FULL-TIME INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE WITH CMU Yes, come spend some time with Team CMU. Go on, you know you want to. We have 2-6 week full time internships available at our Shoreditch HQ. We are looking for students or recent grads who want to gain skills, make contacts and showcase their work in the worlds of media and music, and who are interested in helping out at the ever expanding CMU during the Summer. You'll be involved in all our various projects, and we'll tell you everything we know about this old music business. If you want to be considered for one of our internships, send your CV and a short summary of what you'd want to get our of an internship to [email protected]. JOIN THE CMU STUDENT REVIEW TEAM Open to students and aspring journalists anywhere in the UK, CMU student reviewers get to receive and review upcoming CDs, with their work published in this here CMU Daily. To apply to join this team simply click here and send your CV plus three recent music reviews you have written.     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.

MINISTRY COMPANY BECOMES MSHK GROUP
The Ministry Of Sound Group has announced it is rebranding to become the MSHK Group, the 'HK' bit presumably standing for HedKandi, which is another clubbing brand now operated by the Ministry empire.

In a statement issued yesterday, the company said: "Ministry of Sound is renowned for its successful nightclub and music business, which has delivered its first number one artist album this week, but it also encompasses a stable of brands including HedKandi, Global Underground and Euphoria". The new name is meant to communicate that the company operates a number of different brands, and also that its operations are much wider than that of a traditional music company. The statement also revealed that Lohan Presencer, formerly MD for Ministry, will be promoted to become CEO of the MSHK Group.

Confirming all this, MSHK Chairman James Palumbo told CMU: "Lohan has been integral in broadening our business from one of the world's biggest music groups to an international house of lifestyle brands and products. Now that we have a fully diversified business, it is time to rebrand and this is a good moment for Lohan to step into the top job".

Presencer himself told us: "Being the world leaders in dance music has established a great platform for us, but given changing times we have needed to grow our business into complementary areas. This has been a fascinating experience and our new brand extensions are quickly catching up with our original business. I have always wanted to make a reality of the much talked about '360 degree' model, rather than the usual rhetoric based on unworkable and expensive deals, and at MSHK we are in the unique position of having achieved this. We have a whole raft of developing ideas, including launches of our new range of HedKandi haircare products and fragrances, which will be coming to fruition over the next year, and it is a tremendously exciting time to be taking control of the group".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

WOOD'S WIFE WON'T VISIT
Ronnie Wood's wife Jo is reportedly refusing to visit the guitarist in rehab and is instead planning to leave the country. A source told The Mirror: "Jo is distraught. She has had a lot to put up with in the 23 years they have been married, but this affair is pushing her too far. She said she won't speak to Ronnie unless he is sober and at the moment is so upset she is refusing to visit him in rehab".

Elsewhere, The Sun reports that Wood took the Russian waitress rumoured to be his new girlfriend into rehab when he stayed at the Priory clinic briefly in June. A source said: "Everyone thought this girl must have been Ronnie's daughter, but it quickly became apparent she wasn't. We then assumed she was a groupie".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

BARENAKED MAN TO FIGHT DRUG CHARGES, KIDS' GIG CANCELLED
Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page has said he will fight those previously reported drug charges brought against him by New York police, despite apparently admitting to possessing and taking cocaine when he was arrested.

A statement on the band's official website reads: "Many of you have probably read or heard press accounts about Steven Page's recent arrest in New York State. Steven has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and the validity of the charges against Steven will be strongly contested. While this is happening, it's business as usual for Barenaked Ladies. We will continue to perform and look forward to heading into the studio later this year to record a new album. We want to thank our loyal fans for their continued support during this difficult time".

That said, it's not quite business as usual. Last night another statement on the band's site announced they had decided not to appear at a Disney organised concert for kids that they were due to play next month, presumably to promote their recently released kids album 'Snacktime!'. Terry McBride of Nettwerk Management, who manages the band, said the band strongly supported Page, but that cancelled the kids concert because they didn't want to put Disney in an "awkward position".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR DOHERTY
Not usually one to piss off the courts, obviously, Pete Doherty has nonetheless had an arrest warrant issued for him after he failed to appear at Yeovil Magistrates Court to face criminal damage charges for the second time. As previously reported, the singer is accused of breaking a photographer's camera, causing £200 worth of damage.

Nick Barnard, the court's chairman said: "I assume that this is the correct address we have for Mr Doherty. He should have, therefore, received the letters stating when he should attend court".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

MAYER AND A LADY DENY MAGAZINE REPORT
John Mayer has denied claims by a US gossip mag that he hit on a woman in Amsterdam last month, despite the fact that he's reportedly dating Jennifer Aniston. A representative for the singer said "The In Touch story is false." You might be thinking "well, he would deny it, wouldn't he?" - but the woman he reportedly hit on has also denied that it's the truth.

In Touch claims that Mayer met the woman, Chaton Anderson, in the Dutch capital on 20 Jun, quoting her thusly: "I think he thought I was from Amsterdam, because he said, 'I am John and I am a singer'. I laughed because I knew who he was. I asked him what his relationship status was and he said, 'It's vague'. I asked him what that meant and he said, 'You know, it's very vague'. I just laughed. I never mentioned Jennifer and neither did he".

But Anderson has now told Usmagazine.com: "None of this is true. I met John Mayer almost a year ago. I don't understand why they've said it was this year. Nothing happened anyway, nothing at all. I just met him briefly and he said, 'Hello, 'I'm John,' and that was it! It was just groups of people in a coffee shop".

Anderson is reportedly considering taking legal action against the publication.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

CHINA TIGHTENS RULES ON WHO CAN PERFORM THERE
The Chinese government has said that it will not allow artists who "threaten national unity", "advocate obscenity or feudalism and superstition" or who "violate religious policy or cultural norms" to play in the country. Also banned will be any artists who have attended events that "threaten national sovereignty" or who "whip up ethnic hatred". Basically they don't want anyone who may say or do anything vaguely anti-government. How did these guys get the Olympics again?

The tightening up of the rules regarding who is allowed to perform in China follows Bjork's previously reported shouting of "Tibet, Tibet" while singing her song 'Declare Independence' at a gig in Shanghai earlier this year, and also comes amid fears in China that the Beijing Olympics will be hijacked by those who oppose the government there.

A posting on the country's culture ministry's website reads: "Any artistic group or individual who have ever engaged in activities which threaten our national sovereignty will not be allowed in".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

POP STARS TO APPEAR IN NEW SOAP OPERA
A number of top pop stars are rumoured to be lined up to appear in a new music industry-based soap opera that will air on rubbish social networking site Bebo. The show, called 'The Secret World Of Sam King', follows a character based on Simon Cowell and will be set in the offices of Universal Records. Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Razorlight and The Feeling will reportedly make guest appearances, while Girls Aloud will apparently star in the programme.

A 'friend' of Girls Aloud told The Daily Star: "They're all really excited - it promises to be a lot of fun. It's no secret that several of the girls harbour ambitions to get in to acting and this will prove a great showcase".

A 'Universal Records insider' added: "Girls Aloud will be making a tongue-in-cheek debut in Sam King. The girls love stuff like Bebo and are really looking forward to filming".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

ALLEN TALKS KNIFE CRIME WITH BORIS
Lily Allen has been speaking to London mayor Boris Johnson about knife crime and how to combat it. It's good to know we've got the best people working on the problem. The meeting apparently came about after Lily posted a message on her blog about putting on a concert to raise awareness about knife crime, closing it by saying: "Boris, if you're listening, call me man!"

City Hall issued a statement after the meeting saying: "Lily had a number of suggestions on how to challenge the notion that carrying a knife is streetwise or cool. She also had proposals to encourage teenagers to be more ambitious about themselves and their communities".

Boris added: "I welcome any constructive suggestions on combating knife crime and Lily Allen has already proved her commitment to help address this problem. I welcome her proposals and am keen to explore further how she can help us address this serious and distressing problem. There is nothing romantic or glamorous about knife crime and I'm delighted Lily will be using her considerable profile and fan base to spread that message".

Speaking of that proposed anti-knife crime gig, yesterday we reported on rumours of various bands in line to play the event (assuming it goes ahead), one of which was Oasis. Well, we just received a phonecall from their people telling us that they're in no way involved with any such show. So, now you know.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

BRITNEY OFFICIALLY BACK IN THE STUDIO
Britney Spears' manager Larry Rudolph and her label Jive Records have released a joint statement to confirm that the singer is back in the studio and working on a new album. They said: "Britney Spears is spending her summer in the recording studio, working on a brand new album". So, you see, I was right. They continued: "She's working with a team of top-notch producers and songwriters, and we're very excited about what she's accomplished so far. No album release date has been confirmed yet".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

BURNT HENDRIX GUITAR UP FOR AUCTION
The first guitar Jimi Hendrix ever burnt on stage is expected to fetch £500,000 when is goes up for auction at the Fame Bureau in London on 4 Sep. Hendrix set fire to the guitar when he supported The Walker Brothers at the Finsbury Astoria in 1967. The guitarist's PR man Tony Garland took the guitar home with him and it was only recently re-discovered by his nephew.

The Fame Bureau's director of acquisitions, Ted Owen told reporters: "When Hendrix set this guitar alight it marked a watershed in live performance. He raised the bar of what could be expected and paved the way for a series of imitations and pastiche that exist to this day".

Other items in the auction include the last ever drum kit owned by John Bonham and Jim Morrison's last notebook of poems.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

LOUIS WALSH SEEKS NEW GIRL GROUP
Oh joy. Louis Walsh and Westlife's Kian Egan are holding open auditions to find members for a new girl group in Dublin later this month. The pair will co-manage the group and are looking for women aged between fifteen and 25. Egan said: "I am really hoping we are going to see and hear some great talent from all parts of the country. I know how much an audition like this can change your life - so my advice is to go for it".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

BONO AND THE EDGE WIN HOTEL CASE
Bono and The Edge have won a legal battle to be allowed to rebuild their Dublin Hotel The Clarence, giving the old fashioned structure a futuristic new look. They've been engaged in the case for four years, and have incurred the wrath of local conservationists, who believe that the plans are directly opposed to Ireland's strict planning laws, and that they've only won permission for the building work to go ahead because of who they are.

The scheme, devised by architect Norman Foster, would see the building gutted and expanded, tripling the number of rooms, and gaining a huge glass roofed atrium. The musicians and their partner in the property development, Paddy McKillen, said in a statement that the fact their building can now go ahead is "great news for Dublin and for Temple Bar in particular".

As aforementioned, local conservationists don't agree. Ian Lumley, of heritage-protection organisation An Taisce said: "We would obviously condemn the decision. It undermines national legislation on architectural heritage because of the number of protected sites being demolished". He admitted that Foster had come up with a "a very impressively conceived scheme" but said it was not the place for it, adding that "this would not be allowed in areas of comparable sensitivity in any other European countries."

The planning authority have set limits on the scheme, and have ruled that an archaeologist be present on the development during all stages of construction. Generally, though, they seem to have come round to the idea that the hotel "would provide a building of unique quality and architectural distinction at this quayside location" and would "in time become a significant feature in vistas along the Liffey [the river] and would ensure the continued historic hotel use of a signature building". Whether they came round to the idea because they were dealing with two of Ireland's wealthiest people, I don't know. Also approved is the 'U2 Tower', also designed by Foster, and set to become the tallest building in the country.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SINGLE REVIEW: Das Pop - Underground (SonyBMG/Ugly Truth Records)
'Underground' is the debut single from four-piece Das Pop. The press release promises gold and considering the entire album has been produced by Soulwax and the band are endorsed by super cool Justice it all sounds very exciting. And the introductory bars are, but then the cheesy vocals kick in, along with the heard-it-all-before lyrics and melody of the chorus, which all fail to be convincing. It sounds more like a sitcom theme tune than a one-to-watch. 'Underground' may not be a great example of Das Pop, but that remains to be seen. You can hear more on the album, released later in the year, or at any number of festivals over the summer. AW
Release Date: 28 July
Press Contact: SonyBMG IH [all]

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

KOOKS MAN BLAMES PIGEONS FOR RUINING UK SCENE
Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard has told The Daily Star that bands like The Pigeon Detectives have diluted the UK indie scene to such an extent that he no longer feels a part of it. He got all nostalgic for those paradise-like days of 2005 when there were only a handful of quality bands to choose from and world peace was a reality, rather than some distant dream. He said: "When we first came out it was a cool time, with the Kaisers, Arctics and Bloc Party on the same circuit. I don't think many people would place us with those acts, but at the time I really felt part of that whole movement. It's funny what's followed. Bands like The Pigeon Detectives took what was there and slightly diluted it".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

MCFLY REFUSED TO CHILL OUT
McFly's Tom Fletcher has revealed that his band decided to leave their former label, Island Records, and go it alone, after they were advised to take their music in a less rocky direction. Fletcher told The Daily Star: "We always wanted to be bigger and better and we never felt that we had achieved our true potential so we felt that we could get closer to achieving that on our own. They wanted to take us in a direction that we really didn't want to go in. They wanted us to be a bit more chilled out and more subdued, but that is not who we are. We like having a laugh and felt we were being pushed in a direction we really didn't want to go in".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

XX TEENS ANNOUNCE ALBUM LAUNCH
XX Teens have announced that they'll be launching their debut album 'Welcome To Goon Island' at White Heat @ Madame Jo Jos on 29 Jul, the day after the LP is released. They'll be supported by Poppy and The Jezebels, The Clik Clik and ZZZ.

If you can't wait for that, you can catch them in two places in London tonight. First as support at The Music's show as part of the iTunes Festival, and second at Fabric's Kill Em All night. Or, if you're willing to wait, at one of the following festivals...

18 Jul: Kill 'Em All, Fabric London, Room 1 - co-headline
8 Aug: Underage Festival, London, 3rd headline on NME stage
10 Aug: Jailhouse, Hereford Anti Racism Concert
22 Aug: Festival Republic Stage @ Leeds Festival
24 Aug: Festival Republic Stage @ Reading
30 Aug: Main Stage, Offset Festival
5 Sep: Bestival, Isle Of Wight

Press info on these chaps from Create Spark.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

LEVELLERS ANNOUNCE SECRET GIG
Someone should either think of a better name for "secret gigs" or we should all stop announcing them. Anyway, that's not the point of this story. The Levellers have announced a 'secret' gig next week at Proud Gallery in Camden, where they will be simultaneously launching their new album 'Letters From The Underground' and raising money for The Big Issue. They will be supported by Second Person and SWAG. Members of The Levellers will also be DJing after the show.

Tickets cost £12 and are available here:
www.gigantic.com/gigantic/home_proud_camden.html

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

MCCARTNEY TO PLAY ISRAEL
Paul McCartney is reportedly in talks to play a gig in Israel, which would end a forty year ban on such shenanigans. The Beatles were barred from performing in the country in 1965 because authorities feared their music would corrupt the youth, although the surviving members of the band were invited to take part in Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations earlier this year. The Sun now reports that McCartney is set to play in from of 250,000 in Tel Aviv in September. A source said: "Paul is desperate to put Israel on the map of places he's performed".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

TIMBERLAKE AND SPEARS BACK TOGETHER FOR MADONNA?
It's rumoured that Madonna has asked Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake to perform together for the finale of her upcoming world tour. Spears will already appear in the show on video but now, according to The Sun, Madge wants her to get up on stage with her former boyfriend, as well. A source told the paper: "Madonna is always trying to raise the bar and Britney and Timberlake on the same stage would be perfect. They have both been asked but I think both are a bit reluctant. Britney would find it all a bit emotional and JT might not fancy it. More likely is that they both appear on different dates. But if anyone can make this happen it's Madonna".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

FARRELL CONSIDERS TAKING LOLLAPALOOZA OVERSEAS
Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell has said he is considering taking the festival back on the road, including some dates overseas. You may remember that Lollapalooza was a touring festival, making its way around the US, before re-launching as a one day event in Chicago in 2005, following the cancellation of the 2004 event due to poor ticket sales.

Speaking to the NME, Farrell said: "I'm in negotiations right now with a few other locations, some of them overseas, and we'll see how it goes. I look at Lollapalooza as an incredible party machine and you have to go where you can put on the best party".

Farrell also said he sees his main competitor as Glastonbury, in his bid to run the best festival in the world. He continued: "Lollapalooza is one of the historically great festivals in this country. Over there [in England] they have Glastonbury - it's actually older than Lollapalooza. I love the competition. I love the idea that OK, you've got Glastonbury, let's see what we can do to make our Lollapalooza fantastic".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

FESTIVAL TICKETS MISSING
A thousand tickets for the Live At Loch Lomond Festival - with a value of more than £60k - have gone missing whilst being couriered from Ticketmaster's Glasgow office to their despatch centre in Manchester. The batch also contained 600 tickets for a DJ Tiesto show.

Festival organiser Ricky Magowan says: "With only a fortnight to go until this year's Live At Loch Lomond, we are extremely upset that the tickets have gone missing. We are urging fans not to buy tickets unless they are from one of our official ticket outlets listed on our website. They would be wasting their money and will be turned away by security if they try and present the ticket at the event. We are hopeful that the missing tickets are recovered and are working with Ticketmaster and Strathclyde Police to try and get to the bottom of it".

The festival takes place from 2-3 Aug at Balloch Castle Country Park, and features acts such as
Groove Armada, The Sex Pistols, and Pete Doherty.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

CMU FESTIVAL WEATHER REPORT
Have you noticed how it tends to be lovely at the start of the week, but then the clouds begin to gather around Wednesday so that it's pissing down by the weekend? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's the CMU Festival Weather Report, rounding up the sun and the rain that you can expect to see at this weekend's festivals. Hurrah.

Hebridean Celtic Festival, Stornoway, Isle Of Lewis (Wed-Sat)
Well what did you expect in the Outer Hebrides? Plenty of rain today and tomorrow I'm afraid, though it should dry out on Sunday, and may be the sun will come out. Who knows? Well I do. It will. Temperature a slightly chilly 13 degrees.
Clothing tip: Something waterproof, though a lot of this takes place inside, so you won't need to wear it all the time.
www.hebceltfest.com

Larmer Tree Festival, nr Salisbury (Wed-Sun)
Rain today and tomorrow, though not quite so heavy as up there in the Western Isles, and with some sunny spells today. Woo. Once again should dry up and get a little bit sunny on Sunday.
Clothing tip: Hell, dress for sunshine and shelter under one of those trees when it rains. Should be warm at 19 degrees.
www.larmertreefestival.co.uk

Cambridge Rock Festival, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire (Thu-Sun)
Yeah, you guessed it, rain today and tomorrow everybody. Though less than over at the Larmer Tree Festival, and a lot less than up there in Stornoway. Plus sunny spells throughout the weekend and a high temperature of 20 degrees. It'll even be dry on Sunday.
Clothing tip: A hat.
www.rockinbeerfest.co.uk

Latitude, Southwold, Suffolk (Thu-Sun)
Basically the same as the Cambridge Rock Festival, these two festivals being in the same corner of the country. So, some rain today and tomorrow, but some sunny spells too. Dry and with some sunshine on Sunday. Top temperature here 21 degrees. So one up on your Cambridge Rock Festival.
Clothing tip: A cooler hat. And something poetic or theatrical looking. There's more than just music at this one remember.
www.latitudefestival.co.uk

Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle, Dorset (Fri-Sun)
Some rain and some sun today. Mainly rain and gloomy clouds tomorrow. But a bit brighter and a lot drier on Sunday. Top temperature 18 degrees.
Clothing tip: A hat. Actually, a mad hat. There's a Mad Hatter's tea party on Saturday, don't forget. I think dressing like any character from Alice In Wonderland will suffice. If you don't like mad hats.
www.campbestival.co.uk

Glade, Aldermaston, Berkshire (Fri-Sun)
Rain today and tomorrow, but frankly compared to last year's near floods we're not talking too much water. And there'll be sunny spells throughout the weekend. No rain expected Sunday.
Clothing tip: Despite the rain, I'd stick with a t-shirt. You know how sweaty it gets at these dance festivals.
www.gladefestival.com

Lovebox Weekender, London (Sat-Sun)
As Glade really - some rain today and tomorrow, sunny spells throughout the weekend, dry Sunday. Nice and warm though, at 21 degrees. Woo.
Clothing tip: Something lovely. But not necessarily a box.
www.lovebox.net

Splendour, Nottingham (Sat-Sun)
Erm, as Lovebox. Though a degree or two cooler.
Clothing tip: Something splendid.
www.splendourfestival.co.uk

Truck Festival, nr Abingdon (Sat-Sun)
Erm, as Spendour, but a degree or two warmer. Which makes it a bit like Lovebox I guess.
Clothing tip: Something lovely and splendid. And may be a hat. Doesn't have to be a mad one.
www.thisistruck.com

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

IN THE CITY SHOWCASE PARTNERS ANNOUNCED
Music convention In The City has announce details of some of the promoters, labels and music media already signed up to stage showcases at this year's event, which takes place in Manchester from 5-7 Oct. And they include NME, The Warehouse Project, Heavenly Recordings, Channel M, Drowned in Sound, Popjustice, Fierce Panda, Clash magazine, Twisted Nerve, Fear & Records, Rock Sound magazine, thrashhits.com and Piccadilly Records.

ITC co-founder and Director Yvette Livesey told CMU: "The quality of the record label and magazine showcases being staged this year illustrates just how important the legacy of live music at In The City is and how seriously it is taken by everyone. We are very excited by the events that we have confirmed already and we will be announcing more in the very near future as well as this year's line-up of new artists taking part in 'In The City Unsigned'".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SEATWAVE ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH GRAND UNION MANAGEMENT
News from the wacky world of secondary ticketing now. And first up Seatwave has announced a partnership with Grand Union Management which will see the artist management company officially recognise the ticket resale service, and encourage fans of the artists it represents to use their ticket resale platform if they want to get their hands on tickets for sold out shows.

I think Grand Union will get a bit of a kick back from tickets resold via Seatwave (though I am inferring that from their statement on the matter), while the management firm will ensure that any tickets resold via Seatwave will be honoured. The partnership comes amid all that chatter about the growth of online ticket touting, with many concert promoters and artist managers pissed off that fully fledged companies are now profiting from dodgy touts (ie the companies that run the ticket auction sites, all of whom charge a commission).

Grand Union's David Bianchi told reporters: "The secondary ticketing market is as old as the ticket market itself and up until now has had no accountability. The ability for our clients to earn fairly from the secondary market represents not only another income stream, but hopefully the beginning of the end of our artists' fans being ripped off outside shows".

Seatwave top man Joe Cohen added: ""This partnership marks the first step in our approach to helping to resolve the challenges that face our industry".

PS: I now know for certain Grand Union's artists will get a cut of any ticket resales via Seatwave, because the Resale Rights Society, that artist-management-led body pushing for such deals, has just said so. RSS man Marc Marot says this: "This is a welcome first step. Barely six months ago Seatwave CEO Joe Cohen said artists asking for a share of secondary ticketing revenue were 'a bunch of pigs at the trough'. This is a welcome change of heart that shows that RRS lobbying is having an impact. We now urge Seatwave to recompense all of the artists whose tickets it re-sells. They could of course do individual deals with the hundreds of artists on their site, but it would probably be more efficient simply to talk to the RRS".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

STUBHUB ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH V FESTIVAL USA
Meanwhile in the US, one of the flagship ticket resale sites over there, StubHub, has announced a partnership with the Baltimore version of the V Festival - which is known there as the Virgin Mobile Festival. StubHub will be the official seller of VIP tickets and packages, plus the approved place where fans can resell their tickets, should they want to. The deal is similar to that StubHub previously struck with the Madonna tour.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

LAST.FM BETA NEW PROFILES
Phew, all the major players in the social networking world are suddenly launching new profile pages. There was, of course, MySpace's laughable "redesign" of their site recently, and Facebook have just put limited-functionality versions of their soon-to-be-launched new site online. Now Last.fm have made the beta version of their new site available to all users (rather than just subscribers as it has been for the last couple of months).

The new site adds a new music library, which incorporates not just the music you've listened to, but bands you've seen live and bands you just fancy having on your profile (so, you could add your vinyl collection to your page, for example) and real-time charts, amongst other features. Last.fm's Matthew Ogle said: "One of our goals is to make all the world's music available to everyone, and a more accessible service is a big part of that".

Take a look here: http://beta.last.fm/home

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SOCIAL NETWORKING LEADER BOARD RELEASED
Elsewhere in social networking news, the latest stats are in on site usage in the US. According to Neilsen Online, MySpace is still the most popular of all the sites, with more than double the users of its nearest competitor, Facebook, with 59.4 million unique visitors in June. However, this showed zero percent growth year on year and a slight decline on May. Facebook, however, saw its visits leap ten percent to 29.2 million in May and 77 percent year on year. LinkedIn also saw massive growth, up 187 percent over the last year.

Here's the US top five:

1. MySpace
2. Facebook
3. Classmates Online
4. LinkedIn
5. Windows Live Spaces

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

EMUSIC REVAMPS UPCOMING
More revamping in the digital music space, and independent download website eMusic are reportedly planning what Digital Music News call a "serious overhaul" which will see the launch of interactive reviews, informational widgets and smarter navigation. New features should appear as early as next week.

eMusic's David Packman told the website: "We asked what a retailer online would look like in 2010 or 2011. The answer is a lot different than today. We're out to be out-innovating other retailers in the space".

Despite the revamp eMusic's business model - where you pay a monthly subscription from which you can download a set number of tracks, ie a mix of the Napster style subscription and iTunes style a-la-carte models - will stay the same.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

EVERYONE WANTS TO BUY AOL
After Microsoft's much reported failure to take over Yahoo!, now both Microsoft and Yahoo! are reportedly interested in acquiring AOL and the relevant talks are ongoing, or so says the Wall Street Journal. Both takeover bids could be hindered by Google though, who own 5% of AOL and who manage their search-based advertising services, seen by many as the net revenue stream with most potential. Google aren't keen on the idea of being out-grown by merging competitors, and may do whatever they can to throw a spanner in the works with any Microsoft/AOL or Yahoo!/AOL deal.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

THE HITS TO BECOME 4MUSIC NEXT MONTH
Music telly channel The Hits will rebrand as 4Music next month during the channels' coverage of the V Festival. Channel 4 bought a stake in the Bauer-owned music channel last year, and the channel has been airing programming under the 4Music banner on Sunday evenings for a few months now. The rebrand will mean the service will air Channel 4 music and c'leb shows like 'Live From Abbey Road', 'The Sunday Night Project' and 'Star Stories' as well as pop videos. Which will be nice. Not sure what that means for The Hits radio station.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

OFCOM WON'T RE-ADVERTISE REJECTED FENLAND LICENCE
OfCom have said they will not re-advertise the FM licence for the Fenland area of Cambridgeshire which, as previously reported, was relinquished by incumbents UKRD earlier this week in another protest at OfCom rules which, the radio firm argue, make smaller independent radio stations unviable. Instead of seeking a new service for the area, OfCom say they will extend the broadcast area of Cambridge's Star Radio to cover Fenland.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

OFCOM WILL LET ITV REDUCE PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMMING
OfCom chief David Curries has implied that the media regulator is ready to relax some of ITV's public service commitments, ie the rules which force the third channel to air less commercially viable programming likes kids TV or local news, which is something ITV bosses have been pushing for.

According to Digital Spy, OfCom boss David Currie said yesterday: "ITV may overstate the costs and understate the benefits [of public service broadcasting. But] what is beyond doubt is that the value of PSB benefits is dropping rapidly and the point at which the costs of the public service obligations in a Channel 3 licence exceed the benefits will occur well before 2014; earlier in some C3 franchises notably Scotland. In these circumstances ITV plc's relationship with the Nations poses particular challenges. Political wishful thinking will not change those facts. People confuse Ofcom the messenger with the message. They assert we are 'letting ITV off' or have been hoodwinked. Far from it. We would be delighted if the numbers looked different. But they don't. The current down-turn will accentuate the pressures".

He continued: "So we need a clear-sighted view of what the public policy priorities are in relation to ITV. Whatever the future compact it will need to be much more limited, explicit and transparent than hitherto. And flexible. Tying regulatory benefits - spectrum assets - for years on end to an institution with fuzzy and meaningfully unenforceable public obligations seems a poor model for the rapid transition we expect in the media landscape over the next decade".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

ALBUM REVIEW: Late Of The Pier - Fantasy Black Channel (EMI/Zarcorp)
Wow. Just...fucking...WOW. I had my fingers crossed that LOTP weren't going to disappoint me, but they truly have done so much better than I could imagine. 'Fantasy Black Channel' is a crazy-disco-psychedelic-pop-electro monster. As soon at it opens with the apocalyptic guitar crunching 'Hot Tent Blues' it becomes achingly apparent that you're going to listen to every second of the album and love it. Then suddenly it bursts into 'Broken', a painfully mature and intense pop song that bounces and beats through you. Before you know it they're roaring onto 'Space And The Woods' and you feel like throwing shapes in the middle of the room, jumping around so much the whole room dances with you. And it's like this all the way through - just track after track of pure indie gold. I don't know where in their brains LOTP pull this stuff from, but it's 100% mental. There's a little bit of everything in there, yet it's totally unique. There are noises you think come straight from The Rapture, yet they grow and scream louder and faster: it's what Vito Roccoforte and his boys could only dream of (Although 'The Enemy Are The Future' has its moments of sounding like 'House of Jealous Lovers'). Produced by everyone's favourite superhero Erol Alkan, 'Fantasy Black Channel' is an unashamedly fun, energetic bag of pop that doesn't let go. Late Of The Pier are doing something so beautiful and different, actually making this insane noise that all the boring jangly guitar bands would be terrified of. 'Fantasy Black Channel' is all killer and no filler (sorry for the naff phrase) with the extra-awesome tracks 'Broken', 'Heartbeat' and previous single 'Bathroom Gurgle' to keep your ears out for, plus the last 30 seconds or so of 'Focker' (don't get me wrong, the rest of the song will rock your socks off, but those 30 seconds are mesmerising!). By the end of the album I don't want it to stop, despite feeling like my brain has been sucked out of my ear with a vacuum cleaner, stamped on and them forced back through my nose with a pencil: it's an immense feeling. I know people say it a lot, but if you're only going to buy one album for the rest of your life, make it this one, because it is completely fucking brilliant. DH
Release Date: 11 Aug
Press Contact: Darling Dept [all]

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

JORDAN HAS ADVICE FOR KERRY
It's stretching it to call it music news, really, but renowned singer Katie 'Jordan' Price has said on The Charlotte Church show that fellow renowned former singer Kerry Katona ought to leave her husband because he's rubbish. The pair apparently became close friends during the course of 2004's 'I'm A Celebrity...', so you'd think that Price would tell this to her face instead of national television, but there you go.

Price opined: "I think Mark is absolute shit for her. She should leave him. I just want to give Kerry a big cuddle, take her under my wing and just knock some sense into her. I do feel sorry for her, I really do. She's not the girl I met in the jungle, she seems really down. She was really happy".

Oh, hang on. It seems their friendship didn't really outlast the jungle. Here's what Price went on to say: "I can't really judge. I haven't seen her for years, but I'd love her to come down and just have a nice day with the kids and have some fun as she looks down a lot."

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

JAY-Z HAS PROBABLY IMAGINED YOU NAKED
Were you at Glastonbury? Did you watch Jay-Z's headline set? Then you should probably know that he's been thinking about you naked. The rapper told The Observer Music Monthly he imagines all of his audiences in the nude. He said: "They're just people. Don't matter if it's 11 people or 11,000. I just imagine them naked".

He also said how impressed he was when he first saw the Glastonbury site: "What was breathtaking was the entrance to Glastonbury, when you come over the hill and you see those tents. I was actually in the bathroom of the bus at the time. Everyone was like, 'Oh my God! Come out! You've got to come out now!' I was like, 'Wait a minute. This isn't a festival. This is a country! This is tent city.' That's when it stopped being just a concert".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

GET YOUR HANDS OFF CHUCK BERRY'S STUFF
Bestival main man Rob Da Bank has revealed that various artists on the bill for this weekend's Camp Bestival festival have been asking to use headliner Chuck Berry's amps. Writing on his NME blog, he said: "On the musical front our stage managers and production team are dealing with the usual last minute requests for equipment, many asking to borrow Chuck Berry's amplifiers, which are strictly off limits to anyone aside from the mighty rock 'n' roller".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

CHRIS MARTIN REFUSED ENTRY TO OWN PARTY
Chris Martin was refused entry to a pre-show party at the Thompson Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday because he makes horrible whiny music and therefore shouldn't be allowed to have any fun. No, of course I'm joking, it was actually because his name wasn't on the guestlist. Martin apparently sat in a lift while his friends tried to convince security staff that he was actually supposed to be there. A source told Eonline.com: "Everyone's like, 'This is the lead singer of Coldplay'. The security man wasn't rude, but he just asked him if he was on the list". Anyway, it all got sorted out and Chris got to go to the ball.

back to top