Spaghetti Western Orchestra

Spaghetti Western Orchestra made a triumphant return to London’s South Bank last week with their hilarious celebration of the iconic collaborations between Sergio Leone and Ennio Morricone. This highly theatrical show features classic themes from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, For A Few Dollars More and Once Upon a Time in the West as well as ingenious recreations of the saloons, spittoons and shotgun-slinging ambience of the  ‘Wild Wild West’. Now Spaghetti Western Orchestra embark on a debut tour of the UK and Ireland throughout February and March 2012.

Dressed in period attire against a dramatic scorched sun backdrop, five brilliant musician performers play over 100 ‘instruments’ which range from the conventional to an incredible array of everyday objects including playing cards, coat hangers and a packet of cornflakes. The musical arrangements are accomplished and endlessly inventive, summoning the power of an entire orchestra and using foley (sound effects) artistry to recreate the punch-ups, gun-shots and jangling spurs evoking the glorious movies that made Clint Eastwood a star.

Spaghetti Western Orchestra burst on to the international scene at The Montreal Jazz Festival in 2007 and has garnered critical acclaim and energetic fans whenever it has played at International Festivals throughout the world.  Two previous visits to the Southbank Centre in 2009 and 2010 were sold out, the show featured on the achingly cool Later With Jools Holland in 2009 and also on the BBC Proms in August 2011.

Spaghetti Western Orchestra UK & Ireland Tour

February 2012
7th BRIGHTON  Theatre Royal
8th OXFORD New Theatre
9th BRISTOL St George’s
10th LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru
12th CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange
13th WIMBLEDON New Wimbledon Theatre
15th YORK Grand Opera House
17th SALFORD QUAYS The Lowry
18thb LEEDS  Town Hall
19th SUNDERLAND Empire Theatre
22nd KILLARNEY INEC Theatre
23rd DUBLIN The Helix
24th GALWAY The Black Box Theatre
25th  CORK  Opera House
2th BELFAST The Ulster Hall
29th BASINGSTOKE The Anvil

March 2012
1st  COVENTRY Warwick Arts Centre
2nd NOTTINGHAM  Royal Concert Hall
3rd STOKE ON TRENT Victoria Hall
4th CARDIFF Wales Millenium Centre
6th LIVERPOOL Empire Theatre
7th LEICESTER De Montfort Hall 7.30pm
9th GRIMSBY Auditorium
10th FOLKESTONE Leas Cliff Hall
11th RICHMOND Theatre
12th GLASGOW City Halls
13th EDINBURGH Festival Theatre
14th ABERDEEN Music Hall
16th BIRMINGHAM Town Hall
17th INVERNESS Eden Court Theatre
18th BRADFORD St George’s Hall

Radio 1's The Official Chart Show with Reggie Yates

Music fans will be able to watch live top ten countdown as BBC Radio 1’s The Official Chart Show with Reggie Yates to be available in vision.

The format of BBC Radio 1’s The Official Chart with Reggie Yates is set to be transformed next month as the top ten best-selling singles in The Official Chart will be visualised via the Radio 1 website for the first time ever.

From Sunday 26th February Radio 1 listeners will be able to watch the final hour of The Official Chart with Reggie Yates (6-7pm) online, as Reggie counts down the Top 10 singles in The Official Chart. As well as watching Reggie live in the studio, listeners will be able to see the music videos of those artists in the top 10, previous Live Lounge performances and exclusive interviews with artists that are featured in the chart. In addition, listeners will be able to interact visually with the show via Facebook, Twitter and text.

This is the first time the Top 10 has been visualised weekly at the BBC since 2006, when long running weekly music chart show Top of the Pops ceased, having entertained audiences since 1964.

The Official Chart with Reggie Yates on BBC Radio 1 counts down the 40 best-selling singles in the UK and is broadcast every Sunday between 4-7pm.

Ben Cooper, Controller of BBC Radio 1, says:

“This is the Chart Show for the 21st century. I’m very excited about this innovation. Young people will be logging on to listen, watch and take part in the show. I hope that this will be to our young listeners what listening to the chart and waiting to record your favourite pop songs was for another generation.”

Reggie Yates, Radio 1 DJ, comments:

“It’s so exciting that Chart Show listeners can now become Chart Show viewers. For the first time fans will be able to see all the antics and interviews that take place each week on the show in the run up to announcing the No.1 single as well as being able to watch the music videos from the Top 10 artists.”

Martin Talbot, Managing Director of the Official Charts Company, says:

“It feels completely appropriate that Radio 1 should choose to reinvent the concept of the radio show in the year that the Official Singles Chart marks its 60th anniversary. The Official Singles Chart has always reflected changing musical tastes and the evolving ways music fans have bought and enjoyed their music. And Radio 1’s innovation will change the way music and chart fans engage with the weekly Official Chart Show.”

You can watch The Official Chart with Reggie Yates live online from 26th February 2012 at 6pm at www.bbc.co.uk/radio1.

Get Fit for London 2012

The music and fitness plan for a stronger, healthier you.

Get Fit is the title designed and timed to help inspire and motivate you for the New Year as thoughts turn to getting fit and losing those excess pounds acquired over the Christmas period.

In association with London 2012, Get Fit is full of music that has been specifically chosen by the brains behind The Workout Mix. The music sequencing ensures a steady pace of training, quickening as it progresses, and then finishing with a wind down period at the end.

Inside, an informative fold out poster booklet gives you useful training tips!

Get Fit: the music & fitness plan for a stronger, healthier you

1. Taio Cruz – Dynamite – Radio Edit
2. Noisettes – Don’t Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go) – Radio Edit
3. Bobby Brown – Two Can Play That Game – K Klassik Radio Mix
4. CeCe Peniston – Finally Album Version
5. Brothers In Rhythm – Such A Good Feeling – Radio Mix
6. Yazz, The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up
7. Sugababes – Hole In The Head – Clean Radio Edit
8. Bodyrockers – I Like The Way – Radio Edit
9. Pixie Lott Boys And Girls – Album Version
10. The Hughes Corporation – What A Feeling – Radio Edit
11. Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now – Album Version
12. The Saturdays – Just Can’t Get Enough – Radio Mix
13. Sonique – It Feels So Good – Radio Edit
14. Daniel Bedingfield – Gotta Get Thru This – Radio Edit
15. Girls Aloud – Jump
16. Donna Summer – She Works Hard For The Money – Edited Single Version
17. Michael Sembello – Maniac
18. Lighthouse Family – Lifted

Get Fit: the music & fitness plan for a stronger, healthier you is out now released by Universal Music.

London - Songs To Define The City

In association with Time Out Magazine, Universal Music has released a compilation of songs with titles which refer to places in London or the name of the city itself.  The title of the CD is London – Songs to define the city and promoted as ‘a musical souvenir of the world’s music capital’.  The compilation certainly doesn’t define the city though does come with a 24-page guide to London’s music history and pull-out map of music landmarks.  So one of those is factually correct.

London is  where memories are made and dreams fulfilled and this collection takes you on a musical journey across London from Electric Avenue to Warwick Avenue, from Baker Street to Primrose Hill.

As with all genre hopping compilations, this isn’t aimed at music purists but music lovers who enjoy a sing-a-long to the likes of ‘Waterloo Sunset’ and Streets Of London’.

London – Songs to define the city features diverse music artists such as The Kinks, The Jam, David Bowie, Pulp, Pet Shop Boys, Duffy, The Small Faces, Eddy Grant, Jamie Cullum and John & Beverley Martyn.

Personal favourites include the ‘Soho Square with the wonderfully angelic and sadly missed voice of Kirsty MacColl, Gerry Rafferty’s all-time classic ‘Baker Street’ and ‘Rainy Night in Soho’The Pogues at their very melancholic best.

London – Songs to define the city tracklisting is as follows:

1.    Roxy Music – Do The Strand
2.    Jamie Cullum – London Skies
3.    The Kinks – Waterloo Sunset
4.    Squeeze – Piccadilly
5.    Kirsty MacColl – Soho Square
6.    Pet Shop Boys – London
7.    Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
8.    Simple Minds – Chelsea Girl
9.    Eddy Grant – Electric Avenue
10.    Pulp – Bar Italia
11.    Duffy – Warwick Avenue
12.    The Jam – Strange Town
13.    Ralph McTell – Streets of London
14.    Small Faces – Itchycoo Park
15.    Bert Jansch, John Renbourn – Soho
16.    David Bowie – The London Boys
17.    Caetano Veloso – London London
18.    The Pogues – A Rainy Night In Soho
19.    John Martyn, Beverley Martyn – Primrose Hill
20.    Saint Etienne – London Belongs To Me

Leona Lewis to play ‘Angels In Concert’ show

Leona Lewis has just confirmed that she will be performing with Natasha Bedingfield and Friends at the exclusive ‘Angels In Concert’ show on December 2nd.

Leona Lewis, multi-million selling platinum artist and three time Grammy Award nominee, has now topped charts in over 30 countries across the world. Her debut album  ‘Spirit’ made her the first British solo artist to go straight to the top the Billboard 200 with a debut album while her debut single “A Moment Like This” broke a world record after it was downloaded 50,000 times in 30 minutes. She has since had seven Top 5 UK hits and sold over 10 million albums. Her third album ‘Glassheart’ is scheduled for release early next year.

The ‘Angels In Concert’ show is part of a major celebratory charity evening on behalf of Global Angels. It follows straight on from the inaugural Global Angels Awards and dinner at the Four Star Park Plaza Hotel, 200 Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7UT.

Among others also appearing with Natasha Bedingfield are the Grammy nominated musician John Forte  and DJ Oisin Lunny. As an added bonus Daniel Bedingfield will be playing an acoustic set earlier in the evening.

Commenting on Leona’s addition to the bill Natasha Bedingfield said   “I’m thrilled to announce that Leona and Joss have agreed to join me for this amazing evening – it’s going to be such a fun night! I can’t think of anything better than live music on stage with my friends who are exceptional performers, loved all over the world for their vocal brilliance. I love what Global Angels is about and the incredible effect the organisation has on people’s lives. I’m really looking forward to this event and I’m so grateful for the support that Leona and Joss bring to Daniel, John Forte and I by being involved in it.”

Tickets for the two and a half hour concert are available now priced £55 and £70 from angelevents@globalangels.org or by phone on 0207 484 5408. A small number of VIP tickets are also available. Tickets can also be purchased from www.seetickets.com subject to booking fee.

Doors open at 8.30pm, concert starts at 9pm. Dress code: Elegant with a touch of gold. Entrance is by Plaza Suite to Westminster Ballroom.

Global Angels is the 100% charity that helps disadvantaged children and communities across the world. It is an international charity that work in partnerships resourcing best-practice-projects empowering children, young people and communities – their ‘100% Projects’. Every penny received from public donations goes directly to the ‘100% Projects’ providing water, food, education, homes, medical care and resources to transform lives.

One of the last songs to be produced by the legendary Martin Rushent (The Stranglers, Shirley Bassey, Altered Images, The Buzzcocks and, most famously, the Human League’s ‘Dare’) before his untimely death earlier this year, Boo Shuffle fizzes with energy and is sure to put the band right back in the hit parade where they belong.

With their sassy songs and their referencing of the girl groups of the late fifties The Pipettes had remarkable success. A top ten album in Japan where the single ‘Pull Shapes’ was only kept off the number one spot by J-Lo, top ten radio positions all across Europe, two Top Forty hits in the UK and a Top Ten in the US billboard indies. They played on the main stages at Reading and Glastonbury, blazed a British trail across the states, conquered the world and sold a heap of records. Their second album of ‘Earth Vs The Pipettes‘ saw a move towards the sounds of Chic-inspired seventies disco and eighties chart music, but “Boo Shuffle” sees a return to the fifties / sixties retro vibe of the material that made their name.

Singer and songwriter Ani Saunders says, “The song’s named after my shuffling hamster Boo (RIP) and more or less represents exactly what The Pipettes are about (the song that is, not the hamster). We like to sing pop songs, we like to dance, and we like to have a good time. It’s got dance moves and directions, and it’s the perfect opportunity for everyone to have fun and let go a little. Let’s face it, it’s pretty gloomy out there at the moment and this song always lightens the mood.”

The B-side is a remix by Martin Rushent, who the band are devastated to have lost, having grown close to him and his family during the recording of their album at his home studio. Famed for the album ‘Love And Dancing‘, a remix reinterpretation album of the Human League’s ‘Dare‘ which changed dance music forever, this remix was to have been the start of his second such project, an album of remixes of ‘Earth Vs The Pipettes‘. As Ani says, “It was an honour and a privilege to have worked with Martin. This single is a tribute to him and a big thank you to the whole Rushent family.”

Already a huge live favourite with the band’s fans, “Boo Shuffle” comes complete with a dance moves video made with London’s all girl 60s dance troupe The Actionettes and is odds on to be the number one dance song at parties across the land this Christmas. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to do the boo shuffle!

The Pipettes return with Boo Shuffle tracklisting:
1. Boo Shuffle (Radio Edit) 3.33
2. Boo Shuffle 4.00
3. Stop the Music (Martin Rushent Remix) 3.46

The Pipettes release Boo Shuffle on Fortuna POP! as a 7” vinyl & digital download on 14 November 2011.

For more information visit The Pipettes Website.

2011 has been no exception in the style stakes, with pop stars in the public eye queuing up to show off their new looks –which have ranged from the classical (think Cheryl Cole) to the fantastical (hands up Lady Gaga).  Here we look at some of the style choices made by pop stars so far this year, how they have been reported and what the public reaction has been.

Katy Perry

The California Girls singer may have waxes lyrical about the benefits of “Daisy Dukes, Bikinis on Top” but her own style is starting to sway a little from the skin tight bodycon looks that she has favoured so far.

A recent appearance on the UK X-Factor saw the number one pop princess ditching the risqué and revealing outfits that finally tamed famed womaniser Russell Brand in favour of a demure combination of wide-leg black trousers with a short-sleeved sheer off white blouse complete with unfastened bow tie.

Debbie Gibson

80s pop starlet Debbie Gibson may be making a bid for the big time again with her appearance on the celebrity apprentice, but her chosen style for the shoot left little to the imagination sparking whispers of mutton from the fashion press.

The once iconic “Electric Youth” singer stepped out in New York wearing a short denim skirt and cutaway top that would not have looked out of place on a woman less than half her age, and while the outfit didn’t cover much, it certainly secured her some coverage.

Jennifer Hudson

This divine diva is looking better than ever in 2011 after a long-term approach to weight loss began to show dividends. The Dream Girls Star and platinum selling artiste this year faced accusations of having undergone secret gastric band surgery, claims that have been strongly refuted by her management, who attribute her changing shape to hard work and a strict diet.

And with a new shape has come a whole new level of style, with Jennifer opting for smart tailored pieces that really flatter her newly honed curves.

Leann Rimes

Another singer whose weight has been under scrutiny this year is Leann Rimes, whose shrinking form has been the subject of mass speculation, all of which Rimes assures us is unwarranted. The singer and screen star, who rose to fame with her single Blue recorded when she was just 11-year-old, said that the changes in her body were a “natural progression” and slammed critics as irresponsible.

Certainly, the married stepmom is looking fantastic this year and has been photographed steeping out in a number of bohemian inspired outfits that inspired a little envy in us all.

Skepta, aka ‘The New King Of Grime’

Skepta, aka ‘The New King Of Grime’, returns this Autumn with his new single ‘Hold On’, the first offering to be taken from his forthcoming album due to be released in Spring 2012.

2011 so far has seen Skepta release his third studio album ‘Doin’ It Again’ and the DJ Whoo Kid hosted mixtape ‘Community Payback’, complete a nationwide headline UK tour, play a number of European festivals over the summer including Glastonbury, be nominated for his 2nd BET Award for ‘Best International Artist’, and perform with P Diddy at his recent Wembley Arena show.

Otherwise known as Joseph Junior Adenuga, the Tottenham born and raised DJ producer and MC, Skepta has played a key role in the elevation of grime to the mainstream masses. With a string of club anthems (such as ‘Duppy’ and ‘Too Many Men’) alongside chart hits  (such as ‘Rescue Me’ and ‘So Alive’) to his name, in addition to a staggering YouTube presence, Skepta’s ability to crossover and provide material for both the underground and more commercial audiences is clear.

Still maintaining a key role in the collective Boy Better Know that includes his brother JME, Skepta has not just continued to produce mixtapes and albums on the scene but further helped to create tracks and provide lyrics for fellow peers such as Tinchy Stryder, N-Dubz and most recently Chipmunk, when featuring on the track ‘Decorations on my Body’ taken from Chipmunk’s recently released mixtape ‘Spazzz.com’.

Combining an infectious chorus with Skepta’s signature lyrical prowess over a dirty bass line, ‘Hold On’ is not only a dynamic club track with huge anthemic potential, but is arguably his most radio-friendly release to date. The video to ‘Hold On’ favours an Olympic theme showing Skepta in preparation for the 2012 Olympics and featuring cameos from Olympic medallist Darren Campbell and UK actor Richie Campbell, (Anuvahood).

‘Hold On’ will be released on 28th November 2011 by 3 Beat/ All Around The World. In the run up to the release, Skepta is set to embark ‘The Wedding Bells Tour’ – his second headline nationwide UK tour this year. Dates as follows:

Skepta UK Tour Dates

Fri 7th OCT: GLASGOW ABC
Sat 8th OCT: NEWCASTLE ACADEMY
Mon 10th OCT: LEEDS STYLUS
Tues 11th OCT: MANCHESTER ACADEMY
Thurs 13th OCT: SHEFFIELD ACADEMY
Fri 14th OCT: LEICESTER ACADEMY
Sat 15th OCT: NORWICH WATERFRONT
Sun 16th OCT: BRIGHTON CONCORDE
Mon 17th OCT: BIRMINGHAM INSTITUTE
Tues 18th OCT: LIVERPOOL ACADEMY
Wed 19th OCT: BRISTOL THEKLA
Thurs 20th OCT: LONDON ISLINGTON ACADEMY

Skepta schedules new single, Hold On for release on 28th November 2011 by 3 Beat/ All Around The World.

Underage Festival 2011

Underage Festival 2011 took place on Friday 5th August @ Victoria Park, east London.

Underage is a festival exclusively for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17. A one day music festival in east London’s Victoria Park where younger music fans can meet with their friends independently of adults and chill out to some of the fresh tunes from new and popular artists.

This year’s Underage Festival was a huge success. The variety of artists meant that all musical tastes were catered for.

There were no fewer than seven stages with Bombay Bicycle Club headlining the main Underage Stage; while other stages were sponsored by the likes of Last FM, Topman CTRL Live, Artrocker, Red Bull Bedroom Jam Stage, The Music Space Stage and The Roundhouse.

Artists played from 11am to 6pm and at times the promoters had a headache keeping to the schedule as some artists didn’t want to stop playing as the atmosphere was so exhilarating.

Great bands and artists such as Bombay Bicycle Club, Miles Kane, Rizzle Kicks, Crystal Fighters, Pulled Apart By Horses, Janelle Monae, BAIO, CocknBullKid, Devlin, Maverick Sabre, Roll Deep, Labrinth, Fugative, Tribes, The Midnight Beast, Yasmin, Giggs, Dog is Dead, Ms Dynamite and Loick Essien rocked the different stages amongst many other superb bands.

The first performers I started watching were Rizzle Kicks – a brilliant new duo with hopes to reach number 1 in the charts this summer.  Even though they performed early in the day the tent was filled with screaming girls (and boys) as they played their set, including a great cover version of The White Stripes ‘Seven Nation Army’, whilst they began to wrestle each other to the ground. They finished with their new single ‘Down With The Trumpets’ and literally everyone inside the park, sprinted towards the tent just to jump up and down in such excitement.

In my opinion Crystal Fighters had to be the best performance of the day. They delivered a stunning performance with everyone in the tent jumping up and down to the beat of their excellent singles including ‘Swallow’, ‘Follow’, ‘Xtatic Truth’ and ‘Solar System’.

Pulled Apart by Horses also gave a great show, and had the crowd cheering at literally everything they did, which just proves how much everyone was enjoying themselves.

Roundhouse was a smaller stage with performances from lesser known bands to those playing on the main stages. Cynikal and Mz Bratt gave great performances even though the smaller audience were pretty subdued.

Even though it is only one day, there was plenty to do besides listening to the live music.  There were different stools to visit whilst walking around including the Youth Market, Coca-Cola, Claire’s Accessories and many others, either selling cool festival or artists merchandise, giving away freebies or prizes or even art and craft style activities which entertained almost everyone there.

The headliners, Bombay Bicycle Club got everyone jumping and dancing. They were the last band to play this year’s Underage Festival, and they totally won it. Everyone was singing along and dancing like no tomorrow!

Overall, Underage is a great idea and a brilliant way for music loving teenagers to have a great time.

Underage Festival 2011 was reviewed by Jack Lane (15) & Luca Lane (13).

CSS, Tinie Tempah, The Vaccines, Biffy Clyro, The LA’s, The Wombats, Seasick Steve & French pop band Sexy Sushi are among the many other artists I am looking forward to seeing. CSS are best known for their hit single ‘Let’s Make Love & Dance To Death From Above’ (Death From Above 1979 are also on the bill) while festival favourites The Vaccines, Biffy Clyro & The Wombats will play their lively, high-octane pop songs and no doubt get the crowds going.

I recently saw Tinie Tempah put on a great show at the Wireless Festival in London and I am also looking forward to seeing old timers Big Audio Dynamite and The LA’s for a big dose of nostalgia.

Rock en Seine music festival

Rock en Seine music festival is situated in a northern suburb, 10km outside Paris and is on from Friday 26th August to Sunday 28th August.

Francophonik promoting French music gigs & festivals

If you are a fan or want to listen to more French music, Francophonik is a cool new service offering you the chance to win tickets and packages to French music gigs in the UK and festivals in France. Their latest competition is to win two tickets to Rock en Seine. All you have to do is visit the Francophonik Facebook page, become a fan, then apply for tickets by simply ticking a box.

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