NEWS
Ed Sheeran and Oliver Sykes from Bring Me the Horizon perform during The BRIT Awards 2022 at The O2 Arena on February 08, 2022 in London, England.
Gareth Cattermole/GIEd Sheeran and Bring Me the Horizon‘s pop-rock collaboration is here. After teaming up at the 2022 Brit Awards on Feb. 8 for a rock ‘n’ roll take on Sheeran’s “Bad Habits,” the pop star and the rock band have released the studio version of track on Thursday (Feb. 17) for their fans to enjoy.
Bring Me the Horizon’s lead singer Oli Sykes and Sheeran first shared the news of an official studio version of the song on Valentine’s Day. They made the announcement on their social media accounts by posting a FaceTime video call between the two singers, along with a pre-save link to their collaboration.
In the call, the pair discussed their “controversial” version of “Bad Habits” at the Brits, which, in an unexpected surprise to viewers, featured guttural screams from Sykes. “That show was nuts,” Sheeran said during the video chat. “It’s just a joy to be able to play electric guitar and actually rock out properly.”
“So many people are asking for a studio version, it’s mental,” Sykes said, to which Sheeran replied, “We have to get one out. Do you think we can turn it around fast?”
Sheeran’s collaboration with Bring Me the Horizon is not the only rock project that he’s attempting get off the ground. Cradle of Filth‘s Dan Filth revealed in an interview with Consequence that the “Bad Habits” singer has reached out for a potential collaboration.
“Ed’s expressed a desire to be part of a song, and we’re currently looking at some options, and that’s about as far as it’s got,” Filth said. “He did invite me up to his house — he doesn’t live very far from me, probably 18 to 20 miles from where I live.”
He added, “The thing that interests me, if we would undertake [the collaboration], the juxtaposition between what we do and what he does.”
Listen to the official audio for Ed Sheeran and Bring Me the Horizon’s version of “Bad Habits” below.
Zara Larsson has indicated that she may have cancelled her December 3 appearance at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The singer initially confirmed that she would not attend, before removing the comment and sharing a more detailed explanation of why the performance no longer feels right for her.
The Swedish star was scheduled to take the stage at Etihad Live on Yas Island during the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. Zara and Lewis Capaldi were due to launch the weekend’s entertainment. However, supporters encouraged her to reconsider the booking because of concerns surrounding the United Arab Emirates’ reported connections to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organisation accused of committing atrocities during the nation’s civil conflict.
A fan commented: “Please read about what UAE is doing to Sudan then cancel your Abu Dhabi show!” Zara responded: “I will not be going to Abu Dhabi.” Fans later realised that both comments had been removed.
She then shared that she had been considering what it means for her, as an artist, to perform in particular countries.
The Midnight Sun singer explained: “I think about that a lot in my life as an artist… I wanna perform and spread joy and music for people in every country, because no single person is their government.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people from every corner of the world and I know this to be true in my heart. I love people, and I love my fans soooo much.”
Zara acknowledged that her original comment “maybe came off as an impulsive response,” but explained that she had given the booking serious thought. She now believes withdrawing is the decision that “aligns with me the most right now, for many different personal reasons beyond politics.”
She continued: “Maybe I’ll delete both comments and do a better statement soon. I hope to sing with you in the beautiful future!”
