Eminem has "Relapse"

(Thursday March 05, 2009 05:07 PM)

Eminem will release his new album, "Relapse", in May, he has announced.

The news comes after months of speculation about the long-awaited follow-up to 2004's "Encore".

The rapper today also revealed plans to issue a follow-up to the first record later in 2009, entitled "Relapse 2".

Confirming the news in a statement, Eminem said: "A lot of people were expecting 'Relapse' to drop last year.

"I was one of them. Then Dre and I went back in the studio in September for a few days, and that turned into six months.

"We were on such a roll; we wound up with a ton of new music produced by Dre. Putting out 'Relapse 2' will let everyone get all of the best stuff."

"Relapse" is due to come out on May 17 and will be preceded by a currently untitled single.

Tina Turner hits UK

(Thursday March 05, 2009 01:28 PM)

Tina Turner's live comeback has landed in the UK, after the singer continued her world tour with shows in London.

The pop legend played the second date of five at the O2 Arena on Wednesday night, running through a greatest hits set.

The 69-year-old announced plans to return to the stage last year, embarking on the "Tina!: The 50th Anniversary Tour" last October.

Running through a two-hour set, featuring 21 songs, Turner treated fans to a host of classics, alongside covers of tracks by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

According to the NME, the set-list was as follows:

"Typical Male"
"River Deep-Mountain High"
"What You Get Is What You See"
"Better Be Good To Me"
"Acid Queen"
"What's Love Got To Do With It"
"Private Dancer"
"We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)"
"Help!"
"Undercover Agent"
"Let's Stay Together"
"I Can't Stand The Rain"
"Jumping Jack Flash"
'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll"
"GoldenEye"
"Addicted To Love"
"The Best"
"Proud Mary"
"Nutbush City Limits"
"Be Tender With Me Baby"

Tina Turner's world tour concludes in Antwerp, Belgium, on April 30.

U2 club show

(Wednesday March 04, 2009 07:01 PM)

U2 are to play a club show in America next week, according to reports.

Bono and co released their new album, "No Line On The Horizon", on Monday and are currently working as David Letterman's backing band on his US chat show.

They are expected to appear for an intimate, one-off show in Boston, at an unknown venue, on March 11 with gigs also rumoured in Los Angeles and Chicago.

The band have also revealed plans for another new album, which will act as a companion record to their latest work.

Titled "Songs Of Ascent" and headed by a single called "Every Breaking Wave", the latest collection is described by the group's singer as a "heartbreaker, a meditative, reflective piece but not indulgent".

U2 have yet to confirm any official details about the follow-up to "No Line On The Horizon" or announce plans to play shows in the UK or Europe.

Rihanna: Brown u-turn?

(Wednesday March 04, 2009 01:27 PM)

Rihanna has decided not to press charges against Chris Brown following their reported altercation last month, according to reports.

The singer and her boyfriend are said to have been reunited following the incident, which is alleged to have left her with serious facial injuries.

The rekindling of their relationship has thrown the police investigation into doubt, after she decided against giving evidence.

Detectives are thought to still have a case and are due to submit a file to the Los Angeles County District Attorney later this week.

A police source explained: "Rihanna says she doesn't want to testify against him. She has had a change of heart and doesn't want the case to proceed.

Britney returns in comeback concert

(Wednesday March 04, 2009 12:53 AM)

Britney Spears has returned to the stage for the start of her first concert tour in five years.

The troubled pop star began her Circus tour in New Orleans, where her fans queued for hours ahead of the doors opening for the comeback gig.

The pop princess - who will perform across the US and Canada for three months before finishing in London in June - opened the show with the song Circus.

She then went into Piece Of Me, which she performed largely from a cage, part of the elaborate, stage backdrops.

Dressed as a sexy ringmaster and directing a cast including jugglers, acrobats and martial arts dancers, Britney was cheered by the crowd as she performed some of her biggest hits, from the recent Womaniser to Baby One More Time.

But the 27-year-old did not interact much with the crowd - uttering only: "Thank you, New Orleans" at the end of the nearly two-hour show.

No Doubt donate music to concert goers

(Wednesday March 04, 2009 10:25 AM)

Newly reformed rockers No Doubt have pledged to donate their entire back catalogue of music to fans who buy a ticket to their upcoming summer tour.

The Don't Speak hitmakers reunited last year and are set to hit the road for a massive North American tour.

And Gwen Stefani's band have announced that all fans who purchase a top price ticket for one of the gigs will be given access to all of their music online for free.

A statement from the group reads, "Since the band is heading back to the road, we wanted to find a cool way to get people listening to our music and stoke them with a great deal at the same time."

The tour will kick off in Atlantic City, New Jersey on 2 May.