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Prince planning Grammys show


Prince is planning a Grammy Awards performance.
The 'Purple Rain' singer is set to play a special set at the star-studded ceremony on February 8 at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, adding to an already impressive line-up including Madonna, AC/DC and Pharrell Williams.
A source told Us Weekly: "He has something very, very special in the works."
The music icon will join other acts such as Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, Usher, Miranda Lambert and Sam Smith if he does perform at the ceremony, which would be his first time singing at the show since 2004.
During that performance 11 years ago, the 'Red Corvette' hitmaker sang with Beyoncé - who has racked up six nominations at this year's ceremony - performing a medley of 'Purple Rain', 'Let's Go Crazy' and 'Baby I'm a Star' as well as the 33-year-old musician's debut solo single 'Crazy in Love'.
It wouldn't be the 56-year-old performer's first appearance at an awards show this year as he attended the 2015 Golden Globe Awards earlier this month, where he presented the Best Original Song category.

Blink-182 slam Tom DeLonge


Blink-182's Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker have slammed Tom DeLonge as "disrespectful and ungrateful".
The pair have blasted their former bandmate after he insisted he hasn't "quit" the group, shortly after they issued a statement saying he had left "indefinitely" and will be replaced by Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba for their upcoming show at the Musink Festival in California.
Explaining how they hadn't spoken to Tom in person "for months", Mark said they had booked a recording studio for January 5 but received an email from the singer's manager saying he "has no interest in recording and he wants to do his other, non-musical stuff and is out indefinitely."
Travis added: "I think he's just bummed because Mark and I were finally honest. We always covered up for him before. It was always, 'We're going to record an album,' then 'Tom refuses to get into the studio without a record deal.'
"So everyone does hella amounts of work to get a record deal and now Tom isn't part of Blink-182. It's hard to cover for someone who's disrespectful and ungrateful. You don't even have the balls to call your bandmates and tell them you're not going to record or do anything Blink-related. You have your manager do it.
"Everyone should know what the story is with him and it's been years with it."
The pair insist they are relieved that Tom will no longer be a part of the group because they feel he has been holding them back.
Mark told Rolling Stone magazine: "When Tom finally said, 'I'm not going to go into the studio or play this show,' it was kind of a gigantic relief because at least he finally said it. But to then say, 'I didn't quit the band' it's just not true. It's disingenuous.
"I just wish Tom does whatever makes him happy and stops holding Blink-182 back from what we all agree that we're going to do, play shows, record music, continue this legacy and have a good time doing it."
Despite their insistence that Tom has left the band indefinitely, the 'All the Small Things' singer used his Instagram page to blast the claims.
He wrote: "To all the fans, I never quit the band. I was actually on a phone call about a Blink-182 event for New York City when all these weird press releases started coming in.
"Apparently those reports were 'sanctioned' from the band. Are we dysfunctional - yes. But, Christ. #Awkward".
Another statement was later issued via his agent, in which he said: "I never quit the band... The ONLY truth here is that I have commitments that limit my availability this year. I love Blink-182 and I'm not leaving."

First acts announced for FIB Benicàssim Festival 2015


The first acts have been announced for the FIB Benicàssim Festival 2015.
The Prodigy, Florence and the Machine, Portishead and Los Planetas are to headline the festival, which takes place in the Spanish town from the 16th to the 19th July 2015.
Speaking about the line-up, the festival's director Melvin Benn, said: "FIB. The international festival that started the concept of international festivals enters its third decade and what a wonderful feeling it is for me to be part of it.
"The third decade represents the real start for me and, as well as a stellar line up of Main and Second Stage acts we are announcing today - The Prodigy - among them, I'm also very keen to highlight the new areas of the festival we are developing this year, Trenchtown and Bearded Kitten. New and fresh ideas and areas to reset the bar for Spanish festivals in the same way the Moran brothers did in 1995. The FIB 2015 Benicàssim Festival is the future."
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Bastille, Public Enemy, Crystal Fighters, Clean Bandit and MØ will also join the festival's line up in what promises to be an exciting event for music fans.
The Prodigy are expected to belt out some of their most well known tracks including 'Firestarter', whilst Florence and the Machine are likely to wow crowds with their biggest hits such as 'Cosmic Love', 'Dog Days Are Over' and 'You've Got The Love'.
There are more acts which have yet to be announced and tickets can be purchased from www.fiberfib.com or through Ticketmaster.

The Benicàssim 2015 line-up so far:
The Prodigy
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Florence And The Machine
Portishead
Clean Bandit
Los Planetas
Bastille
Public Enemy
Crystal Fighters

Eliza Doolittle hopes for new music this year


Eliza Doolittle wants to release new music this summer.
The 26-year-old singer reached number three with her eponymous debut album in 2010, and despite failing to reach the top 20 in the UK album chart with the record's follow-up 'In Your Hands' in 2013, she is hoping to impress with her third album later this year.
Speaking at the premiere of 'Shaun the Sheep the Movie' she exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I'm working on my album. I'd love to have something to hear in the summer but, you know, no promises. I just really want to do something that comes from a really pure place."
The 'Pack Up' hitmaker - whose real name is Eliza Sophie Caird - revealed she has decided to change her sound for the LP, and is instead trying to emulate the artists she listened to as a youngster.
She continued: "I think this is going to be the album that I love the most. I've only done two albums, you know, [but I'm] really making the music that I kind of grew up on. I'm getting in touch with that more than I ever have."
Although she is aiming to have a new song out in time for the summer, the Nike model admitted she isn't getting too stressed about the prospect because she is in charge of her career, so can do what she wants.
She explained: "The best bit about where I am now, career-wise, is that I don't have a timeline. I have no pressure from anyone, I'm my own boss. I'm just making sure that I get it right. Obviously, I always put a bit of pressure on myself and you can't take too long with these things, so I'm hopeful of having something to play in the summer or definitely before the end of the year. I don't want to rush it."

Giorgio Moroder working on Lady Gaga album


Giorgio Moroder is working on Lady Gaga's new album.
The acclaimed producer revealed he has written "five or six" songs for the singer's fourth solo studio record but missed a recent studio session with the 'Do What U Want' hitmaker because he fell ill.
He said: "I was supposed to be in the studio with [Gaga] a week ago, but I got a cold.
"I'll see her when I'm back. I have about five or six tracks, just basic ideas. Drums, keyboard, bass. I'm going to be surprised, I think - I don't have a clue about the way she's recording. Will she play the piano? Will I?"
Although the 74-year-old disco star prepared the tracks for the singer's own album, he admitted it would be "incredible" if she also featured on his LP '74 is the New 24', which will be released in the spring.
He said: "This is for her new album - that's the intention.
"I was hoping that maybe I can convince her to have one of the songs for my album. If I could convince her, well that would be incredible."
Giorgio has already confirmed he has collaborated with stars such as Britney Spears, Charli XCX, Kylie Minogue and Sia for the LP - which will be his first full release in 30 years - but said a potential collaboration with the 28-year-old musician would have to "fit" with the rest of the songs he has recorded.
Speaking to Popjustice music website, he added: "If I have a good track that could fit my album but not necessarily hers, that could be ideal."

Nathan Sykes ‘surprised’ by his new music


Nathan Sykes has "surprised" himself with his new music.
The former The Wanted member - who has been working on solo material since the group decided to take a hiatus last year - said he wanted to create a straightforward sound with his debut album but has been shocked by how good the music he has made is.
He shared: "I'm still classing this as a pop album. It was never my mission to do something unexpected, I just wrote music and didn't set any limits and if I'm completely honest I have even surprised myself!"
The 21-year-old musician - who was in The Wanted along with Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Tom Parker - has worked with a range of other song-writing talents on his new material including Diane Warren and Babyface, which were experiences he described as "surreal".
He explained: "Working with Diane Warren and Babyface was two of the most surreal days of my life. There is never a dull moment with Diane and she is one of my favourite people on the planet and the session with Babyface produced probably the most honest and emotional song I've ever written!"
However, the singer confessed the album has been a struggle to make because much of the inspiration came from the heartbreak he felt after his four-month romance with 'Problem' hitmaker Ariana Grande came to an end in late 2013.
He told The Sun newspaper: "The time we broke up was really tough. The Wanted decided to take a break and I lost my grandad. I was not in the best place. She was my first grown-up relationship. But sometimes you have to go into a place like that to be able to find the best music out of it.
"The most emotional song is about me telling myself not to be angry at the break-up because sometimes things just don't work out. That's life."
Despite having worked on the LP for over a year, Nathan is not expecting it to be released until later in the year, but hopes to give his fans a taste of his solo sound with a single in the next few months.
He told Hunger TV: "When can you expect it!? I think that you will probably get the album towards the end of 2015 but we are looking to get my first single to you all within the first few months of the year!"

Demis Roussos dies aged 68


Demis Roussos has died at the age of 68.
The Greek singer - who released over 30 albums during his career - passed away in Hygeia Hospital in Athens on Sunday morning (25.01.15) due to an undisclosed illness.
The musician rose to fame as part of the progressive rock group Aphrodite's Child with whom he released three albums in the 1960s, before going on to lead a successful solo career with hit singles 'My Friend the Wind', 'My Reason' and 'Someday Somewhere', as well as 'Forever and Ever' which topped the UK singles chart in 1976.
The star was born in Egypt in 1946 but fled to Greece during the Suez crisis, where he started his music career with a band called The Idols.
Throughout his successful career, Demis sold in excess of 60 million records worldwide and praised the British public for his success, saying it was because of the increase in tourism to Spain and Greece.
He said: "The reason for my big success in England was the Brits - they started wanting to go on holidays, like Spain and Greece.
"My music came right on time. It was romantic Mediterranean music addressed to all the people who wanted to go on holiday. My music was liked by the people."
During his life, the singer publicly struggled with obesity and previously co-wrote a book on the subject, and was once held as a prisoner by members of Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad in 1985 after a plane he was travelling on was hijacked.
Demis' final public appearance was in 2013 when he was presented with the French Legion of Honour medal for his life's work.
Fellow singer Nana Mouskouri has paid tribute to the late performer on a French radio station RTL, saying: "He had a superb voice, he traveled in the world ... he loved what he was doing.
"He was an artist, a friend. I hope he is in a better world."

Kylie to headline British Summer Time Hyde Park


Kylie Minogue will headline Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park.
The 'All the Lovers' hitmaker has been announced as the third headliner for the series of performances in London with support provided by Grace Jones and Chic featuring Nile Rodgers.
Speaking about the performance, she said: "I'm so excited to perform at Hyde Park this summer. I have great memories of playing shows there and am looking forward to doing it all again! Given the amazing artists performing and that it will be the longest day of the year, I can't wait!"
The show - which will take place on Sunday June 21 - follows the 46-year-old singer's 'Kiss Me Once' tour around Europe last year, and promises to celebrate her career spanning more than 25 years, during which she has had 33 top 10 charting UK singles.
The singing sensation - who released her twelfth studio album last year - joins previously announced headliners Taylor Swift, who will perform alongside Ellie Goulding and John Newman on June 27, and The Who, who will grace the stage with Paul Weller, Kaiser Chiefs and Johnny Marr on June 26.
Tickets to the event go on general sale at 9am on Friday January 30.

Brian Harvey slams Radio 1


Brian Harvey has slammed BBC Radio 1.
The former East 17 member discovered a video online of 21-year-old singer-songwriter Rae Morris covering the group's classic single 'Stay Another Day' for the Radio 1 Live Lounge, and launched a rant against the station in the comments section on YouTube for not playing his music.
He wrote: "You will play anyone else as long as it's not me eh!!! (sic)"
The 40-year-old musician praised the young singer - whose debut album 'Unguarded' was released today (26.01.15) - but continued his tirade against the national station by claiming they protect paedophiles.
He continued: "Well done Rae Morris, but Radio One you suck f**king arse you bunch of w**kers. Everyone is scared to tell you but I'm not. You f**king paedo-protecting, s**t music playing, corporate w**kstain f**k heads. (sic)"
The star has since deleted his comments, but follows a string of strange moves by the singer in recent months.
Concerns for the former pop star were piqued last week when he shared a bizarre music video in which he seemed to joke about an incident in 2005 when he ran himself over, blaming the accident on the fact he had just consumed three jacket potatoes.
Making light of the mishap, he covered Meridian Dan's 'German Whip' replacing some of the lyrics with "jacket potato and cheese and that," while dancing around with the edible items.

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