Music News

Sister Sledge are set to perform for Pope Francis.
The iconic music group will sing at global gathering 'The World Meeting of Families 2015' in Philadelphia, America on Saturday (26.09.15) to mark the religious leader's first official visit to the U.S.
The 'Thinking of You' hitmakers will play a special rendition of their hit single 'We Are Family' as the song has become a mantra for peace around the world.
In a statement, they said: "We are truly honoured to have been asked to perform for His Holiness Pope Francis. The World Meeting of Families is such a special and unique event, which will bring together families from all over the world in a bond of unity, love and solidarity.
"We were thrilled to learn that His Holiness chose our hometown, Philadelphia, to show the entire world the significance of Family, Faith and Love. We firmly stand for and believe in the ideals that Pope Francis will be speaking about, particularly the vital importance of the family, human rights and equality for all."
The group also believe in the world standing in "unity".
The statement continued: "Our group's legacy of love stems from the expression of sisterhood so triumphantly voiced in one of our most famous songs 'We Are Family'. This message is now as important and fresh as ever. Through life experience we have come to realise that we are all family. Together we must stand in unity as sisters and brothers for the betterment of humankind. Every woman, man and child has the right to receive love."
The sisters - Debbie, Joni, Kathy and Kim Sledge - are looking forward to being a part of the star-studded event and will be joined by an array of performers that include host Mark Wahlberg, Aretha Franklin, Jim Gaffigan, The Fray and Andrea Bocelli.

Biffy Clyro have announced their only concert of 2015.
The Scottish rockers - Simon Neil, James Johnstone and Ben Johnston - will headline Edinburgh's Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens on New Year's Eve (31.12.15) and have vowed to make a "musical" comeback in 2016.
They said in a statement: "We are so happy to come out of musical hibernation to kick off 2016 with the show on Hogmanay. We want to rock off the cobwebs and prepare for the year of da biff! Nothing can compete with Edinburgh's celebrations and we hope to make it a special night for everyone!"
The 'Many of Horror' hitmakers headlined Edinburgh's Hogmanay event in 2010 and five years on they will be bringing their explosive live show to their home country for what promises to be an unforgettable night to welcome in 2016.
This will be the band's one and only UK performance of 2015 and will be the stage from which they will kick off 2016 and what is being lined up to be a huge year for them.
Tickets for Edinburgh's Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens will go on general sale from 10.00am on Friday 25 September at www.edinburghshogmanay.com.

The Libertines have announced seven UK arena shows for January 2016.
Despite the chaos frontman Pete Doherty caused on their recent mini run of shows, after going missing when he was due to perform at London's Electric Ballroom in Camden last week - on the release day of their first LP in a decade 'Anthem For Doomed Youth' - the band have committed themselves to play one of their biggest tours to date.
Among the stops will be nights at The O2 in London, Glasgow's SSE Hydro Arena and Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena.
The 'Can't Stand Me Now' hitmakers previously issued a statement following the disappearance Pete assuring fans it wouldn't effect any "other commitments".
They wrote: "Due to unforeseen circumstances The Libertines have had to postpone their sold out shows at the Electric Ballroom in Camden and at the Ritz in Manchester. Peter, Carl, John and Gary apologise whole heartedly to their fans and will reschedule both shows as soon as possible. This will not affect any of The Libertines other commitments. HQ (sic)."

The Libertines January 2016 UK tour dates:

Thursday 21st Glasgow SSE Hydro Arena
Saturday 23rd Manchester Arena
Monday 25th Nottingham Capital FM Arena
Tuesday 26th Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Wednesday 27th Birmingham Barclaycard Arena
Friday 29th Bournemouth BIC
Saturday 30th London The O2

Tickets go on sale on Friday 25 September at www.axs.com/thelibertines

David Gilmour has dedicated a song to late Pink Floyd keyboard player Rick Wright on his new solo album.
The 69-year-old guitarist - who has just released 'Rattle That Lock', his first individual release since 2006 - recorded 'A Boat Lies Waiting' for his former bandmate who sadly passed away from cancer in 2008 and was reminded during the making of his LP of the "great loss" of a talented musician and friend.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he said: "It was a great loss and we're still very sad about it. There have been moments during making this album where I've had other keyboard players around who are very, very good and we've got on very well but one is constantly reminded of what one has lost."
The track itself was written 18 years ago but, Gilmour reveals, it didn't "reveal itself" for a long time.
He explained: "The piece of music at the heart of 'A Boat Lies Waiting' was recorded at home on a piano to a mini disc player 18 years ago ... sometimes it takes a while for a piece of music to reveal itself in its entirety and I'm still baffled by the process."
Although Pink Floyd - also comprised of Nick Mason and previously Roger Waters and Syd Barrett - will not tour again or release new music following 2014's 'The Endless River', Gilmour will always be proud of the band and will never let the "memories" fade.
He said: "Pink Floyd is a big part of my life and something that I'm extraordinarily proud of. It gave me a lot of joy and fun.
"I'm in no way closing the door to my memories and times we had and all those things. I'm just saying that I won't be going back to something that's got that title."

Kylie Minogue has recorded a Christmas duet with James Corden.
The 47-year-old singer asked the comedian-and-actor, 37, to feature on her forthcoming festive album, and the impressive collaboration has gone down so well with label bosses that the catchy track is tipped to be the lead single.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "James recorded the track in secret with Kylie after she asked him to feature."
The insider added: "It was meant to be the jokey song on the album but producers were so impressed there's a strong chance it's going to be the lead single. James is a very good singer and the song is actually a great listen."
The collaboration with Kylie, with whom he co-hosted the Brit Awards in 2009, comes just a year after James admitted he'd like to record his own Christmas collection one day.
He said previously about a festive album: "Almost for my own enjoyment - and when I say my own enjoyment, I mean just to record for myself to keep in my house - I have started to think I should make a Christmas album.
"I love Christmas music so much that I start listening to it in October. I've started listening to the Michel Bublé album and I'm thinking maybe I'll just do it on my own."
Meanwhile, the former 'Gavin and Stacey' star isn't the only one chosen to feature on Kylie's upcoming album as she's also asked her sister Dannii, 43, to do a duet with her.

Ariana Grande's new album is an "evolution".
The 'Break Free' hitmaker is looking forward to releasing her new LP and feels it is her best yet.
She shared: "It's my best album yet. It's like an evolution. It's like a progression and it feels very me, but it feels like a more evolved version. It's a little more forward."
The 22-year-old beauty - who shot to fame after the release of his 2013 album 'Yours Truly' - also opened up about dealing with criticism.
She told Access Hollywood: "When I was younger, I used to get really hurt by it. because people can be very aggressive, especially on the internet when there's sort of like a wall of like, I can say whatever I want.
"I try to just take it with a grain of salt. I really try to do my best everyday with whatever I'm doing, whether it's like a performance or just whatever. I really try to do my best and that's really all I can do, so it's like if someone is upset with my hair. I really can't like get too emotionally invested."

Nick Brewer wants to stay "nice" just like Ed Sheeran.
The 'Talk To Me' rapper says Eminem, Wiley and Dizzee Rascal have influenced his UK garage sound but after coming across the 'Thinking Out Loud' singer at a gig before he was famous, Nick realised he needed to have a softer edge too.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, he said: "I remember seeing Ed perform in a pub and there were like ten of us there. I checked him out on twitter and he had 500 followers. But he put in this performance where you could see he thought he was performing to a sold out arena.
"I chatted with him after and he was such a cool guy ... he's not changed one bit and I want to be known for that too. To be genuine and show integrity and be honest. If you're a nice person hopefully that will come through."
The 26-year-old musician is in the middle of writing his debut album and after the reception he received at Wireless and Reading festival over the summer, he's confident that his "spacial" UK sound will do well.
He added: "At the moment it's sounding very UK in terms of the influences, there's a lot of garage and grime but it is spacey and experimental.
"That's what I've always tried to do. It's definitely going to be an album which I hope reflects UK music and the good state that UK music is in.
'Talk to Me' (featuring Bibi Bourelly) is available to download on September 25 and Nick headlines at London's Hoxton Bar and Grill on October 13.

The Rolling Stones have "definite plans to record".
Keith Richards has revealed he met up with his bandmates - Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood - recently to discuss their plans for the future.
Speaking to iHeartRadio, he said: "I was in London last week and the boys and I got together. And there are now definite plans to record."
And Keith hopes the 'Satisfaction' hitmakers will head into the studio soon after their South American tour early next year, but he's not holding out hope because his band mates like doing "nothing" after touring.
He said: "I'm trying to get the Stones into the studio. But I don't quite honestly see it happening this year. After we do South America in February and March, I'd love to get in the studio in April. But I know what those guys are like. When they finish a tour, they want to do nothing!"
However, the 71-year-old guitarist is pleased to have the band on board with recording again as it's something he's always wanted.
Reiterating his plans, he added to The Quietus: "I was at a meeting with the lads three or four days ago where everybody said, 'Yes! We must go in the studio!' Where or when I can't yet say but in the near future.
"At last I've got the boys wanting to get into the studio. They all have to want to do it at the same time. That's the thing with guys - you can't drag 'em in at gunpoint - but I've got the message that they want to. I'm hopeful, y'know?"

Harry Styles has put pen to paper on 20 songs for his solo career.
The 21-year-old hunk has crafted nearly two dozen tracks so far, having been holed up in the studio since One Direction announced they will be taking an extended hiatus after the release of their fifth studio album in March 2016.
A source said: "Harry has been writing constantly both when on the road and when doing his own thing.
"He's managed to work on and record 20 songs already."
The singer has lots of practice writing outside of the band, having penned a track entitled 'A Little Bit of Your Heart' for pop star Ariana Grande's album.
He's also the biggest writer out of all One Direction members, including former bandmate Zayn Malik, having co-written on 35 songs during their five years together.
But Harry is now ready to focus on his own work.
The insider added to The Sun newspaper: "Some of what he's written in the past has been given to the band. But he's been working hard on creating his own sound."