Music News LIVE: Cabbage and co smash BBC Introducing night

1) Jamiroquai's Jay Kay has a new hat...and it's his daftest yet

JamiroquaiCopyright: Jamiroquai

Seven years on from their last album Brit funk-acid jazzsters Jamiroquai returned this week with an eye-catching video for new krautrock-inspired track Automaton.

But most notably of all, frontman Jay Kay has ditched the native American head-dresses and trilbys of old in favour of a new hi-tech version which moves of its own accord. Check it out below.

The track is taken from the band's forthcoming eighth studio album which they will take out on the road across Europe, including a gig at London's Roundhouse.

Wonder if you can buy one of these hats from the merch' stall?  Hope so.

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2) The new hosts of the Brits awards were revealed

BritsCopyright: Brits

The Brits finally released the names (and faces above) of the replacements for Michael Buble in presenting this year's awards.

Mr Saturday night himself Dermot O'Leary and Emma Willis will step into Buble's "patent shoes" for the night, as the singer continues to look after three-year old son Noah, who is "doing well" with his cancer treatment.

Dermot calls the awards "a holy grail for a broadcaster", saying:

Quote Message: Michael is an effortless show man, so those patent shoes will not be easy to fill, but it's an honour to be asked to step in with Emma."

Michael is an effortless show man, so those patent shoes will not be easy to fill, but it's an honour to be asked to step in with Emma."

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3) Pharrell has three new reasons to be Happy...but Beyonce has two too

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Rapper and producer Pharrell Williams has become a dad again for the second, third and fourth time in quick succession after wife Helen Lasichanh gave birth to triplets.

Turns out Pharrell DID Get Lucky after all.

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However his thunder was stolen somewhat selfishly by another singer you may have heard of called Beyonce Carter, announcing twins of her own.

Insert standard everyday pregnancy photo below.

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4) Dame Vera Lynn is still breaking records at 100

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She was known as the forces' sweetheart for entertaining the troops during the second world war but now Dame Vera Lynn looks set to become a record-breaking singer for the digital music age.

Dame Vera is already the oldest living artist to get a top 20 UK album and now her forthcoming album, Vera Lynn 100, looks set to break her own record, just days before her landmark birthday in March.

She said: "It's truly humbling that people still enjoy these songs from so many years ago, reliving the emotions of that time - I was after all just doing my job as a singer - and it's so wonderful for me to hear my songs again so beautifully presented in a completely new way."

Congratulations Dame Vera. Here's hoping for a number one to go with that letter from her Majesty.

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DeccaCopyright: Decca

5) And finally...The biggest band in the world are back

Rockin' 1000Copyright: Rockin' 1000

No John Lennon and George Harrison have not returned from beyond the grave...

...we are of course talking about The Rockin' 1000.

The Italian musicians first appeared on our radar last year when thousands of them got together in a field in Cesena in an attempt to try and convince the Foo Fighters to come to their small city.

That plan worked and the video went viral getting more than 35m views.

Now after a few (thousand) phone calls they've got the old band back together, for an epic crack at one of Dave Grohl's other band's tunes.

Read fully entry.

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A great many of you got very excited about the news last month that Celine Dion is coming to the UK for her first gigs in nearly ten years.

Well, you got so excited and bought so many tickets so very quickly that she has only gone and announced another four dates.

She will now play 29 & 30 July at the O2 in London, plus 1 August in Manchester and 3 August in Birmingham.

Lets we forget, these gigs are all smack bang in the middle of festival season - Pyramid stage anyone?

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We have an embarrassment of new music today, so lets get cracking with another couple of new videos.

First up Imagine Dragons' new single Believer which, according to singer Dan Reynolds is a "realisation that the emotional pain I faced the last few years actually helped me progress to this healthier mental space"

If that isn't a life-affirming statement then we don't know what is.

The track is going to be seen by millions of Americans this weekend as it has been used in a new soundtrack for a Nintendo ad which will be screened during the Super Bowl (scroll down to see what Gaga has up her sleeve for that one)

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And a sparkly new video from Swedish teen sensation Zara Larsson, featuring Ty Dolla $ign.

If, like one member of our Music News LIVE team, you are a glitter magnet - you will wince a little at this video...

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The debut album by LA based three-piece Muna is out today and to mark the release, the girls have shared a video for their track I Know A Place.

The somewhat timely video sees the band perform in the face of what look like a band of masked riot officers.

They tells listeners "Lay down your weapon / Don't be afraid of love and affection"

Watch below and read about how they formed and their own brand of girl power.

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Following on from the award performers we announced earlier today (scroll down), some rather more disappointing news that Dave Grohl will not perform with Anderson .Paak and A Tribe Called Quest at the Grammy awards.

In a statement to Billboard, the Recording Academy and AEG Ehrlich Productions apologised for making the announcement saying it was "made prematurely."

It said: "Earlier this week, we announced that Dave Grohl would be performing with Anderson .Paak and A Tribe Called Quest prior to confirming all participants.

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"Dave Grohl will not be part of this performance. Unfortunately, our announcement was made prematurely.

Quote Message: On behalf of The Recording Academy and AEG Ehrlich Productions, we sincerely apologise to all parties involved for our error."

On behalf of The Recording Academy and AEG Ehrlich Productions, we sincerely apologise to all parties involved for our error."

That would have been cool. Never mind.

There are still plenty of reasons to get excited though with performances planned from The Weeknd and Daft Punk; and Alicia Keys with newcomer Maren Morris.

It's one of the most anticipated films of the year (i.e. even we can't wait for it...) and now we have the full-length version of the theme song from the forthcoming live action adaptation of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

There's no video as yet for the duet featuring Ariana Grande and John Legend but that just means you can close your eyes instead and listen to a classic soaring ballad.

Prepare to have your heart melted just a bit...

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It may be all he has left in his pocket after settling up this bill.

Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent has paid off debts of more than $22m (£17.6m) and is now back in the black.

In 2015, the rapper, filed for bankruptcy, citing debts of $36m and assets of less than $20m. 

But his lawyers now say he has now paid off a five-year plan early with $8.7m of his own money and $13.65m he was awarded by a legal malpractice action.

Among his debts was $6m owed to a woman after sharing a sextape she made with her boyfriend.

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We're stopping short of setting up a crowdfunding appeal to raise cash for Fiddy, but here is a handy list of what he can still buy for approx. 50 cents nowadays.

We're torn between the sardines or the 2kg of flour.

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Here is another new name to keep an eye (and an ear) out for.

Eighteen-year-old Liv Dawson has teamed up with Disclosure for her new track Searching.

Her debut track Tapestry was released in 2016.

The new single, "about an old crush I had", said Liv - has been produced by Howard and Guy Lawrence aka Disclosure.

She's due to play at one of London's newest independent venues Omeara this month.

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Now, the half-time show at the biggest sporting event in the world is no place for shrinking violets.

Luckily Dame Lady of Gaga is not one.

She says her Super Bowl half-time show this weekend will make statements about "inclusion" and the "spirit of equality" and that the performance on Sunday will uphold philosophies of "love and kindness".

Not playing Judas then, no?

The singer was asked if she'd be making a stand against US President Donald Trump at the event in Houston, Texas.

"The only statements I'll be making are the ones that I have been consistently making during my career," she said.

Quote Message: I believe in a passion for inclusion, I believe in the spirit of equality and the spirit of this country as one of love and compassion and kindness."

I believe in a passion for inclusion, I believe in the spirit of equality and the spirit of this country as one of love and compassion and kindness."

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If you can't wait until Sunday, take a "sneak peek" of her performing while getting her hair done ahead of the pre-match press conference.

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It seems Paul Weller is broadening his horizons.

A few weeks ago we brought you news of his professional acting debut as a dead viking in Sherlock.

Now he's had his first crack at a remix, of a track from Canterbury psych band Syd Arthur.

Danny NorthCopyright: Danny North

Their new single No Peace is out today, along with a remix by Sine of 4; a collective including Weller and featuring a guitar line or two from Noel G.

Expect mystical sounds of the orient.

Don't fight it man, feel it.

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Kylie Minogue has used her Instagram account to confirm the sad news that she has split from her fiance, actor Josh Sasse.

The couple hit headlines when they got engaged early in 2016 but announced they were putting their wedding on hold until gay marriage in Kylie's native Australia was legalised.

The split was reported this morning and Kylie has used social media to confirm the story.

"Thank you for all your love and support throughout this recent chapter of my life," she said in the post below.

"Thank you now for your love and understanding with the news that Josh and I have decided to go our separate ways. We wish only the best for each other as we venture towards new horizons."

Kylie's currently working on her fourteenth studio album with another Robbie Williams duet rumoured.   

With that in mind, lets have another listen to this classic from the year 2000.

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Sounds like there's no love lost in the Ocean family amid reports from the US that R&B singer Frank is being sued by his father.

According to TMZ, Calvin Cooksey has apparently filed a defamation action over a Tumblr post Frank wrote last summer in the wake of the Orlando massacre. 

In the post, Frank accused his dad of using a homophobic slur when he was a child during a visit to a diner.

Mr Cooksey has denied the story and says it's damaged his reputation and finances and is looking for $14.5m (£12m) in damages.

BBCCopyright: BBC

BBC Introducing kicked off the first of their new club nights at the Lexington in London last night.

And what an evening of high octane punk-spirited rock 'n' roll it turned out to be.

If you like the sound of that then you're gonna love the following three bands. 

1) CABBAGE

BBC IntroducingCopyright: BBC Introducing

"This band are going somewhere. And they want to take you all with them..." announces compare Steve Lamacq as Nihilistic Manc post-punk band Cabbage saunter on stage to top the bill on Thursday night.

Already crowd favourites Uber Capitalist Death Trade, Terrorist Synthesiser and Grim Up North Korea confirm the Manchester gang's place as one of the most exciting and important political punk bands around right now.

Necroflat In The Palace carries the chorus: “I was born in the NHS, I wanna die in the NHS“.

Scowling singer Lee Broadbent calls out: "Are there any northerners in here?" to cries of Yes! "Then you're all immigrants then aren't ya?"

For fans of the Happy Mondays, The Fall and The Fat White Family.

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2) THE SHIMMER BAND

Supporting Cabbage last night were the Shimmer Band who Lammo describes as having "swaggered all the way from Bristol" but in truth they could've just stepped down off a rock 'n' roll space ship.

Shiny glam casual clobber, sunglasses indoors and a cocksure stage presence are all good and well...but these lads have euphoric dance-rock choruses like on Freedom and Jacknife & The Death Call to back it up.

For fans of Primal Scream, Kasabian, Jungle.

3) APRIL

Kicking off proceedings with a big bang were groove-driven Nuneaton rockers April.

Apparently the lads host regular indie nights in Coventry and soaring tracks like Open Mind below suggest that such nights would be a lot of fun indeed.  

For fans of The Charlatans and The Stone Roses.

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In their first new music in four years, indie goths Depeche Mode are pulling no punches with a savage political message.

Where's the Revolution is the first track to be taken from their forthcoming 14th studio album Spirit - due in March - and sees the band on confrontational form.

The lyrics include lines like "Your rights abused/ your views refused / they manipulate and threaten / terror as a weapon." 

The chorus sees singer Dave Gahan ask "Where's the revolution? / Come on people, you're letting me down."  We think Dave's let himself down by omitting a question mark from the song title.

The song was written by band member Martin Gore, who said: "I wouldn't call this a political album, because I don't listen to music in a political way. But it's definitely about humanity, and our place in that," 

Gahan told Rolling Stone. "If we want things to change, a revolution, we need to talk about it and about caring about what goes on in the world."

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...on both sides of the Atlantic.

In the UK, Bruno Mars and the mighty Skepta have been added to the lineup for next month's Brit awards.

They join the previously announced Robbie Williams, Little Mix, The 1975 and Emeli Sandé.

Skepta has three nominations this year, including album of the year for his Mercury-winning album Konnichiwa.

Also reports from the US that Beyonce (and her unborn twins) will perform at the Grammys. 

That's according to her dad Mathew who told a US TV show he was "shocked" to hear her pregnancy news and only found out after she made the announcement on Instagram.

Beyonce/InstagramCopyright: Beyonce/Instagram

That's according to Radio1's MistaJam who had the London Grime star on his show last night.

Such high praise can sometimes make you Too Big For Your Boots...however Stormzy seems to have all this in check.

Have a listen to the track below and see where it fits into your musical planetary orbit.

The words "you're getting way to big for your boots" and other lyrics appeared on an advertising billboard in London earlier in the week.

And now we finally know what #GSAP 24.02 means  - the album is Gang Signs and Prayers -- and we should we hearing it on the final Friday of this month.

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Following on from yesterday's story about Ed Sheeran tickets appearing on secondary ticketing sites for vastly inflated prices, Ed has explained he is "deeply concerned" about online touts.

The star has teamed up with face value ticket platform Twickets for his April and May concerts.

But dozens of listings have appeared offering seats at inflated prices minutes after going on sale.

Ed's rep has told the Press Association: "We are vehemently opposed to the unethical practices that occur in the secondary market.

"We have written to each of our partners, be they promoters, venues or ticketing companies detailing the way in which we expect tickets to be sold: direct to fans."

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Well done everyone, we've nearly made it to the end of another working week.

And that can mean only one thing...new music Friday of course.

We'll have new music videos from Stormzy, Imagine Dragons, Disclosure apprentice Liv Dawson and Depeche Mode. 

We'll also look back on a raucous night of rock 'n' roll from BBC Introducing and look ahead to Lady Gaga's performance at the Superbowl.

Plus later we'll tell you 5 Things We've Learned This Week.

Check out yesterday's blog and Beyonce's baby bump pic one last time, as well as Drake's mate falling through a hole - and we'll see you very soon.