News and opinion from the world of music.
Members of a subculture known more for doom and gloom and pale faces challenge stereotypes (and have a great time) on an annual tropical outing called GothCruise… For his trips to Bermuda, Mexico and the Caribbean, Larry McFall, or Lobster, as his friends call him, packs items from his “closet of doom” and “drawer of […]
Continue ReadingThe Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert is moved to December after Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page hurts hand… The injury to Page’s finger, which was sustained last weekend, will not allow him to play guitar for three weeks. The specialist treating him said, “I have examined the fracture and it is my opinion that with proper rest […]
Continue ReadingSinger/songwriter Shayan Italia and his debut self-titled album are tipped to feature big in 2008… Shayan Italia’s debut single Reflection has entered the top 10 of Britain’s popular TV Airplay Music Chart, weeks before his album is officially launched. It placed fourth, after Foo Fighters (The Pretender), Mark Ronson Feat. Amy Winehouse (Valerie) and Kanye […]
Continue ReadingWithin minutes of the announcement of the Led Zep show in London on Wednesday, an estimated 20 million fans around the world rushed to register for tickets… According to service provider Pipex, there are around 80,000 fans a minute attempting to register at the site. They are working around the clock to keep the website […]
Continue ReadingViolinist Vanessa-Mae has often been described as a “child prodigy”, here she attributes success to “anal retentiveness”… and her “rocker granny”. As she strolled into our private interviewing room at Bangkok’s prestigious Dusit Thani Hotel, violinist Vanessa-Mae brandishes an enchanting smile and duly apologised for being an hour late. “Everyone’s just so tired, because we’ve […]
Continue ReadingSome artists go through the transitionary process too fast, others get it spot-on. Kelly Clarkson manages the latter with her third album, My December… As the title may suggest, it’s perhaps not the happiest hook-laden album ever. But damn, it’s good. Opening with the lead single ‘Never Again’, Kelly kicks proceedings off nicely with a […]
Continue ReadingA new ruling on royalties has put online radio stations and musicians on the offensive… Mark Kerr was named a Blues Hall of Fame ambassador for the state of Louisiana in March. It was not because of the many albums he has sold or because of his long career in playing the blues. He says […]
Continue ReadingDinosaur Jr return with their original line-up to treat London fans on their World reunion tour… Like former label-mates and Boston-based contemporaries, Pixies, a strong back-catalogue followed by an acrimonious break-up, has only served to add curiosity to the music loving public's unquenchable thirst for all things guitar which gives a knowing nod to the […]
Continue ReadingA symphony orchestra's decision to sell its collection of rare string instruments has highlighted the difficulty in appraising them… Earlier this year, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra decided to sell 30 rare stringed instruments. The orchestra had bought the collection four years earlier for $17 million from philanthropist Herbert Axelrod in an effort to improve […]
Continue ReadingSeattle grunge legends play a special one-off fan show at London's Wembley Arena… Pearl Jam took to the stage at Wembley Arena last night to be greeted as heroes by a full house. The setlist of nearly 30 songs spanned all eight studio albums – with an emphasis on Yield – and a rare performance […]
Continue Reading
