UK Asian Music Awards

For the first time B4U Music, the number one Asian Channel in the UK has teamed up with the premier event for the UK Asian Music scene, the UK Asian Music Awards. With only a few weeks to go, the organisers have been busy putting together a fantastic show to celebrate and honour the best in the industry with exciting performances and great celebrity guests and hosts.

Taking place at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on Thursday 6^th March, the awards ceremony which promises to be even bigger and better than previous years will be hosted by West End star Priya Kalidas (pictured) alongside B4U Music VJ Salil, who will be flying in from Mumbai for the show.

Attendees to the event will be treated to performances by some of the UK’s finest Asian musical talent and also a few international artists. Performances on the night will include; North American hip hop artists Blitzkrieg, Roachkilla and Kidd Skilly with Surinder Rattan, D-Boy featuring Swiss and V Dubl E, Dutch singer Imran Khan, RnB sensation Jay Sean, Singer-songwriter Karen David, Punjabi singer Lehmber Hussainpuri, Punjabi Hit Squad featuring Alyssia, girl group Serese, the Shaanti Collective with The Kalyan, Sona Family, Bollywood producers Trickbaby and Rishi Rich will be closing the show with a special performance with Veronica, Mumzy and H Dhami.

After months of public voting via the official website www.theukama.com, the winners will finally be announced and presented with their awards by a whole host of celebrity guest presenters. Awards will be awarded for Best Album, Best Act, Best Female Act, Best Underground Act, Best Video, Best International Act, Best Newcomer, Best Producer, Best Club DJ, Best Urban Act, Best Radio Show and Best Website. Special awards on the night include Commitment to the Scene and Outstanding Achievement.

B4U Music is the official presenting partner for the event. The channel will be exclusively capturing all the excitement at the event; the big performances, the acceptance speeches and interviews with the winners and performers on the night for a special programme to be aired on B4U Music later in the month. On the partnership, Bala Iyer, Head of Business B4U Network Europe says, “We believe that B4U Music plays a pivotal role in the Asian music industry worldwide, therefore we are pleased to be involved in an event that promotes and celebrates the talent in UK and abroad.”

Promising to be an exciting event, with top performances, great music and celebrities, the UK Asian Music Awards is an event not to be missed. For tickets please visit www.theukama.com

One To Watch - Asa

Asa is a 25 year-old singer/songwriter from Nigeria who will soon be releasing a debut album in Britain. Her sound is a kind of acoustic raggae-pop which I can see being a big hit this summer.

Asa's currently undertaking an epic European tour which includes stops in the UK (London & Manchester to be exact). She'll also be performing on Jools Holland tomorrow evening - a move that always seems to mark an artist's entrance into the mainstream conscience.

So, check her out. Then be sure to tell everyone you heard it here first! Click here to visit Asa's myspace.

Gig Review: Beth Rowley At Cherry Jam

First things first - I'd never heard of Beth Rowley. So going along to Cherry Jam (Porchester Road, London) last Tuesday evening was a bit of a shot in the dark. The night started well with genial warm-up act Jon Allen, whose biggest claim to fame is having a song (called Going Home) which featured in a recent Land Rover ad. Allen's sound is reminiscent of a young James Taylor, and he managed to easily hold the attention of a sparse crowd. Unfortunately for Allen, the London gig scene is awash with twentysomething, guitar-strumming singer-songwriters, and as such he may struggle to stand out from the crowd.

After Allen's exit, the room suddenly filled to capacity with the entrance of Beth Rowley and her 8 piece band. She entered to a cacophony of whoops and cheers, and from the off it was clear to see her fans are onto something. Her whole persona is that of a rather shy, innocent girl who, behind the mop of blonde curls and coquettish hand gestures, knows exactly what she's doing. Her band were great, particularly Ben Castle (son of Roy) on the Sax. It's so refreshing to see a band of this number and this talent in a venue of this size - and the addition of a couple of backing singers worked wonders. For me, the highlight of the set was a cover of Bob Dylan's I Shall Be Released, a toe-tapper in the truest sense. Other highs included the first single, Oh My Life, and the stupendously soulful Led Zeppelin cover Nobody's Fault But Mine.

Beth Rowley is due to support David Gray on his new tour, a slot that is sure to swell her army of fans. She's a singer on the verge of big things, and as Duffy and Adele have recently proved, the public's appetite for soulful songstresses has never been stronger.

Beth Rowley's Myspace
Jon Allen's Myspace

Today Is The 27th Anniversary Of John Lennon's Death. RIP John.

Led Zeppelin Hit The Big Screen!

Gutted you didn’t get tickets to see Led Zeppelin in O2 Arena next Monday? How about travelling back in time to check out some of the most incendiary live performances ever?!

In what promises to be the concert of the decade on 10th December, Led Zeppelin are back and will headline at the O2 Arena Tribute Concert to the Late Ahmet Ertegun. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones will be joined by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham for this historic concert of a lifetime that sold out in record time.

It is of course sold out, but to celebrate this event, Vue cinemas have teamed up with Warner Music to screen an exclusive 'best of' selection of Led Zeppelin live performances on the same night as the O2 concert across eight Vue cinemas.

Featured are performances from the Royal Albert Hall in January 1970, just one year after the release of their debut album, their triumphant five-night run at Earl's Court in May 1975 and their record-breaking shows at the Knebworth Festival in August 1979, just one year before the death of drummer John Bonham led to the band's dissolution.

These rare performances have been painstakingly restored, remixed, and remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - under the personal supervision of Jimmy Page and director Dick Carruthers.

Mark de Quervain, Sales and Marketing Director for Vue Entertainment, said, "We are really excited to be able to give many fans who missed out on getting tickets for the reunion gig the chance to see these amazing performances on the big screen."

Conrad Withey, President, Warner Music Entertainment, said, "Led Zeppelin are an awesome live band and this is a great opportunity to experience these stunning performances in a cinema. We expect there to be a real sense of occasion. The two disc DVD, from which these performances are taken, is superb way for fans, both long term and new, to delve deeper into the band’s history."

Vue will be showing the film in eight UK sites, including the cinema at the O2 Arena in Greenwich. Seats are limited to just 2,000 and priced at normal adult rates. Tickets can now be purchased online from www.myvue.com, by phone via 08712 240 240 or directly from box offices at participating cinemas.

Start at 8pm, the locations are:

Greenwich O2
Manchester Lowrey
Leeds Kirkstall
Birmingham Star City
Bristol Longwell Green
Thurrock Lakeside Shopping Centre
Edinburgh Ocean
Dublin Liffey Valley Shopping Centre

Jewish Folk Song Tipped To Be Christmas Number 1

When pretty pop singer Lauren Rose recorded a song as a Hanukkah present for her Grandfather she had no idea that bookmakers would soon be offering odds on her beating X Factor to the Christmas number 1 spot.

William Hill are currently quoting 66/1 for the petite singer to take the Christmas top spot with her recording of Hava Nagila – arguably the most recognisable Jewish folk song.

“I found out that the lyrics for the song were written 100 years ago so thought I would record an up to date version with English words as a Hanukkah present for my Grandfather. I was really pleased with it and when my record company heard it they went mad about it and said they wanted to release it as a single.” explained Lauren

When asked how it feels to be in the running for the Christmas number 1 and to be up against the might of X Factor Bromley-based Lauren said “I can’t believe it. I only recorded the song for Grandfather so it is fantastic that everyone is talking about it. I’ve grown up with my extended family celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas so if a Jewish song could be top of the Christmas charts it would be a great way of bringing everyone together!!”

So how would she celebrate topping the chart? “If I went to number 1 at Christmas I would have a huge party!”

Hava Nagila (Baby Let’s Dance) is the perfect party song and complements Lauren’s normal style of music - her debut album ‘Here I Am’, to be released early in 2008, is a collection of fresh, feel good pop music. Lauren recently supported X Factor’s Ray Quinn on his UK tour and has been attracting attention throughout the media.

Hava Nagila (Baby Let’s Dance) is released on December 17th

Survey Reveals The Songs That Really Make Us Go 'Boom'

Sex isn’t as important as music or sport, says one quarter of Europe’s music fans.

New statistics released today have put paid to the belief that sex and rock n’roll go together. They reveal that 25% of people prefer to listen to their favourite bands or cheer on their favourite team, rather than enjoy a passionate clinch with their partner.

And of all the respondents, it’s the over-30s rather than younger music fans who are more inclined to “get it on.”

This shock reversal of expectations has come to light as the results of the Music Choice Music Census 2007, the most comprehensive survey of European music taste and consumption, were revealed by Music Choice, Europe’s longest-standing legal digital music service.

But it’s not all bad news for those who want to make sweet music with each other, because the Music Census revealed fans’ top ten tracks to send libidos into overdrive. The survey completed by music lovers across the continent, shows that Marvin Gaye delivers the best song to smooch to, and the results suggest that the following combination of tunes is the best soundtrack to a night of lovemaking:

Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing
Madonna - Justify My Love
Eurythmics - The Miracle Of Love
Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing
Extreme - More Than Words
Al Green - Lets Stay Together
George Michael - I Want Your Sex
Bill Withers - Just The Two Of Us

Sticking to the love theme, Music Choice also found that this year Robbie Williams has slipped from his position as singer of the number one wedding song. Robbie’s Angels came in third behind the winner, Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight”, and, “Every Breath You Take”, The Police’s song anthem about obsession.

The Music Census also shows that music fans have a keen sense of humour if their favourite funeral songs are anything to go by. According to the Music Census, Monty Python’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” shared the top spot for funeral choices, and even AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” and The Jam’s “Going Underground” made the top ten, suggesting that Europe’s music fans perhaps don’t consider death to be such a grave business after all.

The Music Choice Music Census 2007 was conducted between 1st and 30th September 2007. Music lovers from across the whole of Europe participated, so the census provides the most detailed picture of Europeans’ musical tastes, music consumption habits and views on future of CDs, downloads and ring-tones.

Full survey results:

What do you think is the greatest song to make love to?

Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing 15%
Madonna - Justify My Love 14%
Eurythmics - The Miracle Of Love 13%
Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love 12%
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On 12%
Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing 8%
Extreme - More Than Words 8%
Al Green - Lets Stay Together 8%
George Michael - I Want Your Sex 6%
Bill Withers - Just The Two Of Us 5%

Which song would you most want played at your wedding?

Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight 21%
Police – Every Breath You Take 13%
Robbie Williams – Angels 12%
Percy Sledge – When A Man Loves a Woman 11%
Bryan Adams - Heaven 9%
Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – I’ve Had The Time of My Life 8%
UB40 – I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You 7%
Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On 5%
Sonny & Cher – I Got You Babe 5%

Which song would you most want played at your funeral?

Monty Python – Always Look on The Bright Side of Life 15%
Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven 15%
Frank Sinatra – My Way 14%
Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven 12%
Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now 11%
The Beatles – In My Life 8%
Puff Daddy – I’ll Be Missing You 8%
AC/DC – Highway To Hell 8%
The Jam – Going Underground 5%

Courtesy of www.musicchoice.co.uk

Thought For The Day

Age is indirectly proportional to the coolness of being in a band. At 16, you're a legend, at 60, you're a bearded fool in a folk band.

Athlete - 'Wires'

You got wires going in
You got wires coming out of your skin
You got tears making tracks
I've got tears that are scared of the facts

Running down corridors, through automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
I see hope is here in a plastic box
I've seen Christmas lights reflect in your eyes

You got wires going in
You got wires coming out of your skin
There's dry blood on your wrist
Your dry blood on my fingertip

Running down corridors, through automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
First night of your life, curled up on your own
Looking at you now you would never know

I see it in your eyes; I see it in your eyes
You'll be alright
I see it in your eyes; I see it in your eyes
You'll be alright
All right

Running down corridors, through automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
I see hope is here in a plastic box
I've seen Christmas lights reflect in your eyes

Down corridors, through automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
First night of your life, curled up on your own
Looking at you now you would never know You got wires going in
You got wires coming out of your skin
You got tears making tracks
I've got tears that are scared of the facts

Running down corridors, through automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
I see hope is here in a plastic box
I've seen Christmas lights reflect in your eyes

You got wires going in
You got wires coming out of your skin
There's dry blood on your wrist
Your dry blood on my fingertip

Running down corridors, through automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
First night of your life, curled up on your own
Looking at you now you would never know

I see it in your eyes; I see it in your eyes
You'll be alright
I see it in your eyes; I see it in your eyes
You'll be alright
All right

Running down corridors, through automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
I see hope is here in a plastic box
I've seen Christmas lights reflect in your eyes

Down corridors, through automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
First night of your life, curled up on your own
Looking at you now you would never know

Leona Lewis Breaks Record And Leaves Arctic Monkeys In The Cold

The record for the fastest-selling British debut album in chart history was confirmed by The Official Charts Company (OCC) on Sunday, as Leona Lewis trounced the Arctic Monkeys’ 2006 debut album.

The newly released Leona Lewis debut album “Spirit” (SyCo) sold over 375,000 copies in just seven days, surpassing the Nationwide Mercury Prize winners’ debut ”Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” (Domino) by over 12,000 units according to The Official Charts Company.

“Leona has secured her place in chart history in terms of debut albums” said OCC Marketing Manager, Darren Haynes. Leona still has some way to go before beating the fastest-selling album of all time, however.

“In 1997, ‘Be Here Now’ by Oasis sold 695,761 in its first three days of release and went on to sell over 813,000 copies in seven days” said Haynes.

“In the general fastest-selling albums list, Leona jumps straight in to the No.4 position, above ‘Intensive Care’ by Robbie Williams and just short of Dido’s 2003 album ‘Life For Rent’ confirmed OCC Marketing Manager, Darren Haynes.

THE FASTEST-SELLING DEBUT ALBUMS OF ALL TIME (© The Official Charts Company)

1. Spirit (2007) – Leona Lewis
2. Whatever People Say, That’s What I’m Not (2006) - Arctic Monkeys
3. Popstars (2001) - Hear'Say
4. Robson & Jerome (1995) - Robson & Jerome
5. G4 (2005) - G4

THE FASTEST-SELLING ALBUMS OF ALL TIME (© The Official Charts Company)

1. Be Here Now (1997) - Oasis
2. X&Y (2005) - Coldplay
3. Life For Rent (2003) - Dido
4. Spirit (2007) – Leona Lewis
5. Intensive Care (2005) - Robbie Williams
6. Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006) - Arctic Monkeys
7. Rattle & Hum (1988) - U2
8. Bad (1987) - Michael Jackson
9. (What's The Story) Morning Glory (1995) - Oasis
10. Immaculate Collection (1990) - Madonna

The Definitive Gigging Experience - Featuring The Young Knives, Rosie Oddie And The Odd Squad, And The Bishops

Imagine sitting comfortably in stylish surroundings, watching your favourite bands on stage, being served free flowing top notch food and drink, and socialising with fellow musos - with not a sweaty day-glo, skinny-jeaned teen hoodie in sight!

This is the new ground-breaking concept in gig going, aimed at an older music loving audience, who feel alienated by the current teen-dominated sweat pit indie music nights. Brought to you by pioneering promoters All the Rage, ‘The Rage’ is back with a vengeance after the successes of their Spring and Summer events.

Once again uber cool Kings Cross venue, Canvas, serves as the backdrop for the latest event ‘The Rage Out in Winter’. Often regarded as the perennial clubbing space, hosting a cornucopia of up front parties like secretsundaze and Bugged Out, it is only fitting that North London’s finest plays host once again to event’s winter warmer.

Mercury nominated band du jour, The Young Knives, take centre stage, with support by quirky up and coming personalities Rosie Oddie and The Odd Squad and London indie trio The Bishops. Rage resident DJ, The Varjack Sound System, lay down the cross genre beats to keep heads in check all night long.

Award winning caterers The Last Supper, keep the hunger pangs at bay with a range of high quality mouth watering dishes, accompanied by a selection of drinks available throughout the night, ensuring that your glass never runs dry.

Filling a gap in the music market, All the Rage has created a unique all-encompassing entertainment experience. The music ethos is distinctive, often showcasing new bands before they hit the big time. Previous Rage events have featured Tunng, Dirty Pretty Things, Datarock and Newton Faulkner.

This is gigging for grown ups...

www.rageevents.co.uk

50 Cent - Exclusive Interview

Rap phenomenon 50 Cent shows off his bhangra dance moves while checking out Bollywood babes and speaking Hindi in an exclusive online video show.

Desihits.com, one of the world’s fastest growing South Asian ‘fusion’ websites, is thrilled to have 50 Cent co-presenting an exclusive “Urban Desi” video show, ahead of the rap star’s first ever Mumbai concert. The global premiere of the video podcast on Monday November 12th can be seen exclusively on www.desihits.com and features unforgettable moments, like Fiddy speaking in Hindi, dancing to bhangra music and revealing which A-list Bollywood bombshell took his fancy.

50 Cent, who has become the biggest selling rap artist in India and recently hitting no.1 with his new album Curtis, raves about Chicken Tikka, dons an India cricket shirt and even entertains the idea of launching his own range of incense: 50 Scent!

Fans of 50 will be able to hear and see him talk about his forthcoming Indian concert on November 18th as well as upcoming Hollywood projects. He also reviews brand new desi music videos from the UK and India, while sampling “exotic” Indian food and learning some desi lyrics with the help of his co-presenter Arun.

Anjula Acharia-Bath, CEO, Desi Hits! says: “We are thrilled to have 50 Cent working with us on his first ever video podcast aimed at South Asians throughout the world. It has been great fun working with 50 Cent and his management team who really are leading the way in exposing their artists to new lucrative markets and utilizing Desi Hits! as the platform for this.”

She adds: “We aim to be the number one global site for anyone looking for the latest in South Asian fusion entertainment and with over 10 million hits per month we are the natural choice for mainstream artists looking to access this huge (1/5 of the world’s population) and diverse demographic.”

Athlete Announce UK Tour Early 2008

Athlete will play the following dates in January/Febuary 2008:

January 2008

Thu 17 Exeter University 01392 263 518
Fri 18 Oxford Carling Academy 0844 477 2000
Sat 19 London Roundhouse 0870 389 1846
Sun 20 Cardiff University 029 2078 1458
Tue 22 Leicester University 0115 912 9000
Wed 23 Wolverhampton Civic 0870 320 7000
Thu 24 Warrington Parr Hall 01925 442 345
Fri 25 Hull University 01482 466 264
Sun 27 Aberdeen Music Hall 0870 169 0100
Mon 28 Sheffield Plug 0114 276 2676
Wed 30 Ipswich Regents Theatre 01473 433 100
Thu 31 Bath Pavilion 01225 486 976

February 2008

Fri 01 Reading Hexagon 0118 960 6060
Sun 03 Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall 01303 228 600
Mon 04 Brighton Dome 01273 709 709
Tue 05 Cambridge Corn Exchange 01223 357 851

24hr cc hotline 0871 2200 260 or buy online @ www.gigsandtours.com
AN SJM Concerts & Metropolis Music presentation by arrangement with 13 Artists
Tickets on sale 9am Friday 16th November.

The second single, ‘Tokyo’ from their top 5 album, ‘Beyond The Neighbourhood’ is out on November 19th.

The album was self produced and recorded at the bands own studio in South East London. Inspired by a journey travelling over Rainbow Bridge in to Tokyo, ‘Tokyo’ is a tail of hypocrisy and the human condition. Other tracks on the album centre around family and friends as well as environmental and social catastrophe. It's an album with big tunes, big ideas and a whopping great heart.

www.athlete.mu

Fatboy Slim Gives Up Ivor Novello Award For Charity

DJ and producer Fatboy Slim is auctioning off part of his Ivor Novello Award to raise money for charity.

The Brighton based musician - aka Norman Cook - has donated a tin of jelly beans, customised with smiley faces, to an auction being run by music website www.eq-mag.co.uk on behalf of Oxjam.

The auction is part of the charity’s Oxjam fundraiser, a month-long musical event that sees promoters around the country run gigs and club nights to raise cash for Oxfam. Norman has already played out in an Oxjam shop as part of the event.

Other items being auctioned off in the EQ/Oxjam Rave Auction include an exclusive Underworld triptych, hand-drawn by the band’s vocalist Karl Hyde, a screen print by legendary producer Andrew Weatherall, signed chromalin prints of album artwork from London club Fabric, signed CD and T-shirt from Dutch superstar DJ Tiesto, a CD wallet signed by Carl Cox, plus loads of other exclusive goodies and the chance to add your vocals to a forthcoming track.

And a certain Radio 1 DJ will also being donating the shirt (or shirts) off his own back in the coming days.

Visit www.eq-mag.co.uk to see all the items up for sale. And visit www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam to find out more about Oxjam.

Leona Lewis Topples Mika As 2007’s Best-Seller

In a week that celebrates the 55th Anniversary of the Official Singles Chart (Wednesday 14th November), Leona Lewis’ ‘Bleeding Love’ has become the biggest selling single of 2007, according to The Official Charts Company (OCC).

According to OCC data, ‘Bleeding Love’ (SyCo) - the current Number One of three-weeks standing - has outsold 2007’s hitherto best-seller, Mika’s ‘Grace Kelly’ (Casablanca/Island) by over 10,000 units and still rising.

“Rihanna may have kept us dry throughout the English summer with her ‘Umbrella’ and a massive ten-week reign at Number One. Mika may have spent a five-week tenancy at Number One with ‘Grace Kelly’ but neither can match Leona’s recent sales performance” said OCC Marketing Manager, Darren Haynes.

Two weeks ago, Leona smashed the 2007 record for selling the most singles in a first week of release. This week she secures another chart feat by achieving the best-selling single of 2007. “There seems to be no stopping her” Haynes added.

A spokesperson for SyCo Music said “we are absolutely delighted once again for Leona. It’s been an incredible few weeks”.

2007 is proving to be a bumper year for singles sales. “Seven weeks before the end of the year and as a nation, we’ve already bought more singles than any other year of the 2000s” said OCC Marketing Manager, Darren Haynes.

The Best-selling Singles of 2007 (to chart week ending 10.11.07)

1. Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis
2. Grace Kelly – Mika
3. Umbrella - Rihanna Ft Jay-Z
4. (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles - Proclaimers/B Potter/A Pipkin
5. How To Save A Life - Fray
6. Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs
7. The Way I Are – Timbaland Ft Keri Hilson
8. Beautiful Liar - Beyonce & Shakira
9. The Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani Ft Akon
10. Beautiful Girls - Sean Kingston

Encores - Are They Really Worth Shouting About?

We all know the routine - the famous band/musician ends their set with their second-biggest ever hit, walks off the stage and leaves the crowd roaring for more. Hands clap, feet stamp, roadies wander about making it look like they're packing up... but then, wait, it can't be... the stars miraculously reappear, much to the pleasure of the now orgasmic crowd, pick up their instruments and start playing their best-known song. "You didn't really think we'd leave that one out did you?" No. We didn't. We all knew you were going to reappear, we all know that's the one song that has got you where you are, and got us along to your gig, so you better bloody play it! For Oasis it's Look Back in Anger, for Coldplay it's Yellow. And for Ray Lamontagne (pictured) at the Royal Albert Hall last week it was 'Trouble'. So well done Ray for resisting the temptation to leave his (come on, let's be honest) only real hit till last, and playing it in the middle of his set instead.

If only more musicians would follow his lead. It would save us all the indignity of begging like the desperate nobodies we are, frantically trying to get our money's worth from a night we've no doubt paid through the nose to attend.

Patrick Wolf Announces November 19th Secret Gig

Patrick Wolf has announced he is to perform an exclusive live gig in a secret central London location and invites you to ‘Be Part Of The Seen’...

The intimate 100 capacity venue is set to remain a secret until the day of the event and will provide the perfect space for the exclusive gig. Tickets are not being sold to this unique event, fans must simply join the ‘Be Part Of The Seen’ Facebook™ group and once a group member are automatically entered into a draw.

It’s Official – Guitars Are Better Investments Than Homes!

It’s official – guitars are better investments than homes, says rock ‘n roll memorabilia expert Ted Owen. They’re also better investments than stocks and shares. A 1958 Gibson Explorer bought for $247.50 was sold in 2006 for $611,000. That’s almost a 20% year on year annual return versus an average of 12% for the typical house or the 9% typically produced investing in shares. Adam Newman, manager of Vintage & Rare Guitars says, “Late fifties Les Paul Standards bought for a few hundred dollars could be worth over $300,000 while Pre-War Martin D45’s would fetch over half a million dollars now and bought for $200.”

With rock ‘n roll memorabilia auctions taking place on a regular basis, it’s now easier than ever to purchase a collectable guitar. The recent Gibson Guitartown London exhibition is going under the hammer on 20th November via Ebay and an event being held at the IndigO2 with bidding starting at a very reasonable £250. Some of the more collectable guitars include a Pink Floyd guitar designed by Gerald Scarfe and a Ronnie Wood signed and designed guitar. The recent film ‘Control’ has propelled interest too in the Depeche Mode Anton Corbijn designed guitar.

Says Darren Julien, president of specialist rock ‘n roll memorabilia auction house, Julien’s Auctions, ‘With confidence falling in the housing market, we’ve seen a huge upturn in interest in rock ‘n roll memorabilia . We’ve virtually doubled our database of customers from what it was a year ago. Just last month, a similar auction we held for GuitarTown in Texas saw two guitars going for $55,000 each.’ Now is definitely the time to start collecting and there’s every possibility that one of the guitars going on the 20th Nov may form someone’s future pension.'

All guitars can be seen at : http://tinyurl.com/2ahq55

The South Bank Show: Annie Lennox Sunday 25 November

The iconic multi-million record selling artist Annie Lennox will be profiled on the South Bank Show.

Exclusive access to an exciting and intimate rehearsal with her band, gives an insight into the thrill of preparing for a live performance: which enables her to re-interpret her recordings to give the audience something completely unique. We see her mesmerising performance at a peace concert, showcasing an artist not afraid of pushing boundaries, with a voice that shines and soars.

Melvyn Bragg talks to Annie Lennox providing a rare and exclusive insight into this very private star. Annie Lennox talks candidly about her life, from her sheltered upbringing in Aberdeen to her arrival at the Royal Academy Of Music where, on her first day, she realised she would never make it as a flautist; from her decision at 21 to become a singer, and her “hell of a journey” with Dave Stewart, to launching her solo career.

Annie Lennox talks about her fourth solo album, Songs Of Mass Destruction, which lends her voice to how she feels about the world and the human race; and how writing music saw her through her devastating marriage break up.

In a career that has spanned over 25 years, including the 15 years since Annie released her first solo album, Diva, no other British female artist has achieved so much. Over 78 million sales across the globe, and 33 hit singles complement the four Grammies, 11 BRITS, five Ivor Novellos, an Oscar, and two Golden Globes amongst other accolades. In addition to her artistic achievements, Annie is a celebrated activist and humanitarian.

The B-52’s To Release First Studio Album In 16 Years On EMI Records On 3rd March 2008

The B-52’s, the pioneering dance-rock stars, are exploding on the scene once again with the 3rd March 2008 release of ‘Funplex’, the band’s first studio album in 16 years and their first on EMI Records.

The influential band – who bridged the gap between punk and new wave with a sound that was uniquely their own – along with producer Steve Osborne (New Order, Happy Mondays, Doves, KT Tunstall) have created a new album as cutting edge, distinctive and danceable as their self-titled debut album and hit single ‘Rock Lobster’ were in 1979.

Recorded in their native Athens, Georgia and with all 11 songs written by Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland and Cindy Wilson, ‘Funplex’ finds the band in vigorous, forward stance, while staying true to the party-rock style that influenced such current bands as LCD Soundsystem, Interpol and Scissor Sisters. Guitarist Keith Strickland explains, “It’s loud, sexy rock and roll for your pleasure zones, with the beat pumped up to hot pink.”

This album brings The B-52’s music to a new generation of intergalactic fans. Cindy, Fred, Kate and Keith have made an album that is incredibly fresh, dynamic and perhaps most importantly, quintessentially The B-52’s…. instantly recognisable, instantly fun.

The band have been touring non-stop, recently making a triumphant return to Europe after a 10 year absence, headlining Spain’s Benicassim Festival and Lovebox this past summer.

The B-52’s unveiled their new album at a very special, sold out show at Roseland Ballroom in New York on Halloween, and will give fans a further opportunity to get a sneak preview of the new material at The Roxy in Los Angeles on 16th November, before more live shows are announced for 2008.

The B-52’s ‘Funplex’ Tracklist

Pump
Hot Corner
Ultraviolet
Juliet of the Spirits
Funplex
Eyes Wide Open
Love in the Year 3000
Deviant Ingredient
Too Much to Think About
Dancing Now
Keep This Party Going