Music News
Music News
Take That are missing Jason Orange ahead of their 42-date tour.
The 'These Days' hitmakers, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen, have revealed its taken time to get used to the departure of Jason - who exited the band last year - but they are still hoping to put on the best show they can for fans when they kick off their Take That Live 2015 tour in Glasgow on Monday (27.04.15).
Howard explained: "Sometimes you think you're used to it then a new thing comes along, and we do miss Jason.
"But we are a three-piece. This is what we've got to do."
Mark added: "It's our biggest arena tour. In the energy of the show you're aware that J's not there. But you don't want people to feel it's missing him.
"That said, we're respectful of J as well. We're not trying to take his place. There are things we haven't done because it was J's thing."
Gary said: "This is the biggest test and challenge for us."
The trio admitted they always hoped Jason, 44, would return to the group and even left space to fit in his vocals on their new album 'III'.
Howard said: "I don't think there's a massive difference vocally. On the album we left that little space for Jason in the hope he would come back."
Having seen both Jason and Robbie Williams come and go from the band over the past 20 years, Gary, 44, admitted the thing he misses most about working as a five piece is spending time with his pals.
He told The Sun newspaper: "It's important to remember we've been friends for years. It's fun with three of us, it's more fun with four and even more with five. We miss them because they're friends, not because we go on stage and perform."
Take That missing Jason Orange ahead of tour
Take That are missing Jason Orange ahead of their 42-date tour.
The 'These Days' hitmakers, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen, have revealed its taken time to get used to the departure of Jason - who exited the band last year - but they are still hoping to put on the best show they can for fans when they kick off their Take That Live 2015 tour in Glasgow on Monday (27.04.15).
Howard explained: "Sometimes you think you're used to it then a new thing comes along, and we do miss Jason.
"But we are a three-piece. This is what we've got to do."
Mark added: "It's our biggest arena tour. In the energy of the show you're aware that J's not there. But you don't want people to feel it's missing him.
"That said, we're respectful of J as well. We're not trying to take his place. There are things we haven't done because it was J's thing."
Gary said: "This is the biggest test and challenge for us."
The trio admitted they always hoped Jason, 44, would return to the group and even left space to fit in his vocals on their new album 'III'.
Howard said: "I don't think there's a massive difference vocally. On the album we left that little space for Jason in the hope he would come back."
Having seen both Jason and Robbie Williams come and go from the band over the past 20 years, Gary, 44, admitted the thing he misses most about working as a five piece is spending time with his pals.
He told The Sun newspaper: "It's important to remember we've been friends for years. It's fun with three of us, it's more fun with four and even more with five. We miss them because they're friends, not because we go on stage and perform."
Music News
Paul Weller's music got more "indulgent" when he turned 50.
The 'Changingman' hitmaker decided to be more experimental when he celebrated the milestone birthday in 2008 and he is pleased people liked the offerings on '22 Dreams', which inspired him to push himself further on subsequent records 'Wake Up the Nation', 'Sonik Kicks' and the forthcoming 'Saturn's Pattern'.
He said: "I purposefully set out to make the most indulgent record I possibly could. I thought, 'Well, if you get to 50 you can at least indulge yourself' so that was the basis of the record but as it turned out a lot of people liked it.
"You just can't ever tell, you know. I thought it might be the opposite - I thought people might find it self-indulgent, but it got a great reaction. I think that also the reaction to that encouraged me to go a bit further as well, sonically and in terms of writing and methods of working, in every way, keep changing it as much as you can."
The former Jam frontman - who has five grown-up children from previous relationships, as well as twins Bowie and John-Paul, three, with wife Hannah - gave up alcohol five years ago and admits sobriety has made a "massive difference" to both his personal and professional life.
He explained to the Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper: "I'm more sane and healthier but the major thing is...well, it's made a massive difference, really, because I'm just more present now. I'm more present whether it's at work or at home, my mind's clearer, it's as simple as that.
"I'd been at it a long time and it had got its claws in me so it was a good enough time to stop."
Paul Weller got indulgent at 50
Paul Weller's music got more "indulgent" when he turned 50.
The 'Changingman' hitmaker decided to be more experimental when he celebrated the milestone birthday in 2008 and he is pleased people liked the offerings on '22 Dreams', which inspired him to push himself further on subsequent records 'Wake Up the Nation', 'Sonik Kicks' and the forthcoming 'Saturn's Pattern'.
He said: "I purposefully set out to make the most indulgent record I possibly could. I thought, 'Well, if you get to 50 you can at least indulge yourself' so that was the basis of the record but as it turned out a lot of people liked it.
"You just can't ever tell, you know. I thought it might be the opposite - I thought people might find it self-indulgent, but it got a great reaction. I think that also the reaction to that encouraged me to go a bit further as well, sonically and in terms of writing and methods of working, in every way, keep changing it as much as you can."
The former Jam frontman - who has five grown-up children from previous relationships, as well as twins Bowie and John-Paul, three, with wife Hannah - gave up alcohol five years ago and admits sobriety has made a "massive difference" to both his personal and professional life.
He explained to the Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper: "I'm more sane and healthier but the major thing is...well, it's made a massive difference, really, because I'm just more present now. I'm more present whether it's at work or at home, my mind's clearer, it's as simple as that.
"I'd been at it a long time and it had got its claws in me so it was a good enough time to stop."
Music News
Kirk Hammett has "lost" 250 new Metallica riffs.
The 'Enter Sandman' rockers have been working on a new album but progress was hindered six months ago when "something very unfortunate" happened to the guitarist and he mislayed his phone, which contained all his musical ideas, that hadn't been backed up.
He said "When it happened, I was bummed out for about two or three days. I just plain lost it...
"To try to remember those riffs? I can only remember, like, eight of 'em. So I just chalked it down to maybe it just wasn't meant to be and I'll just move forward with it."
While Kirk insists he's moving on from the lost ideas, he hasn't given up hope the phone will reappear some day.
Speaking on Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta's podcast, he added: "I'm still looking for it to this day. I just set it somewhere and ... it still might turn up. I'm hoping it will.
"All you musicians out there who use your phone, make sure it's backed up. Right?!"
Though 250 riffs may be missing, Kirk promised the record - the follow-up to 2008's 'Death Magnetic' - is still "super riffy" and "super heavy".
He added: "It's a lot similar to 'Death Magnetic', but different in certain parts. James [Hetfield] is doing a lot of really, really cool melody stuff these days, a lot of vocal layers. 'Lords of Summer' is a good example of that, the beginning."
Kirk Hammett loses Metallica riffs
Kirk Hammett has "lost" 250 new Metallica riffs.
The 'Enter Sandman' rockers have been working on a new album but progress was hindered six months ago when "something very unfortunate" happened to the guitarist and he mislayed his phone, which contained all his musical ideas, that hadn't been backed up.
He said "When it happened, I was bummed out for about two or three days. I just plain lost it...
"To try to remember those riffs? I can only remember, like, eight of 'em. So I just chalked it down to maybe it just wasn't meant to be and I'll just move forward with it."
While Kirk insists he's moving on from the lost ideas, he hasn't given up hope the phone will reappear some day.
Speaking on Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta's podcast, he added: "I'm still looking for it to this day. I just set it somewhere and ... it still might turn up. I'm hoping it will.
"All you musicians out there who use your phone, make sure it's backed up. Right?!"
Though 250 riffs may be missing, Kirk promised the record - the follow-up to 2008's 'Death Magnetic' - is still "super riffy" and "super heavy".
He added: "It's a lot similar to 'Death Magnetic', but different in certain parts. James [Hetfield] is doing a lot of really, really cool melody stuff these days, a lot of vocal layers. 'Lords of Summer' is a good example of that, the beginning."
Music News
Sir Paul McCartney has topped The Sunday Times Rich List of musicians with a net worth of £730 million.
The 72-year-old Beatles legend's worth has increased by an estimated £20 million since last year thanks to a significant boost from his wife Nancy Shevell's £150 million stake in her family's American trucking business.
McCartney is well ahead of his nearest rival on the list, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, who is estimated to be worth £650 million and Irish band U2 at third place with £431 million.
Pop veteran Sir Elton John and Rolling Stones' frontman Sir Mick Jagger follow with their fortunes, thought to be worth £270 million and £225 million respectively.
For the third year running, singer/songwriter Adele, 26, has topped the list for young music millionaires under the age of 30 in Britain and Ireland, with an estimated fortune of £50 million, while the four members of One Direction plus former bandmate Zayn Malik share the second spot with an estimated wealth of £25 million each.
One of the fastest rising new young stars is Sam Smith, who has already amassed £12 million since rising to fame in late 2012 and his debut album 'In The Lonely Hour' became a worldwide hit.
The Sunday Times Rich List:
Top 10 music earners
1. Sir Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell £730m
2. Lord Lloyd-Webber £650m
3. U2 £431m
4. Sir Elton John £270m
5. Sir Mick Jagger £225m
6. Keith Richards £210m
7. Michael Flatley £195m
=8. Ringo Starr £180m
=8. Sting £180m
9. Roger Waters £160m
Sir Paul McCartney worth £730m
Sir Paul McCartney has topped The Sunday Times Rich List of musicians with a net worth of £730 million.
The 72-year-old Beatles legend's worth has increased by an estimated £20 million since last year thanks to a significant boost from his wife Nancy Shevell's £150 million stake in her family's American trucking business.
McCartney is well ahead of his nearest rival on the list, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, who is estimated to be worth £650 million and Irish band U2 at third place with £431 million.
Pop veteran Sir Elton John and Rolling Stones' frontman Sir Mick Jagger follow with their fortunes, thought to be worth £270 million and £225 million respectively.
For the third year running, singer/songwriter Adele, 26, has topped the list for young music millionaires under the age of 30 in Britain and Ireland, with an estimated fortune of £50 million, while the four members of One Direction plus former bandmate Zayn Malik share the second spot with an estimated wealth of £25 million each.
One of the fastest rising new young stars is Sam Smith, who has already amassed £12 million since rising to fame in late 2012 and his debut album 'In The Lonely Hour' became a worldwide hit.
The Sunday Times Rich List:
Top 10 music earners
1. Sir Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell £730m
2. Lord Lloyd-Webber £650m
3. U2 £431m
4. Sir Elton John £270m
5. Sir Mick Jagger £225m
6. Keith Richards £210m
7. Michael Flatley £195m
=8. Ringo Starr £180m
=8. Sting £180m
9. Roger Waters £160m
Music News
The Libertines are working with One Direction and Ed Sheeran's producer on their new album.
Carl Barat has revealed the indie band decided to collaborate Grammy Award winner Jake Gosling on their third studio LP - their first release in 11 years - in a bid to modernise their sound.
Explaining why they wanted Jake on board, Carl told NME magazine: "We wanted someone who is getting their thing going, rather than someone who is just going to put us through their machine. This isn't a heritage band making a heritage album."
The band and Jake will work on the majority of the record at Karma Studios in Thailand, the country where co-frontman Pete Doherty has undergone rehabilitation treatment for heroin addiction.
Carl - who is also joined in the group by John Hassall and Gary Powell - admits they turned down the chance to work with several revered rock producers to collaborate with Jake.
He added: "We had wish lists flying back and forth, from the [John] Leckies through to the [Paul] Epworths and Stephen Street. What it boiled down to was that we wanted to try something a bit new with someone who is a bit new."
Carl insists the sessions have gone really well so far and everyone is "firing" after waiting so long to finally create a new Libertines album.
He said: "The feeling's great, we've been sparking. The pistons are all firing. I'm genuinely excited, and can't wait to get this stuff out there. We've all been waiting to write this record for ages."
The Libertines work with 1D producer
The Libertines are working with One Direction and Ed Sheeran's producer on their new album.
Carl Barat has revealed the indie band decided to collaborate Grammy Award winner Jake Gosling on their third studio LP - their first release in 11 years - in a bid to modernise their sound.
Explaining why they wanted Jake on board, Carl told NME magazine: "We wanted someone who is getting their thing going, rather than someone who is just going to put us through their machine. This isn't a heritage band making a heritage album."
The band and Jake will work on the majority of the record at Karma Studios in Thailand, the country where co-frontman Pete Doherty has undergone rehabilitation treatment for heroin addiction.
Carl - who is also joined in the group by John Hassall and Gary Powell - admits they turned down the chance to work with several revered rock producers to collaborate with Jake.
He added: "We had wish lists flying back and forth, from the [John] Leckies through to the [Paul] Epworths and Stephen Street. What it boiled down to was that we wanted to try something a bit new with someone who is a bit new."
Carl insists the sessions have gone really well so far and everyone is "firing" after waiting so long to finally create a new Libertines album.
He said: "The feeling's great, we've been sparking. The pistons are all firing. I'm genuinely excited, and can't wait to get this stuff out there. We've all been waiting to write this record for ages."
Music News
Zayn Malik told Oritse Williams he wanted to leave One Direction last year.
The 22-year-old singer confided in the 28-year-old former JLS star about leaving the band while on a trip to Las Vegas last September.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Oritse said: "Zayn spoke to me when we were together in Vegas last year. Niall (Horan) did too. Zayn was talking to me in confidence. I told him he had a great run and to enjoy it. They are very, very blessed guys.
"It's a very special thing and not a lot of artists show gratitude for that. But I told him to be himself and to keep going."
Zayn quit One Direction last month to go solo and return to being a "normal 22 year old", however, he's reportedly in talks with 'Bend It Like Beckham' director Gurinder Chadha to star in a Bollywood movie.
Earlier this week, Gurinder said: "We've met and spoken. He trained as an actor first then became part of the band. So I think what he'll be doing is staying true to his heart - and that's all you can ever do."
However, Gurinder - who is currently working on a Bollywood-inspired 'Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical' - insists she doesn't have a role planned out for the star "just yet".
She explained: "I don't have a part in mind for Zayn just yet but hopefully in the future."
Zayn Malik wanted out of 1D a year ago
Zayn Malik told Oritse Williams he wanted to leave One Direction last year.
The 22-year-old singer confided in the 28-year-old former JLS star about leaving the band while on a trip to Las Vegas last September.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Oritse said: "Zayn spoke to me when we were together in Vegas last year. Niall (Horan) did too. Zayn was talking to me in confidence. I told him he had a great run and to enjoy it. They are very, very blessed guys.
"It's a very special thing and not a lot of artists show gratitude for that. But I told him to be himself and to keep going."
Zayn quit One Direction last month to go solo and return to being a "normal 22 year old", however, he's reportedly in talks with 'Bend It Like Beckham' director Gurinder Chadha to star in a Bollywood movie.
Earlier this week, Gurinder said: "We've met and spoken. He trained as an actor first then became part of the band. So I think what he'll be doing is staying true to his heart - and that's all you can ever do."
However, Gurinder - who is currently working on a Bollywood-inspired 'Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical' - insists she doesn't have a role planned out for the star "just yet".
She explained: "I don't have a part in mind for Zayn just yet but hopefully in the future."
Music News
Michael Eavis will skip Kanye West's performance at Glastonbury.
The 79-year-old festival organiser has confessed he won't be watching the 'Stronger' hitmaker perform after booking him for the Saturday night headliners slot on the Pyramid Stage.
When asked if he was going to see the 37-year-old rapper's set, he confessed he was planning on watching sixties favourites 'The Moody Blues' instead.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "They are headlining at the same time as Kanye West. They'll be on the Acoustic Stage. I'll be watching The Moody Blues."
Michael and his daughter Emily, with whom he co-organises the festival, were forced to defend their decision to ask Kanye to perform after a petition appeared online with 100,000 signatures calling for him to be axed from the event at Worthy Farm in Somerset.
However, the petition was ignored by the duo and Emily confessed she can't wait to see his performance.
She explained at the time: "I've realised over the years of announcing line ups that, literally, whoever you reveal will be met with some hate online. I have such faith in humanity, but believe me, some of the vitriol being thrown around this week has made me question the dark underbelly of the web.
"Ultimately, there is no question in my mind that we have got one of the greatest artists of his generation headlining, and we have no regrets at all about booking him.
"And we've got him coming to our farm! In rural Somerset! That's great, right? I certainly can't wait to see his performance."
Michael Eavis to skip Kanye West’s performance
Michael Eavis will skip Kanye West's performance at Glastonbury.
The 79-year-old festival organiser has confessed he won't be watching the 'Stronger' hitmaker perform after booking him for the Saturday night headliners slot on the Pyramid Stage.
When asked if he was going to see the 37-year-old rapper's set, he confessed he was planning on watching sixties favourites 'The Moody Blues' instead.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "They are headlining at the same time as Kanye West. They'll be on the Acoustic Stage. I'll be watching The Moody Blues."
Michael and his daughter Emily, with whom he co-organises the festival, were forced to defend their decision to ask Kanye to perform after a petition appeared online with 100,000 signatures calling for him to be axed from the event at Worthy Farm in Somerset.
However, the petition was ignored by the duo and Emily confessed she can't wait to see his performance.
She explained at the time: "I've realised over the years of announcing line ups that, literally, whoever you reveal will be met with some hate online. I have such faith in humanity, but believe me, some of the vitriol being thrown around this week has made me question the dark underbelly of the web.
"Ultimately, there is no question in my mind that we have got one of the greatest artists of his generation headlining, and we have no regrets at all about booking him.
"And we've got him coming to our farm! In rural Somerset! That's great, right? I certainly can't wait to see his performance."
Music News
Rita Ora, Mark Ronson and Primal Scream have won O2 Silver Clef Awards.
The 'R.I.P.' hitmaker will pick up the Best Female prize at Nordoff Robbins' annual awards lunch on July 3, while the 'Uptown Funk' hitmaker will receive the American Express Innovation Award and the 'Rocks' group are the winners of the Investec Icon Award.
Rita said: "I feel honoured to be receiving the Best Female Award at the O2 Silver Clef Lunch. It's great to be recognised by Nordoff Robbins, a charity which uses music to transform the lives of so many people."
And Mark is "proud" to have been recognised by the organisation because he is so "passionate" about the work they do.
The music producer said: "I feel proud to be awarded the American Express Innovation Award. The O2 Silver Clef Awards is an event I've long admired, raising funds for Nordoff Robbins music therapy, a cause which I feel passionate about."
Meanwhile, Primal Scream are looking forward to the forthcoming ceremony.
The band said in a statement: "It's a real honour to be awarded the Investec Icon Award at the 40th anniversary of the O2 Silver Clef Awards. We are looking forward to the event on 3rd July."
Nordoff Robbins has already announced Iron Maiden as winners of the O2 Silver Clef Award and Il Divo winners of the PPL Classical Award.
Rita Ora, Mark Ronson, Primal Scream win silver clefs
Rita Ora, Mark Ronson and Primal Scream have won O2 Silver Clef Awards.
The 'R.I.P.' hitmaker will pick up the Best Female prize at Nordoff Robbins' annual awards lunch on July 3, while the 'Uptown Funk' hitmaker will receive the American Express Innovation Award and the 'Rocks' group are the winners of the Investec Icon Award.
Rita said: "I feel honoured to be receiving the Best Female Award at the O2 Silver Clef Lunch. It's great to be recognised by Nordoff Robbins, a charity which uses music to transform the lives of so many people."
And Mark is "proud" to have been recognised by the organisation because he is so "passionate" about the work they do.
The music producer said: "I feel proud to be awarded the American Express Innovation Award. The O2 Silver Clef Awards is an event I've long admired, raising funds for Nordoff Robbins music therapy, a cause which I feel passionate about."
Meanwhile, Primal Scream are looking forward to the forthcoming ceremony.
The band said in a statement: "It's a real honour to be awarded the Investec Icon Award at the 40th anniversary of the O2 Silver Clef Awards. We are looking forward to the event on 3rd July."
Nordoff Robbins has already announced Iron Maiden as winners of the O2 Silver Clef Award and Il Divo winners of the PPL Classical Award.
Music News
Ed Sheeran has achieved two billion streams on Spotify.
The 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker is the first British artist to reach the incredible milestone and only the second artist in Spotify's history to achieve the feat, the first being American rapper Eminem.
Kevin Brown, Spotify's head of label relations for Europe, said: "Breaking the two billion streams barrier on Spotify is evidence - were it needed - of Ed Sheeran's enormous popularity among the 60 million music fans on the service. Ed Sheeran is quite simply one of the best-loved artists on Spotify globally, and we are thrilled that he has achieved this milestone.
"Ed and Atlantic truly embraced the power of the Spotify platform with the launch strategy for 'x'. This made a significant contribution to the phenomenal launch success of the album on Spotify through connecting it with the widest audience possible. That it continues to be enormously popular with our users almost a year later and is still winning new fans is testament to the quality of the album and the enduring appeal of Ed as an artist."
Mark Mitchell, General Manager of Atlantic Records UK, added: 'Ed achieving two billion streams on just two albums is a phenomenal achievement. It not only highlights the popularity of his timeless sound and the explosive growth of his army of fans, it also demonstrates how great music can be successful on all formats."
Meanwhile, Ed is to become the first genuine solo artist to play stadium shows in Australia.
The 24-year-old musician has announced he will head Down Under with just his guitar and loop pedal to play the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on November 28 and the NIB Stadium in Perth on December 2.
He said: "I don't think the loop pedal is a common thing outside the club circuit, I don't think it's been done in stadiums yet. It's a unique selling point people talk about, so I'm going to continue building on it and exploring it more."
Ed Sheeran reaches 2 billion Spotify streams
Ed Sheeran has achieved two billion streams on Spotify.
The 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker is the first British artist to reach the incredible milestone and only the second artist in Spotify's history to achieve the feat, the first being American rapper Eminem.
Kevin Brown, Spotify's head of label relations for Europe, said: "Breaking the two billion streams barrier on Spotify is evidence - were it needed - of Ed Sheeran's enormous popularity among the 60 million music fans on the service. Ed Sheeran is quite simply one of the best-loved artists on Spotify globally, and we are thrilled that he has achieved this milestone.
"Ed and Atlantic truly embraced the power of the Spotify platform with the launch strategy for 'x'. This made a significant contribution to the phenomenal launch success of the album on Spotify through connecting it with the widest audience possible. That it continues to be enormously popular with our users almost a year later and is still winning new fans is testament to the quality of the album and the enduring appeal of Ed as an artist."
Mark Mitchell, General Manager of Atlantic Records UK, added: 'Ed achieving two billion streams on just two albums is a phenomenal achievement. It not only highlights the popularity of his timeless sound and the explosive growth of his army of fans, it also demonstrates how great music can be successful on all formats."
Meanwhile, Ed is to become the first genuine solo artist to play stadium shows in Australia.
The 24-year-old musician has announced he will head Down Under with just his guitar and loop pedal to play the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on November 28 and the NIB Stadium in Perth on December 2.
He said: "I don't think the loop pedal is a common thing outside the club circuit, I don't think it's been done in stadiums yet. It's a unique selling point people talk about, so I'm going to continue building on it and exploring it more."