution to a "black hole" that will be created by the loss of fuel duty.

The scheme would not apply to drivers of traditionally fuelled cars.

Under the plan, drivers with a ZEV before the implementation date would be exempt, incentivising the switch to electric vehicles.

Previous governments have found the prospect of introducing per-mile charges - known as road pricing - to be too politically toxic.

But CBT claims it would have public support.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments box - and read more on this story here ...

Summer may be edging towards the rear-view mirror, but that doesn't mean Britons are turning their back on sunshine. 

With many looking to sort an autumn holiday, Expedia has taken a look at the best times to fly and book hotels - with savings of up to £120 if you are savvy. 

Its data is based on average daily rates for lodging and flight prices between 22 September and 21 December this year.

When to book flights for

• Cheapest : 22, 23 or 24 September
• Least busy : 10 or 17 December
• Most expensive : 19, 20 or 21 December
• Busiest : 20 and 21 October

"For the best deals, travellers should look to book their flights 14 to 20 days before travel, saving them on average £120 compared to booking 91 days or more out, or saving £60 compared to booking 60-90 days out," Expedia says. 

"Target the 22-29 September for travel, when average ticket prices (ATPs) for flights are shaping up to be nearly £100 cheaper than the autumn average, and £50 cheaper than summer ATPs."

When to  book a hotel

• Cheapest : 20 November or 11 December
• Most expensive : 14 or 21 October
• Busiest : 23 October or 25 September

"For hotel stays, target the 3-9 November, when average daily rates are £15 cheaper per night than the seasonal average and summer stays," Expedia says. 

The holiday booking site says the most popular autumn destinations have remained largely the same as last year based on the largest number of hotel searches...

• New York, USA
• Paris, France
• Edinburgh, Scotland
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Manchester, UK
• Tenerife, Spain
• Birmingham, UK
• Rome, Italy

Despite this, Expedia says savvy Britons are searching out "under the radar" getaway spots.

"Flight searches have surged for Brits looking to discover new, under-the-radar European cities this autumn, such as Tirana (+95%) in Albania and Bucharest (+70%) in Romania, as Brits look to stretch their budgets further by looking outside the popular city break hotspots."

The top 10 destinations with the biggest search increases are:

• Saint Malo, France
• Didim, Turkey
• Syracuse, Italy
• Beijing, China 
• Palermo, Italy
• Tromso, Norway 
• Brescia, Italy 
• Poznan, Poland
• Tangier, Morocco
• Ischia, Italy

The Money blog will return shortly - meantime, why not scroll through some of our best and most popular features below...

Despite traditionally being an affordable staple of British cuisine, the average price for a portion of fish and chips has risen by more than 50% in the past five years to nearly £10, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Sonny and Shane "the codfather" Lee told Sky News of the challenges that owning J-Henry's Fish and Chip Shop brings and why prices have skyrocketed. 

"Potatoes, fish, utilities, cooking oil - so many things [are going up]," he said. 

Shane also said that he is used to one thing at a time increasing in price, but the outlook today sees multiple costs going up all at once.  

"Potatoes [were] priced right up to about £25 a bag - the previous year it was about £10 a bag," Sonny said, noting a bad harvest last year. 

He said the business had tried hake as a cheaper fish option, but that consumers continued to prefer the more traditional, but expensive, cod and haddock. 

"It's hard and we can we can absorb the cost to a certain extent, but some of it has to be passed on," Shane added. 

After a long Saturday for millions of Oasis fans in online queues, the culture secretary says surge pricing - which pushed the price of some tickets up by three times their original advertised value to nearly £400 - will be part of the government's review of the ticket market. 

On today's episode of the Daily podcast, host Niall Paterson speaks to secondary ticketing site Viagogo. While it wasn’t part of dynamic pricing, it has offered resale tickets for thousands of pounds since Saturday. 

Matt Drew from the company accepts the industry needs a full review, while Adam Webb, from the campaign group FanFair Alliance, explains the changes it would like to see.

We've covered the fallout of the Oasis sale extensively in the Money blog today - see the culture secretary's comments on the "utterly depressing" inflated pricing in our post at 6.37am, and Twickets, the official Oasis resale site, slammed by angry fans for its "ridiculous" added fees at 10.10am.

The growing backlash culminated in action from Twickets - the company said it would lower its charges after some fans had to pay more than £100 in extra fees for resale tickets (see post at 15.47).

Last week we reported that employers will have to offer flexible working hours - including a four-day week - to all workers under new government plans.

To receive their full pay, employees would still have to work their full hours but compressed into a shorter working week - something some workplaces already do.

Currently, employees can request flexible hours as soon as they start at a company but employers are not legally obliged to agree.

The Labour government now wants to make it so employers have to offer flexible hours from day one, except where it is "not reasonably feasible".

You can read more of the details in this report by our politics team:

But what does the public think about this? We asked our followers on LinkedIn to give their thoughts in an unofficial poll.

It revealed that the overwhelming majority of people support the idea to compress the normal week's hours into fewer days - some 83% of followers said they'd choose this option over a standard five-day week.

But despite the poll showing a clear preference for a compressed week, our followers appeared divided in the comments.

"There's going to be a huge brain-drain as people move away from companies who refuse to adapt with the times and implement a 4 working week. This will be a HUGE carrot for many orgs," said Paul Burrows, principal software solutions manager at Reality Capture.

Louise McCudden, head of external affairs at MSI Reproductive Choices, said she wasn't surprised at the amount of people choosing longer hours over fewer days as "a lot of people" are working extra hours on a regular basis anyway.

But illustrator and administrative professional Leslie McGregor noted the plan wouldn't be possible in "quite a few industries and quite a few roles, especially jobs that are customer centric and require 'round the clock service' and are heavily reliant upon people in trades, maintenance, supply and transport". 

"Very wishful thinking," she said.

Paul Williamson had a similar view. He said: "I'd love to know how any customer first service business is going to manage this."

Twickets has announced it is lowering its charges after some Oasis fans had to pay more than £100 in extra fees to buy official resale tickets.

The site is where the band themselves is directing people to buy second-hand tickets for face value - having warned people against unofficial third party sellers like StubHub and Viagogo.

One person branded the extra fees "ridiculous" (see more in 10.10 post), after many people had already been left disappointed at the weekend when Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing pushed tickets up by three times the original advertised fee.

Twickets said earlier that it typically charged a fee of 10-15% of the face value of the tickets.

But it has since said it will lower the charge due to "exceptional demand" from Oasis fans - taking ownership of an issue in a way fans will hope others follow. 

Richard Davies, Twickets founder, told the Money blog: "Due to the exceptional demand for the Oasis tour in 2025, Twickets have taken the decision to lower our booking fee to 10% and a 1% transactional fee (to cover bank charges) for all buyers of their tickets on our platform. In addition we have introduced a fee cap of £25 per ticket for these shows. Sellers of tickets already sell free of any Twickets charge.

"This ensures that Twickets remains hugely competitive against the secondary market, including sites such as Viagogo, Gigsberg and StubHub.

"Not only do these platforms inflate ticket prices way beyond their original face value but they also charge excessive booking fees, usually in the region of 30-40%. Twickets by comparison charges an average fee of around 12.5%"

The fee cap, which the Money blog understands is being implemented today, will apply to anyone who has already bought resale tickets through the site.

Mr Davies said Twickets was a "fan first" resale site and a "safe and affordable place" for people to trade unwanted tickets.

"The face value of a ticket is the total amount it was first purchased for, including any booking fee. Twickets does not set the face value price, that is determined by the event and the original ticketing company. The price listed on our platform is set by the seller, however no one is permitted to sell above the face-value on Twickets, and every ticket is checked before listing that it complies with this policy," he said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people have complained to the regulator about how Oasis tickets were advertised ahead of going on sale. 

The Advertising Standards Authority said it had received 450 complaints about Ticketmaster adverts for the gigs.

Some  expressed their anger on social media , as tickets worth £148 were being sold for £355 on the site within hours of release, due to the "dynamic pricing" systems.

A spokesperson from ASA said the complainants argue that the adverts made "misleading claims about availability and pricing".

They added: "We're carefully assessing these complaints and, as such, can't comment any further at this time.

"To emphasise, we are not currently investigating these ads."

Ticketmaster said it does not set prices and its website says this is down to the "event organiser" who "has priced these tickets according to their market value".

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