The gigs, sports events and festivals that clash with the 4 July general election

Published

4 months ago

May 22, 2024

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Some sports fans and music lovers who want to vote are set to be double booked on polling day after Rishi Sunak called a general election on 4 July.

The prime minister announced in the pouring rain this afternoon that “now is the moment for Britain to choose its future“.

But those set to see The Killers at the O2 Arena or Megan Thee Stallion at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro who also want to vote may face a challenge to their plans.

Other gigs clashing with the general election include Morgan Wallen’s biggest-ever UK show at Hyde Park, and Paloma Faith’s stadium show at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff.

Comedian James Acaster – who backed Labour’s Rosie Wrighting to be elected MP in Kettering – is also performing at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town on the same day as the election.

Usually, polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on polling day and require attendance in-person with an acceptable form of ID.

The Electoral Commission says they can get busy, however, particularly before most people start work or towards the end of the day, which might make it harder for people to attend events and vote on the same day.

But it is possible to vote by post, or by proxy, the commission says, if you have applied to do so within the deadline.

A number of other music festivals are either starting on Wednesday 3 July or Thursday 4th, and others are starting the day after, including BST at Hyde Park with Kings Of Leon, Kylie, Robbie Williams and Andrea Bocelli, among others.

Glastonbury attendees will be relieved however as election day comes the week after the four-day festival, held from the 26 to 30 June.

Just after hours after announcing the election, Sunak rolled out the Conservative’s vision for another five years at the ExCel centre in east London.

But the prime minister might pause campaigning in four days’ time to watch Southampton play Leeds in the Championship playoff final. He was spotted at St Mary’s Stadium to watch the Saints see off West Bromwich Albion on Friday.

What about the Euros?

Sticking with football, both England and Scotland will look to win Euro 2024 in Germany this summer, while Sunak and Keir Starmer campaign at home.

The Three Lions will play Serbia on 16 June, Denmark on 20 June and Slovenia on 25 June.

Meanwhile, Scotland will kick off the tournament against Germany on 14 June, before playing Switzerland on 19 June and Hungary on 23 June.

There’s also a chance either side could play the day after the general election: If England finish second in their group and win their round of 16 game, they will play on 5 July at the MHPArena in Stuttgart.

Scotland will play this day if they top their group and win the first knockout game.

If England finish first in their group, or if Scotland finish second, and either side win their round of 16 game, they will play on Saturday 6 July instead.

Any other clashes?

For some private schools, 4 July is the end of term, which could mean some intend to start their holidays on that day.

For those watching the tennis, Wimbledon will take place from 1 July to 14 July – often a full day trip for many who attend.

On the day of the election, the tournament will see the second round of the Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles, as well as the first round of the Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Doubles.

The Henley Royal Regatta will be in full swing on 4 July, having started two days before, while the British Grand Prix is due to get under way the day after on 5 July.

But those perhaps most likely to be annoyed by the election date will be in Scotland, with the six-week state school summer holiday starting from 28 June, with many jetting off as soon as the children break up.

Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, expressed his discontent on X just after Sunak spoke, saying: “A Scottish school summer holiday election is the final insult this Tory Government can impose on Scotland.”

Entertainment

Painting of nude woman prompts police visit at Powys art gallery

Published

8 hours ago

September 20, 2024

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Painting of nude woman prompts police visit at Powys art gallery

A painting of a nude woman with her legs open has prompted a police visit to an art gallery in Mid Wales.

The painting is on display in the window of The Table in Hay-on-Wye, Powys.

Warning: The image below shows the painting

According to gallery owner Val Harris, the police have asked her to remove the painting under the Public Order Act, but she has refused to do so.

Ms Harris told Sky News the response the painting had received from some people was “shocking” and “rather sad”.

“We had the police here under the Public Order Act. They’d had complaints,” she said.

“I’m not prepared to take it out of the window. I run an art gallery, I support my artists, so that’s where we got to.

“And Poppy [Baynham, the artist] wants to keep it in the window, if she wanted to move it ’cause she was finding it too traumatic, I would have respected whatever she wanted.”

The painting formed part of the gallery’s It’s Party Time exhibition.

Some of the complaints were read out in a public meeting on Thursday afternoon, called so people could ask questions about the artwork.

One complaint was that the painting was “not suitable for children”, while another described it as “very sexualised”.

Baynham told Sky News it was “only supportive people” who attended the meeting after the complaints had been made.

“I think everyone who didn’t like the painting was just a bit scared to show their faces obviously. So it turned out really, really great, a lot of people showed up,” she said.

“I couldn’t do it without the support, I think I would have given in if it was all hate.”

The discussion that has been sparked by Ms Baynham’s painting is “all an artist dreams of”, she added.

“The publicity has been amazing for my work, I’ve never had so much people talk about it.”

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed it had received a report and that officers had attended the gallery.

They added the neighbourhood policing team was monitoring the situation.

Entertainment

Kylie Minogue reveals major world tour news – her biggest in more than a decade

Published

1 day ago

September 19, 2024

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Kylie Minogue reveals major world tour news - her biggest in more than a decade

Kylie Minogue has announced her biggest tour in more than a decade – as well as a new album.

The pop star’s Tension tour will open in her home country, Australia, before heading to Asia and reaching the UK in May 2025. More countries and dates in Europe and North and South America are set to be announced over the coming weeks.

It comes after huge success last year with her viral sensation hit Padam Padam and album Tension, as well as a Las Vegas residency and a big show at Hyde Park in London earlier in the summer.

“I am beyond excited to announce the Tension tour 2025,” Minogue said in a statement sent to Sky News. “I can’t wait to share beautiful and wild moments with fans all over the world, celebrating the Tension era and more!

“It’s been an exhilarating ride so far and now, get ready for your close up because I will be calling Lights, Camera, Action… and there will be a whole lot of Padaming!”

The UK dates include shows in Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Nottingham and Birmingham, and two at London’s O2 Arena.

Minogue first teased the news as she announced her new album, Tension II, earlier today – revealing the sequel will be released in October, with the lead single, Lights Camera Action coming on 27 September.

“But wait! There’s more…” she added.

The tour announcement followed this afternoon. It will be Minogue’s first since her Golden shows in 2018 and 2019 and her biggest since the Aphrodite: Les Folies tour in 2011, which followed the Aphrodite album and hits including All The Lovers and Get Outta My Way.

The new album includes the dance hit Edge of Saturday Night with The Blessed Madonna, as well as collaborations with Orville Peck, Bebe Rexha and Tove Lo, and Sia.

“The Tension era has been so special to me,” the star said. “I can’t possibly let it be over just yet!”

Minogue, who rose to fame on Australian soap Neighbours in the 1980s before becoming a pop mega star, has had hits throughout the decades ever since – from I Should Be So Lucky, Hand On Your Heart and Better The Devil You Know, to Confide In Me, Spinning Around and Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.

Padam Padam, released in 2023, marked another reinvention with a move into electronic dance, and became a viral hit.

Earlier this year, she was named a global icon at the Brit Awards, and won the Grammy for best pop dance recording for the single.

Entertainment

Geoff Hinsliff: Star who played Coronation Street villain Don Brennan has died

Published

1 day ago

September 19, 2024

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Geoff Hinsliff: Star who played Coronation Street villain Don Brennan has died

Coronation Street star Geoff Hinsliff has died aged 87, ITV has said.

The actor was best known for playing Don Brennan on the soap from 1987 to 1997. He died last weekend.

Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt in the show, paid tribute to Hinsliff on behalf of Coronation Street and ITV, saying: “Geoff was a lovely, quiet man who will be sadly missed by us all.

“His partnership with Lynne Perrie was something rather special and they gave the viewers huge pleasure for many years.”

Born in Leeds, Hinsliff studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and initially appeared on Coronation Street in 1963 and 1977 as different characters.

He joined the cast as taxi driver Don in 1987.

His 10-year stint on the cobbles saw him commit kidnap and attempted murder after several business deals went wrong before his character died when he crashed his car into a viaduct.