News updates for 20 July 2017
Madame Tussauds under fire for Beyonce waxwork
Radiohead perform gig in Tel Aviv, Israel
BBC to host new live weekly music show
Warning: Third party content may contain ads
Image source, Getty ImagesAt least we think its Britney. Hang on...Beyonce is that you?
Scroll down for more wacky waxwork wonders plus a mysterious project from The KLF, bad news for OIly Murs fans, new music from The War on Drugs and Nothing But Thieves and a couple of amazing cover version courtesy of The Shires and rapper GoldLink.
We'll be back tomorrow for New Music Friday and we hope you will join us.
Remember: Drive carefully....
Allow YouTube content?
This article contains content provided by Google YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Google’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Finally today, after Beyonce's rather Lindsey Lohan-looking waxwork was unveiled, our #TBT today takes us back to 2003.
A simper time, before the US pop queen was ever preserved in wax, had no kids to worry about and was Crazy In Love with rapper Jay-Z.
There's been a lot of water under the bridge since then.
Image source, Getty ImagesFollowing on from Kendrick Lamar buying a new van for a disabled fan and Metaliica allowing a nine-year-old to join them on drums yesterday, we have part three in our trilogy of rockers/rappers giving something back.
Today's third edition comes courtesy of grime star and all round geezer Stormzy.
He's been known to show up at fans' houses before and now he's made a surprise appearance for one mega fan on the Jeremy Kyle TV show.
In an episode in which parents paid tribute to their inspirational kids, one little girl called Matilda got a shock video call from the rapper.
He gave the youngster a massive "big up" and called her "a legend".
Check it below.
Good to see he's still not too big for his boots.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Paul Glynn
Music News LIVE reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesBritish folktronica singer Beth Orton was certainly one of the biggest local acts on the bill at last weekend's Latitude festival.
Beth was born down the road from Henham Park in East Dereham, Norfolk - before moving to London - and has flitted between the UK and LA of late in order to make her sixth and most experimental album to date; 2016's Kidsticks.
She stripped back many of the songs from the record for her live performance on the BBC Music Stage on Friday and afterwards told us about the importance of tuning into the sensitivities of the audience, in light of recent tragedies at music events.
"I am aware of it when I'm singing songs.
"You never know who you're singing to, what they've just experienced and what is happening in their lives.
Quote MessageIt gives me a purpose to think I may bring something to someone's life that will ease, or move or change in a good way."
Her latest offering is her most electronic album to date and she admits to still being a tad nervous when performing the songs live.
"I wanted to sort of explore and experiment without a guitar and I finally did it!
"But then I was a little bit like, 'how is that gonna work live?'
"It's nice to strip it back though and see what the song is."
Have a see for yourself what you think one of the songs is below.
Listen to more from Beth, speaking to Radio 2's Jo Whiley for her Latitude special show this week.
Allow YouTube content?
This article contains content provided by Google YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Google’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
BBC 6 Music
Win Butler and Richard Reed Parry chat with 6 Music Breakfast's Matt Everitt
Arcade Fire's new album 'Everything Now' is out later this month - their first since 2013's Reflektor.
It was produced by the Canadian band, Thomas Bangalter from Daft Punk and Steve Mackey from Pulp, with co-production by their longtime collaborator Markus Dravs.
The album sees AF playing with the idea of being taken over by a sinister global media corporation - called Everything Now, whose motto is Infinite Content.
Listen above as 6 Music's Matt Everitt talks to Win and Richard from the band about the record's dark concept, being fundamentally "a live band" and why there will never be another Van Morisson.
London-based photographer Owen Harvey has been documenting the style and community of the contemporary Mod scene since 2012.
First emerging in in 1950s, mod subculture peaked in the mid-60s but still has a strong following today..
“One of the first successful images I took in the series is still one of my favourites. It’s a close crop of a dancing torso,” says Harvey.
“The image illustrates the energy of the dance floor and a passion for the music".
We can't have a post about mods and not give a special mention to the bloke below.
All hail the Modfather...
We are, we are, we are the mods.
Allow YouTube content?
This article contains content provided by Google YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Google’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
BBC Radio 1
Goldlink is joined by special guests Hare Squead and Masego to cover an Outkast classic.
We've only gone and found another amazing cover version for your listening delight today.
This time, we're handing over to Washington rapper GoldLink, ably backed by Masego and Dublin-based R&B artists Hare Squead for a cover of OutKast's Roses.
We like.
The whole 'Will they? Won't they? What are they up to?' debate around The KLF seem to have reached a puzzling new level.
The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu aka Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty have announced a new three day event in Liverpool to coincide with their novel 2023.
Liverpool: Welcome To The Dark Ages takes place over 23/24/25 August 2017.
According to the poster, there will be only 400 tickets available with no guest list and no press passes.
Every one of the 400 ticket holders are apparently expected to be Volunteers who will perform "duties, directed by agents of The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu".
They also say that the band "in any of their various past, present or future guises will not be performing music".
All this could be yours for merely £100.
Image source, Justified Ancients of Mu Mu
NME
Image source, Getty ImagesOlly Murs has said he is "gutted" for fans after two of his gigs this summer were axed when the promoters went bust.
The singer’s gigs in Powderham Castle, Exeter on 29 July and Kings Park, Bournemouth on 5 August have both been scrapped.
According to the NME, many fans who bought tickets are not being offered refunds.
In a statement, Stephen C Associates Limited said: "We deeply regret to inform you that the company Stephen C Associates Limited has ceased to trade. It is insolvent and is expected to go into liquidation shortly.
As a result, the company is not in a position to offer you a refund.
Olly tweeted his sorrows below
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
BBC Radio 2
The British country duo perform a unique, stripped-back version of U2's classic track.
Well, according to Noel G, being on tour with U2 is 'the most fun he's ever had' (scroll down) and maybe country duo The Shires have thoughts of supporting the Irish rockers themselves one day.
If, so then...
Are you listening Bono?
Paul Glynn
Music News LIVE reporter
Neo-punk rockers Cabbage already have a reputation for producing fiery politically-driven performances, which is probably why the people at Latitude chose to put them on the stage nearest the lake.
The Manchester band, who were strangely scheduled up against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at Glastonbury a few weeks earlier, are pleased with how politicized young people are (alongside the "old punks in T-shirts") at their gigs these days.
Singer Lee said: "I feel it's a really good way to use your energy if there's something to be frustrated about and there's a lot to be frustrated about at the moment.
"But everyone is more politically aware than they were five years ago, which is different. So we were lucky really that we came out at the right time and right place.
"We were expecting a big walk out at Glastonbury but actually it didn't happen which was a nice surprise."
Fellow front-man Joe, who describes the independent nature of Skepta and the grime scene as a "hugely inspiring", added: "Large numbers of young people are being turned on to politics in a big way.
"We did a hometown gig at The Ritz with Strange Bones and The Blinders and there were big groups of young people, into politics, who watched all three bands on the lineup.
"They're the type of people we want at our gigs, who give attention to new acts, are open-minded and ultimately passionate.
Image source, Getty ImagesSkepta The Galvinser
Quote MessageGrime is another inspiring counter-culture. Skepta has utilised social media and the web to do a positive thing and the fact he's done it independently is hugely inspiring."
He continued: "He's galvanised so many young people.
"What he's done shows that record companies' power is dwindling by the day. They don't know what to do with streaming - there's no business model.
"And all you ask from someone on stage like that is to believe them.
"We're in a good position in that sense too as we believe whole-heartedly in what we're doing and there's nothing contrived - so we don't have to hide."
The band's latest EP The Extended Play of Cruelty is out digitally tomorrow (will it make it into our New Music Friday? Stay tuned).
Lee said the band had made it difficult for themselves "by releasing 24 songs before our album".
He joked: "We're on our 'difficult second album' before we've even released our debut one!"
The Mossley lads are playing all the right songs, just not necessarily in the right order.
Image source, Charlotte PatmoreLondon four-piece The Big Moon have shared their latest single, Pull The Other One, which is taken from their album Love in The 4th Dimension.
Check out the so-called 'pseudo video' below.
Hint: It's in no way an actual video.
Allow YouTube content?
This article contains content provided by Google YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Google’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
BBC 6 Music
Adam Granduciel talks to 6 Music's Matt Everitt about the new War on Drugs album
See what we did there?
Frontman Adam Granduciel spoke 6 Music's Matt Everitt this morning about the Philadelphia band's forthcoming LP.
The album is their first for Atlantic Records and follow-up the wonderfully woozy Lost In the Dream, which was named 6 Music's Album of the Year in 2014.
Listen above as Adam tells Matt about the recording process.
And because we like to spoil you, here's the low budget video for new single Strangest Thing, which sees Adam wandering moodily around in front of a warehouse.
Allow YouTube content?
This article contains content provided by Google YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Google’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Madame Tussauds, famed for its life-sized celebrity wickless candles have come under fire for its latest waxwork of Beyonce which apparently looks like Lindsay Lohan.
In a since deleted tweet, the New York branch of the highly-popular wax museum boasted the figure of Queen Bey had arrived and would go on show until September.
But the likeness has not pleased her fans, with some even accusing the museum of "whitewashing" her.
The BBC has contacted Madame Tussauds NY for comment.
According to a statement in The Wrap, external, the museum said: "Our talented team of sculptors take every effort to ensure we accurately colour match all of our wax figures to the celebrity being depicted
"Lighting within the attraction combined with flash photography may distort and misrepresent the color of our wax figures."
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
It's often seen as the hardest word, now Sorry is the Hottest Record.
Nothing But Thieves were in the Radio 1 studios last night with Annie Mac, caffeinated up to the max.
They are sorry for what they've done on their new track. It seems they stand accused of heartbreak, in the first degree.
Listen for yourselves above and decide on a suitable sentence.
Its no secret that none of The Smiths have an appetite to reunite but Johnny Marr gave short shrift to one fan asking for just that on social media.
Replying to a post the guitarist had written saying "Candy says 'back with news very soon'.", one hopeful asked whether it meant the Manchester band were getting back together, 30 years after they split.
"Get a grip," Johnny replied.
So you're saying there's a chance...
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
So it doesn't look like a re-union is on the cards anytime soon then but Smiths fans can look forward to a remastered deluxe re-issue of their seminal album The Queen Is Dead.
The new release will include demos, remastered B-sides, and a live album.
It's available now. But in this case... Q) How Soon Is Now?
A) 20 October.
And not before time - its been a full eleven years since the demise of Top of the Pops.
Now comes the announcement of a new live, weekly music show, from autumn, which is promising "the hottest bands and artists in the world."
The initial run of six episodes has yet to receive a title or a time slot, but will be made by James Corden's company Fulwell 73.
You might recognise their work from that little-known series Carpool Karaoke series.
Top of the Pops launched in 1964 and ran for 42 years before coming to an end in 2006 and helped launch the careers of The Rolling Stones, Beyonce and Madonna.
Image source, PAAfter much back and forth debate between singer Thom Yorke and Artists For Palestine UK, external, Radiohead finally played their concert in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.
The likes of Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and film director Ken Loach had called for the Oxfordshire band - and Thom personally - to adhere to a cultural boycott of gigs in the country.
On the night, Thom Yorke reportedly told the crowd, external: "A lot of stuff has been said about this, but in the end, we played some music."
As with their Glastonbury headline set, the performance at Park HaYarkon began with Daydreaming from Moonshaped Pool, and included the 1993 classic (and rarely performed) Creep.
Yesterday, it was reported by Time out Tel Aviv, external that a Palestinian Radiohead fan was granted a permit to travel to Israel to attend the gig, after the show's promoters got in touch with the Israeli military.
Image source, Getty ImagesIn a statement (translated from Hebrew), the production company said: “After the announcement of Radiohead’s arrival in Israel in the summer, we received a request from a Palestinian who lives in Judea and Samaria, a great fan of Radiohead and an amateur writer in the university newspaper.
"From the moment the request was received, we knew that we would do everything to help him enjoy the show. It excites us that there are people who are willing to make such efforts to see the show.”
REM singer Michael Stipe this week spoke out in support of the band for deciding to go ahead with the gig, despite calls for them to "think again."
The band performed their longest set in 11 years, including two encores and you can check out the full setlist here, external and some fan-shot footage below.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Instagram content?
This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Instagram content?
This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Instagram content?
This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Image source, ReutersIt's quite a claim from a man who was spent the best part of 25 years on the road.
And while it seems the wild days may be behind him, Noel Gallagher is absolutely loving life on the Joshua Tree 30th anniversary tour with his good pals U2.
Noel and his High Flying Birds provided the support once again for the Irish rockers at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium on Tuesday and it seems the 50-year-old singer/songwriter has never been happier.
Speaking to the FC Barcelona website, external, Noel said: "I’m only on stage for an hour. I’m off stage by eight o’clock, half eight. Have something to eat, something to drink, watch U2, have two days off.
Quote MessageWe’re playing in all the great cities in Europe. My family are on the road with me, my friends. It’s been amazing. They’ve been absolutely brilliant every night. They’re one of my favourite ever bands, ever."
Image source, Getty ImagesHere's Manchester City fan Noel (below) getting his hands on the Champions League trophy for the first time...
Next stop is a hometown gig for U2 at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Image source, EPA...it's time to get Music News LIVE up and running.
Let's have a quick band meeting before we get going.
Okay, so we're here. Presumably you're all here if you're reading this.
All present.
So let's crack on and the latecomers can catch up on news of Noel G loving life on tour with Bono and the guys (above), Radiohead finally perform their much talked about gig in Israel, Johnny Marr gives short shrift to a Smiths fan looking for a reunion and social media erupts over a new Beyonce waxwork which apparently looks more like Lindsay Lohan.
