Music News

The world of music has taken to social media to pay tribute to Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who has died at the age of 80. His bandmates Mick Jagger and Keith Richards both posted pictures of Watts.

Paul McCartney released a video in which he said, "So sad to hear about Charlie Watts, the Stones drummer dying. He was a lovely guy, and I knew he was ill, but I didn’t know he was this ill. So lots of love to his family, his wife and kids, his extended family.

"And condolences to the Stones, it will be a huge blow to them because Charlie was a rock. A fantastic drummer, steady as a rock. Love you Charlie. I’ve always loved you, beautiful man. Great condolences and sympathies to his family.”

"A very sad day," Elton John tweeted. "Charlie Watts was the ultimate drummer. The most stylish of men, and such brilliant company. My deepest condolences to Shirley, Seraphina and Charlotte. And of course, The Rolling Stones."

Live Nation have announced a new policy where ticket holders must provide proof of full vaccination or a negative lateral flow test in the UK. For ticket-holders to be permitted to attend any concert, they will be asked to show either proof of full vaccination – with the second dose received at least 14 days before the festival – a negative NHS lateral flow test, or evidence of natural immunity in the form of a positive PCR test within 180 days of the festival.

The company, which operates and promotes ticket sales around the world, runs events such as Download Festival, Wireless, Creamfields and Reading & Leeds Festival.

The order was confirmed days after Live Nation's similar policy over in the U.S. In a statement, Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino explained: "Vaccines are going to be your ticket back to shows, and as of October 4 we will be following the model we developed for Lollapalooza and requiring this for artists, fans and employees at Live Nation venues and festivals everywhere possible in the U.S.".

Lollapalooza, the four-day annual music festival held in Chicago on July 29 - August 1, was confirmed by health officials to not be a "super spreader event". Live Nation will also be mandating that their US employees are fully vaccinated by the given date.

The company's upcoming Reading & Leeds festival this month will also be requiring punters to "demonstrate their Covid 19 status before entering the festival". In a statement, organisers explained: "Just like many other festivals and events, Reading and Leeds Festival will ask all ticket holders aged 11 and over to demonstrate their COVID-19 status before entering the festival".