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Live Updates

Sarah Jane Griffiths and Kev Geoghegan

All times stated are UK

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  1. Ta-ra for now...

    That's it from us - the music news cupboard is bare - but we'll be back bright, early and fully restocked tomorrow. 

    Scroll down for The Who's announcement about their rock opera Tommy and news on Yusuf aka Cat Stevens, Nicole Sherzinger, David Bowie and a Carpool Karaoke spin-off.

    Plus there's the chance to go record shopping with vinyl junkie Tim Burgess and get a peek at the new Daft Punk dolls.

  2. 'First' grime instrumental found on video game

    A piece of music which could lay claim to being the first example of a grime instrumental has been found by SBTV.

    Written by a producer called Dylan Beale, the track was used in a 1994 video game Wolverine: Adamantium Rage for Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis.

    SBTV tracked down Beale, who was part of a ‘90s jungle duo called Rude & Deadly.  

    Read more and listen to the piece of music and try not to imagine Skepta rapping over the top...

    View more on youtube
  3. New Lee 'Scratch' Perry album due in September

    Lee 'Scratch' Perry

    Reggae pioneer Lee Scratch Perry is to release a new album in September, despite his recording studio in Switzerland going up in flames last year.

    The new album, Must Be Free, will feature collaborations with Subatomic Sound System, The Groovematist and Phlobi.

    In December, the 80-year-old wrote on Facebook that his "whole secret laboratory" had burned down, after he forgot to put out a candle.

    Read more

  4. David Bowie was 'always listening, always learning'

    BBC Arts

    David Bowie

    A new David Bowie book, The Age of Bowie, is offering fans a new account of his eclectic career, restless spirit and singular vision. 

    From the space age glam of Ziggy Stardust, to the 'Plastic Soul' of the Thin White Duke and the dark, jazzy epitaph of his final album, Blackstar, Bowie set trends rather than followed them. 

    The book's writer, music journalist Paul Morley, has shared an extract with BBC Arts, exploring the artist's complex relationship with technology and his constant need for change.

    Read more

  5. The Big Moon debut new song with Huw Stephens

    New band The Big Moon stopped by the Radio 1 studios last night to deliver their newest track Silent Movie Susie in person to Huw Stephens, who is manning the decks for Annie Mac. 

    The BBC Introducing-backed band are in fact so new they're still yet to record their debut album, but told Huw they have the "studio booked". 

    You can listen to the interview and hear the single below, and catch them live at festivals including Boardmasters and End of the Road this summer.

    The girls also have the thumbs up from Mystery Jets, after bassist Jack Flannagan called them his "favourite new band of the moment". 

    "They're coming on tour with us actually - amazing band," he told us when they played British Summertime in Hyde Park earlier this month.

    "Their energy... they've got it you know. They're like a gang and I think it's so refreshing to see bands play and be really united. They write brilliant songs." 

    He added: "They remind me of a young female Blur." 

    A review we'd be quite tempted to get on a t-shirt if we were them...

    View more on youtube
  6. The Who to play Tommy show for Teenage Cancer Trust

    Roger Daltrey

    The Who are set to perform an acoustic version of their rock opera Tommy in its entirety at next year's Teenage Cancer Trust gigs in the Royal Albert Hall.

    The event will celebrate the 100th show for the charity which raises money for young people with cancer.

    The band has announced two shows on Thursday 30 March and Saturday 1 April

    Their five UK tour dates scheduled for August and September this year will also be moved to 2017 to coincide with the Royal Albert Hall dates.

    Tommy was The Who's fourth studio album, released in May 1969 and mostly composed by guitarist Pete Townshend. It's about a young "deaf, dumb and blind boy" who goes on to become a pinball champion and spiritual leader.

    It was also made into a rather trippy 1975 Ken Russell film.

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

    View more on youtube
  7. Morrissey announces US and far east tour

    Morrissey

    Morrissey has announced a tour of the US and the far east.

    The singer's dates include China, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore.

    Earlier this month, he announced his only UK date of 2016 is Manchester Arena on 20 August.

  8. Yusuf writing new 'childlike' album

    Kev Geoghegan

    Arts and entertainment reporter

    Yusuf

    Yusuf aka Cat Stevens has said he is working on a "childlike" album of new material.

    The singer recently released a new charity track He Was Alone, to raise raise funds for child refugees.

    Since his self-imposed exile from music, which lasted nearly 30 years before ending in 2006, he has recorded three albums.

    "I can't stop writing, I've almost finished something," he told the BBC. "I keep on going back and hearing little licks and riffs which can take years. It's a process for some songs to come to light but there's always ideas." 

    Despite his latest track touching on a very real political debate in the current refugee crisis, he insisted be wants to avoid politics in his music.  

    Quote Message: When it comes to my next album, it's very childlike. I've gone back in time to some of my older songs, I've just rediscovered some really great songs in my catalogue going back as far as 1967. It's fifty years since I released I Love my Dog so, going back, I find this great theme of childhood, these songs which are great for kids.
    Quote Message: But it's not a kid album because I think all of us have got this kind of naivety, we keep a little part of us naive to survive in the world and I think a lot of people are going to enjoy it for that reason. So I've got another album coming out.

    Yesterday we told you Yusuf was one one of the artists confirmed for the lineup of the Global Citizen gig in New York in September.  

  9. These Daft Punk dolls might make your day

    New Daft Punk dolls have been revealed.

    Sadly they won't be available in time for this year's Christmas shopping, but a pair of Daft Punk dolls - with actual light-up helmets - are going into production.

    Unfortunately the 12" figures of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter - which won't be available until May 2017 - also cost £200 each.

    Medicom has produced the figures, which it says "represent a realistic style", based on Daft Punk's look for their 2001 album Discovery.

    Daft Punk doll (rear view)

    Read more

  10. Nicole Scherzinger's Disney dreams come true

    Nicole Scherzinger

    Following Sia's recent casting in the new My Little Pony movie, singer Nicole Scherzinger's joined the voice cast for Disney's new film Moana, playing the lead character's mother Sina. 

    Set in Hawaii, Moana follows the story of a teenage girl who dreams of becoming a master wayfinder. 

    Former Pussycat Doll and current X Factor judge Scherzinger shared a picture of her character Sina on Instagram, telling fans "One of my dreams has come true!". 

    View more on instagram

    Moana's due out later this year and will also feature the vocal talents of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, as half god-half mortal Maui, and Flight of the Conchords star Jemaine Clement.  

  11. Slightly odd Democratic music video released

    A little bit of politics now and the Democratic Party has released a new music video directed by actress Elizabeth Banks - who also directed Pitch Perfect 2.

    Inspired by the film's a capella songs, they've recorded a cover version of Rachel Platten's Fight Song. 

    It features appearances from the likes of Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera, members of the Modern Family cast and even Sia - who doesn't actually sing.

    Frankly, it's a little bit of an oddity. See what you think..

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

    View more on youtube
  12. America's angriest band make their TV debut

    The clue is in the name - Prophets of Rage - they are of course made up of (we presume) several hugely ticked-off members of Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill.

    The six angry men have just made their furious TV debut on the Jimmy Kimmel show. 

    Steady yourself for this well-annoyed performance...

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

    View more on youtube
  13. Vivienne Westwood: 'I prefer classical to punk'

    Dame Vivienne Westwood (centre right) and Andreas Kronthaler (centre left) unveil new jackets designed for the ladies of the Monteverdi Choir

    She might be better known for her punk credentials, thanks to her instrumental role in the 1970s movement, but London-based designer Vivienne Westwood has admitted she actually prefers classical musical. 

    She and her husband Andreas Kronthaler have been indulging that passion on their latest joint project by designing a new stage jacket for "the best choir in the world", The Monteverdi Choir (pictured above with the designers). 

    The BBC's Arts Editor Will Gompertz spoke to them both about it, as well as Westwood's musical and fashion heritage...

    Video content

    Video caption: The designer Vivienne Westwood says she prefers classical music to punk

    The Monteverdi Choir will get to show off their new Westwood wrap jackets at the Royal Albert Hall this Saturday 30 July when they perform at the BBC Proms

    Sir John Eliot Gardiner will conduct them and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique in Berlioz’s choral symphony inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

  14. Apple Music buys Carpool Karaoke spinoff

    Gwen Stefani, George Clooney and Julia Roberts join James Corden for Carpool Karaoke

    From Mariah Carey to Michelle Obama, Coldplay to Gwen Stefani (and pals George Clooney and Julia Roberts), James Corden's Carpool Karaoke has proved a runaway viral hit and now Apple Music bosses are snapping up the rights to the spinoff series. 

    Currently a segment on Corden's Late Late Show in the US, the collective YouTube views for the sketches have gone past the 830 million mark. 

    Cordon will executive produce the 16-part series but it's not yet known who will host it, or when it will start.

    "We love music, and Carpool Karaoke celebrates it in a fun and unique way that is a hit with audiences of all ages," said Apple's Eddy Cue, calling the show a "perfect fit".

    Read more

  15. Roisin Murphy: 'I don't try to define myself'

    Next month Roisin Murphy will become the first ever contemporary musician to perform live at the Globe Theatre in London as part of its new Wonder Women series, curated by 6 Music's Lauren Laverne.

    The former Moloko singer has just released her fourth solo album, Take Her Up To Monto, the follow-up to last year's Mercury Prize-nominated record Hairless Toys.

    She spoke to Gemma Cairney for Radio 4's Woman's Hour programme about her early days making music in Manchester and Sheffield, career highlights and why she refuses to define herself when it comes to musical genres...

    Video content

    Video caption: Artist Roisin Murphy on her new solo work and her early days in Manchester and Sheffield.
  16. Musicians to pay tribute to B.B. King

    Billboard magazine

    B.B. King

    Slash from Guns N'Roses is among the guitarists who are set to pay tribute to B.B. King at an event in September.

    The life of the blues legend will be celebrated at Icon: The Life and Legacy of B.B. King at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California. 

    Other artists who take part in the tribute to King - who died last year aged 89 - include blues artists Jimmie Vaughan, Susan Tedeschi and Joe Bonamassa.

    Nicknamed the King of the Blues, King released more than 50 albums during a career dating back to the 1940s. 

    Read more

  17. Tim Burgess shares his tips for record shopping

    Last week, we told you about the new book from The Charlatans singer Tim Burgess, the brilliantly named Tim Book Two, in which he asks his celeb friends to recommend records.

    As a lifelong vinyl junkie, Tim's the man to offer tips on how best to go about record shopping.

    And that's exactly what he's done for BBC Radio 5 live...

    Video content

    Video caption: The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess gives his tips on shopping for records.
  18. Stairway to Heaven legal dispute to continue

    Led Zeppelin

    Robert Plant and Jimmy Page could find themselves dragged back to court to defend Led Zeppelin's hit Stairway to Heaven over plagiarism claims. 

    An appeal has been filed against a verdict in June which cleared the British rock band of copying the opening chords of Taurus, written by US band Spirit.

    New court documents show Michael Skidmore - who originally brought the claim on behalf of Spirit's late guitarist Randy Wolfe - filed the appeal.

    Read more

  19. Beyonce and Adele lead the MTV VMA nominations

    Beyonce in Lemonade

    Beyonce and Adele have scored the most nominations for this year's MTV Music Video Awards - with Beyonce's ambitious visual album, Lemonade, leading the way in 11 categories.

    The entire 60-minute HBO film is up for best longform video, while the first single, Formation, is in the running for the big video of the year award, against Adele's Hello, Drake's Hotline Bling, Justin Bieber's Sorry and Kanye West's Famous.  

    Adele has a total of eight nominations, including seven for her Hello video. 

    Warning: third party content, may contain ads.

    View more on youtube

    West's highly-controversial Famous video, which features the rapper in bed with several naked celebrities including Donald Trump and Taylor Swift, had a total of two nominations.

    The awards take place on 28 August at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

    Get the full list

  20. Good morning

    Welcome to Wednesday's Music News LIVE. We have heaps to catch you up on, from the MTV Video Music Awards nominations to news on Led Zeppelin, Ellie Goulding and Roisin Murphy. 

    As always, you can still catch up on yesterday's page... if you missed it, you missed out on a new version of Taylor Swift's Shake It Off video by the residents of a retirement home, details of Jack White's bid to play the first record in space and new tracks from Father John Misty and Glass Animals.