Music News
Music News
Take That want to perform at Glastonbury.
The trio - featuring Gary Barlow, Mark Own and Howard Donald - are desperate to perform at the annual event at Worthy Farm in Somerset, South West England, next June, but revealed festival organiser Michael Eavis will not return their calls.
Speaking at the BBC Music Awards in London last night (11.12.14) where they performed their single 'These Days', Howard said: "Historically we've never done festivals - we did try and contact Michael Eavis but he didn't reply."
The group released their first studio album as a trio, 'III', last month following the departure of Jason Orange from the band, and are so desperate to perform at the iconic event, they begged the Daily Star newspaper for help in a bid to persuade organisers to ask them to play.
Mark joked: "We keep leaving him messages, can you help us?"
Away from the muddy fields of South West England, the 'Relight My Fire' hitmakers admitted the dance floor vibes on their new record make them want to perform in nightclubs on Balaeric party island, Ibiza.
Howard added: "I did say we should go to Ibiza,
"We've got the tunes for clubs like Pacha now, that's where we want to play."
Take That desperate for Glastonbury slot
Take That want to perform at Glastonbury.
The trio - featuring Gary Barlow, Mark Own and Howard Donald - are desperate to perform at the annual event at Worthy Farm in Somerset, South West England, next June, but revealed festival organiser Michael Eavis will not return their calls.
Speaking at the BBC Music Awards in London last night (11.12.14) where they performed their single 'These Days', Howard said: "Historically we've never done festivals - we did try and contact Michael Eavis but he didn't reply."
The group released their first studio album as a trio, 'III', last month following the departure of Jason Orange from the band, and are so desperate to perform at the iconic event, they begged the Daily Star newspaper for help in a bid to persuade organisers to ask them to play.
Mark joked: "We keep leaving him messages, can you help us?"
Away from the muddy fields of South West England, the 'Relight My Fire' hitmakers admitted the dance floor vibes on their new record make them want to perform in nightclubs on Balaeric party island, Ibiza.
Howard added: "I did say we should go to Ibiza,
"We've got the tunes for clubs like Pacha now, that's where we want to play."
Music News
One Direction are not annoyed about their lack of Grammy Award nominations.
The band have not been nominated for any of the 83 prizes on offer at the prestigious US ceremony despite their third album 'Midnight Memories' being the biggest-selling album worldwide in 2013, but insist they are not angry about being blanked because there is such a high quality of music up for the prizes.
When asked if they were surprised not to be shortlisted, Harry Styles, 20, told BANG Showbiz: "I don't think so, I think there's so much incredible music out there, I don't think you can kick off."
The 'Steal My Girl' hitmakers - who performed the single at the inaugural BBC Music Awards at London's Earl's Court last night (11.12.14) - recently made history with their new album, 'Four', becoming the first band in the US Billboard 200 history to have their first four albums all debut at number one.
However, the group - which also features Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan - said they are pleased with their achievements in their career such as the chart milestone, and the two American Music Awards they picked up in November.
Harry added: "When you look at the list of nominations, everyone is incredible so it's not like... people have different opinions and there are a lot of awards shows we do get nominated for so we're lucky for those things."
One Direction not annoyed at Grammys blank
One Direction are not annoyed about their lack of Grammy Award nominations.
The band have not been nominated for any of the 83 prizes on offer at the prestigious US ceremony despite their third album 'Midnight Memories' being the biggest-selling album worldwide in 2013, but insist they are not angry about being blanked because there is such a high quality of music up for the prizes.
When asked if they were surprised not to be shortlisted, Harry Styles, 20, told BANG Showbiz: "I don't think so, I think there's so much incredible music out there, I don't think you can kick off."
The 'Steal My Girl' hitmakers - who performed the single at the inaugural BBC Music Awards at London's Earl's Court last night (11.12.14) - recently made history with their new album, 'Four', becoming the first band in the US Billboard 200 history to have their first four albums all debut at number one.
However, the group - which also features Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan - said they are pleased with their achievements in their career such as the chart milestone, and the two American Music Awards they picked up in November.
Harry added: "When you look at the list of nominations, everyone is incredible so it's not like... people have different opinions and there are a lot of awards shows we do get nominated for so we're lucky for those things."
Music News
John Lydon thinks the Sex Pistols are too fat to reunite.
The 58-year-old rocker has ruled out a possible reunion with his band mates Steve Jones and Paul Cook because they've all "put on weight"
John - who once starred in the ''Country Life' butter commercials - shared: "Oh no, that's finished. I mean have you seen us? I mean We've all put on weight but Mr Jones here is coming it at 500 pounds! And I did the butter advert!"
The 'God Save the Queen' admitted he had been further put off the idea of reforming after watching Mick Jagger at Glastonbury in 2013.
When asked if there should be an age limit on performing, John had some choice words for the 71-year-old Rolling Stones frontman.
He quipped: "No, only if you're Mick Jagger. Did anybody see last year's Glastonbury? I mean come on Mick ... it's not about age here, its about the show off bull**** ... I wanted the Stones to give us the juice, the stuff that really put them there in the first place.
"But no, it's Mick in ladies' tights and his testicles are frocked and he's running around like a speed freak and then there's the band looking incredibly embarrassed."
Despite confirming that a Sex Pistols reunion isn't on the cards, John insisted he will still be making his music.
He added: "[I'd stop] only if I got bored with it, and as long as there's human beings in the world, I'm not going to get bored."
John Lydon: Sex Pistols are too fat to reform
John Lydon thinks the Sex Pistols are too fat to reunite.
The 58-year-old rocker has ruled out a possible reunion with his band mates Steve Jones and Paul Cook because they've all "put on weight"
John - who once starred in the ''Country Life' butter commercials - shared: "Oh no, that's finished. I mean have you seen us? I mean We've all put on weight but Mr Jones here is coming it at 500 pounds! And I did the butter advert!"
The 'God Save the Queen' admitted he had been further put off the idea of reforming after watching Mick Jagger at Glastonbury in 2013.
When asked if there should be an age limit on performing, John had some choice words for the 71-year-old Rolling Stones frontman.
He quipped: "No, only if you're Mick Jagger. Did anybody see last year's Glastonbury? I mean come on Mick ... it's not about age here, its about the show off bull**** ... I wanted the Stones to give us the juice, the stuff that really put them there in the first place.
"But no, it's Mick in ladies' tights and his testicles are frocked and he's running around like a speed freak and then there's the band looking incredibly embarrassed."
Despite confirming that a Sex Pistols reunion isn't on the cards, John insisted he will still be making his music.
He added: "[I'd stop] only if I got bored with it, and as long as there's human beings in the world, I'm not going to get bored."
Music News
Ed Sheeran has praised the BBC Music Awards for being one of the only award ceremonies that is not "rigged".
The 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker - who picked up the award at the ceremony last night (11.12.14) for British Artist of the Year - explained how he had "lost" out on other prizes because he couldn't attend the shows.
He told BANG Showbiz: "Like most award shows, you don't really know what's going to happen, you don't know whether its been rigged ...
"I think if it was going to be a rigged thing, there would be 15 awards and they would make the Coldplay Award for Excellence, so Coldplay would turn up. That's what you kind of get from those big things, they make those awards so people turn up ...
"Like, One Direction aren't even nominated and they're coming to play, I think it shows the power of BBC as a brand."
The 23-year-old singer also revealed that he was "second choice" in the past for some award categories.
He said: "I won an award in the summer for a very, very big awards show, and I won it because Pharrell didn't turn up, and they were like, 'Well we were going to give it to Pharrell but he didn't turn up so you can have it'. So I know award shows are rigged basically.
"I remember the MOBOs a couple of years ago, they said I'd won two and on the night, someone else won two, because I was on tour and couldn't go. But god bless the MOBOs."
Meanwhile, Ed was full of thanks for his fans and the BBC as he picked up his award last night (11.12.14).
He said: "I just wanna say a massive thank you to everyone whose bought a record, bought a ticket, streamed on YouTube, streamed on Spotify ... I don't know if anyone here has, but thank you so much.
"Radio 1 and 1Xtra were the first people to ever play [my music] and that broke everything through for me. BBC have been such big supporters so I wanna say a massive thank you to them."
Ed Sheeran praises BBC Music Awards
Ed Sheeran has praised the BBC Music Awards for being one of the only award ceremonies that is not "rigged".
The 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker - who picked up the award at the ceremony last night (11.12.14) for British Artist of the Year - explained how he had "lost" out on other prizes because he couldn't attend the shows.
He told BANG Showbiz: "Like most award shows, you don't really know what's going to happen, you don't know whether its been rigged ...
"I think if it was going to be a rigged thing, there would be 15 awards and they would make the Coldplay Award for Excellence, so Coldplay would turn up. That's what you kind of get from those big things, they make those awards so people turn up ...
"Like, One Direction aren't even nominated and they're coming to play, I think it shows the power of BBC as a brand."
The 23-year-old singer also revealed that he was "second choice" in the past for some award categories.
He said: "I won an award in the summer for a very, very big awards show, and I won it because Pharrell didn't turn up, and they were like, 'Well we were going to give it to Pharrell but he didn't turn up so you can have it'. So I know award shows are rigged basically.
"I remember the MOBOs a couple of years ago, they said I'd won two and on the night, someone else won two, because I was on tour and couldn't go. But god bless the MOBOs."
Meanwhile, Ed was full of thanks for his fans and the BBC as he picked up his award last night (11.12.14).
He said: "I just wanna say a massive thank you to everyone whose bought a record, bought a ticket, streamed on YouTube, streamed on Spotify ... I don't know if anyone here has, but thank you so much.
"Radio 1 and 1Xtra were the first people to ever play [my music] and that broke everything through for me. BBC have been such big supporters so I wanna say a massive thank you to them."
Music News
Ed Sheeran thinks he's too "short and hairy" to record the theme song for the new James Bond film.
The 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker - who performed 'I See Fire' for 'The Hobbit' soundtrack - has revealed that he'd need to strengthen his voice before he recorded for a Bond film but wouldn't say no if he was asked.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the BBC Music Awards - where he won the prize for British Artist of the Year - he said: "I am a James Bond fan but I think the James Bond theme tune should be ballsy.
"'The Hobbit' song was perfect for me to do because it was quite folky, guitar driven, and a hairy short man should be singing a song like that."
The 23-year-old singer has championed fellow singing sensation, Sam Smith, for the theme song for the next 007 movie.
He said: "I think Sam Smith would be perfect for the [James Bond theme], proper suited up and strong voice. I'm backing Sam but I think anyone from Sam to Paloma Faith, anyone who does the retro thing really, really f**king well should do it.
"I wasn't born with the James Bond voice. I'm not ruling it out. Maybe in 10 years time when my balls drop, I will."
Meanwhile, Ed has revealed that he has found a friend in Adele, who recorded 'Skyfall', the title track for the most recent Bond film.
Speaking about the 'Someone Like You' hitmaker, he said: "She came to my O2 gig and I was talking to her about my Wembley shows, and about what she's going to do next.
"She's always really friendly and I'm really looking forward to hearing what she does next."
Ed Sheeran too ‘hairy’ for Bond theme song
Ed Sheeran thinks he's too "short and hairy" to record the theme song for the new James Bond film.
The 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker - who performed 'I See Fire' for 'The Hobbit' soundtrack - has revealed that he'd need to strengthen his voice before he recorded for a Bond film but wouldn't say no if he was asked.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the BBC Music Awards - where he won the prize for British Artist of the Year - he said: "I am a James Bond fan but I think the James Bond theme tune should be ballsy.
"'The Hobbit' song was perfect for me to do because it was quite folky, guitar driven, and a hairy short man should be singing a song like that."
The 23-year-old singer has championed fellow singing sensation, Sam Smith, for the theme song for the next 007 movie.
He said: "I think Sam Smith would be perfect for the [James Bond theme], proper suited up and strong voice. I'm backing Sam but I think anyone from Sam to Paloma Faith, anyone who does the retro thing really, really f**king well should do it.
"I wasn't born with the James Bond voice. I'm not ruling it out. Maybe in 10 years time when my balls drop, I will."
Meanwhile, Ed has revealed that he has found a friend in Adele, who recorded 'Skyfall', the title track for the most recent Bond film.
Speaking about the 'Someone Like You' hitmaker, he said: "She came to my O2 gig and I was talking to her about my Wembley shows, and about what she's going to do next.
"She's always really friendly and I'm really looking forward to hearing what she does next."
Music News
Pharrell Williams and Ed Sheeran won big at the first BBC Music Awards last night (11.12.14).
The 'Happy' hitmaker - who accepted his two awards for Song of the Year and International Artist of the Year via live satellite link from Los Angeles - praised the UK for lifting him to "unimaginable heights".
Accepting his award he said: "The UK has always been amazing to me and so many other artists who just want to do different things ... Those things happen in the UK because you love music, first and foremost.
"It's just been an amazing experience and a great journey. I just want to say thank you to BBC, Radio 1, Radio 2, 1Xtra and the countless amazing English fans that have just lifted my life to unimaginable heights. Thank you so much."
The 41-year-old music producer dedicated his Song of the Year award for 'Happy' to his British fans.
He said: "I often say in interviews: the YouTube views that we get or the purchases that are made on our songs. The decision to stream the songs is not ours, as writers and producers, we are beholding to what the audience thinks and what you guys want to do.
"So when you say 'Song of the Year', it's not really my award, it's your award. As I said before, the folks in the UK have just been so incredibly generous ... Again, I wanna say thank you to everyone and their great nation."
Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran picked up the gong for British Artist of the Year.
Speaking to accept his award, the 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker said: "I just wanna say a massive thank you to everyone whose bought a record, bought a ticket, streamed on YouTube, streamed on Spotify ... I don't know if anyone here has, but thank you so much.
"Radio 1 and 1Xtra were the first people to ever play [my music] and that broke everything through for me. BBC have been such big supporters so I wanna say a massive thank you to them."
The show also saw performances from some of the world's biggest artists including Coldplay, One Direction and Ellie Goulding as well as the BBC Introducing Award winner's Catfish and the Bottlemen
The show was ended by Tom Jones and Paloma Faith who sang a rendition of 'God Only Knows', accompanied by a 200 strong choir.
Pharrell Williams and Ed Sheeran win at BBC Music Awards
Pharrell Williams and Ed Sheeran won big at the first BBC Music Awards last night (11.12.14).
The 'Happy' hitmaker - who accepted his two awards for Song of the Year and International Artist of the Year via live satellite link from Los Angeles - praised the UK for lifting him to "unimaginable heights".
Accepting his award he said: "The UK has always been amazing to me and so many other artists who just want to do different things ... Those things happen in the UK because you love music, first and foremost.
"It's just been an amazing experience and a great journey. I just want to say thank you to BBC, Radio 1, Radio 2, 1Xtra and the countless amazing English fans that have just lifted my life to unimaginable heights. Thank you so much."
The 41-year-old music producer dedicated his Song of the Year award for 'Happy' to his British fans.
He said: "I often say in interviews: the YouTube views that we get or the purchases that are made on our songs. The decision to stream the songs is not ours, as writers and producers, we are beholding to what the audience thinks and what you guys want to do.
"So when you say 'Song of the Year', it's not really my award, it's your award. As I said before, the folks in the UK have just been so incredibly generous ... Again, I wanna say thank you to everyone and their great nation."
Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran picked up the gong for British Artist of the Year.
Speaking to accept his award, the 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker said: "I just wanna say a massive thank you to everyone whose bought a record, bought a ticket, streamed on YouTube, streamed on Spotify ... I don't know if anyone here has, but thank you so much.
"Radio 1 and 1Xtra were the first people to ever play [my music] and that broke everything through for me. BBC have been such big supporters so I wanna say a massive thank you to them."
The show also saw performances from some of the world's biggest artists including Coldplay, One Direction and Ellie Goulding as well as the BBC Introducing Award winner's Catfish and the Bottlemen
The show was ended by Tom Jones and Paloma Faith who sang a rendition of 'God Only Knows', accompanied by a 200 strong choir.
Music News
Noel Gallagher has "albums worth" of unheard Oasis tracks.
The 47-year-old musician revealed he is always writing music, so has a growing stockpile of material since 1993.
He revealed: "Instead of writing 15 or 16 songs for a cycle of where [Oasis] were at, we were using five, but I was still writing 15, 20 songs, so there's loads of stuff left over from those days. Albums and albums worth of material."
The guitarist-and-songwriter - who quit the band in 2009 - explained he has built up a huge collection of unheard tracks since the band's debut album 'Definitely Maybe', as he writes a minimum of 30 songs before entering the recording studio.
He said: "I've had a stockpile of songs since 1993.
"I've never written for a specific project, I've never been in the studio with less than 30 songs. I've just recorded an album, but I've still got another 30 songs."
This year there has been growing rumours about the band reforming, but the 'Don't Look Back In Anger' songwriter recently shut down reports of a reunion, saying he "doesn't see the appeal" of reconnecting with his brother and former bandmate Liam Gallagher.
However, the star did tease lots of the band's demos have been "left behind" during the making of their seven records.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's 'Mastertapes', he added: "Because you move so fast as a writer, and you can only really do ten songs on an album at a time, lots get left behind."
Noel Gallagher has ‘albums worth’ of Oasis demos
Noel Gallagher has "albums worth" of unheard Oasis tracks.
The 47-year-old musician revealed he is always writing music, so has a growing stockpile of material since 1993.
He revealed: "Instead of writing 15 or 16 songs for a cycle of where [Oasis] were at, we were using five, but I was still writing 15, 20 songs, so there's loads of stuff left over from those days. Albums and albums worth of material."
The guitarist-and-songwriter - who quit the band in 2009 - explained he has built up a huge collection of unheard tracks since the band's debut album 'Definitely Maybe', as he writes a minimum of 30 songs before entering the recording studio.
He said: "I've had a stockpile of songs since 1993.
"I've never written for a specific project, I've never been in the studio with less than 30 songs. I've just recorded an album, but I've still got another 30 songs."
This year there has been growing rumours about the band reforming, but the 'Don't Look Back In Anger' songwriter recently shut down reports of a reunion, saying he "doesn't see the appeal" of reconnecting with his brother and former bandmate Liam Gallagher.
However, the star did tease lots of the band's demos have been "left behind" during the making of their seven records.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's 'Mastertapes', he added: "Because you move so fast as a writer, and you can only really do ten songs on an album at a time, lots get left behind."
Music News
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett have recorded a Christmas song together.
The two singers - who collaborated on hit album 'Cheek To Cheek' - have duetted on a cover version of festive classic 'Winter Wonderland' and the track is available to download now from iTunes.
Unveiling the song on her Twitter account, Gaga revealed: "Surprise Everyone! Tony & Me recorded the Holiday Classic Winter Wonderland ... Happy Holidays from Tony and Gaga! #TonyGagaWinterWonderlandOnItunes (sic)"
Gaga and Bennett performed 'Winter Wonderland' - originally written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith - when they switched on the Christmas lights at the Rockefeller Center in New York City last week.
Gaga has already started her Christmas vacation after wrapping up her 'ArtRave: The Artpop Ball' world tour in Paris, France, on November 24.
The 28-year-old pop star has been busy decorating her Christmas tree and cooking at home and she has also been doing yoga to stay in shape over the festive season.
She tweeted: "Another Holiday day off! I slept and got my hair washed and manicured. now time for some hot yoga while listening to death metal. (sic)"
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett release Christmas song
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett have recorded a Christmas song together.
The two singers - who collaborated on hit album 'Cheek To Cheek' - have duetted on a cover version of festive classic 'Winter Wonderland' and the track is available to download now from iTunes.
Unveiling the song on her Twitter account, Gaga revealed: "Surprise Everyone! Tony & Me recorded the Holiday Classic Winter Wonderland ... Happy Holidays from Tony and Gaga! #TonyGagaWinterWonderlandOnItunes (sic)"
Gaga and Bennett performed 'Winter Wonderland' - originally written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith - when they switched on the Christmas lights at the Rockefeller Center in New York City last week.
Gaga has already started her Christmas vacation after wrapping up her 'ArtRave: The Artpop Ball' world tour in Paris, France, on November 24.
The 28-year-old pop star has been busy decorating her Christmas tree and cooking at home and she has also been doing yoga to stay in shape over the festive season.
She tweeted: "Another Holiday day off! I slept and got my hair washed and manicured. now time for some hot yoga while listening to death metal. (sic)"
Music News
Dr. Dre has been named the highest-paid musician of 2014 by Forbes magazine.
The music mogul topped the financial bible's annual list after picking up a staggering $620 million in the last year, largely due to the sale of his Beat Electronics company to Apple.
His huge fortune makes second-placed Beyonce's $115 million seem tiny in comparison, though she was one of only two other stars to earn over $100 million, with third placed The Eagles taking home exactly that sum, largely thanks to a world tour.
In fourth place were Bon Jovi, who earned $82 million and attributed their fortune to being "efficient" and keeping entourage costs to a minimum.
Frontman Jon Bon Jovi said: "I think it's just wise to be efficient. I know big bands where each of them have personal assistants on the road, each of them has a security guard. We don't have a security guard. Take your own friggin' bags!"
Rounding out the top five was veteran rocker Bruce Springsteen, just $1 million behind Bon Jovi with $81 million.
The top 10 was completed by 'Believe' singer Justin Bieber, boy band One Direction, Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney, DJ Calvin Harris and country star Toby Keith.
Forbes spoke to industry experts and compiled income from touring, recorded music, publishing, merchandise sales, endorsements and other ventures from the period June 2013 to June 2014 to produce the rankings.
Forbes' highest-paid musicians of 2014:
1. Dr Dre - $620m
2. Beyoncé - $115m
3. The Eagles - $100m
4. Bon Jovi - $82m
5. Bruce Springsteen - $81m
6. Justin Bieber - $80m
7. One Direction - $75m
8. Sir Paul McCartney - $71m
9. Calvin Harris - $66m
10. Toby Keith - $65m
11. Taylor Swift - $64m
12= Jay Z - $60m
12= Diddy - $60m
12= Bruno Mars - $60m
15. Justin Timberlake - $57m
16. Pink - $52m
17. Michael Buble - $51m
18. Rihanna - $48m
19. Rolling Stones - $47m
20. Roger Waters - $46m
Dr Dre names highest paid musician
Dr. Dre has been named the highest-paid musician of 2014 by Forbes magazine.
The music mogul topped the financial bible's annual list after picking up a staggering $620 million in the last year, largely due to the sale of his Beat Electronics company to Apple.
His huge fortune makes second-placed Beyonce's $115 million seem tiny in comparison, though she was one of only two other stars to earn over $100 million, with third placed The Eagles taking home exactly that sum, largely thanks to a world tour.
In fourth place were Bon Jovi, who earned $82 million and attributed their fortune to being "efficient" and keeping entourage costs to a minimum.
Frontman Jon Bon Jovi said: "I think it's just wise to be efficient. I know big bands where each of them have personal assistants on the road, each of them has a security guard. We don't have a security guard. Take your own friggin' bags!"
Rounding out the top five was veteran rocker Bruce Springsteen, just $1 million behind Bon Jovi with $81 million.
The top 10 was completed by 'Believe' singer Justin Bieber, boy band One Direction, Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney, DJ Calvin Harris and country star Toby Keith.
Forbes spoke to industry experts and compiled income from touring, recorded music, publishing, merchandise sales, endorsements and other ventures from the period June 2013 to June 2014 to produce the rankings.
Forbes' highest-paid musicians of 2014:
1. Dr Dre - $620m
2. Beyoncé - $115m
3. The Eagles - $100m
4. Bon Jovi - $82m
5. Bruce Springsteen - $81m
6. Justin Bieber - $80m
7. One Direction - $75m
8. Sir Paul McCartney - $71m
9. Calvin Harris - $66m
10. Toby Keith - $65m
11. Taylor Swift - $64m
12= Jay Z - $60m
12= Diddy - $60m
12= Bruno Mars - $60m
15. Justin Timberlake - $57m
16. Pink - $52m
17. Michael Buble - $51m
18. Rihanna - $48m
19. Rolling Stones - $47m
20. Roger Waters - $46m