| CMU Daily - on the inside Friday 25th January |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- IFPI call for governments to make ISPs act on piracy, and now if you don't mind, thank you
- Amy goes into rehab
- Turnmills to close
- Britney is fine, okay? Says her boyfriend
- Elton John sues business manager
- Ne-Yo may sue Beyonce
- Uncle Murda shot
- Rapper Rock accused of attempted murder
- Phish man jailed over probation violation
- REM album and sex shop news
- Kylie to receive German honour
- Guns n Roses I'll believe it when I see it news
- UB40 singer quits
- Will Def Jam drop Nas over album title?
- BSP man suffers fall
- Moldy Peaches advertise toothpaste in South America
- Rockness returns
- More Portishead news
- Bjork pulls out of Big Day Out appearance
- Dodgy play first gig for a decade
- The Long Blondes add new dates
- The Automatic dates
- Single Review: Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes
- Copyright Tribunal to be reviewed
- New culture secretary
- Another GCap exec goes
- Independent launches download store, plus Ninja promotion
- Robbie hangs out with God's sporty son
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TOP BIT
So, a Top Bit to remind you all about the CMU Recommended Indy Awards today - because things are now well and truly underway for the 2008 awards.
The Indy Awards launched last year, and are a celebration of the very best unsigned talent. However, this particular celebration of unsigned talent is unique in that it all starts with that much untapped bank of musical knowledge, independent club and gig promoters. The whole thing works like this: indie promoters nominate the new talent they have been most excited about in the last 12 months, a long list of nominations is then posted online where fans get to vote, and then, finally, a panel of industry and media types (including good old CMU) select overall winners from the five most highly voted acts in each genre category. The winners are announced at an awards bash in London.
Last year stage one was London focused, with indie promoters based in the capital doing the initial nominating. This year the whole thing has been expanded out, and promoters from all over the country will be making nominations. Many already have, others are still making their final choices. If you are a promoter yourself, venue based or otherwise, then you could still register your nominations, but you need to register yourselves as a nominator asap, because stage one is due to finish at the end of next week. You need to go to http://www.indyawards.co.uk/2008/register.php for details.
Stage two, the fan voting bit, will kick off next month, with the final judging panel stage taking place in early April, ahead of a big awards bash the same month.
We report on zillions of unsigned band initiatives and awards here in the CMU Daily, many of which are very exciting and very admirable. But the Indy Awards are, to date, our favourites - which is why we agreed to join the final judging panel last year. So, do go along to http://www.indyawards.co.uk to find out more, and keep an eye on the Daily for updates as the awards progress.
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JOBS N STUFF
SPRING PR - SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
An excellent opportunity is now available for a Senior Account Executive with a colourful boutique PR agency in London who specialise in music, art and youth lifestyle. The successful candidate will be dynamic, enthusiastic, creative and dedicated with great organisational skills. They will be able to work to deadlines, be passionate about music, have excellent communication skills and at least 2 years PR experience preferably within music media. This vacancy will be as part of our account team looking after high profile clients in music, festivals and lifestyle brands. The successful candidate would be responsible for reporting to clients, liaising with media, attending gigs/festivals, admin support and assisting with both strategy development and implementation. The position would also involve some international and national travel so a valid passport would also be required. Please email your CV with a covering letter to [email protected] no later than Wednesday 13th February.
PART-TIME MUSIC VACANCY
We are looking for a dynamic, self motivated individual with previous sales experience to generate advertising sales on our music website www.3barfire.com.Relevant experience is essential and you will need to have a proven track record. You must also have an excellent and confident telephone manner. This is an ideal job for that sparkly individual who loves new media and / or music. A large part of the role is developing relationships with brand managers and media buyers to develop advertising business. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate a successful track record with knowledge of our key target sectors. This is a part time vacancy. Salary dependent on experience with generous commission. Think you fit the bill? Then email [email protected] and tell us why we should take you on!
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CMU FRIDAY TIPS
CHRIS' CLUB TIP: Slyde Album Launch at Herbal
Another CMU Recommended one this. The mighty, mighty Slyde has a new album out on Finger Lickin in March, and this is a very upfront launch party for it. Slyde leads the bill, obviously, but there are plenty of other things to get breaksy types excited too - including two Breakspoll award winners - Far Too Loud and NAPT. Plus you also get Lazer, Richie Balboa, Dr Fish, Western Allstars, That Girl DJ and B Proof. A total breaks feast.
Friday 25 Jan, Herbal, 12-14 Kingsland Road, E2, 9pm-3am, £5 in advance, £10 on door, £8 students, info http://www.nuskoolbreaks.co.uk or http://www.herbaluk.com
VIGSY'S CLUB TIP: Together at Turnmills.
As reported earlier in the week here in the Daily methinks, the Together night enters toddlerville this weekend, it now being age 2. To celebrate the Together guys are planning one hell of a party, seemingly keen to better their first birthday bash, which was a smasher by all accounts. Room 1 at this party has Fischerspooner and Hot Chip DJing, breakbeat gurus Evil Nine, the Lion Rocker Justin Robertson, plus Anil Chawla. Room 2 has Rex the Dog, Trevor Loveys and Duke Dumnont, while Room 3 is hosted by Xfm's John Kennedy and features The Metros (live), The Maccabees (DJ Set) and Foals (DJ Set), plus, of course, Mr Kennedy himself. There's also a cinema lounge and a topfloor hosted by the Together All-Stars, plus free haircuts and free jelly and ice cream. Oh, and 500 goody bags for the first 500 earlybirds. A very happy birthday.
Saturday 26 Jan, 10pm - 7am, £15, Turnmills, 63b Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1M, info at http://www.turnmills.co.uk
VIGSY'S LIVE TIP: Pharaoh Sanders at Jazz Cafe
Back to the Café once again, for this true legend of tenor saxophony, who played alongside Coltrane forty years ago, and who is in town (London town, that is) for a few days. The 67 year old Pharaoh really caught my attention with his trademark honking on 'The Voyage' with Japanese jazz stars Sleepwalker a little while back - and when I saw him at the good ol Barb he put on a rather good show. These nights should be the same.
Wednesday 30, Thurday 31 Jan, Fri 1 Feb, Jazz Cafe, 5 The Parkway, Camden, NW5, doors 7pm, £25 in advance, more on the door at http://www.jazzcafe.co.uk
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IFPI CALL FOR GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE ISPS ACT ON PIRACY, AND NOW IF YOU DON'T MIND, THANK YOU
Global digital sales were up 40% last year, which is good news of sorts, though overall record sales were down about 10%. Music piracy is to blame obviously. Nothing to do with short-sightedness and digital incompetence at the major record companies, or a shift in consumer spending on music from recordings to concert and festival tickets, ringtones, artist merchandise, music DVDs, music TV services etc etc etc.
The sales stats and piracy grumbling were both published by the good old International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry. Their review of 2007 also revealed that digital music sales (online and mobile) now account for 15% of the global music market, up 11% from 2006, and in certain territories digital music is even more important - 30% of the market in the US and a massive 60% in South Korea.
Clearly digital is the big thing but, the IFPI says, the growth of the digital music sector continues to be hindered by the illegal distribution of music via P2P and other unlicensed MP3 services. With that in mind, the trade body used its Digital Music Report 2008, from where all those stats come, to again call on the internet service providers to take more responsibility for the naughty online music pirates who connect to the net via their servers, and to again call on governments to force the ISPs to take more responsibility for the naughty online music pirates who connect to the net via their servers.
As previously reported, the IFPI has been increasingly concentrating its anti-piracy efforts on making the ISPs take responsibility for illegal file sharing, after a string of lawsuits against those who provide file sharing services, or who use those services, failed to do much to curtail the unlicensed sharing of music files online, despite much success in the court room. The argument is that the ISPs have in the past deliberately turned a blind eye to online piracy because illegal content sources on the net have often been a motivating factor for consumers to buy broadband internet services, especially before the relatively recent launch of legit audio and video services online. That means, the IFPI and other record label types say, the ISPs are profiting from copyright infringement, and to avoid being accused of authorising infringement themselves, they should quickly introduce measures to stop infringement - mainly filters that block access to illegal content sources and a policy to cut off customers found guilty of illegally file sharing.
The ISPs have been resistant to such proposals, not really wanting to become the content owners' police force, and normally citing privacy laws as a reason why such monitoring and filtering is not viable (though, of course, the ISPs do already do some such monitoring in relation to other online crimes, in particular child porn and terrorism).
But the IFPI's arguments in this domain haven't completely fallen on deaf ears, with some political types backing proposals to force ISPs to take more responsibility for protecting copyrights online. Most notably French President Sarkozy, who last November revealed plans to force the ISPs to act, though politicians in the UK, Sweden and Belgium have also indicated support. IFPI chief John Kennedy yesterday called on those politicians to act sooner rather than later in this domain, preferably with legislation at a European level to force the ISPs into action, and/or legislation in individual countries to the same effect.
In his introduction to the report, Kennedy said: "A turning tide of opinion is one thing - a concrete programme of action is another. There is only one acceptable moment for ISPs to start taking responsibility for protecting content - and that moment is now. After
years of prevarication in the discussion, the French government's decision to seize the day is deeply refreshing. It shows an urgency of approach that is badly needed in every market where music is today being massively devalued by piracy".
Giving his take on the whole ISP debate, the boss of UK trade body BPI, Geoff Taylor, said this: "The investment the recorded music business has made, and continues to make, in new artists is vital to the overall health of British music. Record companies provide services for artists that enables them to focus on their music. That the business has been able to maintain its investment, and is beginning to generate significant income through online and mobile platforms, speaks volumes not only of the calibre of musical talent coming through but the business' ability to evolve. That progress is being made in this time of transition, and against a backdrop of unchallenged digital freeloading, is encouraging. But for this change to be fully effective in the long-term, we must successfully tackle a growing culture of taking music for nothing and challenge internet service providers' apparent unwillingness to partner in creating a digital environment where creativity is rewarded".
He continued: "We have been calling on ISPs for some time to take reasonable steps to deal with the massive online freeloading that occurs on their networks. Some have come to the table. But we have made little progress, and increasing numbers of their customers continue to use their internet accounts to download music illegally and distribute it to millions of others. Unpaid copying and downloading lies at the root of the recording industry's problems, and internet service providers must be at the heart of the solution. Government has repeatedly made clear that ISPs must stop dragging their heels, and reach agreements with rightholders. 2008 must become the year when talk becomes action".
PS: The IFPI's report also included some end of year stats for global download sales and a celebratory glass of Vimto is due to Avril Lavigne who topped the global download chart by shifting 7.3 million downloads of her song 'Girlfriend' during 2007.
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AMY GOES INTO REHAB
Universal Music yesterday announced that Amy Winehouse would not be appearing at the Midem preceding NRJ Awards in France this weekend because she was going into rehab, yes, yes, yes. The announcement followed a reported meeting between Winehouse and Universal Music International chief Lucian Grainge this week, who was said to be keen to see how the record company could help Winehouse given all her recent personal woes and, in particular, this week's Sun revelation of a video seemingly showing the singer guzzling coke and ecstasy.
The major's statement ran thus: "Amy Winehouse's planned appearance at the NRJ Awards in France on Saturday has been cancelled as the artist has entered a rehabilitation clinic. Amy decided to enter the facility today after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors. She has come to understand that she requires specialist treatment to continue her ongoing recovery from drug addiction and prepare for her planned appearance at the Grammy Awards. She is nominated in an incredible 6 categories. Amy entered the facility by mutual agreement and continues to receive the full support of all concerned".
They continued: "Amy is the most talented and important musical artist of her generation and has made huge strides on her road to recovery. Universal Music Group wants nothing more than to see her take the time she needs to come back to full health and fulfil her incredible potential with the label. The label has always had the best interests of Amy at heart and has been guided by her family and doctors in the last few months as to the best direction to take. All concerned feel that Amy must put her health before all other considerations and will be by her side whenever and wherever they are needed".
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TURNMILLS TO CLOSE
Popular London club Turnmills will close its doors in March after their landlord confirmed he was planning on redeveloping the site where it is based. The clubs owners say that they are obviously disappointed to have to close the legendary venue, but that that they remain on amicable terms with the building's owners. A grand finale is now planned at the venue over the Easter weekend.
Turnmills director Danny Newman told reporters: "The most important reason is of course that the lease is nearly up and the landlord wants to develop the site. To be honest it's been on the cards for a couple of years now, we've always wanted to leave on our terms and it just seems like the right time to go - from a business and personal point of view. So many different people love Turnmills for so many different reasons and the Easter Weekend allows us to do everything we want to do properly, for all the acts, DJs, promoters and friends along the way that have made it such a very special place and more importantly to do it the right way. It feels as though it's come to a natural end, and we are finishing on a high. The club has been the best and busiest it's been in its history, and that's the way I want it to be remembered. I'm really proud of what we've done and been through at Turnmills; the club will always have a special place in my heart. I'll miss it dearly, as it will so many people".
Regular Turnmills nights The Gallery and Together (the latter of which is, of course, two this weekend - see the Club Tips) will continue at a new venue, tbc.
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BRITNEY IS FINE, OKAY? SAYS HER BOYFRIEND
Britney Spears' paparazzo boyfriend Adnan Ghalib has gone on record as saying that the pop star would never hurt her kids, is not suicidal, and should get her children back. He's done two interviews with two different TV shows - 'Entertainment Tonight' and 'Insider' - so let's hope the judge overseeing her custody case is a regular viewer, and takes note.
Ghalib told Entertainment Tonight: "She wants them back. She needs them back", adding, when asked if she would ever harm them: "Never. Absolutely not". On that previously reported incident at Spears' home on 3 Jan when she locked herself in the house with her two children, he continued: "I think she was just afraid of what was going to happen. It's just that helplessness, that loss of control. It doesn't make you crazy".
Meanwhile, he told Insider: "We are talking about someone who had one of the most dynamic careers and gave it up for her kids. She is no different from any other mum. She's no different at all".
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ELTON JOHN SUES BUSINESS MANAGER
Into the pop courts, and word has it Elton John has begun legal proceedings against his long time business partner Bob Halley. Specifics of the lawsuit against Halley, who has worked with John for three decades, initially as a chauffeur and PA, later as a director of operations and business manager for John's business empire, are not known. Halley has been long seen as a close ally of Elton, and has often been called the singer songwriter's 'right hand man'. It's not the first time John has taken a business associate to court - in 2000 he successfully sued his former manager John Reid over allegations the manager had mishandled his affairs. A £2.5 million settlement was reached in that case.
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NE-YO MAY SUE BEYONCE
Elsewhere in litigation news, R&B star Ne-Yo is reportedly planning to sue Beyonce over allegations she has reneged on a deal in which he worked for free on her 2006 hit 'Irreplaceable' in return for a promise she would collaborate on his next album.
According to MediaTakeOut.com, Ne-Yo organised the vocal arrangement and melody on the Beyonce hit on the understanding she would sing on the follow up to his 2007 album 'Because Of You'. She has reportedly now refused to participate on that album, leading Ne-Yo to consider legal action to recoup money from his work on the Beyonce hit.
The US website quote a source thus: "[Ne-Yo] was never paid for writing the song 'Irreplaceable'. There was just an understanding that he'd help out on [Beyonce's album] and when it was his time to make his album, Beyonce would return the favour. It doesn't look like Beyonce's going to be working on the album. Ne-Yo could have sold that song for hundreds of thousands of dollars. I know that he's consulted a lawyer over what to do about things. I'm not sure whether he will actually go through with a lawsuit. But I know he's furious about it. If she doesn't work on his album, I hope he does sue".
Ne-Yo is currently mid legal tussle with R Kelly, of course, after he was dropped from the fellow R&B type's US tour, allegedly because Kelly was jealous Ne-Yo was getting a better reception from fans than he was.
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UNCLE MURDA SHOT
Crime now, and Roc-A-Fella signed Uncle Murda was shot in the head this week, but remarkably escaped with only minor injuries. Rumours have been rife that the shooting was part of some hip hop feud, he having been involved in some rap dissing with Nas, Mobb Deep and Papoose.
But he has told AllHipHop.com that he's confident the attack wasn't hip hop related, though he did make a casual but possibly serious allegation against the NYPD. He told the website: "This wasn't no entertainment beef shit. This was some street shit. If anybody, I think it may have been the NYPD. But whoever it was that did it, they missed because I didn't even know I was hit. One of my crew told me that my face was bleeding and took me to the hospital. They said I still have a bullet in my head and if I am sexually active it will fall out [laughs]".
Questioned by AllHipHop.com about the Papoose feud, the most high profile of Murda's beefs, he continued: "That is old. I don't have any problems with that dude. Only thing I am focused on is my upcoming album on Roc-A-Fella/Violator. It is still real and happening so look out for that because it is going to be hot".
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RAPPER ROCK ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER
Elsewhere in the hip hop crime file, rapper Rock, one half of Heltah Skeltah and a member of US hip hop supergroup Boot Camp Clik, has been accused of attempted murder. Rock, real name Jamal Bush, is accused of being a pimp and of shooting a rival over a woman in a dispute in Brooklyn. He was arrested and charged, before being released on a $125,000 bail. The rapper denies the charges.
AllHipHop.com has published the following statement from the rapper's people: "Rock was released from Rikers Island prison today after posting $125,000 bail. He was indicted for assault and attempted murder charges and will be arraigned on the felony indictment in Brooklyn Supreme Court within the next month. Rock vehemently denies all charges and patiently awaits his day in court".
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PHISH MAN JAILED OVER PROBATION VIOLATION
Former Phish frontman Trey Anastasio was jailed for two days in New York state last week after missing a counselling session that he was ordered to attend as part of that previously reported plea bargain relating to drugs charges, that was made in court last April. Anastasio is meant to attend weekly sessions as part of the court rehab programme. Officials confirmed the singer had been jailed because of a missed hearing, formally denying gossip the jail time followed a failed drugs test.
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REM ALBUM AND SEX SHOP NEWS
REM have published a tracklisting for their new album 'Accelerate', produced by Jacknife Lee and out on 31 Mar. One of the songs, 'I'm Gonna DJ' will already be familiar to fans, as it was often played during their 2004/2005 world tour, having been recorded during sessions for their 'Around The Sun' LP but not making it to the final cut. The other tracks were previewed at that previously reported five night residency in Dublin in June.
Here it is, the tracklisting:
Living Well's The Best Revenge
Man Sized Wreath
Supernatural Superserious
Hollow Man
Houston
Accelerate
Until The Day Is Done
Mr Richards
Sing For The Submarine
Horse To Water
I'm Gonna DJ
On a related note, the band have just filmed a video for their new single 'Supernatural Superserious' in a sex shop in New York. Employee Jayme Waxman said that one member of the band told her it was "the best sex shop I've ever been in".
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KYLIE TO RECEIVE GERMAN HONOUR
Organisers of Germany's top show-business awards, The Golden Camera, have announced that Kylie Minogue is to be named best international music act. A ceremony for the awards, which are now in their 43rd year and celebrate excellence in the categories of film, TV and music, will take place in Berlin on 6 Feb. Minogue's gong is awarded on account of "her brilliant comeback after recovering from cancer".
The Golden Camera has seven national and five international categories, and previous winners include the likes of George Clooney and Cate Blanchett. Legendary actor-type Robert de Niro joins Ms Minogue as a recipient this time around.
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GUNS N ROSES I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT NEWS
It's claimed that Axl Rose has actually finished 'Chinese Democracy' and that he finally feels it's ready to release. The singer's personal manager Beta Lebeis confirmed to Metal Hammer that the LP was finished before Christmas, and that negotiations are now ongoing to arrange a release date.
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UB40 SINGER QUITS
UB40 singer Ali Campbell is quitting the group after nearly three decades. And those of you who thought UB40 split up years ago can go and sit in the corner and face the wall. Campbell has said he will leave the band after upcoming gigs in Australia, New Zealand and Uganda.
The rest of the band plan to still perform under the UB40 name. A spokesman for them said this: "Ali Campbell has taken the decision to focus on his solo career and in doing so, could not give his full commitment to UB40. The other band members of UB40 are naturally disappointed and saddened after being together as a band unit and as good friends and a family unit for almost 30 years. UB40 will continue to record and perform with the existing seven members. UB40 has never been about any one individual, but more a collective of band members, who have all contributed to create the unique sound that UB40 have become renowned for over the last three decades".
A new UB40 album featuring Campbell's vocals, called '24/7', is expected to still be released without alteration.
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WILL DEF JAM DROP NAS OVER ALBUM TITLE?
More hip hop gossip courtesy of MediaTakeOut.com. They are claiming Universal's Def Jam is seriously considering ending its relationship with Nas over his controversial choice of name for his next album, 'Nigger'. As previously reported, Nas announced he had picked the controversial album title just as key black community groups in the US called on hip hop artists and, in particular, major hip hop labels, to stop releasing music with racist or sexist words in them.
Universal is keen to placate those campaigners, and has reportedly tried to persuade Nas to rethink, but he's not been willing so far to budge. The site cites a Universal source thus: "There is no way that we can put out an album with that title. Many retailers have already told us - flat out - that they won't carry it. Nas' last album sold pretty well, but not well enough for the headache he's causing the label. If Nas doesn't change his mind, he'll be dropped. And he doesn't have to much time to come to that realization".
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BSP MAN SUFFERS FALL
British Sea Power's Phil Sumner had a nasty accident at a gig earlier this week, when a twelve foot fall left him unconscious. It was kind of his own fault, though; he climbed up on some amplifiers during the encore and jumped off and landed on his face, ending with stitches on his chin, concussion and a broken molar. He is expected to make a full recovery. He's not the only BSP member to have been in the wars of late. Drummer Woody is missing from the current tour because he slipped a disc whilst using a dustpan and brush.
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MOLDY PEACHES ADVERTISE TOOTHPASTE IN SOUTH AMERICA
Defunct anti-folk duo The Moldy Peaches have discovered that one of their songs - 'Jorge Regula' - has become something of a hit in South America due to its inclusion on a continent-wide toothpaste advert, but they only found out about it by accident.
The band are currently doing well in the US album charts because their track 'Anyone Else But You' was included in the soundtrack of new teen-pregnancy comedy 'Juno', which is presumably a good thing, but former band member (and CMU favourite) Adam Green seems less impressed by his South American successes. He told NME.com: "At least with 'Juno' they asked our permission to use the song. Recently we've had music in adverts and people haven't even asked. We had to hunt down lawyers in South America to sue toothpaste companies that have used songs of mine".
He continued: "The only reason we found out about the commercial was we started winning awards for best commercial of the year in Argentina. Friends of mine would come back and say 'Hey, I was just on holiday in Chile and you song is on the TV and radio all the time!'".
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ROCKNESS RETURNS
Loch Ness music fest Rock Ness will return in June, and Fatboy Slim who, of course, headlined the original Rock Ness, will again take a headline slot. Also on the bill are The View, Digitalism, Razorlight, Editors, The Cribs, Hadouken!, 2ManyDJs, Roisin Murphy, Simian Mobile Disco and the always wonderful Cuban Brothers. It all takes place on 7 and 8 Jun, and tix for a hundred quid are on sale tomorrow. Hurrah.
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MORE PORTISHEAD NEWS
Following the news that Portishead are to play four UK dates later this year and appear at the Coachella festival, comes the announcement of a full European tour and more details about that previously reported new album. The duo have confirmed that their third album will in fact be called 'Third', that it is to be released on 14 Apr, has 11 tracks and a run-time of 49 minutes.
Here's the full set of planned live dates, to give you an excuse to plan a special European trip. Although, I'll include dates not happening in mainland Europe too...
26 Mar: Coliseum, Oporto
27 Mar: Coliseum, Lisbon
30 Mar: Alcatraz, Milan
31 Mar: Sashall, Florence
2 Apr: Tonhalle, Munich, Germany
3 Apr: Columbiahalle, Berlin, Germany
4 Apr: KB Halle, Copenhagen, Denmark
6 Apr: Palladium, Cologne, Germany
7 Apr: HMH, Amsterdam, Netherlands
9 Apr: Apollo, Manchester, England
10 Apr: Hammersmith Apollo, London, England
12 Apr: Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, Scotland
13 Apr: Civic Centre, Wolverhampton, England
26 Apr: Coachella Festival, California
5 May: Zenith, Paris, France
8 May: Forest National, Brussels, Belgium
29 May: Primavera Sound Festival, Barcelona, Spain
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BJORK PULLS OUT OF BIG DAY OUT APPEARANCE
Bjork has pulled out of her appearance at travelling festival Big Day Out in Sydney this week because she's got swollen vocal chords, and was advised to rest after falling ill following a Wednesday night gig. Organisers haven't replaced her on the bill due to the short notice, and it's thought she'll be well enough to perform at the next leg in Melbourne on Monday.
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DODGY PLAY FIRST GIG FOR A DECADE
Brit-poppers Dodgy are to play their first gig for a decade next month in aid of Andy Rourke's Versus Cancer charity. The band will appear on 23 Feb at The Aftershow venue in Manchester, at an evening event organised by Embrace's Danny McNamara to complement the Versus Cancer Big Gig taking place at the MEN Arena the same day, and which boasts a line-up including The Fratellis and Fun Lovin Criminals.
The Aftershow event will also feature Boy Kill Boy, Example and The Paddingtons. Former Smith-ee Rourke says: "We're really excited to have The Aftershow on board and are massively grateful to Danny for organising such a huge aftershow party for us. It will be a fantastic end to a great day of music, and we're really pleased that this year we're able to get the public involved as well as the bands from the concert in celebrating with us".
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THE LONG BLONDES ADD NEW DATES
The Long Blondes have added extra April dates to their upcoming UK tour in support of the release of new single 'Guilt', out on 24 Mar, followed by their second album, 'Couples' on 7 Apr. All the March shows have sold out, but I'll list them all anyway, just so's you have the lay of the land, so to speak. Here are all of the band's planned live dates for the Spring:
11 Mar: London Amersham Arms
18 Mar: York Fibbers
19 Mar: Edinburgh Cabaret Voltaire
20 Mar: Hull Lamp
21 Mar: Sunderland Independent
22 Mar: Wakefield Escobar
24 Mar: Leeds Faversham
25 Mar: Exeter Cavern
26 Mar: Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
6 Apr: Cambridge Junction
7 Apr: Liverpool Carling Academy
8 Apr: Manchester Academy
9 Apr: Leeds University
10 Apr: Sheffield Octagon
12 Apr: Glasgow QMU
13 Apr: Newcastle Carling Academy
14 Apr: Nottingham Trent University
15 Apr: Birmingham Carling Academy 2
16 Apr: Northampton Roadmender
18 Apr: Oxford Carling Academy
19 Apr: Bristol Anson Rooms
20 Apr: Southampton University
21 Apr: London Forum
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THE AUTOMATIC DATES
The Automatic have announced a load of new tour dates, their first since the departure of jumpy keyboardist Alex Pennie from the band. Dates as follows...
29 Mar: Monmouth Blake Theatre
29 Mar: Wrexham Central Station
30 Mar: Caernarfon Galleri
31 Mar: Brecon Brycheiniog
2 Apr: Exeter Cavern
3 Apr: Gloucester Arts Centre
5 Apr: Northampton Soundhaus
6 Apr: Stoke Sugarmill
7 Apr: York Fibbers
8 Apr: Liverpool Academy
10 Apr: Dundee Doghouse
11 Apr: Inverness Raigmore
12 Apr: Aberdeen Café Drummond
14 Apr: Leeds Cockpit
15 Apr: Hull Welly
16 Apr: Tamworth Palace
18 Apr: Middlesborough Sumo Club
19 Apr: Leicester Charlotte
20 Apr: Norwich Arts Centre
21 Apr: Hitchin Club 85
23 Apr: Brighton Audio
24 Apr: Southend Chinnerys
26 Apr: Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
28 Apr: Plymouth White Rabbit
29 Apr: Cardiff Point
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SINGLE REVIEW: Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes (Universal/Brush Fire Records)
There's been a lot of talk about the latest album from the modest Hawaiian-based singer-songwriter Jack Johnson. It has been said that his sound has matured and that he has added more instruments into the mix, including electric guitar, leaving behind the famous acoustic sound Johnson fans like me love so much. Should we fans welcome the change? Well, it's true that many of Jack's earlier albums had a similar feel - some were a bit 'samey', but that didn't stop 15 million copies of 'In Between Dreams' being sold around the world. So I was wondering how I'd feel about the change. Actually, I was a little disappointed, though, perhaps surprisingly, more because the change wasn't big enough. 'If I Had Eyes' seems pretty similar to past Johnson to me, just with an electric guitar on top and the piano being presented more upfront in the mix. And while the outro from the chorus has a catchy "ooh's" line that will surely be stuck in your head for hours, the rest of the song just didn't grab me as much as I'd hoped. Still, I think my problem here isn't really in the added instrumentation, but in the song itself, which isn't as good as I'd expect from Jack. So, I still look forward to hearing the new album, because I'm still optimistically hoping it will meet my expectations. JPR
Release Date: 4 Feb
Press Contact: Wild [CP, CR] Universal IH [RP, RR, NP, NR]
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COPYRIGHT TRIBUNAL TO BE REVIEWED
A session will be held on Monday to discuss the workings of the Copyright Tribunal, the body that steps in when copyright owners can't agree with each other, or with potential licensees of their content, on rates, rules and remits. The Tribunal was most recently in the headlines in the music biz when the record companies (and web firms) and publishers fell out over online royalties, though in the end much of that dispute was resolved outside the court room.
During the government's Gowers Review on intellectual property laws the trade body of trade bodies, the Music Business Forum, said it thought the Copyright Tribunal was "antiquated" and "in urgent need of reform". As a result, a review of the body has begun, and, according to Music Week, PPL Director Of Government Relations Dominic McGonigal, Authors' Licensing And Collecting Society Head Of Rights And Licensing, Richard Combes, author Nigel Warburton, Libraries And Archives Copyright Alliance's Tim Padfield and Tribunal chair Judge Fysh QC will all take part in a session as part of that review on Monday.
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NEW CULTURE SECRETARY
Those who concern themselves with such things may be interested to know we have a new Culture Secretary in the UK government, following the move of James Purnell to the never dull role of Pensions Secretary in a cabinet reshuffle that followed the resignation of that Peter Hain fella. The new culture chief is Andy Burnham about whom I know absolutely nothing. Sorry.
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ANOTHER GCAP EXEC GOES
GCap have lost another senior exec, it becoming something of a regular occurrence at Capital Radio towers in Leicester Square these days. The latest bod to go is Dirk Anthony, GCap's Group Programme Director.
As much previously reported, following the merger of GWR and Capital back in the day it was mainly former Capital execs that went, but since the departure of Ralph Bernard, the former GWR boss and subsequent GCap chief, it is former GWR people, like Anthony, who are now dropping like flies. As also previously reported, Operations Director Steve Orchard has already announced he will leave in March. And as also also previously reported, the radio industry is awaiting word from recently appointed new CEO, and former Virgin Radio chief, Fru Hazlitt, regarding where she plans to take the radio firm next.
Confirming his departure, Anthony said in a statement: "After enjoying over 10 years with GCap and GWR Group, it's the right time for me to find new career opportunities. I'm very pleased to have played a senior executive role in helping make GCap a great company to work for and I wish my colleagues the very best for the future".
Hazlitt added: "Dirk is an experienced programme and senior manager who has always shared his expertise and passion for radio with enthusiasm. I thank Dirk for his hard work and commitment and wish him every success in the future".
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INDEPENDENT LAUNCHES DOWNLOAD STORE, PLUS NINJA PROMOTION
The Independent has relaunched its website and have announced they will now be operating their own 7Digital powered download store, and will also be making available a special Ninja Tunes ten tracker for free download through a collaboration with the top notch indie and Sony Ericsson. The Ninja download will feature tracks from top acts like Pop Levi, The Cinematic Orchestra and Wiley. The promotion is designed to publicise a massive three disc Ninja compo, 'You Don't Know Ninja Cuts', which is out on 10 Mar.
You can check the download promotion at...
http://www.independentonlinesolutions.com/SonyEricsson/Downloads/
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ROBBIE HANGS OUT WITH GOD'S SPORTY SON
Robbie Williams has reportedly become mates with everyone's favourite modern messiah, former sports presenter David Icke, still remembered by anyone old enough to remember for his slightly mad "I'm the son of God" appearance on 'Wogan'.
A source has told The Sun: "David happened to be in a restaurant [in California] at the same time as Robbie. Rob recognised him and introduced himself. They had a good laugh together and have been meeting up since. It's an odd acquaintance, to say the least".