Music News
Music News
James Bay is interested in collaborating with Justin Bieber.
The 'Best Fake Smile' hitmaker performed with Bieber at the BRIT Awards last month and admits he could easily imagine writing a song with the 22-year-old pop superstar, just like their mutual friend Ed Sheeran did.
James said: "Ed wrote that song ('Love Yourself') with him, so I wouldn't rule anything out. That's as about as much as I can say. I'm not one to rule anything out."
James and Justin became friends after meeting at a private after-party held after the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in October and the 25-year-old musician previously described the 'Sorry' hitmaker as a "charming little lad".
Aside from collaborations, James has been thinking about his follow-up to his 2015 debut LP 'Chaos and the Calm' and wants he gets his live shows out of the way he is going to "knuckle down" and get working on a new collection of tracks.
He told Digital Spy: "I'm thinking about it all the time. I've never really been able to stop thinking about it since I finished the first one! When am I going to get time to really knuckle down and start producing some stuff? Hopefully at the end of this year. I can't really talk about it being any earlier than that, but I don't really want to start any later. I really want to get down to it and dig my heels in."
James Bay would collaborate with Justin Bieber
James Bay is interested in collaborating with Justin Bieber.
The 'Best Fake Smile' hitmaker performed with Bieber at the BRIT Awards last month and admits he could easily imagine writing a song with the 22-year-old pop superstar, just like their mutual friend Ed Sheeran did.
James said: "Ed wrote that song ('Love Yourself') with him, so I wouldn't rule anything out. That's as about as much as I can say. I'm not one to rule anything out."
James and Justin became friends after meeting at a private after-party held after the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in October and the 25-year-old musician previously described the 'Sorry' hitmaker as a "charming little lad".
Aside from collaborations, James has been thinking about his follow-up to his 2015 debut LP 'Chaos and the Calm' and wants he gets his live shows out of the way he is going to "knuckle down" and get working on a new collection of tracks.
He told Digital Spy: "I'm thinking about it all the time. I've never really been able to stop thinking about it since I finished the first one! When am I going to get time to really knuckle down and start producing some stuff? Hopefully at the end of this year. I can't really talk about it being any earlier than that, but I don't really want to start any later. I really want to get down to it and dig my heels in."
Music News
Butch Vig says Garbage have created some "crazy moments" on their new album 'Strange Little Birds'.
The 60-year-old drummer has opened up about the band's sixth studio album which the group - also consisting of Shirley Manson, Steve Marker and Duke Erikso - have self-produced, and admits its unlike anything they've ever recorded before and has a "vulnerable" sound.
He explained to Billboard magazine: "I think it's quite different for us. It's very cinematic and there are a lot of sonic moments on the record that are not necessarily typical Garbage. We sort of took the rock out and de-constructed the songs, made them more vulnerable-sounding.
"Some moments get completely crazy, completely blown out. I think it's one of those records people are going to listen to the first time and go, 'Wow, what was that?' They're gonna need to hear it a couple times to get into it. But we're really happy with it. We hope Garbage fans will find it as interesting as we do."
'Strange Little Birds' - Garbage's first album since 2012's 'Not Your Kind of People' - is made up of 11 tracks and will be released on June 10 via the band's STUNVOLUME label.
Frontwoman Shirley has previously stated the songs remind her of the tracks on their self-titled 1995 debut.
She said: "To me, this record, funnily enough, has the most to do with the first record than any of the previous records. It's getting back to that beginner's head space."
Garbage’s Strange Little Birds gets ‘crazy’
Butch Vig says Garbage have created some "crazy moments" on their new album 'Strange Little Birds'.
The 60-year-old drummer has opened up about the band's sixth studio album which the group - also consisting of Shirley Manson, Steve Marker and Duke Erikso - have self-produced, and admits its unlike anything they've ever recorded before and has a "vulnerable" sound.
He explained to Billboard magazine: "I think it's quite different for us. It's very cinematic and there are a lot of sonic moments on the record that are not necessarily typical Garbage. We sort of took the rock out and de-constructed the songs, made them more vulnerable-sounding.
"Some moments get completely crazy, completely blown out. I think it's one of those records people are going to listen to the first time and go, 'Wow, what was that?' They're gonna need to hear it a couple times to get into it. But we're really happy with it. We hope Garbage fans will find it as interesting as we do."
'Strange Little Birds' - Garbage's first album since 2012's 'Not Your Kind of People' - is made up of 11 tracks and will be released on June 10 via the band's STUNVOLUME label.
Frontwoman Shirley has previously stated the songs remind her of the tracks on their self-titled 1995 debut.
She said: "To me, this record, funnily enough, has the most to do with the first record than any of the previous records. It's getting back to that beginner's head space."
Music News
Nathan Sykes didn't think he was right for a boy band.
The 'Over and Over Again' hitmaker - who found fame as part of chart-topping group The Wanted - admits he wasn't keen on auditioning when he found out it was for a boy band as he didn't want to be "air-grabbing [and] standing up on the key change".
He explained: "At school, when an audition came in for you, your name would get highlighted on the list. Literally, the whole of Year 11, which was like 10 people, was highlighted. So, there's an audition for a boyband. I was like, 'No, no'. I imagined old school boybands: everyone in the same clothes, air-grabbing, standing up on the key change ...
"Sylvia [Young] was like, 'You need to do this. You're not going to regret it.' I was 16 and most the guys auditioning were at least 21. There was no way on planet Earth I'm gonna get this."
The 22-year-old singer believes singing Stevie Wonder's 'Lately' in his audition secured his place in the group.
He added to FUSE TV: "That was the audition that got me in the band. They liked the confidence I had to walk in and sing a song like that."
Nathan Sykes didn’t think he was boy band material
Nathan Sykes didn't think he was right for a boy band.
The 'Over and Over Again' hitmaker - who found fame as part of chart-topping group The Wanted - admits he wasn't keen on auditioning when he found out it was for a boy band as he didn't want to be "air-grabbing [and] standing up on the key change".
He explained: "At school, when an audition came in for you, your name would get highlighted on the list. Literally, the whole of Year 11, which was like 10 people, was highlighted. So, there's an audition for a boyband. I was like, 'No, no'. I imagined old school boybands: everyone in the same clothes, air-grabbing, standing up on the key change ...
"Sylvia [Young] was like, 'You need to do this. You're not going to regret it.' I was 16 and most the guys auditioning were at least 21. There was no way on planet Earth I'm gonna get this."
The 22-year-old singer believes singing Stevie Wonder's 'Lately' in his audition secured his place in the group.
He added to FUSE TV: "That was the audition that got me in the band. They liked the confidence I had to walk in and sing a song like that."
Music News
Matt Healy insists Taylor Swift didn't make a "big impact" on his life.
The 1975 frontman thought it was "cool" that his flirtation with the 'Shake It Off' singer - who is rumoured to be the subject of his song 'She's American' - generated attention around the world, but only because he is fascinated by how interested other people are in the US superstar.
He told Q magazine: "I don't do anything else, so it doesn't leave a lot of room for me going out or sh***ing someone.
"So the one time I did have a flirtation with a girl it ends up going everywhere... I mean, I got on E! News and people were like, 'Who's Matt Healy?' so that was cool.
"But I didn't make a big deal out of it myself. It's not really anything to talk about, because if she wasn't Taylor Swift we wouldn't be talking about her. She wasn't a big impact on my life.
"It's just interesting to me how interested the world is about Taylor Swift."
The 26-year-old singer admits he isn't "very good" at relationships and would have struggled to commit to Taylor because it would have been tough to live in her shadow.
He said: "I feel like I'm not very good at relationships.
"And the reason I mention that is because if I had [properly] gone out with Taylor Swift, I would've been, 'F***ing hell, I am not being Taylor Swift's boyfriend.' You know, 'F**k. That.' That's also a man thing, a de-masculinating, emasculating thing."
Matt Healy’s Taylor Swift ‘flirtation’
Matt Healy insists Taylor Swift didn't make a "big impact" on his life.
The 1975 frontman thought it was "cool" that his flirtation with the 'Shake It Off' singer - who is rumoured to be the subject of his song 'She's American' - generated attention around the world, but only because he is fascinated by how interested other people are in the US superstar.
He told Q magazine: "I don't do anything else, so it doesn't leave a lot of room for me going out or sh***ing someone.
"So the one time I did have a flirtation with a girl it ends up going everywhere... I mean, I got on E! News and people were like, 'Who's Matt Healy?' so that was cool.
"But I didn't make a big deal out of it myself. It's not really anything to talk about, because if she wasn't Taylor Swift we wouldn't be talking about her. She wasn't a big impact on my life.
"It's just interesting to me how interested the world is about Taylor Swift."
The 26-year-old singer admits he isn't "very good" at relationships and would have struggled to commit to Taylor because it would have been tough to live in her shadow.
He said: "I feel like I'm not very good at relationships.
"And the reason I mention that is because if I had [properly] gone out with Taylor Swift, I would've been, 'F***ing hell, I am not being Taylor Swift's boyfriend.' You know, 'F**k. That.' That's also a man thing, a de-masculinating, emasculating thing."
Music News
Smashing Pumpkins star Billy Corgan has blasted the trend for artists to play classic albums in full - describing the trend as the "dregs of the music business".
The band's third album 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness' - which contained tracks such as 'Tonight, Tonight' and '1979' - celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015 but Corgan never considered performing the LP in full for fans as he thinks it is creatively redundant.
He told Rolling Stone: "The idea of getting up and playing an album that was never meant to be played live in that sequence smacks of consumerism. That stuff is the dregs of the music business. I have a hard time believing that everybody out there doing it really wants to do it."
Many artists have performed that type of concert, including Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Meat Loaf, but Corgan believes fans are "bored" with the concept.
He added: "I think it's played itself through. I think the fans have already grown bored with it, best I can tell. You don't see as much of it as you saw a couple years ago."
Although he didn't want to commemorate the anniversary of 'Mellon Collie...', Corgan insists he is very "proud" to have recorded an album that people still love after two decades.
The 48-year-old musician - who recently welcomed his baby son Augustus into the world, his child with his partner Chloe Mendel - said: "I'm proud to have made such an album that's important ... But I'm not gonna go out there and hack around just to reclaim some light that I don't feel has gone out. The light is still in my eyes. I'm still more than capable of producing new work. I wrote a new song just the other this morning."
Away from music, Corgan also works as Senior Producer of Creative and Talent Development for TNA IMPACT Wrestling.
Billy Corgan hates classic album concerts
Smashing Pumpkins star Billy Corgan has blasted the trend for artists to play classic albums in full - describing the trend as the "dregs of the music business".
The band's third album 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness' - which contained tracks such as 'Tonight, Tonight' and '1979' - celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015 but Corgan never considered performing the LP in full for fans as he thinks it is creatively redundant.
He told Rolling Stone: "The idea of getting up and playing an album that was never meant to be played live in that sequence smacks of consumerism. That stuff is the dregs of the music business. I have a hard time believing that everybody out there doing it really wants to do it."
Many artists have performed that type of concert, including Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Meat Loaf, but Corgan believes fans are "bored" with the concept.
He added: "I think it's played itself through. I think the fans have already grown bored with it, best I can tell. You don't see as much of it as you saw a couple years ago."
Although he didn't want to commemorate the anniversary of 'Mellon Collie...', Corgan insists he is very "proud" to have recorded an album that people still love after two decades.
The 48-year-old musician - who recently welcomed his baby son Augustus into the world, his child with his partner Chloe Mendel - said: "I'm proud to have made such an album that's important ... But I'm not gonna go out there and hack around just to reclaim some light that I don't feel has gone out. The light is still in my eyes. I'm still more than capable of producing new work. I wrote a new song just the other this morning."
Away from music, Corgan also works as Senior Producer of Creative and Talent Development for TNA IMPACT Wrestling.
Music News
Emerson, Lake & Palmer star Keith Emerson's death has been ruled to be suicide by the Los Angeles coroner's office.
The rock legend - who was the co-founder and keyboard player of the prog band - was found dead at the age of 71 at his home in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, last Thursday (10.03.16).
Now the autopsy report has determined his passing was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head from a .38 revolver.
Ed Winter, spokesman for the county Medical Examiner's Office, also revealed he was suffering from heart disease and alcohol-induced depression at the time of his death.
In a previous interview, his long-term partner Mari Kawaguchi admitted the musician had been "tormented with worry" about an upcoming tour as he had suffered nerve damage to his right hand which affected his keyboard playing.
She said: "He had an operation a few years ago to take out a bad muscle but the pain and nerve issues in his right hand were getting worse. He didn't want to let down his fans. He was a perfectionist and the thought he wouldn't play perfectly made him depressed, nervous and anxious."
Mari discovered Keith's body when she returned to the Santa Monica apartment the couple shared.
His death was announced by long-time bandmate Carl Palmer, who also stated he intended to host a tribute concert to his friend.
A statement released on Carl's website read: "Keith was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come. He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz."
Keith was known as one of the most technically accomplished and flamboyant keyboard players of his generation.
He founded Emerson, Lake & Palmer in 1970 and the band went on to release nine studio albums and 17 live LPs, including 'Tarkus' and 'Brain Salad Surgery'.
The group last performed together in 2010, with their final concert taking place at London's High Voltage Festival to mark their 40-year anniversary as a band.
In addition to his time with ELP, Keith released solo albums and film scores, which includes the music for Italian horror master Dario Argento's 1980 'Inferno' and the 1981 Sylvester Stallone thriller 'Nighthawks'.
As well as Mari, Keith is survived by his two sons, Aaron and Damon, from his only marriage.
Keith Emerson’s death ruled to be suicide
Emerson, Lake & Palmer star Keith Emerson's death has been ruled to be suicide by the Los Angeles coroner's office.
The rock legend - who was the co-founder and keyboard player of the prog band - was found dead at the age of 71 at his home in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, last Thursday (10.03.16).
Now the autopsy report has determined his passing was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head from a .38 revolver.
Ed Winter, spokesman for the county Medical Examiner's Office, also revealed he was suffering from heart disease and alcohol-induced depression at the time of his death.
In a previous interview, his long-term partner Mari Kawaguchi admitted the musician had been "tormented with worry" about an upcoming tour as he had suffered nerve damage to his right hand which affected his keyboard playing.
She said: "He had an operation a few years ago to take out a bad muscle but the pain and nerve issues in his right hand were getting worse. He didn't want to let down his fans. He was a perfectionist and the thought he wouldn't play perfectly made him depressed, nervous and anxious."
Mari discovered Keith's body when she returned to the Santa Monica apartment the couple shared.
His death was announced by long-time bandmate Carl Palmer, who also stated he intended to host a tribute concert to his friend.
A statement released on Carl's website read: "Keith was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come. He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz."
Keith was known as one of the most technically accomplished and flamboyant keyboard players of his generation.
He founded Emerson, Lake & Palmer in 1970 and the band went on to release nine studio albums and 17 live LPs, including 'Tarkus' and 'Brain Salad Surgery'.
The group last performed together in 2010, with their final concert taking place at London's High Voltage Festival to mark their 40-year anniversary as a band.
In addition to his time with ELP, Keith released solo albums and film scores, which includes the music for Italian horror master Dario Argento's 1980 'Inferno' and the 1981 Sylvester Stallone thriller 'Nighthawks'.
As well as Mari, Keith is survived by his two sons, Aaron and Damon, from his only marriage.
Music News
Chase & Status are to play MTV Crashes Coventry.
The electronic music duo will perform on day one of the music event at Coventry's Ricoh Arena on May 27 in what will be Will Kennard and Saul Milton's first UK concert in over a year. Club MTV will close the two-day event the following day (28.05.16).
Speaking about the gig, Chase & Status said: "It will be our first live show back on this album run, we haven't played live in the UK for over a year and it feels AMAZING to be back ... and we can't wait to start off with this show."
Saul and Will have firmly cemented themselves as the ultimate drum 'n' bass duo, having dominated the dance scene and festival main stages for over a decade with their unique sound. They have collaborated with several major artists such as Rihanna, Example, Plan B, Cee Lo Green and Tinie Tempah, releasing three huge studio albums along the way.
They have just released their brand new single, 'Control', featuring Slaves, and have a new album planned for release in September.
MTV Crashes Coventry will be broadcast on MTV's flagship UK music TV channels, shown in over 35 countries.
Visit
For further information visit MTV.co.uk/mtv-crashes-coventry and fans can go to Ricoharena.com to buy tickets.
Individual day tickets are priced at £10, while combined two-day tickets are also on sale.
Chase and Status will perform at MTV Crashes Coventry
Chase & Status are to play MTV Crashes Coventry.
The electronic music duo will perform on day one of the music event at Coventry's Ricoh Arena on May 27 in what will be Will Kennard and Saul Milton's first UK concert in over a year. Club MTV will close the two-day event the following day (28.05.16).
Speaking about the gig, Chase & Status said: "It will be our first live show back on this album run, we haven't played live in the UK for over a year and it feels AMAZING to be back ... and we can't wait to start off with this show."
Saul and Will have firmly cemented themselves as the ultimate drum 'n' bass duo, having dominated the dance scene and festival main stages for over a decade with their unique sound. They have collaborated with several major artists such as Rihanna, Example, Plan B, Cee Lo Green and Tinie Tempah, releasing three huge studio albums along the way.
They have just released their brand new single, 'Control', featuring Slaves, and have a new album planned for release in September.
MTV Crashes Coventry will be broadcast on MTV's flagship UK music TV channels, shown in over 35 countries.
Visit
For further information visit MTV.co.uk/mtv-crashes-coventry and fans can go to Ricoharena.com to buy tickets.
Individual day tickets are priced at £10, while combined two-day tickets are also on sale.
Music News
All Saints have announced their 'Red Flag' UK tour.
The four-part reformed girl band - who rivalled The Spice Girls for the top spot in the 90s - have confirmed they will be gracing the stage in October for the first time in over 15 years, following the success of their comeback gig in April sold out in 60 seconds.
Speaking about the upcoming performances, the 'Never Ever' singers said: "We couldn't be more excited to be heading out on the road to perform across the UK this October.
"Playing live is our favourite thing to do as a band and we can't wait to perform all our hits plus some new tracks from 'Red Flag'. It's incredible to think our last proper tour was over 15 years ago. So we've been waiting for this moment for a very long time."
Shaznay Lewis, Melanie Blatt and twin sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton's ten day run will cover the UK's major cities and will see them perform their recognisable hits - that landed them five number one singles - and new material from their latest album, which will be released on April 8.
Tickets for All Saints upcoming tour are on sale on Friday (18.03.16) at 9am.
All Saints UK tour dates 2016 are as follows:
October 6 - Newcastle, O2 Academy
October 7 - Glasgow, O2 Academy
October 8 - Manchester, Academy
October 10 - Bournemouth, O2 Academy
October 11 - Liverpool, O2 Academy
October 13 - London, O2 Brixton Academy
October 14 - Birmingham, O2 Academy
October 15 - Sheffield, O2 Academy
October 17 - Southend, Cliff Pavilion
October 18 - Norwich, The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA
All Saints announce Red Flag UK Tour
All Saints have announced their 'Red Flag' UK tour.
The four-part reformed girl band - who rivalled The Spice Girls for the top spot in the 90s - have confirmed they will be gracing the stage in October for the first time in over 15 years, following the success of their comeback gig in April sold out in 60 seconds.
Speaking about the upcoming performances, the 'Never Ever' singers said: "We couldn't be more excited to be heading out on the road to perform across the UK this October.
"Playing live is our favourite thing to do as a band and we can't wait to perform all our hits plus some new tracks from 'Red Flag'. It's incredible to think our last proper tour was over 15 years ago. So we've been waiting for this moment for a very long time."
Shaznay Lewis, Melanie Blatt and twin sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton's ten day run will cover the UK's major cities and will see them perform their recognisable hits - that landed them five number one singles - and new material from their latest album, which will be released on April 8.
Tickets for All Saints upcoming tour are on sale on Friday (18.03.16) at 9am.
All Saints UK tour dates 2016 are as follows:
October 6 - Newcastle, O2 Academy
October 7 - Glasgow, O2 Academy
October 8 - Manchester, Academy
October 10 - Bournemouth, O2 Academy
October 11 - Liverpool, O2 Academy
October 13 - London, O2 Brixton Academy
October 14 - Birmingham, O2 Academy
October 15 - Sheffield, O2 Academy
October 17 - Southend, Cliff Pavilion
October 18 - Norwich, The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA
Music News
Elvis Presley is set to go on tour once again - 40 years after his death.
The iconic voice belonging to the 'Suspicious Minds' hitmaker - who died in August 1977 - is set to return to the stage once again in support of the album 'If I Can Dream', featuring the legendary Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Pricilla Presley, the star's late wife, will also be making a very special appearance at the shows.
She said: "What an honour for me to present for the live debut of what has become a very prestigious and beloved album along with other favourites backed by a full symphony orchestra."
The UK arena run will tour six cities in November, starting at Glasgow's SSE Hydro Arena and culminating with a date at Manchester Arena on November 24.
The tour will feature performances taken from the critically acclaimed album, 'If I Can Dream', which uses archive material of Elvis' performances with backing from the legendary orchestra.
Elvis will wow fans live on screen, whilst the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will also thrill fans with their incredible live stage performance.
Elvis Presley and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra's 'If I Can Dream' tour dates 2016:
Nov 17 - Glasgow - SSE Hydro
Nov 18 - Leeds - First Direct Arena
Nov 20 - Cardiff - Motorpoint Arena
Nov 22 - Birmingham - Genting Arena
Nov 23 - London - O2 Arena
Nov 24 - Manchester - Arena
Elvis Presley to return to the stage 40 years after his death
Elvis Presley is set to go on tour once again - 40 years after his death.
The iconic voice belonging to the 'Suspicious Minds' hitmaker - who died in August 1977 - is set to return to the stage once again in support of the album 'If I Can Dream', featuring the legendary Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Pricilla Presley, the star's late wife, will also be making a very special appearance at the shows.
She said: "What an honour for me to present for the live debut of what has become a very prestigious and beloved album along with other favourites backed by a full symphony orchestra."
The UK arena run will tour six cities in November, starting at Glasgow's SSE Hydro Arena and culminating with a date at Manchester Arena on November 24.
The tour will feature performances taken from the critically acclaimed album, 'If I Can Dream', which uses archive material of Elvis' performances with backing from the legendary orchestra.
Elvis will wow fans live on screen, whilst the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will also thrill fans with their incredible live stage performance.
Elvis Presley and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra's 'If I Can Dream' tour dates 2016:
Nov 17 - Glasgow - SSE Hydro
Nov 18 - Leeds - First Direct Arena
Nov 20 - Cardiff - Motorpoint Arena
Nov 22 - Birmingham - Genting Arena
Nov 23 - London - O2 Arena
Nov 24 - Manchester - Arena