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Live Updates

Mark Savage and Paul Glynn

All times stated are UK

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  1. Are you listening Nile?

    BBC Radio 2

    We're done for another day.

    Before we go we just have to read out a quick message for a... Nile Rodgers ? If there's a Nile Rodgers in the building can you please get in touch with Blondie ASAP.

    They said to tell you that they're "waiting for the magic" and that you'd know what that means.

    Video content

    Video caption: Blondie tell Jo about their working relationship with the legendary Nile Rodgers.

    While the above message may be specifically for Mr Rodgers, all of the below Music News LIVE entries on The Who, Chance the Rapper, Circa Waves, Beyonce and New Order are all for you guys.

    So scroll down, take your pick and we'll be back tomorrow with more.

  2. We're The Go-Gos; They're OK Go and together we are...

    The OK Go-Gos!

    The viral video specialists and Belinda Carlisle's former band came together for a one-off performance on Jimmy Kimmel's US chat show, delivering a mash-up of the hits Our Lips Our Sealed and Here It Goes Again.

    We'll leave it to you to decide which song is better (Hint: It's the Go-Gos one)

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

    View more on youtube
  3. Feist announces first album in six years

    View more on youtube

    Nothing will ever top her appearance on Sesame Street (above), but any new music from Feist is worth checking out.

    She's been silent since 2011's Metals, but Exclaim! reports she's finally finished a new album, Pleasure, which is due out on 28 April.

    According to their report, the album is "an exploration into emotional limits," encapsulating "loneliness, private ritual, secrets, shame, mounting pressures, disconnect, tenderness, rejection, care and the lack thereof".

    Feist is already scheduled to play a handful of festivals this summer, so the as-yet-unconfirmed report seems above board.

  4. Respects paid to Chameleons drummer John Lever

    Video content

    Video caption: Marc Riley's joined in the studio by ChameleonsVox.

    Tributes have been made to John Lever, the drummer with cult Manchester post-punk band  The Chameleons , who has died following a short illness.

    Lever (pictured far left above) was an original member of the band which formed in Middleton in 1981 and he played on their first three albums, until they split in 1987.

    He re-joined the band for their 2000-2003 reunion and you can listen to 6 Music's Marc Riley interviewing the band above.

    In a statement on Facebook, the group’s singer Mark Burgess wrote: “I’m deeply sad to report that this afternoon I got the news that John Lever died this morning following a short period of illness.

    “We want to offer our sincere and deepest sympathy to John’s mother, his sister and his two children at this terrible time. Obviously I’m shocked at the news and consequently I’ll be offline for a while.”

    John is described below on Twitter as "a world class drummer and a good soul", as well as "the engine room for some of the greatest songs of the post-punk northern 80s".

    View more on twitter
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  5. The Notorious B.I.G.'s mum 'very optimistic' son's killer will be caught

    Rolling Stone magazine

    Violetta Wallace and Faith Evans (left)

    The Los Angeles Police Department has yet to make any arrests in connection with his murder 20 years ago but Christopher Wallace 's mother Violetta says she remains "optimistic" that someone will be brought to justice.

    Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, at Sunday's 'Biggie Night' in Brooklyn, she said: "When they see all this love that's being poured out, their conscience will stick a little bit.

    "I am very optimistic. Very, very optimistic. There are so many things happening."

    She added: "There are books being written and movies being made. The truth is not there, but I know the truth and the [LAPD detective] I spoke to knows the truth and I just want to give them the chance to do the work because the case is still open.

    Quote Message: I always think there's a conspiracy. I always know that the truth is there, but they're not bringing it to the forefront... Because it's an open investigation, I can't give up."
    The Notorious B.I.G.

    Biggie's widow Faith Evans says she is more "hopeful" than optimistic that justice will be served.

    The singer said: "We believe that [the LAPD] knows [who murdered him], but it's still a matter of them actually saying that and bringing someone to justice," 

    "I pray for that to happen, but I'm almost accepting the fact that they may not because it's just so shady and has been able to go under the rug for so long.

    "Maybe it's just a matter of one thing that will happen and no matter how long it takes, it'll actually make them do that. But [the dominoes] have been falling over the years; they're just slowly falling down."

    Read more.

  6. Music news roundup: DJ Shadow, Matt Wills and Hanson

    DJ Shadow
    Image caption: Shadow by name...

    Right, we think it's about time you stopped reading about music and got out there and listened to some. Don't you?

    Well actually you can both. Here's three very different suggestions to get you started.

    First up experimental hip hop mixer DJ Shadow (above) is heading out on the road across the UK in October.

    Mr Shadow will follow up festival appearances at the likes of Coachella, Sonar, Bestival and more with a four gig tour of these shores kicking off in Glasgow on 3 October and heading to Manchester and Bristol before culminating at London's Roundhouse on 7 October.

    Tickets go on sale on Friday.

    Matt Wills

    Next up Matt Wills (not to be confused with the guy from Busted).

    Matt's new electric ballad Emily finds him "sleeping less and drinking more" than he used too.

    We've all been there, brother.

    You can check it out below and if you like the sound of what Matt's offering then he's set to headline the London Omeara on 25 May and you can get tickets for that one on Friday too.

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

    View more on youtube
    Hanson

    Last, but by no means least, are everybody's favourite 90s Tulsa teenie pop-rockers  Hanson.

    They're bringing their Middle of Everywhere 25th anniversary world tour to London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on 10 June.

    It's their only UK date so far. 

    Guitarist Isaac Hanson (he was always our favourite) said: “This year is not only about the two decades of music, it’s about celebrating the incredible community of fans who have been with us, singing along year after year."

    Oh go on then, just once more for the memories. You know you want to...

    View more on youtube
  7. Circa Waves cover The Chainsmokers in da Live Lounge

    BBC Radio 1

    Circa Waves with Clara Amfo
    Image caption: Everybody say "Liiiiive Lounge"

    Circa Waves have been in the Radio 1 Live Lounge this afternoon.

    The Liverpool indie band are clearly excited about the release of the debut album by The Chainsmokers (scroll down) as they had a crack at the US duo's hit single Paris.

    The full performance will be up on the iPlayer soon. See what you reckon below.

    View more on twitter
  8. Someone asked all of Ireland's MPs what they thought of Beyonce

    Beyonce

    Over at Irish publication The Daily Edge, journalist Amy O'Connor set herself a challenge: Contact every politician in the Irish Parliament and find out where they stood on Beyonce .

    "I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business, when it occurred to me that I didn’t know what any of our politicians thought of Beyonce," she notes. 

    And so, 158 emails were sent out. Thirty-seven response were collected. And the results are bizarrely satisfying.

    Our favourite came from Declan Breathnach, the junior spokesperson on cross border co-operation (a job that could become "quite interesting" after Brexit).

    "Like most people I’m a huge fan of Queen B," he wrote. "To paraphrase Kanye she’s ‘one of the best of all time.'

    Declan Breathnach
    Image caption: Declan Breathnach: Survivor

    "After a long day in the Dáil, putting my feet up and treating myself to some old-school  Destiny’s Child  is one of my favourite ways to unwind."

    "Survivor would have to be my favourite song of hers, what an anthem! It almost describes the life of a politician: 'I’m not gon' stop, I’m gon' work harder, I’m a survivor.’”

    Imagine Jeremy Corbyn saying that.

    Or, if you prefer,  read Amy's original article .

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

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  9. 5 stars who don't want to take a selfie with you

    BBC Radio 1

    Justin Bieber

    So in case you missed the memo yesterday, Justin Bieber  simply doesn't want his picture taken with you.

    Sorry Beliebers... it's not him. It really is you.

    With that in mind here's five more stars who kind of feel the same.

    Read more.

  10. New Order announce new live album

    The Guardian

    New Order

    Manchester dance-rock legends New Order  have announced the release of a new concert album on 26 May.

    Called NOMC15 (in keeping with the naming conventions at Factory Records) it will feature tracks recorded live at a gig at London's Brixton Academy in 2015, following the release of their most-recent studio album Music Complete.

    So expect a mix of newer songs like Singularity and Tutti Frutti and New Order/Joy Division classics like Ceremony, Blue Monday and Love Will Tear Us Apart.

    You won't hear such anthems in their original form though if you venture out to watch them at the Manchester international festival  in June and July.

    The band are set to rework their back catalogue at the event with a 12-member synthesizer orchestra, but frontman Bernard Sumner told the Guardian that fans should expect the unexpected.

    He said: “Can I make it clear it won’t be anything like our normal sets?

    "There will be no Blue Monday, no Love Will Tear Us Apart. It’s good to do something different..."

    Understood Bernard.

    What about the encore, though? Go on... Please?

  11. Grammy winner Tommy LiPuma dies aged 80

    Tommy LiPuma

    With a list of credits that reads like a Who's Who of rock music, Tommy LiPuma was one of the most influential backroom boys in history.

    The Grammy-winning record producer and veteran label executive worked with everyone from Paul McCartney to Miles Davis, with Diana Krall, Barbra Streisand, Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, Natalie Cole, Everything but the Girl, Peabo Bryson, Randy Newman, and Dr John in between.

    Born in Cleveland, Ohio, LiPuma fell in love with music by listening to his local R&B station WJMO-AM, taking up saxophone and seeking out a job as a record promoter.

    He soon joined A&M records, where he produced The Sandpipers' top 10 hit *Guantanamera, amongst others.

    *Prompting about a million football terrace chants around the world.

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

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    He later enjoyed stints at Horizon, Verve and Warner Bros; and produced Barbra Streisand's platinum number one album The Way We Were; as well as Natalie Cole's Unforgettable, which won the Grammy for album of the year in 1991

    View more on youtube

    He died on Monday after a brief illness, at the age of 80.

    His final work - on Diana Krall's new album Turn Up the Quiet, - is due for release in May.

  12. Ed Sheeran on Kurupt FM

    People Just Do Nothing

    Following his collaboration with Stormzy, it was only natural that Ed Sheeran hooked up with the other kingpins of UK Garage at Kurupt FM.

    The star has recorded a song with MC Grindah, DJ Beats and the crew from BBC Three comedy People Just Do Nothing in aid of Comic Relief.

    A behind-the-scenes video has just been uploaded to YouTube - showing the crew's disgust when their manager introduces them to "the biggest urban artist in the world".

    "He's ginger," grumbles DJ Beats. "That's the whitest you can get".

    You can watch the sketch below... although be warned, there are some mild swear words.

    Warning: May contain ads.

    View more on youtube

    Speaking about the collaboration, Sheeran said: “They’ve taken our sessions away to mix, and I can’t wait to hear the end product. I totally trust Kurupt to produce something amazing and, without jinxing things, I think it could be up there with my best work.”

    The song will be premiered on Red Nose Day - 24 March.

    Ed Sheeran and Stormzy
    Image caption: Ed loves a good collab
  13. White Denim score first ever rain-triggered song release

    Pitchfork

    White Denim

    We all know the feeling... When summer arrives and you reach for The Beach Boys.

    Or that miserable rainy day when only The Smiths will suffice.

    Well music streaming service Spotify apparently understands.

    They've announced the first ever weather-triggered song release.

    In a new initiative with outdoor-wear specialists The North Face, Spotify is using geo-targeting tech to make Austin band White Demin 's rain-themed No Nee Ta Slode Aln available only in regions receiving rainfall.

    The future is here people. And it's wearing a hooded raincoat.

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

    View more on youtube
  14. The Teletubbies Get their Freak On

    LA-based video editor Robert Jones shows off his skills in this Teletubbies / Missy Elliot mash-up, which is trending on YouTube for obvious reasons.

    Sorry / Not Sorry if this makes you spit out your lunch laughing.

    Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

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  15. Glasgow: What's in a label?

    BBC 6 Music

    The good people of Scotland are preparing for the possibility of another huge referendum.

    We don't wish to influence the vote but if they ultimately opt for independence, then the UK will lose some musical cities of great cultural importance.

    In a new documentaryfor BBC 6 Music, Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian explores the history of one such town, Glasgow - from his own Mercury Award-winning band to The Pastels, Teenage Fanclub and The Jesus and Mary Chain, via The Arap Strap and more.

    Video content

    Video caption: Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian explores the music of Glasgow via its labels.
  16. Guess Who to have their own Vegas residency?

    The Who

    Exactly. You guessed correctly.

    Seminal London rock 'n' rollers The Who have one-upped The xx in the residency stakes by announcing a lengthy summer stay at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

    Roger, Pete and the gang will follow in the footsteps of Vegas regulars like Tom Jones, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Elton John and Britney Spears by performing a six-show residency in Sin City from 29 July to 11 August.

    They'll become the first rock band to play at at Caesars Palace since the venue opened in 2003 and it seems that many of you will be hopping straight on the magic bus to see them.

    View more on twitter

    Others however like Jamie Boyd on Twitter  simply can't explain they would do such a thing.

    He says: "Never thought I'd see the day The Who went all cabaret. Who's supporting them, Michael Buble?"

    We're sure the band won't lose too much sleep over it in business class.

    There's no substitute for comfort.

  17. Chance the Rapper on anxiety, fatherhood and selling some actual records

    Billboard magazine

    Chance the Rapper

    In a candid interview with US website/magazine Complex the Chicago rapper discusses his life as a father, musician and activist, as well as opening up on his issues of anxiety and denial.

    The Grammy-winning hip hop star, who last week donated $1m to help schools in his home city , talks about how having a daughter has flipped his perspective on life and contemplates exactly how to sell his next album.

    His last effort Coloring book became the first streaming-only record to a win a Grammy, when it beat Kanye west to best rap album.

    Don't be fooled by the name, Chance is so much more than just a rapper.

    Read more.

  18. Chainsmokers reveal album tracklist

    The Chainsmokers

    Chart-conquering knitwear fans The Chainsmokers have revealed the tracklisting for their long-awaited debut album and, in a bold move, it doesn't include their biggest hit to date.

    In fact, not only is Closer missing from the record; but so is the Grammy-winning single Don't Let Me Down.

    To compensate, they've included the current Coldplay-featuring chart smash Something Just Like This and a collaboration with country band Florida Georgia Line called Last Day Alive.

    Now that's what I call unexpected.

    View more on instagram

    My flat mate left me a note like this this morning actually...well, something similar to the album title at least.

    Memories... Do Not Open will be out on April 7.

  19. Pearl Jam invite all their old drummers to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

    Pearl Jam
    Image caption: "Friends, drummers, grungey men...lend me your sticks"

    It's the musical equivalent of a mature student asking all their ex-lovers to come to their graduation: Grunge masters Pearl Jam have invited all of their former drummers to join them when they're inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month.

    The Jam, led by Eddie Vedder (above) have had a quintet of different sticks-men since bursting on to the Seattle scene in 1990.

    The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame originally only extended invites to the the band's first drummer, Dave Krusen, and current incumbent Matt Cameron.

    But now other drummers Matt Chamberlain, Dave Abbruzzese and Jack Irons have been added to the guestlist for at the event in New York on 7 April.

    In a hand-written statement, the band said the drummers; "are each individually great players who gave their all to the early recordings and live gigs".

    View more on twitter

    Abbruzzese had previously voiced dismay at his exclusion, writing on Facebook: "Whoever is ultimately responsible for the decision that deemed my work with Pearl Jam as an effort that was not important enough to grant me induction knows nothing of what we accomplished."

    So we love a story with a happy ending.

    It's unclear yet whether the former drummers will perform at the ceremony.  

    We're just glad that none of them have met the same fate as the many Spinal Tap drummers who  perished in a freak gardening accident.