Music News

Pharrell Williams, Paloma Faith and Giorgio Moroder will be handed Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards.
The 'Happy' hitmaker, who has sold five million records this year, will pick up the Raymond Weil International Award, while 'Can't Rely On You' singer Paloma will be presented with the Royal Albert Hall Best British Act Award and Italian producer and dance music pioneer Giorgio, who has collaborated with Daft Punk, will receive the American Express Innovation Award at the ceremony.
Paloma said: "I'm a great advocate of British music, so to be awarded the Royal Albert Hall Best British Act Award at the O2 Silver Clefs is amazing. Music has always been a form of therapy for me so I am glad to be supporting Nordoff Robbins and helping them to raise awareness of their work, helping people connect and communicate through music."
Nordoff Robbins provides music therapy for thousands of people across the UK, helping sufferers of autism, stokes and dementia open up and connect to their surroundings, increase communication skills, self-esteem and confidence.
The event this year will take place at the London Hilton, Park Lane, on Friday, July 4.

Usher debuted Michael Jackson's new song at the iHeartRadio Music Awards last night (01.04.14).
The 'Good Kisser' hitmaker got to honour the King of Pop by performing the track 'Love Never Felt So Good' at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, which will be featured on 'XSCAPE', Michael's upcoming album.
The track was introduced by veteran music boss L.A. Reid of Epic Records and was produced by John McClain and Paul Anka - having been recorded back in 1983.
The label will be releasing the album, in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson, on May 13, and guest artists featured on the record include Mary J Blige and Justin Timberlake.
Usher paid tribute to Michael in an interview with MTV News following the star's death in 2009 of acute Propofol intoxication.
He said: "I think Michael Jackson is by far one of the most impactful artists in music ... when MTV did not play African-American videos, he took a stand and said, 'This is a must,' and you look what it became after that.
"You can't say that you are an artist in this century and [not be] influenced by Michael Jackson. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to share the stage with him, to know him personally, and I am always going to remember him."

Rita Ora will be a "superstar", according to Iggy Azalea.
The Australian rapper has boldly predicted worldwide success for her close pal, who she recently collaborated with on new track 'Black Widow', which was penned by Katy Perry.
Iggy said: "Rita's a superstar and she will only get bigger. She's one of those girls that always gets the party started, she is so mischievous, it's great going out with her."
The 23-year-old star was originally determined to avoid any collaborations on her debut album, 'The New Classic', but eventually relented when 'Roar' hitmaker Katy pitched 'Black Widow' to her.
She explained: "I changed my mind when Katy said she kept thinking of me when she wrote 'Black Widow', but it was months before I got to hear the song. I was going, 'Play me the damned song! What the hell?' "
Iggy also reveals that Katy was her first choice to sing on the track but the in-demand star couldn't fit a recording session into her busy schedule.
The rapper told the Daily Star newspaper: "Katy couldn't get time to sing on the track herself, so we wondered who else could do it. It needed someone who could really sing, as Katy's voice is awesome. Rita is a great fit - her voice can blow people away."

Wilko Johnson is recovering well after radical cancer surgery.
The former Dr Feelgood guitarist had a pancreatic tumour "successfully" removed during a nine hour operation on Wednesday (30.04.14) and doctors are said to be "happy" with his condition after he was given 10 months to live, when he rejected chemotherapy.
In a statement from Wilko's manager, Lisa Climie, said: "Wilko will stay under very close observation for the next few days.
"Although cautiously optimistic the team have to stress that it is very early days yet.
"The family thank everyone for their good wishes and ask for some privacy at this time so they can support Wilko with his recovery in peace."
The news comes after the BBC reported the 66-year-old musician had defied the doctors' predictions after his "football-sized" tumour spread to his spleen and parts of his stomach, with sources claiming they were "hopeful" the surgery would have a "positive" result.
Meanwhile, Wilko has scrapped 14 gigs in May and July to allow him time to recover from the operation.
He recently stormed the UK album chart with the Roger Daltrey collaboration 'Going Back Home.'

Rihanna took home four prizes at last night's (01.05.14) iHeart Radio Music Awards.
The 'Stay' singer picked up Hip Hop/ R 'n' B Song of the Year for 'Pour It Up' - which she was unable to collect as she was stuck in traffic on her way to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles -, Song of the Year for 'Stay', Artist of the Year, and Best Fan Army at the first-ever ceremony.
Picking up the award for her fans, who are nicknamed Rihanna's Navy, she said: "This award is for the fans.
"It's not easy, what we do. It's very difficult at times. I never felt comfortable being anything other than myself.
"Rihanna Navy or die."
Meanwhile, Pharrell Williams received the Innovator Award and was honoured by video messages from stars including Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, Usher, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato and Shakira.
Beyonce said: "He was the person who made it cool to just be you."
After performing a medley of songs including 'Blurred Lines', 'Get Lucky' and 'Happy', Pharrell was given his award by Gwen Stefani and was visibly emotional as he made his acceptance speech.
He said: "You gotta believe in something bigger than yourself. I never dreamt in a million years as a producer that I would be standing here as an artist."
Other winners included Miley Cyrus, who wasn't at the ceremony so her father Billy Ray Cyrus picked up the Best Lyrics prize for her song 'Wrecking Ball' on her behalf, Lorde, and Blake Shelton.
Musical performers at the ceremony included Pitbull, Luke Bryan, Bastille, 30 Seconds to Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande, Blake Shelton, Ed Sheeran, Shakira and Arcade Fire, while the late Michael Jackson's new song 'Love Never Felt So Good' got its first airing, with Usher performing to it in tribute.

iHeart Radio Awards list of winners:

Artist of the Year:
Rihanna

Best Lyrics:
'Wrecking Ball' - Miley Cyrus

Best Collaboration:
'Timber' - Pitbull featuring Kesha

Hip Hop/R&B Song of the Year:
'Pour It Up' - Rihanna

Song of the Year:
'Stay' - Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko

Best New Artist:
Lorde

Country Song of the Year:
'Boys 'Round Here' - Blake Shelton

EDM Song of the Year:
'Wake Me Up' - Avicii

Alternative Rock Song of the Year:
'Demons' - Imagine Dragons

Best Fan Army:
Rihanna Navy - Rihanna

Innovator:
Pharrell Williams

Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil thinks it will be "wise" for them to take a break from music soon.
The vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the band has admitted that although they're hoping to put out a new album soon, they're also thinking of taking some time out from the music industry.
He told Xfm radio: "It's probably wise for us to disappear for a wee while, as well. We've had so much love from people and they've been so kind but there's nothing worse than a band that just stays in your face for ages and ages so we'll probably disappear for a while and hopefully you guys will miss us."
The 34-year-old 'Mountains' hitmaker claims he's penned enough tracks for an album already but won't be releasing them for over a year.
He said: "I've written about 14 songs so far. We're kind of doing some demos of them at the moment. The fact that the ball is rolling on this record is very exciting, I think we'll look to record it maybe the start of next year, possibly out for the end of next year."
"To me making a record, it's an ongoing process. You might not be ready to record it in a couple of months but the creativity and the evolution of the band, it picks up exactly where it left off."
Simon and his bandmates - James Johnstone, Ben Johnston, Josh Lowe and Lewis Ingram - will headline the T in the Park festival in Scotland this summer.

Michael Jackson's 'Xscape' album will feature Justin Timberlake and Mary J Blige.
The Grammy Award-winning artists are just a few of the names set to appear on Epic Records executive LA Reid's upcoming project, which will unveil unheard tracks written by the late King of Pop prior to his death in 2009, including the single 'Love Never Felt So Good,' which was released today (01.05.14).
According to the music mogul's son Aaron Reid - who worked on the posthumous record - most of the recordings discovered were incomplete.
He told the New York Post newspaper: "Michael Jackson didn't trust anyone with his music. He stopped finishing songs. He had a whole bunch of material stored away. He had hooks. He had verses. Then we put it together."
Aaron described the project as an "amazing process" after getting the opportunity to work closely with executive producer Timbaland, and help his father LA to recruit producer StarGate.
He gushed: "Michael Jackson is my favorite artist of all time. With this project, I got to carry on his legacy and even contribute to it. There's nothing like it."
Timbaland's right hand man Jerome "Jroc" Harmon and Michael's long-time producer Rodney Jerkins are set to produce eight songs for the album which is released on May 13, while Guitarist Jesse Johnson - best known as a member of the Time - and drummer Questlove will also play on the album.

Bob Dylan's handwritten lyrics for 'Like a Rolling Stone' will be auctioned in June.
The 72-year-old star's scribbled ideas for the 1965 hit single are to be sold at Sotheby's rock and pop music auction in New York on June 24 and are expected to sell for up to $1 million, according to BBC news.
The lyrics, about a debutante who becomes a loner when she's excluded from upper-class social circles, are written on four sheets of paper that feature the letterhead for the Roger Smith Hotel in Washington, D.C, in the United States.
Dylan - who was just 24-years-old when he recorded the track - drew rough sketches of a fedora hat, a high heeled shoe and a bird alongside the verses, "How does it feel to be on your own" and "No direction home, like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone".
Richard Austin, head of books and music at Sotheby's in New York, said: "You can see how much work he put into it. There is a real feel of immediacy.
"Before the release of 'Like a Rolling Stone', music charts were overrun with short and sweet love songs, many clocking in at three minutes or less.
"By defying convention with six and a half minutes of dark, brooding poetry, Dylan rewrote the rules of pop music."
The legendary musician and singer-songwriter reportedly sold the lyrics to a friend and business associate three years ago who has now put them up for auction along with a note from Dylan's lawyer verifying their authenticity.

Pet Shop Boys are to open a string of boutique hotels.
The electronic pop duo are hoping to unveil a string of simple accommodations as part of their plan to expand on their own brand, X2, a record label they set up following their departure from EMI Records after 28 years.
Chris Lowe told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Once you have your own logo, you start thinking the sky's the limit. Perfumes? Underpants? We've already decided we're going into hotels. Ours will be a basic range, like the White Company, nothing fancy."
Neil Tennant revealed they were inspired to buy their own estates after watching a series of property shows on television.
He explained: "The TV was on all the time when we were recording our latest album. I quite like 'Escape to the Country' actually."
Meanwhile, the 'West End Girls' hitmakers are set to unveil orchestral arrangements of their most famous hits at the BBC Proms on July 23, in addition to a piece inspired by wartime codebreaker, Alan Turing.
In a statement, the duo said: "It is an honour for us to be invited to present some new music at the Proms and to celebrate Alan Turing 60 years after his death."
Paloma Faith is also on the bill for the two-month festival, which takes place at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall from July 18.