Music News

Take That performed an intimate gig for charity last night (23.02.15).
The 'These Days' trio took to the stage at London's O2 Shepherds Bush Empire for a show in aid of War Child, which saw them perform a fan-voted setlist which spanned all three decades of their career and even visited their solo careers.
The show opened with 2008 single 'Greatest Day', with the packed-out crowd singing along to every word, much to the delight of the band.
Mark Owen said: "It's a real pleasure to be invited to play here tonight. We haven't played for a while, so it's nice to perform in front of a crowd."
The stripped-back show - their first full concert without Jason Orange - saw the threesome appear casual and relaxed, joking easily with one another as they made their way through hits including 'Shine', 'Back For Good' and 'Patience'.
Gary Barlow then peered into the audience and asked, "I'm looking out there to see if there's anyone who can remember the Nineties" with a saxophonist joining them on 1992 single 'A Million Love Songs'.
Mark and Howard Donald then exited the stage to allow Gary to sing two of his solo tracks, 'Forever Love', which he performed seated at a grand piano, and the more up-tempo 'Let Me Go', after which his bandmates presented him with a glass of red wine and he declared, "I think I'm in the mood for a bit of dancing" - but not before bending to tie his shoelaces.
Howard and Mark also got their chance to take a solo turn, with the latter quipping: "It feels like we're auditioning for you" as he shouldered a guitar to sing 'Four Minute Warning'.
The 80-minute set closed with 'Never Forget' and the group urging their loyal fans - many of whom had camped overnight to secure a good spot in front of the stage - to see them on their forthcoming tour.
Gary said: "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting us. We can't wait to start our tour - please come along."
As well as their dedicated fans, a host of famous faces also turned out for the show, including Luke Evans, 'Breaking Bad' star RJ Mitte, Laura Whitmore and Leah Weller.
Take That - who were supported by Ella Henderson - join an illustrious list of acts who have previously played War Child and O2's show, including Coldplay, Muse, Ed Sheeran, Blur, The Killers, Calvin Harris and Mark Ronson.
The show raised funds for children affected by an unprecedented year of violence in war zones including Iraq, Syria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Uganda and Central African Republic.

Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran hid from the police after the Grammy Awards.
The musical pals were partying together in 'Uptown Funk' hitmaker Mark Ronson's hotel room in Los Angeles after the prestigious music awards earlier this month but were forced to halt their celebrations and hide in the bathroom when the police turned up to shut the bash down.
Ed revealed: "We ended up at a party in Mark Ronson's room and then the police shut it down."
Taylor continued: "That made us feel so cool. And then we had to hide in a bathroom. There was like 40 of us. I grabbed Ed and I was like, 'Cops are here, come with me!' I never thought I'd be the one saying that."
However, the typically well-behaved pair - who will perform separately at the BRIT Awards tomorrow evening (25.02.15) - were not the only two stars who shut themselves in the room, with approximately 40 others including 'Take Me To Church' singer Hozier doing the same.
The 24-year-old singer-songwriter - who was 2014's biggest-selling global male solo recording artist according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry - recalled: "Hozier was just standing behind a door."
Taylor added: "He's like 6ft 4, he's a tall dude, so to see him standing behind a door, it was an odd site. A lot of weird things happened that night."
And although the surreal experience was hilarious, 'Blank Space' hitmaker Taylor explained there were even weirder moments as the night progressed, including an encounter which led to her petting 25-year-old singer-songwriter The Weeknd.
She told BBC Radio 1: "I woke up with an email from The Weeknd, and he was like, 'You told me how beautiful I was for like 15 minutes straight and started to pet my hair.' It looked really cool that night and I apparently went on and on about it. I was like, 'You're so magnificent!'"

Rae Morris and Gaz Coombes have been added to the Field Day line-up.
The annual London festival has announced several new names for the 2015 event, with indie quartet Spector set to perform, as well as hip hop trio Ratking.
Tweeting about the reveal, 'Closer' singer Rae tweeted: "can't contain excitement for @fielddaylondon. so many incredible artists/acts. #FDLondon (sic)."
Producer Cashmere Cat, who produced Ariana Grande's 2014 album 'My Everything', has also been revealed as a performer at the event, just weeks after his involvement with Kanye West's new album was revealed, and has promised to play the new material at his upcoming shows.
He wrote on Twitter: "i have so many new things to play u at my shows i cant wait..brand new cashy and ari song,the new kanye record i did+a million cashy songs.. (sic)."
The latest announcement adds to the already busy line-up, with the event featuring headline performances from Canadian musician Caribou and rockers Ride.
Other acts taking to the stage during the two-day festival - which will be held in east London's Victoria Park - include Patti Smith, Django Django, FKA twigs, Shura and Todd Terje.
Tickets to Field Day 2015 are on sale now.

All We Are want to work with Outkast.
The 'Keep Me Alive' trio - comprising Guro Gikling, Rich O'Flynn and Luís Santos - are big fans of the 'Hey Ya group and would love the chance to record a single with the 'Hey Ya' hitmakers.
They said: "It would be pretty banging to do a collab with Outkast."
The group, who formed at university in Liverpool, have been expanding their fan base thanks to a recent tour with London Grammar but have ruled taking part in a reality TV show or contest to boost their success further.
Asked if they would go on a TV show, They told BANG Showbiz: "No, never have watched them. None of us actually own TVs. We just like playing, hanging out and drinking cans."
One way they have been engaging with more fans is performing at the Aloft Liverpool hotel as part of their Spotlight Series and they have really enjoyed the experience.
They said: "It has been great to be able to use the space there and they're lovely to work with."
All We Are teamed up with Aloft Liverpool as part of the Live at Aloft Hotels - Spotlight Series. For more information, visit http://aloftspotlightseries.com/liverpool.

Ed Sheeran will perform 'Bloodstream' at the BRIT Awards.
The 24-year-old musician will sing at the annual ceremony tomorrow (25.02.15) and has accidentally revealed he will perform his new single.
After playing the track on BBC Radio 1 this morning (24.02.15), host Nick Grimshaw asked Ed what he would be performing, to which he replied: "That! Yeah. Oh I probably shouldn't say that because it's meant to be a [secret]."
The singer-songwriter's latest track is a collaboration with drum and bass quartet Rudimental, and although he denied he would be singing with a band, he teased his performance may surprise viewers.
He continued: "It's a song that I've never played on TV before. And to be fair, the way I'm doing it, no-one's seen me do that, it's not with a band ... it's going to be good."
Meanwhile, the star - who is up for four awards at the BRITs - was in his hometown of Ipswich on Monday (23.02.15) filming the video for the song along with a group of school children.
Later in the day he tweeted: "Bloodstream video coming soon (sic)."
Other performers set to grace the stage at the BRIT Awards at London's O2 Arena include Taylor Swift, Madonna, Sam Smith, George Ezra, Take That, Royal Blood and Paloma Faith.

Jessie J will headline Henley Festival.
The 'Bang Bang' hitmaker will open the annual event on Wednesday July 8 when she performs on the festival's floating stage on the River Thames, with other confirmed artists including 65-year-old singer-songwriter Lionel Richie, Grammy Award winner Gregory Porter and 'Green Garden' singer Laura Mvula.
Speaking about the event, Jessie said: "So excited to be headlining the opening night of the Henley Festival this year and performing alongside the likes of Lionel Richie!"
The series of black-tie evenings - which are being held in partnership with BMW - will also host comedy, theatre, fine-dining and art between July 8 and 12.
During the opening night featuring Jessie J, TV personality Mark Watson will be performing stand-up comedy in The Salon Late, while other attractions throughout the festival include comedy from Adam Kay, Abandoman, The Horne Section, Adam Hills and 'The Only Way is Downton'.
Other acts set to feature at the Oxfordshire celebration include world music pioneers Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo, while organisers have teased a "very special guest" who is yet to be announced for the closing evening on Sunday 12 July.
Tickets for the series of events are available now with prices starting at £35 from www.henley-festival.co.uk

Ne-Yo's mum is his "biggest influence".
The 32-year-old singer has praised his mother for being his "hero" because although she has had a difficult life she still has a positive attitude.
He admitted: "My mum was and still is the biggest influence on me, she's my absolute hero. As far as I'm concerned, she's the strongest person on the planet. She's really been through the wringer, from not being appreciated to guys who weren't there for her. She's been through a lot and came out on the other side."
The 'Let Me Love You' hitmaker - who recently released his sixth studio album 'Non-Fiction' - continued to praise his mum by explaining it was her musical taste which first made him want to sing.
He continued: "I used to hate my singing voice because I didn't sound like Teddy Pendergrass or the O'Jays, the guys my mum used to love listening to. I wanted to sound like the guys she liked but I couldn't, so she introduced me to Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder and said: 'Listen to what they do and you'll be more comfortable in what you do.' That's pretty much why I'm here."
However, the R 'n' B musician added Sammy Davis Jr. was his musical hero as a youngster because it made him feel "cool to be black".
He told Metro newspaper: "I loved what he stood for and the Rat Pack era. It really meant something to me and I wanted to be him in high school. He was one of my heroes and made it cool to be black."

Taylor Swift has been named the IFPI Global Recording Artist of 2014.
The 'Blank Space' hitmaker was taken by surprise yesterday (23.02.14) as she was presented with the award during her rehearsals for her BRIT Awards performance tomorrow (25.02.15) at London's O2 Arena.
The title - which takes into consideration physical sales, downloads and streams - saw the 24-year-old singer steal the top spot from boyband One Direction, who were pushed down to second place this year.
The blonde beauty received the award - marking her as the most popular recording artist worldwide in 2014 - from IFPI's CEO Frances Moore along with Universal Music Group's President, Global Marketing, Andrew Kronfeld.
The award follows the release of her fifth studio album 1989 which topped the iTunes sales charts in over 95 countries on its release and has sold over 8.6 million copies worldwide to date.
It also became the highest selling release since 2002 and the top selling album of 2014 in the US, where it has now spent 11 weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard 100 chart.
She is also the youngest artist in history to receive the music industry's most prestigious award, the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, which she won for her 2010 album 'Fearless'.
The Recording Artist of the year list also included Sam Smith, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Coldplay and Pink Floyd.

One Direction have been named the biggest British band in the world.
The 'Night Changes' hitmakers - Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne - have fought off stiff competition from artists including Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran to claim the title for the third year in a row.
Simon Cowell - who mentored them on 'The X Factor' before signing them to his Syco record label - told The Sun newspaper: "I am absolutely delighted and immensely proud that One Direction were the biggest UK act in the world in 2014.
"To accomplish this for a third year in the row is a fantastic achievement - and especially pleasing as this latest album also highlighted the band's skills as songwriters."
The heartthrobs' success is based on figures from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) whose Global Recording Artist Chart shows that they outsold all other British acts for a third consecutive year following the release of their latest album 'Four', which topped the iTunes chart in 85 different countries.
Meanwhile, the 'Story of My Life' crooners are nominated for Best British Group and Best British Video at the BRIT awards tomorrow night (25.02.15).