| CMU Daily - on the inside Thursday 30th March |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Lots and lots of Bertelsmann sell off gossip
- Teenagers stabbed at Lethal Bizzle party
- Spector accused of harassment
- When is radio not radio?
- Apple launch new volume control firmware
- Mobile music: removing hidden costs, passing landmarks
- Album review: Jimmy Edgar - Colorstrip
- Popworld launches new bands thingimy
- IFPI appoint new director for Asia
- Citizen Cope gigs
- Captain announce live dates
- Mystery Jets secret gigs
- Fatboy plans Loch Ness gig
- Download update
- Guillemots join Soundstation line up
- Tickets on sale for Aerosolics
- DJ Shadow on new album
- Annie on new album
- Seafood announce album details
- Destiny's Child get a star
- Franz are giving it away
- Macca sells shoes for charity
- Whitney a mess, says Bobby's sis
- Wahlberg has a baby
- Latest Doherty incidents
- Nude Britney sculpture causes trouble
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TOP BIT>>
I know it's sitting there in the Press Room each day, but I think another sneaky mention for the upcoming Insomniacs Ball is due. As you'll remember, this is the new all-night indoor festival being staged by CMU's mates Kill All Hippies along with the Stylish Riots boys. Housed in the caverns below London Bridge station at the seOne Club, this is going to be the ultimate Easter weekend party, kicking off at 8pm on Thursday 13 Apr and running through till 6am on Good Friday. The line up speaks for itself - look, here it is, speaking for itself - British Sea Power, Mando Diao, Battle, New Rhodes, The Pipettes, Art Brut, Dogs, White Rose Movement, The Rifles, Komakino, Vincent Vincent and the Villains, Black Wire, Good Shoes, Cazals, Dustins Bar Mitvah, The Holloways, and Captain Black. And that's before you add in the Remix room with Eddy TM, Mary Anne Hobbs and the boys from The Rakes and the Cooper Temple Clause all DJing.
We'll be putting those same six questions to half those bands in the next two weeks, but meantime get on over to http://www.insomniacsball.co.uk/ to preview tracks from them, and then get on over to http://www.ticketweb.co.uk and get your tickets (£19.50), unless you're a student in which case get on over to http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk and find out how you can get in for fifteen quid. And that is all I have to say on the matter. Except it's going to rock.
Oh, and by the way, the MySpace URL for the new Zane Lowe fronted music show on BBC 3 is http://www.myspace.com/guerillagig and not what we printed yesterday. You won't believe us of course, but that mistake really wasn't our fault. It really wasn't. And anyway, Steve from Colorado was a really interesting guy.
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PRESS ROOM>>
THE INSOMNIACS BALL... Kill All Hippies and Stylish Riots present London's first ever all-night indoor festival, kicking off the Easter Weekend on Thursday April 13th, with three live stages and dozens of live bands and DJs underneath the arches at London Bridge in the seOne club. Line up so far includes no less than British Sea Power, White Rose Movement, Mando Diao, Battle, New Rhodes, The Pipettes, Art Brut, Dogs, The Rifles, Komakino, Good Shoes, Cooper Temple Clause (DJ set) and The Rakes (DJ set). How good is this? Doors will open at 8pm, when the live music begins, and the entertainment will continue until 6am the following morning - Good Friday. Full details at http://www.insomniacsball.co.uk - for details of a special student discount check http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk.
Press info: http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/pressroom/insomniacsball
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RIGHT NOW IN THE CMU BEATS BAR>>
MySpace Of The Day: Danny George Wilson
Now I'm by no means an expert on the UK Americana scene, but judging by some of the music that it's produced over the past few years, I might have to dig out a plaid shirt, grow a mullet and dive right in. Or am I getting confused with the country music scene? Anyway, possible fashion faux-pas aside, Danny George Wilson is an artist worth discovering. This site showcases three tracks from his solo album 'The Famous Mad Mile', released last year when on a short break from his regular band Grand Drive. Given time, these songs will get under your skin with their sparse yet warm arrangements, and their intensely personal feel. Whether or not you choose to grow a mullet is, of course, entirely up to you.
http://www.myspace.com/dannygeorgewilson
More on our MySpace Of The Day at http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk
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LOTS AND LOTS OF BERTELSMANN SELL OFF GOSSIP
Well, much idle speculation this week regarding the future of SonyBMG, following those reports last week that German media conglom Bertelsmann may sell its half of the company.
As previously reported, the Mohn family, who own a majority of the company, are rumoured to be keen to buy out minority shareholders Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, but would need to raise in the region of $4.26 billion to do so. One way to do that would be to sell off one of their businesses. With Bertlesmann chief Gunter Thielen stressing that the group's book publishing and TV businesses are not up for sale, but remaining quiet on the future of its music businesses, everyone (well, OK, not everyone, but quite a few people) are speculating that that essentially means Bertelsmann's music publishing company and its stake in SonyBMG are both up for sale.
But should that be the case, who are the possible purchasers you all ask (well, OK, not all of you, but some of you, surely)?
On the publishing side, the answer is 'the usual suspects', with both Universal Music Publishing and Sony/ATV Publishing said to be interested - though probably not for the $1.5 billion Bertelsmann apparently say their music publishing company is worth. Insiders at Sony/ATV reportedly worry that their 50% shareholder Michael Jackson might prove to be a stumbling block in any attempt to takeover BMG Publishing, though they add that, given Jacko's current financial woes, he many not be a 50% shareholder for much longer, so that might not be a problem.
But what about Bertelsmann's stake in SonyBMG?
Some reports say Sony Corp is seriously considering buying out its business partner, though others question whether it is actually in a position to do so given that it's electronics division is still struggling, and the music industry is yet to fully adjust to the challenges of the digital age. One suggestion is that Sony Corp would form a partnership with one or more investment banks in order to buy out Bertelsmann, which is possibly the most likely eventuality should Bertelsmann actually decide to sell.
There are also reports that a consortium of investment types may go it alone and try to buy Bertelsmann's SonyBMG stake, in much the same way the Edgar Bronfman Jnr led consortium bought Warner Music off Time Warner. However, others question the logic of this. When investment types purchase companies like this it is normally with the intention of staging some pretty drastic restructuring in a bid to boost short term financial success that will enable a relatively quick re-sale at profit. Such restructuring will be more difficult when you only own half the company - Sony Corp could veto too much.
One final suggestion is that EMI would look to buy Bertelsmann's stake, going into business with Sony Corp and in doing so creating a slightly complicated but rather large recorded music business. However, the regulatory issues that proposal would throw up are possibly more than enough to put all parties off seriously considering the idea. But one or two cynics say EMI may show an interest in acquiring Bertelsmann's SonyBMG stake in a bid to show Warner Music they have options for expansion other than just doing business with Bronfmann Jnr et al. That cynical observation is based on the theory that the reason Bronfmann Jnr has been going around saying no Warner EMI merger is on the table is because bosses at the two major record companies cannot agree on what Warner Music is worth (city types have long claimed Bronfmann Jnr has a habit of overvaluing his business).
Talking of cynics, a final observation on all this is that no one will want to buy Bertelsmann's stake in SonyBMG, because the merger that created the company is too recent and board room tensions between former Sony and BMG execs too public. In that scenario, knowledgeable types say, Bertelsmann's only hope would be to persuade Sony Corp to sell its half of SonyBMG too - the theory being that city types would be much more interested in the proposition if the whole of SonyBMG was up for grabs.
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TEENAGERS STABBED AT LETHAL BIZZLE PARTY
Three teenagers were reportedly stabbed at a Lethal Bizzle after show party in Liverpool earlier in the week. An incident is said to have occurred at the Bar & Grill in the early hours of Monday morning, shortly after the rapper performed at the city's Barfly, when an altercation developed between Bizzle's entourage and a group of locals. One of the three youths is seriously ill in hospital. Nine people are currently being questioned by police on suspicion of assault and public disorder.
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SPECTOR ACCUSED OF HARASSMENT
It's not going well for Phil Spector at all. As previously reported, the legendary producer is to go on trial later this year accused of the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, but he is now also being sued for $5million over the alleged sexual harassment of a former assistant. Michelle Blaine claims Spector harassed her, appeared naked in front of her, and on one occasion asked her to find him a prostitute. But it's not quite as simple as that - no, Spector sued Ms Blaine last year claiming that she had embezzled money from his accounts.
Blaine handled both Spector's personal and business interests. The first person to visit her employer after his arrest, Blaine claims that Spector repeatedly proposed marriage in an attempt to prevent her from testifying at the upcoming criminal trial. She says that the producer gave her a $700,000 house, and offered her a raise when she tried to quit her job, but, as aforementioned, Spector subsequently accused her of stealing his money, and saying that money she used to buy the house was a loan, and not a gift.
Spector's lawyer Bruce Cutler says: "She stole this money and her final lie is now that it's hush money. It's all a lie".
Blaine's lawyer Tim Reuben says: "We believe there is very, very powerful evidence that Michelle Blaine acted not only appropriately but that she was very, very badly treated by Mr Spector".
Spector is, of course, due in court in September over those murder charges. He denies shooting Clarkson at his home in Alhambra, California, in February 2003.
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WHEN IS RADIO NOT RADIO?
Well, it all started off so affably - the music industry and the commercial radio sector have a thirty year partnership that has proved profitable for both parties, the digital world offers a whole host of new possibilities, and with a bit of work the two industries can profit even more in the future. On that everyone agreed, as music and radio types met for last night's MusicTank Think Tank event in London.
"We might both moan about each other a lot, but the relationship between the music and radio business in the UK is, generally, a good one", observed keynote speaker Phil Riley, CEO of Chrysalis Radio, having assured everyone that the commercial radio industry was in good health. "Moving forward there are lots of new possibilities from our relationship, and as the music industry recognises that CD sales may stagnate or even decline, it is as important for the music industry to capitalise on those possibilities as it is for us in the radio business".
"The challenge is how to make these new possibilities work. Here we need some collaboration. The radio industry is prepared to invest in the new platforms that the digital age allows, but we need the rights holders' help, so that we can both benefit in the future. We don't want their money, just realistic expectations when it comes to the royalties we pay for playing their music on our new digital services".
"The new digital radio stations are a good example of how this can work. When we established the first digital only radio stations, the music industry reluctantly accepted the traditional revenue split model of royalties, even though these stations weren't going to have much in the way of revenues at launch. But that acceptance will pay off for the music industry - because it has enabled us to get these new stations off the ground, so that now we are able to go out and get advertisers and sponsors - who will give us the revenues to share".
This need for the music industry to accept what will probably seem a poor deal in the short term to help the radio sector develop its new digital ventures, based on the promise of new revenue streams in the future, was one of the key themes of the debate. As I said, it all began quite affably. The music industry - whether it be publishers, record labels or their appointed royalty collection bodies - seem to accept that royalty payments from radio are an increasingly important revenue stream, and that in order to grow that revenue stream they have to help the radio industry maximise on the potential of digital technology - mainly by accepting poorer royalties in the short term (mainly by accepting a revenue share model, even when revenue potential is poor) on the promise of bigger payments in the future.
The problem, however, comes when the digital ambitions of the radio stations start to get into an area that the music companies see as being a little too close to retail.
"In the old days things were much easier", panellist Tony Clark of recording royalties body PPL explained. "You had the mechanical world, making money for the record labels by selling CDs, and the broadcast world, making money for the record labels by paying a share of advertising revenue sold on music radio. But in the digital age you have convergence - broadcasters are moving into the mechanical space, and they may come to dominate that space, that is when things get complicated".
This convergence comes when radio companies start providing music programming on demand, via online streams or as podcast style downloads. Here the radio companies are potentially competing with what Clark calls the 'mechanical world', which in the digital age means the download platforms.
The logic from the record label viewpoint works like this - if people can access a one hour music programme containing 15 tracks via a radio station website, which they can listen to on demand, and possibly transfer to an iPod and edit according to their musical preferences (even if the transfer and editing is done non-legitimately), then why will they then go to an iTunes type platform and buy those 15 tracks? If the record label is losing the sale of 15 tracks, it will need to recoup that money through its share of any subscription or advertising money the radio station makes through the distribution of the programme.
The logic from the radio station viewpoint works like this - what if the largest amount of profit the radio station can expect to make from the programme (from advertising or subscription) is 20p, but now the record label wants 20p for every one of the fifteen tracks featured? Clearly that's not going to work.
And so things start to get complicated. "Clearly there are certain digital models which are different to conventional broadcasting - non-linear services - like radio stations selling downloads of the tracks they are playing," Riley continued, "those a new business models and they need new licensing models to work for both parties. But some of the services that radio stations might want to consider are essentially a development of our old business model - and for those services the old [mainly revenue share] licensing model should be able to be adapted. To be honest, if it can't these services are never going to get off the ground".
And there lies the biggest issue in this debate. Some digital services should operate via the old revenue share model that the broadcasting industry has come to depend on, but some digital services will have to operate on the per-track licensing model that the record labels have offered the download companies. That isn't contentious (actually it is, some people say the distinction is a false one, but let's not dwell on that for the time being) - the contentious bit is what kinds of digital radio services are old model, and which are new. At what point is a radio station actually a download platform in all but name?
Riley began by pointing out "the devil is in the detail". This dividing line between broadcasting and downloading is the detail where things cease to be so affable between the music and radio sectors. And it is detail that is seemingly some way off being sorted.
Don't forget, you can read CMU's interview with Phil Riley on all things digital radio at http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/interviews
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APPLE LAUNCH NEW VOLUME CONTROL FIRMWARE
Apple have released new firmware for the iPod which will enable users to set a 'maximum volume limit' on their players. Parents will also be able to set a limit on their children's players which will be protected by a pin-number lock.
The move follows growing concern in the US media regarding the potential damage to hearing that can be caused by extensive listening to music on portable devices, especially via the so called 'ear-bud' headphones that come with most players. Those growing concerns have led to the US National Institute Of Health announcing it will initiate some research into the issue, while a Louisiana man is reportedly suing Apple alleging that the computer firm does "not sufficiently adorn [iPods] with adequate warnings regarding the likelihood of hearing loss."
The computer firm's Worldwide iPod Product Marketing VP Greg Joswiak admitted the new firmware was responding to growing concerns in this area, though did not reference the lawsuit or NIH research as specific motivators. Announcing the new firmware he said: "As the leading provider of digital music players, Apple continuously brings iPod customers innovative and easy to use solutions. With the increased attention in this area, we want to offer customers an easy-to-use option to set their own personal volume limit."
The firmware will work with iPod nanos or fifth-generation iPods and will also come with a booklet offering guidelines for safer listening with portable devices.
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MOBILE MUSIC: REMOVING HIDDEN COSTS, PASSING LANDMARKS
Vodafone has announced it will eliminate 'data transfer charges' from its mobile download service meaning that music fans who download music to their phones will not be charged 'air time' over and above whatever they pay for a specific track. Such 'hidden charges', which can be substantial, especially in Europe, have been cited as one of the major weaknesses of many mobile music platforms.
Vodafone's announcement came as the UK division of rival mobile operator Hutchison 3G (ie 3) announced it had sold its millionth mobile download. The company says it is selling 200,000 tracks per month at the moment, which gives it a 50% share of the mobile download market, and a 7.5% share of the overall UK digital music market.
Commenting on those figures, 3 Marketing Director Graeme Oxby told reporters: "These figures show that 3 is dominating mobile music and punching way above our weight. Every one of our 3.5 million customers has a music shop in their pocket, and their choices now have as much impact on the charts as a traditional music store."
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ALBUM REVIEW: Jimmy Edgar - Colorstrip (Warp Records)
People often eulogise about Detroit techno, but here's a man from the city itself, and someone who's a rightful heir to the music of Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Carl Craig and more. There's some fine electro here, by turns sophisticated and sleazy. If you like the concept of (mainly instrumental) futuristic R&B, then Jimmy Edgar is your man. 'Windowlicker' by Aphex Twin is one of the most immediate reference points, whilst much of 'Colorstrip' has the glitchy machine soul of 90s Warp act B12 at their best. The likes of 'My Beats' and 'Jefferson Interception' see minimalist vocals drift in and out of dreamy cyber-scapes, whilst 'Semierotic' features one of the best uses of electronic slap bass (oh yes) since Kraftwerk's 'Tour De France'. Programmed to intricate perfection (it's the best Timbaland album not actually featuring Timbaland since Junior Boys' 'Last Exit'), 'Colorstrip' is an excellent example of digital funkiness that makes the likes of Daft Punk sound crudely one-dimensional. Whilst it's far from essential, it's an album that notably grows on you, and shouldn't disappoint fans of the genre. MS
Release date: 3 Apr
Press contact: Warp IH [all]
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POPWORLD LAUNCHES NEW BANDS THINGIMY
Channel 4's Popworld franchise has launched a new unsigned bands thingy called Popworld Promotes. Unsigned bands will be able to upload their songs to a Popworld website, where viewers will be able to comment and vote - you know the kind of thing. The most popular band from the project will get to headline a Popworld gig at the Hard Rock Café as well as an appearance on the show.
Simon Fuller, one of the shareholders in Popworld Limited, announced the new venture thus: "Popworld Promotes will help discover unique, raw talent that might not otherwise get noticed. By bringing together the best of what the internet can offer with the power of television, Popworld Promotes offers artists a unique opportunity to be seen and heard."
Of course, getting an appearance on Channel 4's pop show may or may not be a good thing - it all depends on how many music fans dump the show from their viewing schedules when presenters Simon Amstell and Miquita Oliver quite next month. MTV / Xfm presenter Alex Zane is currently favourite to replace Amstell, though no word on who will take over from Oliver. Alex Zane, of course, is one of MTV's better hosts and deserves a wider audience, though taking over from Amstell is a tall order - the Amstell/Oliver partnership having been so key to the success of an otherwise pretty run-of-the-mill kids pop show.
The all new look Popworld kicks off on 22 Apr.
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IFPI APPOINT NEW DIRECTOR FOR ASIA
The International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry has announced the appointment of Leong May-Seey to the role of Regional Director for Asia. Leong, who has been the industry association's Regional Counsel and Deputy Regional Director for the region for twelve years, will co-ordinate the IFPI's Asian operations, including legal policy and government affairs. Probably most crucially, this will include efforts to unlock and develop the music business in China, and especially the digital music business there.
Confirming the appointment, IFPI boss John Kennedy told reporters: "May-Seey has a played a key role in leading IFPI's agenda in Asia and I am delighted that she will now be heading our activities across the region. May-Seey has shown herself to be a highly skilled advocate for the recording industry over many years, influencing government policies, handling the challenges of China and helping expand record industry revenue streams. I am very confident that under her leadership we are very well placed meet the challenges and opportunities that we face in Asia over the next few years."
Leong herself added: "Asia has the most diverse and vibrant music markets in the world, and our industry in the region is going through a period of amazing changes. There are huge challenges for us, particularly in China, in the fight against piracy and in creating a digital music business. This is a great time to be co-ordinating IFPI's work in the region and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do so."
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CITIZEN COPE GIGS
US band Citizen Cope are in London this week, playing sets at the Jog On night at the Islington Academy tonight, and then a headline show at the Camden Barfly tomorrow. The two gigs precede the release of new single 'Bullet & A Target' which is out on Monday (3 Apr), which comes from last month's 'The Clarence Greenwood Recordings' album. Press info from RCA.
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CAPTAIN ANNOUNCE LIVE DATES
Captain have announced details of a series of upcoming live dates. The tour, which will coincide with the release of new single 'Broke' on 1 May, includes support dates for Kaiser Chiefs and Delays. Their debut Trevor Horn produced album 'This Is Hazelville' is out this summer.
All the dates for your delectation:
19 Apr: Leeds Faversham
20 Apr: Camden Bullet (Camden Crawl)
21 Apr: Manchester Night & Day
22 Apr: Stoke Underground
23 Apr: Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms (supporting Delays)
24 Apr: Sheffield Plug
25 Apr: London Bush Hall
26 Apr: Bristol Fleece
28 Apr: London Brixton Academy (supporting Kaiser Chiefs)
29 Apr: Coventry Colosseum
20 Apr: Cambridge Junction (supporting Delays)
1 May: Edinburgh Liquid Rooms (supporting Delays)
2 May: Aberdeen Tunnels
3 May: Hull Adelphi
4 May: Southampton University
5 May: Bedford Angel
6 May: Bournemouth Opera House
19 May: Brighton Audio (The Great Escape)
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MYSTERY JETS SECRET GIGS
Mystery Jets are apparently planning a series of 'secret gigs'. Actually, they're not really secret. They're just instituting a rather longwinded way of going about getting tickets. A post on the band's web forum (which could, presumably, mean that this is all down to some joker pretending to be Mystery Jets - well, it could if it's an open forum) says: "The Mystery Jets are coming to a venue near you soon! If you and a friend want free tickets - call this number now! First come first served!"
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FATBOY PLANS LOCH NESS GIG
Norman Cook has announced plans for a huge summer gig on the banks of Loch Ness. Fatboy Slim will headline the 20,000 capacity event which will take place near the village of Dores near Inverness, joined by acts such as Mylo and Carl Cox. The location was chosen by Cook after plans for a Brighton Beach event fell through.
The event will coincide with the release of a Fatboy greatest hits compilation. The DJ said: "We needed something to do on Glastonbury weekend, and I couldn't think of a more suitable caper. The Celts are renowned for their partyability, and we've got some cracking special guests on the bill."
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DOWNLOAD UPDATE
Fightstar, Secret Machines and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly are amongst the latest additions to the bill for this year's Download Festival. They join previously announced acts such as Metallica, Tool, Guns n Roses, The Prodigy and Trivium in the line-up for the festival, which takes place of course, from 9 - 11 Jun at Donington Park.
See http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk for a full list of the event's acts.
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GUILLEMOTS JOIN SOUNDSTATION LINE UP
The rather buzzy Guillemots are the latest addition to Birmingham's Soundstation festival, set to take place at Eastside Park on 28 May. Previously confirmed acts include Orson, Boy Kill Boy, Graham Coxon and CMU favourites The Crimea. Tickets for the event go on sale tomorrow at 9am.
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TICKETS ON SALE FOR AEROSOLICS
Tickets for that previously reported Aerosolics festival, which is to take place at a secret location in Surrey from 30 Jun to 2 July, have gone on sale. The line up for the event includes Gogol Bordello, The Departure, The Young Knives and The Feeling.
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DJ SHADOW ON NEW ALBUM
DJ Shadow is currently previewing work from his upcoming new album via his website. A video for a track called '3 Freaks' is presently available to stream from http://www.djshadow.com.
On the website, Shadow explains how the new album differs from his earlier work: "Stylistically, it's very different from 'The Private Press'. Some have said 'Press' was an inward-looking album. If that's true, than this album is the opposite, and that suits me just fine. I've also stopped worrying if my changing taste in music costs me fans. You can't please everybody all the time, but you can please yourself."
On his upcoming live dates at Wireless, his first solo shows in more than three years, he added: "I think the time is right to scale back and concentrate on putting a show together that highlights what I'm doing now, rather than an exhaustive retrospective. Maybe after two more albums it'll be time for another super tour, but for now I think we'll keep it to a size we can all digest."
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ANNIE ON NEW ALBUM
Dancefloor darling Annie is currently working on a new album, expected to see a release later this year, which is set to feature guests collaborators including former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, and producers Richard X and Alan Braxe.
Speaking to MTV about the long player, the follow up to 2003's 'Anniemal', Annie said: "The new songs are more club-oriented - still 80s-sounding, but different. But to be honest, I never really know what things will sound like until I finish the album. I'm sort of in the middle of the album. There's going to be a lot of different people, it's going to be more diverse, but I'm not quite sure which direction the production will go."
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SEAFOOD ANNOUNCE ALBUM DETAILS
Seafood have announced details of their new album, 'Paper Crown King'. No release date, but joy of joys, a tracklisting. And a comment. Here's what the band say: "The guitars are back to knock your block off. Produced and recorded by Seafood at Neat Science Studios and then flown special D to West 24th St Manhattan for that extra rock sparkle those lovable Americans do so well."
The album's provisional tracklisting is:
Between The Noise
I Will Talk
Signal Sparks
How You Gonna Live Without Me?
Paper Crown King
Time & Tides
Last Outpost
Disappear
Little Pieces
Awkward Ghost
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DESTINY'S CHILD GET A STAR
Destiny's Child have been awarded a star on the Hollywood walk of fame, and all three members, Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, have been reunited for a ceremony to celebrate the honour, following the girl-group's split last year.
Knowles said "We started when we were 9 years old, and here we are getting a Hollywood star. Dreams come true. So thank you all so much for supporting us."
Rowland added: "I want to thank you all for coming out here in this rain. We are humbled to be here."
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FRANZ ARE GIVING IT AWAY
Franz Ferdinand are to give a free track away to members of their fan club. 'Swallow Smile', a completely new song, was recorded when the group were on tour in Australia last year.
The band are, of course, set to release their new single 'The Fallen' on 3 Apr, and according to a post on the Franz official website, they've recorded three separate promos for the release. "Who wants to release one single and have one video, when you can release a double A-side and make three videos?!" the post reads. "You've seen the video for 'The Fallen', and now it's the turn of the other half of our brand-new single to hit the airwaves. The video for 'L. Wells' is available exclusively on MTV all this week! We're not done yet...a video for b-side 'Jeremy Fraser' is almost finished!"
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MACCA SELLS SHOES FOR CHARITY
Paul McCartney is apparently selling off a pair of his shoes on eBay to raise money for an anti-landmine charity. Quite why anyone would want to buy it is beyond me, but they do; bidding was at £1060 during the writing of this story.
Proceeds from the auction of the size 9.5 rubber soled (geddit?) Merrell shoes, which concludes on Sunday night, will go to MAG, one of the world's leading landmine clearance organizations, a cause supported by McCartney's wife Heather. The sale is part of a wider 'Give Landmines The Boot' scheme, with other celebrities donating their used footwear for the campaign.
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WHITNEY A MESS, SAYS BOBBY'S SIS
Bobby Brown's sister Tina Brown says that Whitney Houston's drug addictions are destroying her, according to the Sun. The tabloid ran an article in which Brown claimed that the singer is "hopelessly hooked on crack", accompanied by graphic photographs taken by the star's sister in law.
Ms Brown apparently told the tabloid: "The truth needs to come out. Whitney won't stay off the drugs. It's every single day. It's so ugly. Everyone is so scared she is going to overdose. She'll point to the floor and say, 'See that demon. I'm telling you somebody's messing with Bobby'. She always thinks it's something to do with Bobby. But it's her, hitting herself."
A former drug addict herself, Brown added: "I understand what she's going through. Addiction is a disease. Maybe this interview will save her life."
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WAHLBERG HAS A BABY
Mark Wahlberg, the actor formerly known as Marky Mark, and his longterm girlfriend Rhea Durham have announced the birth of a baby boy. It's a second child for the couple, who already have a two year old daughter. "Rhea's very happy", said a spokeswoman. So there you go.
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LATEST DOHERTY INCIDENTS
Pete Doherty bought yet another Jaguar earlier in the week, after his last one was clamped and towed. According to The Mirror, it's his eighth in the space of two months. He was spotted, apparently, climbing over the wall into the yard of his favourite dealership, picking out a vehicle and handing over £1000 in cash, all the time swigging from a bottle of Jack Daniels.
Elsewhere, on the very same day, possibly, Doherty got a bit hysterical and laid into a paparazzi's car with a golfing umberella. The singer was apparently driving (his new Jag?) down a London street, hounded by photographers and got out to confront them with his unlikely weapon. Onlookers said that he was violently screaming, terrifying the vehicle's occupants.
And finally, in Doherty news, Morrissey has blamed Kate Moss for everything. In an interview with Uncut magazine, he said: "I think it is unfortunate that [Doherty] is more associated with the media and the press and hoo ha and the silliness than he is with music. It's a terrible trap and he's jumped straight into it. And Kate Moss has just dragged him down to her level. I don't honestly have an opinion on him. I don't care."
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NUDE BRITNEY SCULPTURE CAUSES TROUBLE
A nude sculpture that depicts Britney Spears giving birth to her son in a rather unconventional position (you'll have to do an image search, but suffice it to say, she's on all-fours) has aroused the ire of the pro-choice lobby as well as anti-abortionists. Wow. Getting those two factions to agree on anything must be a world first.
Anyway, the piece, called 'Monument To Pro-Life: The Birth Of Sean Preston' is to be exhibited at New York's Capla Kesting Art Gallery next month, and gallery co-owner David Kesting says they have received 3,000 emails from 'pro-life' supporters who thought it was degrading to their cause, as well as communications from those with opposing views. The gallery is planning to hire extra security for the duration of the free show, which runs for two weeks from 7 Apr.
Artist Daniel Edwards, who has never met Spears but used photos to create his sculpture of the pop star, says "This is a new take on pro-life. Pro-lifers normally promote bloody images of abortion. This is the image of birth. I admire her. This is an idealized figure. Everyone is coming at me with anger and venom, but I depicted her as she has depicted herself - seductively. Suddenly, she's a mom."
No comment from the Britney camp.