Study shows most musicians can’t afford equipment
New research by charity Help Musicians says that over 90% of all musicians can no longer afford equipment to perform live shows. Being a musician is a tough ordeal in the age of streaming. Most consumers aren’t buying CDs or vinyl, with touring and merchandise usually serving as the...
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How gaslighting became our word of the year in 2022
Gaslighting — defined as a particular kind of deception and psychological manipulation that causes you to question your own reality. It has been chosen by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as 2022’s word of the year, following ‘a 1740% increase’ in searches. The word itself arises from the 1938 thriller play...
Why Megan Thee Stallion is more than just her milestones
After becoming the first Black woman to cover Forbes’ 30 under 30, the rapper is using her success as a foundation for important conversations that go beyond race. Megan Thee Stallion is on a winning streak that shows no signs of slowing. Since releasing her first single in 2016, the Texas-born...
France’s César film awards take stand against sexual violence
Movie stars and other members of the industry convicted of or facing possible prison time for sexual violence are being banned from the French Oscars ‘out of respect for the victims.’ Every year, when awards season rolls around, the world turns its attention to the glamorous red carpet looks,...
Pallet ‘pop up’ shelters used to help combat homelessness
What if you could build a house in less than an hour? The US company Pallet has created a shelter that does just that in an effort to fight homelessness. It can be a huge task building homes. Planning, construction, and plumbing can take months and even years, with...
Milan Design Week showcases innovative biofilm breakthrough
At the world’s most important design event, Dutch designer Lionne van Deursen presented an innovative biofilm made from yeast. The eco-material could one day replace pesky plastic films that are notoriously difficult to recycle. Phasing out plastics is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. With 9 billion tons...
Will Grammy’s honour more diverse nominations this year?
The 2023 Grammy nominations honour artists Latto, Lizzo, and Beyonce. But when it comes to supplying the trophies, will the Recording Academy pay Black women artists their dues? Beyonce has just cemented her status as the most nominated artist in Grammy’s history, alongside partner Jay-Z. With nine nods this year, she is the most nominated artist overall in the 2023 line-up. The Pop-R&B singer is nominated in the most prestigious categories...
Right wing government in Tennessee attempts to criminalise drag
The GOP has felt the sting as they sit neck-and-neck with Democrats in the midterms. But blue victories haven’t stopped Republicans from introducing far-right state legislature. This week, Tennessee Republicans introduced two new bills that would ban gender-affirming care for children, along with public drag performances state-wide. Sponsored by Republicans Ken Yager and Ferrell Haile, ‘Senate Bill 1’ – also titled the ‘Protecting Children From Gender Mutilation Act’ – states that...
Trans woman Nikita Dragun was placed in a men’s prison
Despite identifying as a woman since her transition in 2015, Dragun’s arrest highlights continued transphobia and human-rights violations within the US prison system. On Monday, YouTube star Nikita Dragun was arrested and charged with felony assault of a police officer. The influencer was taken to a men’s prison in Miami and held until Wednesday when she was released without bail. Dragun has publicly identified as a woman since her transition in 2015....
New study finds drug testing sites make festivals safer
A survey analysed 250,000 festival attendees, examining the impacts of drug-checking provisions. It found that drug use did not go up, but instead festivals were safer overall. A new study by The Loop and Liverpool University suggests that drug testing facilities at festivals ensure a safer environment, with no particular uptake in use. Research published in Drugs, Habits and Social Policy looked at provisions available at festivals from 2016...
