Valletta’s National NYE Celebrations return to St. George’s Square with a MASSIVE show

Valletta's NYE Celebrations return to St. George's Square with a MASSIVE show

Dec 1 2022

The Valletta National New Year’s Eve Celebrations as we know them return to the heart of Malta’s capital city this year, with a MASSIVE NYE show after an absence of two years.

St. George’s Square will welcome a massive line-up of Malta’s favourite local artists which will kickstart with Kurt Calleja and band. Then, special guests Brass House Unit led by Kevin Abela will take the crowd on a musical journey with the best of 2022 and some all-time classics. With an outstanding line-up of local talent including Aidan Drakard, Amanda Marie, Brooke, Gloriana Arpa Belli, Jasmine, Kevin Paul Calleja, Ludwig Galea, Owen Leuellen, Ozzy Lino, Pawlu Borg Bonaci & Tiziana Calleja, you know you’re in for a treat.

Right before the countdown, the Brass House Unit in collaboration with local DJ Debrii will entertain the crowd in Valletta and live on local TV stations with a special up-tempo orchestra and DJ Fusion performance with stage special effects and fireworks to welcome the New Year.

Finally, the night will be closed off by DJ D-REY will be ending the night with a groovy and uplifting set. The event will be hosted by Ron, Taryn Mamo Cefai, Claire Agius Ordway & Clint Bajada.

The Celebrations are being organised by the Valletta Cultural Agency, in collaboration with G7 Events and the Ministry for the National Heritage, The Arts and Local Government through the Partnership Agreement for LargeScale Events and Initiatives.

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Greenfield’s Carmen Tanti passes away aged 75 years

Dec 1 2022

Carmen Tanti, who formed part of the folk music group ‘The Greenfields’, has sadly passed away at the age of 75.

The group Greenfields, with whom Carmen sang, was a renowned local musical act focusing on traditional Maltese songs. Formed in 1970 alongside singer Charles Bajada, they used to perform in a number of local programmes such as Karusell and Għalenija.

Carmen nee Vella had been married to co-singer Joe, with her Greenfields co-star Charles Bajada passing away in 1990.

Some of their most famous tunes include ‘Il-Karrozzin’ and ‘Il-Vapur ta’ l-Art’. Carmen and Joe parented two children; Clive and Myra.

Tributes poured in for the late icon, with many reminiscing all about the music she co-created throughout her career.

Rest in Peace Carmen.

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Spotify Wrapped: 2022 in music and artist rankings

Dec 1 2022

Spotify’s 2022 edition of Spotify Wrapped has finally dropped and, apart from revealing who YOU personally listened to on overdrive, it also reveals which artists, songs, albums and other content performed best on the platform.

The most steamed artist globally was Bad Bunny, followed by Taylor Swift and Drake. For the US, Drake took the Number 1 spot followed by Taylor and Bad Bunny.

Bad Bunny continued his success for 2022 with his album ‘Un Verano Sin Ti’ reaching the most streamed globally. This was followed by Harry Style’s ‘Harry’s House’ and Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘SOUR’.

As per podcasts, Joe Rogan once again reached the number one spot, despite the many controversies surrounding it. Here are other 2022 statistics:

Most Streamed Artists Globally:

Bad Bunny
Taylor Swift
Drake
The Weeknd
BTS

Most-Streamed Albums Globally:

Un Verano Sin Ti by Bad Bunny
Harry’s House by Harry Styles
SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo
= by Ed Sheeran
Planet Her by Doja Cat

Most-Streamed Songs Globally:

“As It Was” by Harry Styles
“Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
“STAY (with Justin Bieber)” by The Kid LAROI
“Me Porto Bonito” by Bad Bunny feat. Chencho Corleone
“Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny

Songs With the Most Shared Lyrics Globally:

“Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
“Heather” by Conan Gray
“I Love You So” by The Walters
“Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey
“Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane

Most Viral Artists Globally:

Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Bad Bunny
BTS
Lana Del Rey

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The abortion debate: where local political figures stand

Dec 1 2022

The first week of the discussion in Parliament on abortion – or rather – an amendment to the Criminal Code to protect the life of the mother in case her life is at risk or her health is in serious danger.

What happened so far:

The Labor Party wants to introduce this law – The Nationalist Party does not want it as the Government is proposing it – Various associations, together with the President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro Preca want changes in what is proposed – And sources are saying that the President of Malta George Vella, might resign since he does not want be the one signing this new law.

In the midst of all this, the Nurses and Midwives (MUMN) – requested an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister – They raised concerns and claimed that the diagnosis of mental health is subject to personal opinion – In other words, they do not want that the law as currently proposed.

Asked by the journalists, the Prime Minister Robert Abela stressed that it will be up to the doctors to decide which conditions justify a medical intervention resulting in the termination of a pregnancy, according to the terms of the legal amendments that are being discussed – anyone caught “abusing or stretching” the law faces criminal charges.

Earlier, in Parliament, Abela said that this law will only be used in a small number of cases where women are in the most critical health condition.

The Leader of the Opposition, Bernard Grech described this law as the law that opens wide – not just slams – the door to abortion – He called on the Government to change its mind.

This theme was also caught abroad – Journalists asked the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola for her opinion – For her part she emphasised that her position is the same as that of the European Parliament.

The former Deputy of the Nationalist Party, Jason Azzopardi, also entered the discussion, with a post on Facebook – with a serious allegation.

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