MSPs unanimously approved the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill on Tuesday. There is now a legal duty on local authorities to ensure that free items such as tampons and sanitary pads are available to "anyone who needs them". The bill was introduced by Labour MSP Monica Lennon. She has been campaigning to end period poverty since 2016. She said it was a "practical and progressive" piece of legislation made all the more vital because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the first half of 2020, vinyl outsold CDs for the first time in history. Since then, the international vinyl revival has show no signs of slowing down, with the industry expected to rake in over $100 million by the end of this year- an increase of 10%. Drew Hill, managing director of Proper Music, told The Guardian: “We have seen 250% growth from the bottom of lockdown to where we are now. I thought it could be catastrophic for the industry but during lockdown the kind of

Talent Development Program Launchpad Music have unveiled their boost of funding for upcoming artists this week, focusing on those situated in the Yorkshire region. Since their launch last year, Launchpad Music have been able to help 62 budding artists - including musicians, producers, bands and composers. This help has covered a range of areas, from financial support for recording sessions to one-on-one mentoring for working in the music industry. Read below to find out more

A wave of optimism is set to hit the UK, following Matt Hancock's announcement regarding a potential vaccine rollout next month. As reported last week, preparations for vaccine distribution are in full swing following a successful phase 3 trial by pharmaceutical giants BioTech and Pfizer. Oxford University will now be joining them, after they revealed their own vaccine this morning that is up to 90% effective. Speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning, the Health Secretary said:

Today marks the debut release of sibling-duo ALT.AIRE, with their remake of Massive Attack's timeless Paradise Circus. The London-brothers' reconstruction of this trip-hop anthem reignites its success through a dark garage beat, as they incorporate the sounds of Burial, Bonobo and Floating Points. ALT.AIRE form the pairing of two brothers, Dan and Fin, who grew up making music together and have since joined forces to explore their sound through live looping set-ups and improv

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has revealed government preparation for a roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, if approved by the UK Regulator. The news follows promising results from the phase 3 clinical study carried out by the vaccine giants Pfizer and Biotech, who have recently published reports of their developed vaccine achieving a efficacy rate of 95%. If approved, vaccine distribution will start next month, with sites being set up all over the country as well as in hospita

Welcome to the 10th edition of Organic New Music Friday - this week brings a super diverse range of releases, featuring a Babystep exclusive. ALT.AIRE - 'Paradise Circus [Edit]' Sibling-duo ALT.AIRE drop their debut release tomorrow, a remake of Massive Attack's iconic track Paradise Circus. Their reconstruction of the trip-hop anthem reignites its success through a dark garage beat that resonates the sounds of Burial and Bonobo. Their focus on live instrumentation, which wil

When we first spoke to Kessler, it as on the eve of his debut EP release on Yellow Island Records. Packed with boisterous bass lines and ferocious breakbeat rhythms, 'Pandemonium EP' set the tone for the exciting career that was inevitably set to ensue. Several months down the line and, despite lockdown, Belfast-born Kessler shows no signs of slowing down, with his success snowballing week by week. There's plenty to keep an eye out for in the near future; shows on Rinse FM, H

NARR [noun] 1. (historical) jester, fool (a person employed to feign idiocy, often as a satirical cover for valid political arguments) 2. Used in compounds to indicate an obsession; freak ‎Auto (“car”) + ‎Narr → ‎Autonarr (“car freak”) On Friday 20th November, Leeds will welcome a brand new addition to its thriving arts scene: Narr Radio. Based in the Corn Exchange, Narr will be launching tomorrow at 10pm with an all day broadcast, featuring a host of local Leeds talent on th

The events industry has never been under more pressure. Tightly packed rooms of sweaty intoxicated ravers are almost unimaginable in our current climate as the national plods its way through the winter lockdown. However, although the coming months might not be the most exciting, theres light at the end of the tunnel. Swallow Events have announced that, in order to alleviate this pressure, they have developed a 15 minute rapid covid test that can be used at the site of live ev