Culture

Trevor Horn surprises fans by duet with Sophie Grey at London gig and announces UK tour

Sunday, 26 October 2025 1:02AM UTC

Music legend Trevor Horn joined rising artist Sophie Grey on stage at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London, performing their rendition of 'Video Killed the Radio Star' and hinting at a forthcoming UK tour, bridging generations with a blend of classic and contemporary sounds.

Music legend Trevor Horn, co-founder of The Buggles, gave fans a delightful surprise by joining rising artist Sophie Grey on stage during her recent gig at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London. The impromptu duet, featuring their rendition of the iconic hit "Video Killed the Radio Star," captivated the audience with its blend of Grey's Retro Electro style and the song's timeless new-wave spirit.

This unexpected collaboration followed the recent release of Sophie Grey's version of the classic track, which incorporates a futuristic, slow-burning synth production alongside a nostalgic touch. Grey, a classically trained pianist and keyboardist, refined her expertise at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California under the mentorship of GRAMMY-nominated songwriter Dr Patrice Rushen. Reflecting on the song's enduring appeal, Grey noted that "Video Killed the Radio Star is a timeless song as history repeats itself and electronics rise again."

The original track by The Buggles holds a special place in music history, famously being the first music video played on MTV on August 1, 1981, preceded by the announcement, “Ladies and gentlemen…rock and roll.” Released in 1979, the song marked The Buggles' breakthrough after the partnership was formed by Horn and Geoff Downes during their time playing in Tina Charles' band in the late 1970s. The duo went on to join the progressive rock band Yes for the album "Drama" and Horn later produced Yes’s Grammy Award-winning album "90125" in 1983, as well as co-producing "Big Generator" in 1987 and "Fly From Here" in 2011, further cementing his reputation.

Horn's surprise appearance with Sophie Grey is particularly timely as he prepares for a short UK tour scheduled at the end of the year. The tour will see him perform three concerts: on December 18 at O2 City Hall Newcastle, December 19 at O2 Ritz Manchester, and December 20 at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London. Tickets for these shows became available for general sale on August 15, with a presale for O2 priority members beginning two days earlier. Each venue is known for hosting significant live music events, offering fans an intimate yet vibrant concert experience.

Meanwhile, Sophie Grey is continuing her own tour with additional London dates following her recent performances opening for notable artists such as Shaggy and Marianas Trench. Fans of both artists can look forward to seeing their unique musical talents both jointly, as was the case with the surprise duet, and separately as they advance their distinct careers.

The event in Kentish Town not only served as a memorable moment for those witnessing the live performance but also highlighted the bridging of musical generations. Horn’s legacy paired with Grey’s fresh approach exemplifies how classic hits can be reimagined for contemporary audiences, celebrating the evolution of sound while respecting its origins.

📌 Reference Map:

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Paragraph 6 – ^[1] (Mirror), ^[2] (Mirror)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/buggles-legend-trevor-horn-shocks-36133060 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/buggles-legend-trevor-horn-shocks-36133060 - Music legend Trevor Horn thrilled fans with an unexpected performance alongside Sophie Grey during her recent set in Kentish Town over the weekend. The duo performed 'Video Killed the Radio Star' at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London, blending Grey's Retro Electro sound with the song’s timeless new-wave spirit. The performance followed the release of Grey's new version of the track, which features a futuristic, slow-burning synth production and nostalgic flair. Grey, a classically-trained pianist and keyboardist, studied piano performance at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California and was mentored by songwriter and GRAMMY-award-nominated Dr. Patrice Rushen. 'Video Killed the Radio Star' by The Buggles was the first music video played on MTV in August 1981. The band, formed when Horn met Geoff Downes in the late 70s, released the tune in 1979, which reached the top of the charts. Horn later produced Yes's Grammy Award-winning 90125 album in 1983 and co-produced 1987's Big Generator and 2011's Fly From Here. Horn is set to embark on a short tour, performing three concerts at the end of the year in Newcastle, Manchester, and London. Sophie Grey will continue her own tour with further dates in London, having recently opened for artists like Shaggy and Marianas Trench.
https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/trevor-horn-tickets/artist/736 - Trevor Horn is scheduled to perform three concerts at the end of the year: December 18, 2025, at O2 City Hall Newcastle; December 19, 2025, at O2 Ritz Manchester; and December 20, 2025, at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, with general sales starting on August 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. local venue time. The Priority from O2 presale begins on August 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. local venue time. Age restrictions may apply, so it's advisable to visit the official venue site for more information. Accessible tickets are available; however, venues are solely responsible for establishing their own accessible ticket policies, and availability may vary.
https://www.timeforgig.com/trevor-horn-and-his-band-london/events/mjwd4j - Trevor Horn and his band are set to perform at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on December 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available for purchase through TimeForGig. The concert is part of a UK tour that includes performances in Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester. The London venue, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, is known for hosting a variety of musical acts and offers a vibrant atmosphere for live performances.
https://www.timeforgig.com/trevor-horn-and-his-band-manchester/events/grvkw5 - Trevor Horn and his band are scheduled to perform at the O2 Ritz Manchester on December 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased through TimeForGig. The Manchester concert is part of a UK tour that also includes dates in Newcastle upon Tyne and London. The O2 Ritz Manchester is a renowned venue that has hosted numerous artists and provides an intimate setting for live music events.
https://www.timeforgig.com/trevor-horn-and-his-band-newcastle-upon-tyne/events/3z6odg - Trevor Horn and his band are set to perform at the O2 City Hall in Newcastle upon Tyne on December 18, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available for purchase through TimeForGig. This concert is part of a UK tour that includes performances in Manchester and London. The O2 City Hall Newcastle is a historic venue that has been a staple in the city's music scene, offering a grand setting for live performances.
https://newcastlegateshead.com/events/trevor-horn - Trevor Horn is scheduled to perform at the O2 City Hall Newcastle on December 18, 2025, at 6:30 PM. The concert is part of a UK tour that also includes dates in Manchester and London. Horn, a founding member of The Buggles, is known for his contributions to the 1980s music scene, including producing hits for artists like ABC, Yes, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. The O2 City Hall Newcastle is a historic venue that has hosted numerous notable performances over the years.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative appears to be original, with no prior reports of Trevor Horn's surprise duet with Sophie Grey at the O2 Forum Kentish Town. The earliest known publication date of similar content is October 24, 2025, aligning with the event's occurrence. The report includes updated data, such as the recent release of Sophie Grey's version of 'Video Killed the Radio Star' and Horn's upcoming UK tour dates, which may justify a higher freshness score. However, the absence of earlier coverage raises questions about the event's prominence. Additionally, the report's reliance on a press release suggests a high freshness score but warrants scrutiny for potential bias.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The direct quote from Sophie Grey, 'Video Killed the Radio Star is a timeless song as history repeats itself and electronics rise again,' appears to be original, with no identical matches found online. This suggests potentially exclusive content. However, the phrasing is somewhat generic, which could indicate a recycled sentiment.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from The Mirror, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the report's reliance on a press release and the absence of independent verification raise concerns about the source's reliability. The lack of coverage from other reputable outlets further diminishes the source's credibility.

Plausability check

Score: 6

Notes: The event described—a surprise duet between Trevor Horn and Sophie Grey at the O2 Forum Kentish Town—is plausible, given Horn's history of live performances and Grey's recent activities. However, the lack of independent reporting and the reliance on a press release suggest the narrative may be synthetic. The absence of supporting details from other reputable outlets and the generic nature of the quote further raise questions about the report's authenticity.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents a plausible event but lacks independent verification and relies heavily on a press release, raising concerns about its authenticity. The absence of coverage from other reputable outlets and the generic nature of the quote further diminish the report's credibility.

Music
Live performance
UK tour