Music News
Music News
Backstreet Boys never thought they would sell out the O2 Arena in the London.
The superstar boyband put on an energetic show at the huge venue on Friday (04.04.14) as part if their worldwide 'In a World Like This' tour.
Addressing the fans, Kevin Richardson said: "Two years ago [A. J. McLean] mentioned he would rejoin the band and two years later I can't believe we have ... sold out the O2.
"Thank you, you're amazing. It feels good to be back on stage with my brothers tonight."
The group are on the road celebrating their 20th anniversary, and are happy to be back with their original line-up - completed by Howie Dorough, Nick Carter and Brian Littrell - with Kevin returning to the band two years ago following his departure in 2006.
The 'As Long As You Love Me' hitmakers didn't disappoint, putting on a great show with a hit-filled set including the likes of 'I'll Never Break Your Heart' and 'All I Have To Give'.
The concert also had its share of emotional moments, with the group paying tribute to their families and friends.
As well as Nick kissing a fan during new song 'Permanent Stain', Kevin and A.J. dedicated 'Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)' to their sons.
In another tender moment, the boy band held a moment's silence for their bodyguard Johnny Q, who tragically passed away last year.
Backstreet Boys shocked at O2 Arena sell-out
Backstreet Boys never thought they would sell out the O2 Arena in the London.
The superstar boyband put on an energetic show at the huge venue on Friday (04.04.14) as part if their worldwide 'In a World Like This' tour.
Addressing the fans, Kevin Richardson said: "Two years ago [A. J. McLean] mentioned he would rejoin the band and two years later I can't believe we have ... sold out the O2.
"Thank you, you're amazing. It feels good to be back on stage with my brothers tonight."
The group are on the road celebrating their 20th anniversary, and are happy to be back with their original line-up - completed by Howie Dorough, Nick Carter and Brian Littrell - with Kevin returning to the band two years ago following his departure in 2006.
The 'As Long As You Love Me' hitmakers didn't disappoint, putting on a great show with a hit-filled set including the likes of 'I'll Never Break Your Heart' and 'All I Have To Give'.
The concert also had its share of emotional moments, with the group paying tribute to their families and friends.
As well as Nick kissing a fan during new song 'Permanent Stain', Kevin and A.J. dedicated 'Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)' to their sons.
In another tender moment, the boy band held a moment's silence for their bodyguard Johnny Q, who tragically passed away last year.
Music News
Kelis thinks women write better music when they're pregnant.
The 34-year-old singer, who has four-year-old son Knight with ex-husband Nas, claims her last album 'Flesh Tone' in 2010 was one of her best records because she was expecting her first child when she recorded it.
She said: "For me, my last album was the brightest, just because I was pregnant when I recorded it and that's a really powerful time for a woman artist. If I think about female artists in the past 15 to 20 years that I love, I look at their body of work and I'm like, 'Oh, she was pregnant then!' It makes so much sense. And 'Flesh Tone' definitely signifies that. It's about life, it's a very robust record."
The 'Milkshake' hitmaker will release her next record, 'Food', on April 18, and insists it's "different" from her previous albums because she's in a more settled place.
She told NME magazine: "I'm very content, and as much as I didn't want to acknowledge that that would happen four or five years ago, being a mother totally has made that happen."
Kelis: Pregnancy improves songwriting
Kelis thinks women write better music when they're pregnant.
The 34-year-old singer, who has four-year-old son Knight with ex-husband Nas, claims her last album 'Flesh Tone' in 2010 was one of her best records because she was expecting her first child when she recorded it.
She said: "For me, my last album was the brightest, just because I was pregnant when I recorded it and that's a really powerful time for a woman artist. If I think about female artists in the past 15 to 20 years that I love, I look at their body of work and I'm like, 'Oh, she was pregnant then!' It makes so much sense. And 'Flesh Tone' definitely signifies that. It's about life, it's a very robust record."
The 'Milkshake' hitmaker will release her next record, 'Food', on April 18, and insists it's "different" from her previous albums because she's in a more settled place.
She told NME magazine: "I'm very content, and as much as I didn't want to acknowledge that that would happen four or five years ago, being a mother totally has made that happen."
Music News
Harry Judd says McBusted will be completely "un-rock 'n' roll" on tour.
The band's drummer claims the supergroup - also formed of Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter, Danny Jones from McFly, and James Bourne and Matt Willis from Busted - are all changed men and will be totally "lame" during their summer gigs because they have swapped alcohol for the gym.
He said: "Dougie and Matt are both sober, I'm sober, and James was never a big drinker, Tom's not a big drinker. Danny likes a few beers and that's about it, so it was certainly a lot more crazy back when we supported Busted. We weren't even allowed to hang out with Matt, he was such a live wire.
"Now Matt is the same as me - massively into exercise and fitness and health and nutrition. Dougie is a changed man, he's quit everything and he's now focused on happiness and health. It's pretty much get up, eat fresh, go to the gym. We train together. It's pretty lame, man, it's the most un-rock 'n' roll thing."
And it seems as if Harry and Matt's wellbeing obsession is catching since James has picked up their healthy eating habits and has been hitting the gym alongside them.
He said: "Now even James is coming to the gym with us. He's lost a load of weight, and every day he's like, 'Are my arms getting bigger?' Whenever we go to a restaurant he says, 'I'll have whatever Harry's having'. On my wife's 30th we went bowling, a big group of us, and I was on different table to James but he came over and went 'Dude, what shall I get?' And I was like 'Get the salmon and get the greens on the side', and he went, 'OK' - my mates just laughed.
"It's a 35-date tour and there are some times when it's four nights in a row. Its gonna be full on, so we really need to be fit and healthy. There will be no substances that there may have been back in the day. It's totally f**king boring, the rider is all green tea instead of wine and beer and vodka like it used to be."
[Attitude magazine]
McBusted will be ‘lame’
Harry Judd says McBusted will be completely "un-rock 'n' roll" on tour.
The band's drummer claims the supergroup - also formed of Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter, Danny Jones from McFly, and James Bourne and Matt Willis from Busted - are all changed men and will be totally "lame" during their summer gigs because they have swapped alcohol for the gym.
He said: "Dougie and Matt are both sober, I'm sober, and James was never a big drinker, Tom's not a big drinker. Danny likes a few beers and that's about it, so it was certainly a lot more crazy back when we supported Busted. We weren't even allowed to hang out with Matt, he was such a live wire.
"Now Matt is the same as me - massively into exercise and fitness and health and nutrition. Dougie is a changed man, he's quit everything and he's now focused on happiness and health. It's pretty much get up, eat fresh, go to the gym. We train together. It's pretty lame, man, it's the most un-rock 'n' roll thing."
And it seems as if Harry and Matt's wellbeing obsession is catching since James has picked up their healthy eating habits and has been hitting the gym alongside them.
He said: "Now even James is coming to the gym with us. He's lost a load of weight, and every day he's like, 'Are my arms getting bigger?' Whenever we go to a restaurant he says, 'I'll have whatever Harry's having'. On my wife's 30th we went bowling, a big group of us, and I was on different table to James but he came over and went 'Dude, what shall I get?' And I was like 'Get the salmon and get the greens on the side', and he went, 'OK' - my mates just laughed.
"It's a 35-date tour and there are some times when it's four nights in a row. Its gonna be full on, so we really need to be fit and healthy. There will be no substances that there may have been back in the day. It's totally f**king boring, the rider is all green tea instead of wine and beer and vodka like it used to be."
[Attitude magazine]
Music News
The Cure's Robert Smith is "f***ing angry" the band's label wouldn't let them release a double album.
The 'Friday I'm In Love' hitmakers are set to release '4:14 Scream', the band's first LP in six years and follow-up to 2008's '4:13 Dream', but frontman Robert is annoyed the songs weren't included on the first record.
He told NME magazine: "It was just pure bloody-mindlessness why the tracks weren't included on the last album. I was so f***ing angry that [the label] wouldn't release a double album. I wouldn't give them the other songs."
The new album features music recorded by Robert, along with bassist Simon Gallup, drummer Jason Cooper and guitarist Porl Thompson, who no longer plays with the band.
It's the first release since the addition of former Tin Machine musician, Reeves Gabrels, who is now on guitar, and keyboardist Roger O'Donnell, who joined them at the recent Royal Albert Hall gig in London.
Robert continued to NME magazine: "There were a number of reasons why I felt unable to complete what we were doing with the last line-up. It was impossible to just get another group and bang out the songs we didn't release. It would have been wrong."
Meanwhile, the new line-up plan to record their own new album and insist it will be something "that's really different to anything else we've done".
The Cure wanted double album
The Cure's Robert Smith is "f***ing angry" the band's label wouldn't let them release a double album.
The 'Friday I'm In Love' hitmakers are set to release '4:14 Scream', the band's first LP in six years and follow-up to 2008's '4:13 Dream', but frontman Robert is annoyed the songs weren't included on the first record.
He told NME magazine: "It was just pure bloody-mindlessness why the tracks weren't included on the last album. I was so f***ing angry that [the label] wouldn't release a double album. I wouldn't give them the other songs."
The new album features music recorded by Robert, along with bassist Simon Gallup, drummer Jason Cooper and guitarist Porl Thompson, who no longer plays with the band.
It's the first release since the addition of former Tin Machine musician, Reeves Gabrels, who is now on guitar, and keyboardist Roger O'Donnell, who joined them at the recent Royal Albert Hall gig in London.
Robert continued to NME magazine: "There were a number of reasons why I felt unable to complete what we were doing with the last line-up. It was impossible to just get another group and bang out the songs we didn't release. It would have been wrong."
Meanwhile, the new line-up plan to record their own new album and insist it will be something "that's really different to anything else we've done".
Music News
Glastonbury organisers insist they can't reveal the festival's final headline act until May due to "contractual reasons."
Festival boss Michael Eavis has already confirmed Arcade Fire and Kasabian to play on Friday, June 27 and Sunday, June 29 but his daughter Emily insists they can't announce the Saturday headliner until next month.
When asked about the final name, she told BBC 6 Music: "We can't give you that yet. We're under ... It's just for contractual reasons, but it'll be with you soon. We've got it all booked, it was all confirmed a couple of weeks ago. It's purely that we can't give it to you yet. The full line-up, the thousands and thousands of acts playing across the hundreds of stages, will be with you in May. This is just 80 or 90 bands, a few hand-picked to give you a taster."
The festival line-up at Worthy Farm this year also includes Lily Allen, Lana Del Rey, Blondie, Robert Plant and Jack White.
Emily also hinted that the former White Stripes hitmaker will not be appearing at any other UK festivals other than Glastonbury.
She said: "Getting Jack White was a really big deal for us. He's got a history here that goes way back and obviously he's had some brilliant moments here across all the stages.
"When he said he wanted to play here and didn't want to do any other UK festivals, we were really excited. Having him here on a big Pyramid [stage] slot will be just right - he's obviously got all the songs."
Glastonbury headline not announced until May
Glastonbury organisers insist they can't reveal the festival's final headline act until May due to "contractual reasons."
Festival boss Michael Eavis has already confirmed Arcade Fire and Kasabian to play on Friday, June 27 and Sunday, June 29 but his daughter Emily insists they can't announce the Saturday headliner until next month.
When asked about the final name, she told BBC 6 Music: "We can't give you that yet. We're under ... It's just for contractual reasons, but it'll be with you soon. We've got it all booked, it was all confirmed a couple of weeks ago. It's purely that we can't give it to you yet. The full line-up, the thousands and thousands of acts playing across the hundreds of stages, will be with you in May. This is just 80 or 90 bands, a few hand-picked to give you a taster."
The festival line-up at Worthy Farm this year also includes Lily Allen, Lana Del Rey, Blondie, Robert Plant and Jack White.
Emily also hinted that the former White Stripes hitmaker will not be appearing at any other UK festivals other than Glastonbury.
She said: "Getting Jack White was a really big deal for us. He's got a history here that goes way back and obviously he's had some brilliant moments here across all the stages.
"When he said he wanted to play here and didn't want to do any other UK festivals, we were really excited. Having him here on a big Pyramid [stage] slot will be just right - he's obviously got all the songs."
Music News
Tinchy Stryder's new music is inspired by Kendrick Lamar.
The British rapper has been hard at work on his new album and has been putting together a comprehensive collection of songs, which he says have been loosely influenced by the US hip-hop icon.
Speaking at the F&F Autumn/Winter 2014 fashion show at London's Somerset House, he exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "It's going really good, I would say the album is finished but it's never finished! A couple of days ago I went to the studio to record a new track. This time I'm being more picky. Even if a song is good, if it doesn't fit with the rest, it's out.
"Someone who has really inspired me is Kendrick Lamar. Not many albums I can listen to start to finish, his are like a journey. This album might be my fourth, but it feels like people are just are getting to know me. I'm starting to open to up."
The 'Number 1' hitmaker also revealed he would love to work with N-Dubz star Dappy for a third time, but remained coy as to whether fans could expect another collaboration on his new record.
Tinchy said: "I love N-Dubz, they're cool. I did 'Spaceship' with Dappy after 'Number 1'.You never know, we might end up in the studio and make something. Me and Dappy have got that connection, so who knows..."
The 27-year-old star isn't a fan of the overly-sexualised portrayal of women in hip-hop and says he won't be going all 'Blurred Lines' in his next music video.
He mused: "Hip-hop videos have always had that culture to it, but here in the UK you don't really see that a lot. I think it depends how you put yourself across. If you allow yourself to be portrayed in a certain way then you can only blame yourself ... I feel like when there a woman that respects herself, I respect them."
Tinchy was joined by stars including Billie and Sam Faiers, Amy Willerton and Sophie Ellis-Bextor at the F&F fashion show last night (03.04.14) to watch their new mens and womenswear collections go down the runway.
Tinchy Stryder inspired by Kendrick Lamar
Tinchy Stryder's new music is inspired by Kendrick Lamar.
The British rapper has been hard at work on his new album and has been putting together a comprehensive collection of songs, which he says have been loosely influenced by the US hip-hop icon.
Speaking at the F&F Autumn/Winter 2014 fashion show at London's Somerset House, he exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "It's going really good, I would say the album is finished but it's never finished! A couple of days ago I went to the studio to record a new track. This time I'm being more picky. Even if a song is good, if it doesn't fit with the rest, it's out.
"Someone who has really inspired me is Kendrick Lamar. Not many albums I can listen to start to finish, his are like a journey. This album might be my fourth, but it feels like people are just are getting to know me. I'm starting to open to up."
The 'Number 1' hitmaker also revealed he would love to work with N-Dubz star Dappy for a third time, but remained coy as to whether fans could expect another collaboration on his new record.
Tinchy said: "I love N-Dubz, they're cool. I did 'Spaceship' with Dappy after 'Number 1'.You never know, we might end up in the studio and make something. Me and Dappy have got that connection, so who knows..."
The 27-year-old star isn't a fan of the overly-sexualised portrayal of women in hip-hop and says he won't be going all 'Blurred Lines' in his next music video.
He mused: "Hip-hop videos have always had that culture to it, but here in the UK you don't really see that a lot. I think it depends how you put yourself across. If you allow yourself to be portrayed in a certain way then you can only blame yourself ... I feel like when there a woman that respects herself, I respect them."
Tinchy was joined by stars including Billie and Sam Faiers, Amy Willerton and Sophie Ellis-Bextor at the F&F fashion show last night (03.04.14) to watch their new mens and womenswear collections go down the runway.
Music News
Aerosmith will tour with Slash this summer.
The 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing' hitmakers are heading out on the road with the musician for their 'Let Rock Rule' tour and Joe Perry confirmed the news in a YouTube video today (04.04.14).
He said: "A couple of days ago I tweeted that we were going out on the road this summer with Slash and now it's absolutely official, tickets will be going on sale real soon.
"The name of the tour is Let Rock Rule and you're going to be hearing a little more of that coming up real soon, see ya then."
Dates and venues for the tour are yet to be finalised and guitarist Joe has been posting photographs of graffiti he's painted on walls in downtown Los Angeles, with the tag 'Aerosmith', ahead of their upcoming tour.
The band - also made up of Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford, Steven Tyler and Joey Kramer - released their first set of all-original material in 11 years, 'Music From Another Dimension', in 2012, and toured for about a year after its release.
Joe also recently revealed that he will publish his autobiography in October, titled 'Rocks: My Life In And Out Of Aerosmith'.
Aerosmith tol tour with Slash this summer.
Aerosmith will tour with Slash this summer.
The 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing' hitmakers are heading out on the road with the musician for their 'Let Rock Rule' tour and Joe Perry confirmed the news in a YouTube video today (04.04.14).
He said: "A couple of days ago I tweeted that we were going out on the road this summer with Slash and now it's absolutely official, tickets will be going on sale real soon.
"The name of the tour is Let Rock Rule and you're going to be hearing a little more of that coming up real soon, see ya then."
Dates and venues for the tour are yet to be finalised and guitarist Joe has been posting photographs of graffiti he's painted on walls in downtown Los Angeles, with the tag 'Aerosmith', ahead of their upcoming tour.
The band - also made up of Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford, Steven Tyler and Joey Kramer - released their first set of all-original material in 11 years, 'Music From Another Dimension', in 2012, and toured for about a year after its release.
Joe also recently revealed that he will publish his autobiography in October, titled 'Rocks: My Life In And Out Of Aerosmith'.
Music News
Kasabian will headline this year's Glastonbury festival with Arcade Fire.
The 'Fire' hitmakers will close the event at Worthy Farm on Sunday, June 29, joining headliners Arcade Fire on Friday, June 27, while the Saturday headliner is yet to be announced.
Kasabian - made up of Serge Pizzorno, Chris Edwards, Tim Carter and Ian Matthews - will make their debut at the festival ahead of the release of their new album and Serge insists he can now "die a happy man".
He told NME.com: "We knew we were in the running which was amazing. Being in the running is fine but you don't want to be in the race, you want to win it. You want to be on the podium. We got the phone call - I felt relieved because we've always wanted to do it from the first rehearsal, day one of the first rehearsal. We kicked into a tune and sort of went, 'Glastonbury!', a full on shout out."
Festival founder Michael Eavis had promised this year's festival would feature fresh headliners and rumours are Prince could still be announced for the Saturday night.
Michael's daughter Emily Eavis said: "We always take great pride in putting a great British band on to headline the Pyramid [stage] and this time it's Kasabian, who are one of the most requested bands from Glastonbury-goers and an amazing live act. It's going to be one hell of a show!"
Kasabian join 87 names added to this year's line-up, which now includes Elbow, Pixies, MIA and Skrillex.
'Where Is My Mind?' hitmakers Pixies have not performed at the festival since 1989 and are set to release their fifth album, 'Indie Cindy', their first record in 23 years.
Dolly Parton, Jack White, The Black Keys, Robert Plant, Lily Allen, Blondie, Lana Del Rey, Disclosure, Paolo Nutini, Manic Street Preachers and Ed Sheeran are also on the bill for the event.
The festival has already sold out but a re-sale of tickets that have been cancelled or refunded will go back on sale to the public at the end of April visit Glastonbury.seetickets.com for more.
Kasabian to headline Glastonbury
Kasabian will headline this year's Glastonbury festival with Arcade Fire.
The 'Fire' hitmakers will close the event at Worthy Farm on Sunday, June 29, joining headliners Arcade Fire on Friday, June 27, while the Saturday headliner is yet to be announced.
Kasabian - made up of Serge Pizzorno, Chris Edwards, Tim Carter and Ian Matthews - will make their debut at the festival ahead of the release of their new album and Serge insists he can now "die a happy man".
He told NME.com: "We knew we were in the running which was amazing. Being in the running is fine but you don't want to be in the race, you want to win it. You want to be on the podium. We got the phone call - I felt relieved because we've always wanted to do it from the first rehearsal, day one of the first rehearsal. We kicked into a tune and sort of went, 'Glastonbury!', a full on shout out."
Festival founder Michael Eavis had promised this year's festival would feature fresh headliners and rumours are Prince could still be announced for the Saturday night.
Michael's daughter Emily Eavis said: "We always take great pride in putting a great British band on to headline the Pyramid [stage] and this time it's Kasabian, who are one of the most requested bands from Glastonbury-goers and an amazing live act. It's going to be one hell of a show!"
Kasabian join 87 names added to this year's line-up, which now includes Elbow, Pixies, MIA and Skrillex.
'Where Is My Mind?' hitmakers Pixies have not performed at the festival since 1989 and are set to release their fifth album, 'Indie Cindy', their first record in 23 years.
Dolly Parton, Jack White, The Black Keys, Robert Plant, Lily Allen, Blondie, Lana Del Rey, Disclosure, Paolo Nutini, Manic Street Preachers and Ed Sheeran are also on the bill for the event.
The festival has already sold out but a re-sale of tickets that have been cancelled or refunded will go back on sale to the public at the end of April visit Glastonbury.seetickets.com for more.
Music News
Klaxons have teamed up with some of the biggest names in the dance world for their new album 'Love Frequency'.
The band - made up of Jamie Reynolds, James Righton and Simon Taylor - have been working with The Chemical Brothers' Tom Reynolds, James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem and electro DJ Erol Alkan for their new record, which is out on June 2.
Guitarist Simon, 31, told the Daily Star newspaper: "We've hand-picked our heroes to produce us, and they were all up for it. I don't know how we've blagged this."
The new album comes four years after their last release 'Surfing The Void' but Simon insists they've been busy.
He explained: "We've not stopped, but it's been an ongoing process of tweaking songs.
"We don't go into the studio and come out at the end of the day with a song. We make multiple versions with our producers.
"We want to define ourselves as an oddball pop band."
The new album is the first time The Chemical Brothers have produced a band and Simon is incredibly grateful to have had Tom on board.
He added: "It's an absolute honour. But us being Tom's first production work feels like there's a lot at stake for Tom as well.
"His studio is like a spaceship, and he gave us a psychedelic Czech vocal sample to work with. That was a new way to write."
The band's latest single 'There Is No Other' is out now.
Klaxons work with big dance names for record
Klaxons have teamed up with some of the biggest names in the dance world for their new album 'Love Frequency'.
The band - made up of Jamie Reynolds, James Righton and Simon Taylor - have been working with The Chemical Brothers' Tom Reynolds, James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem and electro DJ Erol Alkan for their new record, which is out on June 2.
Guitarist Simon, 31, told the Daily Star newspaper: "We've hand-picked our heroes to produce us, and they were all up for it. I don't know how we've blagged this."
The new album comes four years after their last release 'Surfing The Void' but Simon insists they've been busy.
He explained: "We've not stopped, but it's been an ongoing process of tweaking songs.
"We don't go into the studio and come out at the end of the day with a song. We make multiple versions with our producers.
"We want to define ourselves as an oddball pop band."
The new album is the first time The Chemical Brothers have produced a band and Simon is incredibly grateful to have had Tom on board.
He added: "It's an absolute honour. But us being Tom's first production work feels like there's a lot at stake for Tom as well.
"His studio is like a spaceship, and he gave us a psychedelic Czech vocal sample to work with. That was a new way to write."
The band's latest single 'There Is No Other' is out now.