Maximo Park have been around for a few years now, and have released three studio albums during that time. The band are currently on a UK tour to support their new album, Quicken The Heart, and I went to see them live at the Manchester Academy on May 23.

I’ve seen Maximo Park play live on three different occasions, once after they’ve just released each album. It’s very interesting, to me at least, to chart their progress in that time. A lot has changed in the space of four years.

The first was in Leeds on an NME tour after A Certain Trigger debuted, when they were the middle act of a bill which included The Cribs and saw Kaiser Chiefs headlining. The second was in Manchester just after Our Earthly Pleasures was released, and this time makes three.

The biggest change I’ve noted is how much the fans have changed. They began as young, hip fans who align themselves to the latest NME band but are now a fair bit older and, it has to be said, a fair bit more raucous.

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Arctic Monkeys have just returned from recording their new album in America with producer James Ford. While there, they got up to some rather exciting things. Which prompted drummer Matt Helders to upload a video diary.

Arctic Monkeys, surely one of Britain’s greatest exports in recent times. Quintessentially British, specifically North of England-ish, they have managed to gain fans from all around the world. And rightly so.

P Diddy, formerly Puff Daddy, may belong to a different genre but he is, at heart, a genuine lover of music. Good music at least. Which is why he loves Arctic Monkeys. Don’t take my word for it, watch the video below.

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British music is probably the second most popular country-specific music in the world, with only those dastardly Americans beating us as usual. But being a mad British music fan who lives in the UK, I sometimes forget that other nations may see things slightly differently.

What I may see as British artists strengths could be seen as weaknesses in other countries. While a regional accent can help a band succeed in the UK, giving them an identity and a presence, it could go against them when they try and take their music abroad.

Is it possible that some bands are just too British to succeed outside of their homeland?

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Glastonbury 2008 was a bit of a mixed bag - with poor ticket sales meaning there were still places for the festival available on the day it started, but some outstanding performances from artists such as Amy Winehouse, Editors, and The Verve ultimately saving the day. The weather was also okay after an initial downpour.

Then there was the highly controversial set by Jay-Z, not controversial for anything he said or did on stage, but because it was Jay-Z… at Glastonbury. Some people didn’t like the fact that a rapper was given headlining status at a traditionally indie and folk venue.

Now it’s all over, and the festival’s organisers, headed by Michael and Emily Eavis, are already planning for Glastonbury 2009. They have attempted to address the ticketing problem by releasing the bulk of the tickets early - this October to be precise.

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The Mercury Music Prize, sponsored by Nationwide, is the annual award given to the best album by a British or Irish artist released in the previous 12 months. The ceremony isn’t until later in the year, but a short-list is first released, with the name of the 12 artists, and their albums, on it which the judges think are the best of British.

Having said that, the Mercury Music Prize has a history of choosing albums by up and coming artists, rather than necessarily widely known artists, and certainly not the best-selling ones. Which means there are always some huge surprises in the short-list, and more often than not, in the eventual winner chosen as well.

Last year saw Klaxons named as winners, for their début album Myths Of The Near Future. They beat the Arctic Monkeys, Dizzee Rascal, and Amy Winehouse along the way, although Winehouse’ performance at the awards ceremony probably invoked more press coverage than the Klaxons themselves.

This year’s short-list has now been published, and the usual surprises are present, as well as there being many names missing that were expected to appear.

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Dizzee Rascal may be heading for his first number one single in the British charts as his new song, Dance Wiv Me, is sitting at the top of the midweek charts. The song is a collaboration with fellow Brit sensation Calvin Harris, and is the first release on Dizzee’s own Dirtee Stank record label.

Dizzee Rascal is a rarity in being not only a successful British rapper, but also an artist who seems to command respect from all different corners of the musical landscape. This has helped Dizzee have success beyond the demographic you would imagine him to.

He spoke to Radio 1 about the possibility of securing his first number one, saying:

“It feels good because it’s the first release on my own label and it’s looking like it’s going to the top. I hear Basshunter is on my tail but it doesn’t matter. I’ve not heard his tune anyway.”

Collaborations also play a big part in Dizzee’s career, already having done well featuring on Basement Jaxx’ single Lucky Star. Dance Wiv Me sees Rascal team up with new rave funster Calvin Harris, and Dizzee claims there are many more artists he’d like to work with.

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The Jam, with the Modfather Paul Weller at the helm, were the kings of the late 70s and early 80s. More musically competent than punk bands such as The Sex Pistols, they lead the era of the mod revival, and became the voice of a lost generation.

However, all good things come to an end, and so it came to pass that The Jam split up in 1982, at the bequest of Weller who felt he needed to musically move on and do try other things. He obviously then went on to form The Style Council before having a massively successful solo career, while Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler did some other less productive and commercial projects.

Now they’re back, sort of. Although Weller turned down the opportunity for a full reunion, Foxton and Buckler have formed From The Jam, a kind of bodge job of The Jam with a new lead singer.

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A few of us here on the b5 music channel have decided to get together and talk about our favourite gigs. I’ve been to far too many to list them all, so instead, I’ll focus on my experiences of the last year.

I have quite a broad taste in music, loving everything from Bjork and Joanna Newsome, through the Arctic Monkeys and Bloc Party, up to Megadeth and The Hives, so my gig history is kind of fragmented.

My first gig was the Stereophonics back in the day (when they were good, or at least better than they are at the moment), and that kind of set the tone for my experiences since then.

All I remember about that gig was not being able to hear anything afterwards, and wondering why. Now I’m used to it, and know that my hearing will be relatively back to normal the next day.

Since I’ve started writing Brit Music Scene, I’ve reviewed the gigs I’ve been to, except Megadeth earlier this year because I didn’t know how interested my readers would be.

For the record, it was mind-blowingly good. It was my first metal gig, and one I’ll never forget. From seeing the master, Dave Mustaine, have the crowd eating out of his hand, to getting drenched in sweat that came flying from the long haired goon standing in front of me every time he rocked out, it was an unforgettable night.

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The lead singer of The Enemy, Tom Clarke, has carried on his mission to garner publicity from slagging off other groups, and this time he has his eyes on Arctic Monkeys.

Not known for keeping his gob shut, and carrying on in the traditional role of shit slinger that we have come to know him as, Tom Clarke has ripped in to the Arctic Monkeys for being too successful at awards ceremonies.

The Arctic Monkeys have certainly been blessed in the awards department, having won too many to mention since they burst on to the scene a few years back. They recently won three NME Awards as well as a pair of Brit Awards for Best Group and Best Album.

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Alex Turner front man of the Arctic Monkeys has been friends with Miles Kane from The Rascals for a few years now, and its a friendship based on music, and the love of what they do best.

So it’s no surprise that the two have now teamed up for a new side project to their main bands.

The duo are calling themselves The Last Shadow Puppets, and have recorded an album together called The Age Of The Understatement.

The first single from that album, due out in the UK on April 21st, goes by the same name and is available to watch and listen to on their website from today.

Click here to see the new video!

The single precedes the album, being released on April 14th, and its certainly different than the Arctic Monkeys or The Rascals usual fare.

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