Music News
Music News
Chris Martin, Ed Sheeran and Usher are among the performers at a Stevie Wonder tribute concert next month.
The trio will join the likes of Willie Nelson and Janelle Monae in taking part in 'Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life - An All-Star Grammy Salute' at Los Angeles' Nokia Theater on February 10.
Ed - who will also perform at the Grammy Awards on February 8 - said in a statement: "Stevie Wonder is an absolute legend and I am so honored to be a part of this very special night."
Further performers will be announced in the coming days for the concert, which will broadcast on CBS in the US on February 16 and will see the artists selecting and performing a song from the 'Superstition' hitmaker's extensive back catalogue.
Tickets for the concert are on sale now.
Stevie has scooped an incredible 25 Grammy awards throughout his career so awards bosses felt it "fitting" to honour him with the concert.
Neil Portnow, president/CEO of the Recording Academy said in a statement: "Stevie Wonder is a beloved icon whose golden songbook remains one of America's and music's greatest treasures.
"A 25-time Grammy winner and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, it's only fitting that Music's Biggest Night celebrates this legendary musical genius and pays tribute to his enduring music and legacy."
Chris Martin, Ed Sheeran in Stevie Wonder tribute show
Chris Martin, Ed Sheeran and Usher are among the performers at a Stevie Wonder tribute concert next month.
The trio will join the likes of Willie Nelson and Janelle Monae in taking part in 'Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life - An All-Star Grammy Salute' at Los Angeles' Nokia Theater on February 10.
Ed - who will also perform at the Grammy Awards on February 8 - said in a statement: "Stevie Wonder is an absolute legend and I am so honored to be a part of this very special night."
Further performers will be announced in the coming days for the concert, which will broadcast on CBS in the US on February 16 and will see the artists selecting and performing a song from the 'Superstition' hitmaker's extensive back catalogue.
Tickets for the concert are on sale now.
Stevie has scooped an incredible 25 Grammy awards throughout his career so awards bosses felt it "fitting" to honour him with the concert.
Neil Portnow, president/CEO of the Recording Academy said in a statement: "Stevie Wonder is a beloved icon whose golden songbook remains one of America's and music's greatest treasures.
"A 25-time Grammy winner and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, it's only fitting that Music's Biggest Night celebrates this legendary musical genius and pays tribute to his enduring music and legacy."
Music News
Nick Mason has branded Spotify "pathetic" for artists.
The Pink Floyd rocker is concerned about the rise in popularity of the streaming service because musicians receive such little revenue from the airplay they receive and thinks it is particularly worrying for unknown artists.
He said: "iTunes is already beginning to look rather passé, and instead it's Spotify that looks like the future. What we need is another two or three billion people using it, then it would make more sense for musicians. At the moment, the pay-out, particularly for unknowns and only slightly-knowns is... pathetic."
While the 70-year-old drummer insists he is happy for Pink Floyd to stream their music online, he wants to offer something more to their fans.
In an interview with GQ, he added: "Pink Floyd is certainly not saying, 'We won't do it like that'. We'll stream, but we'll stream with higher quality audio, and with a lot more video, or other graphic interfaces that will make it part of a fuller entertainment experience."
Nick believes U2's decision to give their latest album, 'Songs of Innocence', free to iTunes users has "backfired" but has made people think more about how they want to access music.
He said: "It's been interesting seeing how badly that went down. Let me be completely clear about my position: if Apple had come to me and said, 'Nick, we want to release your album in exchange for £50m', I couldn't have thought of a better idea...
"This has backfired. It's made everyone think again about how they want their music delivered, given or sold.
"Look, U2 are a great band, and Bono's an extraordinary individual, so this isn't an anti-U2 tirade. But it highlights a vital aspect to the whole idea of music in the 21st century."
Nick Mason slams Spotify payouts
Nick Mason has branded Spotify "pathetic" for artists.
The Pink Floyd rocker is concerned about the rise in popularity of the streaming service because musicians receive such little revenue from the airplay they receive and thinks it is particularly worrying for unknown artists.
He said: "iTunes is already beginning to look rather passé, and instead it's Spotify that looks like the future. What we need is another two or three billion people using it, then it would make more sense for musicians. At the moment, the pay-out, particularly for unknowns and only slightly-knowns is... pathetic."
While the 70-year-old drummer insists he is happy for Pink Floyd to stream their music online, he wants to offer something more to their fans.
In an interview with GQ, he added: "Pink Floyd is certainly not saying, 'We won't do it like that'. We'll stream, but we'll stream with higher quality audio, and with a lot more video, or other graphic interfaces that will make it part of a fuller entertainment experience."
Nick believes U2's decision to give their latest album, 'Songs of Innocence', free to iTunes users has "backfired" but has made people think more about how they want to access music.
He said: "It's been interesting seeing how badly that went down. Let me be completely clear about my position: if Apple had come to me and said, 'Nick, we want to release your album in exchange for £50m', I couldn't have thought of a better idea...
"This has backfired. It's made everyone think again about how they want their music delivered, given or sold.
"Look, U2 are a great band, and Bono's an extraordinary individual, so this isn't an anti-U2 tirade. But it highlights a vital aspect to the whole idea of music in the 21st century."
Music News
Stevie Nicks will always be "antagonising" with Lindsey Buckingham.
The singers joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974 and although they have enjoyed a prosperous career together with bandmates Mick Fleetwood and John and Christine McVie, the 66-year-old performer said the former couple will always continue to wind each other up.
She said: "Relations with Lindsey are exactly as they have been since we broke up.
"He and I will always be antagonising to each other, and we will always do things that will irritate each other, and we really know how to push each other's buttons."
The five members recently got back together to tour as Fleetwood Mac once again, but despite being on the road together, the 'Edge of Seventeen' hitmaker said they can't help but irritate each other.
She continued: "We know exactly what to say when we really want to throw a dagger in."
Speaking of her working relationship with the 65-year-old singer-songwriter, she added they have always treated each other the same, and it is something she doesn't think will ever change.
She told Rolling Stone magazine: "And I think that that's not different now than it was when we were 20. And I don't think it will be different when we're 80."
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham ‘irritate’ each other
Stevie Nicks will always be "antagonising" with Lindsey Buckingham.
The singers joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974 and although they have enjoyed a prosperous career together with bandmates Mick Fleetwood and John and Christine McVie, the 66-year-old performer said the former couple will always continue to wind each other up.
She said: "Relations with Lindsey are exactly as they have been since we broke up.
"He and I will always be antagonising to each other, and we will always do things that will irritate each other, and we really know how to push each other's buttons."
The five members recently got back together to tour as Fleetwood Mac once again, but despite being on the road together, the 'Edge of Seventeen' hitmaker said they can't help but irritate each other.
She continued: "We know exactly what to say when we really want to throw a dagger in."
Speaking of her working relationship with the 65-year-old singer-songwriter, she added they have always treated each other the same, and it is something she doesn't think will ever change.
She told Rolling Stone magazine: "And I think that that's not different now than it was when we were 20. And I don't think it will be different when we're 80."
Music News
Justin Bieber is working with Rick Rubin.
The 20-year-old singer headed into the studio with the founder of Def Jam Records late on Tuesday night (13.01.15) and has reportedly enlisted the help of the super-producer in order to create an "urban" sound for his new music.
Confirming they are working together, the 'Beauty and a Beat' hitmaker posted a grainy photo of the pair on his Shots account yesterday (14.01.15), writing, "With the man Rick."
Reposting the selfie, the youngster's manager Scooter Braun teased the news music by writing, "Working on some history!"
The 51-year-old producer has previously worked with the likes of Kanye West and Jay Z, and has been credited with raising the profile of hip hop music by popularising acts such as Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys during his extensive career.
Despite heading into the studio with the legendary music-maker, Justin - whose last album, 'Believe', was released in 2012 and spawned the singles 'Boyfriend' and 'As Long as You Love Me' - is reportedly keen to avoid making a full album because he doesn't want to have to tour to promote it.
A source told gossip website HollywoodLife: "He is in no rush to make a full album because he doesn't want to tour right now.
"A full album doesn't make him any money. He will still continue to release singles and keep his music out there, but a full album is still a long time coming."
Justin Bieber working with Rick Rubin
Justin Bieber is working with Rick Rubin.
The 20-year-old singer headed into the studio with the founder of Def Jam Records late on Tuesday night (13.01.15) and has reportedly enlisted the help of the super-producer in order to create an "urban" sound for his new music.
Confirming they are working together, the 'Beauty and a Beat' hitmaker posted a grainy photo of the pair on his Shots account yesterday (14.01.15), writing, "With the man Rick."
Reposting the selfie, the youngster's manager Scooter Braun teased the news music by writing, "Working on some history!"
The 51-year-old producer has previously worked with the likes of Kanye West and Jay Z, and has been credited with raising the profile of hip hop music by popularising acts such as Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys during his extensive career.
Despite heading into the studio with the legendary music-maker, Justin - whose last album, 'Believe', was released in 2012 and spawned the singles 'Boyfriend' and 'As Long as You Love Me' - is reportedly keen to avoid making a full album because he doesn't want to have to tour to promote it.
A source told gossip website HollywoodLife: "He is in no rush to make a full album because he doesn't want to tour right now.
"A full album doesn't make him any money. He will still continue to release singles and keep his music out there, but a full album is still a long time coming."
Music News
Fozzy frontman Chris Jericho always asks for Nando's chicken on his rider when he is on tour in Britain.
The rocker loves coming to the UK with his band and a highlight of the trip is knowing he will get to feast on the restaurant chain's flame-grilled, spicy chicken.
When asked what he has to have on his rider, Jericho told BANG Showbiz: "Nando's! We love Nando's. When we come over and do a tour we get to pick a rider with the food that we want on it for the dressing room after the show. Promoters like to just give you pizzas and send you on your way but we're not a pizza band. I found out a while ago you can get Nando's, which is just amazing chicken. As long as we get our Nando's then I'm happy. That's my favourite food to eat in the UK."
The 'Lights Go Out' singer and his bandmates are on tour in the UK from March 4 - tickets available at FozzyRock.com - and as well as having Nando's on their backstage list or requests, the group include lots of healthy snacks to keep them fit on the road.
He added: "Believe it or not we don't have quirky stuff on our rider, we just make sure that we don't get pizzas and crisps and chocolate. "We have a specific rider and it is a healthy rider, we like strawberries and stuff. When you're on the road you can't eat junk food all the time, you just can't do it because it will make you feel like crap.
"You can have a laugh and say we don't want any brown M&M's but just having a rider at all, to pay attention to it, is how you know promoters are listening ... Rock 'n' roll is a dangerous game man, you've got to stay on top of everything."
Jericho - who still competes part-time for WWE - can't wait to get on stage in March because Fozzy's British fans are among their most loyal supporters in the world.
He said: "We love playing in the UK ... The British fans are very loyal and every time we play in the UK the shows are insane, there's a certain vibe in this country, that only happens in the UK."
WWE 'Royal Rumble' airs on January 25, 2015 and is available to watch on Sky Sports Box Office or via the WWE Network for just £9.99-a-month.
Chris Jericho needs Nando’s on his rider
Fozzy frontman Chris Jericho always asks for Nando's chicken on his rider when he is on tour in Britain.
The rocker loves coming to the UK with his band and a highlight of the trip is knowing he will get to feast on the restaurant chain's flame-grilled, spicy chicken.
When asked what he has to have on his rider, Jericho told BANG Showbiz: "Nando's! We love Nando's. When we come over and do a tour we get to pick a rider with the food that we want on it for the dressing room after the show. Promoters like to just give you pizzas and send you on your way but we're not a pizza band. I found out a while ago you can get Nando's, which is just amazing chicken. As long as we get our Nando's then I'm happy. That's my favourite food to eat in the UK."
The 'Lights Go Out' singer and his bandmates are on tour in the UK from March 4 - tickets available at FozzyRock.com - and as well as having Nando's on their backstage list or requests, the group include lots of healthy snacks to keep them fit on the road.
He added: "Believe it or not we don't have quirky stuff on our rider, we just make sure that we don't get pizzas and crisps and chocolate. "We have a specific rider and it is a healthy rider, we like strawberries and stuff. When you're on the road you can't eat junk food all the time, you just can't do it because it will make you feel like crap.
"You can have a laugh and say we don't want any brown M&M's but just having a rider at all, to pay attention to it, is how you know promoters are listening ... Rock 'n' roll is a dangerous game man, you've got to stay on top of everything."
Jericho - who still competes part-time for WWE - can't wait to get on stage in March because Fozzy's British fans are among their most loyal supporters in the world.
He said: "We love playing in the UK ... The British fans are very loyal and every time we play in the UK the shows are insane, there's a certain vibe in this country, that only happens in the UK."
WWE 'Royal Rumble' airs on January 25, 2015 and is available to watch on Sky Sports Box Office or via the WWE Network for just £9.99-a-month.
Music News
Bjork has announced she is releasing a new album.
The Icelandic musician's ninth studio LP is called 'Vulnicura' and will be available in March.
The 'Army of Me' singer unveiled the details for her record on her official Facebook page, posting a photo of a handwritten note to her fans.
Bjork's note read: "Ladies and gentleman. I am very proud to announce my new album is coming out in March. It is called: vulnicura. The songs are called stonemilker, lionsong, history of touches, black lake, family, notget, atom dance, mouth mantra & quicksand. I do hope you will enjoy it!! warmthness. (sic)"
Accompanying the note, was a post detailing who had produced the LP and the songwriting credits.
The post read: "6 songs written by björk, 2 songs co-written with arca, 1 with john flynn. String arrangements by björk. 6 songs produced by björk & arca, 1 by björk & arca & the haxan cloak, 2 by björk. Mixed by the haxan cloak except 2 songs mixed by the haxan cloak and chris elms. Mastered by mandy parnell. (sic)"
Producer Arca - real name Alejandro Ghersi - has also worked with FKA Twigs and Kanye West.
The album is Bjork's first since 2011's 'Biophilia'.
Bjork 'Vulnicura' tracklisting:
1. 'Stonemilker'
2. 'Lionsong'
3. 'History Of Touches'
4. 'Black Lake'
5. 'Family'
6. 'Notget'
7. 'Atom Dance'
8. 'Mouth Mantra'
9. 'Quicksand'
Bjork announces new album Vulnicura
Bjork has announced she is releasing a new album.
The Icelandic musician's ninth studio LP is called 'Vulnicura' and will be available in March.
The 'Army of Me' singer unveiled the details for her record on her official Facebook page, posting a photo of a handwritten note to her fans.
Bjork's note read: "Ladies and gentleman. I am very proud to announce my new album is coming out in March. It is called: vulnicura. The songs are called stonemilker, lionsong, history of touches, black lake, family, notget, atom dance, mouth mantra & quicksand. I do hope you will enjoy it!! warmthness. (sic)"
Accompanying the note, was a post detailing who had produced the LP and the songwriting credits.
The post read: "6 songs written by björk, 2 songs co-written with arca, 1 with john flynn. String arrangements by björk. 6 songs produced by björk & arca, 1 by björk & arca & the haxan cloak, 2 by björk. Mixed by the haxan cloak except 2 songs mixed by the haxan cloak and chris elms. Mastered by mandy parnell. (sic)"
Producer Arca - real name Alejandro Ghersi - has also worked with FKA Twigs and Kanye West.
The album is Bjork's first since 2011's 'Biophilia'.
Bjork 'Vulnicura' tracklisting:
1. 'Stonemilker'
2. 'Lionsong'
3. 'History Of Touches'
4. 'Black Lake'
5. 'Family'
6. 'Notget'
7. 'Atom Dance'
8. 'Mouth Mantra'
9. 'Quicksand'
Music News
Kaiser Chiefs say flying two fans to South Africa to record with them was like Christmas Day.
The group teamed up with MasterCard as a part of their 2015 Priceless Surprises campaign for the BRITs, to stun devoted supporters Jessica Wright and Sarah Luke with a trip to Cape Town to join them on tour and they even got the pair to join them in the recording studio to add vocals to new track 'Say My Name'.
Frontman Ricky Wilson said of the scheme: "It's really nice because this Priceless Surprises thing, you get excited on Christmas day about giving presents. You get excited about getting them as well, but giving them is really nice and this feels a bit like that.
"It's something you can't buy, it's something we're able to give someone and it's not that hard, it's just a couple of plane tickets and a couple of days in the studio.
"I'm really grateful we've been able to give them that and it's not like climbing a mountain or anything - although we could go and climb a mountain."
Superfan Sarah admits the surprise break last month was the "trip of a lifetime", especially as she got to be so close to her favourite band.
She said: "It was an out of this world experience to be that close to the Kaiser Chiefs who I have been following for years and just love. South Africa is a beautiful country, and it really was the trip of a lifetime!"
MasterCard will be working with more artists organising a host of Priceless Surprises for their 2015 BRITs campaign, giving MasterCard cardholders unique opportunities to get closer to their favourite artists.
Fans of Kaiser Chiefs can stay tuned to pricelesssurprises.co.uk for their own chance to see the band up close at an exclusive, intimate gig later this year.
MasterCard is in its 17th year of sponsoring The BRIT Awards, which will be broadcast on ITV1 on 25th February 2015.
Kaiser Chiefs enjoyed surprising fans
Kaiser Chiefs say flying two fans to South Africa to record with them was like Christmas Day.
The group teamed up with MasterCard as a part of their 2015 Priceless Surprises campaign for the BRITs, to stun devoted supporters Jessica Wright and Sarah Luke with a trip to Cape Town to join them on tour and they even got the pair to join them in the recording studio to add vocals to new track 'Say My Name'.
Frontman Ricky Wilson said of the scheme: "It's really nice because this Priceless Surprises thing, you get excited on Christmas day about giving presents. You get excited about getting them as well, but giving them is really nice and this feels a bit like that.
"It's something you can't buy, it's something we're able to give someone and it's not that hard, it's just a couple of plane tickets and a couple of days in the studio.
"I'm really grateful we've been able to give them that and it's not like climbing a mountain or anything - although we could go and climb a mountain."
Superfan Sarah admits the surprise break last month was the "trip of a lifetime", especially as she got to be so close to her favourite band.
She said: "It was an out of this world experience to be that close to the Kaiser Chiefs who I have been following for years and just love. South Africa is a beautiful country, and it really was the trip of a lifetime!"
MasterCard will be working with more artists organising a host of Priceless Surprises for their 2015 BRITs campaign, giving MasterCard cardholders unique opportunities to get closer to their favourite artists.
Fans of Kaiser Chiefs can stay tuned to pricelesssurprises.co.uk for their own chance to see the band up close at an exclusive, intimate gig later this year.
MasterCard is in its 17th year of sponsoring The BRIT Awards, which will be broadcast on ITV1 on 25th February 2015.