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Live Updates

Frances Cronin & Paul Glynn

All times stated are UK

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  1. Arise Sir Ray Davies!

    Sir Ray Davies

    Last but by no means least today...

    ...he's a well respected man and now a knight of the realm.

    The Kinks star was at Buckingham Palace today to be knighted by Prince Charles for services to music.

    Congratulations Sir Ray. Has a nice to ring to it that.

    Prince Charles and Sir Ray

    While Ray's been given the knighthood, we've both just been granted the freedom of the city for the rest of the evening.

    Free to go home at least...we're not sure about the rest.

    Scroll down for Stormzy's war of words with the NME and Florence's big surprise for fans of The xx and Kate Nash going all rock chick at SXSW.

    Plus will you buying one of THOSE Morrissey T shirts?

    Don't forget to tune into Jo Whiley's show live from Austin, Texas tonight and we'll see you tomorrow, same time, same place for New Music Friday.

  2. Listen to Honeyblood live in session

    BBC 6 Music

    DJ Vic Galloway could barely contain his emotions as he hosted the Glasgow-based duo for a performance of tracks from their new album including Babes Never Die, Love Is A Disease and Sea Hearts.  

    He lost a few cool points but didn't seem to mind too much.

    Have a listen below and see if you love them as much as he does

  3. Weezer head to the UK

    Weezer

    Now if Metallica ain't you thing, here's new of another US band heading to Europe in the autumn - this time it's Weezer .

    They've announced dates in Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and London. 

    Details on when the tickets go on sale are here .

    View more on twitter

    They've also released a new video for their track Feels Like Summer, which makes our heads go a bit strange.

    What about you?

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

    View more on youtube
  4. Stormzy v NME - Part II

    Stormzy NME cover

    The Stormzy /NME feud is continuing.

    Scroll down to see how Stormzy took issue with the magazine for putting him on the front cover talking about depression without his permission.

    He's sent another load of ranting tweets in their direction - here's a taster a one of them...

    FYI a paigon is "a friend that lies betrays and isn't true to you", according to the urban dictionary.

    The NME have now responded.

    But Stormzy's having none of it.    

    Think this one is going to run and run.

    Read more .

  5. More Elastica news

    Justine Frischmann

    We're spoiling you if you're an Elastica fan today as we've yet another post about them.

    We told you earlier that Brett Anderson had signed a book deal for his memoirs which would likely cover his split from Elastica 's Justine Frischmann, who left him for Damon Albarn.

    Now Frischmann has been talking to Uncut  magazine about many things including why she split from Albarn.

    Quote Message: I think it was hard for Damon when Elastica started getting some success in America. It’s funny because we both thought we were too evolved for classic gender roles, but looking back he thought his band were more important because he was the guy. And on some level I did, too."

    The band gave the magazine an exclusive interview to announce details of their Record Store Day release.

    They'll reissue their self-titled debut album on 22 April with a fanzine and flexi disc, which will feature the track In The City from their John Peel session.

  6. Throwback Thursday: Florence covers Foos at Glasto

    So Florence arguably stole the show at The xx's final London residency last night (scroll down for more on that).

    Today's TBT therefore takes us back to the summer of 2015 when the singer stole the entire festival at Glastonbury as a late replacement for the Foo Fighters after Dave Grohl broke his leg.

    Here's her tribute...she does make an exceedingly good cover version.

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

    View more on youtube
  7. Blur's Alex James on hosting a Festival in his (very big) garden

    BBC 6 Music

    Video content

    Video caption: Blur's Alex James chats to 6 Music's Matt Everitt about his Big Feastival Festival

    He lives in a house, a very big house in the country...

    ...so big in fact, that he's hosting a festival in his garden!

    This is of course the BigFeastival ; an annual music and food event which takes place in the grounds of Blur bassist Alex James' farm in the Cotswolds.

    This year the line-up includes headliners Madness, Olly Murs and the Haçienda Classical, as well cooking masterclasses from Rick and Jack Stein and Antonio Carluccio.

    6 Music's Matt Everitt spoke to Alex to find out exactly how much he has on his plate.

    View more on twitter
  8. Metallica announce European dates

    Metallica

    Well the UK may well be heading out of Europe very shortly but American heavy metal rockers  Metallica are heading back in on their extended WorldWired Tour.

    They've announced dates across the continent between September 2017 and May 2018.

    As part of that they'll be playing dates in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham in October.

    Tickets go on sale next week with the full details here.

    And here are the UK dates...  

    • 22 Oct    –    London O2 Arena
    • 24 Oct    –    London O2 Arena
    • 26 Oct    –    Glasgow SSE Hydro
    • 28 Oct    –    Manchester Arena
    • 30 Oct    –    Birmingham Genting Arena  

    The press release announcing the dates states "no additional shows will be added" so you have been warned.

    View more on twitter
  9. Stormzy v the NME

    Uh oh, seems like grime star  Stormzy has made an enemy of music mag NME.

    He's had a bit of a Twitter rant after he was put on the cover of their latest issue, he says without his permission.

    View more on twitter

    "Is it is kool to use my me as a poster boy for such a sensitive issue without permission? You lot have been begging me to be on your cover," he tweeted in a flurry of messages...

    ...many with much more ripe language, shall we say.

    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
  10. Zara does Beyonce

    BBC Radio 1

    Zara Larsson

    You know what that must mean y'all...it's Live Lounge time.

    Swedish pop star Zara Larsson 's album So Good drops tomorrow.

    She's out on the promo trail and popped into Radio 1 to perform one of her own tracks and had a crack at the champ too.

    So good? So bad? Or just so so? See what you think

    View more on twitter
  11. Florence helps The xx close record-breaking residency

    Paul Glynn

    Music News LIVE reporter

    View more on twitter

    Florence (minus her Machine) rocked up as a surprise guest to help pals The xx close their record-breaking residency at Brixton Academy last night.

    Miss Welch strolled onstage unannounced and belted out her classic Candi Staton cover You Got The Love alongside the electronic indie trio...to gasps all around.

    Flo's surprise visit provided one of the highlights of a joyous final night of The xx's record-breaking seven night (and day) stay at the famous London venue.

    Other special guest collaborators during the past week have included Swedish hit-maker Robyn  (below) and Savages singer Jehnny Beth.

    The xx with Robyn

    "South London is where we all come from" said guitarist and singer Romy.

    "So to leave with a record...This means the world to us."

    It's worth the admission fee alone to see Jamie simultaneously play drums, keys and mix (probably sending a few emails too).

    He's the ice to Romy and Oli's lyrical fire.

    "A rush of blood is not enough I need my feelings set on fire" sang Oli on new track I Dare You, and his band provided just that for a delighted crowd.

    If Woodstock had wifi it would look, sound and feel like this.

    The xx

    After an elongated seventh and final goodbye of the week the crowd were sent away to the soaring sound of Angels off their second album Coexist

    The kinship in this band runs deep, you can't fake that and the audience can always tell.

    Oli revealed that his first ever gig was seeing The White Stripes with bandmate Jamie and his auntie - at this very same venue.

    Let's hope some other young kids in the building last night will now go and make their own beautiful noise.

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

    View more on youtube
    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
  12. Ed Sheeran on love and going topless

    Ed Sheeran

    Ed Sheeran has been opening up about his love life and how he ended up topless in its latest video.

    In an interview with US Weekly he was quizzed about his girlfriend Cherry - about how he got together with his old school friend and how he wrote a song about her on Divide.

    Quote Message: Perfect was the first song that I wrote for the album, It was inspired by Cherry. The line that goes, ‘Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song' was about when we were in Ibiza listening to Future’s March Madness literally not wearing any shoes and going mental on the lawn, which was quite a nice time. I didn’t see her first reaction to the song because she lived in New York at the time. So I just emailed it to her but she did really like it."

    He says one day when the showbiz all ends he knows "the one person that’s going to remain constant is Cherry.”

    Altogether now...awwwwwe

    He also revealed how he ended up without his top on so we all got to see the shape of him in the Shape of You video.

    Ed Sheeran in Shape of You video
    Quote Message: My lifestyle changed. I realised I needed to start exercising, not necessarily to be slim but have a healthy heart. By exercising and not having such a wild lifestyle, you end up being a healthy human being. Having my shirt off in the video wasn’t my idea though. It was the director’s and it kind of happened very last minute. I wasn’t really comfortable with it but he lit it in such a way that it ended up looking quite cool."

    See, it's all about the lighting.

  13. Katy Perry to Hull - reaction

    Katy Perry

    As we told you earlier KP is off to Hull to headline Radio 1's Big Weekend, alongside Kings of Leon, Little Mix and Stormzy.

    Some of you seem to believe this news is proof at last that there is a god.

    View more on twitter
  14. Britpop stars head to print

    Jarvis Cocker, Brett Anderson

    Get ready for not one but two books on the way from a pair of Britpop legends.

    Both Jarvis Cocker  of Pulp and Suede's  Brett Anderson have signed deals at this week's London book fair with bidding wars taking place over both of them. 

    Cocker's book entitled This Book is a Song, is not a memoir but sees the Pulp frontman sharing his own experiences of creativity - mixing biography, essay, text, illustrations and photographs.  

    While Anderson's book Coal Black Mornings is a proper memoir.

    The title refers to the death of his mother as well as the loss of his lover (and former bandmate) Justine Frischmann, to rival Damon Albarn.

    It will tell his story of growing up in the 1970s on a council estate under the influence of his father "a taxi driver who roams around the pebble dash maisonette in Lawrence of Arabia robes whilst air-conducting his beloved Liszt and polishing the maritime memorabilia".

    Sounds amazing.

    The publishers said the memoir is "so very good we would have wanted to publish it, whoever the author."

    It'll be published next spring to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Suede's eponymous first album. 

  15. Sister Sledge singer Joni died of natural causes

    Joni Sledge

    Sister Sledge have released a further family statement regarding the death of their 'forever beautiful, forever loved' sister Joni, who died last week aged 60.

    The band, who this week announced that they will continue to tour , say that medical examiner's have confirmed her death was due to natural causes which arose from complications from a pre-existing condition.

    They have also now thanked fans for their "overwhelming love and support".

    The statement reads: "Sister Sledge, Debbie Sledge, Kim Sledge, and family would like to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support to our family during this time of great loss in the wake of the transition into eternity of our beloved sister and musical icon, Joni Sledge...

    "She is at peace, and knowing that comforts us.

    Quote Message: She was an excellent mother, daughter, aunt, niece and incredible sister! Joni will be able to answer the one question we all will be asked when we come face to face with our Creator... 'DID YOU LEARN TO LOVE'...with a resounding 'YES!'

    Adding: "In the spirit of sisterhood and in the Sister Sledge tradition, we will honor Joni Sledge, her zest for life, her strength of character, her creative talent, her powerhouse personality, and her loving memory by spreading joy through her songs and shining light and love through music.

    "We are sisters, we are Flo's daughters, we are one, we are family..."

  16. Erasure on new track and touring with Robbie

    Erasure's Andy Bell

    Andy Bell from Erasure gave Chris Evans a bell today (see what we did there) to chat to him about their new single Love You to the Sky.

    He also talked about their upcoming tour where they're supporting Robbie Williams for 27 stadium dates - something that's giving Andy a few sleepless nights. 

    Video content

    Video caption: Erasure's Andy Bell calls Chris with their exclusive new single and news of their tour.
  17. Controversy over new Morrissey T Shirt

    Controversy over new Morrissey T Shirt
    Image caption: Some fans are getting shirty over this T

    Manc master of musical misery  Morrissey is selling the above ‘Black is how I feel on the inside’ t-shirts on his merchandise stall at gigs across America and it's causing concern online.

    The line relates to a lyric in Unloveable; a song by Mozza's old band The Smiths from 1986 but now seems to have taken on a whole new meaning when placed alongside an image of civil rights activist James Baldwin.

    Some fans have called  the t-shirt racist  but others have defended it.

    It's available from  the singer's rather retro-looking fan site.

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

    View more on youtube

    Meanwhile Morrissey is also set to be the subject of a new biopic called England Is Mine.

    The film which has not been officially sanctioned by the man himself, will come courtesy of Orian Williams who produced the Ian Curtis Joy Division film Control.

    If it's half as good as that then we're all in for a treat.

    Morrissey
  18. John Legend talks postnatal depression

    Chrissy Teigan and John Legend

    John Legend has revealed how he helped his wife, model Chrissy Teigen, through postnatal depression.

    The 31-year-old said recently that she'd been battling the condition since the birth of her daughter Luna last year.

    John Legend  told People  that he did whatever he could do "to help her".

    "(As a man) you don't know internally what it feels like... You need to be present and you need to be compassionate," he said.

    "And we're all learning and trying to figure it out as we go."

    Teigan wrote an open letter sharing her experience in Glamour magazine and Legend praised his wife for being open about the condition.

    "I think it was powerful for her to let a lot of women know they're not alone, and no matter how much money you have or fame, anybody can feel that." 

    Read more.

  19. Tom Jones the musical

    Tom Jones

    He's certainly got plenty of hits to draw on and now it seems  Sir Tom Jones  is in talks to write a musical for the West End based on his back catalogue.

    Sir Tom told The Sun that it's in the early stages but he might appear in it himself.

    Quote Message: It will have to be good and it will have to be real, rather than just doing something for the sake of doing it. It must be important. I might go on stage, I don’t know. Maybe.

    Wonder if it will feature any of his Elvis stories - we hope so.

  20. Kate Nash steals the show at SXSW

    Kate Nash

    Miss Perry is not the only Kate making the news today.

    London singer Kate Nash  apparently stole the show at one of the BBC presents showcase gigs at SXSW festival in Texas last night.

    Festival-goers queued round the block and packed into an Austin bar to see the Foundations singer perform on stage and at one point on top of the bar, Coyote Ugly stylee.

    Kate Nash

    Kate performed a fantastic rocky set, according to our sources in the States, which included a kinky version of of her biggest hit  and a raucous new track Agenda.

    Elsewhere in the city Fran Healy 's new super-group BNQT (below), featuring Eric Pulido from Midlake and Jason Lytle from Granddaddy played their first ever show at the Bella Union 20th anniversary show.

    The band performed seven tracks from their forthcoming album, then treated the crowd to hits from their own respective bands; Roscoe by Midlake, Why Does It Always Rain on Me by Travis and AM 180 by Granddaddy.

    BNQT

    Yesterday we told you how at least seven SXSW artists and bands had been denied entry to the US as confusion reigns over US immigration visa laws.

    If like some of those artists (and us) you're not in Austin either (and not even remotely jealous) then you can listen again to Huw Stephen's show from last night.

    The Radio 1 DJ is out there and he caught up with some of the hottest new artists in the world including Sigrid, Young MA, Kewku Collins and PWR BTTM.

    What more?

    Ok... Jo Wiley will be live on Radio 2 from Austin tonight from 20:00 GMT and she's invited Rag 'n' Bone Man and The Japanese House to perform live as the BBC showcases more of its Introducing graduates to an American crowd.

    She'll also be joined by Nile Rodgers and Mick Fleetwood.

    We're hearing big things about those two too.