Music News

Damon Albarn is planning a new Gorillaz record.
The Blur frontman has been working on a modern day musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's 'Alice In Wonderland' - titled 'wonder.land' - and has revealed the creative process of developing the stage play has inspired him to get back to work on his virtual band's fourth studio LP.
Speaking about his 'wonder.land' production - which is on now at The National Theatre - he said: "This really, really excites me to make more of a narrative for the next Gorillaz album. Give it a real story from beginning to end and give each character a real voice and a singing voice as well."
Gorillaz - made up of Jamie Hewlett's animated characters frontman 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs - are due a revival since their last record 'Plastic Beach' came out in 2010 and achieved second place on both album charts in the UK and US.
However, the 47-year-old musician can't quite decide on what to work on first because he also plans to get back in the studio with the Good, the Bad and the Queen super-group he formed with The Clash's Paul Simonon, The Verve's Simon Tong and Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen.
He told The Sun newspaper: "I've also got a Good, the Bad and the Queen record. It will either be Gorillaz or that and then I might be allowed to go back into my own solo world or another musical."

Justin Bieber and Coldplay have joined the bill to perform at the BRIT Awards 2016.
The 21-year-old pop sensation and 'Head Full of Dreams' hitmakers have been added to the line-up of performers for the prestigious ceremony, that will be held at London's O2 Arena on February 24.
BRITs chairman Max Lousada said: "The BRITs are excited to welcome two of the biggest acts in the world right now to next year's awards - Coldplay, who are undoubtedly one of our greatest music success stories, and pop sensation Justin Bieber, who will be coming to London for his first ever BRITs performance. Next year's awards is shaping up to be a fantastic night of British and international music."
The news come hot on the heels of Adele being the first artist confirmed for next year's big night.
And while Coldplay have another big show Stateside next year - their half-time gig at the Super Bowl on February 7 - Justin will return to The O2 for the first time since he performed at the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball in December.

Adele's '25' has sold nearly six million copies in the US and will spend a fourth week at the top of the Billboard charts. The 27-year-old singer's third studio album has been an unbelievable success, becoming the fastest ever selling record in Americ...

Ariana Grande has released a surprise Christmas album called 'Christmas & Chill'.
The six-track record features original Christmas music, including the tracks 'Wit It This Christmas', 'December' and 'Not Just On Christmas'.
The chart-topping singer has been teasing the release of the album through a series of tantalising messages she posted on social media.
Ariana tweeted: "ain't no ice or no chills.. no [snowman] to build... most of our friends at the beach... but my baby's in town and we're gonna do some winter things (sic)"
The singer, 22, has subsequently encouraged fans to get in touch with her about the album, which she revealed was put together in just one week.
She tweeted: "btw, y'all are my only plan today bbs.... send me cute videos of you living to #christmasandchil or questions or whatever you'd like! (sic)
"we did the whole thing in a week."
Meanwhile, Ariana recently dedicated her American Music Award to her "nonna" after overcoming stiff competition to win the coveted gong at last month's ceremony.
The 'Break Free' hitmaker was honoured with the gong for Best Female Pop/Rock Artist of the Year and subsequently thanked her grandmother in an emotional tribute.
Through tears, she said: "I just want to thank my fans - I have the most incredible fans. Ew I'm crying! But I love you guys. Thank you so, so much.
"I also want to say thank you to my family who are here tonight. I owe a lot of this to my Nonna!"

Nikki Sixx says he's an "anti rock star".
The Motley Crue bassist - who has just turned 57 - admitted the biggest misconception people have of him is that he lives a wild rock 'n' roll lifestyle because of the Crue's past alcohol-fuelled wild antics, but he lives a much more mundane life now.
He explained "I think people might think I'm a little more exciting than I am. I'll be honest - I'm really quite boring.
"I'm always looking for something, and because of that I'm not really that rock'n'roll. I'm the anti rock star."
And asked what he'll be doing once the 'Girls Girls Girls' hitmakers - also including Vince Neil, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars - play their final ever live date together in Los Angeles on December 31, he is going to focus on making his side project Sixx:AM his main band.
He told RockSverige: "I said, 'I will never play Motley Crue music again,' because I wanted people to hear me. I wanted them to hear that Sixx:AM have five hit singles right now, we've got a double record coming out, we're got two years of touring.
"After seeing my own words in the press I was like, 'Who knows? Maybe four or five years down the line we'll do an acoustic version of Live Wire."
And Nikki also said he may still perform Motley's songs every now then as he wrote them.
He added: "I wrote the songs, so I guess I'm entitled to play them if I want. I just want some distance."

Bryan Adams says he would be "boring" without his catalogue of big hits.
The 56-year-old rock legend is still in "love" with his fan-favourite tracks, despite having released new material in recent years, and is relieved songs like 'Everything I Do, I Do It For You' and 'Summer of 69' are still in demand because he believes they keep gigging.
Asked whether he enjoys playing the old hits, the heartthrob said: "I love it. I love it. But in fact, when you do play live what happens is people sing the song back to you and it becomes a new thing. It's not like singing the same song, because everyone is singing with you. I think you are obliged as a performer to give them that, and to go out and do that show because actually if I didn't have those songs, I would be boring."
Meanwhile, Adams is happily settled in the UK with his long term partner Alicia Grimaldi - with whom he has two young daughters, Bunny, four, and two-year-old Lula Rosylea -
and revealed his kids are just beginning to realise what he does for a living.
In an interview on UK chat show 'Loose Women', he said: "My eldest daughter came home one day and said, 'Oh papa, someone at school said you are a very good singer.' That's the first time she's ever said something like that."

The Osmonds put on a festive extravaganza at their 'Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular' concert at the Indigo at The O2 in London on Wednesday night (16.12.15).
The pop veterans paid homage to Christmas and the late performer - who used to host the show at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre, in Branson - as they sang a medley of seasonal covers including Wizzard's 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day', Slade's 'Merry Christmas Everybody' and Wham! hit 'Last Christmas'.
The group - which now includes Jimmy, Jay and Merrill Osmond - thrilled the packed auditorium with a number of older festive classics too and proved they've still got the moves, as they trotted across the stage in step.
Britain's Got Talent' star Charlie Green joined the group on stage and sang a stunning rendition of Nina Simone's hit 'Feeling Good', with Jimmy declaring Charlie to be "the real deal".
The second half of the show saw Merrill, 62, Jay, 60, and Jimmy 52, enter the crowd and shake hands and hug their fans, who later got out of their seats and danced at the front of the stage when they ended the night with a medley of old Osmond hits.
The brothers evoked "Osmondmania" once again as they belted out hits such as 'Love Me for a Reason', 'Crazy Horses' and 'Down By The Lazy River'.
Meanwhile, Jimmy introduced the arena to video footage of the musical family - which also includes Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, Alan Osmond and Wayne Osmond - growing up and told the audience: "I am thrilled to bring 'Andy's Christmas Spectacular' to our friends in the UK. I first appeared on Andy Williams' stage when I was only three years old. My brothers had been singing back-up on Andy's biggest hits and had been regulars on his hit television series for several years.
"It's such a joy to carry on Andy's legacy and continue his treasured holiday tradition."

James Bay feels just like an underdog that has come good following his three Grammy nominations.
The 25-year-old musician is competing for Best New Artist, Best Rock Album for his debut LP 'Chaos and the Calm' and Best Rock Song for 'Hold Back The River' at the prestigious music ceremony next year and says his achievement is comparable to when his favourite soccer team Blackburn Rovers won the English Premier League in 1995.
Revealing how he reacted when he was informed about his nods, he said: "Silence. Eyebrow raised speechlessness! Like the look of a man who thinks he knows football [soccer] and is then told that Blackburn Rovers, of all teams, are one of only five to ever have won the Premier League."
The 'Hold Back The River' hitmaker has enjoyed international success and is on the brink of cracking the US, which is very important to Bay as he cites American artists such as Bruce Springsteen as major influences.
Discussing his American success so far, he told Billboard magazine:
"The response at shows has been amazing. Thousands of people each night singing all the songs, and the album's only been out eight months.
"It's a really cool feeling given what an enormous territory it is and seen as a whole half of my musical influences come from the States."

Craig David's TS5 and Bloc Party will headline this year's MTV Brand New 2016 shows at London's Electric Ballroom.
The 34-year-old MC will be supported by MTV Brand New shortlisted acts Anne-Marie and WSTRN on January 26 and he is "excited" to perform with both of the rising acts and is particularly a fan of songstress Anne-Marie, who he thinks has a "sick" voice.
On his headlining performance, he said: "MTV has always been about showcasing new talent, so to come and headline their Brand New for 2016 gig is wicked. I've been in the studio with WSTRN and they are amazing with a big future ahead of them, and Anne-Marie's voice is so sick. I'm looking forward to sharing the stage with them!"
And indie rockers Bloc Party - who have sold over three million albums worldwide - will perform at the Camden venue the following day, January 27 with shortlisted Nimmo and Rat Boy.
The winner of MTV's Brand New 2016 with Emporio Armani Diamonds will be revealed in February 2016.
Fans can vote for their favourite artist on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook mentions using #MTVBrandNew followed by the artist name and track progress live via the leader board at www.mtv.co.uk/brandnew.

Shortlisted acts:

Anne-Marie
WSTRN
Rat Boy
Nimmo