Winehouse "not spiked"

(Wednesday July 30, 2008 05:48 PM)
Amy Winehouse's dad has denied reports she was rushed to hospital this week after being spiked with ecstasy.The embattled singer has now returned home after a dramatic emergency dash on Monday evening.Today's UK press were full of claims from a 'source' that Mitch Winehouse was "certain" his daughter had been taken unwell due to being drugged.However, he has now insisted he never said such a thing, telling the BBC: "And I don't know who this source is. But I'm gonna find out."Amy, who is now said to be doing "just fine" by her father, is said to have suffered a reaction to the medication she is on as she battles drug addiction.

Fergie becomes prostitute

(Wednesday July 30, 2008 10:49 AM)
Fergie is to play a prostitute in a new film, it has been claimed.The Black Eyed Peas' singer and solo star will make her latest big screen appearance in "Nine", alongside Daniel Day-Lewis.The movie is a big screen adaptation of the award-winning musical of the same name and also stars Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench and Kate Hudson.Fergie, who will sing one of the lead tracks alongside Day-Lewis, is set to play a key role alongside the "There Will Be Blood" Oscar winner."She's basically a prostitute on the beach. She introduces him to the world of sexuality. "It's a very strong song. I'm just thrilled I get to play a character", she said of "Nine", which begins shooting in October.Fergie, who has previously appeared in "Poseidon" and "Grindhouse", has also revealed that The Black Eyed Peas have begun work on a new album.Speaking about the follow-up to 2005's "Monkey Business", she commented: "It's a new sound. We're going into the future".

Miley Trumps Sugarland To Lead Billboard 200

July 30, 2008, 10:55 AM ET

Keith Caulfield, L.A. and Katie Hasty, N.Y.
Miley Cyrus lands her second No. 1 album on The Billboard 200 as "Breakout" (Hollywood) bows with 371,000 U.S. copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That's the second-biggest sales week of the year for a female artist, following the 463,000 debut of Mariah Carey's "E=MC2" (Islan).

Bond song revealed

(Wednesday July 30, 2008 10:14 AM)
Jack White and Alicia Keys have been chosen to record the official theme tune for the new James Bond film, according to reports.The White Stripes star and his pop side-kick have emerged as the frontrunners for the "Quantum Of Solace" song after months of speculation.Confirming the news, producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: "We are delighted and pleased to have two such exciting artists as Jack and Alicia." The song is understood to be called "Another Way To Die" and has been written and produced by White.He is also said to play drums on the song, which will become the first ever Bond duet, claims Billboard.The soundtrack to "Quantum Of Solace" is due out on October 28, with the film expected to follow on November 7.

Duffy supports illegal downloads

(Wednesday July 30, 2008 01:45 PM)
Welsh star Duffy is happy for young fans to download her music for free - as long as they buy her records when they get older.
The singer believes most people who use illegal file-sharing websites only do so because they can't afford to buy CDs.
She says, "There are pros and cons to everything. Some people think it creates illegal access, but I think the big wheel is round, y'know?
"I think it's got more positives because it basically gives people access, what's the harm in that?
"Somebody asked me the other day what I thought of illegal downloading, and I thought, 'You know what? I don't care', because I think the majority (of people who download) are kids and as they get old and get more income they'll probably buy records. So it's just making music a part of everyone's lives."
The U.K. government recently launched a crackdown on illegal downloading, with internet service providers planning to send warning letters to customers who access file-sharing sites.

Free Streets

(Wednesday July 30, 2008 05:39 PM)
The Streets are giving a song away online, in preparation for the release of new album "Everything Is Borrowed"."The Escapist" was made available today and is the first fruits from the follow-up to 2006's "The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living".Fans can download the track, which is the final song on the new album, from Myfreedownload.co.uk/thestreets.As previously reported, The Streets tour the UK in October. The dates are as follows:

October 2008

04 Glasgow Barrowlands
05 Manchester Academy
06 Sheffield Plug
09 Birmingham Academy
10 Newcastle Academy
11 Oxford Academy
13 Southampton Guildhall
14 Preston 53 Degrees
16 Norwich UEA
17 Bristol Academy
18 Nottingham Rock City
19 Leeds Academy

"Everything Is Borrowed" is due for release on September 15.

Alicia Keys, Jack White Team For Bond Theme

July 29, 2008, 3:05 PM ET

Ann Donahue, L.A.
Alicia Keys and the White Stripes' Jack White will record the theme song to "Quantum of Solace," the 22nd James Bond film, which hits U.S. theaters Nov. 7. The song, "Another Way To Die," will be the first duet in Bond soundtrack history.

Dylan readies rarities

(Tuesday July 29, 2008 06:29 PM)
A new Bob Dylan compilation of unreleased material will come out later this year, it has been announced."Tell Tale Signs" will be available as a triple-disk collection of rarities, previously unavailable songs and live tracks.It is the eighth and latest edition of his "Bootleg Series", spanning the years 1989 and 2006.As part of the promotion, a never-before-heard track from 1997, entitled "Dreamin' Of You", will be made available as a free download from Bobdylan.com.

Secret Killers gig

(Tuesday July 29, 2008 06:03 PM)
The Killers have announced details of a last minute, 'secret' show in New York City tonight.The Las Vegas rockers are expected to air material from their new album at the Highline Ballroom concert.Tickets for the gig have only been made available to members of their fanclub, amid claims the band will take the opportunity to roadtest new material.In recent months, Brandon Flowers and co have been putting together the follow-up to 2006's "Sam's Town".It is understood that the currently untitled record is now complete and has been produced by former Madonna collaborator Stuart Price, aka Jacques Lu Cont.As previously reported, The Killers play the Reading & Leeds Festivals in the UK next month.

Lohan teams up with singer Sparro

(Tuesday July 29, 2008 01:50 PM)
Lindsay Lohan is teaming up with music newcomer Sam Sparro in a bid to boost her career Australian singer Sparro received a call asking him to collaborate with the Mean Girls actress after working with DJ Mark Ronson - the brother of Lohan's close friend Samantha.
And the Black + Gold hitmaker is looking forward to his new collaboration.
He says, "Working with Lindsay is an interesting proposition. I've always been a big fan and I think she's cool.
"I've never met Sam Ronson but I have met her dad and her sister Charlotte when I was working with Mark at Coachella. They are a great family.
"I'll be heading over to Los Angeles and New York in a couple of weeks to start writing for Lindsay and a few other artists. I'm really excited."

The Who star's girlfriend to write album in week

(Thursday July 24, 2008 01:35 PM)
Pete Townshend's partner Rachel Fuller is set to record an entire album in a week from her London flat.
Singer-songwriter Fuller plans to write a set of songs inspired by London's Kew suburb in seven days and will record her work on a low-budget eight-track cassette recorder - with her boyfriend Townshend acting as studio hand and guitar tuner.
She says, "In the week I live in my room, I intend to write a complete album entitled Kew. God knows why, but my artist is insisting that the lyrics are written on the white walls of the apartment in pencil.
"I'm not sure Pete thought I'd go through with it but he thinks it's great and loves that I am writing on the walls."

Metallica reveal "Death Magnetic"

(Thursday July 24, 2008 11:41 AM)
Metallica have announced the full tracklisting of their new album "Death Magnetic".The hard rock titans recently confirmed news of the long-awaited follow-up to 2003's "St Anger", which is due out later this year.They also revealed plans for a historic link-up with the latest edition of the Guitar Hero video game, which is expected to be released simultaneously.

The tracklisting for "Death Magnetic" is as follows:

"That Was Just Your Life"
"The End of the Line"
"Broken, Beat & Scarred"
"The Day That Never Comes"
"All Nightmare Long""Cyanide"
"The Unforgiven III"
"The Judas Kiss"
"Suicide & Redemption"
"My Apocalypse"

As previously reported, Metallica play the Reading & Leeds Festival in the UK next month.

Fashion Rocks Timberlake

(Thursday July 24, 2008 10:00 AM)
Justin Timberlake heads the star-studded bill at this year's Fashion Rocks event in New York City.The US pop superstar will be joined at the September event by Beyonce, Rihanna, Fergie, Lily Wayne and Mariah Carey.Duffy, Kid Rock, Black Eyed Peas, Chris Brown and Keith Urban are also due to appear at the annual event.Funds raised at the get together will go to the 'Stand Up To Cancer' charity, a showbiz initiative funding research into the disease.Fashion Rocks 2008 takes place at Radio City Music Hall on September 5.

Jessica Simpson Sets Date For, Names Album

July 22, 2008, 12:25 PM ET

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Jessica Simpson has christened her debut country album "Do You Know" and will release it Sept. 9 via Columbia Nashville. First single "Come on Over" rises 26-23 this week on Billboard's Hot Country songs chart.

Amy Winehouse's wax figure unveiled

(Wednesday July 23, 2008 05:28 AM)
A wax figure of Amy Winehouse is due to be unveiled by her parents.
Mitch and Janis Winehouse will launch the Madame Tussauds work in the Music Zone of the venue popular with tourists.
Madame Tussauds said the honour for the Grammy Award-winning Back to Black singer would be "complete with trademark beehive and sailor tattoos".
A spokesman at Madame Tussauds said it was the first time the London attraction had immortalised the vocalist.

DiCaprio's girlfriend takes cameras on the road for American adventure

(Wednesday July 23, 2008 07:40 AM)
Leonardo DiCaprio's model girlfriend Bar Rafaeli is set to bring Tommy Hilfiger's pop culture guide to the small screen as the co-host of new TV travel show Ironic Iconic America.
On the show, which will debut in the US this autumn, the Israeli stunner teams up with the designer for a road trip across America, stopping off at places of interest.
The programme is based on a book co-written by Hilfiger and George Lois, Iconic America: A Roller-Coaster Ride Through the Eye-Popping Panorama of American Pop Culture.
And Rafaeli so enjoyed the experience, she hopes to film a second series in her native Israel.

Love sued over Nirvana catalogue sale

(Wednesday July 23, 2008 09:35 AM)
Courtney Love's business managers are suing the singer over claims she failed to pay them after selling a portion of the Nirvana song catalogue.
In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, London + Co. allege their client owes them five per cent of the sale of a portion of her stake of Nirvana's back catalogue, owned by frontman Kurt Cobain's widow Love and his former bandmates Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ.com, the financial firm claims they are entitled to GBP487,500 as the rights were sold for GBP9.75 million in 2006.

Nas On Track For Fifth No. 1 Album Next Week

July 18, 2008, 5:50 PM ET

Geoff Mayfield, L.A.
Nas' new Def Jam album may not have a title, but it will have a home at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. The veteran rapper is on course to notch his fifth topper on the big chart, as he leads Nielsen SoundScan's Friday Building chart with 113,000 copies.

Spears album taking backseat to acting?

(Saturday July 19, 2008 11:15 AM)
Britney Spears' comeback album is facing yet another setback - amid alleged concern from her record bosses the star is too busy with her acting career.
Spears' manager Larry Rudolph confirmed the pop star has been hard at work recording a new album just earlier this week.
In a statement accompanied by a set of photos of him and Spears leaving a recording studio, Rudolph claimed the pair were "very excited about what she's accomplished so far," adding "No album release date has been confirmed yet."
But according to reports, the Toxic hitmaker was set-up for the snaps that accompanied Rudolph's words, after her bosses at JIVE feared Spears wasn't taking her music comeback seriously.
A source tells the New York Post, "Britney wants to focus on her TV and movie career right now. Jive and Larry are having trouble getting her to record, so they forced her hand with the statement and photo releases."
Spears' last album, Blackout, was released in October.

Buble finds new love after Blunt split

(Saturday July 19, 2008 10:25 AM)
Canadian singer Michael Buble is soothing his heartache after splitting from girlfriend Emily Blunt in the arms of a new love.
The star confirmed he and actress Blunt had ended their three year romance over the weekend. And Buble has already moved on.
He was photographed kissing American singer Heather Fogarty.
In the saucy snaps, Fogarty is shown straddling the star as he holds her up on his waist and leans in for a kiss.
Buble met former flame Blunt backstage at one of his concerts in 2005, months after his engagement to dancer Debbie Timuss was called off.

Timberlake's embarrassing accident

(Saturday July 19, 2008 11:15 AM)
Pop star Justin Timberlake was so nervous when he met his sports idol Michael Jordan, he wet himself.
The SexyBack singer counts the basketball star as one of his biggest role models, and he could not contain his excitement when Jordan admitted he was a fan of his music.
Timberlake says, "When I was young... I wanted to be Michael Jordan. It was weird, I heard (Gary Wright song) Dreamweaver in my head when he walked in the room.
"He was like, `Hey man, my kids and I, we're big fans of your music,' and I was like, `That's cool...' Up until the point where he walked away and I realised I had peed a little."

A perfect Nine for Fergie

(Saturday July 19, 2008 12:25 AM)
Pop star Fergie has joined the all-star cast of movie musical Nine, according to reports.
The Black Eyed Peas singer will join Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Daniel Day-Lewis in the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway show, inspired by Federico Fellini's autobiographical film 8 1/2.
Javier Bardem and Catherine Zeta-Jones have already quit the project, which is being directed by Chicago mastermind Rob Marshall.

Singer accepts sexist slur damages

(Friday July 18, 2008 11:47 AM)
Yusuf Islam - the former Cat Stevens - has accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages over a claim that he was a sexist bigot who refused to speak to any women not wearing a veil.
The Muslim singer-songwriter's solicitor, Adam Tudor, told Mr Justice Eady at London's High Court that the allegations, which appeared in March last year, were entirely false .
"Mr Islam has never had any difficulties working with women, whether for religious or any other reasons," he said.
"In his normal life, women feature among some of the most influential people in Mr Islam's team."
Mr Tudor said that the article was distributed by the agency World Entertainment News Network (WENN) to subscribers, including the website Contactmusic.com, which boasts 2.2 million page views a month.

Bon Jovi, Spice Girls Top Midyear Touring Chart

July 18, 2008, 10:05 AM ET

Ray Waddell, Nashville
The touring landscape may be tough this summer, but Billboard Boxscore's midyear numbers illustrate that many tours have enjoyed significant success already. Bon Jovi and the Spice Girls have the two top tours for the period Nov. 14, 2007, until May 13, 2008, grossing $112.4 million and $70.1 million, respectively.

Britney gets extra visits with sons

(Friday July 18, 2008 06:06 PM)
Britney Spears will be allowed extra visits with her two young sons following an agreement with her former husband Kevin Federline, her lawyer has said.
The deal looked set to mark the beginning of the end of the two-year custody battle over their two young children - Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one.
Spears' lawyer Laura Wasser told reporters outside the Los Angeles Superior Court that the agreement will give the troubled pop star more time with her young boys.
Federline, 30, will retain full custody, but 26-year-old Spears may get expanded rights by the end of the year, Ms Wasser said.
Neither Spears nor Federline attended the hearing, which was held behind closed doors, and a court spokesman said that no formal settlement has been filed.

"Amazing" new Eminem

(Friday July 18, 2008 11:31 AM)
Eminem has laid down some "amazing stuff" for his comeback album, according to a fellow rapper.Bishop Lamont, who also records for Dr Dre's Aftermath record label, says the rap legend is almost ready for a return.Since his last record, 2004's "Encore", Eminem has been absent from the global hip hop scene, taking time to deal with the death of his best friend Proof, of D12 fame."Em is excited. He's been quiet too long and he's got a lot to get off his chest", Lamont told Entertainment Weekly."He went through what he had to go through. And now he's been able to take all the pain and stress and put it out in his music", he explained.There been no official announcement about a release date for the new Eminem material.

French president's wife hits charts

(Friday July 18, 2008 06:16 PM)
French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy's new album is ranked third in French album sales a week after its release, official rankings show.
Sales of Comme si de rien n'etait (As If Nothing Had Happened) were behind albums by Coldplay, in first place, and French pop singer Laurent Voulzy, according to France's National Union of Phonographic Edition.
The album by Carla Bruni - her recording name - sold 14,130 copies in its first two days, according to her record label, Naive.
The former supermodel-turned-singer married French president Nicolas Sarkozy in February after a whirlwind romance.
Her first album, Quelqu'un m'a dit (Someone Told Me, in 2002), was a hit, selling 2 million copies and earning rave reviews from critics. Her second, No Promises, released in January 2007 and sung in English, received a far less enthusiastic response.
The new album is being released around Europe this month and is also tipped to hit shelves in the US on August 5.

Katy Perry Starts Fourth Week Atop Hot 100

July 17, 2008, 10:35 AM ET

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" is further cementing itself as one of the biggest songs of the summer, entering a fourth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The next closest challengers remain Rihanna's "Take a Bow" and Lil Wayne's "Lollipop," which hold at No. 2 and 3, respectively.

Coldplay pull plug on tour merchandise

(Friday July 18, 2008 09:10 AM)
Rockers Coldplay have pulled some of their merchandise from the stands on their current US tour - because it is "c**p", according to frontman Chris Martin.
The singer and his band were so let down with the quality of the items that they demanded the goods be taken off their shelves - even though this ultimately means less money for them.
Martin says, "We were in the dressing room in L.A. looking at some of the stuff and much of it, especially some of the t-shirts, looked terrible.
"We put so much work into our music. The same quality control has to extend to stuff being sold at our shows and we made that clear. It has to be a no c**p zone."

New Shadow Puppets dates

(Friday July 18, 2008 09:29 AM)
The Last Shadow Puppets have extended their imminent tour of Europe and North America.Arctic Monkey Alex Turner and Mile Kane from The Rascals hit the road next month for the first time, in support of debut "The Age Of The Understatement".The dates, which include festival appearances at Reading and Leeds, now also include stop-offs in Wolverhampton, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle.The tour, which concludes with gigs in New York and Manchester, will now call at:August 200819 Portsmouth, Guildhall 20 Oxford, New Theatre 22 Leeds Festival 24 Reading Festival 26 Paris, OlympiaOctober11 Wolverhampton, Civic Hall12 Manchester, Apollo 13 Leeds, Academy15 Stockholm, Circus 16 Copenhagen, Vega Main Hall 17 Berlin, Tempodrome 19 Brussels, Cirque Royale 20 Amsterdam, Paradiso 22 Glasgow, Academy 23 Sheffield, City Hall 26 London, Hammersmith Apollo 27 Newcastle, City Hall 30 New York, Grand Ballroom November03 Los Angeles, Mayan Theatre

Stones guitarist Wood enters rehab

(Wednesday July 16, 2008 04:00 PM)
Ronnie Wood has entered rehab, according to a spokeswoman for the musician.
The Rolling Stone is "seeking help" with his battle with alcohol.
Wood recently fled to a bolt-hole in Ireland with a Russian cocktail waitress.
His spokeswoman said: "Following Ronnie's continued battle with alcohol he has entered a period of rehab. His close family and friends say he is seeking help and look forward to his recovery."
Wood, 61, flew home on Monday in an apparent bid to save his marriage.
His son, Jesse, 30, had gone to Ireland to try and talk the guitarist into returning.
Wife Jo, 53, is said to have called time on their 23-year union.
Waitress Ekaterina Ivanova, 19, has reportedly told friends she has fallen in love with the rocker.
Ivanova's mother has insisted the relationship with the painter and musician was professional, saying: "She went out to model for him."

Metallica make history

(Wednesday July 16, 2008 11:55 AM)
Metallica are to become the first band in rock history to simultaneously release their new album on "Guitar Hero".As previously reported, the US rock titans have now completed the follow-up to "St Anger", which is called "Death Magnetic".In a posting on their official website, they confirmed the album and video game will come out at exactly the same time.The band said they are "psyched" by the innovation, which will see fans able to play along to the new material as soon as it comes out.In the statement, Metallica said "Death Magnetic" will be "ready to go once 'Guitar Hero: World Tour' hits the streets in the fall."Who knows, maybe a few years from now this will be the norm when your favourite band's new record comes out", they commented.

Natalie Cole reveals liver disease

(Wednesday July 16, 2008 05:30 PM)
Singer Natalie Cole has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, she revealed.
Cole, 58, the daughter of crooner Nat King Cole, is thought to have contracted the potentially deadly virus from past drug use.
The disease was discovered during a routine examination, the US star's spokesman said.
Cole was addicted to LSD, cocaine and heroin before becoming clean of drugs in 1984 following a long stay in rehab.
Her doctors said she is suffering from fatigue, muscle aches and dehydration - side effects from the treatment for Hepatitis C.
The Grammy Award-winning singer said: "I've been so fortunate to have learned so much from my past experiences. I am embraced by the love and support of my family and friends.

Coldplay remain atop U.K. album chart

(Monday July 14, 2008 11:00 AM)
Coldplay have held on to their U.K. chart-topping crown, as Viva La Vida enjoys its fifth successive week at number one on the album chart.
The band's fourth studio album has sold more than 600,000 copies and has gone double platinum.
The rockers held off competition from Welsh soul star Duffy's Rockferry, Chris Brown's Exclusive and The Ting Ting's We Started Nothing which are at second, third and fourth places respectively.
The only new entry in the top five came from US pop band Black Kids' Partie Traumatic which debuted at number five.

Brawl at Usher concert

(Sunday July 13, 2008 11:06 AM)
R+B star Usher's concert in Nigeria in the early hours of Saturday morning was marred by violence when a fight broke out in the crowd.
The Love In This Club hitmaker was performing at the This Day Music and Fashion Festival 2008 in the country's capital of Abuja at around 1am when the drunken brawl took place in front of the stage.
Security guards attempted to break up the scuffle as members of the crowd were shoved towards the platform and one man was removed from the venue, The Dome.
It is currently unclear whether the unnamed male was arrested, as one source claimed, or was simply forbidden from re-entering the concert.
Nobody was seriously injured.
The gig also saw performances from rap superstar Jay-Z and pop star Rihanna.

Costner: Music career is hard work

(Sunday July 13, 2008 12:35 AM)
Kevin Costner has a "dream" life as an actor - but it took years of hard work and dedication to carve out a career in music.
The Hollywood star is a member of country rock band Modern West and is relishing every moment of being in the group because of the struggle he went through to prove his musical talent.
He says, "I've had the kind of life where if I could dream it, I could do it. But you don't just end up on stage in front of thousands because you dream it.
"Hard work is involved in everything I do and I've enjoyed working on writing songs and performing music.
"If it ever stops being fun, I'll be just as happy going back to playing guitar and singing in my living room."
Modern West are currently on tour in the US and are set to release an album in October.

Michael applies for garden go-ahead

(Sunday July 13, 2008 11:30 AM)
Pop star George Michael has applied to a North London council for permission to redesign his garden.
The Faith hitmaker owns a luxurious home in Finchley and wants to change the layout of the outdoor area.
But the plans are so drastic he has to seek an order from his local authority to give him the green light.
According to the proposal, the former Wham! singer is hoping to remove a veranda from his back yard - because it blocks out too much sunlight to the breakfast room at the back of the house.
The singer will have to wait for planning permission to be granted by Barnet council before he can go ahead with the work.

Vaselines, Mudhoney Rock Sub Pop 20 Bash

July 13, 2008, 11:00 AM ET

Jason Cohen, Seattle
Sure, there were Nirvana songs on the first day of Sub Pop's 20th anniversary bash at Seattle's Marymoor Park. They just happened to be by the Vaselines. The shambling Scottish duo, so greatly loved by Kurt Cobain he covered them three times, joined Seattle pioneers/survivors Mudhoney as the symbolic high points of the event.

Amy's father reveals smoking danger

(Saturday July 12, 2008 08:20 PM)
Even one cigarette will cause physical damage to troubled singer Amy Winehouse, her father warned.
Her emphysema meant that anything inhaled into her lungs "is going to cause her a lot more damage", Mitch Winehouse told Sky News.
"I want people to understand - even if they give her one cigarette, they're causing her harm," he said in an interview.

Festival set for night to remember

(Saturday July 12, 2008 01:02 PM)
The first full day of entertainment at the T in the Park music festival got under way, with up to 85,000 revellers enjoying performances by top bands.
On Saturday night Glasgow group The Fratellis will take to the main stage alongside US rockers Rage Against the Machine, who return to the festival after playing the inaugural T in the Park in 1994. Elsewhere, former Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown will headline the King Tut's Wah Wah Tent and Kaiser Chiefs top the bill at the Radio 1/NME stage.
Organisers said they were pleased with the way the three-day event was panning out, with nearly 60,000 people using the campsite for the duration of the festival.
Emergency services reported a trouble-free evening on the campsite despite almost being at capacity by 10pm on Friday.
Chief Superintendent Matt Hamilton, of Tayside Police, said: "There are four people being remanded in custody which is extremely low at this stage for an event of this size.
"We look forward to the continued good nature of the fans and once again we urge everyone to have a good time but to remain vigilant and keep all of their belongings with them at all times."
Medical staff reported 56 hospital visits, mainly for sprains and other minor reasons.
Festival director Geoff Ellis said: "It has been a really good start to the event with the traffic management plan working so well yesterday.
"I am personally really looking forward to seeing Rage Against the Machine. They played the first ever T in the Park in 1994, so it's a real coup to have them perform at our 15th anniversary."
The mood at the campsite was upbeat on Saturday afternoon as revellers prepared for another day of music. Reggae star Eddy Grant opened the afternoon's entertainment on the main stage to a large crowd, singing hits such as Electric Avenue.

Bruni hurt by criticism of album

(Saturday July 12, 2008 12:30 AM)
Pop star and French first lady Carla Bruni is "hurt" after her new album was mauled by critics.
The Italian wife of president Nicolas Sarkozy released her latest LP - As If Nothing Had Happened - on Friday. It includes a musical tribute to her husband, references to previous lovers and cocaine.
The album was met with a frosty response from the media and public in France, with newspaper Liberation's website calling it a "pale copy of her first record".
And Bruni - who once dated Sir Mick Jagger - admits she is devastated: "Of course it hurts me, but I also find it quite natural. It's understandable that people can't help mixing up my work as an artist and my function. Maybe they feel offended by the fact the head of state's wife should make a record."

Festival-goers ready for headliners

(Saturday July 12, 2008 08:20 PM)
Spirits were high at Scotland's biggest festival as nearly 85,000 music fans geared up for the headline acts.
The majority of music fans managed to stay dry at T in the Park at Balado, Kinross-shire, and even the overcast weather could not dull the atmosphere.
Top acts include Glasgow favourites The Fratellis and Rage Against the Machine on the Main Stage, and Kaiser Chiefs, The Raconteurs and indie band The Pigeon Detectives on the Radio 1/NME stage.
The sun finally broke out as the Leeds band opened their energetic act with This is an Emergency and I Found Out.
The Pigeon Detective's drummer Jimmi Naylor said: "One of our own gigs is a lot closer, people can even get on the stage at our gigs. But this is a much bigger scale and it's a very different atmosphere. It's really good and we really like festivals.
"Last year we did T in the Park and it was the best festival we did for atmosphere with people going mad. The Scottish crowd are very good and very mental."

Sgt Pepper drum skin makes £540,000

(Friday July 11, 2008 09:30 PM)
The iconic bass drum skin used on the front cover of The Beatles' 1967 album Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band sold for £541,250 at auction.
Auction house Christie's had estimated that the hand-painted skin would sell for around £150,000, but it sold for almost four times that.
John Lennon's hand-written lyrics for Give Peace A Chance also surpassed their top estimate of £300,000.
The hammer went down at £421,250.
The words were intended as a lyric sheet for Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1969 Bed-In for Peace at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Canada, but Lennon gave them to fan Gail Renard and asked her to rewrite them in a larger format so everyone could join in.
A pair of Lennon's tinted prescription sunglasses, which he wore for the cover of the Apple Records single Mind Games, sold for £39,650.
The Rock and Pop Memorabilia sale at the London auction house raised more than £1.5 million.
A rare recording of the Jimi Hendrix Experience performing at the Woburn Music Festival, at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire, in July 1968 sold for £48,050.
A 1966 Marshall amplifier used by Hendrix in concert between 1967 and 1969 sold for £25,000 and a pair of his stripy flared trousers made £20,000. A 1967 Gibson guitar which had been owned by The Who's Pete Townshend sold for £32,450.
The sale included memorabilia from acts from Ella Fitzgerald to Madonna. Sale prices include buyer's premium.

Metallica in a coffin

(Friday July 11, 2008 11:44 AM)
Metallica have announced the first details of their new album, "Death Magnetic".The hard rock veterans release the follow-up to "St Anger" later this year and it will come out in a limited edition version.The coffin shaped box-set will include the album plus a host of rarities, including a CD of demos and DVD featuring behind-the-scenes footage.Amongst the other exclusive contents will be a Metallica credit card giving fans access to a download for an upcoming European live date.The album, which is expected to be showcased at next month's Reading & Leeds Festival, is slated for release in the autumn.

Thousands expected at T in the Park

(Friday July 11, 2008 04:30 AM)
Tens of thousands of revellers will descend on the T in the Park music festival for the start of a "mega line-up".
Crowds of 80,000 are expected at the three-day event, which gets under way with The Verve and the Chemical Brothers headlining on Friday night.
Others bands set to wow revellers on the first day include the Stereophonics, KT Tunstall and Feeder.
Tickets for Scotland's biggest outdoor music event, billed by organisers as a "mega line-up", were snapped up within hours when they went on sale.

Sunshine and showers for festival

(Friday July 11, 2008 06:43 PM)
Scotland's biggest music festival got under way with a mixture of summer showers and bright sunshine for revellers.
Despite some wet weather, music fans flooded through the gates of T in the Park at Balado in Kinross-shire.
The Wombats were the opening act at the Radio 1/NME Stage and said they were enjoying their time at the Scottish festival.

First lady Bruni releases new album

(Friday July 11, 2008 09:30 PM)
Carla Bruni, the supermodel singer who is married to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, has released her latest album - and the first since she took up residence in the Elysee Palace.
The title of the 14-track album is revealing: Comme si de rien n'etait (As If Nothing Had Happened).
Pictures show the top model turned singer -- who married Mr Sarkozy in February -- walking by a lake in a woodland scene.
The 40-year-old has become a popular first lady but it remains to see if her third album be a hit like the first in 2002, which sold two million copies, or a flop like the 2006 follow-up.
Sales were thin this morning at Virgin Megastore on the Champs-Elysees, but one customer says he did not buy the album for the name.
"I think it is the artist who is more interesting," says Eric Gardner de Beville.

Blunt, Bublé Are 'No Longer a Couple'

Posted: Friday 07/11/08 12:46 PM EDT
Filed Under: Celebrity Splitsville, Movie News, Music News

Emily Blunt and Michael Bublé have called it quits after three years of dating, giving the media little detail about why the 'Devil Wears Prada' actress and the 'Feeling Good' crooner broke things off.

Top Rock Acts Gear Up For VH1's Who Tribute

July 11, 2008, 12:00 AM ET

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Learning covers for VH1's "Rock Honors" tribute to the Who has been a labor of love for many of the participants, including Pearl Jam, the Flaming Lips and Incubus. The event also features Foo Fighters and Tenacious D, along with a set by the Who itself.

Katy Perry Still Top 'Girl' On Hot 100

July 10, 2008 , 10:50 AM ET
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" starts a third week atop the Billboard Hot 100 this week, but Rihanna's "Take a Bow" is closing in fast, rising 4-2 in its 13th week on the tally. Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" slides 2-3, while Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" drops 3-4.Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" is up 6-5 this week, while Chris Brown's "Forever" ascends 8-6 and Natasha Bedingfield's "Pocketful of Sunshine" jumps 10-7. The Jonas Brothers' "Burnin' Up" is at No. 8 after debuting at No. 5 last week, while Plies' "Bust It Baby Pt. 2" featuring Ne-Yo is down 7-9.Miley Cyrus' "7 Things" rises 16-10 and is the chart's top digital gainer, after selling 117,000 downloads. Her new album, "Breakout," arrives July 22 via Hollywood.

Bon Jovi attack touts

(Thursday July 10, 2008 05:21 PM)
Bon Jovi have spoken of their anger at news that tickets for this weekend's free New York show are being sold for over $1000.The band posted a statement on their official website today, reacting to news that a black market has taken off for the Central Park gig on eBay.The veteran rockers are due to play to 60,000 people on Saturday but their attempt to end the "Lost Highway" world tour on a high seems under threat.In the statement, which has reportedly since been removed, Jon Bon Jovi and co admitted to being "sorely disappointed" by the news."There are reports in the media about tickets being scalped for...the free concert. I for one am not surprised, but our organisation is sorely disappointed."As I said before, 'No good deed goes unpunished'", the band commented, before a band spokesman accused ticket touts of being "lowlifes"."It's a bad enough thing to suck money out of paid concerts. It takes unmitigated chutzpah to scalp free tickets", they stated.

Lennon "Peace" lyrics auctioned

(Thursday July 10, 2008 03:21 PM)
The handwritten lyrics to John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance" are expected to raise £300,000 at auction today in London.The hugely lucrative piece of rock memorabilia is amongst the lots to go under the hammer at Christie's, with the collection likely to raise around £1 million in total.The former Beatle gave them to their current owner, comedy writer Gail Renard, during his infamous Montreal bed-in with Yoko Ono in 1969.Renard became close friends with the couple after meeting them at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel event but has decided now is the time to sell."I really was getting nervous about it and they went to live in a vault for a little while but I thought, 'well that's ridiculous because nobody's enjoying them now'", she told the BBC

Lil Wayne Back On Top Of The Billboard 200

July 09, 2008, 10:55 AM ET

Katie Hasty, N.Y.
Despite a 25% drop in sales, Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" returns to the top of The Billboard 200 this week. The album moved 156,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and has now sold 1.68 million in four weeks of release.

Brother pens Madonna marriage book

(Wednesday July 09, 2008 06:51 PM)
A memoir by Madonna's brother says the singer really does love her husband, film director Guy Ritchie, but apparently not as much as she loves her career and herself.
Christopher Ciccone writes in Life With My Sister Madonna that "I hope that it is Kabbalah's lesson that she is not the centre of the universe".
The book is due to hit the shelves next Tuesday but it was seen in advance by journalists.
The 342-page book, published by Simon Spotlight Entertainment, comes at a time when Madonna has been linked to the break-up of the marriage of New York Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez.
According to her brother, she and Ritchie love each other, despite rumours that they are splitting up.
He believes they are "passionately committed" to staying married, with the help of Kabbalah.

Britney's sister shows off new baby

(Wednesday July 09, 2008 01:05 PM)
Jamie Lynn Spears - the TV actress and teenage sister of pop star Britney Spears - showed off her newborn daughter and told magazine readers of her "perfect" delivery.
Spears and fiance Casey Aldridge welcomed Maddie Briann at a hospital in McComb, Mississippi, on June 19.
Jamie Lynn Spears posed with her on the cover of the latest edition of OK! magazine in the US - as expected, given the fact that Spears announced her pregnancy through an article in OK! and reportedly was to receive a large payday for exclusive pictures of the baby.
The photos were taken at the pair's Louisiana home. The magazine does not comment on the terms of its deals with celebrities.
In an interview with OK!, 17-year-old Jamie Lynn said she had been nervous about giving birth "but it all fell into place. I was right on schedule. I had a perfect pregnancy and a perfect delivery. I was very blessed".
Jamie Lynn said watching Aldridge, a pipe-layer from Liberty, Mississippi, hold Maddie for the first time "was the coolest thing. ... He was so happy, and that made me the happiest person alive".
Jamie Lynn's immediate family - including big sister Britney - where there for the birth, though Aldridge was the only one allowed in the delivery room.
"It was such a big day," she said. "And being able to have your sister there, your whole family there, meant a lot. Everybody flew in to celebrate."
Lynne Spears, already grandmother to Britney's young sons, told the magazine: "You never remember how little they are, and then you hold them. I purred like a kitten, and I remember saying, 'Jamie Lynn, she's so beautiful'."
Jamie Lynn thinks Maddie takes after daddy. She said: "As much as I'd like her to look like me - I just carried her for nine months - she looks like Casey! He reminds me of it every day."

Spears' Sticky + Sweet video stalled

(Wednesday July 09, 2008 01:20 PM)
The recording of Britney Spears' video appearance for Madonna's latest world tour has been delayed due to technical problems.
The pop superstar had reportedly asked Spears earlier this month to make a promo that would air during her Sticky + Sweet tour, in a bid to help the troubled star resurrect her own singing career.
But the Toxic singer's scheduled recording slot on Tuesday was derailed as the set for the top secret video was not completed in time.
The set features an elevator on which Spears will perform, a source tells E! News online.
The insider adds, "The video will be very deep. You've never seen Britney like this before. It will blow your mind."
Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg confirmed Spears will record footage for the tour, but insisted the details of her appearance are "a secret".

Coldplay back Chewbacca

(Wednesday July 09, 2008 06:15 PM)
Chris Martin has defended people who choose bizarre names for their family, insisting he would be happy to have a child called Chewbacca.The Coldplay star has insisted the only people that matter are the parents, dismissing the "big fuss" from the media and public alike.Martin, father to two children, Apple and Moses, also defended the title of his band's new album, "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends"."People make a big fuss over names. Names of babies, names of albums, names of bands", he commented."There's nothing weird about calling your baby Chewbacca if that's what you want to call your baby. It's no stranger than Sarah."A name is just a noise, and, if you like it, then f*ck what everyone else says", he told Blender magazine.

Rumors Made Kravitz Nearly 'Throw Up'

Posted: Wednesday 07/09/08 12:20 PM EDT
Filed Under: Music News
Lenny Kravitz was not happy to have his name dragged through the Madonna-Alex Rodriguez affair. According to a source, the rocker was "looked like he was going to throw up" when he heard rumors he was having an affair with A-Rod's wife.

The Main Players

If you're following the Madonna and Alex Rodriguez story, the lines begin to get messy. With so many players, it's hard to keep everyone from Madonna and her husband Guy, her manager Guy, A-Rod, his wife and Lenny Kravitz straight. Here's how to decipher the love hexagon.

Mariah Carey Has a Kidnapping Fantasy

Posted: Wednesday 07/09/08 12:50 PM EDT
Filed Under: Celebrity Couples, Movie News, Music News

Mariah Carey tells Elle that she "always wanted to be kidnapped, I just wanted a way out" in her previous marriage. That was before she met Nick Cannon, who whisked her away on a helicopter ride that changed her life.

Lopez-Anthony Baby on Italian Vacation

Posted: Monday 07/07/08 04:39 PM EDT
Filed Under: Music News

Photographers snapped Jennifer Lopez spending time with one of her twin children -- either Max or Emme -- during a trip to Portofino, Italy with family.

Bon Jovi 'Free' Show Tix Going for $1,500

Posted: Tuesday 07/08/08 10:21 AM EDT
Filed Under: Music News
Scalpers are having a field day with Bon Jovi's upcoming free concert in New York City's Central Park this weekend, selling the supposed-to-be-free, hard-to-get tickets for more than a grand a piece.

Shocking Details in Madonna Biography

Madonna Troubles

Adding to Madonna's recent woes is her estranged brother Christopher Ciccone's upcoming unauthorized biography, which details the singer's lovelife, including lesbian flings, marriage to Guy Ritchie and what their main issues are, and alleged drug abuse.

Britney Spears Filming Footage For Madonna Tour

July 08, 2008 , 2:20 PM ET
Madonna has recruited Britney Spears for a virtual appearance on her upcoming tour."There is footage being shot of Britney some time this week in conjunction with Madonna's upcoming (Sticky & Sweet) tour," Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, told the Associated Press. "That is all the information I have available. The rest is 'a secret.'"Rosenberg denied reports that Spears, 26, is shooting a music video.Madonna guest starred in a music video for Spears' single "Me Against the Music" in 2003. The singers stirred up controversy that year with an open-mouth kiss at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Hilton set to team with Spears + Lohan in reality show

(Tuesday July 08, 2008 02:20 PM)
Paris Hilton is hoping to team up with fellow tabloid targets Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan for a new reality show about their lives in the spotlight.
The socialite wants to produce the two-hour special, which she hopes will include candid revelations from the stars, reports the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper.
Hilton was reportedly inspired by the success of Denise Richards: It's Complicated and Living Lohan, which are both produced by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest.

Noel backs Radiohead

Tuesday July 08, 2008 06:12 PM)
Noel Gallagher has paid tribute to Radiohead, calling them "rebels and outsiders" after their revolutionary "In Rainbows" release.The Oasis leader was speaking in the build-up to his own band's new record, "Dig Out Your Soul".However, Noel has insisted the Manc rock icons have no plans to give it away for free, as Thom Yorke and co did last year, explaining: "That's not our bag."I didn't spend a year in the most expensive studio in England, with the most expensive producer in America, and the most expensive graphic designer in London to then give it away. F*ck that.""To be honest, to me it looked like marketing - a great way of getting a load of marketing for free really. "But good for them. That's what they do, they're rebels and outsiders", commented Gallagher.

Nickelback Inks Multi-Rights Deal With Live Nation

As expected, Live Nation has entered into a long-term global partnership with Nickelback, following closely on the heels of a multi-rights deal notched with Shakira.

Will Smith's 'Hancock' Soars To Top Of Box Office, Marking His Fifth July 4 #1

Musician as a hero.

Despite poor reviews, Smith's superhero debut brings in $66 million over the holiday weekend.
By Josh Horowitz

The Box-Office Top Five

#1 "Hancock" ($66 million)

#2 "WALL-E ($33.4 million)

#3 "Wanted" ($20.6 million)

#4 "Get Smart ($11.1 million)

#5 "Kung Fu Panda" ($7.5 million)

It's American as apple pie: a Fourth of July weekend spent gulping down hot dogs, hamburgers and the latest Hollywood extravaganza starring the one star who is always money in the bank, Will Smith. Yes, once again, the nation celebrated its independence by contributing a whole lot of cash — $107.3 million since its July 2 opening, and $66 million over the weekend — to the opening haul of a Will Smith film. This time the mad money went to "Hancock," the Peter Berg-directed superhero flick that finally put Smith in spandex.

No Metallica, Beatles Just Yet For 'Guitar Hero'

July 07, 2008 , 12:00 PM ET
Antony Bruno, Denver
Although rumors continue to buzz, Metallica and the Beatles aren't headed to the "Guitar Hero" franchise just yet, according to Kai and Charles Huang, the sibling founder of game publisher RedOctane.Speculation abounds that Metallica will be the next band featured in their own version of "Guitar Hero," much like the just-released recent Aerosmith-centric game."We're not ready to comment about Metallica yet, but what I will say is that we'd love to work with all of the top rock bands of all time, whether it's Aerosmith or Metallica or AC/DC or Led Zeppelin," Kai Huang tells Billboard. "If we get an opportunity to work with those bands, we would love to do that."

Madonna denies divorce

(Monday July 07, 2008 10:25 AM)
Madonna has denied claims she is getting divorced from Guy Ritchie, amid reports linking her with a US baseball star.The pop icon's marriage has been the subject of much speculation in recent months, as she prepares to kick-off her latest world tour.However, the singer has released a statement insisting the couple are happy and distancing herself from Alex Rodriguez.His wife Cynthia is said to have blamed Madonna for the collapse of her marriage to the sportsman, who has apparently also taken up the Kabbalah religion.The statement, which was released to People magazine, reads: "My husband and I are not planning on getting a divorce."I brought my kids to a Yankee game. I am not romantically involved in any way with Alex Rodriguez."I have nothing to do with the state of his marriage or what spiritual path he may choose to study."I have learned over the years not to take accusations and the many false reports about me very seriously. "I also appreciate how fiction and fact seem to be perceived as one and the same by people who read both newspapers and the Internet", she commented.

Eminem sued

(Monday July 07, 2008 11:32 AM)
Eminem is being sued by a man who claims he was punched in the toilet of a Detroit strip club two years ago.The legal papers were submitted on Thursday ay Oakland County Circuit Court, following an incident on July 12, 2006.Miad Jarbou alleges his was assaulted at Cheetah's On The Strip Gentlemen's Club and is seeking $25,000 in damages.Eminem has never been charged following the reported incident and has not commented on the lawsuit.

Phish Members Jam Together At Rothbury Festival

Phish fans got their wish, or at least a portion of it, yesterday (July 6) at the Rothbury Festival in Michigan, as three members of the band performed live together in two separate incarnations.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (IPA: [ˈvɔlfgaŋ amaˈdeus ˈmoːtsart], full name Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [1] (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. His 600 compositions include works widely acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music. Mozart is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers, and many of his works are part of the standard concert repertoire.

Alicia Keys Gives Tour A Fitting Fairwell In Her Hometown

June 20, 2008 ,

Hillary Crosley & Mariel Concepcion, N.Y.
Dynamic musicianship is the mark of a good performer and Alicia Keys' performance Wednesday night (June 18) at New York City's Madison Square Garden definitely fit that description.The show, part of Keys' As I Am Tour, began with a five-song set by Jordin Sparks, who was clad in a pink dress and black heels and wore her hair in loose curls. Backed by two guitarists, a pianist and a drummer, the "American Idol" winner's set included the rock-tinged "Heartbreaker," "One Step At A Time" and "No Air" sans Chris Brown.Ne-Yo took the stage next, sporting a black tail-coat tuxedo, a top hat and a baton. He was accompanied by an eight-member band, all wearing shiny silver suits and hats, and four female dancers in sparkly white leotards.

Bon Jovi Nearing The End Of 'Lost Highway'

July 03, 2008 , 2:25 PM ET
Gary Graff, Detroit
With seven more shows left on its "Lost Highway" tour, things are starting to get "a little bit" sentimental around the Bon Jovi camp, according to guitarist Richie Sambora."Each tour is the end of an era and it's an end of a journey," Sambora tells Billboard.com. "The journey starts out with Jon (Bon Jovi) and I sitting in the room with a couple of pieces of paper and a pen and a guitar, and the songs start the whole thing. And it ends up in the studio with the band and then on the promotional tour ... and then the fun part, taking it to the people. So this'll be the end of the 'Lost Highway' era -- and the beginning of a new one, absolutely.”The group kicks off a short North American swing that starts Sunday in Sarnia, Ontario, and finishes with two shows at New York's Madison Square Garden on July 14-15. As previously reported, Bon Jovi will also play the Major League Baseball All-Star Game concert on July 12 in New York's Central Park.

Spears to join Madonna on tour?

(Sunday July 06, 2008 08:50 AM)
Madonna has reportedly asked Britney Spears to join her on tour, in a bid to help the troubled star resurrect her singing career.
The Material Girl hitmaker is set to meet with Spears in New York on Sunday to record a video, which will be broadcast on big screens during her upcoming Sticky and Sweet tour, due to kick off on 23 August.
And according to reports, the 49-year-old has even invited the Toxic star to join her onstage at some of her world tour dates.
A source tells The Sun, "They are recording a video together on Sunday that will provide the backdrop for part of Madonna's show.
"And they are talking about Britney taking the stage on a few of the dates too.
"It's hoped that Madonna can help Britney get back to her old self."
The singers previously stunned fans at the 2003 MTV Music Awards when they shared a passionate kiss onstage.

Dave Matthews Band Leads Epic Saturday At Rothbury

The Dave Matthews Band offered up an epic headlining set last night (July 5) at the inaugural Rothbury Festival in Rothbury, Mich., utilizing an expanded eight-piece lineup for favorites like "Rhyme & Reason," "Seek Up" and "Ants Marching" plus extended jams on "#41" and "Jimi Thing."

Cryptopsy Drummer Dismisses Sell-Out Claims; Plus Sepultura & More News That Rules, In Metal File

Jul 3 2008 8:00 AM EDT

'If you don't like it, don't listen to it': Flo Mounier's message to fans critical of the band's new direction.
By Chris Harris

When it was first revealed back in December that Cryptopsy — the underground technical death-metal outfit from Montreal — would be shifting styles and taking their sound in a more deathcore direction, incorporating more melodic elements as well as clean vocals into their tunes, the online backlash from longtime fans was nothing short of brutal. Fans took to the forums of various metal Web sites to tear Cryptopsy a new one without even hearing the songs that comprise the band's latest LP, The Unspoken King, which is in stores now. They launched an anonymous wave of condemnation that suggested the band had sold out by booting founding vocalist Lord Worm from the fold and bringing in fresh faces like frontman Matt McGachy, which, they all surmised, would mark the end of the influential act. One fan even went so far as to dub Cryptopsy's move toward clean vocals "the 9/11 of metal."

Britney Houston Recruits 'Britney Cat Dolls' For Pussycat Dolls Parody

Jul 3 2008 8:00 AM EDT
YouTube superstar also in the midst of recording a pop album.
By Jim Cantiello

Watch your back, PCD. There's a new girlicious group on the scene, and they've got your number. Meet the Britney Cat Dolls, a gaggle of New York drag performers led by YouTube superstar Britney Houston, who caused tons of LOLs last summer with her inspired take on Lil Mama's "Lip Gloss" video.
In actuality, BCD is a onetime joke created by Houston for her latest sure-to-be-blogged-about opus, a parody of the (real) Dolls' "When I Grow Up." On the guerrilla-style set of the "remaking" of the video, as Houston calls it, the quintuple threat (actor/ singer/ dancer/ choreographer/ all-around fierce person) is hard at work making sure every sight gag lands, every dance move is in sync and every location is used to its maximum potential.

Gym Class Heroes' Travis McCoy Arrested After Reacting To Racial Slur From Crowd Member

Jul 3 2008 6:29 PM EDT

Warrant was issued Thursday because police wish to speak with McCoy further about incident
By Chris Harris

On Tuesday, at the Maryland Heights, Missouri, stop of this summer's Warped Tour, Gym Class Heroes lead singer Travis McCoy was arrested and charged with third-degree assault after he allegedly struck a member of the audience in the head with his microphone.
According to police spokesman Sgt. Joseph Eagan, the department does not release the names of those arrested until they are formally charged by the local prosecutor's office. But Eagan did confirm that "there was an incident last evening with a band called Gym Class Heroes, and that we did make an arrest." Eagan said "there was an altercation between one of the artists and one of the patrons, and the person arrested was booked on assault, posted bond and was released."
Eagan did confirm that the incident was racially motivated, but added that the alleged victim "and the artist are of the same race."
"There were words exchanged, and the artist took offense to something that was said to him," Eagan said. "The complainant alleged that he was struck, and we're waiting for it to go to the prosecuting attorney."

Madonna, Guy Out Together in New York

Posted: Wednesday 07/02/08 11:11 AM EDT
Filed Under: Celebrity Splitsville, Celebrity Couples, Movie News


Madonna and Guy go out to dinner together in New York City's Upper West Side on Tuesday night. The couple, plagued with divorce rumors for months, is weathering recent allegations that the singer is having an affair with Yankees player Alex Rodriguez.

Adams Blames Paps in Split From Moore

Posted: Wednesday 07/02/08 05:44 PM EDT
Filed Under: Movie News, Music News

Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams had tried for months to keep their relationship out of the headlines. Now, rocker Adams says they've split partially because of the constant presence of paparazzi in their lives.

Abba will never reform says Bjorn

(Saturday July 05, 2008 09:36 PM)
Swedish pop group Abba will never reform despite the success of the Mamma Mia stage show and film, according to two members of the band.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson said the pop sensations will never take to the stage again.

The group had hits including Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All and Money, Money, Money, and have sold more than 370 million records worldwide.

Aniston dismisses Stewart concert ban

Jennifer Aniston is laughing off tabloid reports suggesting she had banned Rod Stewart's daughter Kimberly from attending John Mayer's recent London concert.

The former Friends star joined her rocker boyfriend for part of his European tour at the end of last month.

But, according to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Aniston was enraged when she spotted socialite Kimberly Stewart backstage at his Hard Rock Calling gig in Hyde Park on Saturday - and demanded she be removed from the site.

The publication went on to claim that "Jennifer doesn't want anyone around that reminds her that (Mayer) used to be a player".

However, Aniston's representative has dismissed the claims, telling Usmagazine.com the story is "absolutely false".

The Medic Droid

July 01, 2008

Laura Leebove, N.Y.
When Hector Bagnod and Chris Donathon of the Medic Droid uploaded their first song "Fer Sure" on MySpace, they didn't expect it to result in a record deal. In fact, when listeners asked for more music, they would say they weren't even a real band.

"The band wasn't supposed to even ever be a band," Bagnod says. "We just kinda got together to have fun, to write songs, and it ended up going a lot farther than we thought it ever would."

Less than two years after "Fer Sure" went online, the Phoenix-based power-pop/electronic duo released its first album, "Whats Your Medium," on Modern Art Records. Even though the effort has only eight songs, the album debuted at No. 33 on the Billboard's June 21 Top Heatseekers, selling just fewer than 2,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Widespread Panic, Snoop, Of Montreal Star At Rothbury

"The early bird gets the worm, huh?," Jakob Dylan said as he got the second day of the inaugural Rothbury Festival started yesterday (July 4). And there was certainly plenty to be hooked on the event's first full day of action, including Snoop Dogg, Widespread Panic, Of Montreal and the Drive-By Truckers.

The Billboard Q&A: Neil Young

June 24, 2008

Wes Orshoski
In the spring of 2006, Neil Young was just a year removed from a near-fatal aneurysm when he became so enraged with the war in Iraq that he quickly wrote, recorded and released the protest album "Living With War." Not two months after its release, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young launched their Freedom of Speech tour, during which unwitting fans expecting the band's sweeter side were greeted instead with its serrated edge.

Billboard caught up with the 62-year-old Young recently at a small, rustic restaurant south of San Francisco, in an area surrounded by redwood trees. Just a few minute's drive from the ranch he's lived on for more than 30 years, the restaurant would be familiar to hardcore fans, as it was featured in the "Unknown Legend" video and on the "Greendale" DVD.

With his alternative-fuel equipped 1982 Mercedes parked in front, on this day Young was particularly excited, as Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich introduced impeachment articles seeking the removal of President George Bush. Young spoke from behind a pair of dark sunglasses, the conversation often drifting toward his passion for finding alternatives to fossil fuels for automobiles, which, he notes, "is bigger than a song."

Rihanna has scored 10 top 40 hits since her career launched in 2005

Rihanna has scored 10 top 40 hits since her career launched in 2005. More staggering, the 20-year-old has four songs riding the Pop 100: top two "Take a Bow," Maroon 5 duet "If I Never See Your Face Again" just entering the top 40, "Don't Stop the Music" inside the top 40 after 30 weeks—and now "Disturbia." It's safe to say that Rihanna is the premier artist of the second half of the decade, with no signs of wear and tear. This latest is a sort of "Thriller" for partygoers, with multilayered vocals cascading across Ri's lower register, alongside fun scatting, a la "bum bum bi dum bum" with co-writing (and background vocals) from the irrepressible Chris Brown. Rereleased albums with added cuts have become a tedious trend, but "Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded" is actually worth its weight in platinum. In short order, Rihanna has become the trustworthy "it" girl of our time.—Michael Menachem

Dirty Pretty Things - Romance At Short Notice

(Thursday July 3, 2008 8:50 PM )
Released on 30/07/08
Label: Vertigo

It takes Carl Barat just 21 seconds to bring up booze on his band's new record. What's his poison? Irish whiskey, Jameson to be exact, though the Dirty Pretty Thing seems on more familiar terms than that with this liquor. "Why not come in for a Jamey's and escape life?", he slurs, surrounded by a staggering carousel of guitar and organs. Another eight seconds of opening track "Buzzards And Crows" have passed when "broken dreams" crop up - stall set early, Barat's invitation already sounds more like a plea for piteous ears than the gracious offer of a glass and a friendly shoulder.

George Michael Delivers The Hits In Anaheim

July 02, 2008 ,

Tricia Romano, Los Angeles
Rarely does a performer smile for the duration of a show, but George Michael – out on his first American tour in 17 years -- wore a cat-that-ate-the canary grin throughout his Anaheim, Calif., gig on Friday night (June 27).

At one point, he said, "every night of the tour, I've known how absolutely lucky I am." And he is, especially considering that his last big hit was his U.S. career peaking single "Freedom 90" almost two decades ago.

The 10,000 fans at the Honda Center were a mixed batch of aging ladies who became Michael fans during the Wham! era, and gay men, who perhaps came into the fold when the singer came out in the late '90s after his public sex bust. Despite the fact that the man on stage was a multimillionaire and international pop star, there was the sense that Michael was an underdog in the midst of a comeback.

That sense was reinforced by his comment midway through: "This" -- he said, pointing to the elaborate set -- "cost me all the money the tour would make. I'm not here for the money. I'm here for you." You could almost feel the audience rooting for him to succeed. He mostly did.

In these days of shrinking indie rock violets, Michael is among a dying breed: a true entertainer and consummate showman. During the uptempo songs, he stalked the huge stage, shimmying, dancing and clapping along. He stood in front of a gargantuan video screen, which in true Michael fashion, frequently flashed images of beautiful women, including the infamous supermodels of the '90s, burlesque star Dita Von Teese and prostitutes in Amsterdam's Red Light District.

Pop princess Kylie collects her OBE

(Friday July 04, 2008 03:12 PM)
Kylie Minogue spoke of her joy at being back to full fitness after beating breast cancer as she received an OBE.

The pop princess said she was touring for the first time with a healthy body since being given the all clear from the disease.

The singer, actress and performer described being "totally blown away" at receiving the OBE from the Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Kylie, 40, said: "It was surprisingly emotional. I expected to be a little nervous, obviously very excited, but it was very emotional seeing all these people from different walks of life joining together for this event."

Looking at her OBE medal, she added: "This symbolises my communication with my audience and people around the world and that's incredible."

In May 2005, Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer and was forced to put her career on hold. But she returned to the stage just 18 months later, having undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and used her "time off" to write the children's book The Showgirl Princess.

She was joined at the Palace by her parents, former ballet dancer Carol and accountant Ron, and her sister Dannii who has also carved out a pop career.

During the investiture the singer shared a personal moment with Charles, clasping his hand with both of hers.

She said while chatting to the Prince he had commented about her recovery from cancer. "He just asked what I'm up to at the moment and was happy to see me better."

She added: "I'm so happy to be back on tour. This is my second tour since being ill. My energy levels are now so much better. I think I was quite fragile on the last one but it was something I had to do, but now I'm full of joy and very thankful."

Sheryl Crow In A Holiday Mood On Upcoming Album

July 04, 2008 , 1:30 PM ET

Gary Graff, Detroit
The lights and candles and wreaths were out in Sheryl Crow's Los Angeles living room-in mid-June. Christmas came early in Crow's world this year because of an as-yet-untitled holiday album she's recorded with producer Bill Bottrell for Hallmark's annual series, following releases by James Taylor, Barry Manilow and George Strait.

It'll drop into Hallmark Gold Crown stores in September, and Crow gave Billboard an exclusive sneak peek before stashing it away until then. "We grew up singing Christmas carols [with] four-part harmonies," she says. "Christmas wasn't Christmas until the Christmas Eve service, and we all sang in the choir. It's still that way."

Crow is turning her attention back to her regular repertoire this summer, however. She's currently in Europe for festivals in Denmark, Switzerland and Italy, then returns to North America for a tour with James Blunt that starts on July 24 in Nashville. In November she heads to Australia with John Mellencamp.

She's also among the many musical artists lining up in support of Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama and hopes to play some role in support of his campaign.

"I know my manager's been talking to them," Crow says. "We're just putting schedules together and figuring out where we can be useful and what they need us for. I think his message is strong and clear. It's a message we need to start to believe in, and we need to stop with the cynicism and really manifest ourselves as being a part of what's happening in this country. We let some bad things happen on our watch; hopefully we'll never repeat that again.