UFOs for Muse gig

Band plans 'spectacular' for V Festival

29 Feb 08 - Muse’s front-man Matt Bellamy has admitted the band have some quite different ideas for the forthcoming V Festival.

Speaking at the NME Awards bash in London on Thursday (28 Feb) night, Matt said: “V festival – we’re looking forward to that. We haven’t done that for a few years, we can’t wait to do it.

“We’re gonna try and do something quite spectacular – we will try and get a UFO to come in and land on the top of (everyone's) heads or something. We’ll definitely do something on a Spinal Tap embarrassment level.”

Muse took home the Best Live Act gong from the NME Awards and bassist Chris Wolstenholme said that the live element of the band has always been a priority.

“Playing live is something we have always taken really seriously – from quite a young age – way before we got signed and it’s the thing that we enjoyed and still enjoy more than any other part of playing music I think.

“I think to be respected as a live band is something that is a massive compliment.”

"We’re gonna try and do something quite spectacular – we will try and get a UFO to come in and land on the top of heads or something"
Matt Bellamy

The band also seems to like the fact that they can perform at places like Wembley Stadium and still get to play intimate venues.

“I think we’re kind of lucky because we’re at different levels in different countries - so y’know we can come over here and do a stadium and then we’ll go back to America, or the middle of America and go and play in small clubs again.

“So it’s kind of nice to sort of mix it up a little bit."

Chris went on to say playing massive gigs all the time can have its disadvantages.

“If you did stadiums all over the world all the time – I’m sure it would get boring. Same with arenas.

“I mean we did an arena tour at the end of 2006 for three months and I think towards the end – after three months of playing arenas it was a bit like ‘oh it would be nice to do something else, do a festival or a small club or anything else that was different’.”

Muse are also playing the Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Saturday 12 April.

“We’ve never done it before and obviously y’know its for a good cause as well. Looking forward to it a lot, I think it’ll be a good gig.

“I think it will be a very very stripped down concert – we don’t wanna spend any money because obviously we want as much as possible to go to the charity. Which is the way it should be.”

Kelly Stooke

Sixties legend dies

Singer dies just before Hall of Fame induction

29 Feb 08 - Mike Smith of Sixties group The Dave Clark Five has died aged 64 just days before he was to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He died on Thursday (28 Feb) from pneumonia at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, according to agent Margo Lewis.

The band’s lead singer and keyboardist had been preparing to travel to New York to be inducted into the American Hall of Fame with his band mates on March 10 but was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit on Wednesday (27 Feb) with a chest infection.

Smith had been in hospital since September 2003 following a spinal cord injury but he was released in December when he moved to a specially-prepared home near the hospital with his wife.

Agent Margo Lewis said: "These last five years were extremely difficult for Mike.

"He was extremely excited and honoured to have been inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame and I am glad that he will be remembered as a 'Hall of Famer', because he was in so many ways"
Agent Margo Lewis

"I am incredibly saddened to lose him, his energy and his humour.

"But I am comforted by the fact that he had the chance to spend his final months and days at home with his loving wife, Charlie, whom he adored, instead of in the hospital. And that he was able to attend a recent concert in London by his good friend, Bruce Springsteen.

"He was extremely excited and honoured to have been inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame and I am glad that he will be remembered as a 'Hall of Famer', because he was in so many ways."

The Dave Clark Five sold over 100 million records and enjoyed 30 hit singles worldwide.

They topped the chart with Glad All Over in 1963 and recorded a total of 23 albums but then broke up in the 1970s.



Kelly Stooke

Arctics score again

Sheffield band nab NME hat-trick once again

28 Feb 08 - The Arctic Monkeys dominated this year’s NME awards, scoring a hat-trick of gongs .

Alex Turner and Co walked away with Best Band, Best Track for Fluorescent Adolescent and Best Video for Teddypicker.

It was fellow Sheffield man Richard Hawley who did the honours by handing out the best song award and speaking to 6 Music he said:
 
"Being an old gent I have watched them rehearsing right from the Yellow Arch Studios in Sheffield to storming the world, it's great for me to give them the award, I get all slushy about these things!"
 
The wins come just a week after the band grabbed two Brit awards and matched their tally from the 2006 awards bash, when they also scored three.

They were beaten to Best Live Act by Muse and The Klaxons pipped them to the post for Best Album with their  Myths Of The Near Future . 

It was also a happy night for several other previous winners.

"I get all slushy about these things!"
Richard Hawley, on Arctic Monkeys 

The Mighty Boosh was again named Best TV Show while star Noel Fielding claimed Sexiest Man and Best Dressed. Zane Lowe retained his Best Radio Show crown and NME readers gave George Bush the thumbs down as Villain for a second year.

The Carling Weekender at Leeds and Reading held its position as best festival, beating off competition from Glastonbury and V festivalFresh talent to the awards came in the shape of Kate Nash, who added Best Solo Artist to her Best Female Solo Artist Brit award. Coventry trio the Enemy were named Best New Band.

The winners in full:

Best Band – Arctic Monkeys
Best International Band – Killers
Best New Band – The Enemy
Best Live Band – Muse
Best Solo Artist – Kate Nash
Best Album – Arctic Monkeys
Best Track – Arctic Monkeys, Fluorescent Adolescent
Best Video – Arctic Monkeys, Teddypicker
Best Music DVD – Nirvana Unplugged in New York
Best Live Event – Carling Weekender
Hero – Pete Doherty
Villain – George Bush
Best Dressed – Noel Fielding
Worst Dressed – Amy Winehouse
Best Dancefloor filler – Wombats, Let’s Dance to Joy Division
Best Album Artwork – The Good the Bad and the Queen
Best Radio Show – Zane Lowe
Worst Album – Hoosiers, The Trick to Life
Best TV programmes – Mighty Boosh
Best Film – Control
Sexist Man – Noel Fielding
Sexiest Woman – Kylie
Best Venue – Wembley stadium

Rodrigo Davies & Adrian Larkin

Richards slates Led Zep

Keith moans about Jagger in Mag interview

28 Feb 08 - Keith Richards has laid into Led Zeppelin and his own band in a new interview.

The Rolling Stones guitarist told Uncut Magazine he did not even notice that Led Zep had reformed for a gig.

Richards, 64, also said he thinks Stairway to Heaven is no good and had a thing or two to say about band-mate Sir Mick Jagger.

He said: "Mick's a maniac. He can't get up in the morning without knowing immediately who he's going to call.

"Meanwhile, I just go 'Thank God I'm awake' and wait for three or four hours before I do anything.

“He is a power freak and there's nothing we can do about it. I don't want to do anything about it. Let him b***** about. It doesn't make any difference to what we do."

Richards was speaking from his home in the Turks and Caicos Islands to promote Shine A Light which is Martin Scorsese's documentary about the Stones.

"Mick's a maniac. He can't get up in the morning without knowing immediately who he's going to call....Meanwhile, I just go 'Thank God I'm awake'"
Keith Richards

Asked about Sir Mick's on-stage presence, he said: "Excuse me while I laugh. He's a bit vain, let's put it like that.

"We want a vain bloke up there, don't we? Meanwhile, the band can go to work. Vanity will not carry a band. But a band can carry vanity."

Asked what message he would send to his younger self, Richards added: "I'd have said 'Lay off the dope.' That's my advice now to all younger members who are into this sort of thing.

“Oh, give it up, it ain't really worth it. I know the fascination, but it ain't worth it, pal."

When the musician was asked about today's music scene, he replied: "I don't listen to what's going on. I don't like CDs, quite honestly. They sound tinny to me."

But he did make some positive comments during the interview. Speaking about Christina Aguilera, who joined the band on stage last year, he said: "Very nice. Very nice chick. Nice bum."

You can read the full interview in Uncut Magazine on Friday (29 Feb).

Kelly Stooke

Countdown to NMEs

Arctic Monkeys up for record seven gongs

28 Feb 08 - Kate Nash is nominated alongside Arctic Monkeys, Muse and Babyshambles at the NME Awards show which will happen at the Indig02 venue in London.

Kate is nominated in the solo artist and best dressed category and she will be doing a duet with Billy Bragg during the ceremony which will happen on Thursday (28 Feb).

Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys are in line for a record seven wins at the NME Awards.

They are up for Best British Band, Best Live Band, Best Album and Album Artwork for Favourite Worst Nightmare, Best Track for Fluorescent Adolescent and Best Video for Teddy Picker.

Frontman Alex Turner is also up for Best Dressed.

Amy Winehouse is a nominee for Best Solo Artist and Best Music DVD.

But all is not positive for her as she is also nominated for Villain of the Year along with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, his predecessor Tony Blair and US President George Bush.

And the singer will battle Pete Doherty for the Worst Dressed title.

Performers at the ceremony will include The Cribs, who will perform with ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, Manic Street Preachers , Lightspeed Champion, Gallows with Lethal Bizzle and Klaxons, who will open the night.

Each category is voted by NME readers and the full List of Nominations are:
 
Best British Band

Arctic Monkeys
Babyshambles
The Cribs
Klaxons
Muse

Best International Band

Arcade Fire
Foo Fighters
The Killers
Kings of Leon
My Chemical Romance

Best New Band

The Enemy
Foals
Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
The Pigeon Detectives
The Wombats

Best Live Band

Arctic Monkeys
The Cribs
Kaiser Chiefs
Muse
My Chemical Romance

Best Solo Artist

Kate Nash
Jack Penate
Jamie T
Amy Winehouse
Patrick Wolf

Best Album

Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
Shotters Nation - Babyshambles
We'll Live And Die In These Towns - The Enemy
Myths Of The Near Future - Klaxons
In Rainbows - Radiohead

Best Track

Fluorescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkeys
Flux - Bloc Party
Men's Needs - The Cribs
Lord Don't Slow Me Down - Oasis
Let's Dance To Joy Division - The Wombats

Best Video

Teddy Picker - Arctic Monkeys
Flux - Bloc Party
D.A.N.C.E. - Justice
Golden Skans - Klaxons
Teenagers - My Chemical Romance

Best Dancefloor Filler

Flux - Bloc Party
Hummer - Foals
D.A.N.C.E. - Justice
Atlantis To Interzone - Klaxons
Let's Dance To Joy Division - The Wombats

Best Music DVD

Up The Shambles - Babyshambles
The Song Remains The Same (Special Edition) - Led Zeppelin
Unplugged In New York - Nirvana
Lord Don't Slow Me Down - Oasis
I Told You I Was Trouble - Amy Winehouse

Best Live Event

Glastonbury
Muse at Wembley Stadium
Reading and Leeds Festival
T In The Park
V Festival

Hero Of The Year

Matt Bellamy
Pete Doherty
Noel Fielding
Ryan Jarman
Thom Yorke

Villain Of The Year

Tony Blair
Johnny Borrell
Gordon Brown
George W Bush
Amy Winehouse

Best Dressed

Pete Doherty
Noel Fielding
Kate Nash
Alex Turner
Gerard Way

Worst Dressed

Johnny Borrell
Pete Doherty
Mika
Gerard Way
Amy Winehouse

Best Album Artwork

Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
The Good The Bad And The Queen - The Good The Bad And The Queen
Sawdust - The Killers
Because Of The Time - Kings Of Leon
Send Away The Tigers - Manic Street Preachers

Best Radio Show

Russell Brand (Radio 2)
Zane Lowe (Radio 1)
Chris Moyles (Radio 1)
Colin Murray (Radio 1)
Jo Whiley (Radio 1)

Worst Album

1973 - James Blunt
The Trick To Life - The Hoosiers
Spirit - Leona Lewis
Life In Cartoon Motion - Mika
Blackout - Britney Spears

Worst Band

30 Seconds To Mars
Fall Out Boy
The Hoosiers
My Chemical Romance
Panic At The Disco

Best TV Show

Heroes
The IT Crowd
The Mighty Boosh
Never Mind The Buzzcocks
Skins

Best Film

Control
Hot Fuzz
Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End
The Simpsons Movie

Superbad Sexiest Man

Howlin' Pelle Almqvist
Julian Barratt
Noel Fielding
Nicky Wire
Patrick Wolf

Sexiest Woman

Jenny Lewis
Kylie Minogue
Rihanna
Hayley Williams
Rachael Yamagata

Best Venue

Brixton Carling Academy
Glasgow Barrowlands
London Astoria
Manchester Apollo
Wembley Stadium

Best Website

Bebo
Facebook
Last.fm
MySpace
YouTube

Best Band Blog

Lily Allen
Foals
Lightspeed Champion
Radiohead
The Streets

Best Music Blog

The Hype Machine
The Modern Age
Nothing But Green Lights
Spinner
Stereogum

Kelly Stooke

Hall of Fame Bash

Lou Reed and JT to induct stars

27 Feb 08 - Lou Reed, Billy Joel, Justin Timberlake and Ben Harper have all signed up to induct members of the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class in New York.

During this 10 March event, which will happen at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Timberlake will induct Madonna and Reed will introduce Leonard Cohen.

Piano playing legend Billy Joel will place John Mellencamp and Ben Harper will do the honours for blues giant Little Walter.

Actor Tom Hanks will be there to introduce the Dave Clark Five and American soul singer Jerry Butler will induct the architects of the 'Philly Sound' - Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

John Fogerty will also be there introducing 60's rock 'n rollers the Ventures.

There is no news yet about whether the inductees will actually perform, which is what they do every year.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honours legendary performers, producers, songwriters and disc jockeys.



Kelly Stooke

Summer Sundae line-up

Supergrass, Simian Mobile Disco & Lightspeed Champion

27 Feb 08 - The Summer Sundae Weekender line-up has been announced.

Supergrass, Roisin Murphy, Lightspeed Champion, Tom Baxter are amongst the first acts confirmed to be performing at the event which will happen at De Montfort Hall and Gardens in Leicester on the 8, 9, 10 August.

Other acts include King Creosote, of Montreal, Nina Nastasia, anti-folk singer Jeffrey Lewis, Rachel Unthank, ‘old rave’ outfit Whitest Boy Alive, Cambodian pop group Dengue Fever, The Coral doing an acoustic set and Simian Mobile Disco playing a full live set.

Summer Sundae Weekender started in 2001 as a one day, two stage event but has rapidly grown into a three-day national, multi award-winning festival with a reputation for championing new talent.

BBC 6 Music will once again this year broadcast live from the event with artist performances, interviews and coverage throughout the weekend.

A Taste of Summer Sundae – the official Summer Sundae Weekender launch gig - will be taking place at the Firebug in Leicester on Saturday 1 March.

The line up for that features performances from Envy and Other Sins, Kyte, Johnny Foreigner and Tired Irie.

Tickets are available now. For more information  click here 
 
To check out last year's Summer Sundae mini-site where you can see pictures, video sessions and presenter video diaries click here

Kelly Stooke

Clapton play Korea?

Guitar legend invited for show despite issues

26 Feb 08 - Eric Clapton has been invited to play a concert in North Korea, despite the country’s nuclear ambitions being a cause for international concern.

The guitar legend is provisionally set to play the state capital Pyongyang in 2009, having agreed to the idea "in principle".

The New York Philharmonic orchestra will be performing there on Tuesday night (26 Feb).

Clapton's performance would be unusual as rock and pop are forbidden in the isolated state, because of their Western influences.

Classical music, on the other hand, is very popular.

A North Korean official told the Financial Times: "These cultural exchanges are a way of promoting understanding between countries.

"We want our music to be understood by the Western world, and we want our people to understand Western music."

Clapton will also be playing the Hard Rock Calling concerts in London's Hyde Park this summer, along with The Police.

Kelly Stooke

Ronson's Next Project

Who’ll benefit next from his production skills?

26 Feb 08 - Rather than tackle ‘Version – Version 2’ Mark Ronson has told 6 Music News that he is going to concentrate on other artists' albums for the foreseeable future.

“I am really excited to be working on another [solo] record,” he explained. “But I’m producing a few other people’s records first then I’ll get back to it”

He did however, reveal some of the names that may well be next on his hit list.

“I’m finishing Daniel Merriweather’s album right now, then a singer named Richard Swift.

“Then maybe The Rumble Strips and a big band I can’t really say because they haven’t fully hired me yet and I don’t wanna jinx it. But it’ll be good!”

When quizzed about whether he would like to remix anything by his fellow Brit Award alumni, he seemed less sure.

“I’m a huge Paul McCartney fan, but I think I’m done fiddling with other people music for a little while, but if he asked me, of course I wouldn’t say no.

“I’d stay away from The Beatles, cos that’s probably a bit sacred, but Maybe I’m Amazed or Dance Tonight – He’s brilliant.

To hear more from this interview check out the Music Week  podcast.

Matt Everitt

Kaisers To Enter Studio

Ricky Wilson gets ready to record new songs

25 Feb 08 - Kaiser Chiefs have written a host of new songs which they intend to start recording in the coming weeks, according to singer Ricky Wilson.

Speaking to the Music Week on Sunday (24 Feb), he seemed happy with the way the new tracks are coming together.

When asked what the songs sound like, Ricky explained: “Ridiculous and exciting and edgy and raw. They’ve all got weird names too, my favourite is currently called Hello Groovy but it won’t end up being called that.

“We’ve written loads of new songs and we played some stuff live last year on our arena tour.

"The track Never Miss A Beat sounds like a big single.”

"It feels like we’re in a local band again because we get to go out and we do a gig every so often, and we’re writing songs all the time. It feels like it used to.”
Ricky Wilson

Ricky also spoke about his desire to break out of the traditional routine that often comes with success: “It gets out of hand for a band when you’ve made a couple of albums.

“You make an album then you’re supposed to go around the world for two years promoting it – boring!

"So it’s nice to do things on your own terms a bit. We’ll release a single pretty soon I reckon. We’re gonna go into a studio in a couple of weeks time and record it.”

Ricky was also very positive about life in the band at present.

“It’s good fun at the moment y’know,” he confessed. “Just writing songs. It feels like we’re in a local band again because we get to go out and we do a gig every so often, and we’re writing songs all the time. It feels like it used to.”

The band are also looking forward to this year's festival season, especially as they are not under the pressure of topping the bill at too many events.

“Apart from Isle of Wight - we’re headlining that one - we’re not headlining any other ones.

"But we are gonna headline second stages, which I think is brilliant because you’ve got all the boring old headliners on the main stage doing their boring greatest hits tours and I think it’s gonna be so good to play second stages. Where the kids are at!”
 
To watch Ricky's interview with the Music Week's Julie Cullen check out the 6 Music Website right now and check out the Music Week podcast. 
 

Kelly Stooke

Nash joins LMHR

Kate set for Rock Against Racism carnival

23 Feb 08 - Kate Nash is the latest star to align herself with the Love Music Hate Racism campaign.

The singer was wearing an Anti-Nazi League badge as she picked up her Best British Solo Female award at the Brits last week, and now she intends to get involved in the musical campaign.

She told 6 Music its an issue she feels strongly about.

"I think that people think that now we're in the 21st Century that you kind of ignore it and think everything is fine; but there's still a lot of race hate and race crime and homophobic people and I think that's awful."

She believes we shouldn't take change for the better for granted, and should take action.

"I just wanted to make a statement to say that I'm anti-Nazi League and anti-Fascist."
Kate Nash

"I don't judge anybody by anything apart from personality and who they are, and I think it's really awful that percentages and memberships [of extreme right wing groups] have risen and I find that really frightening.

"So I just wanted to make a statement to say that I'm anti-Nazi League and anti-Fascist."

30th anniversary carnival

It's 30 years since the original Rock Against Racism gig in Victoria Park, that was headlined by Tom Robinson Band and featured a legendary performance from The Clash.

On 27 April this year a 30th anniversay carnival will be held in the same park, with Tom Robinson playing again, along with Babyshambles, Paddingtons and Fionn Regan.

And Kate told 6 Music she's hoping to join the bill: "I'm talking to them at the moment, we're emailing to see what I can get involved in."

The event will be held for free in London's Victoria Park

Lucy O'Doherty

Brits boost for Amy

Some acts benefit from music awards

22 Feb 08 - Amy Winehouse could reclaim the top of the album chart following her Brits performance.

She and Paul McCartney are the main beneficiaries of the music awards, but Amy's Brits set - performing Valerie with Mark Ronson and Love is A Losing Game by herself - has put Back to Black in a position to return to number one on Sunday.

Daily sales of the album, which was at number 14 last week, have increased by 46% at HMV stores since Wednesday's Brits.

And Paul McCartney's Outstanding Contribution to Music award and live set could push Memory Almost Full back into the chart after a 515% sales increase in just one day at HMV.

It's estimated that The Brits generate an additional £4 million in retail sales in the six weeks around the show.
Arctic Monkeys' Favourite Worst Nightmare certainly benefitted from a rise of 151% in sales after they became the only artists to win the acclaimed British Group and British Album awards in two consecutive years.

The Gossip's Beth Ditto has been rewarded with a 150% increase in daily sales of Standing in the Way of Control and even though she didn't perform, British Female Solo Artist-winner Kate Nash got a 128% lift in sales of her debut album.

"The impact of the Brits on artist profiles and album sales is becoming more pronounced each year."
HMV Spokesman Gennaro Castaldo

Meanwhile, Mark Ronson's seen daily sales of Version nearly treble overnight, while Kylie's X album is not far behind getting a 242% boost in sales.

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "The impact of the Brits on artist profiles and album sales is becoming more pronounced each year.

"The event, and the huge media and public interest that now surrounds it - both in the UK and internationally, can confirm the arrival of major new stars on the scene, such as Mark Ronson, Kate Nash and Mika, and create the momentum to propel their careers forward.

"The Brit nominations and awards ceremony shows just how diverse and vibrant British music is right now, and how, in particular, fantastic new talent is coming through more quickly than ever."

Other beneficiaries include the Foo Fighters, whose album sales increased by 108%, Mika, whose Life in Cartoon Motion went up by 72%, and Adele, with a 36% lift.

Julie Cullen

Rhianna / Klaxons Release?

Brits version of Umbrella to go public?

21 Feb 08 - Rhianna tells 6 Music she would like to give the Klaxons reworking of her song Umbrella a full release.

The new rave outfit and the singer performed the track during the Brit Award ceremony on Wednesday night (20 Feb) and speaking exclusively to 6 Music the 20-year-old singer explained the new version of the song, created especially by Klaxons for the show, made a huge impression on her.

“It’s really, really different.” She explained, “Really different, very cool, unexpected. But when I hear it, I just want hear it more. It makes it so much more rock and roll.”

It also looks like it may even become an official collaboration.

“It’s a different tempo and everything,” Rhianna added, "But I actually want to release a version like that. Maybe the same version. I really, really liked it."

As for her relations with Klaxons, on the red carpet ‘well-refreshed’ bassist Jamie Reynolds declared his undying love for the RNB star and his intentions to make her his wife, and she apparently enjoyed his company too.

“He is hilarious,” she laughed. "He's a character. Of the entire group he is the character one.”

Brits get underway

Rock and pop royalty grace the red carpet

20 Feb 08 - The great and the good of the pop and rock world are descending on Earls Court this evening for the Brit Awards.

Beth Ditto resplendent in a bright red tutu, Kaiser Chiefs and Arctic Monkeys complete in tweed and plus fours, were amongst the first to arrive.

Beth said she was hoping to meet Sir Paul: "It's amazing... that's something my Mom will actually be proud of me for. She is like: 'The Enemy what? OH Paul McCartney... ok!' That's my Mom." 

Arriving next to Kylie, were the highly excitable Klaxons, James and Simon.

The  boys are up for the live and breakthrough awards, and they shirk off the criticism that these awards are just a back-slapping industry love in:

"It's the pop world, and if you have no problems with being  a pop band, which we don't, then this is the place for you. 

"The awards we are up for are voted for by Radio 1 and Radio 2, so these are the awards voted for by the people not industry awards."

Klaxons are due to perform Rihanna's hit Umbrella with her later.

"She cracked a smile as soon as it started" - Mark Ronson

Ronson 'confident'

Mark Ronson was also amongst the earlier arrivals, his performance tonight of Valerie with Amy Winehouse is one of the most hyped, but he seems confident:

"We did it in soundcheck, it felt really good. It was great to be playing that song with her for the first time, after playing it with about 1700 people singing it, it just felt like having a mate on stage... she just cracked a smile as soon as it started."

Adele is one of the few artists who actually knows which award she is getting, she is the Critics Choice.

But when asked if she has prepared her acceptance speech, Adele admitted she hasn't got anything planned:  

"If I had to name everyone it would take like an hour, and speeches are so boring. So I don't wanna talk for ages and I am blatantly gonna miss someone who is crucial and important.

"I will just go thanks to everyone, see you at the bar!"

Ruth Barnes

Editors' US hopes

Drummer talks of music not selling so well

19 Feb 08 - Editors’ second album is not selling too well in the US but the band say the reaction from their recent massive six week American tour has been amazing.

Drummer Ed Lay was full of excitement when speaking to 6 Music News about the US gigs, despite the band's album An End To A Start not setting the charts alight over there.

“It has easily been the best tour we have done over there – I mean the reaction from all the venues we were doing, big or small, was phenomenal really," he said. “We couldn’t have asked for anything better. Considering the album’s not really doing much over there.

"Nobody really is bothering with it but the live shows have been amazing, absolutely brilliant. And that really put us in a confident mood for coming back and doing the bigger shows we have ever done in the UK.”

He went on to say there is a different vibe over there for live shows: “You have certainly got the feeling that everybody that bought a ticket wanted to have a good time, which isn’t necessarily the case over here sometimes.

“We had a marvellous time. We would love to go back as soon as possible.”

"As long as people still want us to come and play in America we will jump at the chance because the reaction is absolutely superb”
Ed Lay

But even though the band are itching to go back again, there is one small problem.

“I don’t know whether we can afford to," said Lay. "As long as people still want us to come and play in America we will jump at the chance because the reaction is absolutely superb and the varied venues you get to play across that huge country are mind blowing.”

He also said Editors are now fixing up festival appearances for this summer.

“We are trying to make our way around Europe – and fit in a lot of festivals, as many as we possibly can," he said. “I mean obviously Tom’s having a baby at the end of June so we are gonna have to have a look at things as they come a little bit closer to the time.”

Editors have announced they are playing Rockness so far in terms of UK festivals, and he added: “There will be one or two I am sure scheduled in the next couple of weeks.”

The band start their tour in Dublin on 21 February and go on to play Belfast, Glasgow, Blackpool, Birmingham, Doncaster, Manchester, London and Plymouth.

Kelly Stooke

Cut Copy on label issues

Front man talks of battles for groups

19 Feb 08 - Cut Copy say it is getting harder for bands to retain their creative integrity - even on respected UK indie labels.

The Australian dance trio kicked off their first UK tour in two years on Monday (18 Feb) at London's Koko.

Their follow-up to their debut Bright Like Neon Love sees the band going in a more disco direction.

Frontman Dan Whitford told 6 Music their Australian label, Modular, has been supportive - but he thinks that's an exception.

“It seems like labels in general are getting more conservative, so even to us your small labels seem more like they are conservative," he said.

“So God, if you are on a major you must be like tearing your hair out right now – if you are trying to write. All the things that were so useful about labels in the past are perhaps not there for artists now."

"..if you are on a major you must be like tearing your hair out right now – if you are trying to write"
Dan Whitford

But he added: "Perhaps the more fashionable ones like DFA and Modular have kind of got a bit of an edge, because even being on a label like that is almost a bit of marketing for yourself as a band I suppose.”

Cut Copy teamed up with producer Tim Goldsworthy from DFA Records on In Ghost Colours , which is released on 14 April.

“We hadn’t actually worked with a producer before, so I guess really he was sort of like an objective opinion that we trusted because obviously we love all the DFA stuff," said Whitford.

“He also would keep sort of suggesting just to try things – like different instruments and experiments – I think that was kind of cool.”

Whitford said this album is very different to their debut: “There’s definitely a bit of a disco touch to it but also sort of psychedelic things going on, too, so it still sounds like us probably. But it’s definitely some new territory for us.”

Cut Copy are going on to play Brighton on 19 February and then will take in Sheffield, Newcastle, London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Bristol.

Kelly Stooke and Andre Paine

Muse Play Albert Hall

Band to play Teenage Cancer Trust Charity show

19 Feb 08 - Speaking exclusively to 6 Music News, Muse singer Matt Bellamy revealled that the band are set to play London's Royal Albert Hall for one of The Teenage Cancer Trust's annual charity events in April.

The show appears to be one of only two UK gigs for Muse this year, following their Wembley Stadium shows last June.

"We've been having a break for the last few months," Matt explained, "And I think this year is gonna be very relaxed. We're going to do a couple of gigs here and there, but we're not gonna tour.

"But we are doing a couple of one-offs. For example, we're doing the Albert Hall Teenage Cancer Trust show in April, then we'll do the V Festival and a couple of other sort of 'holiday gigs'."

"We're gonna do Dubai. We actually wanted to go there anyway but we might as well do a gig there to pay for the trip and it's the same with South America. We might go down for a sort of 'half-holiday' and do a couple of gigs because we have never been there before."

"The very large scale concerts might still appear, but they're gonna be rare"
Matt Bellamy - Muse

The frontman went on to reveal the band's dual ambitions to stage an world stadium tour, and simultaneously experiment with reigning in some of their more grandiose tendencies.

"What inspires us is the idea maybe of doing shows like Wembley Stadium, but trying to bring it to more countries around the world, because we haven't really toured at stadium level.

"That's something we would like to work towards, but at the same time there's a reaction against that coming at us and I'm sure we are gonna start doing a few smaller gigs. Like this Albert Hall thing might be one of them, where we gonna strip things right down and play very simply without any gizmos. Just get back to the basics of music.

"I imagine there'll be those two sides of a band which might sort of evolve. Like the very large scale concerts might still appear, but they're gonna be rare. And we might be throwing in a few of our own side projects."

The prestigious venue for the upcoming charity gig has also inspired Bellamy to attempt something different musically.

"I would like to do a concert with an orchestra in somewhere like Albert Hall," he explains, "I think it would be unfair to ask all the musicians to come in such short notice for April, but it's something I would like to work towards in the future."

The Teenage Cancer Trust concerts - now in their eighth year - were set up by Who frontman Roger Daltrey, to raise money for young adults with cancer, leukaemia, Hodgkin's and related diseases.

Previous shows have featured performances from Oasis, Paul Weller, Coldplay, Ash, Doves, Eric Clapton and Keane.

The full details of the 2008 Teenage Cancer Trust Charity shows will be announced on 21 February.

Muse release HAARP - the live DVD and CD package of their June 2007 Wembley Stadium shows - on March 17.


Matt Everitt

Brits: Klaxons Vs Rihanna

Surprise collaboration on Umbrella

18 Feb 08 - Klaxons have confirmed that they will be performing with R&B star Rihanna at the Brit Awards on Wednesday night (20 Feb).

The nu-ravers are providing the music to her number one hit, Umbrella, during the ceremony at Earls Court in West London.

Klaxons have been nominated in two categories, Best Live Act and Breakthrough Act, and Rihanna won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the recent Grammy awards.

Speaking to Radio 1, Klaxons said preparing the track was not an easy process: “It’s been a bit of a funny one because obviously she’s in America and they’ve got this funny idea of what our band sounds like.

“We've done three of four different versions of the track. I think we have found something we're both happy with. It's good!”

"It just kind of sounds quite silky and smooth and kind of heart wrenching"
Klaxons

Not that the singer and tha band ever met up, as they went on to say, “We were doing versions and sending it to her people and her people were always saying 'This sounds more like you' and then they would come up with a version.

“It’s strange when someone else thinks they're better at being you than you are… It’s been slightly funny for us, but interesting as well.”

“I think the strange thing is, it actually sounds more like her original version than her live version which is really rocky.

“It just kind of sounds quite silky and smooth and kinda heart wrenching."

Kelly Stooke

Kaiser Chief's miffed

Ricky Wilson reacts as Ruby is dropped from Brits single's category

18 Feb 08 - "They've all got their merits, but I am just a bit annoyed" 

Ricky Wilson reacts to the news that Hoosiers, Leona Lewis, Mark Ronson, Mika and Take That have made the shortlist for British single of the year, not The Kaiser Chiefs.

The final five were whittled down from ten by the public, and full details of how to vote for the winner can be found at the official website for the awards, which take place on Wednesday evening.

The Kaiser Chiefs are still nominated for best British group and best British live act, and Ricky was typically modest about not making the singles shortlist:

"Apparently we were in the nominees and then (he just handed me a piece of paper) with five nominees and we were not in there. Everyone knows Ruby is the best single, if you are gonna whittle them down to five, you'd think Ruby would be in there wouldn't you?"

"The Brits is good, it's the big one" -   Ricky Wilson

No hard feelings... sort of

Worried About Ray by Hoosiers is up against Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis, the UK's biggest-selling song of 2007. Mark Ronson has been included for Valerie featuring Amy Winehouse, while Grace Kelly by Mika and Take That's Shine completed the nominees.

Ricky says he is not going to have a go at any of them:

"They've all got their merits, but I am just a bit annoyed. There is no point making enemies with these people cos they will all be there."

Despite all this, Ricky admitted he is looking forward to the bash on Wednesday night:

"The Brits is good, it's the big one, it's like the Oscars. It's just fun sitting there watching all the famous people. I like Paul McCartney, no matter how many times you meet him you always get a bit of a school girl flush on."

The top five singles were whittled down from a list of ten:

Hoosiers - Worried About Ray
James Blunt - 1973
Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby
Kate Nash - Foundations
Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
Mark Ronson - Valerie (featuring Amy Winehouse)
Mika - Grace Kelly
Mutya Buena - Real Girl
Sugababes - About You Now
Take That - Shine

Ruth Barnes

Oasis top UK Poll

Gallagher brothers get first and second slot

18 Feb 08 - Oasis' debut album Definitely Maybe has topped a new Q Magazine and HMV poll of the top 50 Best Ever British Albums.

The British public voted the Gallagher brothers' 1994 debut Definitely Maybe as their number one favourite album of all time and their follow-up, (What's The Story) Morning Glory? , got the number two slot.

Radiohead's The Bends , Revolver by The Beatles and The Stone Roses’ debut have made up the rest of the top five.

Q Editor Paul Rees said: "Having voted in their thousands, Britain's music fans have demonstrated a number of things through the results of the poll, not least of which is an abiding passion for great music.

“It's clear that, having polled three times more votes than any other act, Oasis are undoubtedly the nation's most loved band.

"Oasis are undoubtedly the nation's most loved band"
Q Editor Paul Rees

As for the strong placing of relatively new artists, Rees added: “The likes of Keane, Arctic Monkeys, Muse and Amy Winehouse have emerged in recent years to be seen as genuinely classic artists in the eyes of the people that matter most - those who buy music.”

Rudy Osorio, HMV Head of Music said: "Most album polls of recent years have tended to see the likes of The Beatles, Radiohead and Stone Roses vie for the top five spots.

“However, as our perspective changes, it looks like many more of us are starting to recognise the iconic appeal of Oasis and the brilliance of Definitely Maybe as an era defining album."

Bill Bragg and KT Tunstall will play a special Best of British show at HMV in London’s Oxford Circus on Monday 18 February to mark Q’s 50 Years of Great British Music month.

The full best of British albums list is:

1. Definitely Maybe Oasis
2. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? Oasis
3. Ok Computer Radiohead
4. Revolver The Beatles
5. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses
6 . Sgt Pepper The Beatles
7. London Calling The Clash
8. Under The Iron Sea Keane
9. Dark Side Of The Moon Pink Floyd
10. Urban Hymns The Verve
11. The Bends Radiohead
12. Abbey Road The Beatles
13. Hopes And Fears Keane
14. Don’t Believe The Truth Oasis
15. Violator Depeche Mode
16. The Queen Is Dead The Smiths
17. A Night At The Opera Queen
18. Whatever People Say I Am… Arctic Monkeys
19. The Beatles The Beatles
20. Nevermind The B******* Sex Pistols
21.  Rubber Soul  The Beatles
22. Be Here Now Oasis
23. Absolution Muse
24. Rio Duran Duran
25. Parklife Blur
26. A Rush Of Blood To The Head Coldplay
27. The Holy Bible Manic Street Preachers
28. Origin Of Symmetry Muse
29. IV Led Zeppelin
30. The Wall Pink Floyd
31. Up The Bracket The Libertines
32. X & Y Coldplay
33. Who’s Next The Who
34. Black Holes And Revelations Muse
35. Back To Black Amy Winehouse
36. Songs Of Faith And Devotion Depeche Mode
37. Word Gets Around Stereophonics
38. The Fat Of The Land Prodigy
39. Different Class Pulp
40. In Rainbows Radiohead
41. Hunky Dory David Bowie
42. Favourite Worst Nightmare Arctic Monkeys
43. Everything Must Go Manic Street Preachers
44. Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd
45. Behaviour Pet Shop Boys
46. Ziggy Stardust David Bowie
47. Parachutes Coldplay
48. Exile On Main Street Rolling Stones
49. Unknown Pleasures Joy Division
50. Let It Bleed Rolling Stones
 
What do you think of the list? Tell us...

Kelly Stooke

Macca's "mid-life crisis"

Former Beatle reacts to his Brits honour

17 Feb 08 - Sir Paul McCartney has a big week ahead of him: he's back in the High Court on Monday for his divorce hearing, then on Wednesday the former Beatle will perform at the Brits and collect the outstanding contribution award.

He's scored 24 UK number one singles over his career, although the 65-year-old doesn't want this gong to be described as a lifetime award.

"I don't really like lifetime achievement awards because you feel as like you're going to stop any second," he said. "Mid life crisis award I wouldn't mind. Outstanding contribution is all right. It sounds like I've made a big donation to somebody so it's great. It's really lovely and getting any award is special but the Brits is even more."

"Mid-life crisis award I wouldn't mind”
Sir Paul McCartney

Macca will close the show with a live performance and, amid the current media focus on his divorce, his award acceptance speech will also come under scrutiny. But he said they are never pre-prepared.

"No, truth is that I haven't written it and I never do," he said. "I try and just pick up something on the night you know. One of the presenters might say something that's relevant and you go off that or I might just be truly thankful.

"You never know how it's going to grab you. It might just be a silly night or it may be a deeply moving night, I don't know. I'll probably try and work my family in because they're cool and I need to thank them constantly, or they'll kill me."

Andre Paine

Curtains for Glasto?

Festival organisers deny that this year is the last

14 Feb 08 - Emily Eavis has cast a shadow of doubt over the future of the famous festival, saying this year's 38th bash could be "the last".

Festival organiser Michael Eavis's daughter, who has helped run the event for the last eight years, said she discussed the shelf life of the festival with her father at Christmas. 

Emily Eavis said they were treating this year's festival, headlined by Jay-Z, as though it were the last.

"I kinda feel that we should ply everything into this as if it be the last." -   Emily Eavis

Asked whether Glastonbury has a limited time span, she told Orange World: "Yeah I probably do to be honest.

"We had a kind of retrospective time during Christmas, talking about it and whether it's a long term thing. I kinda feel that we should ply everything into this as if it be the last.

"It's a risky, risky business and it would be nice to think, to know that it could go on forever, (but) I don't know if that's possible."

Michael Eavis is denying reports, saying the phrase "treat it as if it is the last" is a family phrase and has been taken out of context.


Ruth Barnes

More cash for artists

EU proposes copyright extension 

14 Feb 08 - The proposal is one that'll make Sir Cliff Richard happy, he's one artist who has been campaigning for the changes as it directly affects him.

The EU is proposing that performers should earn copyright fees for 95 years, an extension on the current 50 years. 

If changes aren't made, artists like Sir Cliff, who recorded in the 50's and 60's, could lose their airplay royalties over the next ten years.

"Performing artists should no longer be the poor cousins of the music business" - Charlie McCreevy

The European Union's internal market chief, Charlie McCreevy said today (14 Feb):

"I have not seen or heard a convincing reason why a composer of music should benefit from a term of copyright that extends to the composer's life and 70 years beyond, while the performer should enjoy 50 years, often not even covering his lifetime

"I am proposing that performing artists should no longer be the poor cousins of the music business."

McCreevy told a news conference that many performers who began their careers in their early 20's would get to their 70's, only to see the copyright for their work running out when they would more than likely need the income.


Ruth Barnes

SMD get the funk

Simian Mobile Disco set to unite with soul sensation

14 Feb 08 - Jas Shaw from Simian Mobile Disco has told 6 Music News that the band have lined up a special guest to work on their new album.

They are joining forces with funk and soul sensation Jamie Lidell, and Jas could not contain his excitement: “I’m a massive fan of his.

"I would say that his live show was massively influential on the SMD live show and probably is the most interesting live performance out there.”

The group played as part of the NME shows on Wednesday (13 Feb) at London’s Astoria, and Jas admitted they approached the forthcoming collaboration as fans.

“We don’t know him personally, we have been trying to get in contact with him for ages and finally we have got a day booked in the studio with him.

"We have been trying to get in contact with him for ages"
Jas from Simian Mobile Disco

“We have no idea what we are going to do but to be honest, that’s always the best way. If we plan it out too much then nothing ever good happens.

“You have to leave space for something to happen and just cross your fingers.”

Jas said the band will not be racing to get their next album, the follow up to 2007’s Attack Decay Sustain Release , finished as they still have a busy tour schedule ahead.

“I would imagine that the next album probably won’t see the light of day until the end of this year, start of next year.

“I know how slow things move. Even if we get it finished quite soon, we have got a lot of other things booked in this year so we are not hurrying it.”

As previously reported, James Ford from the duo has just completed work on Alex Turner's and Miles Kane's solo project.


Kelly Stooke

Fatboy for Wireless

Underworld, Bootsy Collins and Mark Ronson join him on Saturday night bill

13 Feb 08 - Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, travelled to London on Wednesday (13 Feb) for the announcement of the artists who will be playing on Saturday 5 July at the 02 Wireless Festival.

Speaking at the line-up launch at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel earlier, Fatboy revealed that he, Underworld, Bootsy Collins and Mark Ronson will be the main acts.

The Wireless Festival, which is now in its fourth year, gets underway on 3 July and will run until 6 July.

"Hopefully we can bring some of the spirit of the Brighton shows into the heart of London town.”
Norman Cook

Speaking to reporters at the hotel which overlooks Hyde Park, where the festival will take place, Norman said: “I remembered the other day that Hyde Park was the venue for my first ever gig in 1975 when I came to see Queen.”

In an earlier statement he said: “For a long while I have wanted to play outdoors in London, but I just couldn’t find a beach. Hopefully we can bring some of the spirit of the Brighton shows into the heart of London town.”

Funk legend Bootsy Collins’ appearance at Wireless is a European festival exclusive and will mark his first UK appearance in seven years.

This year marks the second Wireless appearance for Mark Ronson who performed there last year.

Tickets for Wireless 2008 go on sale on 18 February at 9am and more acts are expected to be announced over the coming weeks.


Kelly Stooke

"Pre-core" @ The Social

Police force last minute venue change for Black Francis

13 Feb 08 - The former Pixies frontman was planning on busking at Waxy O'Connors Bar in Rupert Street, Soho, ahead of his final tour date this evening (13 Feb), as part of the NME Awards tour at London's Koko.

Francis came to talk to Nemone this afternoon and broke the news to listeners that the Soho busk would not be taking place.

He then received the note, on air, that it had been moved to The Social on Great Portland Street:

"The Social, that's 5 Little Portland Street WC1 near Oxford Circus... It was supposed to be over on Leicester Square, the police didn't want me to go there because it's a public space and I don't have a license"

"Pixies were a big deal for us" -  Felix from The Maccabees

Westminster City Council step in

A huge crowd turned up to a street corner in Dublin on Saturday (16 Feb), where Francis played a mixture of solo material and Pixies classics, before Gardai appeared and took him away - to help disperse the crowd.

Off the back of this news, Westminster City Council felt that the "pre-core" would pose a health and safety threat.

As Francis did not have an official permit allowing him to perform a street gig anywhere within the Council's jurisdiction, he also ran the risk of being arrested and missing his show this evening.

The Maccabees rock out to the former Pixies Frontman

Around a hundred people turned out for the gig in the small, dark, rather crammed space in The Social. Francis played a few Pixies tracks including Where Is My Mind.

We caught up with Felix from the Maccabees who was queueing for the special gig:

"Absolutely amazing turn up for the books, to be on Oxford St and to go to see Frank Black is probably the best day you could ever imagine innit... Pixies were a big deal for us"

These fans were blown away:

"I managed to squeeze my way to the front and you could tell he really appreciated everyone turning out, because he thought he would only get a few people.

"Being that close to someone you have listened to your whole life..."

Black Francis is currently promoting his new album Svn Fngrs.


Ruth Barnes

Fat Boy for Wireless

Underworld, Bootsy Collins and Mark Ronson join him on Saturday night bill

13 Feb 08 - Norman Cook, aka Fat Boy Slim, travelled to London on Wednesday (13 Feb) for the announcement of the artists who will be playing on Saturday 5 July at the 02 Wireless Festival.

Speaking at the line-up launch at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel earlier, Fat Boy revealed that he, Underworld, Bootsy Collins and Mark Ronson will be the main acts.

The Wireless Festival, which is now in its fourth year, gets underway on 3 July and will run until 6 July.

"Hopefully we can bring some of the spirit of the Brighton shows into the heart of London town.”
Norman Cook

Speaking to reporters at the hotel which overlooks Hyde Park, where the festival will take place, Norman said: “I remembered the other day that Hyde Park was the venue for my first ever gig in 1975 when I came to see Queen.”

In an earlier statement he said: “For a long while I have wanted to play outdoors in London, but I just couldn’t find a beach. Hopefully we can bring some of the spirit of the Brighton shows into the heart of London town.”

Funk legend Bootsy Collins’ appearance at Wireless is a European festival exclusive and will mark his first UK appearance in seven years.

This year marks the second Wireless appearance for Mark Ronson who performed there last year.

Tickets for Wireless 2008 go on sale on 18 February at 9am and more acts are expected to be announced over the coming weeks.


Kelly Stooke

Rocking Against Racism

New club night launched, but without anticipated Doherty appearance

08 Feb 2008 - Rumours that Pete Doherty would perform at the inaugural Rock Against Racism London club night were dashed on Friday (8 Feb).

But that didn’t stop an impressive number of club goers, pleasure-seekers and social activists from turning up to support Rebels, Roots & Rockers – the first of a monthly run of music and social awareness nights set up by the Rock Against Racism organisation.

Jerry Dammers delivered a hearty ‘punky reggae’ DJ set in one section of the JAMM venue while live performances from The Krak (featuring, ironically, former Babyshambles drummer Gemma Clarke), The Mentalists, The Thirst and headliners The Others rocked the larger adjoining room.

To be fair, Pete was never officially confirmed on the bill, but hopes of his arrival were fuelled by his association with Brixton four-piece The Thirst.

The quartet met the Babyshambles frontman after working with producer Jake Fior.

That led to some informal sessions that they hope will result in material appearing on their debut album and Pete’s solo set.

"We didn’t know about this until we read about it in the paper yesterday."
Mensah from The Thirst on the Pete rumours

But speaking before they took to the stage, The Thirst’s singer/guitarist Mensah denied that the band had started the rumours for their own benefit: “We didn’t know about this until we read about it in the paper yesterday. We were like, oh, ok! We didn’t even know what was going on.”

Rebels, Roots & Rockers is one of a number of events that will mark the 30 ^th anniversary of Rock Against Racism’s 1978 Victoria Park carnival when 100,000 people marched from Trafalgar Square to Hackney in opposition of the National Front. Marchers then watched performances from The Clash, Tom Robinson and Steel Pulse.

Before welcoming each band to the stage tonight, host Geoff Martin reminded the audience of RAR’s legacy.

He told 6 Music News that 2008’s run of commemorative events were all-important: “Bands really want to be associated with this sort of campaign because they know how important it is.

“We’re trying to rekindle some of that energy and enthusiasm that created Rock Against Racism in the carnival 30 years ago.”

Jacqueline Springer

Radiohead hits row

EMI set to issue best of around band's tour

10 Feb 2008 - Radiohead and EMI are having another falling out, following the row over the band's departure from the label.

It's now emerged that EMI will release a Radiohead greatest hits album to tie in with the band's tour which is expected to begin in the US in May.

However, the band are clearly not impressed with the plans to cash in on their tour, according to fan site Atease.

“They’re planning to do a greatest hits for April, May to coincide with our tour," the site quotes Ed O'Brien. "That’s an interesting one. We won’t be doing any promotion for that, obviously.”

"We won't be doing any promotion for that" -   Radiohead's Ed O'Brien

Drummer Phil Selway admitted the label have the right to release a greatest hits.

Following the release of the In Rainbows discbox, EMI responded by issuing a box set of six studio albums and one live album. It also included download and USB versions.

Andre Paine

Elbow/ Hawley duet

Exclusive: Richard Hawley guests with Elbow

05 Feb 08 - Richard Hawley makes a guest appearance on the new Elbow album, singing a duet with Guy Garvey.

The pair wrote the track The Fix together - an idea they conceived after meeting on a trip to Tennessee in 2006.

Elbow frontman Guy Garvey spoke exclusively about how the collaboration came about.

"On the way back on the plane we formed a plan that we should write and record a really old fashioned kind of song, like a real story.

"I love the old duets that are about two cads, two bounders, who are up to something."

Also Richard Hawley told us the bonding on that Tennessee trip was all thanks to Battleships.

"I flew over with Guy and it was the first time I met him and I instantly got on with him because I'd brought travel battleships for the plane and we just played that all the way to America."

The song is about a horse race, as Guy Garvey explained.

"We recorded the vocal facing each other like Frank and Deano might have."
Guy Garvey

"The Fix is about two fellows who fixed a horse race in every way possible; they've drugged the horse, they've bribed the stewards, and they've fixed to win, and they're talking about how they're going to spend their money."

He also explained how the writing and recording process worked.

"I wrote all the lyrics and as I wrote them I was firing them at Rich, and if he liked them they got in the song, and if he didn't - they didn't."

"He plays the most amazing table top guitar solo at the end. It was so much fun making it with him. We recorded the vocal facing each other like Frank and Deano might have, years ago."

"And I think he totally outshone me on the voice department, but I quite enjoyed singing with him"

Richard Hawley though, seemed less convinced they were like Frank and Deano.

"That's in his fantasies. We recorded it live facing each other, but I think it was probably more like Laurel and Hardy."

He did say, though, that he would like make the odd live appearance with the band.

"I'd like to, it's just whether time prevails. But I'd really like to go out and sing it because, I know I'm involved in it, but it is quite a nice song."

The track can be heard on Elbow's 4th album The Seldon Seen Kid, which is released 17 March.

Glasto 'loses heart'

Lost Vagueness pulls out

03 Feb 2008 - Some sad news for Glastonbury revellers and fans of the legendary Lost Vagueness area.

After 10 years, what many have called the heart of Glastonbury, 'the festival within the festival', will not be taking place.

Lost Vagueness had grown from a small casino at the festival, to a massive area with eight venues and 1,500 performers.

The news comes as registration for the ticketing process began on Friday morning. Hundreds of thousands of hopefuls will be submitting their details in a bid to get to the biggest music festival in the country.

However, a statement on the Lost Vagueness official website states: "After 10 monumental years, the 'festival within the festival' which is Lost Vagueness will not be happening at Glastonbury 2008."

The area is famous for being a 'getwaway' from the music and mayhem of the main festival site, but it has a quirky kind of mayhem all of its own.

Jake Shears, from the Scissor Sisters, has called it heaven in the past. One year it was rumoured that Kate Moss and Pete Doherty got married there. It's famous for a colourful array of burlesque, trapeze and striptease, and has long been seen by some people as the heart of Glastonbury festival.

The details as to exactly why Lost Vagueness has pulled out are unclear for legal reasons, but founder Roy Gurvitz insists he has been forced to walk away after disagreements with the organisers, see his full statement below.

"We... hope this announcement won't disappoint too many of you" - Roy Gurvitz

The official announcement:

"After ten monumental years, the 'festival within the festival', which is Lost Vagueness, will NOT be happening at Glastonbury 2008.

It is rumoured that the vacuum created by the Lost Vagueness departure, will be filled by some ex Lost Vagueness crew and others, attempting to re-create a similar production in the same area.

In the absence of any Glastonbury festival press release on this matter, we do not want you to be misled by this omission.

Reproduction of our shows, without our permission or endorsement has been tried before, and however flattering these imitations may be, they will never come close to the real thing.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our fans for their continued support throughout the years who have followed our shows at the festival, and hope this announcement will not disappoint too many of you.

To allay that disappointment, Lost Vagueness will be participating in other events and ventures around the country. Announcements will be made shortly."

Glastonbury wouldn't comment on the issue, or on the proposal that a similar programme of events will take its place.

DPT album probs

Second record is proving difficult for band

01 Feb 08 - Dirty Pretty Things have told 6 Music that they are having difficulties with their second album.

Bassist Didz has told us that the follow up to Waterloo to Anywhere is proving problematic:

"We keep running into things that we didn't think we would problem-wise, so we're just tying up a few loose ends. It was difficult writing it on the road and stitching it all together."

The lads recorded the album out in the desert near LA which they admit played on their minds a bit:

“We were out in the middle of nowhere by Howard Hughes’ aircraft hanger. We weren’t allowed in! There was not much to see and we went a bit stir crazy. It was not a nice time but we got things done.”

Lead singer Carl Barat looked visibly frustrated when talking about the album and agreed that the follow up has been a long time coming:

"The recording process was quite long. We were approaching from a different style of doing things as well, less jingly-jangly and happy-go-lucky. It was a bit more planned."

"It's a great record. I can't wait to get it out before we get bored of it!"

"It's quite frustrating not to have anything out. We're eager to get the record out but a lot of hiccups seem to be happening along the way."
Dirty Pretty Things

The problems with this second album could mean they miss out on a slot at Glastonbury if they don't come up with anything. The lads continued:

"Glastonbury's been rumoured but we don't have many bargaining chips when we don't have any songs out."

"It's quite frustrating not to have anything out. We're eager to get the record out but a lot of hiccups seem to be happening along the way."

"There are a lot of loose ends that need to be tied up properly and then someone had to go back to Los Angeles and pick up the files again and strange things like that."

When asked if they would consider following in Radiohead's footsteps when releasing this album, the lads were realistic:

"It's a nice idea but a lot of band's hands are tied with what they can do legally. Radiohead are in a great position as they're one of the biggest bands on the planet but not everyone can do that."

"Although, what they've done is very good and fair play to them for taking their position in the world and making use of it."