JOBS AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL We are recruiting for the following four jobs to work on our ThreeWeeks team at the Edinburgh Festival - the largest and most exciting festival on the planet - during August 2008, from Monday 28 July to Tuesday 27 August. All Edinburgh based. They are not the biggest paying jobs in the world, but you get to be part of the team behind one of the most exciting media projects around, a not-for-profit venture that exists to discover, champion and support cultural innovation at the largest arts festival in the world. DISTRIBUTION MANAGER To drive our van, and make sure our papers get to our 75 plus distribution points around Edinburgh, and keep our distribution racks nice and tidy. Approx 40 hours a week for four weeks, £1000 fee. WEB MANAGER To manage the ThreeWeeks websites and podcasts, including entering lots of content into a CMS, and coordinating our student podcast team. Some Photoshop, CMS and/or sound editing experience an advantage though not essential. Fee approx £500. REVIEWS COORDINATOR To manage our team of six student sub-editors and 100 student reviewers, liaise with press offices and PRs, run the massive ThreeWeeks review database and support the Editors. Good organisational and people skills a must, database skills an advantage. Fee approx £750. LOGISTICS MANAGER To support the publishers and editors, run the ThreeWeeks Edinburgh office and support the Distribution Manager with the task of getting the newspapers out there. Fee approx £500 To apply for any of these jobs, or for more information about them, email a CV or questions to [email protected]. Applications to join the student review team at the Edinburgh Festival 2008 are now closed. However, we are still recruiting for student members of our Production and Admin & Liaison teams. These are voluntary roles, but offer unrivalled experience for anyone considering a career in the media. Full details at www.collegemedianetwork.co.uk
Advertise your jobs in CMU Daily for just £100 a week (five editions) - more info at www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/advertising, or email [email protected] to book.

MORE SONYBMG MERGER REVIEW NONSENSE
And so the Sony BMG merger saga continues. Now the higher court of the European Union has said its lower court failed to follow procedure when it ruled back in 2006 that the European Commission failed to follow procedure when it ruled on the 2004 proposed merger of Sony Corp and BMG's recorded music operations. You followed all that, right?

As you'll know, given that SonyBMG exists, the European Commission gave the go ahead for the merger of the two major record companies back in 2004, despite opposition from the independent music community. Pan-European indie label trade body IMPALA appealed the EC decision at the European Court Of First Instance, arguing that EC competition officials had not undertaken a thorough enough investigation into the implications of the merger before giving it its approval. In 2006 the European court ruled in IMPALA's favour, ordering EC competition officials to reconsider the original merger proposals, and setting out some guidelines as to how they should do that. The Commission did just that, and decided that, even having undertaken more detailed investigations into the merger, that it should still go ahead. IMPALA have appealed that second approval too.

Meanwhile, SonyBMG appealed the 2006 court ruling through the higher European Court Of Justice, and they this week said the First Instance court overstepped the mark in annulling the 2004 merger approval, saying they failed to consider the whole case, and gave too much credence to submissions by IMPALA which were confidential and could therefore not be seen by the defence - ie the Commission.

I'm not sure what any of this really means, given that SonyBMG still exists, and that its merger was re-approved even after the Commission considered it all for a second time. It will, however, possibly impact on IMPALA's appeal of that second EC approval.

In a statement, the higher court said yesterday that the lower court was wrong to "rely on documents submitted by IMPALA on a confidential basis, since the Commission itself could not have used them for the purposes of adopting a decision, by reason of their confidential nature".

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MERLIN EXPRESS CONCERNS WITH LAST.FM INDIE OFFER
Last.fm this week launched a new artist royalty programme which aims to pay unsigned and independent artists each time their music is played on the previously reported last.fm online jukebox whatnot - presumably along similar lines to the deals in place with the major record companies regarding the inclusion of their music on the online service.

However, Merlin, that body that represents the global digital rights of hundreds of independent labels, says it has concerns about the new programme for independent artists, saying that some of the licence terms being offered are "ambiguous" and "open to legal interpretation". In particular they seem concerned that signing up to the new programme may mean labels give up the right to demand compensation for any music previous distributed via last.fm without a licence. Or something like that.

In a bulletin to affiliated labels, Merlin said yesterday: "The programme announced today does not appear to offer any compensation for any past illegal use of repertoire. It is unclear to us whether or not the terms and conditions of the programme are intended to prevent master owners pursuing such compensation". It seems talks between last.fm and Merlin on the matter have not reached any conclusion.

A spokesman for last.fm told Billboard yesterday: "While we are disappointed that Merlin is talking publicly about our discussions, we respect them and their members, and will continue to work hard to close a deal with them".

Of course a dispute between last.fm and Merlin is interesting given both sides have a reputation as being or representing credible independents in the music space - a reputation last.fm has hung onto despite being bought by media conglom CBS.

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MUSLIM RAPPER SPEAKS OUT ABOUT DEATH THREATS
A lot of musicians will tell you how they have to suffer for their art, but that doesn't usually include being threatened with death if they continue with their career.

However, Muslim rapper Deeyah says she has been intimidated and sent death threats while she has been attempting to establish herself in the music industry. She told New Statesman: "In many Muslim communities, there is virtually no support for young women who want to express themselves as creative artists. It's not one of the professions expected of a woman. Many are actively discouraged from expressing their thoughts and dreams through music. A big part of the problem is the cultural expectations placed upon women. There is the association of music with sexuality and a westernised form of expression".

Deeyah has now set up a new project for Muslim women in music, through which she has released a mixtape featuring eighteen upcoming artists. Deeyah said: "The main aim I had in putting together the Sisterhood project was to let young Muslim girls know they are not alone in their struggles to get their music out there".

More info from: www.myspace.com/deeyahpresents

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WINEHOUSE'S NEIGHBOURS SEEK EVICTION
Amy Winehouse's neighbours have launched a campaign to have the singer evicted from her Camden home. One neighbour told The Mirror: "This place used to be a nice quiet area until Amy moved in. She's nothing but trouble and every night she is partying. If she's not inviting friends round to live it up she is starting fights. A lot of us have complained to the council, but we have been told we need evidence of any wrongdoing. I've already filmed some of the trouble Amy has caused and I'll be handing it over to the council to have a look at. Hopefully something will be done". Clearly Camden Council don't read the papers.

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FIELDER-CIVIL'S SENTENCING DELAYED
Meanwhile in Winehouse-land, Amy's husband Blake Fielder-Civil's sentencing for that nasty business of committing GBH and perverting the course of justice has been delayed until 21 Jul.

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LIVERPOOL CELEBRATES BEATLES DAY
Liverpool celebrated the very first Beatles Day yesterday, with tribute bands performing around the city, including an all-female band on the roof of BBC Radio Merseyside, and people in the city wearing 'mop-top' wigs. It all culminated with a concert at the Liverpool Arena. The profits for the day went to various charities, including Alder Hey Imagine Appeal and Liverpool Unites. As previously reported, the 10 Jul was chosen for the now annual event because it was the date that the Beatles returned to Liverpool after their first American tour. Obviously.

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GREEN RIVER DISCUSS REUNION
The bassist of grunge fore-fathers Green River, Jeff Ament, has been talking to Billboard about the band's reunion as part of Sub Pop's twentieth anniversary celebrations. Their performance at the label's birthday bash on Sunday will also be their first full show together for twenty years - their Sub Pop releases coming after the band had split.

Ament said that he, his Pearl Jam bandmate Stone Gossard, Mudhoney's Mark Arm and Steve Turner and drummer Alex Vincent have rehearsed a number of times since April, and have even gone so far as to re-learn a couple of songs from their original demo tape, 'Baby, Help Me Forget' and 'Leech'. He said: "In a weird way, those are probably some of the best songs we have. It's funny how it works. At the time, we thought they were way too simple or not challenging enough. But in retrospect, they're really great pop songs. We re-learned those two, but there are five or six songs that never got released".

Ament also said that he wouldn't rule out further Green River activity, concluding: "It would be fun to write a couple of new songs with those guys".

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STROKES PROMISE NEW ALBUM IN 2009
The Strokes' Albert Hammond Jr has told Teletext's Planet Sound that his band need to record a new album so that people don't think they've split up. He said: "If we don't make a Strokes record before [soon], people will think that's the end of us. Nothing's set, but we're definitely figuring out something to do for 2009". The band's last album, 'First Impressions Of Earth', was released in January 2006.

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BAD SEEDS BOOK AND REISSUES
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will release a new book later this month. The 46 page work will cover the writing and recording of the band's latest album, 'Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!' and will include handwritten lyrics and notes by Cave, as well as exclusive photos and artwork, and interviews with the designers of the artwork, Tim Noble and Sue Webster. Also included will be a three inch CD featuring the song 'Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!'. The book, entitled (you guessed it) 'Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!' will be released on 26 Jul, the same day as the band's new single 'Midnight Man'.

Cave says of the book: "[It] deals with the preparation and final glorious outcome of a project that began on the back of an envelope, a literal 'scrap' of an idea and ended up evolving into a genuine cultural idea and classic rock 'n' roll song".

And if that wasn't enough Bad Seed action for you, the band will reissue their entire back catalogue later this year. 'From Her To Eternity', 'The First Born Is Dead', 'Your Funeral My Trial' and 'Kicking Against The Pricks' will all be re-released as two disc sets, featuring the original album, a 5.1 surround sound version, B-sides, new sleeve notes and a short film for each album, created by artists Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard.

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BIS MEMBER GOES SOLO
Former Bis frontlady Manda Rin has announced details of her debut solo album, 'My DNA', which will be released on 8 Sep via This Is Fake DIY. It will be preceded by a single 'DNA' on 18 Aug. She will also perform live at The Fly in London on the album's release date.

Here's the tracklisting:

DNA
Typeface
Bad Things Happen To Bad People
Guilty Pleasures
Do The Static
The Word Out
Break Up/Breakdown
Love To Hate You
No Language
Less Than Zero
Black Book
Bruises

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MEL B NOT WORKING WITH STARS
Despite Mel B saying last month that she would be working with Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott on her next solo album, she won't. Last month she told Metro: "I am doing something with Janet Jackson which should be amazing. I am also going to hook up with Missy again". However, according to WENN, the singer has now been forced to admit that "there's no truth in that".

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MICHAEL JACKSON TEAMS UP WITH NKOTB
Michael Jackson is apparently set to collaborate with New Kids On The Block in an effort to relaunch his career. Jackson has apparently been in secret talks with the recently reformed boyband, who begin their first tour for twenty years in September. New Kids On The Block's Donnie Wahlberg told The Mirror: "It's very exciting. It's one big party and everyone wants to join us".

NKOTB have also been talking to The Daily Star about their upcoming album, due out on 1 Sep, and tour, which will take in London's O2 Arena in January. They revealed that the album features collaborations with Ne-Yo and The Pussycat Dolls, but doesn't stray too far from their old formula. Jordan Knight said: "We don't feel we have to do a ground-breaking piece of art for everybody to say: 'Whoa, they're deep'. We are a boyband, and we do have girl fans and we like showing off and having fun. If it's not broke..."

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MICHAEL JACKSON TAKEN SHOPPING IN WHEELCHAIR
If Michael Jackson is about to make a comeback, he's going to have to buck up a bit. According to reports, the singer has been photographed shopping in a Las Vegas bookshop wearing a dread locked wig, a surgeon's mask, a baseball cap, sunglasses, pyjamas and slippers and being pushed around in a wheelchair by a minder. An eyewitness told The Sun: "There are constant rumours of a Michael Jackson comeback but it was shocking to see that in reality he is a shadow of his former self. He seemed too weak even to get out of the chair to cross the road himself. He stayed in the store for two hours and wheeled himself around in the chair the whole time. The skin on his hands was peeling, almost like a snake's. He kept his mask on all the time. His security man was at his side and nobody approached him. It is really sad".

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SINGLE REVIEW: Neon Neon - I Told Her on Alderaan/Trick For Treat (Lex Records)
Seeing as the Welsh don't generally travel well, and the vast majority of Americans seem to think that only three people live in Wales (just look at the hassle poor wee Duffy has had to face with all the stateside assumptions that she's Tom Jones' love child), I doubt that there are many links between Wales and Los Angeles. However, Neon Neon, a collaboration between LA-based producer type Boom Bip and the busiest man in Wales, Gruff Rhys, is one of the few. Between maintaining lead singer duties with Super Furry Animals, conjuring up his own solo magic and now, representing the entire three-strong Welsh population in LA, Rhys has got to be one of the most prolific men in pop. There's certainly nothing wrong with 'I Told Her On Alderaan', but it could easily be an SFA track with the psychedelia turned down a notch - I'm not really sure what Boom Bip brings to the party at all. On side two of this "double N-side' single, 'Trick For Treat' sees the duo joined by Har Mar Superstar and Spank Rock for an electro-rap whirlwind that almost proves their place in the world. To be honest, I don't know if this is worth the effort for Gruff. Maybe he should just stick to the home grown stuff and have a nice relaxing bath instead. MB
Release Date: 14 Jul
Press Contact: Motion PR [O]

Buy from iTunes

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HOP FARM CELEBRATES FESTIVAL SUCCESS
Vince Power has been talking up the two festivals he promoted at Hop Farm in Kent this weekend, The Mighty Boosh Festival and The Hop Farm Festival. Despite the fairly negative review of the former that we ran on Tuesday, he reckons a good time was had by all, despite unexpected sun burning everyone on Saturday and expected rain drenching everyone on Sunday.

Power told CMU: "I'm delighted with the outcome of the Hop Farm events. Both festivals were a great success and we have received extremely positive feedback. As inaugural festivals we recognise the need for certain things to be improved on and will ensure that the festivals are better next year".

One of those things that needs to be improved on were problems getting people out of the car park after The Hop Farm Festival, which seemingly took a total of three hours and seven minutes. Operations Director for The Complete Kent Festival Ltd, Dick Tee, also revealed that some staff members had been assaulted by angry people stuck on the site. He said: "We did experience some unpleasant scenes in the car parks and several members of staff were assaulted. We are disappointed if the car park egress caused frustration for our guests and had a detrimental effect on anyone's enjoyment of what has been widely acclaimed as a hugely successful event and take complaints very seriously. We will, of course, be looking to learn, build and improve our systems and operations in the future".

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BEACHDOWN FESTIVAL LINE-UP ADDITIONS
Brighton's August bank holiday Beachdown Festival has confirmed a number of additions to its line-up, alongside the previously confirmed Magic Numbers, Gogol Bordello, De La Soul, Terry Callier, Reverend And The Makers, The Young Knives and the Fun Loving Criminals. New acts added include Roisin Murphy, The Beat, Long Range, That Certain Ratio, Your Friends Are Architects and Lightspeed Champion plus DJ Sets from LCD Sound System, Don Letts, Terry Hall and Keith Chegwin (yes, him).

Beachdown Festival takes place between 22-25 Aug. More info from www.beachdownfestival.com or www.myspace.com/beachdownfestival.

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KASABIAN CALL GLASTONBURY RUBBISH
Kasabian's Tom Meighan has said that this year's Glastonbury festival was rubbish, and accused anyone who says otherwise of lying. Which is strange, because everyone I know who went have said good things about it. But perhaps I know a lot of liars.

Speaking to Gigwise, he said: "To be honest with you I thought Glastonbury was rubbish this year and I'm not just saying that. I think people are lying again to cover it up like it was a success and it wasn't, it was really poor. It was really bad. I'm not just saying it because of Jay-Z, I just thought the whole thing was crap this year, you know what I mean? There wasn't even anything exciting really, that's just my opinion, you know. But it wasn't a success, it was just a very strange year for Glastonbury. I just think everyone is trying to cover it over because it's Glastonbury, trying to make out that it was the best thing in the world but sometimes it isn't, sometimes you've got to say actually it weren't very good".

He added that he thought journalists had given the festival positive reviews because their jobs are on the line. So, they've got to kneel over and say it's a success". Having said all that, he concluded, obviously, by saying "[we'd] love to headline Glastonbury next year".

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OXEGEN TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Well, I was in Dublin yesterday and everyone seemed very exited about this weekend's Oxegen festival, despite the rather damp forecast. However, organisers admitted a "limited" amount of tickets are still available yesterday, and some in the press are interpreting that as meaning that Ireland's flagship music festival is struggling a little this year - drawing parallels with slow ticket sales for Glastonbury (though that sold out in the end, of course). News that Irish rules governing the admission of under 18s onto the festival site will be more strictly policed this year (under 18s need to be accompanied by over 25s) may also be putting some people off.

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CMU FESTIVAL WEATHER REPORT
Here at CMU, we don't just want to ensure you're up to date with all goings-on in music while you're sat at your desk. We also want to make sure you're warm and dry when you go outside. And so, with that in mind, here is this week's festival weather report...

A Beautiful Day Out, Northwich, Cheshire (Sat)
The Levellers' festival isn't quite going to live up to its name this year, with temperatures topping sixteen degrees and light showers throughout the day. Expect a bit of sun, though. Which may or may not be beautiful.
Clothing tip: Easily removable/replaceable layers
www.imlconcerts.co.uk/levellers.htm

Rise, Finsbury Park, London (Sun)
Hooray! This one will be nice. There'll be sun but cloud cover, too. Temperatures will top twenty degrees. There's some great music on offer, as well. Plus, it's all free and quite near my flat (although, that's not an invitation to come back with me afterwards).
Clothing tip: Summer clothes!
www.risefestival.org

Indieco Sunday Social, Shrewsbury, Shropshire (Sun)
Weather for this one will be much the same as for A Beautiful Day Out. In fact, it'll be exactly the same. Luckily, it all finishes at 9.30pm and everyone can go to the indoor after party at The Buttermarket in Shrewsbury, so no cold, wet night ahead of you.
Clothing tip: Something easy to carry
www.myspace.com/indiecosundaysocial

Lounge On The Farm, Canterbury, Kent (Fri-Sun)
We've heard very good things about this festival, which this year features headline sets from Lightspeed Champion, The Coral and The New York Dolls. The best news you're going to hear about it today (if you're going) is that this will be one of the best festivals this weekend, weather-wise. There'll be sunny intervals and warm temperatures all weekend, with light showers on Saturday and bright sunshine as you leave on Monday.
Clothing tip: Shorts and a T-shirt
www.loungeonthefarm.co.uk

Somerset House Series, The Strand, London (Thu-Sun)
This year's Somerset House Series kicked of last night with The Fratellis and continues until 19 Jul. This weekend we have Justice and Late Of The Pier (Fri), UNKLE and The Duke Spirit (Sat), Blue Nile and Emily Maguire (Sun). Tonight there are likely to be heavy showers, with more rain tomorrow. however, Sunday should be nice, if a little cloudy.
Clothing tip: A coat and an umbrella
www.somersethouse.org.uk/music/

Supersonic Festival, Digbeth, Birmingham (Fri-Sun)
According to Plan B magazine, this is "the best organised and most wisely curated festival". It does feature a very impressive line-up, including Battles, Rolo Tomassi, Efterklang and Earth. What's more, it's indoors, so the fact that it's going to rain all weekend will only affect you as you come and go.
Clothing tip: Whatever makes you happy.
www.capsule.org.uk/supersonic/

T In The Park, Balado, Kinross (Fri-Sun)
REM, Rage Against The Machine, The Verve and Kings Of Leon are just some of the bands at this year's T In The Park. It may be up in the highlands of Scotland, but the weather won't be too bad. Light showers today and tomorrow, with sunny intervals all weekend.
Clothing tip: Dress for warmth, be prepared for cold
www.tinthepark.com

Two Thousand Trees, Cheltenham, Glos (Fri - Sat)
Green and ethical festival 2000trees is back for its second year, featuring 80's Matchbox B-line Disaster, Art Brut, The Duke Spirit, These New Puritans and many more. It's said to be an excellent two days in beautiful countryside surroundings, which might help to make the intermittent rain, which will come down harder today than tomorrow, that much more bearable.
Clothing tip: Good wellies and a cagoule.
www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk

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SMASHING PUMPKINS ANNOUNCE ANNIVERSARY SHOWS
The Smashing Pumpkins have revealed details of their upcoming twentieth anniversary tour, which will kick off in 9 Aug at The Venue in Hammond, Indiana. Pre-empting criticism that they aren't starting off in their home town of Chicago, the band's official website said: "For those of you in the Chicago area, realise this is closer to Chicago than the Pumpkins have been since their final show on 2 Dec 2000". They also revealed that tour dates in August will see the band play smaller venues in "areas which didn't receive enough attention throughout the US in the past year", before larger shows in LA, New York and Chicago in November. In addition to this, there will also be a "Gish-era tour" to coincide with the re-release of the band's first album (that's 'Gish', keep up) at some point in 2009. No word if any of this will get to the UK.

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THE BUG ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY
To launch his rather bloody brilliant new album, 'London Zoo', The Bug will be holding a party at 3rd Base in Brixton on 2 Aug. Also on the bill are Flying Lotus, Kode 9 and Spaceace, plus some of the MCs who provided vocals on 'London Zoo', including Warrior Queen, Flowdan, Tippa Irie and Ricky Ranking, will be joining in the fun.

'London Zoo' is out now on Ninja Tune. More info and tickets available here: http://tinyurl.com/68cgsc

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TODD RUNDGREN TOUR
That Todd Rundgren fella has just announced a new UK tour to coincide with the release of his new studio album 'Arena', scheduled for a 29 Sep release. The dates for the tour follow, press info from Noble PR.

6 Nov: Manchester Academy
7 Nov: Edinburgh Picture House
22 Nov. Norwich Waterfront
23 Nov: Kentish Town Forum, London

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CLUB OWNER AND MANAGER JAILED
The owner and manager of Plymouth nightclub The Dance Academy are to be jailed after they were found guilty of allowing the sale of ecstasy on the premises. Senior investigating officer, Det Insp Huggett told Mixmag: "The evidence of the officers confirmed that the sale and consumption of ecstasy, a class A drug, was rampant, dealing was overt and blatant".

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ECO-FRIENDLY CLUB OPENS IN LONDON
Surya, which claims to be "the world's first ecological club", opened in Islington last night. Jade Jagger, Dan Williams, Queens of Noize, Nathan Detroit and Coldcut all DJed at the opening night of the club, which is powered in part by the motion of dancers on the dancefloor.

Surya's spokesman Dr Earth said in a statement: "Each week millions upon millions of exuberant human beings head out of their houses and into nightclubs to expend large amounts of energy on the dancefloor. [But] clubbing remains one of the few areas of society untouched by the green message".

In addition to solar panels, a wind turbine, waterless urinals, low-flush toilets and eco-friendly air-conditioning units, the club says its dancefloor uses "materials such as quartz crystals, ceramics, cutting-edge technology and the dancing motion of clubbers to generate part of the club's energy requirements". In fact, they reckon they'll generate so much energy that they'll be able to donate some to their neighbours, as well.

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LIMEWIRE LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE SESSIONS SERIES
LimeWire, still probably the most dominant of the illegal P2P file sharing networks, lawsuits against which are pending, is making a number of exclusive live recordings available. The bespoke sessions - called Live At Lime Recording Series - are part of LimeWire's recently launched pay-to-use service, part of the P2P firm's attempts to make at least some of its operations legit. Artists with tracks available via it include The Morning Benders, Sloan, Tigers And Monkeys, and Lucy Wainwright Roche.

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METALLICA APPEAR ON IRON MAIDEN COVERS ALBUM
Metallica have recorded an Iron Maiden cover for a special cover mount CD from Kerrang! which will celebrate all things Maiden. The Metallica cover is of 'Remember Tomorrow'. Other artists providing Maiden covers on the free CD include Machine Head, Trivium and Avenged Sevenfold.

On the CD, Music Week quote Kerrang! editor Paul Brannigan thus: "'Maiden Heaven' is a stunning testament to Iron Maiden's hugely influential and wholly uncompromising career. That Metallica and some of the biggest, most respected and most exciting bands in Kerrang!'s world have taken the time to salute Maiden on this album says everything about their legendary, iconic status. No other magazine in the world has ever given away a covermounted CD with fifteen world-exclusive, specially commissioned recordings and we're proud to be creating heavy metal history with this magnificent album".

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FIRST CHANGES AT VIRGIN RADIO
The first raft of changes at Virgin Radio have taken place post the national station's previously reported takeover by the Times Of India Group. As also previously reported, the company will be operated by the new owner's existing UK radio firm Absolute Radio, and their Operations Director Clive Dickins has just taken over all programming and marketing operations at Virgin, taking over from David Lloyd who has left the station. Virgin's Digital Media Director Andy Gumbridge has also left.

Confirming he had become COO of Virgin Radio, Dickens told reporters yesterday: "David and Andy have achieved much over the past year and the team [here] thank them for their dedication and drive. This re-organisation is driven by the changing needs of the station going forward as we execute an exciting and dynamic strategy for the business. We wish both David and Andy well for the future".

As previously reported, the station's new owners will have to relaunch Virgin Radio with a new name because, although they bought it off SMG, Richard Branson's Virgin Group still control use of the Virgin brand, and they have a stake in a rival Indian media firm so will not allow the Times Of India Group to use the name.

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EP REVIEW: Maths Class - Now This Will Take Two Hands (Gift Music)
We can't get enough of Maths Class in the CMU office. So, with this EP massively expanding the band's currently very small recorded output, coming so soon after their amazing set at our monthly showcase night CMU Social, we've been very pleased indeed of late. Clocking in at just fourteen and a half minutes, this five track EP leaves a large mark nonetheless. By taking math-rock influences and forcing them into short, fast-paced punk songs, Maths Class have hit upon something incredibly impressive. Although they would tell you that they have only one pop song ('Branches'), I would argue that all their songs are pop to a certain extent. Sure, their sound is jagged, in your face and, at times, completely unrelenting - in 'Nerves' and 'Jonny Got The Jawline' the band push the song to breaking point. But each song contains at least one hook that will sink its claws into your brain for weeks at a time, all stand up to extensive repeat listens and all get you twitching towards the nearest dance floor involuntarily. And, like all good pop music, there's nothing throwaway about this; 'Now This Will Take Two Hands' will keep you coming back for many years to come yet. AHM
Release Date: 21 Jul
Press Contact: Get Involved [NP, RP, NR, RR], Charm Factory [O]

Buy from Amazon - Buy from iTunes

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WU-TANG REVEAL THEY RARELY REHEARSE
Wu-Tang Clan's GZA has revealed that the group rarely rehearse together before live shows, and often don't see each other for months before the day of a show. He said: "We hardly rehearse. On that day, six of us will be seeing one another for the first time in months. So anything can happen".

But GZA insists he still keeps in contact with the group - saying: "Just cause I haven't seen someone in five, six months doesn't mean I ain't talked to them, we do communicate".

So, if you fancy seeing some ill-prepared hip hop, head over to the Shepherds Bush Empire on 15 and 16 Jul, where Wu-Tang Clan will be playing.

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KT TUNSTALL TAKES A BREAK FOR TRAVEL
KT Tunstall has revealed to MTV that she plans to take a break from the music industry after she finishes her South American tour in October in order to go travelling. She said: "I never did the backpacking thing when I was younger, so I'm just going to disappear, travel for a few months and write some music. I can't wait to write the next record, though, to be honest. I won't be in the studio until next year".

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