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Charlatans offer free downloads to boost following

5 Oct 2007

Alan McGee, the mastermind behind Britpop success stories Oasis and the Charlatans, has launched plans to allow singles and albums to be download for free. McGee had the idea when negotiating a distribution deal for the Charlatans. He rejected…

Led Zeppelin touts warned: eBay tickets not getting in

5 Oct 2007

Ticket promoter Harvey Goldsmith has warned Led Zeppelin fans who buy tickets for the group’s one-off reunion gig on eBay they will not get in to the gig. Just hours after successful applicants were notified they had been selected from 25 million…

Microsoft gets into the Zune with new digital media player

5 Oct 2007

The Apple iPod could be facing new competition as Microsoft launches three new models of its Zune digital media player. The gadgets come as 4GB, 8GB and 80GB models, boast wi-fi and have a similar touch sensitive navigation tool to the iPod. A new…

Morrissey LA gigs cancelled but singer reveals album plans

5 Oct 2007

Morrissey’s 10-day run at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles was hit after a water main was damaged. Two of the shows at the 4,000 capacity venue were cancelled, said promoter Live Nation. However tickets for the Tuesday and Thursday gigs can…

Paul McCartney says Now Play It for website tutorial

5 Oct 2007

Sir Paul McCartney and KT Tunstall are among a host of artists who have signed up as video tutors on the downloadable music training website Now Play It. The training service will see well known musicians produce 30-minute lessons for online…

Placebo drummer quits band after 11 years

5 Oct 2007

The drummer for Placebo Steve Hewitt has quit the band in a split described as “amicable”. He replaced Robert Schultzberg on drums to record Placebo’s debut album in 1996 and stayed with the group for the next 11 years. Singer Brian Molko and…

Rolling in it: two year Stones tour reaps $560m

5 Oct 2007

The Rolling Stones earned almost $560 million for their two-year Bigger Bang world tour, which conclude at London’s O2 arena in August. The figures were revealed by the band’s producer Michael Cohl, which show the Stones trouncing the previous world…

Beyoncé moves Malaysia concert over dress code

2 Oct 2007

Beyoncé Knowles has shelved a concert in Malaysia to avoid running into problems anticipated by her raunchy costumes. As a result of the decision, which was cited as a ‘scheduling conflict’, the R&B singer shift the concert to Indonesia. The…

Bob Dylan book shines light on star qualities

28 Sep 2007

A new book will be published next month which looks at the contribution Bob Dylan has made to popular music. Bob Dylan: The Never Ending Star will give a new insight into singer’s career, put into context using theories of fame. The book deals…

European coup for 50 Cent

28 Sep 2007

Rapper 50 Cent appears to have regained some semblance of dignity after his disastrous chart war with rival Kanye West, and has taken the top spot in Europe. The two became embroiled in battle when it was discovered they were releasing their new…

Global tributes for Pavarotti

28 Sep 2007

A series of commemorations are to be held across the globe in honour of the late opera star Luciano Pavarotti. The tenor’s contribution to classical music will be celebrated by a number of concerts and exhibitions on October 6 - a month after he died…

Kylie to headline Glastonbury 2008?

28 Sep 2007

Kylie Minogue is among a list of names reportedly lined up to headline the Glastonbury Festival next year. The Australian singer is thought to be frontrunner to top the bill at the UK’s most prominent festival, three years after cancelling an…

Music therapy? Brits soothe the savage beast

28 Sep 2007

According to the folk responsible for that abseiling battery bunny, Brits use music to control their mood to a larger extent than their European counterparts. Although more than 75% of Europeans as a whole said they listened to music to enhance their…

Pink Floyd 1 – Spice Girls 0

28 Sep 2007

A survey by digital music provider Music Choice has found that Pink Floyd has topped the nation’s wish list of bands most wanted to reform. Next in line were 70s Swedish stars Abba and rockers Guns N’ Roses. The poll of 5,000 music fans spells…

Two more nights for Pistols reunion

28 Sep 2007

The Sex Pistols have extended their reunion tour with two additional dates, after the initial concerts sold out in just 15 minutes. A further concert will be held at the Brixton Academy on November 12, while the punk group will also perform at…

A million Zeppelin fans look for stairway to O2 arena

21 Sep 2007

More than one million Led Zeppelin fans have applied for 20,000 tickets to see the group perform together for the first time in nearly 20 years. One quick calculation means hopefuls have a one in 50 chance of making the show. Organisers say they…

Blunt album to focus on MySpace fans

21 Sep 2007

James Blunt’s new album will be promoted on the social networking site MySpace in a bid to capitalise on net surfing music lovers. Warner Music is allowing browsers to listen to the British singer’s new offering All the Lost Souls on his MySpace…

Capdown call it a day

21 Sep 2007

After a decade together, ska band Capdown have announced they plan to split after their tour next month. A statement said: “We are sad to announce that the band will not be continuing to work together as Capdown after the October 2007 tour. After…

Sex Pistols to reunite

21 Sep 2007

The Sex Pistols have confirmed plans to reunite for a one-off gig to mark the 30th anniversary of Never Mind The Bollocks. The legendary punk band will play at London’s Brixton Academy on November 8, bringing together original members John Lydon…

Winehouse named best female twice in one night

21 Sep 2007

Amy Winehouse has been crowned best female artist of the year at the Mobo Awards and the Vodafone Live Music Awards She sent the landlord of her local pub to pick up the Vodafone award. The 24-year-old, who has recently hit the headlines for all…

Blur reunion on the cards

14 Sep 2007

Britpop favourites Blur are set to reunite as a four piece for the first time since 2002, with bassist Alex James claiming the group are on speaking terms again. The foursome ‘love each other’ said James, adding they are unlike bands, such as The Who…

Chart battle for Fiddy and Kanye West

14 Sep 2007

At the time of writing Kanye West was winning the chart battle with 50 Cent both home and abroad, after Fiddy’s overzealous bid for superiority. As both artists vowed to release their albums Graduation (West) and Curtis (50 Cent) on the same day, 50…

Keane to release charity single

14 Sep 2007

Keane will release an exclusive single to raise money for War Child, a charity the band became patrons for last year. The song ‘The Night Sky’ has been produced by Keane and Andy Green for children caught up in conflict around the world. The…

Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell too messy for Dunst

14 Sep 2007

Johnny Borrell has spoken about his recent split with Hollywood actress Kirsten Dunst, claiming his rock ‘n roll lifestyle signalled the end of their five-month romance. The singer had briefly moved into Dunst’s north London home. He said: “We…

Weather Report jazz pianist dies

14 Sep 2007

Jazz pianist Joe Zawinul, founder of 1970s group Weather Report, has died suffering from skin cancer. The 75-year-old who was credited for bringing the electric piano to mainstream jazz, passed away at his home in Vienna. Austrian president Heinz…

White Stripes and Kaiser Chiefs cancel US tour dates

14 Sep 2007

Fans hoping to catch The White Stripes or Kaiser Chiefs stateside in the near future will be bitterly disappointed after both bands cancelled tour dates. The Leeds band, who were due to kick off a seven-date tour in Dallas on Tuesday, say they want…

Dylan lyrics to be studied in schools

7 Sep 2007

Bob Dylan will feature in the curriculum for students in schools across the UK, with the musician’s lyrics to be studied as part of National Poetry Day. Pupils are expected to dissect I Dreamed I Saw St Augustine, A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall and Three…

Inverness say play it again Van

7 Sep 2007

Van Morrison will play another date in Inverness at the end of the year, after fans scrambled for tickets to see the star perform. The gigs at the Ironworks - organised by the venue and the Black Isles branch of Cancer Research UK - will be held on…

Led Zeppelin reforming?

7 Sep 2007

The musical rumour mill is going into overdrive after a fan was reportedly told by Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant the band is reforming. According to NME, the fan contacted the music magazine after he approached Plant clutching his autograph book…

Musicians to find new Sanctuary

7 Sep 2007

Universal Music has announced plans to shut down the UK recorded music arm of Sanctuary, after buying the struggling business last month for £44.5 million. The music group has succumbed to falling CD sales and the impact of new technology on the…

Sugababes play down crisis talk rumours

7 Sep 2007

There could be trouble in store for surly songstresses the Sugababes, after reports that the newest addition to the trio has fallen out of favour with her bandmates. Since joining the group in December 2005, Amelle Berrabah has hit the headlines over…

Tenors remember ‘a good friend and great poker player’

7 Sep 2007

Opera singers Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras have paid tribute to their fellow tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who lost his fight with pancreatic cancer on Thursday. The widely admired opera star performed in the Three Tenors concerts for more than 10…

Ronson lined up for Electric Proms

6 Sep 2007

DJ-of-the-moment Mark Ronson will perform at the BBC Electric Proms next month, joining a line up of more than 80 acts. The New York-based DJ will join the BBC Concert Orchestra for a performance at the festival, which runs from October 24-28. He…

Bo Diddley stable after heart attack

31 Aug 2007

Rock n’ roll legend Bo Diddley suffered a heart attack during a routine check up last week, and is now in a stable condition in a Florida hospital. The 78-year-old, who had a stroke in May, underwent surgery to improve the flow of blood to his heart…

Britney: the comeback track

31 Aug 2007

Britney is set to reclaim her crown as the princess of pop following a troublesome time in recent months, which, amongst other things, lead the singer to shave her head. The 25-year-old’s latest offering Gimme More is expected to hit the airwaves…

No MTV performance for Winehouse

31 Aug 2007

The MTV Music Awards will not feature a performance from Amy Winehouse, who is nominated for three awards at the ceremony next month. The singer’s US record label, Universal Republic Records, has confirmed speculation that Winehouse will not appear…

Scary Spice to dance with the stars

31 Aug 2007

Melanie Brown is the next British star to get her dancing shoes on hoping to make her name in a hit show across the pond. The pop star, otherwise known as Scary Spice, will follow in the footsteps of Heather Mills McCartney and pair up with a…

Stones will roll again – after a rest

31 Aug 2007

The Rolling Stones will not split after their A Bigger Bang tour, which ended in London last weekend, according to a resolute Ronnie Wood. Claiming he and his compadres will take a well earned rest after the 30-date European tour, Wood - who is the…

Tributes pour in after death of punk club founder

31 Aug 2007

Musical heavyweights have paid their tributes to Hilly Kristal, the founder of New York punk club CBGB, who died after battling lung cancer for more than a year. Blondie singer Debbie Harry said: “I am very sorry that Hilly is gone. He was a big help…

U2 recording sessions ‘going great’

31 Aug 2007

U2’s new album is practically ‘making itself’ according to the Irish group’s producer Daniel Lanois. The band have drafted in Brian Eno and Lanois to help write and produce their latest musical offering, with the latter planning to use shots of…

Blur drummer admits cocaine addiction

28 Aug 2007

Dave Rowntree has admitted that he was addicted to cocaine during Blur’s Britpop glory days. The drummer said in an interview that he had become hooked on the drug while the four-piece were at the height of their powers. He revealed: ‘I didn’t start…

Eagles hit the studio again

28 Aug 2007

The Eagles are to release their first studio album for 28 years, Universal Music Group have has announced. The album will be on international shelves on 29 October and will be released a day later in the US. Lucian Grange, chief executive officer of…

Employee alleges Spector gun threat

28 Aug 2007

Employee alleges Spector gun threat Music producer Phil Spector twice threatened an employee with a gun, the Wall of Sound star’s murder trial has heard. Devra Robitaille, a former girlfriend and employee of Spector, told the court that he had…

Madonna prepares for Malawian adoption official

28 Aug 2007

A Malawian official will visit Madonna and Guy Ritchie in Britain next month to assess whether they are suitable parents for an African child. The process was hampered earlier this month when Penstone Kilembe, who had been appointed by a Malawi court…

MTV to take on iTunes

28 Aug 2007

MTV Networks has signed a deal with RealNetworks and Verizon in a bid to topple iTunes from the digital download top spot. MTV will merge its Urge digital music store with RealNetworks’ Rhapsody subscription service to form Rhapsody America. Rob…

Muslim Liv8 for Darfur

28 Aug 2007

Wembley is to be the venue for a Muslim Liv8 concert in a bid to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Islamic Relief and Muslim Aid are organising the concert in the hope that the high profile event will both raise both funds and awareness of…

Reading festival troubled by flooding

28 Aug 2007

Organisers of this weekend’s Reading Festival have been forced to close parts of the campsite as they are still waterlogged after flooding last month. A car park is being used as an emergency campground and festival-goers have been warned that parts…

REM announce live album

28 Aug 2007

REM are to release their first ever live album. The two-CD, one-DVD collection having been was recorded at the The Point in Dublin in February 2005. The band, from Atlanta, Georgia, are currently working on their new studio album.

Spears pulls out of Timberlake duet

28 Aug 2007

US tabloids are claiming troubled singer Britney Spears has pulled out of recording a duet with former boyfriend Justin Timberlake. The song, which Timberlake supposedly wrote specifically for Spears, was set to be produced with mixer du jour…

Spy drone monitored V festival

28 Aug 2007

A remote-controlled spy drone was used to monitor the crowds at last weekend’s V festival, it has been revealed. This is the first time the flying surveillance vehicles have been used at a major public event. It was also used during V to monitor…

Yourcodenameis:milo call it a day

28 Aug 2007

Indie rock band yourcodenameis:milo have split after five years together, the band have announced on their myspace page. In a statement on the site, the Tyneside band said: ‘After five years and four wicked, cool records, we have decided to put…

Bid to extend copyright laws rejected by ministers

27 Jul 2007

Musicians have spoken out at the UK government’s decision not to extend music copyright laws, keeping a 50-year limit on the time artists receive royalties. The Who singer Roger Daltrey, Sir Cliff Richard and The Jam’s bassist Bruce Foxton are among…

Britney comeback interview ‘heartbreaking’

27 Jul 2007

Former pop princes Britney Spears did little to revive her music career after a disastrous attempt at a comeback interview with OK! magazine. The singer contacted the magazine herself to set up the exclusive interview, complete with glamourous photo…

Cee-Lo to release rare Hendrix material

27 Jul 2007

Gnarls Barkley singer Cee-Lo Green is planning to release Jimi Hendrix material from the early 60s on his record label. The masters were previously held by Ed Chalpin, the producer responsible for Hendrix’s first record deal, and include Ballad of Jimi…

Date set for Kurt Cobain documentary release

27 Jul 2007

A documentary about Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain is set to be released in the US in October. The AJ Schnack movie Kurt Cobain: About a Son premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival last month. According to Schnack’s blog, the documentary will…

Joni Mitchell signed by Starbucks

27 Jul 2007

Starbucks has secured a deal to distribute singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell’s new album through its outlets worldwide. The move follows a similar deal with Paul McCartney, which helped shift 447,000 copies of his new album Memory Almost Full after its…

Kanye West and Fiddy albums on collision course

27 Jul 2007

The new albums from rivals 50 Cent and Kanye West are on course to be released on the same date; with the latter making it clear the timing of his delayed offering will not change to avoid the clash. Speaking to MTV this week, West commented he would…

New Coldplay album to have ‘Hispanic’ influence

27 Jul 2007

Coldplay have revealed their next album will have Hispanic influences following recording sessions in Spain and a recent tour of Latin America. According to a handwritten message on their website, the album will have the “vibrancy and colourfulness that…

Sex Pistols to release classic album for 30th anniversary

27 Jul 2007

The Sex Pistols will celebrate their 30th anniversary of debut album Never Mind the Bollocks… Here’s the Sex Pistols with a special vinyl release. The album was originally released on October 28 1977, with the re-issue to be launched on October 29 this…

Found 59 articles.

Sorted by date / most viewed. Showing 10, 25, 50, 100 per page.