Music News

Sir Cliff Richard has vowed to break America - aged 73.
The music icon - who has sold more than 250 million records around the globe - admits he still dreams of topping the US charts, which is one of the few things he has yet to achieve in an illustrious career spanning six decades.
He said: "It's still feasible that at my age, I could find a niche in America. Not only am I still alive, I can still do it."
He added of missing out on a US number one: "How did I miss this?"
Meanwhile, Cliff would love to collaborate with top British boy band One Direction, who have cracked America with three number one albums.
Appearing on ITV's 'Good Morning Britain', he said: "If they get through, if they're still here in 10 years' time, and want to work, they're good singers!"
The 'Living Doll' singer staged a free concert in New York over the weekend for his US fans after Irish star Morrissey cancelled their joint gig due to poor health.
A note posted on his website said: "Cliff and the CRO (Cliff Richard Organisation) are very disappointed to confirm that Morrissey has just cancelled the remaining dates on his tour, including the Barclay Center, Brooklyn, NYC on 21st June 2014 where Cliff was to perform as Morrissey's Special Guest.
"The CRO apologies for the inconvenience to fans and wishes Morrissey a full and speedy recovery."

Prince's new album features a duet with Rita Ora.
The 'Purple Rain' hitmaker gave one lucky reporter from the Minneapolis Star Tribune a preview of his as yet untitled upcoming album, which is expected to be released later this year and includes a "rare rap song" he recorded with the British pop sensation.
Prince went on to reveal he wants to release the track, described as "aggressive and menacing", as soon as possible for it to stay current because "time is money" for celebrities like Rita who could make cash "walking out of the house wearing a certain kind of makeup or sunglasses".
The record - which is a separate project from his new 3rdEyeGirl collaboration, 'Plectrum Electrum' - will begin with an electro-funk song called 'The Gold Standard', followed by a "complex electronic discourse" tune.
It also features a "joyful" ballad named 'This Could Be Us', which was inspired by a meme of him riding on a motorcycle with his 1984 movie 'Purple Rain' co-star Apollonia Kotero.
The legendary singer lamented the delay between making music and singles being released by record companies.
He said: "Every number one song, every Top 10 song, every song in the Top 40 is at least six months old. We should be able to make music and put it out now."

Nicki Minaj has collaborated with Drake for her new album 'The Pink Print'.
The 'Pills N Potions' hitmaker has confirmed there will "definitely" be a track with Drake on the upcoming record because she loves his music.
She told Capital Xtra: "I'm a massive fan of [Drake], that's my baby. And I hope and pray we'll have [a collaboration] on there. I think that we'll definitely have one on there.
"We're supposed to meet up this week to get some stuff crack-a-ling in the studio. I think there'll be another feature on the album that will blow people away. I'm super excited about that, too, but it's obviously a secret!"
Nicki has released the track 'Pills N Potions' as her lead single from the album, with a stripped back video featuring rapper The Game, who she claims was "dope" to work with.
She said: "He came really last minute we reached out to him and he came right away. I think he was in the studio at the time.
"I wanted a guy for the video, and the producers booked two rappers that I didn't think really fit ... It was my idea to reach out to The Game, I knew he lived in L.A I had never hung out with him before in my life."
The stunning brunette recalled a comment he'd left on Instagram and decided to track him down.
She said: "Me and my girlfriend were just there laughing. And I thought, 'You know what, let's see if he can come by. And he was able to come!"
'The Pink Print' is set for release later this year.

Neon Jungle hate it when boys play hard to get.
The 'Louder' band, who get plenty of attention from the opposite sex, still have "grumbles" about boys just like other young girls who aren't famous.
Speaking at the Blinkbox Music UK Live festival in Sunderland on Saturday (21.06.14), band member Asami Zdrenka said: "I've got a good grumble about boys. Why do boys text you and seem interested, stop texting you and then suddenly reappear seeming interested again and then do the same thing over and over..?"
Bandmate Jessica Plummer is equally as confused by men and said: "I hate it when they play the crazy card. Call me a b**ch before you call me crazy. That is like the most annoying thing in the whole world, I don't like it."
Meanwhile, the band, also made up of Shereen Cutkelvin and Amira McCarthy, have just released their new single Louder and pleased with the song.
Jessica said: "I love it when the last chorus kicks in and the crowd are going, "Grrr rock on" and I didn't even know this was a rock song! It's like [we become] Eminem, you know the rapper."
Taking about their plans to break America, Jess also said: "Our EP came out a few days ago and we recently got signed and we will be releasing an American album soon.
"It's very versatile, there are tracks that are very different from each other, and you will see different sides of all of us and Neon Jungle as a band."
Upcoming dates for Blinkbox Music UK Live are Saturday, June 28 in Ipswich at Chantry Park and Sunday, June 29 on Weston-super-Mare beach.

Example is in talks to collaborate with Sir Elton John.
The 'Kickstarts' himaker, who has cemented his transition from rapping to singing with his fifth album 'Live Life Living' wants to team with the 'Rocket Man' star to work on a new track together.
Speaking to DJ Neev at the KISS FM UK secret gig in London, Example said: "I've recently collaborated with The Klaxons, Wretch 32, Sigma and Angel Haze and I'm chatting to Elton John about a potential collaboration.
"I'm too busy to think about who I could work with, people just get in touch and I do it if I find them interesting".
The singer, real name Elliot Gleave, has been touring constantly and visited 42 countries in the past two years.
And he insists seeing the world through his music is "the most beautiful thing."
He said: "Growing up in the 90s and 00s you hear about all of these countries, perhaps because there is a war on and you see it in the news.
"Then you perform in Latvia or something and the people are wicked, you really build a picture of what the place is like."
Meanwhile, the star also slammed rapper Pitbull for tweeting a sarcastic photograph mocking him.
He said: "I don't know what Pitbull stands for, I wouldn't say he's a threat to anyone other than a threat to fashion. "I can't stand it..what he represents. He is dressing like he's in Miami, but there is no place in the world for those white trousers."

Prince decided not to headline Glastonbury festival after becoming upset over "social media rumours".
The 'Raspberry Beret' hitmaker, who is still rumoured to be making a surprise appearance at the event later this week, was discussing a headline slot with organiser Michael Eavis, but became irritated by reports he would be playing and decided not to perform, making way for Metallica.
Michael told The Guardian newspaper: "We wanted him to play, and it got to the point where his people were talking to us about him doing it, but before he confirmed he got really upset because he thought we had advertised that he was playing. We hadn't, but with social media, rumours get everywhere, and one of those rumours was that Prince was coming. So he didn't want to do it in the end."
Michael insists the "social media chit-chat" about who might be playing the Worthy Farm event makes no difference to the ticket sales because they sell out in October, before the headline acts are even announced.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Prince still wants to perform on a smaller stage at the Somerset event, also being headlined by Kasabian and Arcade Fire.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Prince wants to show up somewhere as a surprise. He has spent so much time in the UK lately, he'd love to do an impromptu set."

Kasabian proved why they are worthy of their Glastonbury headline slot by performing a triumphant career-spanning set in Leicester at the weekend.
The band - made up of Tom Meighan, Serge Pizzorno, Chris Edwards and Ian Matthews - took to the stage at Victoria Park on Saturday (21.06.14) and played for 50,000 fans, which Serge insists "made my f***ing year".
The 'Fire' hitmakers, whose latest album '48:13' hit the top spot this month, celebrated 10 years since the release of their debut album kicked off the gig with 'Bumblebee' a fan favourite from the new record.
Dressed in a 'Les-tah' t-shirt, paying tribute to their hometown, guitarist Serge put in a passionate performance as Tom bounded about the stage in a huge pair of sunglasses and black blazer, black t-shirt and jeans.
Kasabian's 20-song set, which was a taster of things to come at Worthy Farm, featured hits such as 'Shoot The Runner', 'Underdog', 'Fire' and anthems from their latest record, including 'Eez-eh' and 'L.S.F'.
The band had the crowd in the palm of their hands as they jumped up and down, chanted 'Eez-eh', threw beer and ripped off their shirts in the heat.
Tom got emotional and told the audience: "We started this band in 1997, me, Serge and Chris, and now we're here and playing Glastonbury next week. Thank you."
He added: "Ten years ago we were playing sh*tholes ... and here we are now with you lot."
An extended version of 'Treat' was a highlight from the new material and fans went wild for 'Fire' before the band exited the stage and came back on for a four-song encore made up of 'Switchblade Smiles', 'Vlad The Impaler', 'Praise You' by Fatboy Slim and 'L.S.F [Lost Souls Forever]'.
Serge appeared to be in his element as they closed the set and he pulled off his t-shirt and threw it into the crowd, along with the band's set list.
The band members put their arms around each other and guitarist Chris grabbed the mic for a rare moment to tell the audience: "I never get a chance on the mic. So thanks Leicester. You've made my f***ing year."
Kasabian will headline Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage on Sunday, June 29.

Online music plays are to be included in The Official Singles Chart for the first time.
The Official Charts Company has announced the weekly chart list will now factor in the number of times a song has been streamed on the internet.
The new system will count every 100 plays as the equivalent of one record sale and will include singles played via online music services Spotify, Napster, Deezer and Xbox Music.
The Official Charts Company's chief executive Martin Talbot said: "The Official Singles Chart is the definitive measure of Britain's music tastes.
"Just as it has evolved through the years to reflect the most popular music in the UK , from 10 inch, to 7-inch, vinyl to cassingles, CD singles to downloads, that is the latest stage of the progression."
The move has been welcomed by indie band 'Bastille' - whose track 'Pompeii' has become the most streamed track in history.
The group's frontman Dan Smith told The Mirror newspaper: "I think streaming going into the chart is definitely a good thing.
"For the charts to be fair they have to reflect how people digest music."
The first Official Singles Chart to incorporate streams will be unveiled from 4pm until 7pm on Sunday, July 6 by BBC Radio 1 and the full Top 100 will be published on OfficialCharts.com at 7pm.

Kate Bush spent three days submerged in water in a flotation tank to create special effects for her live shows.
The 55-year-old singer, who will take to the stage for 22 concerts at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London later this year, has hired a movie tank at Pinewood Studios, where she has been practicing a 'lost at sea' scene in which she is rescued by a helicopter.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "During her concerts there will be lots of footage and special effects.
"Kate wants the show to be out of this world and hired the underwater stage which is fitted with a wave machine and special lighting at Pinewood Studios.
"She spent three days in the tank re-shooting scenes and performing her songs. She wanted to create the effect of her floating in the ocean, lost at sea.
"The footage ends with her singing 'Hello Earth' and being saved by a helicopter.
"Special technicians re-created the helicopter by using ceiling fans."
The recording was given the code name 'Navy Blue' and the pop star performed hit songs including 'And Dream of Sheep' and 'Wake Up'.
Despite being underwater, the crew working on the scene were reportedly "gobsmacked" by how powerful Kate's voice was.
One staff member said: "We were all brought to a complete standstill as she sang, her voice is absolutely incredible, it was completely flawless. It was the most beautiful thing some of us had ever heard.
"She may have aged but her voice hasn't changed."
Kate has reportedly "thrown everything" into the highly-anticipated live shows and millions of pounds are being spent on special effects, costumes and staging.
The gigs, which sold out in just 15 minutes, are kicking off on August 26, with seven new dates at the end of September and in October added just last night due to massive pre-sale demand.
Kate's announcement comes after her 'The Tour of Life' shows in 1979, which had until now been the only concert tour of her career.
The six-week tour took her around Britain and mainland Europe and ended at the Hammersmith Odeon - now called the Hammersmith or Eventim Apollo - the venue she has chosen to return to.