Coldplay V's Stipe

Chris Martin Reveals New Album Details

31 August 2008 - Yesterday two of the biggest bands in the world went head to head on BBC 6music as Coldplay chatted to Michael Stipe live in the studio with Steve Lamacq.

Following reports that Coldplay planned to release a record this year it fell on Stipe to get to the bottom of the rumours: “Is it true?” he asked. To which Martin replied:

“We’re going to put an EP out at Christmas called Prospects March and we’re going to release an album next December to end the decade.”

Martin then turned to Will Champion and asked: “Is it [the EP] called Prospects March or Prospects Song?” Before adding: “Lets ask Michael Stipe!”

“We’re going to put an EP out at Christmas called Prospects March and we’re going to release an album next December to end the decade.” Chris Martin - Coldplay

Stipe preferred Prospects March and the band agreed.

This EP will come only months after Coldplay's 4 ^th studio album Viva La Vida which was released in June this year. But as previously reported, the band recorded so much material during the writing of Viva La Vida they had more than enough for one album.

Both REM and Coldplay were gearing up for shows in London last night (Saturday 30 ^th August). Coldplay played the BBC Radio Theatre and REM closed their show at the Twickenham Stadium.

The two acts have been friends for years and Stipe gave a full endorsement of Coldplay’s music: “For me, having been around for 28 years, doing this, I’m thrilled when a band like Coldplay come along," he said and then continued gushing:

"I think great! Here are some contemporaries I respect what they do and they’re really smart fun people great people to be around and they’re very close friends.”

You can listen again to the interview by clicking here


Elizabeth Alker

Review: Kasabian

Fans are left gasping for the new album as the band rock Newcastle

29 August 2008 - Huge black shades, a waistcoat with a massive rose and a rockstar swagger.

Tom Meighan walked onto the stage with his arms held in a messianic pose to the roar of the crowd.

Shoot the Runner set the tone for an incredibly charged sell out gig at Newcastle Academy on 28 August. The joint was literally jumping from the word go. A sea of arms stretched out following their charismatic leader.

More old favourites followed with Sun/Rise/Light/Flies, Cutt Off and then Processed Beats. While the rest of the band kept a low profile, Tom was characteristically vocal throughout the night – rousing the crowd to sing and telling them how good they sound.

The shades then came off to introduce a new track from the eagerly awaited 3 ^rd album, due out early next year.

Fire proved a big hit with its Primal Scream-esque electronica indie sound. The band had been working on it for the last seven months were clearly pleased with the audience reaction.

Reason is Treason got a massive cheer and the pogo-ing stepped up a gear for Me plus One.

This was followed by ID but as soon the synths started on Empire, everyone went mental and the beer started to really fly.

At one point Meighan was conducting the crowd like a rock maestro. With Fast Fuse and The Doberman, the band teased the audience by taking them on a rollercoaster ride culminating in an impressive crescendo accompanied by a mass singalong.

Kicking off the encore with Club Foot, the crowd surfing pogo-ing fans drowned out the lead vocals and the beer showers took on a life of their own.

The Leicester lads then walked off stage and if that had been it, I suspect the audience would have gone home satisfied. But this live act showed no danger of stopping.

Moments later, they came back on to a rapturous applause. Kicking off the encore with Club Foot, the crowd surfing pogo-ing fans drowned out the lead vocals and the beer showers took on a life of their own.

The venue was hot, sticky, packed and illuminated by strobe lighting - a perfect environment for Stuntman, a dance rock crossover track. No wonder their headline gig at Creamfields last weekend went down a storm.

A brief cover of The Source’s 1991 house hit You Got the Love was sung by guitarist Serge Pizzorno. This morphed into LSF and the crowd exploded bringing Meighan to his knees.

Casually leaning on a drum kit now, Meighan grinning like a Cheshire cat, surveyed the crowd singing along to just a drum beat working up to a climatic finish. The band seem as delighted as their audience.

Meighan thanks them for a fantastic night, but then decides to make it even better for one fan. “Who wants the f***in tambourine?” And with that he flings the instrument into the crowd.

Sharuna Sagar

Review: De La Soul

Three is a Magic Number as they kick-start their residency in the UK capital

28 August 2008 - 20 years after their first ever gig in London, De La Soul returned last night for the first of a five night residency at the city’s Jazz Café.

The legendary hip hop three piece formed in 1988 and throughout a career spanning two decades De La Soul have made 8 albums, been honoured at the Grammy’s and made an essential contribution to the evolution of a jazz-rap subgenre.

Tonight they kicked off with their classic track and debut single Potholes In My Lawn taken from their groundbreaking 1989 record Three Feet High and Rising .

This album famously introduced De La Soul’s concept of the D.A.I.S.Y age and won them the title ‘neo hippy.’

However there was nothing hippy about them tonight as they sweated through their New York Yankees tracksuit tops and baseball caps and bounced up and down in heavy Timberland boots.

Despite David Jude Jolicoeur declaring it was his 40th birthday in two weeks he and his two fellow band-mates, Kelvin Mercer (Pos) and Vincent Mason (Maseo) jumped around the stage and joked with the audience as though they were not a day older than 19.

The 300 capacity crowd were like putty in their hands especially when they played hits such as Vibrations and Me Myself and I.

Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey), which reached number 10 in 1991, also got the audience throwing some serious shapes.

De La Soul are seasoned entertainers and as well as a game of musical statues, they instigated a sing off between different sections of the crowd, invited audience members to join them on stage and ended the gig with a lap of honour of the room which saw them shaking hands, chatting to, and having their photographs taken with adoring fans.

“This is the third time I’ve seen them at the Jazz Café. I saw them in 1991 and they were as good tonight as they ever were.”

The set list included some new material which sounded more frenetic and electronic than the band’s older classics.

It wasn’t received as well and there was a general feeling amongst punters after the gig that they could have played more hits – especially at £32 - £50 a ticket.

Surprisingly they did not play their biggest hit The Magic Number or collaboration with Gorillaz, Feel Good Inc. which reached number 2 in the charts.

Other well known tracks such as Say No Go or Eye Know were also conspicuously absent.

In some ways it was refreshing that De La Soul refused to churn out a predictable 20 year anniversary set, but this fan wasn’t alone in thinking their old material is still their best: “There wasn’t enough old stuff and I wish they’d played The Magic Number. Their old stuff is their greatest stuff definitely. There should have been more old stuff.”

The set was simple with only the group, three mikes and CD turn tables on stage.

The use of CD’s is one thing that’s certainly changed since they first played the UK but according to the die hard fans De La Soul sound as fresh now as they did 20 years ago: “They were absolutely brilliant. They always are. This is the third time I’ve seen them at the Jazz Café. I saw them in 1991 and they were as good tonight as they ever were.”

Elizabeth Alker

Roots wants Blunt

Perhaps the most unlikely pairing of the century: Blunt and Manuva to collaborate

28 August 2008 - He may be one of the UK's most talented and highly respected hip-hop artists, but Roots Manuva has told 6 Music he's planning a collaboration with You're Beautiful star James Blunt.

It was reported that Roots Manuva had wanted to work with Blunt and when asked if he was joking, Roots Manuva responded: “No, no, we’re sorting that out, he knows.”

He’s due to release his new album Slime And Reason on Ninja Tunes’ label on 1 September - and might be getting back into the studio with Blunt pretty soon.

But he didn’t have much of an idea what form the collaboration will take, telling the BBC: “We’ll just get in the studio, have a few wines, eat some cake and go for it.”

Turning to how contact between the unlikely pair was made, Roots Manuva explained: “I’m a personal friend of his [Blunt's] guitarist and he put the message in, and he’s up for it.”

As to when we might see the fruits of their labour, Roots Manuva said: “It could be pretty soon, I’ve got some time off coming up soon so I’m gonna pursue it, I’m definitely gonna try and get something in the bag.”

“We’ll just get in the studio, have a few wines, eat some cake and go for it.”
Roots Manuva

A more positive sound

Speaking about his first single from the new album Buff Nuff, released in July, Roots Manuva described it as a “cheesy chat up song”.

“I was trying to be as cheesy as possible and stupid as possible in two and a half minutes. I was just having fun, I never expected that song to be a single,” Roots Manuva said.

The critic's reckon that buoyant attitudes have seeped into the sound of his new album, Slime And Reason , which is noticeably more upbeat than his last offering, Awfully Deep .

Roots Manuva agreed: “That’s what people keep telling me that it’s positive. I was joking, I was in the most economically sound and domestically sound state of mind and I was having a laugh and a joke.”

The new single Again and Again was released this week, on 25 August.

Georgie Rogers

R.E.M hate Bush

The band’s frontman is backing Barack Obama for US president

27 August 2008 - The American singer, Michael Stipe, known for being socially and politically active, is supporting Barack Obama and has spoken out about his hatred for George Bush.

Initially speaking of Michelle Obama, Barack Obama’s wife, Stipe said: “She’s a lawyer and she’s a mother, she knows how to present an argument, she knows how to present her ideas in a way that I think are understandable and I think she’s obviously a very smart and bright woman.”

And turning to Barack, Stipe went on to say: “Her husband is probably what my country needs more than anything right now.”

As to the kind of person and President the musician would like to see inhabit the White House, Stipe is championing everything Barack Obama stands for.

“You want an exceptional American, yeah, and I think he’s probably an exceptional person. You look at the way he’s put his campaign together and the way he responds to many of the criticisms that are already being lobbed at him, either from the Clinton family or from the McCains,” he told the One Show.

And Stipe has absolute faith that Obama will succeed in the Presidential race, saying: “Yes, I think he’s going to make it and it will be a better day for all of us.”

"That’s a reference to our current president who I very publicly despise. I just can’t stand the guy or his administration."
Michael Stipe

New single

R.E.M’s latest album is called Accelerate , which was released on 1 April this year.

Their new single is titled Man Size Wreath and begins with the lyrics: “Turn on the TV and what do I see / A pageantry of empty gestures all lined up at me.”

Stipe explained the lyrics: “That’s a reference to our current president who I very publicly despise. I just can’t stand the guy or his administration and it was about him going to the graveside of Martin Luther King, one of my heroes, and I think desecrating the memory of that great man and his work by being there during the Iraq war. I found it pathetic so I wrote that song about it.”

Still going strong

R.E.M formed back in 1980 and have a mammoth 15 studio and live albums in their back catalogue.

Turning to whether he’s had enough of the lifestyle of a musician, Stipe said he’s as passionate as ever about music.

“I think I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I love my job, I love the people I do it with and I think touring and writing music is really what I was intended to do, I love it,” he said.
 
Barack Obama is due to be officially nominated at the Democratic Convention for President tomorrow.

Georgie Rogers

Reading/Leeds Day 2

Killers, Editors and Mystery Jets all on the bill.

24 August 2008 - The killers headlined day 2 of the Reading festival last night (23rd August).

The band played a mix of classic crowd pleasers and new material including the song Spaceman which is the first time this track has aired in the UK.

Brandon Flowers and co. have been taking a break from live gigs and have hidden away in the studio for the last few months but speaking to the BBC they said how it felt to be back playing in front of thousands of people:

"It's strange. We're going to play a couple of songs from Sawdust and we're going to try a couple of new songs. At first it was a bit striking but we're starting to ease into it."

They also revealed that the new record would probably be released in November and even though it's been in the pipeline for a while they said they'd enjoyed taking a break from the live scene:

"It feels like we've had a healthy break. We haven't played a show since November which is about eight or nine months off. Just enough time to make the record."

"It feels like we've had a healthy break. We haven't played a show since November which is about eight or nine months off. Just enough time to make the record"  Brandon Flowers - The Killers

Editors also took to the main stage at Reading yesterday. Ed explained that is was coming to heavy rock bashes like Reading as a teenager that inspired him to be in a band: "The excitment of a festival was really encapsulated by those big rock bands," he said. "It made me want to be part of it I guess."
 
Editors will play Leeds tonight (24th August) before being airlifted to Manchester to support REM: "This is very much the conclusion of our album tour in the next couple of weeks," Ed explained.

"These are our last home shows. We go on a few dates with REM and then we're finished so we're fully concentrating on the next record."

The Mystery Jets have also been on the festival bill over the last couple of days. They've been taking a break while their drummer Blaine Harrison recovers from health problems.

But in an interview with 6music on site at Reading, it sounded like they'd coped well with having to cancel shows: "I don't think it was difficult at all. For Blaine it was difficult. No one wants to be the party pooper. But he's strong and we all see it for what it is," they said before adding:

"We'll be back and we'll be playing more gigs and in the long run it won't matter."

Elizabeth Alker

Reading/Leeds underway

We speak to some of the acts as thousands of rockers kick-off the party

22 August 2008 - Reading and Leeds festivals are upon us again this weekend (22-24 August) and performers XX Teens, The Enemy, Does It Offend You Yeah? give us their lowdown.

Today (22 August) is the first day and will see Rage Against The Machine, Metallica, The Cribs, Babyshambles, Vampire Weekend and more play across the two sites.

Coventry trio finish-up

Leeds festival marks the grand finale to almost two years of touring for the Coventry trio and will be their last live show of the year.

Frontman Tom Clarke says he's looking forward to it, but also a bit of time out: “It’s gonna be our last set of the year at Leeds then we’re gonna take a bit of time off, as we’ve been on tour constantly for two years. We’ve had no more than a week off so it’s gonna be nice to go home and put our feet up.

“But Leeds was an amazing festival. Last year we played the gig and then went straight out into the crowd to have a chat with the fans, it’s just a brilliant vibe at Leeds.”

Even though Leeds’ atmosphere pleased them, Tom says it might be hard to top their set at last year’s Reading bash.

“Reading was the highlight of our year last year I think,” he told 6 Music. “It was again one of those unexpected things where you turn up and you know it’s gonna be good, but you don’t really know how good. We walked on stage and got the most tremendous receptions. It’s amazing to go out there and have your expectations shattered.”

And as for their onstage antics, Tom reminisced: “Andy dived off the stage into the crowd and as he came back out the security attacked him because they thought he was a fan trying to get on the stage. That was quite fun to watch.”

"When we hear Rage playing, we’re gonna be like: 'Thank you very much, good night.' And just go and watch Rage because we’re fans of them."
Does It Offend You, Yeah?

Miles Kane’s hectic schedule

The Rascals’ frontman will be playing two gigs, today (22 August) in Leeds and on Sunday (24 August) in Reading - one with his band, The Rascals, on the Festival Republic stage, and then later with an orchestra and his famous mate, Alex Turner.

Their side-project, The Last Shadow Puppets, are hitting up the Radio 1 stage and Miles joked about how he will get from one gig to the next.

“We’re playing and then I’m doing The Last Shadow Puppets in the night as well, so I’m getting ‘copter-ed over,” he said.

To which the rest of his Rascals’ bandmates laughingly interjected with: “And we’ll get the megabus home.”

XX Teens’ trip down memory lane

Rich and Antony from XX Teens say they've only been to Reading once before - and they had quite different experiences.

Rich said: “I went and saw Blur once one year and then urgh, the horrible Red Hot Chilli Peppers were playing and I was a bit sick to myself.”

To which Antony interjected: “I saw them too, they were fantastic.”

XX Teens are often compared to The Fall and they say maybe it was their one visit to Reading years ago, that sealed their fate: “The Fall played, I like The Fall. We sound just like The Fall and they played and we just made notes together. We’ve just been dining out on it ever since.”

Does It Offend You, Yeah?’s tight spot

The English electro rockers Does It Offend You, Yeah? are also on the Reading/Leeds bill energising crowds with their upbeat dance inflected live shows.

The band say Reading and Leeds is a bit of a homecoming for them having toured their debut album, You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into , extensively in recent months.

They're a bit gutted to be playing so close to when headliners Rage Against The Machine are on stage though: “When we hear Rage playing, we’re gonna be like: ‘Thank you very much, good night.’ And just go and watch Rage because we’re fans of them, it’s gonna be a tough one, but a good one.”

And the gap between their sets isn’t as tight as it could have been, as vocalist James Rushent said: “I think we’re on an hour before them, at the same time as Queens Of The Stone Age, so that’s pretty good.”

Georgie Rogers

Kerrang winners

This year's awards knees-up attended by Metallica, Slipknot and Carl Barat

22 August 2008 - The Kerrang! Awards were held in central London last night (21 August) with two massive rock acts headed for Reading and Leeds festivals being awarded.

Rage Against The Machine, who're currently making a comeback, were inducted into the Kerrang Hall Of Fame and Metallica received the Inspiration Award.

Rage frontman Zack De La Rocha thanked the The Clash, Public Enemy and Bob Dylan from the podium, while Metallica singer James Hetfield said heavy metal was “coming alive again.”

Actor Jared Leto’s band 30 Seconds To Mars scooped Best Single for From Yesterday with Best Album going to Avenged Sevenfold.

The surprise attendee of the night was Carl Barat, who confessed he used to be into heavy metal.

The former Libertines man and Dirty Pretty Things frontman said he wanted to see Rage Against the Machine: “I’m a massive fan… so I thought I’d pop down and see what was going on.”

Bullet For My Valentine, who scooped the award for Best British Band, also spoke to 6 Music.

Padge from the band explained what the awards night means to them: “It’s a great ceremony and it’s great to bring everyone together and have a good knees up. As for winning, we’re just happy to be invited”.

Jay added: “If you win something, it’s just rewarding after all the hard work you’ve done all year.”

"It’s a great ceremony and it’s great to bring everyone together and have a good knees up. As for winning, we’re just happy to be invited."
Bullet For My Valentine

Speaking to the organisers

Katie Parsons, the new bands editor for Kerrang! Magazine, spoke to 6 Music about the importance of the night: “In the world of rock and metal and heavy music, there aren’t many mainstream opportunities to be recognised as being good at what you do, and the Kerrang! awards is the biggest event of the year for mainstream press to recognise these sorts of people are doing something great.”

She also thinks the awards differ from those that are chosen by industry insiders: “It’s voted for by fans, so I think it means a huge amount to bands, regardless of their genre to be involved in the Kerrang! Awards in any way, whether that’s presenting, coming along as an attendee, being nominated or in fact winning.”

Hosting the event was Scott Ian, from Anthrax, who thought his job was preferable to being nominated: “At least I get to be doing something for an hour and a half, whereas if you’re just sitting in the audience, especially if you’re not even up for an award, award shows are the most boring thing in the world.”

Kerrang! Winners 2008

Best International Newcomer – Black Tide
Best British Newcomer – Slaves to Gravity
Kerrang! Icon – Slipknot
Best Video – Coheed and Cambria
Best Single – 30 Seconds to Mars – From Yesterday
Best Album – Avenged Sevenfold – Avenged Sevenfold
Best Live Band – Machine Head
Classic Songwriter – Def Leppard
Spirit of Independence – The Dillinger Escape Plan
Best British Band – Bullet For My Valentine
Best International Band – 30 Seconds to Mars
Hall of Fame – Rage Against The Machine
Inspiration – Metallica

Victoria Hannaford

Reverend resigns

Frontman John McClure to quit the music biz after a second album

19 August 2008 - The Reverend And The Makers’ frontman plans to release the follow-up to their UK top 5 debut, The State Of Things , and then pack it all in.

McClure exclusively told 6 Music: "I don't want anything to do with this industry, it absolutely stinks."

The new album will be called The French Kiss In The Chaos , due for release in 2009.

The singer would then like to retire and become a “pedal taxi driver.”

It will all end in January

Their single, Heavyweight Champion of the World, received huge, mainstream pop success, reaching the UK top 10.

The band have also done a number of festival performances this summer, including Summer Sundae, V Festival, Ibiza Rocks and are set to play Get Loaded this coming weekend (24 August).

McClure’s other project, Mongrel, with former Arctic Monkeys’ bassist Andy Nicholson and Babyshambles’ guitarist Drew McConnell – is a mix of dub and hip-hop with an Iraqi rapper.

When asked if he feels apprehensive with the crossover between pop and alternative music, he dropped the bombshell: “It’s probably commercial suicide perhaps what I’m doing, but I’m gonna retire in January anyway.”

He says he finds the music industry a cynical world: "It's all done for profit and not for any degree of musical feeling or sentiment. Unfortunately, the press distort things to such a degree that you've not got a hope of knowing what the truth is, so it's not something that I want to participate in or fuel anymore.”

As to whether he actually intends on bowing out of the music industry completely, he responded: "Absolutely brother. It makes me tired and it makes me feel ill and I don't want anything more to do with it."

And the retirement wheels are already in motion as the singer says he’s sacked his management and plans to finish early next year.

"I'm gonna go out having told the truth and with my head held high and having stood for something,” the outspoken singer explained. “I feel like a sore thumb in a piranha pool in this industry. I don't like the way it's all run by rich men in their 50’s who went to private school. It's not something I want to be part of.”

"It makes me tired and it makes me feel ill and I don't want anything more to do with it."
John McClure

Record desires

McClure, who was once in a band with Arctic Monkeys’ man Alex Turner, also spoke about some of his contemporaries, saying: "You get these bands who have a few hits, say like the Pigeon Detectives, who come out with another album trying to do the same thing again.

"I'm going to make a record that's truly artistic, which is the Reverend and the Makers album, that's artistically interesting, then I'm going to retire and become a pedal taxi driver."

And the frontman concluded by describing his feelings towards his last offering: “It’s the best album that I could ever imagine in 2008, or 2009 which it will be by the time it comes out, but it sounds like everything that’s going on right now. I feel very, very proud of it - it’s a beautiful thing.”
 
See Reverend And The Makers play a session in 6 Music's hub.

Georgie Rogers

Bloc Party unveil LP

Surprise announcement that the band's new album is available from Thursday

19 August 2008 - Bloc Party have revealed details of their new album during a webchat with their fans.

Their third record is titled Intimacy and the digital version of the record will be made available from their official website www.blocparty.com this Thursday 21 August.

However, the physical CD won't arrive until the 27 October - but the band have stated that it will contain extra as-yet-unnamed, "different tracks," from the digital version.

Produced by previous Bloc Party producers Paul Epworth (Silent Alarm) and Jacknife Lee (A Weekend in the City) the album is available to pre-order from the band's official website now.

Intimacy was recorded in Kent and London and the first single, Mercury, was released on 11 August and marks a more experimental sound for the band.

The band are set to perform at the Reading and Leeds festivals this weekend (22-24 August) and the Scotland Connect Festival on Saturday 30 August.

The Intimacy tracklisting:

1. Ares
2. Mercury
3. Halo
4. Biko
5. Trojan Horse
6. Signs
7. One Month Off
8. Zephyrus
9. Better Than Heaven
10. Ion Square

Georgie Rogers

Steady vs Radiohead

"Radiohead have lost the plot" - Tad

17 August 2008 - "Radiohead have lost the plot". Not what were used to hearing about the band - but these are the words of Tad from The Hold Steady.

The guitarist has been exclusively talking to BBC 6 Music about his thoughts on the UK music industry, and in the interview he didn't hold back when it came to the 'Creep' artists.

Muse also came under fire, but he couldn't speak highly enough about Mancunian rockers Oasis.

When asked his thoughts about Radiohead's 'In Rainbows', Tad had this to say:

"I think they've lost the plot. What are they doing? Where are they going? What's happening? I don't get it any more. They lost me. I still appreciate what they're doing, or what they're trying to do. But I think they're trying too hard not to be Radiohead. That seems a little ridiculous to me".

Tad goes on to say:

"I like them as a rock band, all the buttons and sequencing and stuff like that I don't really care for. I'm a fan of rock music and what they're doing now I don't think is very good. When you have that kind of money, you can put on a great performance regardless of what you do. If you can't go out and pick up your instruments and play a good show, that doesn't do it for me. I don't have any interest in that".

Muse

V Festival headliners Muse also came in for a tongue lashing. Tad said of the band:

"There's tons of great musicians out there. There are a lot of people that rely on technology, electronics. I don't want to take anything away from them but it doesn't do it for me".

Oasis

But, Tad admits he does have a soft spot for Oasis.

"I love Oasis. I love them. I think that what they do is earnest. I think it's honest. When they get up and do what they do, it's one take and they get up and they perform. I trust Noel Gallagher to do a good job with the record".

Probably a wise idea to keep onside with the Gallaghers, eh Tad?

Louise Hulland

Girls' EMI muddle

Roisin Murphy and Lily Allen struggling with the instability of EMI

18 August 2008 - The former Moloko singer, who was formerly signed to EMI, is a little concerned about the changes taking place at the label.

The classic British label was recently brought out by a private equity firm, and has since been making redundancies.

Some high profile artists have also been leaving the label, only last month the Rolling Stones parted ways, signing to Universal, after more than 20 years with EMI.

Whilst in 2007, Radiohead did not re-sign with EMI and it was reported that artists including Robbie Williams and Coldplay were disgruntled with the company.

The edgy electro-popstress told 6 Music: “It’s difficult because I was on EMI, which no longer exists, so I was floating around being looked after by all sorts of different people. It’s pretty difficult not to be frightened a little bit about it.”

But she’s remaining optimistic about her future in the music industry: “At the end of the day, I’ve been around long enough, I think I’ll be around if I want to be.”

And Murphy’s not the only one to speak about the label. Today (18 August) Lily Allen has claimed problems at EMI are delaying the release of her new album.

According to a message on her Myspace page, the album has been finished for a while but she says the ‘politics’ at EMI Records have left her confused.

She writes: "Lots of people have been fired or have taken redundancy recently as the company was taken over by a private equity firm called Terra Firma.

"Many of these people were people assigned to my projects and now I don't quite know what's going on. I'm sure everyone will find their feet soon enough and I'll be able to put the album out soon.”

"I was floating around being looked after by all sorts of different people. It’s pretty difficult not to be frightened a little bit about it."
Roisin Murphy

Roisin’s next album

Speaking at 6 Music’s Summer Sundae festival on 9 August, Roisin Murphy also spoke about her new material and revealed she’s made a track for a well-known designer brand - and she says she’s certainly enjoying all the perks that go with it: “I’ve done this song Slave To Love which has been used for a Gucci advert - and I get lots of free shoes and stuff – that I did with Sage [Francis] who I wrote and produced a lot of the record Overpowered with.”

Murphy made her comeback as a solo singer with 2005’s Ruby Blue and her 2007 album Overpowered .

With the same producer on board for her third solo offering, the former Moloko frontwoman says the new song is similar to her recent material.

“It has got that feeling that Overpowered , the track’s got,” she said. “It’s really kind of sleepy, synthesised vibe and it’s cool - so hopefully people will be able to make the connection between me and it when they’re singing it in their living rooms and stuff.”

Roisin says the same synthesised vibe is also likely to set the tone for her forthcoming album: “The tracks that I did with Sage are the spine of Overpowered , and I think if what I do is expand on what I did with Overpowered , or get deeper into it - then I think those are the kinds of sounds that I’ll be making.”

Meanwhile, Roisin Murphy has just been confirmed to headline Manchester Pride on Sunday 24 August.

She’ll be taking to the stage at the Manchester Academy at 22:00.

Georgie Rogers

Downloader Eno

Forward-thinking Eno doesn’t like buying music from record shops

18 August 2008 - Brian Eno has been explaining why he and David Byrne have joined the download revolution; saying the music industry needed a shake up.

The new album from the recent Coldplay producer and former Talking Heads' leader, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today , is released today (18 August).

Eno previously told 6 Music about how they came to collaborate again, 27 years on from their 1981 album My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts .

But the new record is available as a download only, from everythingthathappens.com in a host of special download formats – the album was preceded by a freebie single called Strange Overtones (4 August).

Eno says that the download revolution has come at the right time because he felt the music industry had grown complacent: “The music industry really had a free ride. There was a huge appetite for buying music and they were selling it quite expensively actually, that fostered a generally quite lazy attitude within record companies.

“And then suddenly when challenged by the possibility of a different future, their only response was to try to resist it and to say that it isn’t going to happen and we’ll stop it from happening.”

"The music industry really had a free ride. There was a huge appetite for buying music and they were selling it quite expensively actually."
Brian Eno

He admitted that he prefers the modern way of purchasing music, telling 6 Music: “I myself noticed that I have stopped buying CD’s. I buy from itunes. I don’t like actually going into record shops much.”

Brian Eno told us that it's a young artist’s game these days, with or without the help of record labels, due to the growing online world: “Suddenly now we have a quite different situation which it seems to me, artists understand much better than record companies do.”

And he reckons that because of the all the online outlets, younger artists have more control now than ever: “Artists know how to use it, young artists are very comfortable with starting their careers on Facebook or Myspace or something like that – and they’re way ahead of the record companies in some respects.”

Eno and Byrne are even offering two of the songs as separate tracks so that budding remix artists can create their own versions.

An enhanced CD and a deluxe package CD of the album will be available later.

Read more from Eno about Byrne’s voice and their tour plans.

Georgie Rogers

The Hold Steady vs Radiohead

"Radiohead have lost the plot" - Tad

17 August 2008 - "Radiohead have lost the plot". Not what were used to hearing about the band - but these are the words of Tad from The Hold Steady.

The guitarist has been exclusively talking to BBC 6 Music about his thoughts on the UK music industry, and in the interview he didn't hold back when it came to the 'Creep' artists.

Muse also came under fire, but he couldn't speak highly enough about Mancunian rockers Oasis.

When asked his thoughts about Radiohead's 'In Rainbows', Tad had this to say:

"I think they've lost the plot. What are they doing? Where are they going? What's happening? I don't get it any more. They lost me. I still appreciate what they're doing, or what they're trying to do. But I think they're trying too hard not to be Radiohead. That seems a little ridiculous to me".

Tad goes on to say:

"I like them as a rock band, all the buttons and sequencing and stuff like that I don't really care for. I'm a fan of rock music and what they're doing now I don't think is very good. When you have that kind of money, you can put on a great performance regardless of what you do. If you can't go out and pick up your instruments and play a good show, that doesn't do it for me. I don't have any interest in that".

Muse

V Festival headliners Muse also came in for a tongue lashing. Tad said of the band:

"There's tons of great musicians out there. There are a lot of people that rely on technology, electronics. I don't want to take anything away from them but it doesn't do it for me".

Oasis

But, Tad admits he does have a soft spot for Oasis.

"I love Oasis. I love them. I think that what they do is earnest. I think it's honest. When they get up and do what they do, it's one take and they get up and they perform. I trust Noel Gallagher to do a good job with the record".

Probably a wise idea to keep onside with the Gallaghers, eh Tad?

Louise Hulland

V Festival rocks for fans

Chelmsford and Staffordshire play host to bands

16 August 2008 - V Festival is underway this weekend - with tens of thousands of fans there to seeThe Verve, Kings of Leon and Amy Winehouse.

Hylands Park in Chelmsford, and Weston Park in Staffordshire are playing host to the musical extravaganza - where around 150,000 will turn up to see top artists including Duffy and Kaiser Chiefs.

Lenny Kravitz, Alanis Morissette, Maximo Park, and The Hoosiers are also on the bill.

Muse are also taking to the stage - their only festival appearance this year. Dom from the band says it's important to them to perform well:

"Last time we played V, Chris had broken his wrist so we couldn't actually play properly. This year we wanted to do the festival so we could make up for that, because last time we didn't feel like we gave it the fuil 100%".

Many fans have been telling 6 Music how they've gone to V simply to see Muse perform - and have been singing the praises of the line up as a whole.

And the reports of the event being a wash out weather wise turned out to be false as the rain has stayed away.

"Last time we didn't feel like we gave it the fuil 100%" - Muse

Louise Hulland

Brixton Kings

Small venue and big Kings Of Leon wow crowd in London for warm-up show

15 August 2008 - The Kings of Leon kicked things off with their new single Crawl, which sent fans crazy.

Hundreds of fans were treated to a one-off show at the Brixton Academy on Thursday night.

Which by the looks of things went down well, especially straight after the first note was strummed on leadman Caleb's guitar, there was jumping and moshing like crazy.

The band mixed things up with old and new material. Tunes such as Knocked Up and Charmer were the crowd's favourites.

"The energy was fantastic, clearly the best gig I've ever been to," was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to fan's personal reviews.

28 year old James loved every second of it.

"The background was amazing. That was the best gig I've ever seen at Brixton. It was brilliant".

His girlfriend Lisa agreed with him. "Kings of Leon are amazing anyway. And we've seen them at a festival and that was quite small (Brixton Academy) for the Kings of Leon. They're brilliant."

Simon was really pleased he managed to get his hands on a pair of the sold out tickets. "They were amazing. They were so good. They played all the best tunes. It was just worth it. We paid about 90 quid for the tickets on the black market and it was worth it 10 times over."

"Spectacular. best night out this year so far." Juliana

The track that sent the crowd wild

But which track was the one that got the whole crowd jumoping in mass unison? 33 year old Simon reckons he knows.

"Milk definitely, from Aha Shake. It was just, the whole place went crazy when it was on, and it was just brilliant. It was so good. Best night I've had in a long, long time."

His mate Joe, wasn't too sure.

"Milk was great. But I've got to say I was harking for a bit of Soft going on there, but everything was great." "They're not gonna play another small venue like this I don't think anymore.

So it was worth going to this kind of place tonight to check out this gig because from now on, they're gonna be playing some massive venues. So, pretty pleased we got involved on this one."

The show was opened by newcomers Glasvegas, who did a 5 song set, ending with Daddy's Gone, which is out on 25 August.

Kings of Leon's new album Only By The Night , hits stores on 22 September.

Chi Chi Izundu

Shambles' book

Babyshambles' drummer exclusively tells 6 Music about the band's novel

13 August 2008 - Adam Ficek has told 6 Music news all about an upcoming novel each member of Babyshambles has contributed to.

The drummer told us the book will be a different perspective from each member on past events and life in Babyshambles.

"I spent all of last night, that’s why I'm very tired, just trying to get the final interview with Peter done. Everyone else has been interviewed. So this is the final interview. We finished with Peter last night. Its good and it should be out in November."

He says the book will be a warts and all tale, full of memorable times for both the band and fans.

"I think this is full of good anecdotes. And Peter was giving an insight into, just things people would be interested in, you know there's obviously a bit of Kate Moss stuff in there, a bit about, for instance, why we missed the Oasis dates."

"We're either the best band in the world or the worst. Depends on how you look at it."
Adam Ficek, drummer in Babyshambles

It's not all about Pete Doherty

Adam says the book is being written  by a good friend of his. 

He told 6 Music it has been a long and hard process, but they've been working hard to make sure they get everyone's side of the stories and events.

And he said that it isn't a page turner solely on Pete Doherty: "There's a lot of stuff regarding him and Kate's relationship, there's a lot of stuff regarding his view on the no-shows, his view on drugs, his view on the arrests and persecution, relationships with band members.

"But the good thing about it is, it's not a Peter book. It’s a book from our perspective as well, about how it affects us."

Adam says the band are very much aware of all the stuff that is said about them in the press and that the book won't be shying away from all the bad things that people suspect have or haven't been going on.

"It's not as dark and gritty that it covers every negative aspect of the band. But it gives you an insight into the kind of, like, the euphoric highs and the depressing lows of the band. And I think that's what is important about this band.

"No matter what veneer we put on this outside it has really dark elements to it, real dark places where you think you're never gonna get out of and then suddenly you're touring arenas and it's the most amazing thing in the world."

He was also talking to us also about his solo project, Roses, Kings, Castles which releases its second single, Entroubled, on September 8th. The debut album, Roses, Kings, Castles, is out on 6th of October.

As yet, there's not a title for the book. But keep watching the 6 Music News pages for more information.

Chi Chi Izundu

Radiohead denial

Radiohead's management say they have not done the soundtrack for Choke

12 August 2008 - Controversial Fight Club and Snuff author Chuck Palahniuk revealed on Tuesday 12 August that Radiohead have written brand new music for the soundtrack to the new movie adaptation of his book Choke.

Speaking to 6 Music on the Shaun Keaveny Breakfast Show, Palahniuk explained it all came from his love of the band’s music, saying:

“ Clark Gregg, who directed the movie version of Choke which comes out in November, he knew that I’d written Choke while listening to [Radiohead’s 1993 debut album] Pablo Honey , with Creep , over and over and over.

“So Clark got Radiohead to contribute a song; to write a song for the very end of the movie, the final credits.

“Apparently Radiohead liked the movie so much, they’ve written the score" 
Chuck Palahniuk

“Apparently Radiohead liked the movie so much, they’ve written the score, most of the ambient music throughout it. So it’s ‘Choke – with the music of Radiohead’“

When asked if he felt honoured to have such a respected band write music solely for his film, the author laughed, “I quit believing in my own life at this point! My life is just too incredible to be believable anymore. It’s a living dream.”

Palahniuk’s work is famously associated with alternative music, with his use of Pixies’ Where Is My Mind during the finale of the feature film adaptation of his novel Fight Club.
 
Radiohead's management

There has since been some confusion as to whether Palahniuk's comments are true.

Radiohead's people have now told 6 Music that the band's song Reckoner features alongside the final credits, but they denied that Radiohead have written the film's soundtrack.
 
We followed this up with Palahniuk today (Wednesday 13 August).
 
When asked if the world famous Radiohead have done the incidental, background, music for the film, Palahniuk said: “It’s the incidental music and I also thought it was the closing credits, sort of like the equivalent of the Pixies song in Fight Club - and Clarke really wanted to end the movie on a downbeat, kinda like The Graduate , where they’re finally together and on the bus and the future’s not entirely bright at that point. I know Clark was looking for a very downbeat, mellow sort of song.”

And when asked if he has heard the material Radiohead have done for the background, Palahniuk responded: “Yes, I have, and it is terrific, I really love everything about the movie, it is as good as Fight Club, and the romance is much more predominant.”


Matt Everitt

Franz stream song

Tell 6 Music News what you think of Franz Ferdinand’s new song

12 August 2008 - Lucid Dreams is a new song from Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand and it’s being streamed on their website.

A message to fans on their website reads that the song is, "not a single."

It is however going to appear on a new American football computer game by EA Sports called Madden 09, which is due for release on 12 August.

To listen to Lucid Dreams head to the music section of Franz Ferdinand’s official site .

The song will be made available for a limited time only. 

As previously reported , the band's new album has been delayed and is now due out in January 2009.

Have a listen and please leave your comments for 6 Music News below.

Georgie Rogers

Isaac Hayes dies

The American funk-soul legend has died

11 August 2008 - The Academy Award winning singer was found dead at his home in Memphis, Tennessee on Sunday 10 August.

The 65 year-old was found at 1.00pm by family members lying on the floor of his bedroom next to a treadmill that was still on.

Hayes, a singer songwriter and composer, who won an Oscar back in 1972 for Best Original Song for his theme from the film Shaft – had already suffered a stroke in 2006.

The star had also written a self-help book during his career titled The Way to Happiness .
 
Tim Samson, the Director of Communications at the Stax Museum Of American Soul Music in Memphis, speaks of Hayes’ legacy.

He said: “If you go back and listen to some of his earlier recordings like Hot Buttered Soul, he basically revolutionised the record industry and changed it forever was his 16/17 minute long songs.

“Isaac Hayes actually changed the way America and the world listen to music. Everyone thought he was crazy at the time but when they came out, they were a huge success.”

Reflecting on how he will be remembered, Samson said: “I think as one of the most important figures in the music industry, as one of the most philanthropic people in the music industry, and as one of the nicest people that I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.”

"He basically revolutionised the record industry and changed it forever was his 16/17 minute long songs."

In 1993, the star was crowned king of a small community in Ghana, and subsequently started the Isaac Hayes Foundation, returning there and opening an education centre in 2000.

There wasn’t much Hayes did not lend his hand to, running two restaurants in more recent years, masterminding a best-selling cookbook and top secret barbecue sauces.

The multi-talented Hayes had been married four times and leaves 11 children, as well as his most recent wife Adjowa, with whom he had one child.

Tricky, Portishead, Dr.Dre, Snoop Dogg and Destiny's Child are among those artists who have sampled Hayes' music.

Georgie Rogers

Matt's Blog Day 3

Reporter Matt Everitt's at Leicester's Summer Sundae Weekender

09 Aug 2008 -  Summer Sundae gallery

Sunday - 3.00pm.

I hate to keep banging on about the weather. It's one of those really predictable festival topics (like toilets), that always seem to get mentioned, but it does make a difference, as it does now with the sun beaming through the passing clouds.

As we speak, Wild Beasts are now on the main stage (they've been shifted up the bill as the Mystery Jets have sadly pulled out) and they sound rather fine. I can't help but think they're a bit like Curiosity Killed The Cat. But not in a visual, stylistic or musical way. It's just a vibe. Like if you spent too long staring at a Curiosity Killed The Cat-shaped lightbulb then suddenly looked at Wild Beasts - the image of the former would remain floating on your retina while you looked at the latter.

Wow, this cider's good.

11.30am

We're back to that schizophrenic weather thing again. So far its been rainy, then sunny, then rainy, then sunny, and so on. However, due to the smaller capacity of the site (about 6000) and the layout (there are few 'heavy traffic' paths) there's very little mud around. So, that early morning slog for breakfast and a trip to the loo that one has to endure at other festivals doesn't exist.

Similarly, as we're so close to the town, there are a lot of people who just rock up for day, meaning there's some fresh faces amongst the hungover frowns. Plus the family-centric nature of the festival means there are lots of kids pottering about giving the whole site a kind of picnic vibe. Its all very nice, I can tell you.

Saturday - 10.45pm

And of course she plays her classic hit, I Try.

"I try to say goodbye and I choke,
Try to walk away and I stumble,
Though I try to hide it, it's clear,
Apple crumble when you are not here...

Lovely.

10.35pm

...now she's playing a medley of Rod Stewart's Do You Think I'm Sexy and Dee-Lite's Groove Is In The Heart, which has just gone into a bizarre Russian Cossack tune, there's been a mini-stage invasion with people playing bits of orchestra percussion and Macy's band are all wearing pink Andy Warhol wigs.

It all feels like a musical version of Banana Splits directed by Hunter Thompson,

10.25pm

I don't know what i'm more surprised by; the fact that Macy Gray is currently onstage playing a cover of Radiohead's Creep.. Or that i'm enjoying it.

Would Thom York approve? I have no idea. She's making a pretty good job of it. Maybe Radiohead should bust out a version of 'I Try' at their next show.

8.40pm

She's now wearing the plate as a mask and it sounds like she's singing the theme from Batman accompanied by Sparks. Aaaaaand she's gone. Leaving the stage without playing a single Moloko track. And to be honest, she didn't need to. She was awesome. 

8.30pm

She's playing Overpowered, a frankly incredible song made more incredible cos (MOU) she's wearing an outfit made up of long black stripe of cassette tape and what looks like a white paper plate on her head.

8.00pm

MOU: silver jumpsuit with air stewardess cap (costume change) sparkly silver sequined wide-legged cap sleeved jumpsuit (costume change) purple hat white space blazer with shoulders like Sydney Opera house (costume change) gold sequined bomber jacket (costume change) back to tight white top, before tackling her bass player to the ground, before donning a huge red boxing hood thing, (costume change) spiderweb and feather bolero (and she had nice shoes).

7.45pm

Roisin Murphy takes the stage and with help from her frighteningly tight band, precedes to cut a massive groove of electro into the festival site, Murphy Outfit Update (MOU): Wraparound sci fi shades, skintight white top an odd leather corset.

7.30pm

Highlights so far today have been many and varied. Rachel Unthank & The Winterset played a beautiful set in the Indoor Arena. Despite being nominated for a Mercury Prize they are as charming as ever and even treat the audience to a spot of clog dancing, which was ace. Plus the hauntingly gorgeous Dawn Landes played Bodyguard, which is one of my favorite songs of the past few months.

7.45pm

...interestingly, the minute it stops raining, they play Staying Out For The Summer.

Like i said, its an immutable law of nature.

7pm – Dodgy Weather

So if you remember, in an earlier blog posting, i theorized the weather would improve by the time Dodgy come onstage as "its an immutable law of nature, God and all humankind that it never rains during Staying Out For The Summer."

Well, proof (if proof be needed) that i don't know what I'm talking about, as the weather's been lovely since lunchtime, but the minute the newly reunited Dodgy take the stage, it starts chucking it down.

Hey ho. Anyway, in summary, In A Room, Grassman and Good Enough sound pretty summery, and despite the rain, the umbrella touting crowd are happily singing along, Britpopped out of their minds.

And more news for Dodgy fans, as the band told us they're playing on recording a new EP and sticking it out. Tenir la première page!

Laura Marling will be smashing up her dressing room if her sandwiches don't have the corners cut off

5pm

As soon as Danny & The Champions Of The World started playing, the rain stopped. It was almost as if their zealous power folk thrust the clouds away. They were also joined by a huge 7ft furry creature with horns, as you can see in the gallery which resembled a massive hairy egg shaking a pair of maracas. D&TCOTW are a supergroup including Romeo from Magic Numbers plus members of Goldrush and Grand Drive, and they raised the spirit of the whole event. Job done.

Other things occurring include Dengue Fever, who're described as mixing "funky brass, surf psychedelia and lounge jazz" - to be honest, it's all a little much, but the bass player has the biggest beard I've ever seen. He makes Scroobius Pip look like Duncan Goodhew. And that alone makes the whole thing bearable. Or should that be beardable?

We've also had our first "there were so many people there, that you couldn't get near the tent" moment. In this case, it was the comedy tent and the act on was Robin Ince, who went down a storm. He's actually playing twice today, like Phil Collins at Live Aid... Only not rubbish.

In addition, I just interviewed Matt from Dodgy and Henry Rollins back to back. Very weird. Two more different people I have never met. Both lovely though. I told Henry he was dressed like a girl, flicked his ears and asked him outside for a fight.

Not really.

1pm.

So we're back in the swing of things now and the bands have started to play.

Admittedly my optimism for the weather hasn't been rewarded as yet, as it's tipping it down. But no matter. One of the nice things about this festival is that the Leicester De Montfort Hall is actually onsite, so there's a whole indoors stage line up happening if the weather gets a little too wet for you.

It's here that I see local band Maybeshewill who make a massive driving rock racket. Bit like early Muse. Oddly though none of them seem to be singing. Maybe I've missed the point (maybe they're instumentmental?) but for the ten minutes I watch them, there are no vocals. Odd. I wander over to the Rising Set to see New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack, who wear their guitars a bit too high for my liking - there's even bass solo there somewhere too. Troublesome.

On the main stage, local favourites The Chairmen open proceedings with some energeitic Arctic-esque indie and go down very well with the crowd (though their intro music seems to go on longer than their set) and as we speak another local mob Jersey Budd are cracking out some old school Americana. What Sprinsgteen is to The Hold Steady, The Hold Steady are to Jersey Budd. Not bad though, but it does prompt the question, is there a band in New Jersey called Thurmaston Speckled Hen?

11.30am

The sun rises, and bleary eyes open to peer out of tent flaps to witness what - sadly - a rather damp scene as the clouds have burst and it's raining rather heavily here in Leicester.

Now this isn't too distressing as a) it always rains at some point during every festival b) last night's headliners were amazing (Supergrass - storming, Howling Bells - hypnotic, The Count & Sinden - technical problems at the off, but managed to wrestle a rave from the jaws of defeat) c) the weather is s'posed to be improving after midday. d) Dodgy are playing later and its an immutable law of nature, God and all humankind that it never rains during Staying Out For The Summer.

So all in all we're not too concerned.

Friday 10.45pm

Before they came onstage, the compare introduced them as one of the bands "That have Summer Sundae written all over them" and by the end of their set Supergrass illustrate the point exactly. The good natured atmosphere and general goodtime vibe of the audience perfectly matches the band's sense of fun and love of big sing-a-long tunes. Starting off gently, the set builds as the night draws in, new songs of Diamond Hoo Ha (including highlights of a balls-out Rebel In You and a surprisingly tender Ghost Of A Friend) are peppered with classic back catalogue tracks.

But it isn't until a rabble-rousing Richard III that things start to really kick right off. The three-piece line up of old are now nepotistically supplemented by keyboardist Rob Coombes and guitarist Charlie Coombes, and the evening hurtles towards a finale of Movin, a cover of the old Police track Next To You, and the always welcome Pumpin On Your Stereo and Caught By The Fuzz before the band leave the stage to huge applause.

Seemingly happy to run over their allotted time, they return for an encore of Sun Hits The Sky followed by two I Should Coco-era crowd pleasers Strange Ones and Mansize Rooster. The crowd goes nuts, the band grin like loons, drumsticks are thrown into the air, plectrums are chucked into the audince and everyone wanders - dazed - back to their campfires. Job done.

Day one over! Bring on day two!

8pm

Now we all assumed that The Coral would just be playing an acoustic set. We assumed this as, on all the posters, it said 'The Coral - Acoustic Set'. Now there's nothing wrong with that, especially with a band like The Coral. but one couldn't help wishing they'd play with all the proverbial whistles and associated bells. However, they've just started their set and lo and behold, it's a full band set.

And they sound awesome. A little like that television advert said, you don't know how many Coral songs you know till they start playing them. Admitted singer James Skelly doesn't spend too much time chatting to the crowd, but the vibes are so upbeat, the audience so happy and the instantly recognisable songs so... well, instantly recognisable, that no one cares.

Supergrass have also arrived onsite and we managed to catch up with Danny, Gaz and Micky (something of a coup) to talk about their life in festivals, and you'll be able to hear the whole of that interview on The Music Week on Sunday from 1pm.

Shameless self promotion, shameless.

7pm

The way the stages are scheduled here means that when there's a band on the (very loud) main stage, there's no one on playing anywhere else. Conversely, when the main stage is clear, all manner of other stuff goes on.

This is a positive as I can see ex-Delgado Emma Pollock (a tad fey, but beautifully phrased folkish tunes), Errors (live funky rock electronica, and not half as disagreeable as the music you imagine when someone says 'live funky rock electronica') and The Mae Shi (lanky American guys playing what can only be describes as a musical version of an episode of My Name Is Earl played by RATM roadies).

Sadly though it also means there's nowhere to go when Royworld start playing. On record, their high sheen smoothrock sounds inoffensive enough, but live they appear soulless, overtly polished and a little pre-programmed. It's like listening to Faithless play ELO covers. Which can't be good for anyone.

However, Scotland's King Creosote bring humour, charm and a handful of beautifully diverse tracks to the event. They're the aural equivalent of being wrapped in your favourite patchwork quilt, and they provide a fitting accompaniment as day slowly starts to turn to night.

Eco-friendly festival

The many and varied differences between SSW and the majority of other festivals are becoming more clear the longer I wander about. It's probably fair to say that I've never been to a festival with more 'green' eco-friendly aspects.

Most predominately the number of recycling bins per punter ratio is massive. Not just just your usual 'cans', 'plastic' and 'glass', but there's also 'food', 'paper', 'cardboard', 'napkins and plates', 'composting' and something that's just referred to as 'general waste'. Spookily the chemical toilets are spotless. Coincidence?

5pm

It's all kicking off by this point as Fight Like Apes play the main stage. Despite twisting his ankle "ghost hunting in a Scottish castle at midnight" keyboardist Pocket secures his reputation as "musician most likely to attack a bandmember" leaping all over the shop swinging his equipment about like it's some kind of medieval weapon.

6 Music Hub Tent - Noah and the Whale

The 6 Music Hub tent has seen no small amount of action too. Adam Buxton granted the audience a rare treat with a live acoustic performance of early Bowie rarity Bomber and (of course) the Adam & Joe Festival song.

Following that Noah & The Whale played a two song set to a happily sun-kissed crowd who whistled along to their genuine, actual, proper top ten hit single Five Years Time. The band also promised that their show at The Roundhouse in London on Monday (which coincides with the release of their album) will include no less than eleven musicians, including a full-on horn section and string quartet.

They also discussed conducting their UK tour in a gold plated private jet. One sniff of success and a once humble nu-folk outfit mutate into Led Zeppelin (next thing you know Laura Marling will be smashing up her dressing room if her sandwiches don't have the corners cut off).

Poetry readings

Alongside all the usual musical type stuff, SSW also includes the de rigeur comedy, alternative remedy, massage and mung bean enema stall, as well as a dedicated spoken word tent. As much as the phrase, "Next will be the first poem I ever wrote...." sends a spasm of fear through every fibre of my being, Andy Craven Griffiths delivered a rather rousing take on the Gill Scott Heron classic, with his poem Your Television Will Not Be Revolutionised.

On a similar theme, Henry Rollins will be growling and glowering at the audience on Saturday with what will no doubt be a typically 'intense' selection of poetry and raconteuring (is that a word?).

3.00pm

Right, we're on. This year's Summer Sundae Weekender has officially started. While other 'boutique' festivals have suffered this year, SSW (as it shall now be known - like SXSW without the X) seems to have gone from strength.

It's now in its eighth year, which is pretty impressive when you consider that over twenty similarly sized festivals have been cancelled this year.

The weather is what can only be described as changeable. Overcast and cold, then warm and sunny, then hot and raining, then cold and sunny, then muggy and bright, and so on, and so forth.

Local band The Heroes

But the site looks great, and the first few hundred people have taken up their positions on the grassy hill in front of the main stage to see the very first band on, The Heroes - a local band who won a BBC Leicester competition to start proceedings.

Notably they play furious indie guitar racket with the tightest trousers I've ever seen. Members of the audience actually seen to wince, and shed a tear when the singer attempts a scissor kick.


Matt Everitt

In The City plans

Tony Wilson's partner Yvette Livesey reveals the preparations for this year

10 August 2008 - One year after Tony Wilson passed away from cancer at the age of 57, one of his pet projects In The City, is preparing for another year.

In The City was founded by Tony Wilson and Yvette Livesey in 1992. It aims to bring together 'the brightest and best in the business' to debate the present and plot the future of the music industry. 

The event also lays claim to the biggest city-based music festival in Europe, In The City Live, as the bands and fans take to the streets.

Regarded by many in the global music community as one of the premier new music events worldwide, ITC has helped launch the careers of Oasis, Radiohead,Suede, Elastica, Coldplay, The Darkness, Doves, Foo Fighters, Elbow, the Stereophonics, Muse, Orson and many more.

Without Tony, Yvette still intends to carry on the event and has the support of most of the industry: "I went to all the majors and to all the indie companies and everyone was brilliant. Everyone has really helped me pull things together this year. We wanted to make it much more consumer facing, the thing that Tony in particular wanted." 

He touched so many people's lives in so many different areas - Yvette Livesey

"We never really marketed In The City to either the industry or the public," she explained. "It was always a case of if you knew about it then you knew about it. In The City has to grow and has to change if it's going to survive."

And how will they expand the event? Yvette let us in on the plans: "One thing I am going to do is bolt on a festival. We already have In The City Unsigned, but we are going to expand that and grow and become much more all encompassing. The opening night is going to be a club night by Eat Your Own Ears, with Tricky and Simian Mobile Disco. We've got a new bands night with the NME, a showcase from Drowned In Sound, Heavenly 18th birthday party, Fierce Panda are doing a night, there are loads of special events."

A year after Tony Wilson's death, Yvette is still overcome by the tributes, she remembers the day he died: "I think it was quite astonishing actually, the day that Tony died the city council rang me up and they said, 'We've never had this kind of response to anyone who has ever died in the city before. It's unpredendented.' They couldn't get over it."

Yvette also says that there was something about Tony Wilson that unified the city of Manchester: "I think Tony was very special in the sense that all the people who knew him, people had grown up with him watching Granada televsion or they had become part of the music industry in the city. He touched so many people's lives in so many different areas. He was always around. He was one of those forces, he was such a strong force that people never expect to go away. I think it was such a shock that he was such a huge personality and he wasn't there anymore."

In The City runs from 5-7 October.


Ruth Barnes

Tony Wilson 1 year on

Musicians pay tribute on anniversary

10 August 2008 - It's exactly one year since music mogul and Factory Records boss Tony Wilson passed away from cancer, aged 57.

Norman Cook remembers

To remember the anniversary, we have been asking musicians about his influence on them. DJ and producer Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, shared one particular memory with us: "Bumping into him in the street in London, he just gave me a bit of a hug and goes 'Dear boy!' 

And I said, 'You remembered me from the last time we met?' He said, 'Of course I do'. I said, 'Do you remember last time we met you named all the records I've made?', and he said, 'Of course I do, dear boy!'" Cook laughed as he continued: "He was a founder, you know, post punk he was a founder of what we do now. And that transition from me being a punk rocker to being into dance music, he was kind of right there in the middle of it."

Ida Maria salutes

The television journalist-turned entrepreneur was a huge figure in the Manchester music scene over some 20 years. Wilson was famous for launching the Factory record label, the infamous Hacienda nightclub, and the signing, in his own blood, of Joy Division, New Order and the Happy Mondays.

No one else liked The Happy Mondays when they were trying to get signed - Andy Pettitt, Shortwave Set

Better When You're Naked songwriter Ida Maria says Tony has been a huge inspiration for her, not least with his unconventional way of running a record label: "I love everything he has been involved in. I once wanted to do my own label like that with signing the contract in blood and just... I don't know. I love Tony Wilson and everything he has done, Martin Hannett, Joy Divison, a fantastic explosion in music."

His priorities were in making records

Shortwave Set frontman Andy Pettitt says it was Tony Wilson's openness that made him such a well loved icon: "Well when I look at people in the music business or musicians, I always look at their motives. Some people's motives are really transparent and it's often not appealing. But I think with Tony Wilson, his motives were just like... he just wanted to get some great records out, if other people like it then fine. Fortunately for him, those records are still classics.

"His priorities were in making records," he continued, "Great records by great bands he believed in. He didn’t surround himself with a tribe of A&R men, he knew what he liked even if no one else liked it. No one else liked The Happy Mondays when they were trying to get signed but they were a great band and he stuck his neck out."


Ruth Barnes

Sister Ray could be saved

Possible new hope to save indie record store.

08 August 2008 - One of the UK's wholly independent record shops, which is under threat of closure after going into administration, now says it could be saved.

The owners of the iconic Sister Ray, in London's West End, have told 6 Music news they've had a steady stream of interest from people who could keep the shop in the business of selling records. Phil Barton co-owns Sister Ray.

"I think we've got a two or three week window at the moment to find somebody or to find a company that is interested and then after that, I don't think you'll see much of Sister Ray after that."

What went wrong?

Phil says Sister Ray went under because of a number of factors that happened at the same time.

Things not being great in the music business, its been a quite summer for new releases, not that much great material has been produced, plus the stores rent is exceptionally high because its in the heart of London's West end.

But the thing that's getting the biggest blame is the fact that the shop isn't seeing anyone between the ages of '14 and 30' come in to buy hard copy music.

"That's the problem. We aren't having a new generation of music buyers in the same way we all as music buyers used to be. That's the way people choose to consume their music these days, its not for me to judge them, its just the way it is."

'"As far as record shops and record companies are concerned its very difficult for them to make money.'"
Phil Barton, co-owner of Sister Ray

The Plan B

The worry is things may not work out, and the administrators may not find someone or a company to take over the shop, let alone find someone or a company who is willing to take over the shop and continue to sell music.

"We do have creditors so the stock will have to be sold. But it will be a terrible day. Not only for the West End, not only for music, but for all our customers all around the country because we've got hundreds and hundreds of mail order customers up and down the country who won't be able to use us in future."


Other casualties

This isn't the first independent record shop to feel the pinch. It could follow in the footsteps of Music Zone, MVC, Fopp (which has since reopened under new ownership), Disque and Reckless Records.

Sister Ray is the last surviving non-specialist inidie music outlet in London's Soho.

The shop is still trading at the moment, but Phil doesn't know how long that will go on for.

"The music industry has a real problem at the moment. I don't know how its going to find itself out of this problem."

Chi Chi Izundu

Last ever Police

The fat lady sings as Sting and Co perform their last show in New York

08 August 2008 - After 14 months, The Police played the final date of their massive comeback tour at Madison Square Gardens last night (7 August).

The show was a benefit gig to raise funds for two New York public television stations, WLIW-21 and Thirteen/WNET.

Sting explained it should be a fitting way to end the reunion: “I think it’s important that things have an ending. This was never meant to be forever and nothing is. So, this is the end and it’s a happy ending.”

After four songs, the 57 year-old star thanked his band mates for the following: “Your musicianship, your companionship, your friendship and your understanding.”

"The real triumph of this tour is that we haven't strangled each other. Not to say it hasn't crossed my mind — or Andy's or Stewart's,” he said.

Cream’s Sunshine Of Your Love was the opener, and a cover of The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s Purple Haze also made it onto the set list.

The band roped in the help of 24 uniformed members of the police department for their hit, Message in a Bottle.

"The real triumph of this tour is that we haven't strangled each other. Not to say it hasn't crossed my mind — or Andy's or Stewart's."
Sting

Critics have said his voice is still in good shape and at 57 years-old he still knows how to put on a good show.

And the set included Can't Stand Losing You, So Lonely, Next to You, Every Breath You Take, Roxanne and Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - during which three of Sting’s children came onstage and danced behind him.

Before the encore a camera filmed Sting backstage having his beard shaved off by a troop of attractive women.

After this, he came out to sing Roxanne, with remnants of shaving cream still on his face – a female fan said that she, “didn’t recognise him.”

To highlight that this really is the end for the band they had fun with the old adage; “It’s not over ‘till the fat lady sings,” by ending the show with a roadie dressed as a fat opera singer lip-synching.

As they closed the 150th show of the mammoth tour, the trio left the stage to Porky Pig’s well known tune, “That’s all folks.”

Georgie Rogers

Enemy in USA

Frontman speaks exclusively about making their US debut

07 August 2008 - The trio will be going ahead with their first-ever gig in LA's Troubadour on 7 Aug.

And Tom Clarke speaks exclusively from across the pond about trying to crack America.

They’ve gone back to playing small 200-500 people venue’s in Boston and LA, which is quite a difference to their last stadium gigs in the UK, back in April.

The Enemy shot to fame with their 2007 debut We’ll Live And Die In These Towns and were soon playing sold out homecoming gigs at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, to 16,000 people.

Lollapalooza

They kicked off the American tour at Lollapalooza festival, where the frontman said they played to approximately 2,000 people.

It was touch and go for a time as Clarke told 6 Music, they turned up late after a driver went awol and didn’t turn up.

“We were s******g ourselves about how to get to the festival, so we ended up getting a cab and got there late.”

This meant that they didn’t get to see much of the festival: “We didn’t get a chance to see any other bands, then played, and then we were late for all our press so had to do that. It was a bit of a hectic day but well worth it.”

He said the good reaction from the crowd was unexpected: “A hell of a lot of people knew the words which is always a good sign. It caught me off guard a bit, I wasn’t really expecting the reaction we got.”

They’ve had their fair share of hiccups with Clarke slicing off the end of his finger during his Chicago set at the weekend, but it hasn’t put him off.

He soldiered on through the set despite his injury, missing one gig in Montreal last night (6 August) upon Doctors’ advice.

Whilst touring America, the frontman said they’ve not had much time to see the sights, in LA especially.

But Tom said: “Hopefully, when we get to San Francisco and New York, there’s a bit less press and we can actually go and see the places - but we’ve come out here with the opinion that if anyone’s clued up enough that they want to interview us, then we’ll make time to speak to them.

“I’ve got a massive amount of respect for the fans and the journalists, anyone who’s on the ball enough to know that we’re out here – fair play to them.”

"We’re talking about some quite deep set British social economic issues and stuff like that and I didn’t know how well it’d translate to Americans."
Tom Clarke

Nervous of taking on America

Clarke admitted to being apprehensive about leaving the UK and testing their music out on foreign pastures.

He said: “We’re starting again over in the States and it’s exciting to do, to get back into the real venues, where you’ve got people right in front of your face, they’re the best ones.”

The singer was unsure as to how well people would relate to their lyrics, which are somewhat England-centric.

“I couldn’t really see how people would understand what we’re singing about. We’re talking about some quite deep set British social economic issues and stuff like that and I didn’t know how well it’d translate to Americans,” Clarke said.

However, since he's been out there, he said he's seen more similarities in the two countries than he had anticipated.

“The longer I spend out here, the more I realise the parallels of our economy,” the vocalist explained. “The patterns are almost identical in terms of the mortgage crash and the price of fuel going up. Just talking to cabbies, I’ve been really surprised how much England and America have in common.”

Clarke explained how seeing America has inspired the Coventry lads: “It’s massively inspiring coming to the other side of the world, huge places, massive places. When we’re flying into Chicago, I don’t know how many times you could fit England in Lake Michigan. We were like, 'that’s not a lake, it’s a sea'.”

And he said meeting fans over there is even better: “Speaking to someone in any other country is always a massive inspiration.”

Georgie Rogers