Tag Archives: Music

Westlife Split After 14 Years

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After 14 years, 26 top ten hits including 14 number one singles, 11 top 5 albums, 7 of which hit the top spot and have collectively sold over 44 million copies around the world, 10 sell out tours and countless memories that we will forever cherish, we today announce our plan to go our separate ways after a greatest hits collection this Christmas and a farewell tour next year. The decision is entirely amicable and after spending all of our adult life together so far, we want to have a well-earned break and look at new ventures. We see the greatest hits collection and the farewell tour as the perfect way to celebrate our incredible career along with our fans. We are really looking forward to getting out on the tour and seeing our fans one last time.

Over the years Westlife has become so much more to us than just a band. Westlife are a family. We would like to thank our fans who have been with us on this amazing journey and are part of our family too.

We never imagined when we started out in 1998 that 14 years later we would still be recording, touring and having hits together. It has been a dream come true for all of us.

Kian, Mark, Nicky and Shane
‘Greatest Hits’ to be released on 21st November
New Single ‘Lighthouse’ to be released 13th November

Westlife Tour Dates

May 2012

Monday 14 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena

Tuesday 15 Liverpool Echo Arena

Thursday 17 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Saturday 19 Sheffield Motorpoint Arena

Sunday 20 Birmingham LG Arena

Tuesday 22 Nottingham Capital FM Arena

Wednesday 23 London O2 Arena

Saturday 26 Manchester Evening News Arena

Sunday 27 Glasgow SECC

Tickets go on sale at 9am Friday 21st October priced at £44.00 and £38.50 in London and £41.50 in the regions (subject to booking fee) and can be booked through www.livenation.co.uk

www.westlife.com

Mike Jagger: “I spend too much time on Facebook”.

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Mike Jagger has revealed that he is addicted to social networking.

In an interview with USA Today, the legendary singer admitted that he spends too much time on Facebook and not enough time making music.

“I spend way too much time on the computer and not enough time playing the guitar. There’s an underlying problem of this screen life taking over all of your life,” he said.

“It’s easy to keep in touch with people, some of whom I wish I’d never kept in touch with. But there they are on Facebook! You can spend a lot of time on that when you should be doing something else.”

The Rolling Stone star is also on Twitter, but admitted that he doesn’t update the account himself, adding: “But, really, who does?”

Jagger said that a rumoured 2012 tour by the Rolling Stones is “not on the table”. He is focusing on Superheavy, the group he started with Dave Stewart, Damien Marley and Joss Stone.

WIN A DAY ON A COVER SHOOT WITH CONVERSE, RWD MAG and JD SPORTS!

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WIN A DAY ON A COVER SHOOT WITH CONVERSE, RWD MAG and JD SPORTS!

Converse have teamed up with RWD Magazine and JD Sports to offer the chance to get backstage on the set of RWD’s January 2012 cover star photo shoot. The winner will get to meet with the team behind RWD, the UK’s leading urban title, and spend the day with them behind the scenes on a cover shoot with one of the world’s most prolific urban stars.

The winner will also get the chance to pick out their own Converse Bags and accessories in the flagship JD Sports store on Oxford Street in London, as well as hanging out with the RWD crew on the shoot and of course, the cover star. The star is yet to be revealed, but previous RWD covers have featured Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, Wretch 32 and Ed Sheeran, so this competition gives you the chance to rub shoulders with the hottest talent in the music industry as well as winning some new Converse gear!

To enter, visit the link the below, login and answer the question. This competition is live now and closes on 30th November 2011. http://tinyurl.com/6x48bdt

Facebook Links:
JD Sports – http://www.facebook.com/JDSportsOfficial

Scotland’s Islands autumn & winter 2011 events

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Celebrate island culture and heritage this autumn and winter with an action-packed line-up of exciting events as part of the Year of Scotland’s Islands festivities.

Royal National Mod

Lewis

14-22 October 2011

Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival returns to the Outer Hebrides in 2011, providing opportunities for people of all ages to celebrate Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, including Gaelic music and song, dance, instrumental, drama and literature.

Although the focus of the Royal National Mod is on competition, the event also offers a wide and comprehensive programme of non-competitive events which include performances from some of Scotland’s top traditional musicians and Gaelic singers.

http://www.scotlandsislands.com/festivals-events/info/64/royal-national-mod

Scottish International Storytelling Festival (Summary of Island-Based Events)

21-30 October 2011

An ideal place to discover Scotland’s treasure-trove of stories in a lively celebration of storytelling performance exploring the links between Scotland’s rich storytelling heritage and other cultures. These island-based events take place on Bute, Fair Isle, Iona, Cumbrae, Mull, Skye, Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Herbrides.

This year the Festival is all about exploring and pursuing the island experience through story, myth, music, song and dance. Greek and Roman myths mix with sagas of the Celts in this ten day festival. Enjoy the traditions of Scotland’s Islands alongside Mediterranean tale spinners and musicians from Corsica, Sardinia, Malta, Greece and Cyprus.

http://www.scotlandsislands.com/festivals-events/info/502/scottish-international-storytelling-festival-(summary-of-island-based-events)

Comedian Ed Byrne

Shetland mainland (24 October 2011 )

Orkney mainland (25 October)

As an observational stand up Ed Byrne, has played in major comedy venues across the UK and Ireland, including the Vaudeville, Riverside, and New Ambassadors theatres in London, and the Gaiety, Olympia, Ambassador, and Vicar St. theatres in Dublin. His UK tours and regular TV appearances are always hugely popular and well received by the critics.

http://www.scotlandsislands.com/festivals-events/info/447/comedian-ed-byrne

Night Time Tour of the Spectacular

Mount Stuart

Bute

27 October 2011

Mount Stuart is claimed to be Britain’s most astounding Victorian gothic mansion. An opportunity to experience the house at its most peaceful.

By candlelight and torchlight, your guide will lead you through the house on a specially devised route, taking in many private areas of the house.

http://www.scotlandsislands.com/festivals-events/info/507/night-time-tour-of-the-spectacular-mount-stuart

Shetland Food Festival

Shetland Mainland

5-13 November 2011

A celebration of mouth-watering Shetland produce, including some more unusual specialities such as seawater oatcakes, Shetland Black potatoes and more-ish fudge!

Food lovers’ events include cookery demonstrations, producers’ markets and Christmas craft fair. There’s also a ‘Ready, Steady, Shetland’ cook-off, where Shetlanders present their take on the popular TV programme, Ready, Steady, Cook.

http://www.scotlandsislands.com/festivals-events/info/440/shetland-food-festival

Harris Tweed – Past, Present and Future (celebrating the centenary of the Orb 1911-2011)

Lewis

18 November 2011

This one-day event marks the centenary of the orb by reviewing the history of this vitally important and distinctive island industry with a variety of engaging talks, poetry, film, story-telling and discussion sessions.

Arranged by the Island Book Trust in conjunction with the Harris Tweed Authority, the event will bring together people from different backgrounds to celebrate the island’s successes and achievements and reflecting on the current and future challenges it faces.

The Ba

Orkney mainland

25 December 2011

Traditional street rugby, played by the Uppies and Doonies with a much prized locally made leather Ba’ (ball).

The Ba’ is thrown up outside St. Magnus Cathedral and the game ranges through the town. This game is played annually on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Spectators are welcome but be careful!

http://www.scotlandsislands.com/festivals-events/info/491/the-ba

Up Helly Aa

Shetland mainland

31 January 2012

Shetland’s biggest fire festival, Up Helly Aa, celebrates Shetland’s history with a series of re-enactments, culminating in a torch lit procession and Viking Galley burning.

Considering it’s held in mid-winter on the same latitude as southern Greenland, Up Helly Aa has never been cancelled

http://www.scotlandsislands.com/festivals-events/info/434/up-helly-aa

Papay Gyro Nights 2012 Art Festival

Pap Westray, Orkney

6-13 February 2012

Papay Gyro Nights is an international film and video art, contemporary art, music and architecture festival based on folklore and tradition of Orkney. The Festival takes place in unique and remote settings on the island of Papa Westray. The idea of the festival has originated from the ancient Papay tradition of the Night of The Gyros. The Festival is also a reflection the island’s landscape and heritage as well as interpretation of tradition and ritual.

http://www.scotlandsislands.com/festivals-events/info/274/papay-gyro-nights-2012-art-festival

For more information on the Scotland’s Islands initiative visit: www.scotlandsislands.com

Under The Bridge Showcase Live Relaunch

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When: 12 September 2011 | 7pm
Where: Under The Bridge
Chelsea Football Stadium, Fulham Road, SW6 1HS

On the 12th of September I went to the relaunch of Roman Abramovich’s £20 million venue in West London, at Chelsea Football stadium. Showcase live has been the starting point of some of the biggest names in popular music, including, JLS and Jessie J and their partnership with Under The Bridge is sure to bring many more household names to light in the future.

Under The Bridge is a brilliant venue, it has good ambiance, a good crowd (surprisingly, not all WAGs) and a good sound system. The music was brilliant.
 
We had performances from Vida, Paradise Point, Daniela Brooker, Project Alfie & Will Heard.
 
Vida | JLS star Oritse Williams remembered exactly where he started his career when he put Showcase Live on the top of his list of priorities for his new girl group VIDA. Oritse is working with Colin Lester / Twenty First Artists on the project.
 
Paradise Point | Paradise Point are energised school-leavers who are determined to return credibility to teen pop music. Bass player Roman is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father, Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp.
 
Daniela Brooker |17-year old Daniela already has a very promising career ahead of her. She has been writing her album with Paul Garred (The Kooks) and Rob Harris (Jamiroquai). Her band is formed of Dizzee Rascals guitarist, Julian Perrettas drummer, Claire Maguire’s keyboardist and Go West’s bassist.
 
Project Alfie | Project Alfie is creating a sound which blends classic film soundtracks and soul. He shares same the stylist as Jude Law and Dave Gandy and has written with some of the biggest names in the industry such as The Invisible Men (Jessie J) and Future Cut (Lily Allen).
 
Will Heard | A charming story teller with an undeniably beautiful voice.  The 20-year-old singer-songwriter from SW London brings a unique blend of blues, folk, soul and funk to the table.
 

Web | www.showcaselive.co.uk
Facebook | www.facebook.com/showcaselive
Twitter | www.twitter.com/showcaseliveuk
YouTube | www.youtube.com/showcaselive

America's No. 1 Girl Band : BLISS!, ‘The Lipstick Tour’

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After Hours Enterprises in conjunction with StreetCred Promotions is proud to present BLISS! “The Lipstick Tour” 14 -21 October 2011!

Bliss is an All Girl Group, residing in Atlanta, Georgia. and have quickly become America’s All Girl Group! They have performed with many celebrity artists in the United States and appeared on major television networks such as B.E.T and MTV. Bliss have now focused their attention on overseas markets! This movement further expanded their fan base and is preparing to introduce Bliss as international artists! Their presence has become phenomenal, both physically and virally.

Bliss consists of singer/songwriters, Alexis (Lex), Falicia (Cali) & Taryn (Shay), this enigmatic trio offers music that is rich and full, realistic and diverse, energetic and highly entertaining. They have created a style of music that is as unique as the group itself! B! liss has defined their sound as Euro/Pop R&B! This music combines the soulful sound of R&B, mixed with the pop era of the 80’s, with a European swag that creates relevancy in today’s music market. Bliss has mastered their sound, coupled with high energy dance routines. That work ethic has allowed them to concentrate on a universal sound that is appealing and enjoyable by all consumers.

In early 2011, Bliss reached out with their hearts to the UK and became international ambassadors for The Tree of Hope Children’s Charity. More and more artists are giving something back these days and for a group to associate themselves with a charity early on in their career is an admirable choice.

It is said that the name BLISS is an acronym for Beautiful, Luscious, Intelligent, Soul Sisters. It’s looking like that description is pretty much spot on.

Beyonce Reveals Pregnancy At MTV Awards

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She has been a workaholic superstar, entertaining the world since her teens, but now Beyonce has entered another phase in her life –  becoming a mother. Beyonce and her husband, rapper Jay-Z, are to become parents for the first time.

Beyonce revealed she was pregnant at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles where the former Destiny’s Child singer flaunted her growing baby bump. Beyonce performed her song “Love On Top” at the awards, telling the audience to stand up and said: “I want you to feel the love that’s growing inside of me.”

When the song finished, she took off her jacket, smiled broadly and rubbed her tummy.

Jay-Z was congratulated by Kanye West who were both in the audience and he gave Beyoncé a big wave.

Guided By Bob

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Robert Pollard is a musician from Ohio, USA who has been recording songs since the 80s.

His output is not easy to dissect as there are just too many albums to list here. I myself have well over 70 albums and there are probably a lot more. What I can tell you is that once you get into his grooves, the albums all make up one massive assault on the musical senses.

If you are a truly passionate music fan, you will get to the point of living inside each and every track this fella has put out – and still puts out at an alarming rate. His band, GBV (Guided By Voices) were truly the first band that recorded what is now called lo -fi music and reached a global scale, yet almost everything was recorded in his basement onto cassette tape.

I can’t recommend going to his site enough as it will show you more doors to open and it may even give you a few keys to fit them!

Truly inspiring.   http://robertpollard.net/index.htm  or   http://www.gbv.com/index1.html