NEWS
Billie Eilish
Kelia Anne MacCluskey*Billie Eilish is bringing her love of cartoons to a live stage this Halloween. The "Happier Than Ever" singer is set to join producer and singer-songwriter Danny Elfman for Disney's live-to-film concert experience of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas for two nights at LA's Banc of California Stadium on Oct. 29 and Oct. 31.
Eilish will perform "Sally's Song" at the event, which will contain a full orchestra led by acclaimed conductor John Mauceri to perform the film’s score and songs live. The singer will be accompanied by Elfman, who will be reprising his role of Jack Skellington, King of the Pumpkin Patch, for both nights of the concert. Other guests include “Weird Al” Yankovic and Ken Page singing the roles of Lock and Oogie Boogie, respectively. “I’m absolutely thrilled to have Billie joining up with the nightmare crew!” Elfman said in a statement. “This will be a real treat (not a trick)!”
The 19-year-old has yet to comment on performing as Sally for the live show, but she is a longtime fan of Burton's. The two posed together for a photo at the Universal Music Group's Grammys afterparty in January 2020, and the director also appeared in Eilish's video with Vogue in which famous fans asked her questions about her life or her music.
Tickets for the event are currently on sale via Ticketmaster and range from $39.50 to $179.50. Attendees are encouraged to dress up -- and follow COVID-19 safety guidelines -- as trick-o-treating and a fan-voted costume contest will take place at the venue.
See the official poster for the event below.
NEWS
Jacob Alon recently opened up to NME about collaborating with longtime inspiration Kae Tempest, while also sharing why they continue to admire artists who speak openly on political and social issues.
The Scottish singer songwriter spoke with NME backstage at the Ivor Novellos last Thursday, May 21, where they picked up both the Rising Star award and Best Song Musically and Lyrically for ‘Don’t Fall Asleep’.
The recognition follows a huge year for Alon, who also earned the Critics’ Choice Award at the 2026 BRITs and became the first Scottish artist to win BBC Music Introducing’s Artist of the Year title.
The success arrives alongside the release of their highly praised debut album ‘In Limerance’, which came out last year and led to a support slot on Kae Tempest’s recent ‘Self-Titled’ tour. During those shows, the pair performed a moving rendition of George Michael’s ‘Freedom’ together. Speaking backstage at the Ivors, Alon also confirmed that they have recently been in the studio with Tempest working on new music.
“Kae is one of my absolute heroes,” they said. “We’ve been in the studio this week actually, writing together. I’ve never felt closer to another creative mind before.”
Although Alon avoided revealing too much about the collaboration, they described the experience as “the biggest privilege to witness his genius and to be in the presence of something raw and beautiful”.
They went on to say they are “really excited for the world to witness” the music they have been creating together.
The ‘Of Amber’ artist also spoke with NME about the importance of using their platform to stand up for causes they care deeply about. In recent months, Alon held a Palestinian flag during the BRITs and appeared at the Trans Mission event in London, where they defended those being “scapegoated by people who want to distract everyone from the real problems in society”.
“I’m endlessly inspired by those that use their voices and their platforms to speak out about what matters. I’m trying to do that myself,” Alon explained to NME. “It’s not easy to know what the right thing to say is sometimes, but I think the effort made to do that is always worthwhile.”
The remarks echo comments Alon previously shared with NME at the BRITs earlier this year, where they said they believe “music is important and can make a difference”, while also teasing a brighter direction for future releases compared to their emotional and introspective debut album.
“Going into making something new, it’s already different. It’s a different place to create from because now I know what’s out there,” they shared, joking that the next era may lean into punk influences and that all the praise might finally go to their head.
Later this summer, Alon is set to join the packed line up for Lewis Capaldi’s headline performances at BST Hyde Park. The concerts take place on Saturday July 11 and Sunday July 12, with Conan Gray, The Vaccines, Absolutely, Nieve Ella and more also appearing across the weekend. Find any remaining tickets here.
At the 2026 Ivor Novellos, other major winners included CMAT for Best Album, Fraser T Smith and Kae Tempest for Best Contemporary Song, and Sam Fender taking home Songwriter Of The Year.
Rosalía was named International Songwriter Of The Year, while Radiohead’s Thom Yorke received the Academy Fellowship award presented by Harry Styles. George Michael was also honored posthumously with the Academy Fellowship award.
