U2's concert deal illustrates new face of music industry & other: May 2008

Michael Jackson - Ne-yo Confirms Michael Jackson Collaboration

R+B sensation NE-YO has confirmed he is working on pop legend MICHAEL JACKSON's comeback album.

The So Sick singer, who has written hits for Rihanna and Beyonce Knowles, is now helping both Michael and Janet Jackson prepare new releases.

Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Smith, reveals working with the Thriller hitmaker is one of his most challenging jobs yet.

He says, "I'm submitting songs for his new album. He's being very selective; very picky, but he's supposed to be. This is a going to be a really important album."

Ne-Yo isn't the first person to work with Jackson on his comeback album - will.i.am spent a large part of last year (07) in the studio with the pop superstar and Akon is rumoured to be part of the project as well.

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6 Legz

Artist: 6 Legz

   Genre(s):
Drum & Bass

Discography:

Dive promo CDR

Year: 2004
Tracks: 1

Spears parenting book is postponed

Fines R Us

The Federal Communications Commission may fine toy retailer Toys 'R' Us $248,000
for "willfully and repeatedly" violating a requirement that they place a label on
analog-only TV sets warning consumers that they will not be able to receive signals
on them from February. The FCC said that it had issued eight warnings to the toy
chain warning that labels in large type must be prominently displayed next to all
analog-only sets. The commission also proposed a fine of $216,000 against another
retailer, Value City, which had previously received two warning notices.

13/05/2008

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Daily Mail respond to My Chemical Romance emo marchers

The Daily Mail have issued a statement this afternoon (May 31) responding to a planned protest by My Chemical Romance fans against the paper's coverage of emo.

Following the suicide of suicide of Hannah Bond, a fan of the band and comments from the coroner at her inquest about the genre's influence in her death, the British newspaper have published several articles about emo including one which claimed that "no child is safe from the sinister cult of emo".

However the paper has insisted that their coverage has been restrained, balanced and is in the public interest.

"The Daily Mail�s coverage of the 'Emo' movement has been balanced, restrained and above all, in the public interest. Genuine concerns were raised at the inquest earlier this month on 13 year old Emo follower Hannah Bond who had been self-harming and then tragically killed herself," they explained in the statement.

"In common with other newspapers we ran an accurate news story recording the Coroner's remarks and the parents' comments. We also published two other articles, one of which explained the background to the Hannah tragedy in calm and un-sensational language.

"The other was a first person opinion piece by a well-known writer, written from the perspective of a mother concerned for her children. We have also run two prominent page lead letters from an Emo music fan and from a fan of My Chemical Romance defending their point of view.

"Our music critic admires the music of the band and publicised the band�s UK tour last year. Since this protest was announced a great deal of misinformation has appeared on the internet, much of which confuses what the Daily Mail has actually published with the comments of web site readers and 'blogs' over which we have no control and which have stirred up emotions."

They added: "We note it has been pointed out by others that all this provides wonderful publicity for Warners and their impending release of My Chemical Romance's latest album.

"The Daily Mail is a broad church and is always ready to listen to the views of readers. We do, however, suggest those who want to protest or comment read everything we have published and act on fact not rumour."

NME.COM will have coverage of today's protest.

Fall Out Boy - The Things They Say 8298

"I get a look (from her) every time I don't say fiancee." FALL OUT BOY bassist PETE WENTZ admits fiancee ASHLEE SIMPSON is unimpressed when he forgets their new relationship status.

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Mel C ready to release a new album

With the Spice Girls' reunion tour over, Melanie 'Sporty Spice' Chisholm has announced details of her new album.
Billboard reports that 'This Time' will be released on the singer's own Red Girl label on 2 April.
Chisholm has described 'This Time' as "mature pop".
She said of the album: "I think most of the songs on this album are more about relationships and personal feelings and fears and experiences."

Pain In The Ass

Artist: Pain In The Ass

   Genre(s):
Other

Discography:

Spain

Year: 2001
Tracks: 15

Review: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Manchester Apollo

Most people expected Robert Plant to saunter on to a British stage this summer, shake his helterskelter hair and belt out Led Zeppelin songs. With one deliriously successful gig under their belts, the feeling was that Zeppelin would reprise their reunion. The money was on the table. Arenas were poised. Private jets were ready to scramble.

Few people could have foreseen that the explosive introduction to Zeppelin's 'Black Dog' would, in fact, be coaxed out of a banjo rather than ripped from Jimmy Page's guitar. Or that, as the sun finally shone, a heavy rendition of 'When the Levee Breaks' would be ushered in by the blare of two fiddles.

In pop, there is often talk of pressure when a band need to follow a successful album. But the plight of Coldplay is as nothing compared to the hundredweight of hassle from several continents bearing down on Plant, the man keeping Led Zeppelin on ice. The rock Titan has chosen to ignore the clamour of millions of fans so he can tour Europe and the US with a God-fearing, bluegrass princess and some mandolins and autoharps.

On this second night of this unLedded tour, Plant is bearing up well, considering. Rangy and buoyant, he exudes pure pleasure as he purrs through 'Rich Woman', the opening track of Raising Sand, the album he released last year with dulcet-voiced fiddler Alison Krauss. 'She got the money/ And I got the honey,' he smirks, as the audience savours this sweet substitute for the lemon juice that once, infamously, ran down Plant's leg.

Krauss, meanwhile, is a vision in ruched pink, purring gamely along with Plant. She probably doesn't realise that she is performing a kind of Yoko Ono role in the minds of less evolved fans, keeping the greatest rock band the world has ever seen off the road. In rock money, Krauss may be the junior partner, a lamb with which Plant's lion can lie down, but Krauss owns more Grammys than any woman alive.

Their relationship on stage is easy and fond, as they pal around in between the dusty, lovelorn cover versions. Plant's old foil Page was handy with the guitar; Krauss has her fiddle, the instrument with which she first found bluegrass fame. Unlike most virtuoso players, however, Krauss shows a terrific restraint tonight, blending in with the sublime backing band (maverick junk-shop drummer Jay Bellerose, double bassist Dennis Crouch, multi-instrumentalist Stuart Duncan, country guitarist Buddy Miller, and band leader T Bone Burnett) for the greater good of the songs. She comes closest to home on 'Green Pastures', a standard once covered by Emmylou Harris.

But the emphasis is firmly on the strange, haunted new place Krauss and Plant have created together, one where Plant's screams are replaced by whispers and the Midwestern goody-goody Krauss can pretend to be a gypsy (as she does on the haunting 'Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us').

The highlights of the album unfurl elegantly across one-and-three-quarter hours: the wonderfully downbeat 'Killing the Blues', the ringing version of Page and Plant's 'Please Read the Letter' that surpasses the original; a spellbinding 'Fortune Teller'.

One of Raising Sand's latent pleasures is Townes Van Zandt's 'Nothing', a song about musicianship so desolate that 'it's hard to get through, or over,' Plant says. It's the one moment of the night when you want the ringing guitars turned down, so that you can hear Plant aching through lines like 'Being born is going blind/ And bowin' down a thousand times/ To echoes strung on pure temptation...'

Well outside her own comfort zone, the demure Krauss sings from a male perspective twice, lending 'Through the Morning, Through the Night' (a Gene Clark song) and 'Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson' a faint Sapphic slant. Their hushed and pregnant reworking of 'Black Dog', meanwhile, is especially radical, with Plant and Krauss mouthing the orgasmic 'ah-ah's with impish restraint. Krauss takes on the role of Sandy Denny on an intense version of 'Battle of Evermore' on which Krauss hollers out 'Bring it back!' as loudly as Plant.

She is very much Plant's equal on stage. In 2004, Krauss agreed to duet with Plant on a Leadbelly song when the bluesman was inducted into the Rock'n' Roll Hall of Fame. But when talk turned to an album, it was Krauss who brought in T Bone Burnett as producer.

The two had collaborated on the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou, the film which put a little bluegrass into every American home. (We get a little bit of it tonight, when Krauss sings 'Down by the River to Pray' a capella, joined by Duncan, Miller and Plant on harmonies.) Live, as on record, this unlikely coupling is really a lopsided threesome.

T Bone Burnett provided many of the songs that ended up on the record and carefully constructed the atmosphere of echoing stillness that made Raising Sand great. In the words of a recent Plant album, he is a mighty rearranger.

Tonight, he leads the band and plays guitar, looking like a country vicar about to be defrocked. When Burnett sings the Cajun standard 'Bon Temps Rouler' (the semi-official motto of New Orleans), it provides a little key to the cogs of this project. 'She don't do nothing but raise sand all night,' runs a line. 'Raising sand' means to kick up a fuss, which hardly describes the dynamic between Plant and Krauss.

You can only conclude Plant's the one raising sand, digging his heels in, stamping around gleefully in the American roots music that is his current inspiration.

Would everyone here rather be at a Led Zeppelin gig? Some would. But Raising Sand has sold upwards of two million copies, becoming the most successful non-Zeppelin album Plant has ever made, as well as Krauss's bestseller. There are Krauss fans here, too, and connoisseurs of Americana. Haunted and spare, an antidote to the entire bloated notion of superstar collaboration, Raising Sand was crying out to be toured. You can see - and hear and feel - why, in Plant's mind, Valhalla had to wait.

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Kiefer Sutherland's divorce made final

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Kiefer Sutherland, star of Fox television's espionage thriller "24," has officially been granted a divorce from his wife of nearly eight years, court documents made public on Monday showed.

The divorce decree was entered last Friday for the star and his long-estranged spouse, Elizabeth Kelly Winn, by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, according to the documents, posted by the celebrity news website TMZ.com.

The 41-year-old son of veteran actor Donald Sutherland originally filed for divorce on May 12, 2004, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple had been separated since 1999, and have no children together.

Sutherland, once famously engaged to Julia Roberts, was previously married to Camelia Kath, the widow of rock band Chicago's Terry Kath. The couple divorced in 1990 after three years of marriage and have one child, a daughter, Sarah.

His divorce was not the only recent legal entanglement facing the actor. He was arrested in September for driving under the influence of alcohol and later served 48 days in jail for that offense, including 18 days for violating his probation from a 2004 DUI arrest.

The London-born star is best known for playing the hard-boiled government agent Jack Bauer on "24," which is due to return next year for its long-awaited seventh season. He also is lending his voice to the upcoming animated film "Monsters Vs. Aliens," set for release in 2009.

Reuters/Nielsen

Paul Newman - Ailing Newman Pulls Out Of Play

Movie icon PAUL NEWMAN has fuelled reports he's battling cancer after pulling out of plans to direct the stage production for Of Mice and Men at the Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut.

Newman has laughed off reports about his failing health, insisting recent trips to a doctor that were made public were for treatment of athlete's foot "and hair loss".

American tabloid reports suggest the actor had undergone cancer surgery.

In a statement, Newman has confirmed he'll be passing on directing Of Mice + Men to Mark Lamos.

He says, "I'm very sorry I can't be part of this Westport Country Playhouse production, but I leave Of Mice and Men in Mark Lamos' very capable hands with the full support of my wife, Joanne Woodward, and Anne Keefe as Playhouse artistic directors."

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Enaid and Einalem

Artist: Enaid and Einalem

   Genre(s):
New Age

Discography:

Celtic Moon

Year: 1998
Tracks: 9

Celtic Nights

Year: 1996
Tracks: 11

'Indy' uncovers $25 mil in first day of release

Midnight screenings log $4 mil-$5 mil

Related Content

Indy on trail of boxoffice grail

Steven Spielberg's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" thundered into theaters at 12:01 a.m. Thursday and whipped up an impressive, but far from record-breaking, $25 million in its first day of release, according to Nielsen EDI.

Paramount had no comment.

The much-anticipated return of the swashbuckling, wisecracking archaeologist was met with an estimated $4 million-$5 million worth of moviegoers at its first midnight screenings. The blockbuster then widened to 4,260 theaters nationwide (it opens on an additional 12,000 screens internationally).

Although on track to post strong worldwide returns, Spielberg's sequel is unlikely to beat the record five-day opening of buddy and "Indy" creator/executive producer George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith," which bowed on Memorial Day weekend in 2005 to $173 million, according to Nielsen EDI. ("Sith" also holds the record for the biggest Thursday opening, with $50 million on 600 fewer screens than "Skull.")

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Eva Mendez - The Things They Say 8239

"I've been married 15 times and I've killed every one of my husbands." Actress EVA MENDES on her new role in THE SPIRIT.

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No Sex Tape For Grey's Anatomy Star

'Grey's Anatomy' star Chyler Leigh has denied the existence of a sex tape, after a video purporting to feature the 26-year-old actress had circulated online.

Leigh, who plays Lexie Grey on the hit medical drama, was reportedly shown naked in a bath tub, however, her rep has pointed out distinct differences between the naked footage and the actress.

Her spokeswoman tells TMZ.com that the woman in the video doesn't have a tattoo on her back, something Leigh has had since she was 19 years old, and that Leigh doesn't have a tongue ring, whereas the person in the video does.

NEXT: Kim Cattrall: Let's Make Another Sex Movie

Photo courtesy of Columbia.

Harold Budd and Cocteau Twins

Artist: Harold Budd and Cocteau Twins

   Genre(s):
Ambient

Discography:

The Moon and The Melodies

Year: 1986
Tracks: 8

Lily Allen makes light of topless photos

Lily Allen is making light of the topless photos of her which were published earlier this week.

The Smile singer, who was attending a party to celebrate the pending release of the film How To Lose Friends and Alienate People in Cannes, was asked if she minded the topless photographs.

To which she responded, “No, it’s my body.”

She joked: “I heard I was a Page Three girl today.”

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Meg & Dia chart 'Real' late summer tour

With a new studio album in the pipeline and a European tour just completed, indie-pop sibling-act Meg & Dia [ tickets ] have a lined up a late-summer slate of US headlining shows.The five-piece group--which is led by Utah-born sisters Meg (vocals) and Dia Frampton (guitar)--will mount the run Aug. 15 in Jacksonville, FL. The 16-date outing will get opening support from alt-rockers Jonezetta and Dropping Daylight, along with Danger Radio on select evenings.Meg & Dia recently finished a European run as part of the Give It a Name Introduces Tour, along with Mayday Parade, Four Year Strong and The Color Fred. The group also participated in the main Give it a Name festival shows in London and Sheffield, UK, with Paramore, All Time Low and others.The group continues to back 2006's "Something Real," which was originally released on indie label Doghouse. After signing with Warner, the band re-released the album last year, along with a 6-song EP, "If You're Poor Find Something to Sue Somebody For," which hit stores last summer.Work continues on a still-untitled follow-up to "Something Real," according to Meg & Dia's website, where the Frampton sisters have been reporting on the recording progress of the album in the site's diary section.

The Trouble With Sweeney

Artist: The Trouble With Sweeney

   Genre(s):
Other

Discography:

Fishtown Briefcase

Year: 2004
Tracks: 6

Apparat

Beckham gets new six-inch tattoo of Posh

David Beckham has pledged his love to wife Victoria by spending over €3,300 on a new tattoo.
The footballer's new design shows the Spice Girl posing as a naked angel - a copy of his favourite photo of his wife from a Brigitte Bardot-inspired shoot for Pop magazine almost four years ago.
The tattoo, inked onto his left arm, is Beckham's 11th. He already boasts designs bearing his wife and three sons' names.
A source close to the couple told the Mirror newspaper: "They are both thrilled with the result. It's been beautifully done. Victoria was flattered."
Beckham showed off his new tattoo during his visit to Brazil. The footballer is in the country to launch his third soccer academy.

Paul McCartney gets Yale honorary degree

Paul McCartney can now add one more honor to the numerous awards, accolades and the knighthood he has already received.

Snoop Dogg - Snoop Dogg Calls On Princes To Overturn Uk Ban

Rapper SNOOP DOGG has called upon British royals PRINCES WILLIAM and HARRY to voice their support for him in his visa battle with U.K. authorities.

The star - real name Calvin Broadus Jr. - was prohibited from entering the country after he was involved in a brawl at Heathrow Airport in April 2006.

That ruling was overturned earlier this year (08) when Snoop wrote to the U.K. government to ask for his visa ban to be lifted.

But earlier this month (Apr08), Britain's Border Agency bosses confirmed they will be challenging the decision in court.

Broadus, who counts the young princes as fans, insists he hasn't done anything wrong and is determined to get back into the U.K. - even if it means consulting his royal acquaintances.

He says, "I'm not an aggressive individual at all and I've been wrongfully accused. I've not done anything to the people of Britain.

"I've never got into trouble, never violated him, never disrespected them, and I've always shown them love and turned up. What did I do? Who did I offend?

"You should talk to the Princes - William and Harry - I bet they want me over there!"

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Natasha Bedingfield spreads 'Sunshine'

Thanks to her songs "Unwritten" and "These Words (I Love You, I Love You)," Brit-pop star Natasha Bedingfield [ tickets ] found fame in the United States in 2005. But that wouldn't be the case if she hadn't penned a song for younger brother and fellow artist Daniel Bedingfield."I was surprised it was a hit," Bedingfield said during an interview with LiveDaily. "It's because it was a song I wrote just as a birthday present for my younger brother. When 'Unwritten' did that well, it was really, really exciting. But I wasn't thinking about trying to please people with that song."Well, she did, and the ubiquitous song made its way on to a commercial for a hair-care line. Two years after its release, "Unwritten" lost out to Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man" for the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Grammy.Bedingfield forged ahead with her new album, "Pocketful of Sunshine," which spawned the summery hit "Love Like This," and now she has embarked on her first headlining tour of the United States. (The itinerary is included below.) On the eve of the tour, Bedingfield could barely contain her excitement. "I'm really excited about this tour coming up," she said. "This is the first time I'm headlining a US tour. There's lots of dates. Today is the dress-rehearsal day. I guess they call that 'production day.' We try out all the lights, and the whole set. It's going to be cool."While the album "Unwritten" told tales of female empowerment, "Pocketful of Sunshine" is a logical follow-up, covering her experience since then. "My first album was definitely about independence and individuality and making the most of every moment," Bedingfield said. "Really, I've done a lot of that in my life. I've really experienced a lot and the next album is the next step up from that, with the experiences that happened along the way."It's about relationships, the ups and downs, and even just growing up. There's some songs on the new album about when your parents try and tell you how your life should be. You're like, 'Actually I just need your heart right now, not your mind.' It's very soulful music--pop music with meaning, really." Millions of folks heard her "pop music with meaning" when she appeared on "American Idol" toward the end of season seven. She was able to witness, first hand, the snarkiness of "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, as well as the backstage room with the final three contestants. "It was great to perform on 'American Idol,'" she said. "It was really quite exciting to be backstage with all that tension of people wondering if they're going to be in or out that week. "Simon kept his arms crossed throughout the whole performance. It was like, 'Are you trying to scare me or something Simon?' Every time I saw him, I would say cheeky things. He ended up saying, 'You're quite lippy aren't you?' I said, 'Yep, I am,'" she added with a laugh.

Cablevision Adds Hundreds Of The Hottest Music Videos And Original Programming From Music Choice To Free Video On Demand Offering

Latest Addition To Free On Demand Programming Available To iO TV(SM)
Customers Includes Extensive Array of Music Videos & In-Depth Access to Top
Artists

BETHPAGE, N.Y., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablevision Systems
Corp. (NYSE: CVC) today announced the addition of Music Choice's On Demand
network to the wide variety of free video on demand (VOD) programming
available to iO TV digital cable customers. Music Choice offers a diverse
range of music videos from all of the top genres, as well as
behind-the-scenes access to today's hottest artists thru Music Choice
Original programs. Music Choice Originals include flagship shows such as
'Artist of the Month,' 'Fresh Crops(TM),' 'Tha Corner(TM),' 'Rock U', plus
video playlists and more.

"Cablevision continues to enhance our award-winning digital cable
service by making more distinctive on demand content available for free to
our iO TV customers," said John Trierweiler, Cablevision's senior vice
president of product management. "Music and music videos are a popular
programming category for customers of all ages, and we expect Music Choice
On Demand will become a popular component of our Free On Demand library."

"Music Choice is excited to be added to Cablevision's robust On Demand
offering," says Rick Bergan, Senior Vice President, Distribution for Music
Choice. "Our extensive, diverse video catalog and music-focused Originals
will offer Cablevision customers even more in the way of On Demand
programming, and we look forward to serving up the videos and other music
programming for iO TV customers."

In addition to an extensive catalog of music videos, Music Choice
produces its own original music shows featuring the hottest emerging and
established artists. Monthly theme-based programming such as "Summer Heat,"
"Back to School," and "Most Demanded" showcase both Originals and music
videos.

Music Choice programming is accessible at no additional charge to
digital cable customers with a set-top box through the Free On Demand menu
on the iO TV user interface. All of Cablevision's more than 3,500 On Demand
titles are presented in crystal clear quality with DVD-like functionality
including the ability to pause, fast-forward and rewind programs through
the remote control.

With more than 2.6 million iO TV customers, more than 85 percent of
Cablevision's cable customers are iO TV digital cable customers, the
highest digital penetration in the nation. iO TV offers customers access to
360 channels, including 53 premium movie channels, 48 channels of
commercial-free digital music, more than 3,500 titles available on demand
at all times, an interactive programming guide, 45 high-definition
programming services and groundbreaking interactive television applications
including News 12 Interactive.

About Cablevision

Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) is one of the nation's
leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable
television operations serve more than 3 million households in the New York
metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings
include its iO TV(SM) digital television, Optimum Online(R) high-speed
Internet, Optimum Voice(R) digital voice-over-cable, and its Optimum
Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming
businesses, including AMC, IFC, WE tv and other national and regional
networks. In addition to its telecommunications and programming businesses,
Cablevision owns Madison Square Garden and its sports teams, the New York
Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New York's famed
Radio City Music Hall, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas.

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Glastonbury headliners revealed

Jay Z, Kings of Leon and The Verve have been announced as this year's Glastonbury headliners.
Following months of speculation, in which Radiohead, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin were rumoured to play on the Pyramid stage, the headliners were finally disclosed yesterday.
Kings of Leon will headline on Friday night; Jay Z on Saturday; and The Verve will close the festival on Sunday evening.
Other acts also confirmed to play are CSS, Neil Diamond and Hot Chip. The Guardian is also reporting that Leonard Cohen will perform on stage for the first time in 14 years.
Of the headliners, organiser Emily Eavis said: "We're absolutely thrilled to have them. The Verve are a classic Glastonbury band who've played some amazing sets at the festival over the years. Now that they're back together again, playing brilliant shows, we've finally got them doing the headline slot that they always deserved. I can't wait."
She continued: "Jay-Z is coming all the way over from New York especially to play the festival. It's a real coup for us. He might seem like a slightly unusual choice for Glastonbury, but we've never just gone for the obvious acts and we're so honoured to have one of the most talented and respected musicians on the planet coming to the farm. He's an amazing artist and an incredible live act. I think he's going to blow people away."
She added: "That leaves Kings of Leon. They've come through the ranks at Glastonbury since they rocked the New Bands Tent in 2003. We think they're one of the most exciting live bands out there right now and that they're ready to make the leap to join a great heritage of Friday night headliners which includes Coldplay and White Stripes."
The full line-up for the Festival will be announced in June with the three-day event taking place from 27 to 29 June.
Fans who want one of the 137,500 tickets on offer must provide contact details and a passport photo in order to receive a registration number.
The number does not guarantee entry to the festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, however fans will not be able to buy a ticket without one.
They have until Friday 14 March to register their interest via the festival's website. Tickets will then go on sale on Sunday 6 April.

Christina Ricci - Ricci Rituals Prevent Depression

Actress CHRISTINA RICCI is so obsessed with her packing rituals she feels depressed if she doesn't have time to complete them before travelling to a new city.

The Speed Racer star, 28, has admitted to an out-of-control shopping habit, and now says she's gone to extremes, organizing her overflowing closet in order to prevent her from spiralling into a depression.

She says, "I have to make a list of every single item, down to three T-shirts, two sweaters. I look at my list and I check things off. I like order.

"When things are messy or a suitcase is exploding, I feel out of sorts. Coming back to a sloppy room is very depressing to me."

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LiveDaily Song of the Day: The Delta Fiasco - "Death Letters"

Today's Song of the Day is by The Delta Fiasco [ tickets ]. The group's featured cut is "Death Letters," which appears on their forthcoming "Dreameater" E.P.

Dolly Parton versus Howard Stern

Dolly Parton has hit back at US radio DJ Howard Stern over an on air skit that made the singer sound racist and sexually explicit.

The 'shock jock' cut up bits from an audio book that Parton had narrated to make it sound as if she had made the remarks. Celebrity audio book splicing is a regular feature on Stern's shows.

Reacting to the joke, Parton issued a statement declaring she had been hurt by the DJ's actions.

"I have never been so shocked, hurt and humiliated in all my life," she said. "I cannot believe what Howard Stern has done to me. In a blue million years, I would never have such vulgar things come out of my mouth. They have done editing or some sort of trickery to make this horrible, horrible thing.

"Please accept my apology for them and certainly know I had nothing to do with this. If there was ever going to be a lawsuit, it's going to be over this. Just wanted you to know that I am completely devastated by this."

New Kids On The Block - New Kids On The Block A Hit With Tv Comeback

Eighties boyband NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK performed their first concert in 14 years to legions of screaming fans who camped outside for two days awaiting their comeback on Friday's (16May08) U.S. TV show TODAY.

The five-piece performed a medley of their 1990s hits on the show - announced during a reunion appearance on the morning TV programme last month (04Apr08).

They mused of their hiatus, "It's eerie. It's almost like the last 15 years didn't happen because it's so effortless. It's very humbling.

"We could get very weepy right now and sappy... The friendship is still there and it really made it worth all of us suspending what we were doing with the rest of our lives to come together and do this one more time."

But the bandmates - who are all now in their mid-to-late thirties - admit coming together since their teen stardom proved to be a challenge: "It's like riding a mountain bike. The recording was easier. Then we started dance rehearsals - that took a few days for all of us to get acclimated. We're being tested though, today is a test of our determination."

The NKOTB reunion comes 20 years after the release of the group's album Hangin' Tough, which became one of the biggest hits of the late 1980s and early 1990s, helping them to amass 70 million album sales during their career.

The pop group will begin their reunion tour in September (08) when it kicks off in Toronto, Canada. A new album is set for release this autumn (08).

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Rhythm & Hues sets up Malaysian shop

VFX & animation facility also has facilities in India

Rhythm & Hues Studios, the Los Angeles-based VFX & animation facility whose credits include the upcoming "The Incredible Hulk" from Marvel Studios and "The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" from Universal, has signed an agreement with the government of Malaysia to set up operations in Kuala Lumpur.

The company also maintains two bases in India, with facilities in Mumbai and Hyderabad.

R&H will open in Malaysia this year in temporary space while a building is constructed that would allow the company to grow over time to accommodate about 200 staffers. The construction is expected to take less than two years.

Staffers from Los Angeles and India will travel to Kuala Lumpur to train young local talent.

Earlier this year, the company's work on "The Golden Compass" earned it an Oscar in visual effects.

Projects in production include "Land of the Lost," "Cirque du Freak" and "State of Play." The studio is also in the process of developing its own creative properties.

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Mick Hucknall slams 'ginger' racism

Mick Hucknall says that 'ginger' jibes are as bad as racism.

The flame-haired singer has hit out at "bullies" who mock people born with the vibrant hair colour.

He said: "When it comes to name calling for being ginger or for the way you talk, then that's simple bullying.

"It worries me to think how seven year-olds running around a playground could get bullied just for the colour of their hair. It's like racism, not the same but the principle is similar.

"It has become acceptable to mock people for the colour of their hair. But at the end of the day, you've just got to ignore the jibes and get on with things."

Hucknall - who has dated a string of beautiful women including Catherine Zeta Jones and Martine McCutcheon - claims people only insult him because they are jealous.

He added: "The truth is if you're successful, you've sold a load of albums and slept with a load of women - and all the rest of it is just pure envy."

Mick releases his first solo album, A Tribute To Bobby, on May 19.

See Also

Former stripper allowed to stay on Idol

'American Idol' producers have decided to allow contestant David Hernandez to stay in the competition despite his past as a stripper.
A number of media reports recently unveiled Hernandez's former job as an adult entertainer at a strip club, where he appeared nude and performed lap dances.
Reacting to the reports, 'American Idol' executive producer Ken Warwick told TVGuide.com: "We've had strippers on the show before."
"We're never judgmental about people who do things like that," he said.
"If it were some sort of heavy porn, then maybe we'd have to take action. But certainly not on this."
The Fox network, which broadcasts 'American Idol' in the US, declined to comment on the matter.

BBCSSO/Spano, Old Fruitmarket, City Halls, Glasgow

It was Elvis Costello who reportedly said that writing about music is like dancing about architecture - a stupid thing to want to do. What, then, would he make of The Garden of Cosmic Speculation, by American composer Michael Gandolfi - a piece that takes its inspiration from the real garden of the same name by architect Charles Jencks? Movements from Gandolfi's piece formed the second half of this Hear and Now concert from the BBCSSO and conductor Robert Spano. The first half of the programme featured two works by Osvaldo Golijov, whose opera Ainadamar was performed last month in London and Birmingham.

Golijov has been criticised for his eclecticism, but the main issue here was pieces that outstayed their welcome. Neither Last Round, Golijov's homage to the king of the nuevo tango, Astor Piazzolla, nor the klezmer-inspired clarinet-and-strings piece The Dreams and Players of Isaac the Blind know when to stop. Both exhaust their material before the end. Despite being roughly tonal, Golijov's music has little in the way of harmonic tension, relying instead on rhythmic power to create momentum. In this respect, the BBCSSO strings weren't aided by the flat acoustic of the Old Fruitmarket, which rather obscured the combative edge of Last Round. And while there was plenty to admire technically in Todd Palmer's virtuoso clarinet playing in The Dreams and Players, it was difficult to discern the emotional core of the piece.

As the only piece of the evening using the full orchestra, The Garden of Cosmic Speculation provided some colour - indeed, rather too much of it. Gandolfi's musical influences were revealed as ranging from Rachmaninov to Copland via Stravinsky, served up with a generous undercut of John Adams. There was, however, little in the way of transformation of material to reveal Gandolfi's own voice.

See Also

Arctic Monkey Alex Turner Branches Out With Last Shadow Puppets, By John Norris

When you are one of the biggest stars in British rock, you have the freedom to branch out. And, with all due respect to Thom Yorke and Chris Martin, these days the biggest star — at least within the U.K. — is Alex Turner. His Arctic Monkeys are England's most lauded band of the past few years, owners of a ton of Brit, NME and Q awards, plus a prestigious Mercury Prize (voted for by British industry experts, journalists and artists in recognition of originality and creativity). And the Monkeys wouldn't be the Monkeys without the wry and witty Turner and his rapid-fire singing and playing.

So it seems Alex felt emboldened to stretch out when he decided to work on a side project with his pal Miles Kane of Liverpool-area band the Rascals. Last week, the duo, calling themselves the Last Shadow Puppets (a name inspired by a friend's skill with shadow puppetry on a blanket), released an album that sounds nothing like the indie rock for which they have become known.

"It's not like we really planned it, it was: 'Let's just see what happens,' " Turner said when I sat down with the lads a few weeks back. "We had this idea, we wanted to do this big album, dramatic and stuff, and have, like, strings and brass. But at first we were like, 'How are we gonna do that? Is that even possible?' "

Oh, it was possible all right, because the album is all of the above and more. Its title, The Age of the Understatement, is completely tongue-in-cheek, as it's anything but understated or subtle. Sweeping and cinematic in the style of a '60s spy flick, the album's conceit is one that the guys agreed on going in, inspired in part by veteran singer/songwriter Scott Walker's recordings of Jacques Brel songs (Walker and Brel were also cited by Zach Condon as major influences on last year's Beirut album, The Flying Club Cup).

"Early Bowie was an influence as well," Kane said. "Just big, dramatic songs. And we'd always imagined a young band doing that sort of music now — you know, big and epic and words and melodies flying everywhere. So we sat down and wrote some tunes in this vein, put 'em together and said, 'These are really cool.' "

They're particularly cool when handled by a 22-piece orchestra, playing string arrangements by indie man-in-demand Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy. The '60s sound is underscored by the black-and-white shot of a Twiggy-style model on the album cover, and the Cold War-era-evoking video for the title track, which features a chorus of Russian soldiers and the band atop a Soviet tank.

That's a long way from the quirky tales of English youth the Arctic Monkeys made famous, and Alex says that surprising fans of his main band does have its appeal. "I suppose there is excitement about that, but it wasn't built on that," he said. "We just wanted to make a record that we were into."

While he added that 2008 was always intended to be a "take it easy" year for the Monkeys (though reportedly they may have a single out before the end of the year), for Miles, it's another story: The Rascals won't even release their debut album until next month.

So — isn't it a bit weird, releasing a side project before your main band's album? "I don't really think it is," he replied, "because it's not really about that. This is just about making music and the only reason it's coming out before is that we recorded it last summer, and it turned out so good we didn't want to just sit on it."

Good thing they didn't. They're quite a pair, Turner and Kane — the sort of friends who finish each others' sentences. Check out more of my interview with them at rhapsody.com.

See Also

Grammer to play bad dad in ABC family comedy

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Kelsey Grammer, whose
latest sitcom "Back to You" was recently axed by Fox after just
one season, is eyeing a quick return to primetime with a
starring role on ABC's comedy pilot "Roman's Empire."

The project centers on a lovable guy (played by Nick Thune)
who, after getting dumped by his girlfriend (Christine Woods),
tries but can't extricate himself from her wealthy family.
Grammer will play Roman, her outrageous, overbearing father.

Also cast in the pilot are Laura Leigh and Carla Gallo as
the family's two other daughters.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Isao Tomita

Artist: Isao Tomita

   Genre(s):
Electronic
   Ambient
   Dance
   Classical

Discography:

The Tale Of Genji

Year: 1999
Tracks: 9

Jungle Emperor Leo

Year: 1997
Tracks: 30

Different Dimensions

Year: 1997
Tracks: 13

Bach Fantasy

Year: 1996
Tracks: 10

Shin-Nihon-Kikou

Year: 1994
Tracks: 16

Storm From The East

Year: 1992
Tracks: 15

Bermuda Triangle

Year: 1991
Tracks: 12

Live In New York-Back To The Earth

Year: 1988
Tracks: 11

Back To The Earth Lp

Year: 1988
Tracks: 2

Live At Linz, 1984 - The Mind Of The Universe

Year: 1985
Tracks: 12

Dawn Chorus

Year: 1984
Tracks: 8

Canon Of The Three Stars

Year: 1984
Tracks: 8

Grand Canyon (Ag)

Year: 1982
Tracks: 6

The Bermuda Triangle (Ag1B)

Year: 1979
Tracks: 12

Kosmos (Ag)

Year: 1978
Tracks: 8

Firebird Suite (Ag)

Year: 1975
Tracks: 6

The Last Days Of Planet Earth ( Tomita Only )

Year: 1974
Tracks: 34

Tomita's Greatest Hits

Year:
Tracks: 14

Electric Samurai

Year:
Tracks: 12

Daphnis Et Chloe

Year:
Tracks: 8

Hendrix fake sex tape

The company that controls rights to rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix's music and likeness says a sex tape of the musician being sold on the internet is not authentic. "We strongly dispute the claimed authenticity of the tape," Experience Hendrix said.

Mos Def and Doom

Artist: Mos Def and Doom

   Genre(s):
Rap: Hip-Hop

Discography:

Mos Def vs. Doom

Year: 2006
Tracks: 28

Equipto

Artist: Equipto

   Genre(s):
Rap: Hip-Hop

Discography:

Horns and Halos

Year: 2005
Tracks: 16

Nbc - Nbc Weinsteins Wrangle Over Project Runway

Hudson Heats Things Up With Armstrong In Cannes

Actress Kate Hudson has fuelled reports she is dating cyclist Lance Armstrong, after allegedly making their romance public at a party in Cannes, France. The couple was said to have danced and kissed at designers Dolce & Gabbana's annual bash on Friday . According to People.com, Hudson and Armstrong danced away to old Madonna songs and other 1980s classics, in front of other celebrities including Natalie Portman, Lindsay Lohan and supermodel Naomi Campbell. A source says, "They were beaming at each other. So cute." Hudson split from actor Owen Wilson earlier this month , while Armstrong was previously engaged to singer Sheryl Crow.

See Also

Reverend Bizarre

Artist: Reverend Bizarre

   Genre(s):
Other
   Metal: Doom
   Metal

Discography:

III: So Long Suckers

Year: 2007
Tracks: 2

Harbinger Of Metal

Year: 2003
Tracks: 7

In the Rectory of the Bizarre Reverend

Year: 2002
Tracks: 6

Inspired by the likes of Saint Vitus and Cathedral, Finnish doom alloy isthmus Reverend Bizzare was founded in 1994, in the southern industrial town of Lohja by vocalist and bassist Albert Witchfinder. Peter Vicar shortly joined on guitar and the magnificently named Earl of Void had taken over on drums by the time of 1999's capably named Slice of Doom demo. After taking part in the Doom Shall Rise spell in the winter of 2002, the isthmus tailor its famous first album, In the Rectory of the Bizzare Reverend. Subsequently signed to Finnish powerhouse Spikefarm, Reverend Bizzare unleashed the soph Herald of Metal in early 2004.

Paul Nagle and Far From Stars

Artist: Paul Nagle and Far From Stars

   Genre(s):
Electronic: Progressive

Discography:

Proxima Centauri

Year: 1999
Tracks: 6

Witherspoon set to marry Jake Gyllenhaal?

Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal are set to marry, according to reports.
Gyllenhaal reportedly proposed to Witherspoon during the couple's vacation in Rome last October.
However, Witherspoon, who won an Oscar for her appearance in 'Walk The Line', is said to have initially declined his offer so soon after her split from Ryan Phillippe.
Now the San Francisco Chronicle is reporteding that she has said 'yes' after consulting with close friends.
The newspaper qotes a friend of the actress as saying: "Not only were they (her friends) crazy about Jake, they could see he was absolutely nuts about her. But you've got to understand - Reese is a one-man woman who hates playing the field.
"When Jake proposed in Rome, he knew Reese needed time, and didn't really expect her to say 'yes' right away. He just wanted her to know that he was serious about their relationship - serious enough to make her his wife."
Witherspoon ended her eight-year marriage to Phillippe with divorce last year.

Jesus Loves You

Artist: Jesus Loves You

   Genre(s):
Rock

Discography:

Martyr Mantras

Year: 1990
Tracks: 11

Friend believes Ledger was anxious

BB housemates predict evictions

The 'Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack' housemates have been speaking about the upcoming evictions and trying to predict who will be leaving the house next.
According to the show's official website, Amy and Nathan have been speculating about who is safe and who might be forced to leave.
Speaking about the evictions, Amy said: "I'd rather it be Monday. I can't wait four days."
Nathan replied: "I feel the same way as you but I'm not going to be disappointed."
Amy then said that she "had fears about leaving on the first day" and presumed that she would "probably leave in the middle".
Nathan then suggested that Anthony, John, Amy, Jay and Jeremy would make the final of the show on Monday.
Amy predicted the Calista and Emilia would be evicted tonight.
All of the housemates, except for John and Anthony, are currently facing the public vote ahead of tonight's eviction.
John won immunity from eviction in an earlier task, while Anthony only received one nomination.
For more on Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack read our blog here.

Charasmatix

Artist: Charasmatix

   Genre(s):
Trance: Psychedelic

Discography:

Abracadabra

Year: 2004
Tracks: 9

U2's concert deal illustrates new face of music industry & other

Saturday, 31 May 2008

Michael Jackson - Ne-yo Confirms Michael Jackson Collaboration

6 Legz

Fines R Us

Daily Mail respond to My Chemical Romance emo marchers

Fall Out Boy - The Things They Say 8298

Mel C ready to release a new album

Pain In The Ass

Review: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Kiefer Sutherland's divorce made final

Paul Newman - Ailing Newman Pulls Out Of Play

Friday, 30 May 2008

Enaid and Einalem

'Indy' uncovers $25 mil in first day of release

Midnight screenings log $4 mil-$5 mil

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Tuesday, 27 May 2008

LiveDaily Song of the Day: The Delta Fiasco - "Death Letters"

Dolly Parton versus Howard Stern

New Kids On The Block - New Kids On The Block A Hit With Tv Comeback

Rhythm & Hues sets up Malaysian shop

VFX & animation facility also has facilities in India

Mick Hucknall slams 'ginger' racism

Former stripper allowed to stay on Idol

BBCSSO/Spano, Old Fruitmarket, City Halls, Glasgow

Arctic Monkey Alex Turner Branches Out With Last Shadow Puppets, By John Norris

Grammer to play bad dad in ABC family comedy

Isao Tomita

Hendrix fake sex tape

Mos Def and Doom

Equipto

Monday, 26 May 2008

Hudson Heats Things Up With Armstrong In Cannes

Reverend Bizarre

Paul Nagle and Far From Stars

Witherspoon set to marry Jake Gyllenhaal?

Jesus Loves You

BB housemates predict evictions

Charasmatix

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