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Live Updates

Sarah Jane Griffiths and Kev Geoghegan

All times stated are UK

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  1. Something for the weekend?...

    That's all we have for this week, but you can scroll down through today's Music News LIVE to read Liam Gallagher's cryptic tweet about a possible musical return, Sophie Ellis-Bextor talks about her change in musical direction, there is a solo deal for a One Directioner plus new music from Bear's Den, Regina Spektor and Justin Bieber and Diplo.

    Also, feel free to have a gander at the whole week's archive too - they're all handily listed down the right-hand side of this page...

    We'll leave you today with Celine Dion, impersonating Cher, Rihanna, Michael Jackson and even Sia.

    What a gift to the weekend...

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  2. Felix from The Maccabees launches label to nurture new talent

    Felix White

    Yesterday we brought you news that there would be no new music in the offing from The Maccabees any time soon - and today we have one reason why - guitarist Felix White has turned music mogul. 

    He's just launched his own record label Yala! and a new London club night - which he says he hopes will become a stepping stone and network to help new emerging bands get a start in the industry. 

    Brighton band The Magic Gang have been signed up to play the first event next month.

    “The Magic Gang have got this infectious energy between them that’s unexplainable,” he says. 

    “You only find that in bands who you can tell are the real deal, they write such great songs.”

  3. Gorgon City share new Wyclef Jean collaboration

    Gorgon City and Wyclef

    Gorgon City have teamed up with former Fugees star Wyclef Jean for their new track Zoom Zoom. 

    Matt Robson-Scott and Kye Gibbon flew to New Jersey late last year to spend two days in the studio with Wyclef to write the track.

    The duo have called him "a hero to us", adding: "Working with Wyclef was amazing, after growing up on his and the Fugees' music it was pretty surreal. 

    "He is extremely talented and has insane ideas, we'll never forget it!"

    You can stream the track now, or take a listen to this snippet they posted on Instagram: 

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    They've also just announced Gorgon City's biggest headline tour to date, kicking off in Glasgow on 12 October and including a homecoming show at London's Brixton Academy on 21 October.  

  4. Strictly takes over the BBC Proms

    Katie Derham and Aljaz Skorjanec

    There was a sequin and feather takeover at the Royal Albert Hall last night as Strictly Come Dancing's professional and celeb dancers including Katie Derham took to the stage with the BBC Concert Orchestra for the first Strictly Prom. 

    Listen back to last night's broadcast on Radio 3 and watch all the foxtrot and paso doble action on BBC Four tonight at 19:30 BST.

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  5. Regina Spektor returns with first new track since 2013

    Regina Spektor

    There was much excitement from Regina Spektor fans when the singer teased the existence of new material a couple of weeks back, and today she's unveiled the first track from her forthcoming new album.

    Bleeding Heart comes from seventh album Remember Us To Life, due on 30 September, which will be her first album since 2012. 

    The last new material we heard from Spektor was her Grammy-nominated Orange Is the New Black theme song, You've Got Time, which creator Jenji Kohan commissioned after writing the first series for Netflix while listening to Spektor's album. 

    Spektor gave birth to her first child in 2014 and spent a lot of time songwriting during and after her pregnancy. 

    “I made more art and felt more inspired than I had in a long time," she says. 

    Take a listen to Bleeding Heart below:

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

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  6. Macklemore teams up with Netsky for Olympics version of Rio

    BBC Radio 1

    Olympics fever is growing with just two weeks till things kick off in Rio, and to celebrate rapper Macklemore's teamed up with producer Netsky for a new version of his 2015 single Rio. 

    Netsky's original track was inspired by a trip he took to the Brazilian city, and he's heading back there soon to be the Belgian team's musical ambassador. We didn't know that was a job, but we're happy for him.

    Listen to the new remix below: 

    Warning: third party content, may contain ads.

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    To celebrate its release, Macklemore joined Grimmy on Radio 1 this morning where - along with discussing how the remix came about - talk turned to the Olympics and more specifically how shot put ever became a sport... 

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    Video caption: How did the shot put ever become a sport? Macklemore and Grimmy wonder...
  7. Paul McCartney named UK's most successful albums artist

    We don't know if there'll be room for it in his trophy cabinet what with the 21 Grammys, but Sir Paul McCartney has been handed what could well be his largest award - in recognition of being the UK's most successful albums artist of all time. 

    Sir Paul's shared this video message to thank fans for their continued support after being honoured with the Official Charts Company's award on the day the album chart turns 60 years old. 

    He said: "I remember when Please, Please Me went to number one, that was our first number one record, and it’s a beautiful feeling to suddenly get this, I mean it's amazing." 

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    Find out who's topping this week's charts (and whether Drake's made it to a whopping 15 weeks at number one to equal Wet Wet Wet's record) on Greg James's Radio 1 show from 16:00 BST. 

  8. What does the future hold for British clubbing?

    BBC Newsbeat

    Clubbers

    UK music bosses insist it's a bright day ahead for the UK clubbing scene but in the past ten years more than half of Britain's nightclubs have closed down.

    Newsbeat has been looking at the issue and questioning how serious the new government is about protecting the night-time economy.

    They've been finding out how much piracy has impacted the dance music industry and also spoke to Amsterdam's night-time mayor Mirik Milan to find out what UK clubs can learn from the city's scene. 

    Watch their chat with Milan - who calls himself a "rebel in suit" - below:

    Video content

    Video caption: What can UK clubs learn from Amsterdam?

    For more on the issue, listen to Newsbeat's full programme on Radio 1 at 17:45 GMT. 

  9. Sophie Ellis-Bextor on changing musical styles

    BBC Radio 2

    Sophie Ellis-Bextor is arguably still best known for her disco and dance hits like Groovejet and Murder on the Dancefloor.

    But on her last album, she tackled a folky sound and now she is preparing her new album Familia, which is heavily inspired by South America.

    Speaking to Jonathan Ross on the Radio 2 Arts Show she said her mixed musical background left her free from feeling fans' expectations...

    Video content

    Video caption: Sophie Ellis-Bextor on her ability to change musical styles between records

    Familia is out on 2 September. 

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

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  10. 5 Seconds Of Summer unveil Ghostbusters-themed video

    Okay, it's not exactly rocket science, but as the song Girls Talk Boys is taken from the Ghostbusters film it's not much of a stretch that the movie has inspired the new 5 Seconds of Summer video too.

    We shared some behind the scenes snaps last week when the track was unveiled, and you can watch the new video below.

    It doesn't quite share the production values of the movie and we suspect it was done on a lower budget - but that's kind of the point... we think...

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

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  11. Jean Michel Jarre: Collaborations help beat isolation

    Chris Long

    Entertainment reporter

    Jean Michel Jarre

    French musician Jean Michel Jarre has explained his reasons for working with guest acts on his latest albums - it's because musicians have become "isolated in our home studios".

    The 67-year-old, who is headlining Cheshire's Bluedot festival, recently released the second part of his collaborative project, Electronica, which featured collaborations with film director John Carpenter, Primal Scream and techno DJ Jeff Mills.

    He said face-to-face writing revealed other musicians "secrets" and helped him learn.

    "Suddenly, an idea comes and we're all excited like children, wanting to exploit it right away," he explained.

    "I really discovered that it's a timeless process."

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  12. Eric Clapton to appear on new Stones album

    Eric Clapton and Keith Richards

    Guitarist Eric Clapton will appear on The Rolling Stones' blues-inspired new album, Keith Richards has confirmed. 

    The Stones guitarist told BBC 6 Music that Clapton had "dropped by for a couple of numbers" and that the recording sessions had been "like old times".

    Both the Stones and Clapton's former band, The Yardbirds, used to perform at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, Surrey.

    Richards said the album would feature "a lot of Chicago blues" and would be "coming out in the autumn some time".

    The recording sessions have included both new material and a number of blues covers, including songs by Little Walter and Howlin' Wolf.

    This weekend you can see the documentary Richards has made with director Julien Temple for the BBC's My Generation season, exploring his postwar childhood and adolescence in Dartford and London. 

    Keith spoke to 6 Music's Matt Everitt about that time and the birth of The Rolling Stones, which you can listen to below...

    Video content

    Video caption: Keith Richards talks about his childhood, adolescence and the birth of the Stones

    Listen to part 2 of the interview, on the psychedelic movement and the new Stones album, on the 6 Music website, and catch Keith Richards – The Origin of the Species on BBC Two at 21:00 on Saturday.  

  13. Bear's Den make music to drive by

    BBC Radio 1

    Bear's Den

    If you're off on a road trip this weekend, Beardy duo Bear's Den are hoping you might take their new album with you. 

    They say their primary rule when recording Red Earth and Pouring Rain (out today) was simply "Can you drive at night to it?" 

    The west London duo - made up of Kev Jones and Andrew Davie - have stepped up their sound for the follow-up to 2014's Islands, with Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen as inspiration.

    "We wanted to create a record that was quite present but had a sense of nostalgia about it, sonically," they told Newsbeat

    "Those artists are helpful to stimulate that."

    The pair stopped by the Live Lounge to perform their current single Auld Wives and give Drake’s mammoth hit One Dance a FOLK TWIST...  which is well worth a watch:

  14. Justin Bieber's best collaborations

    Justin Bieber

    So, hopefully you've found some time to listen to Justin Bieber's latest single with Diplo (or if you haven't, then scroll down for the lyric video).

    But having worked with artists including Nicki Minaj, Drake and Usher, what are the diminutive Canadian's best collaborations?

    BBC Music has this selection of the Bieb's best for you...

  15. Liam Gallagher teases a musical return

    Liam Gallagher

    Musicians do like to tease these days, and now that My Chemical Romance have cleared up yesterday's reunion confusion (scroll down for details), Liam Gallagher has entered the fray... 

    The former Oasis and Beady Eye singer posted a mysterious tweet telling "so called troubadours" they should "be afraid", calling out "plastic rock n rollers" to give their "paper crown 1 last cuddle" and concluding: "I'm on my way".

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    But what does it mean?! We can't wait to find out, and it gives Liam an alternative reason to use Twitter apart from winding up brother Noel... 

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  16. Another day and another artist is unhappy with Donald Trump

    Paul Rodgers

    It reads like a who's who of music stars - The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Steven Tyler, Adele, Queen, Earth, Wind & Fire and now Free's Paul Rodgers.

    They're all musicians who have objected to Donald Trump's use of their music during his campaign to be elected the 45th US President.

    Rodgers has posted a Facebook message saying: "Permission to use "All Right Now" was never sought for or granted by me. My lawyer is dealing with this matter. - Paul"

    Legally, however, there isn't much that Paul can do about it.

  17. One Direction's Liam Payne signs a solo record deal

    Liam Payne will return to One Direction

    While Louis Tomlinson guest judges on America's Got Talent and Harry Styles wows the acting world with his new shorter hair, One Direction's Liam Payne has announced he's just signed a solo record deal with Capitol Records UK. 

    The 22-year-old said he's "really happy" to have signed to "such a prestigious label", home to the likes of Sam Smith and 5 Seconds of Summer. 

    He added: "One Direction will always be my family; I'm now excited to show what I can do as a solo artist."

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    There's no word on when to expect any new music, but he'll be heading into the studio shortly.

    Meanwhile, Liam's sister has reassured Directioners that 1D WILL be getting back together:

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  18. Gregory Porter performs live at BBC studios

    Yesterday, we had a clip of jazz singer Gregory Porter talking about his rapid rise to fame, particularly in the UK.

    And last night, he performed at the BBC's Maida Vale studios, for Radio 2's In Concert. 

    Here he is in action - and you can watch and listen again to the whole performance on iPlayer

  19. The new Justin Bieber / Major Lazer collaboration is here

    Diplo and Justin Bieber

    How does Diplo make a surefire summer hit? He takes his old pal Justin Bieber (who sang on his Jack U project's Where Are U Now), brings in Danish up-and-comer MØ (who sang on his other project Major Lazer's Lean On) and gets Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco on writing duties... 

    It's about as close as you can get to a millennial supergroup.

    The result is Cold Water, which was released this morning, and already has a lyric video to help us all learn the words...

    Warning: third party content, may contain ads.

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    Diplo spoke to Grimmy on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show earlier as the track got its first play - live from a nightclub toilet in New York - and told him why he was so keen to get Bieber in the studio again:

    Quote Message: As a person he's just a cool guy. I've known him for many years, I worked on the pop stuff before the Jack U stuff. I just like being with him in the studio. It was easy, it was fun, he's really good at what he does so as a producer you always want people like that around you, to just push you.
  20. My Chemical Romance - NOT reforming...

    My Chemical Romance

    The upsurge in black eyeliner sales overnight will be replaced by make-up remover this morning after My Chemical Romance confirmed that they are most definitely NOT reforming.

    After an outpouring of enthusiasm on social media, the band took to Facebook to explain that, as suspected, they were counting down to a reissue of their seminal album The Black Parade for its tenth anniversary.

    Quote Message: We've been really touched and blown away by the response to the teaser trailer. We are not touring and there is no reunion planned - only a release for the anniversary of The Black Parade. Thanks so much for continuing to keep MCR in your minds and in your hearts.

    Naturally, the news has left some fans bereft.

    "I feel like they mended my broken heart then ripped it out....," one fan replied to the post.   

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