Music News

Nikki Sixx says even Mötley Crüe's promoters thought their farewell tour was a "marketing" ploy.
The heavy metal bassist has admitted he and the rest of the legendary 'Girls Girls Girls' rockers - completed by Vince Neil, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee - were really disappointed by the immediate response when the group decided to embark on their last shows.
He told Rolling Stone magazine: "They said to us, 'This is a good marketing thing.' It really bummed us out. They said, 'You know, this is good for five years.'
"We were like, 'There's no f***in' way. Who do you think we are?' They said, 'The Who has done this, as has Kiss and tons of others.'
"That's when we came up with an idea to legally bind us into a contract so we'll never tour together again."
And while Nikki admitted the contract the band signed to ensure it is a true farewell tour actually has a loophole, he promised fans it is "never going to" be tested.
He explained: "If all four band members agree we could overrule our own contract. But that's never going to happen.
"There are people in this band that would refuse to do that, and you're talking to one of them. There's no amount of money that will ever change my mind. Even if we get offered $10 million to do 10 shows a decade from now.
"The way we've set it up, including this conversation right now, we'd just have way too much egg on our face. It's never going to happen."

Michael Cera says there is a "terrible stigma" for actors who move into music.
The 'Superbad' star released his debut album 'true that' earlier this month, and while he has always loved writing and recording songs, he isn't sure if he sees it as a viable career path.
He told Billboard magazine: "I don't really know right now. Honestly, there's a terrible stigma that if you're an actor or something, and you're going to make some [polished music], it's just kind of embarrassing no matter what the result.
"It makes me cringe just to think about that. Maybe that's not smart to share, but that's how it is. I kind of have that sense of that myself. I don't know.
"If you put something out, you're inviting people to perceive you a certain way. I don't have too much of an interest in that."
However, Michael insisted he didn't even think of his first record - which was posted on Bandcamp - as an actual album, and explained he's been "sharing music with friends" for years.
He added: "I really didn't even consider it an album, so much as some of my musical efforts put onto a page and organized as an album.
"That's what I like about Bandcamp, is that you could pay for it if you feel like it.
"It's like a donation, almost, or you could stream it there for free. I've been sharing music with friends for a long time, for years."

Kate Bush has asked fans not to take photos of her upcoming live shows.
The 'Wuthering Heights' singer will perform a residency Hammersmith Apollo later this year - her first set of live shows since 1979 - and she has urged punters to refrain from snapping a picture or filming any of the concert because of the nature of the venue.
She wrote on her official website: "We have purposefully chosen an intimate theatre setting rather than a large venue or stadium.
"It would mean a great deal to me if you would please refrain from taking photos or filming during the shows.
"I very much want to have contact with you as an audience, not with iPhones, iPads or cameras. I know it's a lot to ask, but it would allow us to all share in the experience together."
Meanwhile, the legendary star also commented on the rehearsals for the concerts and insisted preparations are "going very well indeed".
She added: "We're all very excited about the upcoming shows and are working very hard in preparation. It's going very well indeed."

Labrinth says Simon Cowell told him to take a break between albums.
The rapper has returned two years since the release of his debut album 'Electronic Earth', and he insisted part of the reason behind the long wait for new single 'Let It Be' was the advice of the media mogul.
He told The Sun newspaper: "I was like, 's**t, I don't have any follow-ups!'
"Then I saw Simon in St Tropez and he said, 'I just want you to have fun and do what you love. Even if it takes three years, make an amazing album.' "
The 'Beneath Your Beautiful' hitmaker is signed to the 'X Factor' boss' Syco Records label, and he was pushed to the limit when he did start working on the follow-up to his 2012 debut.
He revealed the effort he has been putting in for the record, which is said to combine 70s soul music and space-age sound effects.
He added: "I was in the studio three days with no sleep!"
Meanwhile, Rockboi recently ruled out a sibling rivalry with the 'Earthquake' star and 'Britain's Got Talent' drummer MckNasty.
He previously told BANG Showbiz: "Not unless we're having a pillow fight or something like that, you know what I mean.
"We've all worked together since we were really young and stuff so one day you never know, you might see the whole Mac' pack getting poppin' together."

Union J's JJ Hamblett says they are "good for the future of pop" music.
The 'Carry You' singer has insisted the group - who appeared on 'The X Factor' in 2012 - are much more than a typical boyband, and suggested they will stand out over time as something different.
He told the Daily Star newspaper: "You can call us a boyband but we have a lot more about us and that's gotta be good for the future of pop.
"[Jaymi Hensley] came out as gay very early on and I've become a dad recently."
Meanwhile, the group have been in the US working on their new album - the follow-up to last year's self-titled debut - and they have already noticed their popularity rising in Los Angeles.
JJ added: "We've been walking through Hollywood and people have asked for autographs - it's been nuts."
For Jaymi though, their fame an be difficult as he tries to plan a big wedding with partner Olly.
He explained: "Mags offered us all sorts to have our pictures taken and then we realised it shouldn't be about that."

Foxes and Rudimental have joined the line-up for iTunes Festival next month.
The 'Holding on to Heaven' hitmaker and 'Waiting All Night' stars are two of the latest acts to be confirmed for the month-long event at the Roundhouse in London, and they are excited to perform.
Foxes - who will support The Script on September 15 - said: "I'm honoured to be performing at the iTunes Festival this year alongside so many amazing acts. See you at The Roundhouse!"
Meanwhile, Rudimental are thrilled to be making their return to the annual event as headliners on September 20, having performed in 2012 alongside Ed Sheeran.
They added: "We're really excited to be playing the iTunes Festival again.
"A couple of years ago we played it for the first time supporting Ed Sheeran and had a lot of fun, so we can't wait to be back in the Roundhouse headlining!"
Other new headliners include Elbow, Paolo Nutini and David Gray, with a number of artists now confirmed for the festival.
The event opens on September 2 with Beck and Jenny Lewis, and will feature performances from the likes of Blondie, Pharrell Williams and 5 Seconds of Summer.

iTunes Festival Line-up:

September 2 - Beck + Jenny Lewis
September 3 - David Guetta + Clean Bandit + Robin Schulz
September 4 - 5 Seconds of Summer + Charlie Simpson
September 5 - Kasabian
September 7 - Calvin Harris + Kiesza
September 8 - Robert Plant + Luke Sital-Singh
September 9 - Sam Smith + SOHN
September 10 - Pharrell Williams + Jungle
September 11 - Maroon 5 + Matthew Koma
September 12 - Elbow
September 13 - Paolo Nutini
September 14 - David Gray
September 15 - The Script + Foxes
September 16 - Blondie + Chrissie Hynde
September 17 - Gregory Porter + Eric Whitacre
September 18 - Jessie Ware
September 20 - Rudimental + Jess Glynne
September 21 - Ryan Adams + First Aid Kit
September 26 - Lenny Kravitz
September 27 - Kylie + MNEK

Taylor Swift has dropped a new single and announced her fifth album will be released in October.
The 24-year-old star's new song 'Shake It Off' hit number one on the iTunes chart just a few hours after it was released following the blonde beauty's announcement during a 30-minute Yahoo! live stream from the top of New York's Empire State Building.
Taylor also revealed that her fifth studio release will be called '1989', named after the year of her birth, and will be released on October 27.
But that wasn't the only shock in store for a hand-picked selection of supporters on top of the building as the former singer admitted her upcoming record will be her "first documented, official pop album" as she drifts further and further away from her country roots.
Taylor's new single - which is produced by Max Martin and Shellback - has a distinctive 1980s pop vibe to it and she admits being inspired by the fact that "people can say whatever they want about us, at any time".
She added: "The only thing we can control is our reaction to that."
Her new video for the single sees the star make several outfit changes throughout as she blasts the lyrics out while dressed as a ballerina, cheerleader and break dancer as well as flashing some flesh in a pair of cut-off denim shorts and leopard-print top.
Taylor is known for penning songs about her ex-lovers and her upcoming album is thought to be no different with a number of tracks expected about her former flame Harry Styles, who she split from in January 2013.
The 'I Knew You Were Trouble' hitmaker's decision to call her album '1989' after the year of her birth will come as no surprise to her die-hard fans as she is known for her love of numbers and previously released single '22', which she wrote about being 22 years old, from her last album 'Red'.
What's more, the star is obsessed with the number 13, the date she was born on in December 1989, and always writes it on her hand before every gig she plays.

David Guetta wishes he had got the chance to work with Michael Jackson.
The super-DJ has worked with many of the biggest names in pop, including Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Kelly Rowland, Snoop Dogg and Usher, but he admits his dream collaboration would have been with the late King of Pop, who died in June 2009.
Guetta said: "It would have been awesome to work with Michael Jackson, but therefore it's too late now."
The 46-year-old producer is one of the most successful DJs in the world and is wanted by the globe's top pop stars to create hits for them.
Guetta insists the reason he is so successful is because he works hard in the studio and tours constantly.
When asked what the secret of his success is, the 'Titanium' hitmaker said: "To be honest I think the whole work ethic is the secret of my success. If you ask me what is the secret behind my hits (songs), I have to say I have no idea. At the moment I work on my new album and tear my hair out, because I can't reckon, If a song is going to be a hit or not. It's crazy that people think I would have a recipe, but I haven't. Live would be so much easier with a recipe like that."

Annie Lennox has announced her new album will be released this year.
The 59-year-old singer will unveil her seventh solo LP entitled 'Nostalgia' in October this year.
The record will feature a collection of Annie's takes on songs from the 1930s and 1940s, including songs originally made popular by the likes of Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Jo Stafford and Louis Armstrong.
Speaking about the album, Annie said: "I was just curious. I thought, 'I wonder what my voice would be like. Would these songs suit my voice?' It was like a little challenge.
"I just sort of got to know them, became friends with them really and had a great deal of joy in the process."
Annie got her inspiration for the new album from watching vintage audio recordings and video performances of music from the 'Great American Songbook'.
She also featured as a musician on many of the tracks alongside her long-time collaborator and co-producer Mike Stevens.
'Nostalgia' will be released on October 27, 2014.

'Nostalgia' tracklisting:

'Memphis in June'
'Georgia on my Mind'
'I Put a Spell on You'
'Summertime'
'I Cover the Waterfront'
'Strange Fruit'
'God Bless the Child'
'You Belong to Me'
'September in the Rain'
'I Can Dream, Can't I?'
'The Nearness of You'
'Mood Indigo'