Music News LIVE: 11 October

Following similar news from The xx (scroll down for all the details), Alt-J have revealed they too are back in the studio (or at least a room with instruments in it) as they start work on their third album.

The trio posted the above picture on their Instagram account last night, illustrating that the new record would feature a guitar, an unplugged keyboard and a fold-up bicycle.

Exciting times.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Earlier this year, Ed Sheeran was sued for $20m (£16.2m) for allegedly basing his ballad Photograph on a a song by former X Factor winner Matt Cardle.

Sheeran was accused of "verbatim, note-for-note copying" of the song Amazing, by Cardle’s songwriters Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard.

The star's lawyers have now asked a judge in California to dismiss the case - not because the songs are dissimilar, but because the prosecution's case is too long-winded.

In court papers filed on Friday, the defence criticised the prosecutors for filing "44 sprawling pages of prolix, repetitive, argumentative and scandalous allegations, made mostly on 'information and belief'."

They said it was "impossible" to respond to the case "in any meaningful way"; and that it was unfair to expect all 11 defendants to face the "expense" of constructing a reply.

"Each defendant is entitled to have allegations that are directed at it or him," continued the motion. "Simply lumping Defendants together is not proper."  

The lawyers also filed a second motion to dismiss, arguing that several of the defendants, including Sheeran's publishing company, were based in the UK and therefore not subject to the jurisdiction of the US Court.

Inspired by Soweto Kinch's new film for Radio 3 - in which he plays jazz in a high rise tower block - the station has been listing some of the world's most unusual venues.

They range from a disused fishing vessel in Hamburg to the Hockley Flyover in Birmingham.

You can read the full article here - but tweet us @BBCMusic if you can beat any of Radio 3's suggestions.

For our part, we've seen Plan B under a railway arch; Madness on the roof of Buckingham Palace and Nile Rodgers busking by the River Thames...

Warning: third party content, may contain ads.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

A fire in Pennsylvania has destroyed a church building that was supposed to become a museum honouring the late singer Davy Jones.  

The Monkees star had bought the church in his adopted hometown of Beavertown before he died, with plans to renovate it. A fan later purchased the property with the intention of making it a home for Monkees memorabilia.

Local TV reports say that no-one was injured in the fire.

Universal MusicCopyright: Universal Music

Strictly judge and professional falling-off-a-chair artiste Bruno Tonioli has just announced he's releasing an album.

We. Are. Not. Making. This. Up.

Called An Italian Romance, it is billed as "his guide to the greatest Italian music in history", featuring 3 CDs of classic tracks including Que Sera, Sera; the Love Theme to Cinema Paradiso and Di Quella Pira from Verdi's Il Trovatore.

"Music has always been a huge part of my life, from my childhood growing up in Italy, to my time as a choreographer for huge stage shows," he said in a statement. 

Sadly, Tonioli doesn't sing on the record. Nor does he end every track by giving it a score out of 10.

He does, however, pose for the front cover in a casually unbuttoned shirt. So there's something.

NetflixCopyright: Netflix

Texan synth band S U R V I V E have become much sought-after since providing the soundtrack to the Netflix hit Stranger Things.

Their eerie, retro sound was made possible by a bank of vintage synths and drum machines, most of which pre-date the 1980s setting of the supernatural thriller.

The band recently gave their local radio station, KUT Austin, a peak into their sound laboratory - which you can see below.

Warning: third party content, may contain ads.

They also talked about the effect Stranger Things had on their career - allowing them to embark on their first ever headline tour.

"We’ve sold out most of the major cities, which is obviously something that probably wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t had the show," said band member Kyle Dixon.

You can read the full interview here, and listen to the band's Radio 1 Bedtime Mix below.

Kai Z FengCopyright: Kai Z Feng

After releasing his new track 24k Magic on Friday, Bruno Mars has announced he'll be debuting it live during the MTV EMAs in Rotterdam on 6 November. 

The track is Mars' first solo effort in nearly four years and marks the first single from his new album, also called 24k Magic, which is due out on 18 November.

He's the first performer to be announced for the EMAs - we're told the others are coming "shortly" with organisers promising "surprises". FINALLY - the Marilyn Manson / Olly Murs duet of our dreams is going to happen.

Phil Taggart unveiled the first ever Specialist Chart on Radio 1 last night, featuring tracks by J Hus, Mura Masa, Creeper and Kate Tempest.

The new chart - one of the station's new on-demand shows - counted down the 10 biggest tracks being supported by Radio 1's evening specialist shows and DJs.

Listen again here or download it on the iPlayer radio app.

Meanwhile Phil also announced he'd be hosting a Two Door Cinema Club listening party on Wednesday night to debut their new album Gameshow...

A new track from Two Door is also due to debut as Annie Mac's Hottest Record later tonight.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Michelle Williams - the actress, not the Destiny's Child singer - is in talks to play Janis Joplin in a major new film, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The project, called Janis, is based on a biography by the star's sister, Laura Joplin, which uses Joplin’s letters to family and friends to tell the story of a young woman who started out playing coffeehouses and ended up at Woodstock, all while combating alcohol and heroin addiction.

It was previously turned into a musical, which played off-Broadway for two years at the turn of the Millennium.

Joplin, who died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27, wrote a number of enduring classics, including Piece Of My Heart and Mercedes Benz.

Her turbulent life has proved to be an enticing prospect for film-makers, but several competing projects have struggled to get off the ground, with actresses including Renee Zellweger, Amy Adams and Zooey Deschanel all expressing interest in playing the rock star, before dropping out.

Andrew TimmsCopyright: Andrew Timms

Jon Bon Jovi was in a jokey mood as he walked on stage at London's famous Palladium theatre, for what he called a "live album playback" of his band's new album, This House Is Not For Sale.

Although the followed three "tumultuous" years, involving the departure of longtime guitarist Richie Sambora, Jon Bon was on chatty form between songs, explaining the lyrics and sharing "his stories" with an audience of devoted fans.

Opening with the title track, the band rattled through 15 album tracks and - despite the audience not knowing the new material - it was greeted warmly.

This was the second night of four theatre shows the band are playing to mark the new album's release, having already visited their native New Jersey ahead of shows in Toronto and New York.

It was, Jon said, like playing to "family and friends".

Andrew TimmsCopyright: Andrew Timms

The 50-minute album was stretched out to an hour and a half live show with the added bonus of a two song encore which included fan favourite Bad Medicine from the band's 1988 album New Jersey. 

The xxCopyright: The xx

Exciting news for fans of The xx (who may be too chilled out to get really excited, but still) - there is definitely a new album in the works. 

After the success of Jamie xx's Mercury Prize-nominated solo album In Colour, he's rejoined Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft in the studio to record a third album.

They shared the news in a sweet handwritten note in their newsletter, telling fans "it feels so good to be together making new music."

The xxCopyright: The xx

The band announced a string of dates in November and December - "in places we don't get to go to so often" (ie Eastern Europe and Japan) - where they'll be trying some of that new material out. 

And they also shared a playlist of the tracks they've been listening to in the studio which you can download to keep you ticking over till then.

In what might well be our first Music News LIVE mention of the festive season, Kylie has announced two Christmas shows at the Royal Albert Hall. 

The singer's 2015 show at the London venue sold out in minutes, but she'll be back this year on 9 and 10 December to perform songs from her Kylie Christmas album and a few greatest hits.

“I can’t wait to return to the Royal Albert Hall to share a night of joy and celebration with everyone," said Kylie. 

"Expect Christmas classics, plenty of sparkle and some very special surprises.” 

We love surprises. Tickets go on sale this Friday 14 October.

Depeche ModeCopyright: Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode have unveiled their fourteenth studio album, Spirit, at a lavish press conference in Milan, Italy.

"I’m excited to announce that we’ve spent the last couple of years writing and recording a new record," said frontman Dave Gahan, who was underwhelmed by the audience's sense of decorum.

"Don’t all applaud at once," he complained, prompting gales of laughter from his bandmates.

The album was recorded in Santa Barbara and New York and produced by James Ford - best known for his work with Arctic Monkeys and Florence + The Machine. 

"He’s helped us to make what we feel is a very incredible-sounding record," said Gahan. "We’re working to get the album out early next spring."

The band also played a short video of the work-in-progress, which was mostly instrumental, save for the lyric: "Where's the revolution? C'mon people, you're letting me down".

Depeche Mode also announced a huge 32-date European tour, which will go on sale later this week.

The tour will be designed by their frequent collaborator Anton Corbijn.

Rock god Rod Stewart has been to Buckingham Palace to receive his knighthood from Prince William.

The star, whose hits include Maggie May and Sailing, was honoured for his services to charity and music.

He has previously described the award as a "monumental honour". 

"I've led a wonderful life and have had a tremendous career thanks to the generous support of the great British public," he said. 

"This monumental honour has topped it off and I couldn't ask for anything more. I thank Her Majesty and promise to 'wear it well'." 

Sir Rod, as we must now refer to him, attended the ceremony with his wife, Penny Lancaster, and children Alastair and Aiden - who punctured the pomp and circumstance by running away from the official photographer.

APCopyright: AP

PACopyright: PA

Sting was honoured with the BMI Icon Award - and a giant silver punchbowl - at a swanky ceremony in London last night, where the Newcastle-born singer paid tribute to a motorway for carrying him and other UK musicians to stardom. 

He said the Great North Road, aka the A1, helped countless bands from the north east of England get to London in search of their lucky break...

Quote Message: I couldn't make it in Newcastle. I had to leave home and make that journey 300 miles south to right here in London, with little more than an old guitar, a bag of dreams and a notebook full of songs. Well I shared that leap of faith, that leap in the dark, that same journey, with many others from my part of the world - some of us were successful. Eric Burdon and The Animals, Brian Johnson of AC/DC, Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits, Trevor Horn, who's here tonight, Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music, Lindisfarne and my dear friend Jimmy Nail.

I couldn't make it in Newcastle. I had to leave home and make that journey 300 miles south to right here in London, with little more than an old guitar, a bag of dreams and a notebook full of songs. Well I shared that leap of faith, that leap in the dark, that same journey, with many others from my part of the world - some of us were successful. Eric Burdon and The Animals, Brian Johnson of AC/DC, Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits, Trevor Horn, who's here tonight, Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music, Lindisfarne and my dear friend Jimmy Nail.

He's so grateful, he's even written a song about it for his new album (due 11 November) - Heading South Down The Great North Road - which he debuted live at the ceremony alongside Police classics like Message In A Bottle.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Other winners at the awards, which celebrate airplay on US radio and TV, included Ed Sheeran, who won song of the year for Thinking Out Loud.   

Rudimental (below) picked up the pop award and some big shiny medals for Lay It On Me, which they co-wrote with Sheeran.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Hozier and Snow Patrol were also there - with the latter getting a BMI Million-Air Award for 2006 hit Chasing Cars - but our favourite fact of the night comes courtesy of Chumbawumba (below). Their track Tubthumping was among those celebrated for being played 3 million times on US radio.  

For anarchists, they scrub up well.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Our second favourite fact is that actor Michael Keaton was there as his son's date. 

Sean Douglas (below, with his dad) was one of many songwriters credited on David Guetta's hit Hey Mama, the dance song of the year. Check out the BMI website for a full list of winners. 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Pop star Kesha has asked a New York judge to ensure her medical records are kept private, as her battle with producer Dr Luke continues its slow progress through the courts.

The singer claims Dr Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, sexually assaulted her, and is trying to free herself from contracts signed with him. 

Gottwald has denied the allegations and is suing her in New York for breach of contract.

As part of the case, Kesha gave Gottwald’s legal team access to 913 pages of medical records - including information on "gynecological, psychiatric and rehabilitation" issues.

His team refused a request to keep the documents private, and so Kesha has asked the judge to seal them.

“Gottwald’s strategy in the litigation has been to subject Ms Sebert to extreme embarrassment and harassment," said the star's lawyer in court papers.

In response, Gottwald's lawyer said: "Because Kesha made public accusations... that she was allegedly harmed by Dr Luke, the Court ordered her to produce her medical records. 

"Now, Kesha wants to hide her records, while continuing to make self-serving, selective and misleading statements to hurt my clients publicly."

A hearing on Kesha's motion is scheduled for 26 October.

Thirty-five years and six days after their debut album Speak & Spell was released, Dave Gahan and the rest of Depeche Mode are about to hold a press conference in Milan.

Will it be a tour? Will it be a new album? Will it be both? We're saying both. Either that or a new fragrance: "Eau du Gahan," which smells of leather and synthesizers.

Anyway, it will all be streamed live on the Depeche Mode website from midday (UK) / 13:00 (CET). 

We'll of course bring you the latest when it happens...

PACopyright: PA

Knackered the needle on your vintage record player? Well, there's no need to fork out £50 for a new cartridge, because a five pound note can play your records for you.

The discovery was made by sound artist Michael Ridge - who has previously played a 7" single with a split thumbnail.

In a video posted on YouTube, he played Abba's 1976 hit single Money Money Money (do you see what he did there?) using a fiver, amplified through a simple contact microphone.

As you can see, it needs to be one of the new polymer notes. Ridge says the "sharper corners" of the note mean it can act as a "very crude" needle.

Warning: third party content, may contain ads.

Somebody should check the water supply at 6 Music. After Kate Tempest pulled out of a day of live sessions at the station due to illness, fellow guest Jamie T had to cancel his gig at Brixton Academy.

The star apologised on Twitter, saying the show would be rescheduled...

Thankfully, his 6 Music session was pre-recorded, so fans could console themselves with a few live tracks while they wait for the new date to be announced.

Here's one of the highlights, Joan of Arc...

Speaking to Steve Lamacq, he emphasised that people shouldn't assume his songs are based on his own life. 

"Quite often, they're all based in fiction. You take your life and you use bits of it and composite characters together. 

"Sometimes people look too literally into things - but I don't think that's how I write songs."

You can listen to the interview and session in full on the BBC 6 Music website.