Glastonbury wrap up

The staff at Music Universe have been keeping a watchful eye over the 2008 Glastonbury festival. Controversy was welcomed as always with moments such as Amy Winehouse punching a photographer, Jay-Z singing 'Wonderwall' as a joke in reference to Noel Gallagher's previous below the belt comments and The Verve's frontman Richard Ashcroft having a dig at organiser Michael Eavis.

Anyway, here's a couple of clips from the festival. Enjoy

Jay-Z - 'Wonderwall'



Kings of Leon - 'Charmer'



MGMT - 'Kids'



Editors - 'Munich'



The Last Shadow Puppets - 'Wonderous Place' (ft. Jack White!!)



Amy Winehouse - 'Rehab' (punch)



The Babyshambles - 'Albion'



Franz Ferdinand - 'Katherine Kiss Me' (new song!)



Vampire Weekend - 'Oxford Comma'



Band of Horses - 'Is There A Ghost'



We Are Scientists - 'Time Means Nothing' (ft. Lightspeed Champion)

Snoop talks about Dre's new album 'Detox'

Snoop Dogg has revealed news about Dr Dre's highly-anticipated new album 'Detox', saying that the album is finished and the hip-hop legend is currently finalizing the track listing.

During an interview with Los Angeles radio station Power 106, Snoop revealed that he had recently recorded some tracks for the long-hyped swan song album from the good Dr.

"That record is real, it's coming," Snoop said of the album, which been speculated about for the last decade, and was long believed to have been shelved by the rapper.

"You know me, I was starting to doubt it myself, and then I went up in there and he played so much music for me it knocked my head off. I see what he got them waiting for, it's on and poppin'. He got records, he got heat."

Dre's album '2001' about what feels like ten years ago now, was and still is without a doubt Music Universe's favourite hip-hop album to date. So much so, we have had to purchase it 3 times because we scratched the hell out of the previous copies!

www.dr-dre.com

The New Pornographers tour Australia

Sideshows for Sydney’s Great Escape Festival have already begun trickling in with The New Pornographers announcing some dates this October.

The Vancouver outfit, led by the prodigious A.C. Newman, outdid itself with fourth album 'Challengers' in late 2007. They uprooted from their Canadian studio to record at the Seaside Lounge in Brookyln, taking a more “organic” approach than on previous efforts. As a result, Challengers brims with rich and varied instrumentation from the eight-strong crew.

Tickets go on sale Friday 11 July.

Sunday 5 October – The Great Escape, Sydney
Tuesday 7 October – The Zoo, Brisbane
Wednesday 8 October – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
Friday 10 October – The Gov, Adelaide
Saturday 11 October – The Corner, Melbourne
Sunday 12 October – Annandale, Sydney

http://www.thenewpornographers.com/

The Grazzhopper Festival comes to Geelong

The Grazzhopper Festival looks like it will put Geelong on the festival map come Saturday October 4th at Beckley Park.

Set to be the biggest ever music festival to be held in Geelong, the day will feature over twenty-five of the biggest Australian bands including Grinspoon, Faker, Shihad, Operator Please, Dukes of Windsor, Vandalism, Bluejuice, The Galvatrons, Mammal, Muph and Plutonic, Trial Kennedy, Horsell Common, Young and Restless, The Modern Legion, Dirty Laundry, The Scientists of Modern Music with many more to be announced.

The first round of tickets go on sale Tuesday July 1 for $76 + bf

www.grazzhopperfestival.com

The Living End announce Australian tour

The Living End’s amazing live shows have long been a staple in every music fan’s calendar with a fierce reputation for putting on gigs of the highest standard. The band are now armed with an arsenal of new tracks from their forthcoming album ‘White Noise’ due out on July 19th. They will be embarking on a national tour throughout September and October taking in regional and capital cities across Australia.

All that you’ve been hearing on the radio lately is ‘White Noise’! That’s because The Living End’s new single has been all over the airwaves as the No. 1 Most Added Track at Radio. The Living End have already given a few lucky fans a taste of what’s to come with regional shows in Victoria earlier in the year under the moniker of The Longnecks.

The Living End also blew away the crowd at the recent Triple J ACDC Lane event in Melbourne. Despite a fire in ACDC Lane adjacent businesses almost aborting the entire gig, the show went on, moving 50m to Duckboard Place just hours before the scheduled event. Filmed by triple j tv, the massive event will become the basis of a limited edition bonus DVD exclusively available with the first copies of the album. The new single ‘White Noise’ is released on July 5th. The new album ‘White Noise’ will be out on July 19th with a limited edition bonus DVD of the ACDC Lane event.

Video Hits, Nova, Channel [V], Max, New World Artists and Crucial Music present
THE LIVING END – White Noise Tour
All shows with Children Collide and The Silents (except *)
Tickets for all shows $39+b/f
On sale Thursday July 10

Fri Sep 12 – Metro City, Perth, WA
Sun Sep 14 – Discovery Nightclub, Darwin, NT *With Children Collide and The Moving
Tue Sep 16 – Southport RSL, Gold Coast, QLD
Wed Sep 17 – Power House, Toowoomba, QLD
Thu Sep 18 – Caloundra RSL, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Fri Sep 19 – The Arena, Brisbane, QLD
Tue Sep 23 – Campbelltown: The Cube, Campbelltown, NSW
Wed Sep 24 – Newcastle Panthers, Newcastle, NSW\
Fri Sep 26 – Waves, Wollongong, NSW
Sat Sep 27 – The Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Tue Sep 30 – HQ, Adelaide, SA
Thu Oct 02 – Queensbridge, Melbourne, VIC
Sat Sep 20 – Coaster, Gosford Showgrounds NSW Festival

www.thelivingend.com

Oasis announce 'Dig Out Your Soul' as new album

The new Oasis album will be called 'Dig Out Your Soul'. It will be released on October 7th.

The Gallagher Brothers have completed the album in London at Abbey Road Studios with producer Dave Sardy (Jet).

Noel Gallagher says, "I wanted to write music that had a groove; not songs that followed that traditional pattern of verse, chorus and middle eight. I wanted a sound that was more hypnotic; more driving. Songs that would draw you in, in a different way. Songs that you would maybe have to connect to - to feel."

The first single from the group's seventh studio album will be "The Shock of the Lightning" out on September 29.

"If 'The Shock of the Lightning' sounds instant and compelling to you, it's because it was written dead fast. And recorded dead fast," songwriter Noel Gallagher said on the band's website


Oasis are going on tour in Canada with special guest Ryan Adams come October time:

8/26/08: Seattle, WA - WaMu Theater
8/27/08: Vancouver, BC - GM Place
8/29/08: Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
8/30/08: Calgary, AB - Pengrowth Saddledome
9/1/08: Winnipeg, MB - MTS Center
9/4/08: Ottawa, ON - Scotiabank Place
9/5/08: Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
9/7/08: Virgin Festival Toronto, ON
9/9/08: London, Ontario - John LaBatt Centre

www.oasisinet.com

Kings of Leon reveal 'Only By The Night' album

Kings of Leon have revealed the details of their highly anticipated forthcoming album.

'Only By The Night' - the band's fourth studio album - is due out on September 22 in the UK and the following day in the US.

The Kings have been working on the follow-up to 2007's 'Because Of The Times' in Nashville's Blackbird Studios.

The band co-produced the album with Angelo Petraglia and Jacquire King.

The kids at Music Universe are still obsessed with 'Because of The Times'........and now a new one is coming........christ almighty........

http://www.kingsofleon.com/

Amy Winehouse diagnosed with Emphysema

Amy Winehouse's drug spree has had a major effect on her body. Her father Mitch has confirmed that the singer is suffering from emphysema.

Mitch Winehouse made the statement to the Sunday Mirror. He blames his daughter's crack cocaine dependency on her condition.

The 24 year old may have to wear a mask and live the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

Mitch said that her "lungs are all gunked up" and that she has "70% lung capacity".

The singer was taken to hospital in London last week after staying awake for 48 hours. Doctors found an irregular heartbeat.

Emphysema is an unusual health problem for people in their 20s. Winehouse's lifestyle is to blame.

The disease may affect Winehouse's voice. This may mean that the career of Amy Winehouse may have come to an end. If not corrected, she will have trouble performing and will struggle with recording.

www.amywinehouse.co.uk

Albert Hammond Jr tours Australia

Announced in the second round of acts for Splendour In The Grass, Strokes member and burgeoning solo talent Albert Hammond Jr. has also locked in three special headline shows.

The man announced his standalone potential with the 2006 album 'Yours To Keep', and he’s set to follow it up with '¿Cómo Te Llama?', out 5 July through Remote Control.

This trip for Splendour will be Hammond Jr.’s first as a solo artist, after a number of triumphant shows here with The Strokes.

Wednesday 30 July – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne

Friday 1 August – The Gaelic Theatre, Sydney
Saturday 2 August – The Zoo, Brisbane

All tickets on sale Monday 30 June.

http://www.alberthammondjr.com/

Carl Barat hospitalised

Carl Barat has been rushed to hospital complaining of stomach pain.

Dirty Pretty Things frontman Carl was admitted to an as-yet undisclosed hospital yesterday morning and has since been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.

A statement on the band’s official website reads: 'Carl is being kept under observation until the weekend to undergo further tests and a possible operation.

Barat was due to play the Hackney Round Chapel this Friday (June 20) but the show has now been postponed. Carl and the rest of his Dirty Pretty Things are on tour in support of their latest album 'Romance at Short Notice.'

Acute pancreatitis is most commonly linked to gall stones and alcohol abuse, and recovery can take up to a month.

It is not yet known whether the band will be able to perform at Glastonbury on Sunday June 29.



www.dirtyprettythingsband.com

British India tour 'Thieves' across Australia

Melbourne indie band British India return with a new single 'I Said I’m Sorry' from their upcoming second album 'Thieves', out Saturday 19 July.

To celebrate their new album British India are pleased to announce their ‘Thieves’ National Album Launch Tour. Don't miss your chance to see one of Australia’s finest live rock acts on tour:

BRITISH INDIA ‘Thieves’ National Tour July/August 2008

Friday 4 July- Hunter Valley Brewery Maitland NSW
Saturday 5 July- The Woodport Inn Erina NSW
Friday 11 July- The National Hotel Geelong VIC
Saturday 12 July- The National Hotel Geelong VIC
Sunday 13 July- The National Hotel Geelong VIC **Under 18s
Thursday 17 July- Peninsula Lounge Moorooduc VIC
Friday 18 July- The Corner Hotel Melbourne VIC
Saturday 19 July- The Corner Hotel Melbourne VIC
Thursday 24 July- Prince Of Wales Bunbury WA
Friday 25 July- Amplifier Bar Perth WA
Saturday 26 July- Amplifier Bar Perth WA
Sunday 27 July- The Newport Hotel Fremantle WA
Friday 1 August- The Governor Hindmarsh Adelaide SA
Sunday 3 August- Splendour In The Grass Byron Bay, NSW
Friday 8 August- Manly Fisho’s Manly NSW
Saturday 9 August- Cambridge Hotel Newcastle NSW
Thursday 14 August- Sands Tavern Maroochydore QLD
Friday 15 August-The Tivoli Brisbane QLD
Saturday 16 August- Coolangatta Hotel Coolangatta QLD
Thursday 21 August- Wollongong Uni Wollongong NSW
Friday 22 August- The Metro Sydney NSW
Saturday 23 August- The Roxy Parramatta, Sydney NSW
Sunday 24 August- The Factory Theatre Sydney NSW **Under 18s
Thursday 28 August- Lonnie’s Nite Club Launceston TAS
Friday 29 August- The Republic Bar Hobart TAS

www.myspace.com/britishindia

The Coaster Festival 2008 announced

The Coaster Festival is hot off the press and set to take Gosford by storm on September 20th of this year. The line-up for the inaugural event has just been released and it’s looking pretty damn fine.

Finally back from New York where they recorded their most recent album 'White Noise', The Living End, will be headlining Coaster in what is sure to be one helluva manic set.

Here is the full line-up so far ( with more to announced) :

The Living End

Kisschasy

COG

Something With Numbers

Blue King Brown

The Potbelleez

The Matches ( USA)

Bluejuice

The Lazys

Saturday 20 September - Gosford Showgrounds, Gosford, NSW

Tickets on sale from Wednesday 2 July.

http://www.coasterfestival.com.au/

Parklife 2008 unveils first acts

Parklife is one of the biggest events on the dance music calendar, and it’s also the party that heralds the beginning of the summer festival season. Beginning in Sydney way back in 2000, it’s grown to an event that sells out to 30,000+ crowds in its hometown, as well as taking it to over 100,000 people across the country, with events in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Notable and definitely worth seeing acts include Dizzee Rascal, Goldfrapp, 2manydjs/Soulwax, Does it Offend You, Yeah?, Diplo, Blackalicious and Peaches.

Parklife will be rearing its head at the following dates around the country:
Saturday 27th September- Botanic Park, Adelaide

Sunday 28th September - Birrung Mar, Melbourne

Monday 29th September - tba, Perth

Saturday 4th October - City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane

Sunday 5th October - Centennial Gardens, Parklands

AND HERE’S THE FULL LIST…

Goldfrapp

*Soulwax

Peaches

2manydjs

Dizzee Rascal

Martin Solveig

Plump DJs

Diplo

Jesse Rose

Does It Offend You, Yeah?

Blackalicious

XXXchange

Metro Area

Elektrons

Yuksek

Van She

Dragonette

Boy 8-Bit

Familjen #

Bag Raiders Live

Ajax

Slyde

Grafton Primary

Van She Tech

& many more
(* excluding Adelaide)(# excluding Perth)

http://www.parklife.net.au/

Josh Homme cuts sick at kid at Norwegian Wood Festival

Josh Homme, frontman of Queens Of The Stone Age, doesn’t like it when you repeatedly throw things at his head. Especially when he’s trying to put on a show at a Scandinavian festival. Well, one 17yr old kid shortly found this out at the Norwegian Wood Festival a couple of days ago.

The title does enough explaining – click play and watch Homme unravel in a righteous hail of expletives.

Daniel Johns wins 3 at the APRA Awards

Daniel Johns has becoming the first person ever to win three APRA Awards in one year.

Johns was named APRA Songwriter of the Year last night at the ceremony in Sydney. 'Straight Lines', the song he wrote with Julian Hamilton of The Presets, was named Song of the Year, and 'Straight Lines' was also awarded for the Most Played Australian Work.

Sporting a black-eye, Johns got up to receive his gong from Peter Garrett and managed to say a few drunken, slurred words, "I really love my family, and I really love my management, and I really love everyone that I love.”

The Breakthrough Songwriter Award went to Sally Seltmann (aka New Buffalo) who write the Feist hit '1234', also used in the Apple commercial.

Rogue Traders were received Dance Work of the year for 'In Love Again'. It was their second APRA after winning in 2006.

John Butler won for Blues and Roots Work of the Year for 'Good Excuse'.

Conor Oberst (aka Bright Eyes) brings his Mystic Valley band to Australia

Indie-kids wake up! For all of those that can't help but want to cuddle him whilst listening to one of his Bright Eyes' albums, the news is that Conor Oberst ( the genius behind all that melancholy) is bringing his new project – Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band – to Australia come October time.

Already announced as one of the headliners for The Great Escape Festival in October, we are pleased to let you know that he will also be doing some very intimate sideshows too.

The shows are definitely not to be missed as he will be playing tracks of his soon to be released self-titled album, recorded at a Mountain Villa in the mystical Tepoztlán region of Mexico.

Thursday 2nd October – The Palace, Melbourne
Friday 3rd October – The Tivoli, Brisbane
Saturday 4th October – The Enmore, Sydney

Tickets on sale Thursday 26th June through Ticketek.

www.thisisbrighteyes.com

Below is 'Four Winds' off Conor Oberst's/Bright Eyes most recent album 'Cassadaga'.

Hadouken! first Australian tour

Mixmag described Hadouken! as having “the Prodigy’s energy, Dizzee’s vocal delivery and Bloc Party’s indie-dance”. Although that might sound like an unholy mish-mash on paper, when you actually get to hear UK nurave sensations Hadouken! it’s not hard to see why people are tipping them as the next big thing.

Taking their name from the legendary catch-cry of Ryu in the Street Fighter videogame (Hadouken! Hadouken!), Hadouken! are from Leeds in the UK. The 5-piece released their debut album last month, which features the party anthems ‘That Boy That Girl’ and ‘Get Smashed Gate Crash’.

Announced this week in the final line-up for the Splendour In The Grass, it’ll be the band’s first visit to Australia and after the festival they’re set to play headline dates in Sydney and Melbourne.

Hadouken! tour dates:

Sun Aug 3 – Splendour In The Grass, Byron Bay (Sold Out)
Wed Aug 7 – The Forum, Sydney
Thu Aug 8 – Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne

www.hadouken.co.uk

The Polyphonic Spree announce sideshows

The Polyphonic Spree are bringing their one-of-a-kind live experience to Splendour In The Grass. They’ve also scheduled some sideshows too.

The many members of the Spree will be crowding onto intimate stages to present songs from their three remarkable records. Their most recent album was released in late 2007, 'The Fragile Army' introduced extra shades to the collective’s psychedelic ‘symphonic pop’ sound. The hope and exuberance is now cut through by more ominous themes. Shedding their white robes for an austere military-style uniform, the Spree has entered a new phase; however the playfulness and musical daring is still very much there. When they take to the stage it’s something to behold.

Tuesday 29 July – Metro Theatre, Sydney
Wednesday 30 July – Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne
Thursday 31 July – Tivoli, Brisbane

www.thepolyphonicspree.com

The Great Escape Festival 2008 lineup announced

One of Australia’s most unique festivals is set to return over the October long weekend – and boy is this line-up worth packing the tent for.

The rumours have been running riot for months, but finally we have the announcement we have all been waiting for............The Great Escape festival is coming!!

They haven’t been to oz for nearly four years, but brit-pop survivors, Supergrass will be heading up the bill alongside the godfather of everything that came out of the 90’s, Pixies front-man, Black Francis.

Marching alongside him will be the band that starts a party in your pants everytime....We Are Scientists.

Anyway here is the whole list :

SuperGrass
Black Francis
C.W. Stoneking
Conor Orberst and The Mystic valley band (aka Bright Eyes)
We Are Scientists
LadyTron
Joan as Policewoman
The New Pornographers
Yeasayer
Paul Kelly
The Mess Hall
The Panics
Bristish India
Blue King Brown
The Galvatrons
Lior
Pikelet
Yves Klein Blue
Jackson Jackson
Little red
John Steel Singers
Seabellies
The E.L.F
Laura Jean
FireKites
Cassette kids
Wons Phreely
The Scientists of Modern Music
The Redsun Band
The Holidays
Whitley
SPOD
Plug In City

and there is so much much more to come!

The Great Escape festival is more than music though, there will be a whole world of wonderful weirdness to explore over the 52 hectares (yes that’s right ) of hills, woodlands, bunkers and ancient buildings that is the Newington Armory. It is an absolutely fanciful weekend of much debauchery not to missed people!

The Great Escape
Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th October - Newington Armory, Sydney, NSW

Tickets at the early bird price of $180+BF, Stage two prices will be $200 + BF. Ticket price includes both event and camping.

Tickets go on sale 9am Wednesday July 9th.

www.thegreatescape.net.au

New Young Pony Club tour Australia again

After being announced in the final Splendour lineup, glitzy popsters New Young Pony Club have gifted sideshows to Melbourne and Sydney.

Coming straight outta London town, this five-piece made quite an impact on its last Australian tour. Their party-starting repertoire includes the thoroughly caned Ice Cream, The Bomb and other frothy delights from debut album 'Fantastic Playroom'.

Special guests are still to be announced, with tickets on sale Thursday 19 June.

Tuesday 5 August – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne
Wednesday 6 August – Home Nightclub, Sydney

*Appearing at Splendour in the Grass August 2nd/3rd.

www.myspace.com/newyoungponyclub

Splendour In The Grass final line-up

Well, we have been waiting for this for a while now and it's finally here. Splendour In The Grass have finally made an announcement on the final line-up.

The oh-so glorious Polyphonic Spree will be sliding on their coulourful robes and heading to the shores of Byron Bay. Joining them will be the manic New Young Pony Club, Tokyo Police Club, Lyric Born and Albert Hammond Jr will be taking some time out from The Strokes to head downunder.

Lets not forget about the Aussies, because there have been some awesome late starters in the way of the magnificent Drones, new-comers Yves Klein Blue, Paul Dempsey and our fave old-schoolers Even.

Have a look at all of these beauties to complete the line-up for Splendour In The Grass 2008.

The Polyphonic Spree
New Young Pony Club
Yves Klein Blue
Lyrics Born
Tokyo Police Club
Albert Hammond Jr (of The Strokes)
Little Red
Clare Bowditch
Bluejuice
Robert Forster
The Drones
Hadouken!
Bliss n Eso
Paul Dempsey
Katalyst
Even
British India
The Galvatrons
Delta Spirit
Slot Machine
The Black Stars

DJ’s

Van She Tech
Bag Raiders
Soft Tigers
Food Fight
E.L.F DJ
Kato and pob

They join the likes of Devo, Wolfmother, Sigur Ros, The Living End, The Presets, Tricky, Vampire Weekend, Ben Lee, Cold War Kids, The Fratellis, The Wombats, Pnau, Laura Marling, The Vines, The Grates, Operator Please, Band of Horses, Van She, The Panics, Gyroscope, Mstrkrft, Lightspeed Champion, The Brown Birds from Windy Hill, Scribe, The Music and The Gin Club.

SATURDAY AUGUST 2ND and SUNDAY AUGUST 3RD at BELONGIL FIELDS in BYRON BAY. *SOLD OUT*

www.splendourinthegrass.com

Below is The Polyphonic Spree performinh 'Running Away' from their latest album.

The Music Australian tour of 'Strength in Numbers'

After turning grassy arenas into heaving dancefloors at Splendour in 2003 (touring their self-titled debut) and again in 2005 (then pushing album No.2, Welcome to the North), English four-piece The Music make their long-awaited return to Australian stages this July and August.

The Music’s new, third album 'Strength in Numbers' – showcases some sky-blasting choruses, dancefloor-friendly beats, an almighty rock groove and just some down right wiked tunes.

The Lancashire Evening Post recently spoke about The Music's live shows saying, “they mix old and new with surprising ease… The new material is different, more considered and complex. But the crowd laps it up so much that sweat drips from the ceiling like rain.” These shows found 'Take the Long Road and Walk It' still inspiring early waves of euphoria, 'The People' and 'Getaway' as heady as ever, and the jungle drum crescendo of 'Bleed From Within' inevitably causing a mass flailing of limbs.

Rob Harvey was quoted as saying, “I want people to feel like I do when I’m singing these songs,” says Harvey. “I want them to feel in the moment, not disconnected. It’s about bringing people together and making them feel good.”

Feel it for yourself when The Music finally return to Australia this winter.

Tour dates are:
Thursday 31 July - Metro Theatre, Sydney (Supported by Dukes of Windsor)
Friday 1 August - The Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne (Supported by Dukes of Windsor)

Tickets on sale Monday 23 June

www.themusic.co.uk



Below is a clip of The Music's latest single, 'Strength in Numbers'.

Pharrell, Santogold and The Strokes release 'My Drive Thru'

The Strokes Julian Casablancas, Santogold and Pharrell Williams will release their collaboration 'My Drive Thru', tomorrow (June 10th).

As Music Universe reported not long ago, the three artists entered the studio earlier this year to record the song, which has been made in association with the shoe manufacturer Converse.

Santogold described the song as “such a Pharrell track”. Williams, who produced the song alongside N.E.R.D, said he was a “big fan” of The Strokes had “always wanted to work with Julian”. As for Santogold, Williams mentioned that “Santogold is super-talented and she cares about music so much that it’s not just about sound, it’s a visual aesthetic,” he added.

The end of the Babyshambles ?

Pete Doherty has questioned the future of Babyshambles, revealing that he is concerned why the band aren't a bigger commercial success.

The singer, who was speaking at the Rock AM festival, said that the group needed to “sit down as a band and talk about the future.”

"What’s happening and why, when and who with. Two years of arseing about, we could actually make money out of this job,” he said.

“I’ve just realised people are always saying to me ‘yeah but you can afford it’ and I’m like ‘what’s making them say that?’”

Speaking to MTV News, to the surprise of his bandmates, Doherty said: “We’ve got a few concerns at the moment over issues with management, where the money has been going (and) distribution of wealth.”

Ummm....Pete...where's the money and wealth gone you ask? Having a look up your nose and in your arms might be a start! To be honest Pete, we are only still fans of yours because of The Libertines. Period.

www.babyshambles.net

Band of Horses announce 2nd Melbourne show

On the back of their successful recent release 'Cease To Begin', Band of Horses return to Australia this August for a series of east coast shows. With their first Melbourne show selling out in a week, Band of Horses have announced a second Melbourne show on Monday August 5 at Billboard. Tickets are on sale now.

BAND OF HORSES AUSTRALIAN TOUR:
Sunday August 3 - Billboard, Melbourne (sold out)

Monday August 4 - Billboard, Melbourne

Tuesday August 5 - Metro Theatre, Sydney

'Cease to Begin' out now on Sup Pop through Stomp Records

www.bandofhorses.com

Is Coldplay the last super act?

The team at Music Universe came across this article yesterday. Paul Cashmere from Undercover wrote the article and it refered to Coldplay as being the only known super act of this decade. For those thinking that maybe Muse and The White Stripes should be considered, well if you do your research, they came into the music world pre-2000. Some might say Jack Johnson or The Killers, but in comparison to Coldplay, have both sold peanuts. Let's not forget how many more album sales Coldplay will make with Viva La Vida (an absolutely brilliant album!).

Looking at super acts from past decades, to name a few, the 60's brought us The Beatles, Rolling Stones,Pink Floyd and The Doors. The 70's brought us The Eagles, AC/DC, Queen and The Police. The 80's brought us Bon Jovi, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica. The 90's gave us Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Oasis, Radiohead. There's a ridiculous amount of names I didn't mention, but it looks like something has gone wrong this decade.

As Paul writes, we are only 18months from the end of this decade with only Coldplay to show for it.........have we seen the last of the super acts???

http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=5159

Foo Fighters play with Led Zeppelin at Wembley

Over the weekend, the Foo Fighters played at Wembley Stadium. They also pulled a rabbit out of their hats: an encore featuring members of Led Zeppelin.

Frontman Dave Grohl dropped numerous hints throughout the show. “We’re gonna do something we’ve never done at a Foo Fighters show and it’s gonna blow your shit out the door!” he announced. “Tonight this is gonna be the show that we’re gonna be talking about for the next 20 years!” Sure enough, come encore time, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page strolled onstage (vocalist Robert Plant is touring the US, pity).

Grohl took over drums for a rendition of 'Rock and Roll', with Foos stick-man Taylor Hawkins on lead vocals. Then Grohl returned to the mic to lead 'Ramble On'. “Welcome to the greatest fucking day of my life!” he gushed as Jones and Page left the stage. We’re sure much of the 86,000-strong crowd felt the same way.

As for any news on Led Zeppelin's forthcoming world tour, Jimmy Page told The Telegraph newspaper that they will definitely be touring again one day, but it looks like it won't kick off until mid 2009. That's because Robert Plant is currently on tour throughout 2008 with Alison Krauss.

Please come to Australia!!!!

Check out the Wembley concert on youtube today!

www.foofighters.com

www.youtube.com

Cherry Bar, AC/DC lane is damaged in fire

If you’ve been lucky enough to get your hands on tickets for the Living End gig in AC/DC Lane you’ve probably been worrying about where the gig would be, after a fire torched several buildings in the area and damaged Cherry Bar on Thursday night.

Thankfully, the organisers have solved the crisis and the show will go on just up the street in Duckboard Place. The all ages gig will be filmed by triple j tv and recorded for Live At The Wireless.

AC/DC lane, including the space where the gig was going to be held, has been closed off pending police investigation. But Cherry Bar owner James Young is optimistic that the much loved Melbourne rock venue will be open for business by next weekend.

The Living End are performing a one-off gig leading into their much anticipated release of their 5th album, 'White Noise'. Due out in mid-July, 'White Noise' appears to have a heavier theme to former albums. The staff at Music Universe are on edge waiting for the album to land in their laps.


www.thelivingend.com

The Walkmen set to release 'You & Me' LP

'The Rat' is one of the most fun, action-packed and blood rushing singles to be released this decade. The band that brought you that song are about to release another LP.

After a couple years of rehearsals in warehouses and converted nightclubs, countless hours shuttling band members between Philly and New York on the Chinatown bus, hundreds of discarded demos, and a distance of many miles separating recording sessions in Oxford, Mississippi and the Big Apple, The Walkmen have finally put the finishing touches on their fourth proper LP, 'You & Me'.

The set, clocking in just short of an hour, is due August 19 from their new label, Gigantic Music.

www.marcata.net/walkmen

Brazilian Girls about to drop 'New York City' LP

Perhaps tired of leading a life so steeped in deception, the mostly-male, hot chick frontman, totally-not-Brazilian NYC combo Brazilian Girls will come clean about a few things on 'New York City', their third LP.

Due August 5 from Verve Forecast, the set features legendary Senegalese singer Baaba Maal on "Internacional", plus jazz percussionist Kenny Wollesen and his Himalayas on a trio of tracks.

Previous LP's include sophmore 'Talk To La Bomb' and their self-titled debut which included hits like 'Pussy' and 'Don't Stop'.

http://www.braziliangirls.info/

Girl Talk set to release 'Feed The Animals' soon

Girl Talk will apparently pull what some might be inclined to call "a Radiohead" with his new album 'Feed The Animals'. As he revealed to Billboard.com, his label Illegal Art will issue 'Feed the Animals' through its website in the coming weeks, offering up a digital copy of the highly-anticipated LP in a pay-what-you-want setup familiar to anyone who did that In Rainbows thing last fall. The label will follow it up with a CD release in the next few months, with the Wham City imprint handling the vinyl.

As for the music on 'Feed the Animals', Gillis describes the set as a "smoother" affair than 2006's frantic Night Ripper, with fewer quick transitions between source material and "more detailed" edits. Still, the album sports more than 300 samples over its 55-minute run time, culled from "more in-your-face classics" than its predecessor. Gillis had been testing out ideas for the record on the road over the last two years, though to complete it he spent 40 hours a week working up the disc for three solid months.

No word yet on a proper date for 'Feed the Animal's' release-- physically or otherwise-- but keeping an eye on the Illegal Art site is certainly the way to this party.

http://www.girl-talk.net/

Lily Allen to sing on new Kaiser Chiefs' album

Lily Allen will sing on the Kaiser Chiefs' new album.

The collaboration is the brainchild of producer Mark Ronson - who masterminded Lily's cover of the band's 'Oh My God'.

He said: "I'm busy producing the new Kaiser Chiefs album as well as Lily's next record.

"Recently I had a thought: 'Why don't they do a track together?' I spoke to them and everyone was keen so it happened. It sounds awesome. Lily and Ricky Wilson's vocals really gel and the instrumentals are top drawer."
Mark says they've set their sights on summer success. He added: "We're hoping it's going to be a big one. I'd definitely rock out to it at a festival. It's a summer track, even if the weather isn't that great."

The Kaiser Chiefs - comprising Ricky Wilson, Andrew White, Simon Rix, Nick Baines and Nick Hodgson - are currently working on a follow-up to their hit 2007 album 'Yours Truly, Angry Mob' in a London studio with Ronson.

The Subways 'All Of Nothing' out soon

The Subways will have their second album out soon. 'All Of Nothing' was recorded it with famed Nirvana/Smashing Pumpkins producer Butch Vig. The album will be out September 9th.

The album marks the return to work for singer Billy Lunn who has now fully recovered from vocal chord surgery.

"We're coming out, we're coming over, you're standing on the platform and we're bringing you with us," the band said in a statement.

The last album from The Subways was the 2006 debut 'Young For Eternity'.

www.thesubways.net

These New Puritans Australian tour

These New Puritans are in Australia for the first time in their two year existence. They are going to bring their 'Beat Pyramid' album to the live stage.

Artrocker Magazine has described them as sounding like "Sheffield and Berlin synths, '90s alt rock Sonic Youth and Yo La Tengo drones; Underworld beats, and all in the most contemporary of contexts," while in a review of 'Beat Pyramid', Vice Magazine said "Sharp, strange and enchanting, there aren't many bands around like These New Puritans. NME states this Beat Pyramid is "Truly, this band is leagues ahead of the competition" and the album received an 8/10 rating.

The band has toured with the likes of The Kills, Crystal Castles, British Sea Power, The Klaxons and numerous festivals.

These New Puritans are the band that’s going to outlive the hype and welcome you to the fold.
Tix on sale June 13th.

Dates:
12th August - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
14th August - Prince Bandroom, Melbourne

www.thesenewpuritans.com

Brian Jonestown Massacre to play Big Day Out 2009?

Frontman, madman, cult-leader, Anton Newcombe recently revealed he’s very keen to return to Australia for Big Day Out 2009…that is if they’ll have him!

“After our shows in August we already want to come back in the summer and play the Big Day Out festival because I hear so many fantastic stories about that tour from all my friends in other bands – so we are talking to people about it now!” And by “people”, we hope he means Lees and West, the masterminds behind the Big Day Out juggernaut.

Up-coming dates:
27th August - The Arena, Brisbane
28th August - Factory Theatre, Sydney
29th August - Metro Theatre, Sydney
30th August - HiFi Bar, Melbourne
31st August - HiFi Bar, Melbourne

www.brianjonestownmassacre.com

Vampire Weekend announce 2nd Melbourne show

Befitting their status as 2008’s band to see, Vampire Weekend has sold out its Splendour sideshows. However, Melbourne fans can celebrate because you’ve been gifted a second date.

Tickets to the Metro Theatre and Prince Bandroom shows disappeared in 90 minutes. The second and final Melbourne show is on sale now…so don’t delay!

Monday 4 August – Metro Theatre, Sydney – SOLD OUT
Wednesday 6 August – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne – SOLD OUT
Thursday 7 August – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne

Ticketek 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au; Prince Bandroom 03 9536 1168 or www.princebandroom.com.au

www.vampireweekend.com

The Kooks tour Australia finally!!!

Well it's about god dam time!

The Kooks have finally announced their first-ever visit to our shores this August.

The band’s second album, 'Konk', is, as good as you are going to get in terms of a sophmore effort. It builds on their precocious debut, 'Inside In/Inside Out', with a wider production palette and some spirited songwriting. A Kooks Australian tour is certainly overdue, and it seems frontman Luke Pritchard is in agreement. “We’re so excited to finally be coming to Australia and playing our live show to our fans.”

Get konked with The Kooks this August.

Tickets on sale Thursday June 5th.

Tues 26th Aug – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne
Thurs 28th Aug – The Metro, Sydney
Sat 30th Aug – The Zoo, Brisbane

www.thekooks.co.uk

Wolf & Cub 'One To The Other' tour

With a new album only around the corner, psych-rockers Wolf & Cub are coming out to play this month.

The Adelaide quartet enlisted Christopher Colonna, frontman of electro-rap outfit the Bumblebeez, to produce their new LP. While it seems like an odd pairing, who knows, this may just be genius. You can find out exactly what Wolf & Cub have been working on when they hit the road in support of lead single 'One To The Other'.

Thursday 26 June – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
Friday 27 June – Valley Studios, Brisbane
Friday 4 July – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Saturday 5 July – Ed Castle, Adelaide

www.wolfandcub.com

Kurt Cobain's ashes stolen

NME reported today that a bag containing the ashes of Kurt Cobain has been taken from the LA home of Courtney Love.

The location of the frontman’s remains has until now been kept secret, but they were thieved along with jewelery and clothes. Love told the newspaper, “I can’t believe anyone would take Kurt’s ashes from me. I find it disgusting and right now I’m suicidal. If I don’t get them back I don’t know what I’ll do.”

The ashes apparently were kept in “a pink teddy bear-shaped bag along with a lock of [Cobain’s] hair”.

“They were all I had left of my husband,” Love also revealed that. “I used to take them everywhere with me just so I could feel Kurt was still with me. Now it feels like I have lost him all over again.”

Maybe Kurt's back??? Maybe it was the hired killer?? Maybe Keith Richards has seen them???

Let the conspiracies begin.........

www.nme.com

Timbaland 'Shock Value' Australian tour

Arguably, Timbaland is one of, if not the greatest producers of our time.

He is the single biggest creative force currently active in popular music and has been responsible for making smash hits for some of the biggest artists in the world including Justin Timberlake, The Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Rihanna, Madonna and Usher, to name just a few.

His latest album Shock Value has gone platinum 3 times over in Australia, and the smash hit single “The Way I Are” was one of the biggest selling songs of 2007. And now for the first time ever, Timbaland is bringing his dynamic live show down under for the 'Shock Value' Australian Tour.

Catch him at one of these venues:
12th July - Challenge Stadium, Perth
16th July - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
19th July - Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney

Tickets on sale June 10th through Ticketmaster.

http://www.timbalandmusic.com/

McCartney and Grohl together at Anfield

Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture reaches a high point on Sunday 1 June at Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium. Local and global legend, Sir Paul McCartney, graces the hallowed turf to play to his hometown, and will be joined on stage by Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl. The two music legends will collaborate on an as yet unannounced song. Imagine 'You'll Never Walk Alone' sung by McCartner and Grohl!

The Foo's will then head off to the City of Manchester Stadium for the following night, with support from the Manic Street Preachers and the Futureheads, and then Wembley Stadium on 6 & 7 June with Supergrass and Futureheads (again) supporting. The Foo's at Wembley........jeeeeez.