Music News

Ariana Grande has defended showing "more and more skin".
The pint-sized pop star has hit back at criticism she's giving into music industry pressure to strip down on stage and in her latest videos, and insists it is solely her decision to dress more provocatively.
She told Attitude magazine: "I've seen people online saying, 'It's so sad she's becoming a product of this industry - she's wearing shorter and shorter skirts and showing more and more skin.' I'm like, 'Yeah, because I want to.'
"Believe me, if I don't want to do something I will not do it, and I say that with every ounce of passion in my body.
"I'm a very flexible person but if I feel like you want me to compromise my views or myself as an artist, you can go f**k yourself."
While the Break Free singer is happy to evolve her style, Ariana - who first found fame on Nickelodeon children's shows 'Victorious' and 'Sam and Cat' - insists she won't alienate her younger fan base.
The 21-year-old star explained: "I've wanted to do this forever and I'm not going to jeopardise it by allowing someone else to take control. When I'm ready to progress naturally, I will. That's something I've been careful about my whole career because I don't want to do something that will shock or upset my younger fans. They're the ones who've been with me since the beginning."

Professor Green refuses to change his musical style to sell records.
The 30-year-old rapper won't give into the latest trends in a bid to boost sales of his upcoming album 'Growing Up in Public' as he doesn't want to alienate his fans who have supported him throughout his career.
He told the Daily Star newspaper: "A lot of people change their sound to sell records - you know who I'm talking about - but they just alienate their fan base because pop fans are way more fickle. The key is that I've never been scared of melody, I didn't come out on a trend."
The 'Lullaby' rapper survived a near-fatal car accident last year and got married to former 'Made in Chelsea' star Millie Mackintosh, so he feels the title of his third record is appropriate.
Green explained: "I came up with the title before all of that crazy stuff happened, so in a way it was a self-fulfilling prophecy. It has given me a lot of stuff to talk about."
The 'Read All About It' hitmaker has also added a new string to his bow by singing on the album after crooner Robbie Williams backed out of a proposed collaboration.
He added: "The track with Robbie ended up with me singing the chorus, which is a nice result ... It's good to push myself like that."

Calvin Harris has been named the highest paid DJ in the world after earning $66 million in 12 months.
The 30-year-old Scot scooped the title for the second consecutive year after topping Forbes' Electronic Cash Kings list with his huge $66 million (£39.8 million) earnings in the past 12 months, $20 million more than he earned to reach the summit last year.
Putting his success partly down to luck, the modest music mixer told Forbes: "The rise of dance music has been astronomical in the last three years. I happened to be in the right place at the right time."
Calvin - who has recently split from singer Rita Ora - beat off competition from the likes of David Guetta, who was second on the list with $30 million earnings in the past 12 months.
Tiesto was narrowly behind in third with $28 million after recently ditching his Ibiza residency.
Explaining his decision, he said: "I've been going there for the last 10 years, it felt there was nothing special. And then I got the offer to play in Las Vegas ... They made me a great proposal, not just the money but also what they're going to do there, the biggest club in the world."
Avicii tied with Tiesto in joint third place, while the top five was completed by Steve Aoki, son of Benihana founder Rocky Aoki, thanks to his $23 million earnings.

Forbes' Electronic Cash Kings list of top five highest paid DJs:

1. Calvin Harris ($66 million)
2. David Guetta ($30 million)
3. Tiesto ($28 million)
3. Avicii ($28 million)
5. Steve Aoki ($23 million)

Nikki Sixx says even Mötley Crüe's promoters thought their farewell tour was a "marketing" ploy.
The heavy metal bassist has admitted he and the rest of the legendary 'Girls Girls Girls' rockers - completed by Vince Neil, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee - were really disappointed by the immediate response when the group decided to embark on their last shows.
He told Rolling Stone magazine: "They said to us, 'This is a good marketing thing.' It really bummed us out. They said, 'You know, this is good for five years.'
"We were like, 'There's no f***in' way. Who do you think we are?' They said, 'The Who has done this, as has Kiss and tons of others.'
"That's when we came up with an idea to legally bind us into a contract so we'll never tour together again."
And while Nikki admitted the contract the band signed to ensure it is a true farewell tour actually has a loophole, he promised fans it is "never going to" be tested.
He explained: "If all four band members agree we could overrule our own contract. But that's never going to happen.
"There are people in this band that would refuse to do that, and you're talking to one of them. There's no amount of money that will ever change my mind. Even if we get offered $10 million to do 10 shows a decade from now.
"The way we've set it up, including this conversation right now, we'd just have way too much egg on our face. It's never going to happen."

Michael Cera says there is a "terrible stigma" for actors who move into music.
The 'Superbad' star released his debut album 'true that' earlier this month, and while he has always loved writing and recording songs, he isn't sure if he sees it as a viable career path.
He told Billboard magazine: "I don't really know right now. Honestly, there's a terrible stigma that if you're an actor or something, and you're going to make some [polished music], it's just kind of embarrassing no matter what the result.
"It makes me cringe just to think about that. Maybe that's not smart to share, but that's how it is. I kind of have that sense of that myself. I don't know.
"If you put something out, you're inviting people to perceive you a certain way. I don't have too much of an interest in that."
However, Michael insisted he didn't even think of his first record - which was posted on Bandcamp - as an actual album, and explained he's been "sharing music with friends" for years.
He added: "I really didn't even consider it an album, so much as some of my musical efforts put onto a page and organized as an album.
"That's what I like about Bandcamp, is that you could pay for it if you feel like it.
"It's like a donation, almost, or you could stream it there for free. I've been sharing music with friends for a long time, for years."

Kate Bush has asked fans not to take photos of her upcoming live shows.
The 'Wuthering Heights' singer will perform a residency Hammersmith Apollo later this year - her first set of live shows since 1979 - and she has urged punters to refrain from snapping a picture or filming any of the concert because of the nature of the venue.
She wrote on her official website: "We have purposefully chosen an intimate theatre setting rather than a large venue or stadium.
"It would mean a great deal to me if you would please refrain from taking photos or filming during the shows.
"I very much want to have contact with you as an audience, not with iPhones, iPads or cameras. I know it's a lot to ask, but it would allow us to all share in the experience together."
Meanwhile, the legendary star also commented on the rehearsals for the concerts and insisted preparations are "going very well indeed".
She added: "We're all very excited about the upcoming shows and are working very hard in preparation. It's going very well indeed."

Labrinth says Simon Cowell told him to take a break between albums.
The rapper has returned two years since the release of his debut album 'Electronic Earth', and he insisted part of the reason behind the long wait for new single 'Let It Be' was the advice of the media mogul.
He told The Sun newspaper: "I was like, 's**t, I don't have any follow-ups!'
"Then I saw Simon in St Tropez and he said, 'I just want you to have fun and do what you love. Even if it takes three years, make an amazing album.' "
The 'Beneath Your Beautiful' hitmaker is signed to the 'X Factor' boss' Syco Records label, and he was pushed to the limit when he did start working on the follow-up to his 2012 debut.
He revealed the effort he has been putting in for the record, which is said to combine 70s soul music and space-age sound effects.
He added: "I was in the studio three days with no sleep!"
Meanwhile, Rockboi recently ruled out a sibling rivalry with the 'Earthquake' star and 'Britain's Got Talent' drummer MckNasty.
He previously told BANG Showbiz: "Not unless we're having a pillow fight or something like that, you know what I mean.
"We've all worked together since we were really young and stuff so one day you never know, you might see the whole Mac' pack getting poppin' together."

Union J's JJ Hamblett says they are "good for the future of pop" music.
The 'Carry You' singer has insisted the group - who appeared on 'The X Factor' in 2012 - are much more than a typical boyband, and suggested they will stand out over time as something different.
He told the Daily Star newspaper: "You can call us a boyband but we have a lot more about us and that's gotta be good for the future of pop.
"[Jaymi Hensley] came out as gay very early on and I've become a dad recently."
Meanwhile, the group have been in the US working on their new album - the follow-up to last year's self-titled debut - and they have already noticed their popularity rising in Los Angeles.
JJ added: "We've been walking through Hollywood and people have asked for autographs - it's been nuts."
For Jaymi though, their fame an be difficult as he tries to plan a big wedding with partner Olly.
He explained: "Mags offered us all sorts to have our pictures taken and then we realised it shouldn't be about that."

Foxes and Rudimental have joined the line-up for iTunes Festival next month.
The 'Holding on to Heaven' hitmaker and 'Waiting All Night' stars are two of the latest acts to be confirmed for the month-long event at the Roundhouse in London, and they are excited to perform.
Foxes - who will support The Script on September 15 - said: "I'm honoured to be performing at the iTunes Festival this year alongside so many amazing acts. See you at The Roundhouse!"
Meanwhile, Rudimental are thrilled to be making their return to the annual event as headliners on September 20, having performed in 2012 alongside Ed Sheeran.
They added: "We're really excited to be playing the iTunes Festival again.
"A couple of years ago we played it for the first time supporting Ed Sheeran and had a lot of fun, so we can't wait to be back in the Roundhouse headlining!"
Other new headliners include Elbow, Paolo Nutini and David Gray, with a number of artists now confirmed for the festival.
The event opens on September 2 with Beck and Jenny Lewis, and will feature performances from the likes of Blondie, Pharrell Williams and 5 Seconds of Summer.

iTunes Festival Line-up:

September 2 - Beck + Jenny Lewis
September 3 - David Guetta + Clean Bandit + Robin Schulz
September 4 - 5 Seconds of Summer + Charlie Simpson
September 5 - Kasabian
September 7 - Calvin Harris + Kiesza
September 8 - Robert Plant + Luke Sital-Singh
September 9 - Sam Smith + SOHN
September 10 - Pharrell Williams + Jungle
September 11 - Maroon 5 + Matthew Koma
September 12 - Elbow
September 13 - Paolo Nutini
September 14 - David Gray
September 15 - The Script + Foxes
September 16 - Blondie + Chrissie Hynde
September 17 - Gregory Porter + Eric Whitacre
September 18 - Jessie Ware
September 20 - Rudimental + Jess Glynne
September 21 - Ryan Adams + First Aid Kit
September 26 - Lenny Kravitz
September 27 - Kylie + MNEK