Music News
Music News
Sir Elton John is working with Brandon Flowers on the new Killers album.
The 'Tiny Dancer' hitmaker revealed his plans to head out to Las Vegas to lend his expert songwriting skills to the rock band and he's looking forward to getting in the studio with the 34-year-old singer.
Elton, 68, told Shazam: "I'm hoping to go to Las Vegas and write with Brandon Flowers for the new Killers record. So that'll be interesting."
News of the two music icons joining forces follows an Apple Beats 1 radio show by Elton called 'Rocket Hour', which was broadcast back in November.
Elton invited Brandon onto the show where they both shared equal amounts of admiration for each other's work.
The British legend complimented Brandon's songs and shared how they always listen to each other's albums and give each other feedback.
Speaking at the time, Elton - who is married to David Furnish - said: "When Brandon makes a record - whether it's for The Killers or on his own - he comes and plays me the album. Usually, I'm very happy and excited to hear it. And I usually play mine to him."
The Killers next LP will be their first record since 2012's 'Battle Born'.
Elton John working on new The Killers LP
Sir Elton John is working with Brandon Flowers on the new Killers album.
The 'Tiny Dancer' hitmaker revealed his plans to head out to Las Vegas to lend his expert songwriting skills to the rock band and he's looking forward to getting in the studio with the 34-year-old singer.
Elton, 68, told Shazam: "I'm hoping to go to Las Vegas and write with Brandon Flowers for the new Killers record. So that'll be interesting."
News of the two music icons joining forces follows an Apple Beats 1 radio show by Elton called 'Rocket Hour', which was broadcast back in November.
Elton invited Brandon onto the show where they both shared equal amounts of admiration for each other's work.
The British legend complimented Brandon's songs and shared how they always listen to each other's albums and give each other feedback.
Speaking at the time, Elton - who is married to David Furnish - said: "When Brandon makes a record - whether it's for The Killers or on his own - he comes and plays me the album. Usually, I'm very happy and excited to hear it. And I usually play mine to him."
The Killers next LP will be their first record since 2012's 'Battle Born'.
Music News
Barry Gibb will perform at Glastonbury Festival.
The former Bee Gee has reportedly been signed up for the annual festival, which takes place in Somerset, England in June, as part of the legend section on Sunday afternoon, with Jeff Lynne's ELO already confirmed as well.
A source said: "The legend slot on the Sunday has become more talked about than the headliners in recent years due to Dolly [Parton] and Lionel [Richie], and the pressure is on Michael [Eavis; organiser] this year.
"He wants a repeat of 2008 where he had Neil Diamond and Leonard Cohen booked as a double whammy. Neil was the official legend that year but Leonard blew punters away.
"Barry is a music legend and has so many songs that will lift the crowd. Playing the main stage with his disco tunes would be amazing."
It is not the first time Barry - who was in the group with his late brothers Robin and Maurice Gibb - has been asked to perform at the coveted festival.
The insider added to The Sun newspaper: "He has been asked previously a couple of years ago but Michael has made it his mission to get him to perform this year. Barry's planning a new album for this year and a Glastonbury performance would coincide with that."
Barry Gibb for Glastonbury Festival?
Barry Gibb will perform at Glastonbury Festival.
The former Bee Gee has reportedly been signed up for the annual festival, which takes place in Somerset, England in June, as part of the legend section on Sunday afternoon, with Jeff Lynne's ELO already confirmed as well.
A source said: "The legend slot on the Sunday has become more talked about than the headliners in recent years due to Dolly [Parton] and Lionel [Richie], and the pressure is on Michael [Eavis; organiser] this year.
"He wants a repeat of 2008 where he had Neil Diamond and Leonard Cohen booked as a double whammy. Neil was the official legend that year but Leonard blew punters away.
"Barry is a music legend and has so many songs that will lift the crowd. Playing the main stage with his disco tunes would be amazing."
It is not the first time Barry - who was in the group with his late brothers Robin and Maurice Gibb - has been asked to perform at the coveted festival.
The insider added to The Sun newspaper: "He has been asked previously a couple of years ago but Michael has made it his mission to get him to perform this year. Barry's planning a new album for this year and a Glastonbury performance would coincide with that."
Music News
Matt Healy named The 1975's second album after his ex-girlfriend.
The 26-year-old musician came up with the title 'I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It' for the band's second LP after he said something similar to a former lover while they were dating.
Speaking to the Rolling Stone magazine, he said: "It was something I said to a girlfriend of mine at the time. Like all situations, I'm sure it wasn't quite as poetic as it sounds."
And, although his relationship with the mystery girl has now come crashing down, Matt decided to base the tracks on her because he thought making an honest album was key if he wanted to save the group - also consisting Adam Hann, George Daniel and Ross MacDonald - from the exhaustion.
He explained: "It was all about making decisions and about conviction because we came off the last album very tired from touring. We had gone from an unknown band to known about so we were being objectified and known about.
"We were kind of fearful of certain things, and we made the decision that the only thing that was going to remedy that was to make a record that was just about the truth and not about what we thought we should be saying."
Matt Healy names The 1975’s album after ex-girlfriend
Matt Healy named The 1975's second album after his ex-girlfriend.
The 26-year-old musician came up with the title 'I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It' for the band's second LP after he said something similar to a former lover while they were dating.
Speaking to the Rolling Stone magazine, he said: "It was something I said to a girlfriend of mine at the time. Like all situations, I'm sure it wasn't quite as poetic as it sounds."
And, although his relationship with the mystery girl has now come crashing down, Matt decided to base the tracks on her because he thought making an honest album was key if he wanted to save the group - also consisting Adam Hann, George Daniel and Ross MacDonald - from the exhaustion.
He explained: "It was all about making decisions and about conviction because we came off the last album very tired from touring. We had gone from an unknown band to known about so we were being objectified and known about.
"We were kind of fearful of certain things, and we made the decision that the only thing that was going to remedy that was to make a record that was just about the truth and not about what we thought we should be saying."
Music News
Ellie Goulding finds the prospect of performing at the Grammy Awards "scary".
The 29-year-old singer is to take to the stage to deliver a rendition of her track 'Love Me Like You Do' - which was used on the '50 Shades Of Grey' film soundtrack.
Ellie has been nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance for the single and although she is very excited to have been invited to the ceremony in the US she admits it is daunting to think she'll singing to an audience of the world's biggest musicians and to millions of TV viewers.
During an interview on UK TV show 'Lorraine', she said: "It's the first time I've been nominated. I've been before and it's an amazing night. I am also performing. It's quite scary. So I am going out there in a few days so it's going to be a hectic week. But they have parties and stuff so It will be balanced with work and play. It is scary but I want to prove myself and sing a song that I am so proud of to sing and perform. I am looking forward to it."
Ellie is among a star-studded list of performers confirmed for the Grammys which includes Adele, Rihanna, James Bay, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd.
Gaga is to perform an "experimental tribute" to the late David Bowie - who died last month at the age of 69 - which will last around seven minutes and cover "at least three or four" of his songs.
The 58th Grammy Awards ceremony will be held on Monday, February 15, 2016, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and will be hosted by LL Cool J and broadcast live on CBS.
Ellie Goulding is scared about Grammy performance
Ellie Goulding finds the prospect of performing at the Grammy Awards "scary".
The 29-year-old singer is to take to the stage to deliver a rendition of her track 'Love Me Like You Do' - which was used on the '50 Shades Of Grey' film soundtrack.
Ellie has been nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance for the single and although she is very excited to have been invited to the ceremony in the US she admits it is daunting to think she'll singing to an audience of the world's biggest musicians and to millions of TV viewers.
During an interview on UK TV show 'Lorraine', she said: "It's the first time I've been nominated. I've been before and it's an amazing night. I am also performing. It's quite scary. So I am going out there in a few days so it's going to be a hectic week. But they have parties and stuff so It will be balanced with work and play. It is scary but I want to prove myself and sing a song that I am so proud of to sing and perform. I am looking forward to it."
Ellie is among a star-studded list of performers confirmed for the Grammys which includes Adele, Rihanna, James Bay, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd.
Gaga is to perform an "experimental tribute" to the late David Bowie - who died last month at the age of 69 - which will last around seven minutes and cover "at least three or four" of his songs.
The 58th Grammy Awards ceremony will be held on Monday, February 15, 2016, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and will be hosted by LL Cool J and broadcast live on CBS.
Music News
The Vamps' James McVey and Connor Ball have voice cameos in 'Kung Fu Panda 3'.
The 'Can We Dance' hitmakers have already recorded a cover version of Carl Douglas' 1974 disco classic 'Kung Fu Fighting' for the film's soundtrack and now the two boys have lent their voices to characters in the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film.
James, 21, and Connor, 19, will appear as two geese in a scene alongside Jack Black's much-loved character Po.
Both are thrilled to have roles alongside an "incredible cast" and are excited for fans to hear their parts.
In a statement, they said: "We had so much fun voicing the roles of the geese in 'Kung Fu Panda 3' and it was such an honour to be part of such an incredible cast. We love 'Kung Fu Panda' and can't wait for everyone to see the film!"
The Vamps - which also includes Bradley Simpson and Tristan Evans - are currently on tour in support of their sophomore LP 'Wake Up' and all took part in making their own take on 'Kung Fu Fighting' and made a Kung Fu Panda-themed music video.
The UK version of 'Kung Fu Panda 3' will be in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on March 11.
The Vamps’ James McVey and Connor Ball land Kung Fu Panda 3 cameos
The Vamps' James McVey and Connor Ball have voice cameos in 'Kung Fu Panda 3'.
The 'Can We Dance' hitmakers have already recorded a cover version of Carl Douglas' 1974 disco classic 'Kung Fu Fighting' for the film's soundtrack and now the two boys have lent their voices to characters in the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film.
James, 21, and Connor, 19, will appear as two geese in a scene alongside Jack Black's much-loved character Po.
Both are thrilled to have roles alongside an "incredible cast" and are excited for fans to hear their parts.
In a statement, they said: "We had so much fun voicing the roles of the geese in 'Kung Fu Panda 3' and it was such an honour to be part of such an incredible cast. We love 'Kung Fu Panda' and can't wait for everyone to see the film!"
The Vamps - which also includes Bradley Simpson and Tristan Evans - are currently on tour in support of their sophomore LP 'Wake Up' and all took part in making their own take on 'Kung Fu Fighting' and made a Kung Fu Panda-themed music video.
The UK version of 'Kung Fu Panda 3' will be in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on March 11.
Music News
Alice Cooper thinks his shock rock concerts "opened that door" for David Bowie to perform as Ziggy Stardust.
The 'Poison' singer remembers the late music legend - who tragically died last month after losing his battle with cancer - coming to one of his early shows, long before he called himself David Bowie and invented his alter-ego Ziggy.
Alice, 67, is certain the gig that Bowie - then known as David Jones - attended showed him what could be achieved if music was mixed with theatre.
He recalled: "I remember him coming to one of our shows early, early on, before he was David Bowie. He was David Jones then, and he was a mime then. He came to one of our shows when Alice was really notorious and banned in England. He probably had it in his mind already to be Ziggy Stardust, but this kind of opened that door, because he saw what it could be."
Alice - who performed under his real name Damon Furnier in The Spiders in the 60s before undergoing his transformation -has nothing but respect for what Bowie did as his alter ego Ziggy in the early 70s, and readily admits he "admired" his music.
When asked if he ever had a rivalry with Bowie, Alice told Rolling Stone magazine: "He created an entirely new character. I was pushing that. I was hoping more people would jump into the theatrical part of it and create characters, so there was no animosity between Bowie and myself. If anything, I really admired what he was doing. And I think he liked Alice, what Alice was doing. It was a true admiration. It was like, 'How far are you going to take this?' "
Alice Cooper believes he helped inspire David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust
Alice Cooper thinks his shock rock concerts "opened that door" for David Bowie to perform as Ziggy Stardust.
The 'Poison' singer remembers the late music legend - who tragically died last month after losing his battle with cancer - coming to one of his early shows, long before he called himself David Bowie and invented his alter-ego Ziggy.
Alice, 67, is certain the gig that Bowie - then known as David Jones - attended showed him what could be achieved if music was mixed with theatre.
He recalled: "I remember him coming to one of our shows early, early on, before he was David Bowie. He was David Jones then, and he was a mime then. He came to one of our shows when Alice was really notorious and banned in England. He probably had it in his mind already to be Ziggy Stardust, but this kind of opened that door, because he saw what it could be."
Alice - who performed under his real name Damon Furnier in The Spiders in the 60s before undergoing his transformation -has nothing but respect for what Bowie did as his alter ego Ziggy in the early 70s, and readily admits he "admired" his music.
When asked if he ever had a rivalry with Bowie, Alice told Rolling Stone magazine: "He created an entirely new character. I was pushing that. I was hoping more people would jump into the theatrical part of it and create characters, so there was no animosity between Bowie and myself. If anything, I really admired what he was doing. And I think he liked Alice, what Alice was doing. It was a true admiration. It was like, 'How far are you going to take this?' "
Music News
Beyoncé's stylist has heard the singer's new album.
Celebrity beautician Ty Hunter was on US TV show 'Watch What Happens Live' on Monday (08.02.16) and let slip that she's had a preview of the R&B superstar's LP - her first since 2013's 'Beyoncé' - and insists they are "awesome".
Pressed for details by the programme's host Andy Cohen, Ty said: "I've heard the new album and it's beyond awesome."
The news comes as the 'Drunk In Love' pop star stole the show at the Super Bowl 50 half-time concert with Coldplay on Sunday (07.02.16) when she debuted her latest single 'Formation'.
During the telecast of the NFL Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers, the 34-year-old singer also delighted fans by announcing her 'Formation World Tour'.
The tour of North America and Europe kicks off on April 27, with 22 concerts in North America and 15 in Europe.
This is Beyoncé's first solo tour since the 'Mrs. Carter Show' tour in 2013. She also teamed up with husband Jay Z for the 'On The Run' tour in 2014.
Tickets for 'The Formation World Tour' will go on sale from Monday, February 15 in Europe and Tuesday, February 16 in North America.
North America 'The Formation World Tour' dates:
Wed. April 27 Miami, FL Marlins Park
Fri. April 29 Tampa Raymond James Stadium
Sun. May 1 Atlanta, GA Georgia Dome
Tue. May 3 Raleigh, NC Carter-Finley Stadium
Thu. May 5 Nashville, TN Nissan Stadium
Sat. May 7 Houston, TX NRG Stadium
Mon. May 9 Dallas, TX AT&T Stadium
Thu. May 12 San Diego, CA Qualcomm Stadium
Sat. May 14 Los Angeles, CA Rose Bowl
Mon. May 16 San Francisco, CA Levi's Stadium
Wed. May 18 Seattle, WA CenturyLink Field
Fri. May 20 Edmonton, AB Commonwealth Stadium
Mon. May 23 Minneapolis, MN TCF Bank Stadium
Wed. May 25 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre
Fri. May 27 Chicago, IL Soldier Field
Sun. May 29 Detroit, MI Ford Field
Tue. May 31 Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Field
Fri. June 3 Boston, MA Gillette Stadium
Sun. June 5 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field
Tue. June 7 New York, NY Citi Field
Fri. June 10 Baltimore, MD M&T Bank Stadium
Sun. June 12 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium
European 'The Formation World Tour' dates:
Tue. June 28 Sunderland, UK Stadium of Light
Thu. June 30 Cardiff, UK Millennium Stadium
Sat. July 2 London, UK Wembley Stadium
Tue. July 5 Manchester, UK Emirates Old Trafford
Thu. July 7 Glasgow, UK Hampden Park
Sat. July 9 Dublin, IE Croke Park
Tue. July 12 Dusseldorf, DE Esprit Arena
Thu. July 14 Zurich, CH Letzigrund
Sat. July 16 Amsterdam, NE Arena
Mon. July 18 Milan, IT Stadio San Siro
Thu. July 21 Paris, FR Stade de France
Sun. July 24 Copenhagen, DK Parken
Tue. July 26 Stockholm, SE Friends Arena
Fri. July 29 Frankfurt, DE Commerzbank Arena
Sun. July 31 Brussels, BE Roi Boudoin
Beyonce’s stylist has heard her next album
Beyoncé's stylist has heard the singer's new album.
Celebrity beautician Ty Hunter was on US TV show 'Watch What Happens Live' on Monday (08.02.16) and let slip that she's had a preview of the R&B superstar's LP - her first since 2013's 'Beyoncé' - and insists they are "awesome".
Pressed for details by the programme's host Andy Cohen, Ty said: "I've heard the new album and it's beyond awesome."
The news comes as the 'Drunk In Love' pop star stole the show at the Super Bowl 50 half-time concert with Coldplay on Sunday (07.02.16) when she debuted her latest single 'Formation'.
During the telecast of the NFL Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers, the 34-year-old singer also delighted fans by announcing her 'Formation World Tour'.
The tour of North America and Europe kicks off on April 27, with 22 concerts in North America and 15 in Europe.
This is Beyoncé's first solo tour since the 'Mrs. Carter Show' tour in 2013. She also teamed up with husband Jay Z for the 'On The Run' tour in 2014.
Tickets for 'The Formation World Tour' will go on sale from Monday, February 15 in Europe and Tuesday, February 16 in North America.
North America 'The Formation World Tour' dates:
Wed. April 27 Miami, FL Marlins Park
Fri. April 29 Tampa Raymond James Stadium
Sun. May 1 Atlanta, GA Georgia Dome
Tue. May 3 Raleigh, NC Carter-Finley Stadium
Thu. May 5 Nashville, TN Nissan Stadium
Sat. May 7 Houston, TX NRG Stadium
Mon. May 9 Dallas, TX AT&T Stadium
Thu. May 12 San Diego, CA Qualcomm Stadium
Sat. May 14 Los Angeles, CA Rose Bowl
Mon. May 16 San Francisco, CA Levi's Stadium
Wed. May 18 Seattle, WA CenturyLink Field
Fri. May 20 Edmonton, AB Commonwealth Stadium
Mon. May 23 Minneapolis, MN TCF Bank Stadium
Wed. May 25 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre
Fri. May 27 Chicago, IL Soldier Field
Sun. May 29 Detroit, MI Ford Field
Tue. May 31 Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Field
Fri. June 3 Boston, MA Gillette Stadium
Sun. June 5 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field
Tue. June 7 New York, NY Citi Field
Fri. June 10 Baltimore, MD M&T Bank Stadium
Sun. June 12 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium
European 'The Formation World Tour' dates:
Tue. June 28 Sunderland, UK Stadium of Light
Thu. June 30 Cardiff, UK Millennium Stadium
Sat. July 2 London, UK Wembley Stadium
Tue. July 5 Manchester, UK Emirates Old Trafford
Thu. July 7 Glasgow, UK Hampden Park
Sat. July 9 Dublin, IE Croke Park
Tue. July 12 Dusseldorf, DE Esprit Arena
Thu. July 14 Zurich, CH Letzigrund
Sat. July 16 Amsterdam, NE Arena
Mon. July 18 Milan, IT Stadio San Siro
Thu. July 21 Paris, FR Stade de France
Sun. July 24 Copenhagen, DK Parken
Tue. July 26 Stockholm, SE Friends Arena
Fri. July 29 Frankfurt, DE Commerzbank Arena
Sun. July 31 Brussels, BE Roi Boudoin
Music News
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will headline the Kendal Calling festival.
The 48-year-old rocker joins previously announced headliners Rudimental, The Charlatans and Madness who will also perform at the four-day music extravaganza, which takes place at Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District in northern England on July 28 to July 31.
The festival's founder Ben Robinson is thrilled to have booked his idol Noel and can't wait for festival-goer's to witness him perform songs old and new.
On getting Noel to play, he said: "My first gig in a field was Loch Lomond watching Oasis 20 years ago. That moment defined my youth and calling in the years to follow. Noel's songwriting has soundtracked the lives of millions over the last two decades; it's with great pride that we're able to bring those anthems and his new hits to the fields of Kendal Calling."
And Tim Burgess of The Charlatans said it's going to be "extra special".
In a statement, he said: "As ever, I'm really looking forward to Kendal Calling. The sixth year in a row for me, the second time The Charlatans will have headlined and this year is the fifth year for Tim Peaks. It's going to be an extra special four days. See you there!
The full Kendal Calling lineup is as follows:
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
The Charlatans
Rudimental
Madness
Catfish and the Battlement
Everything Everything
Band of Skulls
The Hives
Blossoms
We Are Scientists
The Darkness
Rag 'n' Bone Man
Sugarhill Gang
Craig David
David Rodigan MBE
Toddla T
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds headline Kendal Calling
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will headline the Kendal Calling festival.
The 48-year-old rocker joins previously announced headliners Rudimental, The Charlatans and Madness who will also perform at the four-day music extravaganza, which takes place at Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District in northern England on July 28 to July 31.
The festival's founder Ben Robinson is thrilled to have booked his idol Noel and can't wait for festival-goer's to witness him perform songs old and new.
On getting Noel to play, he said: "My first gig in a field was Loch Lomond watching Oasis 20 years ago. That moment defined my youth and calling in the years to follow. Noel's songwriting has soundtracked the lives of millions over the last two decades; it's with great pride that we're able to bring those anthems and his new hits to the fields of Kendal Calling."
And Tim Burgess of The Charlatans said it's going to be "extra special".
In a statement, he said: "As ever, I'm really looking forward to Kendal Calling. The sixth year in a row for me, the second time The Charlatans will have headlined and this year is the fifth year for Tim Peaks. It's going to be an extra special four days. See you there!
The full Kendal Calling lineup is as follows:
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
The Charlatans
Rudimental
Madness
Catfish and the Battlement
Everything Everything
Band of Skulls
The Hives
Blossoms
We Are Scientists
The Darkness
Rag 'n' Bone Man
Sugarhill Gang
Craig David
David Rodigan MBE
Toddla T