Albums 2025: News from Ringo Starr, Lady Gaga and The Weeknd | NDR.de – Culture

As of: December 29, 2024 6:00 a.m

There’s a lot going on musically in the new year: new albums are expected from Franz Ferdinand, Lana Del Rey and Eric Clapton, among others. And great acts like Ed Sheeran, Lenny Kravitz and James Blunt can also be seen on the stages in the north.

by Thomas Steinberg

A new album is starting on January 10th: What a drummer he is and such a beautiful person! In his typically humorous and ironic way, Ringo Starr has to smile a little at this statement. The fact is, however, that the ex-Beatle is surprised with the country album “Look Up” and high-profile guests, such as Alison Krauss. “Thankful” and the other ten songs were created in Nashville and Los Angeles in collaboration with US producer legend T Bone Burnett.

Happy pop songs by Franz Ferdinand and the final part of a trilogy by The Weeknd

On the same day, Franz Ferdinand publishes her new work “The Human Fear”. Then of course the current single “Night And Day”. This wonderful, happy pop song, in typical Franz style, sets the mood perfectly for the Scottish indie heroes’ sixth album. There is news from David Gray and Bonnie “Prince” Billy aka Will Oldham. His current production “The Purple Bird” also played in Nashville in style like Starr.

Right at the start: The Weeknd. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” is the third and final part of his trilogy, following The Weeknd’s globally successful albums “After Hours” and “Dawn FM”.

Classics and more: New from Eric Clapton

A new studio work by Eric Clapton will also be released at the end of January. Mr. Slowhand shines, among other things, with his version of the Henri Mancini classic “Moon River”. He is supported by the now deceased exceptional guitarist Jeff Beck. “Meanwhile” is Clapton’s first release since 2018. Numerous songs have already been released in advance. Six brand new tracks from the 79-year-old are added, including three tracks with Van Morrison.

In February we expect musical news from Dream Theater, as well as Heather Nova. After the excellent cover album “Other Shores” comes “Breath And Air”. “The lyrics should be like poetry and the melody should flow. Plus something very real, emotional that the listener reacts to. When it all comes together, you have a good song,” says Heather Nova. That was her starting point for “Breath And Air”.

Further albums have been announced for 2025 by Steven Wilson, Sparks, Lordi, The LA Guns and Steven Wilson, among others. Also from Blondie, Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, Sarah Connor, Yvonne Catterfeld, Miley Cyrus and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. With the pre-release single “Freedom Of The Night”, the Brit refers to her disco roots. “Murder On The Dancefloor” was her first big hit in 2001. “I’ve always been someone who needs music to lift me up, and ‘Freedom of the Night’ is about that feeling. Music as a form of liberation” and a bit of hedonism. I have always needed this energy in my life and I know that I am not alone. As the song describes, sometimes you have to give in to what you want.

Live concerts in the north

There will also be a lot going on live on the North German stages in 2025. James Blunt will celebrate 20 years of “Back To Bedlam” in Hamburg’s Barclays Arena on February 28th. With his debut album and hits like “You’re Beautiful” and “High,” it went to number one in the charts two decades ago. Lenny Kravitz, on the other hand, can be admired live on March 20th at the ZAG Arena in Hanover.

That’s already sold out Wacken weekend at the end of July and beginning of August. Guns N’ Roses perform there as headliners in front of 85,000 fans. Another highlight of the four-day festival: exceptional guitarist Michael Schenker (the brother of Rudolf Schenker, member of the Scorpions). Schenker also celebrated his entry as a 19-year-old “German prodigy” with the British hard rock institution UFO on April 10th at the Hamburg factory. “My years at UFO, 1974-79” is the motto – with all the hits including “Only You Can Rock Me” and “Doctor Doctor”. By the way, UFO boss Phil Mogg thinks Schenker’s homage to his band is great.

Joe Bonamassa presents top-class rhythm & blues on May 6th at the Zag Arena in Hanover.

Pure eighties: Holly Johnson and Kim Wilde

Former Frankie Goes To Hollywood frontman Holly Johnson can be seen and heard live at the Hamburger Fabrik on May 15th. There is more 80s feeling with Kim Wilde. The Brit will be performing her super hits like “Kids In America” and “You Came” on November 20th at the Capitol in Hanover and on November 24th at Große Freiheit 36 ​​​​in Hamburg.

More concerts from Ed Sheeran, Linkin Park and the Scorpions

Ed Sheeran continues to draw crowds. From July 4th to 6th he will be a guest at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion. Linkin Park will play on June 16th at the Heinz von Heiden Arena in Hanover. That’s where the big things are found The Scorpions’ “Coming Home” concert will take place on July 5th. Guests like Alice Cooper and Judas Priest have been announced for the 60th anniversary of the legendary band from Hanover.

On October 17th, there will be top-class British pop-soul from and with Simply Red at the Barclays Arena in Hamburg. A home game for Mono Inc. follows on October 18th in Hamburg’s Edel Optics Arena.