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Janelle Monae didn't like the audience at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
The 'Tightrope' singer joined OutKast on stage to sing with Big Boi at the event in Indio, California last month, and while critics claimed the show failed to live up to expectations but Janelle blames the crowd.
She told Faster Louder: "I didn't like that Coachella audience.
"I'm happy I got to CounterPoint [Music Festival] in Georgia, because those were real festival-goers, in my opinion."
Janelle joined Andre 3000 at the CounterPoint Music Festival to dance on stage during 'Hey Ya!' last weekend and gushed about the band who have reunited onstage after a near decade-long hiatus.
She said: "That is my favourite duo, favourite rap group ever invented.
"They were in their time travel machine and they came back to see us, and I think we should all be grateful that they came back. "The music is more fun, and lives are enriched with those two ATLiens performing. They're also great friends of mine, so it's great to see your friends do what they love doing and get the love and support they need."
Outkast collaborated with Monae on two tracks from their most recent album - 2006's 'Idlewild' - and she also made an appearance on Big Boi's 2010 solo album 'Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty'.
Janelle Monae: I didn’t like the Coachella crowd
Janelle Monae didn't like the audience at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
The 'Tightrope' singer joined OutKast on stage to sing with Big Boi at the event in Indio, California last month, and while critics claimed the show failed to live up to expectations but Janelle blames the crowd.
She told Faster Louder: "I didn't like that Coachella audience.
"I'm happy I got to CounterPoint [Music Festival] in Georgia, because those were real festival-goers, in my opinion."
Janelle joined Andre 3000 at the CounterPoint Music Festival to dance on stage during 'Hey Ya!' last weekend and gushed about the band who have reunited onstage after a near decade-long hiatus.
She said: "That is my favourite duo, favourite rap group ever invented.
"They were in their time travel machine and they came back to see us, and I think we should all be grateful that they came back. "The music is more fun, and lives are enriched with those two ATLiens performing. They're also great friends of mine, so it's great to see your friends do what they love doing and get the love and support they need."
Outkast collaborated with Monae on two tracks from their most recent album - 2006's 'Idlewild' - and she also made an appearance on Big Boi's 2010 solo album 'Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty'.
Music News
Monty Python have unveiled a previously unheard track.
The comedy troupe premiered 'Lousy Song' today (06.05.14), which will feature on the upcoming re-issue of their classic 1989 album 'Monty Python Sings (Again)'.
The track was performed in 1980 by Eric Idle and hears Graham Chapman, who passed away in 1989, interrupting the recording to declare how much he dislikes it.
Speaking about the song, Eric said: "It is the only totally improvised sketch I can remember Python doing.
"Graham enters the recording studio when I'm listening back to a song I have recorded. I think it is very funny."
'Monty Python Sings (Again)' is set for release on June 9 with a box set of all their recordings, including three never-before-released songs and three new recordings.
'Monty Python's Total Rubbish: The Complete Collection' will then follow on June 30 and will feature all nine UK-released 'Monty Python' albums.
The new releases will coincide with 10 live shows at the O2 Arena in London in July, which will be the last time the veteran jokers will all perform together.
The reunion, which kicks off on July 1, will see Eric, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, and take to the stage for the first time since 2009.
Monty Python premiere Lousy Song
Monty Python have unveiled a previously unheard track.
The comedy troupe premiered 'Lousy Song' today (06.05.14), which will feature on the upcoming re-issue of their classic 1989 album 'Monty Python Sings (Again)'.
The track was performed in 1980 by Eric Idle and hears Graham Chapman, who passed away in 1989, interrupting the recording to declare how much he dislikes it.
Speaking about the song, Eric said: "It is the only totally improvised sketch I can remember Python doing.
"Graham enters the recording studio when I'm listening back to a song I have recorded. I think it is very funny."
'Monty Python Sings (Again)' is set for release on June 9 with a box set of all their recordings, including three never-before-released songs and three new recordings.
'Monty Python's Total Rubbish: The Complete Collection' will then follow on June 30 and will feature all nine UK-released 'Monty Python' albums.
The new releases will coincide with 10 live shows at the O2 Arena in London in July, which will be the last time the veteran jokers will all perform together.
The reunion, which kicks off on July 1, will see Eric, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, and take to the stage for the first time since 2009.
Music News
Arctic Monkeys have defended claims all of their shows are a "routine".
The 'Snap Out Of It' band were slammed by American act The Orwells - who supported them on their US tour and claim they play the same show every night - while frontman Alex Turner uses the same ad-libs on stage.
Guitarist Matt O'Keefe told Gigwise: "When you're playing arenas and everything, it's a huge production then the show has to become synchronised to work.
"So every night no matter how he [Alex] was feeling he'd go into that opening riff. It was the exact same ad-libs he was putting between songs. So we were with them for about 50 dates, you saw them once you'd pretty much seen every date they'd played."
Alex, 28, has responded to the claim and thinks it "isn't fair" to call the shows "synchronised" just because the set has structure.
Talking about The Orwells, he told News Limited: "They should have been out trying to get laid instead of watching us every night.
"There comes a time on a tour when something works and you tend to leave it alone. We have been changing it around a little bit. You can't mess around with it too much. It's almost like the show isn't designed to be watched by the same person every night.
"Nowadays people share the set lists, but I'm by no means f***ing phoning it in. It's not like we have (pre-recorded) tracks we're up there f***ing doing it."
Meanwhile, Arctic Moneys - also made up of drummer Matt Helders, guitarist Jamie Cook and bassist Nick O'Malley - will kick off their biggest Australian tour in Sydney tonight (06.05.14).
Arctic Monkeys: Our shows are not a routine
Arctic Monkeys have defended claims all of their shows are a "routine".
The 'Snap Out Of It' band were slammed by American act The Orwells - who supported them on their US tour and claim they play the same show every night - while frontman Alex Turner uses the same ad-libs on stage.
Guitarist Matt O'Keefe told Gigwise: "When you're playing arenas and everything, it's a huge production then the show has to become synchronised to work.
"So every night no matter how he [Alex] was feeling he'd go into that opening riff. It was the exact same ad-libs he was putting between songs. So we were with them for about 50 dates, you saw them once you'd pretty much seen every date they'd played."
Alex, 28, has responded to the claim and thinks it "isn't fair" to call the shows "synchronised" just because the set has structure.
Talking about The Orwells, he told News Limited: "They should have been out trying to get laid instead of watching us every night.
"There comes a time on a tour when something works and you tend to leave it alone. We have been changing it around a little bit. You can't mess around with it too much. It's almost like the show isn't designed to be watched by the same person every night.
"Nowadays people share the set lists, but I'm by no means f***ing phoning it in. It's not like we have (pre-recorded) tracks we're up there f***ing doing it."
Meanwhile, Arctic Moneys - also made up of drummer Matt Helders, guitarist Jamie Cook and bassist Nick O'Malley - will kick off their biggest Australian tour in Sydney tonight (06.05.14).
Music News
Rihanna is preparing to release her next album with Roc Nation after leaving Def Jam.
The 'Diamonds' singer, who was already being managed by Jay Z's record label, has now inked a deal and her profile on Roc Nation's website has been updated, which lists her as one of their big name acts.
Rihanna first signed her record deal with Def Jam in 2005, when she was just 17, and claims then-label-president Jay Z wouldn't let her out of his office until she put pen to paper.
Since then, she has released all seven of her chart conquering albums with the label, including 2011's 'Unapologetic', despite Jay Z leaving his role to start up Roc Nation in 2009.
Rihanna had already parted ways with her former manager Marc Jordan and signed with Jay's Roc Nation management team in 2010 but it now appears she is also signed to the label.
She joins the likes of Calvin Harris, DJ Mustard, J. Cole, Jay Electronica, Rita Ora and Jay Z himself.
Meanwhile, the Def Jam website now lists Rihanna under its "Legacy" section, along with stars like Amerie, Ashanti, and Public Enemy.
The 26-year-old star will release her next album "soon" and will be spending more time in the studio than taking 'selfies' after her Instagram account was suspended for posting half-naked photographs.
Rihanna leaves Def Jam for Roc Nation
Rihanna is preparing to release her next album with Roc Nation after leaving Def Jam.
The 'Diamonds' singer, who was already being managed by Jay Z's record label, has now inked a deal and her profile on Roc Nation's website has been updated, which lists her as one of their big name acts.
Rihanna first signed her record deal with Def Jam in 2005, when she was just 17, and claims then-label-president Jay Z wouldn't let her out of his office until she put pen to paper.
Since then, she has released all seven of her chart conquering albums with the label, including 2011's 'Unapologetic', despite Jay Z leaving his role to start up Roc Nation in 2009.
Rihanna had already parted ways with her former manager Marc Jordan and signed with Jay's Roc Nation management team in 2010 but it now appears she is also signed to the label.
She joins the likes of Calvin Harris, DJ Mustard, J. Cole, Jay Electronica, Rita Ora and Jay Z himself.
Meanwhile, the Def Jam website now lists Rihanna under its "Legacy" section, along with stars like Amerie, Ashanti, and Public Enemy.
The 26-year-old star will release her next album "soon" and will be spending more time in the studio than taking 'selfies' after her Instagram account was suspended for posting half-naked photographs.
Music News
Ed Sheeran performed new material at a secret gig in London yesterday (05.05.14).
The 'Drunk' hitmaker took to the stage at Koko in Camden to play songs from his second album 'x' and fans packed into the 1,500-capacity venue after scrambling to get tickets.
Dressed in his usual low-key attire, the star wore a red t-shirt, black jeans and combat boots and wowed the crowd with his rap skills during an extended version of 'You Need Me (I Don't Need You)', before performing his hit 'Lego House'.
Fans already knew the lyrics to new track 'Don't', about a singer who cheated on Ed in a hotel room with his friend.
Girls in the back of the venue whispered about reports it is written about Ellie Goulding but Ed kept quiet on the subject matter.
The singer-songwriter went on to perform hits 'Drunk, 'Gimme Love' and ' I See Fire' from 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug', along with new ballad 'Tenerife Sea', a stunning love song written at the Grammys.
He explained how he went to the ceremony with his parents and felt out of place. The song's honest lyrics make it one of the best tracks he's played so far from the new record.
Ed spoke to the crowd in hushed tones and got fans to quietly sing along, before whipping them into a frenzy with his impressive falsetto, harmonies and rap beats layered with a new loop pedal.
"I want you to act as if it's a festival Sunday", he told the crowd, after thanking them for giving up their bank holiday to watch him play.
He slowed things down again with 'One' and 'The A-Team', which still never fails to bring tears to your eyes, before bowing out with 'Sing', his up tempo new single produced by Pharrell Williams, which had the crowd singing the track's riff on repeat until the lights came up, and no doubt until the next morning.
The concert was the second of three secret 'Multipy' gigs after he performed at a pub in Ipswich and later headed to Dublin.
Ed Sheeran performs secret gig in London
Ed Sheeran performed new material at a secret gig in London yesterday (05.05.14).
The 'Drunk' hitmaker took to the stage at Koko in Camden to play songs from his second album 'x' and fans packed into the 1,500-capacity venue after scrambling to get tickets.
Dressed in his usual low-key attire, the star wore a red t-shirt, black jeans and combat boots and wowed the crowd with his rap skills during an extended version of 'You Need Me (I Don't Need You)', before performing his hit 'Lego House'.
Fans already knew the lyrics to new track 'Don't', about a singer who cheated on Ed in a hotel room with his friend.
Girls in the back of the venue whispered about reports it is written about Ellie Goulding but Ed kept quiet on the subject matter.
The singer-songwriter went on to perform hits 'Drunk, 'Gimme Love' and ' I See Fire' from 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug', along with new ballad 'Tenerife Sea', a stunning love song written at the Grammys.
He explained how he went to the ceremony with his parents and felt out of place. The song's honest lyrics make it one of the best tracks he's played so far from the new record.
Ed spoke to the crowd in hushed tones and got fans to quietly sing along, before whipping them into a frenzy with his impressive falsetto, harmonies and rap beats layered with a new loop pedal.
"I want you to act as if it's a festival Sunday", he told the crowd, after thanking them for giving up their bank holiday to watch him play.
He slowed things down again with 'One' and 'The A-Team', which still never fails to bring tears to your eyes, before bowing out with 'Sing', his up tempo new single produced by Pharrell Williams, which had the crowd singing the track's riff on repeat until the lights came up, and no doubt until the next morning.
The concert was the second of three secret 'Multipy' gigs after he performed at a pub in Ipswich and later headed to Dublin.
Music News
Calvin Harris insists he can still live a normal life despite being famous.
The superstar DJ, who has a weekly residence at Hakkasan club in Las Vegas, claims he only really gets noticed in the UK and America when he's with his pop star girlfriend Rita Ora.
Calvin explained: "I need to be in LA because I have a gig in Las Vegas every week.
"Now I have to cope with all this hot weather and sexy people.
"I'm lucky I can get to do music and do well and still do normal stuff unless I'm out with the missus - then I get a lot of attention."
But the star, who has been dating the 'R.I.P' hitmaker on/off since May last year, insists he doesn't have to deal with being in the spotlight too much because the couple don't see each other very often.
He told the Daily Star newspaper: "We see each other like four days every two weeks, so it's like an issue when she's around. We'd probably get sick of each other if we had a whole month (together)."
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old DJ is celebrating his sixth UK number one with new track 'Summer', which sees him return to the microphone.
He explained: "I had two albums out before the last one, where I used to sing every song.
"(Now) if I have a song that I think suits my voice, I'll just do it myself. Most people don't even know it's me who sings."
Calvin Harris: I can still live a normal life
Calvin Harris insists he can still live a normal life despite being famous.
The superstar DJ, who has a weekly residence at Hakkasan club in Las Vegas, claims he only really gets noticed in the UK and America when he's with his pop star girlfriend Rita Ora.
Calvin explained: "I need to be in LA because I have a gig in Las Vegas every week.
"Now I have to cope with all this hot weather and sexy people.
"I'm lucky I can get to do music and do well and still do normal stuff unless I'm out with the missus - then I get a lot of attention."
But the star, who has been dating the 'R.I.P' hitmaker on/off since May last year, insists he doesn't have to deal with being in the spotlight too much because the couple don't see each other very often.
He told the Daily Star newspaper: "We see each other like four days every two weeks, so it's like an issue when she's around. We'd probably get sick of each other if we had a whole month (together)."
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old DJ is celebrating his sixth UK number one with new track 'Summer', which sees him return to the microphone.
He explained: "I had two albums out before the last one, where I used to sing every song.
"(Now) if I have a song that I think suits my voice, I'll just do it myself. Most people don't even know it's me who sings."
Music News
Lady Gaga kicked off her 'ArtRave: ARTPOP Ball tour' in Florida on Sunday night (04.05.14).
The 'Applause' hitmaker ditched her usual grunge style and took to the stage in a cute polkadot latex leotard and fishnet tights at the BB&T Center in Fort Lauderdale before going through a number of costume changes.
She later opted for a shoulder-length platinum blonde wig and futuristic white gown, a jewelled leotard with a blue orb in the centre of her chest, and also dressed up as a giant squid in another polkadot number.
The 27-year-old star, who is touring to support her 'ARTPOP' album, took to Twitter ahead of her first show and posted: "I can't believe the show is tonight, been dreaming about it since I wrote the first song for the album. I love you monsters. LETS PARTY (sic)."
Gaga performed hits such as 'Just Dance', 'Bad Romance', 'G.U.Y', 'Swine', and 'Applause', along with her new song Donatella, which she sang for the first time in honour of her fashion designer friend, Donatella Versace, and another new track, Partynauseous.
The singer later described her sold out show as one of the "most incredible experiences of my life" and praised her fans, nicknamed 'little monsters'.
Gaga wrote: "I have to hand it to little monsters in ft Lauderdale. Your fashun was AMAZING MAGICAL AND I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE YOUR PRETTY FACES. (sic)"
The singer will continued her tour tonight (06.05.14) in Atlanta, followed by a number of US shows in the likes of Madison Square Garden in New York and the Staples Center in Los Angeles before moving onto the UK.
Lady Gaga kicks off ArtRave tour
Lady Gaga kicked off her 'ArtRave: ARTPOP Ball tour' in Florida on Sunday night (04.05.14).
The 'Applause' hitmaker ditched her usual grunge style and took to the stage in a cute polkadot latex leotard and fishnet tights at the BB&T Center in Fort Lauderdale before going through a number of costume changes.
She later opted for a shoulder-length platinum blonde wig and futuristic white gown, a jewelled leotard with a blue orb in the centre of her chest, and also dressed up as a giant squid in another polkadot number.
The 27-year-old star, who is touring to support her 'ARTPOP' album, took to Twitter ahead of her first show and posted: "I can't believe the show is tonight, been dreaming about it since I wrote the first song for the album. I love you monsters. LETS PARTY (sic)."
Gaga performed hits such as 'Just Dance', 'Bad Romance', 'G.U.Y', 'Swine', and 'Applause', along with her new song Donatella, which she sang for the first time in honour of her fashion designer friend, Donatella Versace, and another new track, Partynauseous.
The singer later described her sold out show as one of the "most incredible experiences of my life" and praised her fans, nicknamed 'little monsters'.
Gaga wrote: "I have to hand it to little monsters in ft Lauderdale. Your fashun was AMAZING MAGICAL AND I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE YOUR PRETTY FACES. (sic)"
The singer will continued her tour tonight (06.05.14) in Atlanta, followed by a number of US shows in the likes of Madison Square Garden in New York and the Staples Center in Los Angeles before moving onto the UK.
Music News
Lily Allen wanted to return to music using her married name.
The singer, who has children Ethel, two, and Marnie, 15 months, with husband Sam Cooper has released her comeback album 'Sheezus' after a four-year hiatus and wanted to use his surname before being persuaded against the idea by management.
She told Q magazine: "You pick your battles. At the time I would have [changed my name], but in retrospect I quite like having Lily Allen back."
Talking about her new record, she said: "This album's like a vomit of stuff that's happened to me over the last four years.
"It felt like a fair representation of everything that's happened since I've been away."
Lily admits she can be an "argumentative little sh*t" with a self-confessed "mass of contradictions" but insists she's not as bad as she used to be.
Lily explained: "When you're a parent your ego is halved. The things that affected me were like, 'I can't believe people are saying horrible things about me'. But as long as people are saying horrible things about me and not my children. It's not about me. I'm not even a real person any more. I'm just their mum."
Lily Allen wanted to use married name on return
Lily Allen wanted to return to music using her married name.
The singer, who has children Ethel, two, and Marnie, 15 months, with husband Sam Cooper has released her comeback album 'Sheezus' after a four-year hiatus and wanted to use his surname before being persuaded against the idea by management.
She told Q magazine: "You pick your battles. At the time I would have [changed my name], but in retrospect I quite like having Lily Allen back."
Talking about her new record, she said: "This album's like a vomit of stuff that's happened to me over the last four years.
"It felt like a fair representation of everything that's happened since I've been away."
Lily admits she can be an "argumentative little sh*t" with a self-confessed "mass of contradictions" but insists she's not as bad as she used to be.
Lily explained: "When you're a parent your ego is halved. The things that affected me were like, 'I can't believe people are saying horrible things about me'. But as long as people are saying horrible things about me and not my children. It's not about me. I'm not even a real person any more. I'm just their mum."
Music News
Jennifer Lopez will receive the Icon Award at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.
The 'On The Floor' hitmaker is set to become the first woman to be honoured for her lifetime achievement to music at the ceremony held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 18.
The star is the only the fourth recipient of the Icon Award ever, following on from Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder and Prince.
Larry Klein, producer of the Billboard Music Awards, commented: "Jennifer Lopez is one of the most iconic performers of her generation.
"We are thrilled to honour her historic career with the 2014 Icon Award and will be on the edge of our seats like everyone else when she takes the stage."
The sexy songstress is also going to take to the stage during the ceremony to debut her FIFA World Cup anthem 'We Are One (Ole Ola)' with Pitbull, as well as performing her new single 'First Love'.
The 'American Idol' judge took to Twitter over the weekend to reveal her upcoming eight studio album will be called 'A.K.A.', as well as sharing the artwork for the new record, which shows her clad in a bondage-style red leather dress.
Jennifer Lopez to receive Icon Award
Jennifer Lopez will receive the Icon Award at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.
The 'On The Floor' hitmaker is set to become the first woman to be honoured for her lifetime achievement to music at the ceremony held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 18.
The star is the only the fourth recipient of the Icon Award ever, following on from Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder and Prince.
Larry Klein, producer of the Billboard Music Awards, commented: "Jennifer Lopez is one of the most iconic performers of her generation.
"We are thrilled to honour her historic career with the 2014 Icon Award and will be on the edge of our seats like everyone else when she takes the stage."
The sexy songstress is also going to take to the stage during the ceremony to debut her FIFA World Cup anthem 'We Are One (Ole Ola)' with Pitbull, as well as performing her new single 'First Love'.
The 'American Idol' judge took to Twitter over the weekend to reveal her upcoming eight studio album will be called 'A.K.A.', as well as sharing the artwork for the new record, which shows her clad in a bondage-style red leather dress.
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