One Hit Wonders Not To Be Missed
February 29, 2008 by Dave Parrack
The b5 Music Channel recently highlighted their collective choices of one hit wonders.
Some of the blogs went with songs you need to hear, while others focussed on those that you should avoid at all costs.
It makes for some interesting reading, as well as listening and watching thanks to the addition of Songza and YouTube, so check out some of the posts around the network…
Pete Doherty To Headline Glastonbury?
February 28, 2008 by Dave Parrack
Well at least The Park Stage. We already know that Jay-Z, Kings of Leon and The Verve will headline the main Pyramid Stage, but now it looks as like Britain’s resident junkie (male version of Amy Winehouse) will be the big draw on The Park Stage.
According to NME, Doherty will play a solo show on the stage, rather than playing a set with his band Babyshambles.
As much as I dislike the guy, and would pay NOT to see him live, he certainly has the capacity to bring the crowds in, after selling out his recently announced show at the Royal Albert Hall in under 30 minutes. Maybe all 5,500 of the capacity are dealers he owes money to?
Joining Pete on The Park Stage will be new ravers CSS, who have been officially confirmed to be playing.
Tickets for the 2008 Glastonbury festival are due to go on sale on April 6th, and the usual scrum for places is expected both on the Internet and phone lines. The actual 3 day event will take place between June 27th and the 29th at Worthy Farm in Pilton.
Is Amy Winehouse Back On Drink & Drugs?
February 27, 2008 by Dave Parrack
It looks as though Amy Winehouse could be getting back to her worst, and back drinking and taking copious amounts of drugs, at least if you believe what her friends have reportedly told the newspapers.
It’s a mere eleven days since Winehouse left her enforced spell in rehab to perform via satellite at the Grammy Awards, where she won five accolades, and was the most successful artist on the night.
Since then, things looked to be going well, with a triumphant performance at the Brit Awards, where she not only performed her own set, but also duetted (if that’s the right word) with Mark Ronson on their joint cover of The Zutons Valerie.
The past few days have even seen talk of a fashion range being launched by Amy, including clothes and make-up which the singer has become known for wearing.
Unfortunately, it seems there is also a down side to all of this, and it looks as though Amy is getting back to her substance abusing worst.
Joss Stone To Collaborate With Rap Duo Clipse - Another Step Towards American Diva
February 26, 2008 by Dave Parrack
Joss Stone seems intent on making her move from English sweetheart to American diva a permanent one.
The latest step on this oft travelled path is to team up with an American act and collaborate with them in an effort to seem cooler than you are, and that’s exactly what Stone is now doing.
She has teamed up with Clipse, who NME describe as “crack obsessed”, to record a story for each of their respective albums.
Clipse, brothers Malice and Pusha-T have recorded a song for Stone’s new album, while Stone has recorded vocals for a track on Clipse’s forthcoming album, titled Spirit Of Corruption.
Rihanna To Release Klaxons Collaboration?
February 25, 2008 by Dave Parrack
At last week’s Brit Awards, one of the many highlights was the collaboration between Rihanna and Klaxons.
The two artists, whose styles vary wildly, made a mashup of Umbrella and Golden Skans work as if the songs had been written in unison, and were always meant to go together.
Now, Rihanna has expressed an interest in releasing the collaboration as a single. She told BBC 6Music (reported here via Digital Spy):
“[It was] really different, very cool, unexpected. But when I hear it, I just want to hear it more. It makes it so much more rock and roll.
“It’s a different tempo and everything. But I actually want to release a version like that. Maybe the same version. I really, really liked it.”
Muse Headlining Teenage Cancer Trust Gigs - All Tickets Sold Out Within An Hour
February 22, 2008 by Dave Parrack
Every year since November 2000, a series of gigs have been held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, in aid of the The Teenage Cancer Trust. Tickets for this year’s gigs went on sale this morning, but the last night, with Muse headlining, has already sold out.
In fact, it had sold out by the time I got out of bed and wearily checked the site ready to buy two tickets at 11am. Just an hour after they went on sale.
British music fans need not fear though, as there’s still the chance to catch The Fratellis, and a special evening of acoustic performances lead by Paul Weller and Steve Cradock (from Ocean Colour Scene) with special guest Duffy, who is currently sitting at number one in the British singles chart.
Amy Winehouse At The Brits 2008 - Valerie With Mark Ronson, Love Is A Losing Game
February 21, 2008 by Dave Parrack
Amy Winehouse made another successful appearance at an awards ceremony last night, this time at the Brits 2008 held in London.
Although she didn’t win anything, she did perform twice on stage, once to sing Valerie with Mark Ronson, and once in her own right, singing Love Is A Losing Game for her incarcerated husband Blake Fielder-Civil.
Here is a bit of a video compilation of her night at the Brits, an event which I live blogged here on Brit Music Scene.
You can read my thoughts on the events by clicking the following links:-
Brits 2008 Part 1
Brits 2008 Part 2
Brits 2008 Part 3
Brits 2008 Part 4
On to the videos, which are liable to be removed from YouTube at any time due to the tiresome copyright claims which are ruining the site these days. If that happens, please let me know via the comments, and I’ll fix it.
Brit Awards 2008 - Part 4 - Take That, Arctic Monkeys, Paul McCartney, The End!
February 20, 2008 by Dave Parrack
9.31pm - The votes are in, and ITV have made loads of money, so we can go ahead and announce the winner of the Best British Single of the year now. Alan Carr is on stage pissed to present it.
Nominations - Mark Ronson - Valerie, The Hoosiers - Worried Abut Ray, Mika - Grace Kelly, Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love, Take That - Shine. And the winner is…
Take That… again. Shine isn’t my favourite song though, as Stardust is much better. Long acceptance speech again.
9.35pm - The Best British Album, presented by Vic Reeves, which is a weird choice seeing as he hasn’t been on TV for ages.
Nominations - Mika, Mark Ronson, Arctic Monkeys, Leona Lewis, Take That. And the winner is…
Arctic Monkeys! Brilliant. Vic Reeves and Sharon Osbourne fought over announcing it. Like a drunk auntie and uncle brawling at a wedding.
They again took the piss, this time out of the Brit school by making out they’d attended it, which is just hlarious. Sharon left her mic on and was heard asking “What have they come as?” Will someone get her off the TV… please?
Brit Awards 2008 - Part 3 - Leona Lewis, Foo Fighters, Kate Nash, Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys
February 20, 2008 by Dave Parrack
9.00pm - Leona Lewis performs Bleeding Love after a fawning eulogy from Ms Osbourne. She doesn’t put a step wrong, but there’s no excitement, just a purple dress.
9.05pm - Denise Van Outen and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber come on stage to present the award for Best International Group.
Nominations - Kings Of Leon, Foo Fighters, Arcade Fire, White Stripes, The Eagles. And the winner is…
Foo Fighters! Who unsurprisingly can’t be there.
Dave Grohl is a top bloke though, so he’s forgiven.
9.08pm - James Nesbitt announces the winner of Best British female.
Nominations - Kate Nash, Bat For Lashes, PJ Harvey, Leona Lewis, KT Tunstall. And the winner is…
Kate Nash! Brilliant… very much deserved. A favourite here at Brit Music Scene.
She does the normal thanking thing, and gives a shout out to the Brit School people.
9.11pm - International Album, presented by ex-Eastenders star Michelle Ryan.
Nominations - Kylie, Arcade Fire, The Eagles, Foo Fighters, Kings Of Leon. And the winners is…
Foo Fighters! Again, the right choice, and Dave Grohl even manages to make a joke by taking the piss out of the Brits themselves. Nice.
Brit Awards 2008 - Part 2 - Kylie Minogue, Kanye West, Beth Ditto, Mark Ronson, Kaiser Chiefs
February 20, 2008 by Dave Parrack
8.30pm - Kylie comes on and performs new single Wow! She looks as good as ever, and this year sports a blonde wig. Her dancers look like they are Daft Punk wannabees.
8.33pm - Fearne Cotton chats to Adele and Mika backstage, though the whole section is just an excuse to make money by begging us all to vote for the Best Single of the year.
I, obviously, refuse to bow to Fearne’s obvious charms.
8.39pm - Kelly Rowland arrives on stage to present the award for Best International Male artist.
Nominations - Bruce Springsteen, Rufus Wainwright, Timbaland, Michael Buble, Kanye West. And the winner is…
Kanye wins it, but isn’t there to accept. Are we not good enough for you chipmunk features?!? Thanks Tim Westwood… he will be pleased.