There are some strange little pop stars who seem to pop in and out of existence time and time again. Dido is one, having been huge on the back of Eminem’s Stan sample, then again in her own right, before disappearing off the face of the planet. And Sophie Ellis-Bextor, the daughter of a Blue Peter presenter who was many young schoolboys’ first crush, is another.

It’s entirely possible that you’ve never even heard of Ellis-Bextor (I’m already sick of writing the double-barreled name), but she’s been in and around the music scene for well over a decade. She’s just never …read more

The Feeling are a strange band, and I mean that in the best sense of the word. They are a proper band, who all play instruments, and who write their own material, but they’re derided by the fascist music press because they are clearly ‘pop’ and proud of it.
I would classify them as indie pop, but I really don’t see that it matter when the music they produce is of such a high order. Yes it’s cheesy, no they’re not going to ever be an NME band, but so what? They produce catchy music and albums which are as addictive …read more

The Futureheads are one of my favourite British bands ever, and one which deserves a lot more credit than they currently get. So when they announced a new UK tour back in March, I nabbed some tickets before they all sold out.
It’s been a long two month wait for the gig to finally come around, but yesterday finally gave me the chance to see the band play live for the first time since they last played Manchester back in 2006. And they have lost none of the magic from those days, and in fact seemed even more energetic than last …read more

Yesterday, I suggested two songs which you should add to your iPod or mp3 player’s playlist. They were two of the finest songs by British artists out there at the moment, namely Warwick Avenue by Duffy and Without You by The Feeling.
But I wasn’t the only one with recommendations to make, and the whole of the b5 Music Channel also gave their picks for you to listen to. There’s over 40 songs for you to check out, so take your time, listen to the embeds, and watch the videos, and become more educated to new music. Yes, that IS an …read more

The music channel here at b5 is so extensive, and has such a broad range of tastes, that sometimes we feel the need to come together to explore each other’s musical loves.
To that end, today sees most of us sharing two songs which we think should be added to your iPod playlist. Two may not seem much I know, but it comes to over 40 songs if you compile the list created by us all working as a team. What’s more, it’s guaranteed to be a diverse mix.
Here are my two picks for the day, which are both by …read more

The full line-up for this year’s Glastonbury Festival is due to be officially announced at midnight on Tuesday April 29th, but has instead been leaked by an eagle-eyed reader.
Someone posted photos on the eFestivals forum supposedly taken from the latest issue of Q magazine, which is due out tomorrow.
We’ve already heard that the headliners on the main stage are due to be Jay-Z (controversially), Kings Of Leon and The Verve, but the rest of the line-up looks even tastier.

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), …read more

The Feeling are a band who are never going to be cool, never going to get on the cover of NME, and never going to be the next big thing.
But you know what? None of that matters, as they put out some incredibly well written, and well composed pop songs, and after seeing them live, I know they’re fantastic in the flesh too. I’d even go as far to say they push Muse for title of Best Live Band in the UK right now.
This is actually the second time I’ve seen The Feeling live, the first being in the …read more

Last week, the b5Media Music Channel compiled a collection of songs that we’re all listening to right now, and I thought it was time to share.
As well as my own 10 song list which included Adele and The Feeling, and came all nicely embedded in their own little player, the rest of the channel also had their own choices, and they’re well worth a look (and listen).
Check them out…
Our Digital Music lets us in on a great collection of songs ruling their music player including the great Leonard Cohen and CSNY.
For a taste of what’s hot in New York, Big …read more

It’s that time of the month again when the b5 Music Channel comes together in a collective way to further the knowledge and listening pleasure of our readers.
This time, we are all recommending our top tens of songs we are currently listening to. Obviously, as this is Brit Music Scene, I thought I’d highlight only British songs that are currently on my playlist.
Some are new, some are old, but they are stuck in my head right now, and making me want to turn the volume up to 11.

Adele – Chasing Pavements

Mark Ronson feat. Alex Greenwald – Just