The Libertines are reforming

It's almost official. The Libertines are back together.

Former frontman Pete Doherty revealed at the NME Awards that he and bandmate Carl Barat are to put the group back together.

Pete said: "I've written and recorded a solo album, there's probably another one on the way. There's an amazing Babyshambles record coming too and The Libertines is going to happen."

Pete - who was kicked out of the British band in 2004 after Carl grew tired of his drug taking - insists Carl is as enthusiastic about the reunion as he is.

He added: "I didn't twist Carl's arm too far. He doesn't take kindly to it. He's not harder than me but he's got a nasty streak. Twist it too far and it'll snap."

However, excited fans may have to wait until next year to see the band - which also includes drummer Gary Powell and bassist John Hasall - get back together due to Pete's commitments and Carl's own solo plans.

Carl - who recently disbanded his band Dirty Pretty Things -said: "I always put Pete forward as a little guinea pig. Pete solo, that worked out, so I'll do that next year. But I hate working alone. It's boring and I struggle with it. I do miss the support of being in a band."

The Libertines formed in 1997, released two critically-acclaimed albums and gained thousands and thousands of die hard fans.

The band had a volatile history, centered around Pete and Carl's love/hate relationship. Pete, 29, recently revealed the band were offered huge sums of money to reform and headline festivals this year - but Carl, 30, refused because he feared Pete was "surrounded by darkness".

Seems Pete aint surrounded by darkness no more. Hope this turns out to be the greatest come back of all time.

M83 and The Do pair up for V festival sideshow

Anthony Gonzalez is M83. Live, he presents a four piece group that gives off a magnetic and luscious sound that hypnotizes the crowd.

Joining M83, new music sensation The Do is sure to impress. The Do have been generating a lot of hype since the release of their debut album 'A Mouthful' and energetic live shows.

Catch this magnificent pairing at three intimate shows only.

Brisbane, The Zoo - Tuesday March 31. Tickets through Oztix..
Melbourne, The Prince of Wales - Wednesday April 1. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
Sydney, The Metro Theatre - Thursday April 2. Tickets through Ticketek.

www.ilovem83.com
www.myspace.com/thedoband

ALBUM REVIEW: Franz Ferdinand - 'Tonight: Franz Ferdinand'

In 2004, Franz Ferdinand smashed down the obstinate walls of popular charts for many indie bands to follow with the mind staining riff that crystallised their debut hit single ‘Take Me Out.” Whilst their subsequent self-titled album became a worldwide phenomenon, they struggled to maintain their snowballing momentum with “You Could Have It So Much Better” the following year in 2005.

Four years later, with the release of their third album “Tonight: Franz Ferdinand” the post-punk-glam-white-funk Scotsmen, led by front man Alex Kapranos have adopted new themes and sounds to suggest the four-year wait was worth the while.

Perhaps this is consequence to a bout of studio stimulation by Hot Chip producer Dan Carey, who has facilitated the induction of both afrobeat ‘Vampire Weekend-esc’ reverberation (featuring most clearly on “Send Him Away”) and electro-pop. This is best crystallised in the epic “Lucid Dreams,” a seven minute journey from ‘Franz style’ guitar chord, chorus oriented pop (remnant of past single “Walk Away”) to a disappointing ‘Hot Chip-esc’ techno-synth let down.

Whilst they may have missed the mark on that one, hit single and album opener “Ulysses” screams “Take Me Out” as it so clearly reminds us how and why we fell so head over heels for this charismatic foursome five years ago. With a voice that stares you down with an arrogant sparkle in its eye, Kapranos makes you’re bones dance and sing inside you, as you think to yourself; “fuck these guys are cool.” There is little doubt the influence of Carey’s disco synth has enlightened the boys with the competitive edge missing in their second album “You Could Have It So Much Better.”

The album’s second and third tracks “Turn It On” and “No You Girls” although relatively conservative pop entities for the album sends us a pivotal reminder that Franz Ferdinand have, over the past five years developed a distinct sound and chorus focus that will continue to resonate their tunes for as long as they continue to produce music.

The soul-funk synth screaming “What She Came For” delineates a distinct step in the right direction for the band as the amalgamation of Kapranos’ vocal and lyrical finger pointing would make even the most ardent critics jump up and dance.

“Tonight: Franz Ferdinand” at times strays too far from their roots and perhaps boasts ‘too much’ diversity for one album. There is little doubt that the introduction of afrobeat, and disco-synth has acted as a double-edged sword that has created both the amazing pinnacles and desperate failures that echo every little note of this rollercoaster of an album. I commend the steps taken by the Scottish fab-four to expand their musical horizons and contend that it was worth the four-year wait!

Rating (/10):

--- Contributed by Dan 'Core' Swart

Sound Relief Benefit Concerts announced

After much anticipation, both local and international musicians have come together for the latest bushfire and flood benefit - 'Sound Relief'. On Saturday March 14, Sydney and Melbourne will hold these Live-Aid-style fund raising concerts at the the SCG and MCG respectively.

A smorgasbord of musicians have put aside time from touring, chilling, recording and even retirement for the gig. Heavyweights Coldplay and Kings of Leon will be performing that night on their own tour, but are more than happy to make some time for a special appearance and perform 4 songs. Melbourne will get the added bonus of seeing Peter Garrett put aside the Labor uniform for a one-off with legendary Midnight Oil, whilst both cities get a selection of some of our finest local talent, past and present, including Hoodoo Gurus, Split Enz, Jet, The Presets, and Phase 2 of Wolfmother.

Put together by the united front of Chugg and Frontier Touring, the Melbourne shows promises to donate 100% of all proceeds to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal, with the Sydney show splitting its proceeds between the Victorian Bushfire and Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Fund Appeal.

Tickets for both events are $75 and go on sale 9am Wednesday March 4 through ticketek.

SYDNEY LINEUP

Coldplay (ACOUSTIC)
Eskimo Joe
Hoodoo Gurus
Icehouse
Jet
Josh Pyke
Little Birdy
The Presets
Wolfmother
You Am I
+ more acts to be announced (rumours are Foo Fighters or possibly Robbie Williams)

MELBOURNE LINEUP

Augie March
Bliss N Eso with Paris Wells
Gabriella Cilmi
Hunters & Collectors
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson w/ Troy Cassar-Daly
Jack Johnson
Jet
Kings Of Leon
Liam Finn
Midnight Oil
Paul Kelly
Split Enz
Wolfmother

The concerts will be a celebration of multiple music genres, with artists playing short sets packed with hits. Concert goers are encouraged to attend the concerts from start to finish as major artists will be spread across the bill right from the very start of the day.

www.soundrelief.com.au

Ben Harper to play solo Sydney show

Ben Harper is coming to Australia in April as part of the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival. He's such a well loved artist of the organisers of the Bluesfest, that he's even been asked to curate the stage he'll be performing on. If you can't make it to that festival you do have one other chance to see him play, providing you live in Sydney or are prepared to travel.

Ben Harper will play with his new band the Relentless 7 at Sydney's Metro Theatre on Thursday April 9. Tickets go on sale Thursday April 9 and, considering the songwriters ability to quickly sell out larger venues, you'd better be quick.

www.benharper.com

INTERVIEW: Tame Impala

Tame Impala are without a doubt the hottest act in Australia at the moment. They've skyrocketed to the top of the 'will be huge in 2009' list in a matter of a couple months. They have only released an EP titled 'Antares Mira Sun' so far. Nevertheless on top of the many festival performances, they've already support the likes of The Black Keys, Yeasayer and even MGMT on their tours in Australia. Also, they are about to embark on a mini tour of the UK followed by their own headline tour of Australia. These guys are busy boys, trying to spread their music across the world and what sweet music it is. Music universe are big big fans of these boys.

Music Universe (MU) caught up with them recently to ask them a few questions before they hit the stage at The Melbourne Zoo as part of the 'Roar Sounds' festival. Here's what Tame Impala (TI) had to say when posed a couple of odd animal related questions.

MU: If an animal escaped the zoo and ended up wanting to join your band, which kind of animal would you let join and why?
TI: "A sloth. The fastest they can move is 1 metre a minute, so it would be such an achievement that it made it out of the zoo. Also it would make the rest of us look more active on stage. Either that or people would just get confused as to which one is me and which one is the sloth, which would be hilarious and awesome."

MU: Picture your music in the background of a movie scene, what would be happening in the scene?
TI: "A montage of a hermit crab that gets to be a human for a day, so long as no one introduces him to alcohol or fast food or casinos at any point in the montage. "

MU: If you had to be confined to a particular enclosure at the zoo, which would it be?
TI: "The ape enclosure so I could just throw poo at passing visitors and get away with it."

MU: Have you ever drunk Billy Madison levels of booze and seen hallucinations of penguins? If not, what hallucinations are your most fond memories?
TI: "Hallucinatory memories aren't necessarily fond ones but once I saw a giant preying mantis with the head of a fly and he was grinning at me and every time I blinked he turned back into a tree branch."

MU: Of all the animals that are now extinct, which one would you be happy to mate with to procreate?
TI: "A velociraptor duhh."

MU: Why did the chicken cross the road?
TI: "She was just chilling out by the side of the road one day and the Earth started moving from under her, she merely had to start moving her feet to keep from falling over and by the time the road had moved the whole way under."

The Tame Impala boys also shed some light on details of the release of their debut album. All they could tell us was that everything is kinda up in the air at the moment, but that it will probably be a triple album. We can only hope this to be true.

It was an absolute pleasure interviewing these boys and we would like to finally make one thing clear - if there's only one new band you have to know about this year, it's this band, TAME IMPALA.

Tame Impala + Eddy Current Suppression Ring
Thursday 19th Feb
The Melbourne Zoo
www.zoo.org.au/Melbourne/Roar_Sounds
www.tameimpala.com

Kings of Leon win double at the Brit Awards 2009

Duffy and the Kings of Leon led winners at the 2009 Brit Awards announced tonight in London.

Welsh singer Duffy was named best British female and best British breakthrough act, before taking the best album prize for “Rockferry.”

The Kings of Leon won both best international group and best international album for “Only by the Night.”

Katy Perry, known for her song “I Kissed A Girl,” was named best international female winner and Kanye West was best international male.

Coldplay (nominated in four categories!) and Radiohead surprisingly left with nothing.

Heavy metal act Iron Maiden was the surprise winner of the live act title, while the Pet Shop Boys finished the evening with a special Brit for an outstanding contribution to music.

The show at Earls Court hall was started by Irish group U2 performing its new single “Get on Your Boots.” Singer Bono, sporting eyeliner and dark suit, declared “The future needs a big kiss” and “I don’t wanna talk about war between nations.”

He was followed by co-host Kylie Minogue with a brief rendition of “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” Girls Aloud also sang, wearing feather boas and corsets.

Jubilant record executives were celebrating with champagne by the end of the ceremony, recalling success for Britons last week at the Grammy ceremony, where Coldplay and Adele won prizes.

The BRIT Awards are the British Phonographic Industry’s annual pop-music awards, sponsored by Mastercard Inc., and presented in one form or another since 1977. Winners receive a Brit statuette and sales usually rise after a victory.

For all the award winners on the night, click the "click here to read more" link and find out.

BRIT AWARDS 2009 WINNERS:

Best British female winner: Duffy.
(Also nominated: Adele, Beth Rowley, Estelle, M.I.A.)

Best international female winner: Katy Perry.
(Also nominated Beyonce, Gabriella Cilmi, Pink, Santogold)

Best British breakthrough act: Duffy.
(Also nominated: Adele, Last Shadow Puppets, Scouting for Girls, The Ting Tings)

Best international group winner: Kings of Leon.
(Also nominated: AC/DC, Fleet Foxes, Killers, MGMT.)

Best British male winner: Paul Weller.
(Also nominated: Ian Brown, James Morrison, The Streets, Will Young.)

Best international album winner: Kings of Leon, “Only by the Night.”
(Also nominated: AC/DC, “Black Ice;” Fleet Foxes, “Fleet Foxes;” Killers, “Day & Age;” MGMT, “Oracular
Spectacular”)

Best British live act: Iron Maiden.
(Also nominated: Coldplay, Elbow, Scouting for Girls, The Verve)

Best British group winner: Elbow.
(Also nominated: Coldplay, Girls Aloud, Radiohead, Take That)

Critics’ Choice: Florence and the Machine.

Best international male winner: Kanye West.
(Also nominated: Beck, Neil Diamond, Jay-Z, Seasick Steve)

Best British single: Girls Aloud, “The Promise.”
(Also nominated: Coldplay, “Viva La Vida;” Duffy, “Mercy;” Leona Lewis, “Better in Time;”
Scouting for Girls, “Heartbeat.”)

Mastercard Best British Album winner: Duffy, “Rockferry.”
(Also nominated: Coldplay, “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends;” Elbow, “The Seldom Seen Kid;” Radiohead, “In Rainbows;” The Ting Tings, “We Started Nothing”)

Producer of the year: Bernard Butler.
(Also nominated: Brian Eno, Steve Mac)

Outstanding Contribution to Music: Pet Shop Boys.

Bushfire Benefit at Corner Hotel

Haven't helped out for the Bushfire appeal yet? Want to help out even more? Feel like cramming in to one of Melbourne's finest treasures and seeing some of the cities finest acts?

On Sunday 1st March a bunch of Melbourne’s finest musos are getting together at The Corner Hotel to raise money for the Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal. If you were hiding in a bunker for the past fortnight, well here's the story. Victoria bascially went up in flames. 201 people have died so far, more are still missing. Thousands of homes have been burnt down, even complete towns have been wiped out. It's Australia's worst bushfire disaster in history. Everyone needs to chip in a bit to help out those who are in desperate need.

Kicking off at 4pm with a BBQ and hosted by Rockwhiz’s Julia Zemiro, the event will see Rocket Science, Kram, The Casanovas, Dave Larkin’s new band The Gun Street Girls, The Basics, The Pictures and The Hot Little Hands all strutting their stuff for the cause.

There will also be a raffle for a Framus electric guitar donated by Dominant Music and for Golden Plains, Of Montreal and Okervil River tickets – plus some other cool bits and pieces. And just to top things off there will be a secret special guest performance by a band who have been on hiatus for some time but were probably last spotted on your living room floor!!!

Bushfire Benefit @ The Corner Hotel – Sunday March 1st
With Julia Zemiro as MC, Rocket Science, The Casanovas, Kram, Gun Street Girls (Dave Larkin), The Basics, The Pictures and The Hot Little Hands + secret special guests*

Tickets available now through the Corner Hotel. Help those that really need help.

http://www.cornerhotel.com/

Okkervil River announce Groovin' In The Moo sideshows

Headlining the Groovin’ In The Moo festival, Okkervil River has decided to put on some shows for their loyal fans. The Texan indie-folk troupe will be performing songs from last year’s fantastic LP 'The Stand Ins', as well as its sensational predecessor 'The Stage Names'.

We can only expect Okkervil River to put on a fine performance and it will no doubt be one of the highlights of Music Universe's year. Get there!

So, between groovin with the moo, Okkervil River will play the following club dates. Tickets on sale Friday 27 February.

Sunday May 3 – The Zoo, Brisbane
Tuesday May 5 – Capitol, Perth
Friday May 8 – The Annandale Hotel, Sydney
Sunday May 17 – Billboard, Melbourne

www.okkervilriver.com

Lily Allen to tour Australia

Yay yay yay yay! Finally, Lily Allen is coming back to Australia. Having just released her sexy sophomore album, 'It’s Not Me, It’s You', our favourite smart ass girl is heading dowunder to get up to no good for her first tour here since 2007.

Not one to keep quiet, Allen has been all over the tabloids recently for espousing her thoughts on everything from snogging the ladies, shagging aussie men to recreational drug use. Not that this has done any harm to the success of her second album which has shot to the number one spot on the Austrlian and UK album charts.

Music Universe welcomes the divine Miss Allen to our shores this June:

Monday 8 June, Tivoli – Brisbane
Tuesday 9 , Hordern Pavilion – Sydney
Friday 12 June – The Forum, Melbourne

Tickets on sale March 2nd

www.lilyallenmusic.com

Snow Patrol announce V Festival sideshows

V Festival headliners Snow Patrol will be playing three headline sideshows to coincide with their festival appearance come April time. The band released its fifth album, 'A Hundred Million Suns' late last year, earning them a whole lot more cash we guess. When asked about their new record, guitarist Nathan Connolly said that they definitely didn’t want to repeat themselves and made a conscious decision to go somewhere else. Apparent to him, but possibly not to others, so many of the songs are completely new territory.

Snow Patrol have toured Australia a number of times recently, so maybe thats why they aren't playing the arenas anymore. These upcoming shows are a chance to see the guys in slightly more intimate surrounds. They’ll be joined by fellow V Festival drawcard Jenny Lewis, who formerly fronted LA indie heroes Rilo Kiley.

Tickets on sale Monday 23 February.

Mon 30 March – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Wed 1 April – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Thu 2 April – Palais Theatre, Melbourne

INTERVIEW: Eddy Current Suppression Ring

Eddy Current Suppression Ring are an honest, no game playing, straight to the point kinda band straight outta the streets of Melbourne. The group rose to prominence in 2008 off the back of their hot album 'Primary Colours'.

The band began playing together in 2003 at a work Christmas party at a vinyl pressing plant. There's four members to the band, Brendan Suppression, Eddy Current, Rob Solid and Danny Current, all obviously aliases. They're not opposed to adding a fifth member either, "we'd possibly add an orangutang as they have opposable thumbs and could probably pull off some guitar parts".

With their intense alternative-punk rock sound, you would think these guys hit the piss or something else very often, however, Eddy explains how he's anti "booze, hallucinogens and Adam Sandler movies". The others though don't seem anti anything, with Rob suggesting how he often sees "walls breathing" and Brendan thinks he sometimes sees "trees dance".

ECSR are a smart ass bunch of guys too (which we at Music Universe are too). They have just released a new EP 'That Time Of Day' and when asked what it referred too, they simply said "lunchtime". When asked what would might happening in a movie scene if their music was being played in the background, they simply answered "the credits". They also know that if one were to shove a knife into an electrical socket to find out what an Eddy Current felt like, that "you would be dead through your foolish and reckless behaviour with electricity".

It was an absolute pleasure interviewing Eddy Current Suppression Ring and everyone should do themsleves a favour and buy 'Primary Colours' and see them live immediately. These boys are definitely electrifying the music scene with their live shows and they will be sending eddy currents through your system as part of the 'Roar Sounds' this Thursday at the Melbourne Zoo.

Eddy Current Suppression Ring + Tame Impala
Thursday 19th February
Melbourne Zoo

Eddy Current Suppression Ring - That Time Of Day [mp3]

www.zoo.org.au/Melbourne/Roar_Sounds
www.ecsr.com.au

The National produce 'Dark Was The Night'

'Dark Was The Night' will be released on February 17th, 2009. It’s comprised of 31 exclusive tracks and it will be available as a double cd/triple vinyl/download and will benefit the Red Hot Organization – an international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture.

The album has been produced by The National's Aaron and Bryce Dessner. The likes of Bon Iver, Jose Gonzalez, David Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, Arcade Fire, Blonde Redhead, Beirut and more appear on the album. Red Hot was founded on the premise that even without a cure, AIDS remains a preventable disease - using music as a great vehicle to raise both money and awareness for it. This is also the twentieth year of Red Hot as well as their twentieth compilation.

'DARK WAS THE NIGHT '

THIS DISC
1 Knotty Pine – Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
2 Cello Song (Nick Drake) – The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
3 Train Song (Vashti Bunyan recorded, written by Alasdair Clayre) – Feist + Ben Gibbard
4 Brackett, WI – Bon Iver
5 Deep Blue Sea – Grizzly Bear
6 So Far Around the Bend – The National (arrangement by Nico Muhly)
7 Tightrope – Yeasayer
8 Feeling Good (popularized by Nina Simone) – My Brightest Diamond
9 Dark Was the Night (Blind Willie Johnson) – Kronos Quartet
10 I Was Young When I Left Home (Bob Dylan) – Antony + Bryce Dessner
11 Big Red Machine – Justin Vernon + Aaron Dessner
12 Sleepless – The Decemberists
13 Stolen Houses (Die) – Iron and Wine
14 Service Bell – Grizzly Bear + Feist
15 You Are The Blood – Sufjan Stevens

THAT DISC
1 Well-Alright – Spoon
2 Lenin – Arcade Fire
3 Mimizan – Beirut
4 El Caporal – My Morning Jacket
5 Inspiration Information (Shuggie Otis) – Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
6 With A Girl Like You (The Troggs) – Dave Sitek
7 Blood Pt 2 (based on original song “You are the Blood” by the Castanets) – Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)
8 Hey, Snow White (Destroyer) – The New Pornographers
9 Gentle Hour (Snapper) – Yo La Tengo
10 Another Saturday (traditional song) – Stuart Murdoch
11 Happiness – Riceboy Sleeps
12 Amazing Grace (traditional song) – Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues
13 The Giant Of Illinois (Handsome Family) – Andrew Bird
14 Lua – Conor Oberst + Gillian Welch
15 When the Road Runs Out – Blonde Redhead + Devastations
16 Love vs. Porn – Kevin Drew

http://www.darkwasthenight.com/

Jimmy Eat World live at The Paradiso, Amsterdam

In case you weren't aware, the peeps at Music Universe really really love Jimmy Eat World. Yet for some unknown reason, despite releasing two albums since their last tour of Australia, they have yet to come back to perform in this great nation (raised over $100 million for Bushfire appeal).

So, whilst we wait for Jimmy Eat World to tour Australia again, we have decided to host a Jimmy Eat World live concert from Amsterdam performed at The Paradiso. Hope this kinda helps ease your pain as it has for us.

Ben Harper and John Butler to curate Bluesfest

The Bluesfest team have just announced that they've allowed both Ben Harper and John Butler to curate the bands that play before their respective headline sets.

Both the musicians have worked closely with the festivals director, Peter Noble, to hand-pick seven artists that will perform before them on the mainstage. Harper expressed his excitement at helping curate one of his favourite festivals: “It’s a huge honour… (and) it’s exciting as hell. I am so confident of the music I’m putting on, I would do that for Peter every year because I love him and I love the festival”

Additions to the “Harper stage” include up and coming blues artists, Grace Woodroofe and Tom Freund, African blues band Tinariwen and soul-folk reggae wunderkind AYO. Rounding out the “Butler stage” will be talented locals State Radio, Jeff Lang and Ngaiire, and Nicky Bomba.

The 20th Annual Bluesfest
Easter Weekend 2009 – April 9-13

www.bluesfest.com.au

Santogold is now Santigold

Will the real Santogold please stand up!

Last year, Stereogum reported that Santo Rigatuso, who had been calling himself Santo Gold since 1983, had filed a lawsuit against Santogold and her record labels, Downtown Music and Lizard King Records, for the use of the name. On his website, the Baltimore Santo Gold also reports that he's in the process of recording an album called 'I Am the Real Santo Gold'. Dick..

Well, thanks to this tosser, the one and ONLY Santogold has now had to change her stage name to Santigold. Apparently the world isn't big enough for two Santogolds. According to a press release, Santi White (real name) is now Santigold. She already has a new MySpace page that reflects the change, and the old one has already been taken down. According to her publicist, her website will soon reflect the change too, as will all future pressings of her albums and singles.

As for Santo Rigatuso, well he's just another wanker trying to milk cash from a star and hopefully his name will never be mentioned again.

The Libertines offered millions to play at Reading/Leeds festival

In a recent interview with London mag NME, Pete Doherty has told of the ludicrous offers that The Libertines that have received to reform this summer.

Pete Doherty said that The Libertines have been literally offered millions of pounds to reform for the Reading and Leeds festival. He went on to say that he was up for the reunion but Carl Barat wasn’t sure whether Pete’s 'energy’ was in the right place.

"We had some ridiculous offers to headline Reading," said Doherty. "Like £2 million to headline this festival, £1 million to headline that festival. I said, 'Why don't we just do it? Let's get the old band back together’.'

"He [Barat] said I had to go and see an energy consultant, some new age guru who is going to measure my energy levels and see if I'm surrounded by darkness, If I am I'm not allowed to go near Carl because I'll tap into his good energy and I'll sap all the good energy and bring nothing but darkness into his life."

Let us sit and pray that this love guru puts Pete and Carl back together again, so there can be a rebirth of one of the greatest indie bands of this generation.

V Festival second announcement

After announcement one, questions were raised about whether this years V Festival line-up was solid or not, well we think this new injection of acts should shut those critics up. In past years we’ve had old schoolers The Pixies, Pet Shop Boys and Jesus and Mary Chain named, well look which grandfather of ska is coming this year.

Leading the second round are the ska godfathers Madness and synth-pop trendsetters The Human League, who’ll be performing their 1981 album 'Dare' in its entirety. As predicted earlier, The Kills have also joined the line-up. M83 have also been announced and will definitely be a highlight of the festival. Jenny Lewis will be there, as well as a few locals including the bloody fantastic Jackson Jackson, Howling Bells, Wolf & Cub and Children Collide.

V FESTIVAL SECOND LINE-UP

Madness
The Human League (performing Dare )
The Kills
M83
Jenny Lewis
Jackson Jackson
Howling Bells
Wolf & Cub
Children Collide

www.vfestival.com.au

INTERVIEW: Wolf and Cub

**The next line is to be read in the voice of Dennis Hopper from 'Speed'

POP QUIZ ASSHOLE. What do And You Will Know Us By Trail of Dead, Genesis, The Dirtbombs and The Allman Brothers have in common? What do they have in common??

Well, like Adelaide band Wolf & Cub, they all have two drummers in the band. However, unlike all the other bands, Wolf & Cub are probably the only band to perform at a zoo.

Wolf & Cub will be performing this Thursday, Feb 12th at The Royal Melbourne Zoo as part of the 'Roar Sounds' series of events. They'll be supported by Van She.

When asked about whether they'd allow one of the animals join them on stage, Wolf & Cub were adamant that there was no more room for any more animals in the band. "He who makes a beast out of himself, gets rid of the pain of being a man." The 'No Vacancy' sign has been up since signing new drummer, Marvin Hammond, from Adelaide band Artax Mission.

Wolf and Cub's music can be classified as hard rock, with a hallucinogenic undertone too it. When asked about whether anyone in the band has had a John Lennon 'lost weekend' moment before, one member mentioned that they'd "once hallucinated that they were the host of the most grand tea/dinner party ever. Once sobered up he realized that he was the only one in the hotel room surrounded by nicely placed tea spoons and dinner plates on the ground. Good times".

As for their hard in nature way, Wolf and Cub aren't the kind to accept a "figureheard for the masses" and believe it's all about "survival of the fittest" when it comes to surviving in the music industry, "if you can't keep up, kiss your ass to extinctionville, thats the way of nature."

Wolf and Cub expect to release their new album very soon. Catch them at 'Roar Sounds' this Thursday at The Melbourne Zoo.

Coldplay win at the Grammys

Coldplay won some awards at the Grammys last night - about as many as the amount of apologies they gave to Sir Paul McCartney.

The band took to the stage to accept the award for Song of the Year dressed in brightly-coloured military-style jackets reminiscent of those worn on the cover of the Sgt. Pepper's album.

As they held up the gong for their song 'Viva la Vida', drummer Will Champion said, "First of all I would like to say thank you and sorry to Sir. Paul McCartney for blatantly recycling the Sgt. Peppers outfits. Sorry boss."

They later namechecked the former Beatles star again as they scooped their second Grammy for 'Rock Album of the Year'.

Frontman Chris Martin said: "We are not, of course, the heaviest of rock bands as you may have noticed. We are more the limestone kind of rock, a little softer but just as charming.

"Thank you so much, we have never had so many Grammys in our lives, obviously Paul (McCartney) has.

Don't upset Sir Paul boys. Just keep quiet next time. More singing, less talking.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss win Album of The Year

The Grammy's last night kinda showed why Robert Plant has no plans on returning to Led Zeppelin any time soon.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss where the big act at this year`s Grammy Awards event. They beat out Coldplay, Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo and Radiohead to win Album of the Year for 'Raising Sand’.

'Raising Sand’ was one of the biggest selling albums in the United States last year, thanks to the wonderful production of T-Bone Burnett.

It was Plant and Krauss’ show. They also won Record of the Year for 'Please Read The Letter’, Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for 'Rich Woman’, Best Country Collaboration with vocals.

www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com

Green Day drop new album name at the Grammy's

Green Day dropped the name of their new album in a very matter-of-fact manner at the Grammy Awards yesterday.

Almost as an after-thought, the title of the new album was announced as '21st Century Breakdown’.

Green Day were presenting the top honor of the evening for 'Album of the Year' to Robert Plant & Alison Krauss when the title of the album was quickly mentioned with no further comment.

'21st Century Breakdown’ will be the follow-up to the band’s 'American Idiot’. It will be released in May, almost four and a half years since their last album.

Art Brut new album 'Art Brut vs Satan'

The new and third Art Brut album will be called 'Art Brut vs Satan'.

The band have announced they will be releasing it the album on Monday 20th April.

'We recorded the album in a punk-as-fuck two weeks in Salem, Oregon,' explains lead singer Eddie Argos. 'I don't always enjoy the recording process - all that fiddling with guitars and drum sounds waiting for my turn to 'sing’. This time though, we did it just right. We spent a day getting the sound of the instruments perfect, then with all of us in the same room at the same time, with the amazing Black Francis conducting us, we pressed record, jumped around and played our songs. This is how I always thought albums were made and it’s definitely how we're doing it from now on!'

The first single to be released from the album will be 'Alcoholics Unanimous', on Monday 6th April.

www.artbrut.org.uk

The Living End tour with Tame Impala

Jeeeezzussss.

The Living End cemented their status as one Australia’s most successful bands following the release of their fifth studio album 'White Noise' last year. The Living End have just annnounced a short, yet huge 'Raise The Alarm' tour with supports from Gyroscope and Tame Impala, whom have both had very successful 2008's too.

The last time The Living End went on tour (besides the Big Day Out festivals), they were playing at venues with capacity crowds of 1500. On this tour, they are playing at venues such as Hisense Arena, which is huge for The Living End. Wow.

Seriously, get your tickets soon because these shows are set to be one hell of a party come May.

Brisbane – Friday May 1st, Under The Big Top @ Musgrave Park ( ALL AGES)
Sydney – Friday May 8th, Sydney Entertainment Centre (ALL AGES)
Melbourne – Friday May 15th, Hisense Arena ( ALL AGES)
Perth – Friday May 22nd, Challenge Stadium (ALL AGES)

www.thelivingend.com.au

School of Seven Bells to tour Australia

New York psychedelic group School Of Seven Bells are venturing out to the Australian shores in April. The trio, of which two are twins, will play shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Late last year the group delivered their delicious debut album, 'Alpinisms', so expect lots of goodness from them live.

School Of Seven Bells play the following shows in April. Tickets on sale Friday 13 February.

Thursday 23 – The Gaelic Club, Sydney
Friday 24 – The Zoo, Brisbane
Saturday 25 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

www.schoolofsevenbells.com

MGMT discuss their second album

Unless you were sleeping throughout the whole of 2008, there can be no denying that MGMT were one of 2008’s biggest acts. Their debut album 'Oracular Spectacular' won them an army of fans worldwide and their music was pumping out of every single car, house and club. Their popularity in Australia cannot be questioned, with the band having sold out their first ever tour here in the blink of an eye, and just a few weeks ago they solidified their presence with three songs predictably featuring in Triple J’s Hottest 100, two of them in the top 10.

After a solid year of plastering themselves onto the global wall, the nucleus of the group, Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, have now set their sights on album number two. Speaking with Rolling Stone magazine recently, they gave a hint at what direction it might take. “We’ve been listening to a lot of old Eighties stuff,” VanWyngarden told the magazine. “Some of that early Kraftwerk stuff is great. We are huge fans of those guys and the other early German electronic stuff. I think more of that stuff is going to find its way into our music.”

These comments follow the revelation made in September last year that they plan to work with the Chemical Brothers on their sophomore release. “We’ll experiment with them to create a different sound. But it won’t be dance music.”

We at Music Universe and one billion fans, can only sit and wait in anticipation for the follow-up in probably 2010.

www.whoismgmt.com

The Kills announce V Festival sideshow gigs

A few weeks ago Music Universe revealed that the The Kills had posted up dates on their website indicating they will be heading to Australia to play the V Festival (check here). Although we haven’t received official confirmation that they are set to play the festival, the band have now posted sideshow dates on their website as well.

Thanks to the success of their last album, 'Midnight Boom', there has been a great deal of hype surrounding the oober cool duo. When hit the Australian shores, they will be hitting Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney for their sideshows.

The dates and venues listed are as follows:

Brisbane – 30th March, The Zoo
Sydney – 1st April, The Forum
Melbourne – 3rd April, Billboard Melbourne

www.thekills.tv

ALBUM REVIEW: 'It's Not You, It's Me' - Lily Allen

In recent times, Lily Allen has suffered a miscarriage, broken up with her long-time boyfriend from Chemical Brothers, caught half naked a few too many times and put her two cents into everything. Hands down, Lily Allen is one of the mouthiest girls to have come out of the UK in a while now, and her new album certainly lives up to that tag. Everyone should know this - Lily Allen is still as ballzy as ever.

From the beginning you can see how Allen is more than happy to say whatever she wants and not caring if it might offend anyone. 'Everyone's At It' is a clear statement that everyone from both rags to riches are munching on something illicit. 'The Fear' launches into an attack on the messed up state of the world today. The fun, toe tapping hillbilly song 'Not Fair' seems like a dig at a possible ex-boyfriend of her, especially when says "i lie here in the wet patch in the middle of the bed, im feeling pretty darn hard done by, i spent ages giving head".

After the first three songs, Lily begins to show glimpses of maturity. '22' explains how partying too hard too early could cost you dearly in life ahead, and 'I Could Say' talks about the saddness of relationships coming to an end. 'Back To The Start' drifts from the lollipop sucking sounds to a more energetic and edgier attitude to the album. However, just when you think Lily is starting to take her music to a new level, she comes back to her old school ways with the lame 'Never Going To Happen'. Summed up with the line from the actual song "how on earth can i be more obvious".

'Fuck You' is probably one of the better songs on the album. This time, Lily decides to have a go yee old ex prez G Dubya. 'Who'd Have Known' disappointingly allows Lily to turn the volume notch on the album down to a melancholic, boring level. On 'Chinese', Lily once again talks about relationships, which by now the listener should be bored of listening too. With 'Him', Lily decides to question God and as to whether "he's skint, or financially secure?" or "ever taken smack or cocaine>?". Somehow Lily Allen thinks that God's "favourite band is 'Creedance Clearwater Revival". We don't how she got that. For the final song "He Wasn't There", it sounds like you're listening to Lily on a vinyl. The crackle in the background, coupled with the piano, actually makes it feel like Lily's performing in a little jazz bar in the 1930's. It's actually nice and freshing, but just a little too late.

So, overall, this album is nice. That's probably it. It definitely has its great moments, but there's also a lot of dull moments. The kids at Music Universe love Lily because she's cute, provocative and beddable, and that's exactly what 'It's Not You, It's Me' is.

Rating (out of 10 planets):

--- Contributed by Jase S.

East Coast Bluesfest 2nd announcement

Joining the likes of Ben Harper, Michael Franti and John Butler Trio at the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, are some more very fine acts. One name sure to turn heads is the legend Booker T Jones. The man will be backed by the Drive-By Truckers, who’ll also play their own set.

Also filling out the cast-list of veterans and upstarts alike are Jason Mraz, Xavier Rudd, Paul Kelly, CW Stoneking and James Hunter. Bluesfest settles in to Belongil Fields, Byron Bay, on the Easter Long Weekend in April.

Here’s the full rundown of new additions for East Coast Blues and Roots Festival.

Jason Mraz
Xavier Rudd
Paul Kelly
Drive-By Truckers
Booker T Jones
James Hunter
Blues Traveller
CW Stoneking
Ash Grunwald
AYO
Rodney Crowell
Dallas Frasca
Spectrum
Pete Cornelius & the De Villes
Hot Club of Cow Town
Resin Dogs
Tijuana Cartel
Son Veneno
Mic Conway’s National Junk Band
Morning Of The Earth – Cult Surf Movie and Concert featuring Brian Cadd, Lior, Old Man River, Mike Rudd & Tim Gaze.

http://www.bluesfest.com.au/

Wolfmother name new drummer

Wolfmother Phase 2, have named Dave Atkins of Brisbane hip-hop/funk band Resin Dogs as their new drummer. No news as yet as to who will be stepping in to fill the bassist/keyboardist role, but it'll be some of the biggest shoes to fill as the ex-keyboardist/crowd lifter played a humongous part in the band.

This new version of Wolfmother will besides playing the the Clipsal 500 soon, will also be playing a secret show in Sydney this weekend. We don't want to ruin all the mind games but let's just say that the weekend day it falls on is NOT Saturday and the venue might be the Oxford Art Factory.

Okkervil River announced for the 'Groovin the Moo' Festival

It appears Okkervil River will be returning to the shores of Australia. The line-up for the 2009 'Groovin The Moo' festival has just been revealed and Okkervil will be joined by the likes of Ratatat, De La Soul, The Living End, Hilltop Hoods, Tame Impala, Muscles and of course more.

The all-ages festival stops in key rural towns in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Taking place in May. More details to come when we get them. Tickets go on sale Monday 16th of February.

The full line-up:

The Living End
Hilltop Hoods
The Grates
De La Soul (US)
Architecture In Helsinki
Muscles Live DJ Set with Special Guests
Little Birdy
Infusion
Okkervil River (US)
Ratatat (US)
The Drones
Van She
Tame Impala
Miami Horror
The Twelves (Brazil)
Nextmen (Townsville only)
Christer (CAN)
Hercules in NY
Art vs. Science
Horrorshow
Triple J Unearthed Winner

www.groovinthemoo.com

Tame Impala added to 'Roar Sounds'

Tame Impala will join Eddy Current Suppression Ring for the upcoming 'Roar Sounds' event on Thursday 19th Fenruary at Melbourne Zoo.

Tame Impala have only released an EP, but jeeezz is it a good one. Considering that they only hit the map late last year, Tame have gone on to become one of the hottest and hyped Australian talents seen in a long time.

The Perth band have a psychedelic, rock formula that just seems to have come out of the late 60's and early 70's. Think the Doors having a drink with Pink Floyd, whilst Wolfmother are playing table tennis in the same room. The EP is quite simply special. Do yourself a favour and buy their EP. These guys are the next big thing and if you haven't heard of them yet, then clearly you aren't reading Music Universe properly.

Get in early at 5:30pm to check out the Zoo’s residents till 7pm. BYO food and drink (no glass besides wine bottles, please!) or buy it there. This event is all ages.

DON'T FORGET: You can still win tickets to see one of these gigs simply by subscribing to Music Universe now. Enter your email address into the box on the left hand side of the page and you could win a double pass to see lions, tigers and music, oh my!

ROAR SOUNDS AT MELB ZOO:
Thursday 5 February - Kate Miller Heidke (QLD) + The Verses
Thursday 12 February - Wolf & Cub (SA) + Van She (NSW)
Thursday 19 February – Eddy Current Suppression Ring + Tame Impala
Thursday 26 February - Resin Dogs (QLD) Feat. N’fa (1200 Techniques) + Phrase + Alexx The Kidd

www.zoo.org.au/Melbourne/Roar_Sounds

Coachella 'official' 2009 lineup announced

Well after an unofficial, yet official lineup was released last week, the organisers of Coachella have decided to quash all rumours and give in to public demand by releasing the official, yet official lineup for this years Coachella festival.

For all those making the trek to Coachella either via plane, car or foot, let us tell you that it is definitely worth every minute of travel time.

The Friday sees the likes of Paul 'beatle' McCartney, Franz Ferdinand, Beirut, Morrissey, Girl Talk, Leonard Cohen and even Australia's own - The Presets!!

Saturday brings the good too such as Band of Horses, Blitzen Trapper, Fleet Foxes, Hercules and Love Affair, TV On The Radio, The Killers and even the drugged up Amy Winehouse.

Sunday will make you gasping for more with artists such as Antony and The Johnsons, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Junior Boys, No Age, Okkervil River, Public Enemy, The Kills, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the most delightful band - The Cure.

To see the full lineup click on the link below to read more about this fantastic event.


Friday 17th April
A Place To Bury Strangers
Alberta Cross
Bajofondo
Beirut
Buraka Som Sistema
Cage the Elephant
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
Craze and Klever
Crystal Castles
Dear and the Headlights
Felix da Housecat
Franz Ferdinand
Genghis Tron
Ghostland Observatory
Girl Talk
Gui Boratto
Leonard Cohen
Los Campesinos!
M. Ward
Molotov
Morrissey
N.A.S.A.
Noah and the Whale
Patton & Rahzel
Paul McCartney
Peanut Butter Wolf
People Under the Stairs
Ryan Bingham
Silversun Pickups
Steve Aoki
Switch
The Crystal Method
The Aggrolites
The Airborne Toxic Event
The Black Keys
The Bug
The Courteeners
The Hold Steady
The Knux
The Presets
The Ting Tings
We Are Scientists
White Lies

Saturday 18th April
Amanda Palmer
Amy Winehouse
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
Atmosphere
Band Of Horses
Billy Talent
Blitzen Trapper
Bob Mould Band
Booker T
Calexico
Cloud Cult
Crookers
Dr. Dog
Drive By Truckers
Drop The Lime
Electric Touch
Fleet Foxes
Gang Gang Dance
Glass Candy
Glasvegas
Henry Rollins
Hercules and Love Affair
Ida Maria
James Morrison
Liars
Mastodon
Michael Franti & Spearhead
MSTRKRFT
Surkin, Para One (Live)
Superchunk
The Bloody Beetroots
The Killers
Thenewno2
Thievery Corporation
Tinariwen
TRAV$DJ-AM
Turbonegro
TV On The Radio
Zane Lowe
Zizek

Sunday 19th April
Antony and the Johnsons
Brian Jonestown Massacre
Christopher Lawrence
Clipse
Friendly Fires
Fucked Up
Gaslight Anthem
Groove Armada (DJ Set)
Jenny Lewis
Junior Boys
K’naan
Late of the Pier
Lupe Fiasco
Lykke Li
M.A.N.D.Y.
Marshall Barnes
Mexican Institute of Sound
My Bloody Valentine
No Age
Okkervil River
Paolo Nutini
Paul Weller
Perry Farrell
Peter Bjorn and John
Public Enemy
Roni Size
Sebastien Tellier
Shepard Fairey
Supermayer
The Cure
The Horrors
The Kills
The Night Marchers
Themselves
Throbbing Gristle
Vivian Girls
X
Yeah Yeah Yeahs

www.coachella.com