Music News

Chris Martin was desperate for his bandmates to start writing Coldplay songs.
The frontman, who shares writing credits with the other members of the group - Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion - was tired of having to come up with the initial ideas and wanted them to step in and contribute to the band's new album 'Ghost Stories' from the beginning of a song.
He said: "For a long, long time I've been begging the band, 'Please could someone else start a song'.
"I've been given that gift from the universe or from God or whatever you want to believe in that ideas for songs get sent through wherever they get sent from and then I take them to the rest of the band and then we layer it up and that's how we do it.
"For a long time, I've been saying, 'Guy, I know that you write music sometimes, on your own, is there any way that you would give us some of it'. He's like, 'No, you won't like it'."
But the 37-year-old singer was pleasantly surprised when Guy approached him last February and told him he'd been experimenting with ideas for a new track, which later became 'Magic', a song which features on the new album.
Chris explained: "I was so grateful. It made me so happy and that was kind of a simple of the album as a whole, 'We'll help each other out here'. There were lots of songs but that was the first point where I thought, 'Everyone is invested in this, everyone knows what we're trying to do, go a bit more personal'."

Kasabian feel they have been "training 10 years" to make their new album.
The band - made up of frontman Tom Meighan, guitarist Serge Pizzorno, drummer Ian Matthews and bassist Chris Edwards - launched their new record '48:13', named after the record's running time, at Abbey Road Studios in London yesterday (01.02.14).
Serge, who wrote and produced the album, said: "We kept everything direct musically and tried to combine electronical, hip hop and late 60s rock and roll.
"It feels like we've been training 10 years for this. I hope you enjoy the record."
Tom joked it was the "speech of the year" and later spoke of his excitement ahead of the band's debut headline set at Glastonbury Festival this summer.
Asked about rumoured fellow headliners Metallica, he said: "They're amazing, who [else] do people want, The Beach Boys?"
The experimental new record features tracks including 'Bumblebeee', which was named by Serge's three-year-old son Ennio, along with 'Glass' and 'Treat'.
Songs 'Explodes', 'Clouds' and 'Bow' are some of the stand out tracks on the record, along with new single 'Eez-eh' and S.P.S, which Tom claims is about Serge's love for him.
The band's fifth album '48:13' will be released on June 9.

Ella Henderson thinks Ryan Tedder has a "special formula" for making hit records.
The 'Ghosts' singer says the One Republic frontman has helped her to make a "big record" when penning her debut album and thinks he has a special talent for songwriting after scoring number one singles for the likes of Leona Lewis and Beyonce.
She told the latest issue of Wonderland Magazine: "I wanted to make this big record and have it played worldwide, and he knows a special formula to write songs like that".
Ella rose to fame after making it to the live finals on 'The X Factor' in 2012 and although she lost out to winner, James Arthur, she went onto sign a recording contract with Sony.
Now the 18-year-old singer claims the two years spent making her album has helped her to discover her own sound and she is determined to take control of her career.
She mused: "I don't wanna copy anyone, I didn't want to do a retro record. I wanted to do something new, and fresh.
"In the beginning I was open to anything, but you figure out what your sound is, and when you go into sessions there's certain things you have to be open, and honest on. When it comes to my music, when it's your job, you can be cutthroat about things."

Prince has added two more dates to his arena tour in May after tickets sold out in minutes.
The 'Let's Go Crazy' hitmaker, who has announced a number of regional gigs following secret concerts in London and Manchester, will play Manchester's Phones 4u Arena on Saturday, May 17 and Birmingham's LG Arena on Monday, May 19.
These are in addition to two other shows at Birmingham, LG Arena, Manchester, Phones 4u Arena, Glasgow's SSE Hydro Arena and Leeds First Direct Arena.
Fans were desperate to get their hands on tickets for the already announced shows at midday today (02.04.14) but many were left disappointed.
One posted on Twitter: "If anyone I know got Prince tickets and I never, don't speak to me ever again."
The new shows have reignited speculation that Prince could be the third headliner at this year's Glastonbury Festival, despite Michael Eavis's recent claims it is "one of the biggest-selling bands in the world at the moment", hinting it could be Metallica.
Meanwhile, Prince recently signed a record deal with Warner Bros almost 20 years after he left the label amid much controversy.
Tickets are on sale now from £65 each.

Full dates for Prince's arena gigs..

May 15 - Birmingham LG Arena
May 16 - Manchester Phones 4u Arena
May 17 - Manchester Phones 4u Arena
May 22 - Glasgow The SSE Hydro
May 23 - Leeds First Direct Arena

Pharrell Williams, Paloma Faith and Giorgio Moroder will be handed Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards.
The 'Happy' hitmaker, who has sold five million records this year, will pick up the Raymond Weil International Award, while 'Can't Rely On You' singer Paloma will be presented with the Royal Albert Hall Best British Act Award and Italian producer and dance music pioneer Giorgio, who has collaborated with Daft Punk, will receive the American Express Innovation Award at the ceremony.
Paloma said: "I'm a great advocate of British music, so to be awarded the Royal Albert Hall Best British Act Award at the O2 Silver Clefs is amazing. Music has always been a form of therapy for me so I am glad to be supporting Nordoff Robbins and helping them to raise awareness of their work, helping people connect and communicate through music."
Nordoff Robbins provides music therapy for thousands of people across the UK, helping sufferers of autism, stokes and dementia open up and connect to their surroundings, increase communication skills, self-esteem and confidence.
The event this year will take place at the London Hilton, Park Lane, on Friday, July 4.

Usher debuted Michael Jackson's new song at the iHeartRadio Music Awards last night (01.04.14).
The 'Good Kisser' hitmaker got to honour the King of Pop by performing the track 'Love Never Felt So Good' at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, which will be featured on 'XSCAPE', Michael's upcoming album.
The track was introduced by veteran music boss L.A. Reid of Epic Records and was produced by John McClain and Paul Anka - having been recorded back in 1983.
The label will be releasing the album, in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson, on May 13, and guest artists featured on the record include Mary J Blige and Justin Timberlake.
Usher paid tribute to Michael in an interview with MTV News following the star's death in 2009 of acute Propofol intoxication.
He said: "I think Michael Jackson is by far one of the most impactful artists in music ... when MTV did not play African-American videos, he took a stand and said, 'This is a must,' and you look what it became after that.
"You can't say that you are an artist in this century and [not be] influenced by Michael Jackson. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to share the stage with him, to know him personally, and I am always going to remember him."

Rita Ora will be a "superstar", according to Iggy Azalea.
The Australian rapper has boldly predicted worldwide success for her close pal, who she recently collaborated with on new track 'Black Widow', which was penned by Katy Perry.
Iggy said: "Rita's a superstar and she will only get bigger. She's one of those girls that always gets the party started, she is so mischievous, it's great going out with her."
The 23-year-old star was originally determined to avoid any collaborations on her debut album, 'The New Classic', but eventually relented when 'Roar' hitmaker Katy pitched 'Black Widow' to her.
She explained: "I changed my mind when Katy said she kept thinking of me when she wrote 'Black Widow', but it was months before I got to hear the song. I was going, 'Play me the damned song! What the hell?' "
Iggy also reveals that Katy was her first choice to sing on the track but the in-demand star couldn't fit a recording session into her busy schedule.
The rapper told the Daily Star newspaper: "Katy couldn't get time to sing on the track herself, so we wondered who else could do it. It needed someone who could really sing, as Katy's voice is awesome. Rita is a great fit - her voice can blow people away."

Wilko Johnson is recovering well after radical cancer surgery.
The former Dr Feelgood guitarist had a pancreatic tumour "successfully" removed during a nine hour operation on Wednesday (30.04.14) and doctors are said to be "happy" with his condition after he was given 10 months to live, when he rejected chemotherapy.
In a statement from Wilko's manager, Lisa Climie, said: "Wilko will stay under very close observation for the next few days.
"Although cautiously optimistic the team have to stress that it is very early days yet.
"The family thank everyone for their good wishes and ask for some privacy at this time so they can support Wilko with his recovery in peace."
The news comes after the BBC reported the 66-year-old musician had defied the doctors' predictions after his "football-sized" tumour spread to his spleen and parts of his stomach, with sources claiming they were "hopeful" the surgery would have a "positive" result.
Meanwhile, Wilko has scrapped 14 gigs in May and July to allow him time to recover from the operation.
He recently stormed the UK album chart with the Roger Daltrey collaboration 'Going Back Home.'

Rihanna took home four prizes at last night's (01.05.14) iHeart Radio Music Awards.
The 'Stay' singer picked up Hip Hop/ R 'n' B Song of the Year for 'Pour It Up' - which she was unable to collect as she was stuck in traffic on her way to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles -, Song of the Year for 'Stay', Artist of the Year, and Best Fan Army at the first-ever ceremony.
Picking up the award for her fans, who are nicknamed Rihanna's Navy, she said: "This award is for the fans.
"It's not easy, what we do. It's very difficult at times. I never felt comfortable being anything other than myself.
"Rihanna Navy or die."
Meanwhile, Pharrell Williams received the Innovator Award and was honoured by video messages from stars including Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, Usher, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato and Shakira.
Beyonce said: "He was the person who made it cool to just be you."
After performing a medley of songs including 'Blurred Lines', 'Get Lucky' and 'Happy', Pharrell was given his award by Gwen Stefani and was visibly emotional as he made his acceptance speech.
He said: "You gotta believe in something bigger than yourself. I never dreamt in a million years as a producer that I would be standing here as an artist."
Other winners included Miley Cyrus, who wasn't at the ceremony so her father Billy Ray Cyrus picked up the Best Lyrics prize for her song 'Wrecking Ball' on her behalf, Lorde, and Blake Shelton.
Musical performers at the ceremony included Pitbull, Luke Bryan, Bastille, 30 Seconds to Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande, Blake Shelton, Ed Sheeran, Shakira and Arcade Fire, while the late Michael Jackson's new song 'Love Never Felt So Good' got its first airing, with Usher performing to it in tribute.

iHeart Radio Awards list of winners:

Artist of the Year:
Rihanna

Best Lyrics:
'Wrecking Ball' - Miley Cyrus

Best Collaboration:
'Timber' - Pitbull featuring Kesha

Hip Hop/R&B Song of the Year:
'Pour It Up' - Rihanna

Song of the Year:
'Stay' - Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko

Best New Artist:
Lorde

Country Song of the Year:
'Boys 'Round Here' - Blake Shelton

EDM Song of the Year:
'Wake Me Up' - Avicii

Alternative Rock Song of the Year:
'Demons' - Imagine Dragons

Best Fan Army:
Rihanna Navy - Rihanna

Innovator:
Pharrell Williams