ASIAN NETWORK SAVED
The BBC has backtracked on plans to shut down the Asian Network, which is rather good news, though the digital-only service will have to cut its running costs in half.

As much previously reported, the closure of the Asian Network was one of a number of cutbacks set out in a strategic review compiled by BBC management early last year. The same review, which had "do less better" as its guiding principle, also proposed the closure of 6music.

The proposals were criticised by many, some pointing out that the "do less better" approach would result in more money being pumped into those services that compete head on with commercial rivals while depriving listeners of the sorts of services only the BBC can offer.

Of course, a high profile campaign by listeners, the music industry and celebrity fans forced a rethink on BBC6, which was officially saved last July. But the axe continued to hang over the Asian Network, despite an albeit less noisy campaign to save it. Until, that is, yesterday.

BBC Radio exec Andy Parfitt yesterday told staff at the Network that, pending BBC Trust approval, management at the Corporation would now keep the station going, rather than looking for alternative places to host content aimed at the British Asian community. Though he cautioned that the service - the most expensive digital-only station - would have to dramatically cut costs while continuing to build audience.

Despite those warnings, an insider at the Network told The Guardian that staff there were jubilant about the news their station was to be saved. The source said: "There's not a feeling of anger so much as vindication [that bosses have come round to our way of thinking]. We need to bring the cost base down and make sure the audience keeps going up. Nobody objects to that. There is a feeling of unbridled joy, but also a nagging sense that the really hard work is only just about to begin".

Although the campaign to save the Asian Network presumably played its part, some speculate that a key reason for this decision is that alternative ways to reach and service the British Asian community proposed this time last year worked out to be more expensive options than keeping a streamlined Asian Network going, and while the aim of last year's strategic review wasn't specifically to save money, cutting costs overall has become the key consideration since the unfavourable licence fee deal forced on the Beeb by the ConDem government last October.

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SANTIGOLD JOINS ROC NATION
Santigold has joined the management roster of Jay-Z's Roc Nation, a rep for the singer confirmed to Billboard yesterday.

Actually, Santigold confirmed the news on Sunday via Twitter, but it's good to get a second opinion. She tweeted: "It's official! Made the change to Roc Nation Management!"

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WESTLIFE LEAVE SYCO FOR RCA
Westlife have announced that they have left Simon Cowell's Syco Music and signed a new deal with another Sony division, RCA.

The band were originally signed by Cowell to his S Records label, also a division of Sony Music, in 1998 and moved with him to Syco Music when he launched his new entertainment company in 2002. The split is apparently amicable, though reports have claimed the band were disappointed that Syco decided not to release their favoured single from latest album 'Gravity'.

Westlife's Nicky Byrne confirmed the news to fans via Twitter on Sunday, saying: "Truth is yes we have moved on from Syco after a fantastic thirteen years. But it is time for a change and it's very exciting".

Mark Feehily added: "Yes, 'Gravity' is the last album for us to make with Simon Cowell and his label. We love and respect him and thank him for his part in Westlife. Time for a new chapter. We are still very young and have lots of energy left in us so here's to the future! New label, new lease of 'life'! Bring. It. Bloody well. On!"

Meanwhile Westlife manager Louis Walsh told The Sun: The move was a natural progression. There was no bad feeling".

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ROBBIE REPORTEDLY PREPARING FOR SOLO RETURN
This story has largely been reported with a tone of shock and surprise, though given that we were always expecting Robbie Williams to leave Take That and return to his solo career, possibly as early as the second half of this year, I'm not exactly sure why. Even Gary Barlow recently said he still thinks of the group as a four-piece with Williams merely a temporary fixture.

In fact, last July we were reporting that labels were already wooing Robbie ahead of the end of his EMI deal, which came up for renewal in October last year. Those label negotiations are apparently still ongoing, though reporting that fact as some kind of revelation makes the story more exciting. Maybe I should have done that instead of wasting all this time on research.

Anyway, an 'insider' told the News Of The World on Sunday: "Robbie has been very committed to this Take That project and can't wait to tour with the guys but he never said he wouldn't record his own music again. It's important for him to have his own solo deal because he is one of the most successful British recording artists".

The source added: "He has every major record company chasing him to sign a new solo contract. But there is no need to rush because he is fully committed to Take That until the end of this album campaign".

So, there you go, negotiations relating to Robbie Williams' solo career which began last year are ongoing. Or, if you prefer, OH MY GOD ROBBIE'S LEAVING TAKE THAT AAAAAAARGH!

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BEACH BOYS TO RELEASE SMILE SESSIONS
The Beach Boys have announced that they are to release recordings originally intended for their unfinished follow-up to 'Pet Sounds', 'Smile'.

'Smile' had been intended for release in 1966, but, as Brian Wilson's mental health deteriorated, the album was scrapped. Although some incomplete recordings exist, Wilson claimed to have destroyed the master tapes and, of course, he re-recorded the album from scratch as a solo release in 2004.

But now what original recordings still exist are being pieced together for an official Beach Boys release through EMI, which has been given the approval of all surviving band members. Brian Wilson himself said: "I'm looking forward to this collection of the original recordings and having fans hear the beautiful angelic voices of the boys in a proper studio release".

The new release's co-producer Mark Linett explained: "We have gaps where we are missing some vocal parts. But all the music was recorded, which is heartening. [The aim is to get] the whole piece as close to as it was envisioned, or as is envisioned, as possible, obviously with input from Brian and from everybody else".

No release date has been set as yet, though the album is expected later this year.

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JUSTICE ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE
French electro duo Justice have announced that they will release their new single, 'Civilisation', on 4 Apr via Because Music/Ed Banger. The track will be the first release from their as-yet-untitled second album, the follow-up to 2007's '+', which is due for release later this year.

The track also soundtracks Adidas' new global advertising campaign, which has been directed by regular Justice collaborator Romain Gavras.

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BOXCUTTER ANNOUNCES FOURTH ALBUM
Irish electronic producer Boxcutter, whose sound has morphed from dubstep to something more experimental of late, has announced that he will release fourth album, 'The Dissolve', via Planet Mu on 25 Apr.

You can watch the very trippy video for album track 'TV Trouble', here: vimeo.com/19070462

And here's the album's tracklist:

Panama
Zabriskie Disco
All Too Heavy (feat Brian Greene)
Cold War (feat Ken & Ryu)
Passerby
TV Troubles
The Dissolve (feat Brian Greene)
Moon Pupils
Factory Setting
Allele
Topsoil
Little Smoke (feat Kab Driver)
Ufonik (feat Brian Greene)

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ARCADE FIRE RELEASE SPIKE JONZE FILM TRAILER AHEAD OF SXSW SCREENING
Arcade Fire have uploaded the trailer to their upcoming Spike Jonze-directed short film, 'Scenes From The Suburbs', to YouTube ahead of a screening at SxSW tomorrow.

As previously reported, the film, written by the band's Win and Will Butler, stars Sam Dillon, Zoe Graham, Zeke Jarmon, Paul Pluymen, Ashlin Williamson and was first shown at the Berlin International Film Festival in February. A DVD release is rumoured for May.

Watch the trailer here: youtu.be/X65PcHj6EaU

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TINIE TEMPAH ANNOUNCES UK ARENA TOUR
Tinie Tempah has announced that he will tour UK arenas later this year. But you already guessed that from the headline, didn't you? Well, anyway, that's what he's doing in October and November. Tickets go on sale on 18 Mar.

Tour dates:

31 Oct: Liverpool Echo Arena
1 Nov: Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena
4 Nov: London, O2 Arena
5 Nov: Bournemouth, BIC
6 Nov: Birmingham, LG Arena
7 Nov: Manchester, MEN Arena
8 Nov: Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena

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WEEZER ANNOUNCE ONE-OFF LONDON SHOW
Weezer have announced that they will play a one-off show at Brixton Academy in London on 6 Jul ahead of their appearance at the Sonisphere festival a few days later. It's important to remember that while they may be a shadow of their former selves on record, Weezer are still very much worth seeing live.

Tickets for the show go on sale on 18 Mar.

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CULTS ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM AND UK TOUR
Indie duo Cults have announced that they will release their eponymous debut album via Lily Allen's Sony/Columbia imprint, In The Name Of, on 30 May. They will also be heading off on their first proper tour of the UK in May and June.

Here are the dates:

12 May: Brighton, Horatios (The Great Escape)
16 May: Cambridge, Haymakers
17 May: Oxford, Jericho Tavern
19 May: Sheffield, The Leadmill
23 May: Birmingham, Hare And Hounds
24 May: London, The Scala
28 May: Dot To Dot Festival (Bristol)
29 May: Dot To Dot Festival (Nottingham)
20 May: Dot To Dot Festival (Manchester)
1 Jun: Leeds, Cockpit 2
2 Jun: Glasgow, Nice N Sleazy
3 Jun: Aberdeen, Tunnels
5 Jun: Middlesborough, Intro Festival

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FESTIVAL LINE-UP UPDATE

GLADE FESTIVAL, Winchester, Hampshire, 10-12 Jun: Danish super-producer Trentemøller is to head up first night proceedings at the reinstated Glade fest, with Swedish techno label Drumcode Records hosting a showcase to close the show on Saturday evening. Third and final bill-toppers will be DJ duo Global Communications, with acts including Andrew Weatherall, Krafty Kuts, Dirty Vegas and Dub Pistols also fresh on the bill alongside such already-confirmed acts as Eskimo, Atomic Drop and Tristan. www.gladefestival.com

IBIZA ROCKS, Ibiza, Spain, 31 May - 20 Sept: Running throughout much of the Ibiza summer season, the first acts announced for this year's Ibiza Rocks include Fat Boy Slim, Biffy Clyro, Tinie Tempah, Friendly Fires and Magnetic Man. A diverse line-up, ably guided by this year's Musical Director Zane Lowe, also features the likes of Example, Chase & Status, The Vaccines, Katy B, Brother and Labrinth. www.ibizarocks.com

LONDON FEIS, Finsbury Park, London, 18 Jun: Organiser Vince Power has newly announced that Imelda May, The Waterboys, The Undertones and Christy Moore are amongst those to join headliner Bob Dylan at the London-based gaelic gala this year. www.londonfeis.com

SONAR, Barcelona, Spain, 16-18 Jun: Sonar has let loose its entire line-up, with new additions including Janelle Monae, The Human League and Toro Y Moi set to play alongside previously booked acts including MIA, Cut Copy, Underworld, Aphex Twin and Magnetic Man. This announcement comes with the news that luminary labels Ninja Tune, Big Dada and Tri Angle will also be showcasing their hottest talent with a series of special performances. www.sonar.es/en/

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EPIC UK CHIEF TO JUMP TO UNIVERSAL
Senior Sony Music UK exec Nick Raphael, who has headed up the Epic UK imprint since it relaunched back in 2007, is the latest participant in the current game of record industry musical chairs. He is set to move to Universal Music later this year to set up a new imprint.

Raphael has become a key player at Sony UK following a string of pop successes at the reborn Epic, including Scouting For Girls, JLS, Olly Murs and Paloma Faith.

According to Music Week, he handed in his notice at Sony last week, but will stay with the major until his contract expires in June. Neither he nor Universal have commented on his plans once he joins his new employer.

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MICROSOFT HAS NO PLANS FOR FURTHER ZUNE PLAYERS
Microsoft is canning its Zune digital music player range, according to Bloomberg, bringing to an end the IT firm's never especially grand efforts to take on Apple's iPod.

The Zune brand, software and marketplace will live on, though, Microsoft having expanded its music offer onto Xbox and Windows phones, of course. Presumably Microsoft feels that there are more opportunities in the digital music space providing services to non-music-specific devices that trying to push its MP3 player line. And it is almost certainly right. Plus, of course, sales of the Zune player range never expanded beyond North America, while other Zune services have begun to roll out around the world.

Although a spokesperson for Microsoft didn't specifically say there would be no future Zune players, he did tell Billboard: "We have nothing to announce about another Zune device. Our long-term strategy focuses on the strength of the entire Zune ecosystem across Microsoft platforms, and we remain committed to providing a great music and video experience with the Zune service".

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UK X-FACTOR TO BE MOVED TO JANUARY?
According to reports, ITV is considering moving the next series of the UK edition of 'X-Factor' back to January 2012. The move would overcome scheduling conflicts with the new US version, on which Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole are expected to judge, meaning they could remain involved on both shows.

It was previously rumoured that Cowell was pushing for X-UK to be pushed back into a quarter one slot, but that ITV had knocked back the proposal and was instead considering a totally new judging panel for the next series of the talent show. But with concerns losing both Cowell and Cole could hit ratings, ITV chiefs are apparently now considering the shift, despite the problems it would create.

An unnamed source told the News Of The World at the weekend: "ITV is looking at a range of options to keep Cheryl and Simon. But changing dates would play havoc with ITV's schedule and the auditions have already begun".

As previously reported, if they do go for the new judging panel plan, one possible new UK judge is Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, who filled in for Cole when she was off ill last series. On those rumours the singer told Heart Radio recently: "I've put a lot of thought into it. I had my reservations because it's such a huge commitment but I think I would like to do it if it was meant to be. If it's supposed to work out, then it will - that's how I feel about it. We'll see. I'm a strong believer in everything is meant to be for a reason".

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EMMA B TO JOIN SMOOTH FM
Former Radio 1 and Heart FM presenter Emma B, who stood back from presenting work two years ago to spend time with her family, and who has been running events in Ibiza of late, is to return to UK radio later this month on Smooth FM. She will take over the Sunday afternoon show on the easy pop station.

John Simons, PD for Smooth owners GMG Radio, told reporters: "We're delighted to have tempted Emma back to the UK. Her relaxed style will provide the perfect accompaniment to the great music that Smooth listeners have come to know and love. Emma joins what is already a formidable line-up of presenters on Smooth Radio".

Emma herself added: "After having a year or so off being a mum, I'm absolutely thrilled to be back on the radio and to be in the company of a collection of such first rate broadcasters at Smooth Radio is a real privilege".

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JON BON JOVI: "GIVE ME THE RISK BACK, JOBS"
Jon Bon Jovi doesn't like this try-before-you-buy pick-n-mix age of music that we live in - he'd much prefer it if music fans still had to buy albums full of filler not knowing the killer single they'd heard on the radio was the exception not the rule. And he blames Steve Jobs for this sorry state of affairs.

He told the Sunday Times recently: "Kids today have missed the whole experience of putting the headphones on, turning it up to ten, holding the jacket, closing their eyes and getting lost in an album; and the beauty of taking your allowance money and making a decision based on the jacket, not knowing what the record sounded like, and looking at a couple of still pictures and imagining it. God, it was a magical, magical time".

He added: "I hate to sound like an old man now, but I am, and you mark my words, in a generation from now people are going to say: 'What happened?' Steve Jobs is personally responsible for killing the music business".

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COLDPLAY ALMOST HAVE FIGHT, BUT THEN DON'T
It turns out that life on the road with Coldplay isn't that interesting. Certainly not interesting enough to fill a whole book. Okay, I don't know that, but if this sample anecdote from roadie Matt McGinn is anything to go by, there's not much point trying to publish anything about the band's secret exploits. Which is unfortunate, because McGinn has written a book about his life as a roadie on the road with Coldplay, called 'Roadie: My Life On The Road With Coldplay'.

Presumably one of the more exciting bits of the book, McGinn explains an incident where frontman Chris Martin and bassist Guy Berryman fell out back stage: "Chris temporarily lost touch with his niceness and called his friend a cunt in so venomous a fashion that our loveable Caledonian felt moved to respond thus, 'I'm going to fucking hit you in a minute'. 'Well go on then!' came the retort, sounding more like an order than an invite".

He continues: "Bloody hell, here we go, I thought. Guy has confessed to me since that at this point he became so furious that anything could have happened, and he really wasn't much more than a kilt's width from braining Chris with his vintage Fender".

Sorry, has he finished? I nodded off for a bit there. Of course, a kilt's width may be narrow (though I've no idea what that actually means), but it wasn't close enough for anything exciting to actually happen.

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