Trance music and the 2008 preview

It seems that trance music is gaining influence....

Utrecht, Saturday February 23rd – We knew that they would go fast, but not this fast! Tickets for the Trance Energy anniversary event are already completely sold out, more than five weeks in advance of the big night!

The hard core of the international dance community is set to converge on Utrecht from every continent: never before has Trance Energy attracted so much interest from abroad. No fewer than 30,000 partygoers are going to be part of this extra-special fifteenth event, under the musical guidance of the crème de la crème of the world’s DJs. They include Tiësto, Ferry Corsten and Marco V on the Main stage, with Marcel Woods, Alex M.O.R.P.H. and Ronald van Gelderen topping the bill on the High Contrast stage. Jean is one of the feature acts on the Club stage, while the Future stage will be showcasing up-and-coming young talents like Sean Tyas and Airbase.

Mdonna is very well covered!

Madonna is being covered, it seems...

Following the critical success of 2007’s A Brighter Beat and an improbable bid for the Christmas number one slot with We’re All Going To Die, Malcolm Middleton is back to business with a new, stripped-back-record. Sleight of Heart includes Malcolm’s version of Madonna’s Stay, alongside 2 other covers and 6 original new songs.

Comprising tracks written during the Brighter Beat sessions and a handful of cover versions, Sleight Of Heart bookends what Middleton describes as his 'boo-hoo/way-hey! period', using up all the leftovers and tying up the loose ends. 'I'd like to do something different next so this kind of forces my hand. For once I've nothing prepared or ready to fall back on,' he says.

Initially conceived as an acoustic LP – and largely remaining so – the album was recorded at Chemikal Underground Studios in Glasgow. Malcolm’s recording band (featuring Mogwai’s Barry Burns on piano, ex-Delgadoes man Paul Savage on drums, touring bassist Stevie Jones and Jenny Reeve on backing vocals) joined in when he 'got carried away'.

'I suppose this album is a reaction to the production of A Brighter Beat, which I love, but I felt it was time for something quieter,' says Middleton. 'My songs are usually written on a guitar so this way they are closer to the original form.'

There’s plenty to cherish in the nine new tracks here. Opener A Week Off has the wonderful line 'I’ll write a good song just give me more time, it’s easy hating yourself it’s hard making it rhyme,' and is surely the only tune to name check Fleetwood Mac released this year. Elsewhere, Love Comes In Waves is what Middleton sarcastically describes as 'over-blown Glasgow indie-pop', Total Belief finds Malcolm contemplating his 'unworthiness' – a common strand in his solo work – and Blue Plastic Bags is a brilliantly observed song about British drinking culture.

'Surely everyone understands the longing / despair / contentment / self-contempt / confusion in this song,' says Malcolm. 'As a nation we're all drinking too much. Not the binge drinking of the '90s but the sneaky innocent couple every night. If the fridge is empty at 9:30pm, you start sweating and run out to buy some for 'just in case’.'

The covers on the album are fairly unpredictable. Here, a tortured version of Madonna’s Stay rubs shoulders with a lively take on King Creosote’s Marguerita Red and Jackson C. Frank’s Just Like Anything. Stay is an old favourite of Middleton’s, while Just Like Anything is beloved by his girlfriend, 'So I thought I’d ruin it for her,' he says.

It all amounts to a captivating record from a man who’s fast becoming one of the UK’s most cherished – and prolific – artists. While you enjoy this one, Malcolm’s already beavering away on his next full-length release, with mixed results so far.

Lily Allen and her show...

These are the latest news from Lily Allen...

Lily Allen has shot the pilot episode of her forthcoming chat show, with Alex James set to be amongst the guests.

As previously reported, the UK pop songbird will make her TV presenting debut in the coming months on the as-yet-untitled programme.

Scheduled for broadcast on BBC 3, the Blur star and comedian Alan Davies both appear in the pilot.

The opening edition was filmed earlier this week and is currently being worked on by the production team.

Lily's show is expected to centre on the emergence of social networking groups, with interactive elements for the audience.

Britney and a new baby....

Britney wants another baby as it seems...

Britney Spears is desperate to have another baby, says her paparazzo ex-boyfriend.

Photographer Adnan Ghalib - in his first interview about his relationship with the 'Gimme More' singer - denied pictures of the pair buying a pregnancy test were staged.

He said: "Britney has a very maternal instinct. She was feeling a lot of things she said she felt when she was pregnant. I think she was hoping she was pregnant with my child."

Adnan also quashed rumours Britney has a restraining order against him, adding their relationship is "far from over".

He added to US TV show 'Entertainment Tonight' last night (22.01.08): "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to marry Britney." On the same evening as the interview was broadcast, Britney and Adnan went out together for the first time in a week, but their evening came to an abrupt halt when Adnan crashed Britney's car into a motorcyclist.

While the motorcyclist was unhurt, Britney's white Mercedes SL had a severe dent on the left hand side. The 35-year-old British photographer also recalled the first time he met Britney - on December 28 2007, when he was chasing her car in Hollywood to get a photo.

He said: "To be honest with you, sometimes in life we prepare ourselves for things that may happen, but I was definitely, definitely not prepared in any way shape or form for that.

"There was an aggressive chase and at a stoplight in Hollywood she got out of her car and got into mine, and I think that's what made the difference."

Despite insisting he was not paid for the exclusive chat, a TV producer disagreed, adding: "Adnan wasn't giving up that interview for free."

Meanwhile, Adnan's wife of four years, Azlynn, has had enough of her husband's intimate relationship with Britney, and has filed for divorce from the snapper, citing "irreconcilable differences".

Spice girls profit big time!

These are the latest official values...

According to reports, The Spice Girls each pocketed approximately £10 million from their recent 17 date residency at the O2 Arena in London. Almost half a million tickets were sold for the shows, and added to the merchandising and sponsorship, it’s estimated the band made a £50 million profit.

Despite previous reports from GerI Halliwell that the tour wasn’t motivated by money, who wouldn’t want, wouldn’t really really want, to earn that kind of dough for a spot of singing and dancing?

Christina Aguilera's son is ready to go!

Her son is ready to go, as it seems...

Christina Aguilera's son Max was circumcised in a ritual Hebrew ceremony at their Beverly Hills home yesterday (20.01.08).

Christina and her husband Jordan Bratman, who are both practicing Jews, invited a small group of friends and family to their eight-day-old son's Bris, the traditional Jewish baby naming and circumcision ceremony.

The Bris is traditionally held on the eighth day of a baby's life and Max Liron Bratman was born on January 12, returning home with his mother from Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center a few days later.

The ceremony formalised his middle name Liron, which means "my song" or "my joy" in Hebrew.

A source close to the singer said: "Christina wanted to give Max a partly Jewish name. When she came across Liron she couldn't believe her luck because as well as liking the sound of it, it was a direct reference to her own career."

Christina was said to be feeling "sore" after giving birth via Caesarean section, but the 27-year-old singer is already using her musical talents to bond with Max.

A source said: "Her voice is fine. She is already singing to Max."

Paul McCartney is willing to "say something"...

As it seems, Paul has something to say....

Sir Paul McCartney is considering an out-of-court divorce settlement to prevent Heather Mills talking about their marriage.

The Beatles legend is reportedly keen to avoid a High Court battle next month after discovering Heather plans to represent herself in the settlement.

Paul - worth an estimated £800 million - is said to be concerned the former model will use the opportunity to discuss intimate details about their marriage and fears their four-year-old daughter Beatrice could be affected by the revelations.

The musician's legal team is believed to have contacted Heather and told her: "Paul is ready to talk."

A source said: "Paul and Heather have spoken three or four times in recent days over the phone. It seems that the mood has definitely changed and they are both now ready to resolve things sensibly."

Heather, who is representing herself after splitting from top legal firm Mishcon de Reya, is reportedly planning to build her case on the idea that splitting from Paul has ruined her chance of being happy and successful.

The source added to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "She is going to say that before they met people liked her and admired her, she was successful, had her own career and income. Heather is claiming that when they got together, he stopped her from having a career.

"She will say that now they have split, she is a hate figure and unemployable so Paul should compensate financially for the rest of her life."

The 40-year-old vegan is also preparing to argue she has revived Paul's music career.

The source added: "When they first met he was ruined by the death of Linda - his music wasn't going anywhere. She will say he got his career back on track."

Documents leaked last year alleged Paul was physically and verbally abusive toward Heather during their four-year marriage.

A source said: "She wants to come across less money-grabbing and barmy and more the wronged wife and mother."

Representatives for Heather and Paul would not comment on reports the
musician is considering an out of court settlement.

Sex Pistols and their new album is just ahead

As it seems, Sex Pistols are on the attack again...


The Sex Pistols might have a new album this year. It has been 30 years since the one and only album 'Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols' but Johnny Rotten, Glen Matlock, Steve Jones and Paul Cook are getting ready to hit the studio.

Last year, the band re-recorded 'Anarchy In The UK' for Guitar Hero III. A new version of 'Pretty Vacant' was done at the same time but remains unreleased.

The line-up then went on to play eight live shows, seven in the UK and one in the USA.

Later this year, the Pistols will reform for a fully-fledged tour of Festivals. The new material is to modernize the setlist.

'Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols' was their one and only studio album. It was released in October, 1977. Johnny Rotten left the group in January 1978. It was truly a short story.

The first reunion happened in 1996. The Sex Pistols toured the world for the Filthy Lucre Tour,

In 2002, they got back together for a show to mark The Queen's Golden Jubilee. North America was treated to 'The Piss Off' tour in 2005, and next came last year's shows.

Blur and OASIS head-to-head in just a month!

Fans are going crazy as Oasis and Blur will be head-to-head very soon...


Oasis and Blur look set to go head-to-head "The Weakest Link", a decade after the demise of Britpop.

The pair of rival indie bands have apparently been approached about performing on BBC game show.

According to tabloid reports, the Gallagher brothers have been invited, alongside Damon Albarn and Alex James.

Noel is a self-confessed fan of the Anne Robinson-fronted quiz although talks are thought to be in the early stages.

A BBC source, who says a number of other Britpop stars have been approached, said: "If we can pull this off it would be unbelievable."

Brett Anderson from Suede, Elastica's Justine Frischmann, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker and Manic Street Preachers' singer James Dean Bradfield are also in the frame.

Morrissey fighting racism as a cause

Morrissey fights racism just as we do...


Morrissey and Love Music Hate Racism have teamed-up and are seeking volunteers for his upcoming residency in London.

The former Smiths idol plays six shows at the Roundhouse this month, kicking-off with the first date on Monday.

He has invited the organisation to have a presence at each show, which will feature a stall dedicated to the campaign.

People interested in getting involved should send their contact details to lmhr.london@gmail.com, listing any previous experience.

Love Music Hate Racism host a 30th anniversary Rock Against Racism event in Victoria Park, London on April 27.

Morrissey releases a new single, "That's How People Grow Up", on February 2, followed by his greatest hits a week later.