Summary

  • News updates for 22 May 2017

  • Beyonce throws star-studded baby shower

  • Drake beats Adele's record for most wins at the Billboard Music Awards

  • More news and reaction from The Great Escape Festival

  • Warning: Third party content may contain ads

  1. That's your lotpublished at 16:03 BST 22 May 2017

    That's all we got to give and we ain't gonna give no more.

    We'll be back on everybody's favourite day of the week (not) Tuesday but until then scroll back down to relive some of the best moments from the weekend's Great Escape in Brighton.

    Plus the highlights from the Billboard awards, tributes to Chris Cornell and Queen Bey's big baby bash (well shower).

    We'll leave you with this rather funny rap song parody (below) from Saturday Live in America.

    No room for skiffle sadly.

    Laters.

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  2. Astroid Boys: There is no Welsh rap...apart from uspublished at 15:57 BST 22 May 2017

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    Finally, back to TGE and Friday night saw Cardiff grime outfit Astroid Boys play a riotous set at Brighton's Komedia.

    Benji from the band told us straight after the show that he doesn't particularly enjoy playing to a packed room of music industry professionals but you never would've known.

    He said: "It was full of industry heads who don't give off a vibe for music, but they're here to watch. We all know what we are here for so we had to do our job and we're all doing it well."

    On the Welsh rap scene he said: "There is no welsh rap, apart from us and Sonny Double 1 (who features on the above track Foreigners).

    "But it's good that we're giving anyone who wants to do it a chance."

    Finally, we asked Benji for three things we should know about the band.

    He said:

    "1 Astroid Boys - it's what you should be YouTubing.

    "2. I can't believe you asked me that question.

    "3. I'll see you next year."

    Short and sweet.

    Here are the guys below discussing Welsh identity in their music with countryman and DJ Huw Stephens.

    Media caption,

    Welsh identity as seen by rap crew Astroid Boys

  3. Harvard student submits hip-hop album as his final dissertationpublished at 15:47 BST 22 May 2017

    BBC Newsbeat

    Obasi Shaw

    Struggling for subject matter to cover in your uni finals?

    Why not copy, or we should say be inspired by, 20-year-old US student Obasi Shaw...

    He rapped his way though his dissertation, dropping an LP that combines "elements of Middle English poetry with issues of racial identity in America".

    Read more.

  4. Former French first lady covers Depeche Modepublished at 15:38 BST 22 May 2017

    Italian supermodel-turned French first lady-turned singer Carla Bruni has covered the British band for her new album.

    Carla - who is married to former President Nicolas Sarkozy - takes the 1990 song and turns it in to a bit of a smoky ballad (below).

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  5. Jane Weaver's guide to Modern Kosmologypublished at 15:28 BST 22 May 2017

    Media caption,

    Jane Weaver's guide to Modern Kosmology

    Her new album Modern Kosmology came out on Friday so we caught up with the psychedelic pop-rocker (above) ahead of her Great Escape gig at One Church in Brighton, to find out what it's all about.

    Jane describes the record, which contains a spoken word piece from original Can singer Malcolm Mooney, as her "hippy moment."

    She said: "Last year there were so many upsetting things going on in the world and it's easy to feel you have no control.

    "So, I was trying to tap back into my younger free-spirited days of going free festivals."

    She goes on to explain: "Kosmology is the study of the history of the universe.

    "So modern Kosmology is the study of YOUR universe and drawing on inspiration around you to turn it into something positive."

    The singer, who has been performing in various bands and guises since her early years in Widnes in north-west England, was once dropped by her record label ("it's a classic music industry story") but is finally starting to break through on stations like 6 Music

    "I still consider myself an outsider and a beginner.

    "I just want to keep going with this wave of creativity."

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    Jane who also set up Bird Records in 2002 to provide "a positive platform for female artists who felt they were floundering," says it's ridiculous sexism still exists in the music biz.

    "I recently went into a major guitar shop in Manchester with my family, to buy a guitar to gig with.

    "The guy said to me, 'is it a gift for somebody?'

    "I glared at him and said, 'It's for me'. This is stuff I dealt with when I was 14 and I'm in my 40s now.

    She added: "I was annoyed with myself as I bought the guitar!

    "But I gave him the look of death. He certainly got the laser eyes."

    Fun fact: As well as being a psychedelic musician Jane is also a big fan of Rihanna and says she would definitely love to write a song for her.

  6. Music helps disabled youngsters deal with anxieties says collegepublished at 15:23 BST 22 May 2017

    Elliot Woolf from St John's CollegeImage source, St John's College
    Image caption,

    Elliot chillaxing in the BBC Music hot seat

    So, The Great Escape provided a great platform for many of the most hotly-tipped up and coming acts around to impress music execs.

    It also provided a great opportunity for groups of disabled students to really rock out.

    St Johns College in Brighton , externalcaters for children and young adults with a range of complex learning difficulties including autism.

    Support worker Natalie Mottershead said the inner-city festival creates "the perfect music environment for our students".

    "Due to our specific needs, venue atmosphere is very important for each of our learners and we found everyone at The Great Escape was really friendly and helpful.

    "We were able to move around without missing out on any acts and the volume levels were great."

    The class, aged between 19 and 21, watched gigs by the likes of The Brass Funkeys, external on Jubilee Street and staff were delighted with the positive effects the music festival experience had on their students.

    Natalie added: "Many of our students have a great musical knowledge, like Elliot Woolf (above) who also plays guitar himself and sings.

    "Elliot struggles normally with loud noises but the sensory stimulation of the bass in a friendly enviroment really helped him to relax his anxieties."

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  7. Ibibio Sound Machine deliver their manifestopublished at 15:16 BST 22 May 2017

    Media caption,

    Ibibio Sound Machine deliver their manifesto in three(ish) words

    As we said earlier, today is the final days for people to register to vote in next month's general election on 8 June.

    Scroll down if you want to read Lily Allen's plea for young people to have their say on how the UK is run.

    UK/Nigerian fusion band Ibibio Sound Machine were one of the highlights of the 6 Music recommends event at The Great Escape festival this weekend.

    Sadly, you can't vote for their come June but here is their brief manifesto (above) so you can pretend you could...

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  8. Musical tributes to Chris Cornellpublished at 14:56 BST 22 May 2017

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    U2 were among the bands who paid tribute to Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell at weekend after the shock announcement of his death at the age of 52.

    Bono dedicated their song Running to Stand Still at a show in Pasadena, California to the "beautiful sweet soul" and his family.

    Ryan Adams turned his vocal talents to cover Cornell's seminal track Black Hole Sun, external in New Zealand.

    While Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo added his own cover during a bass solo at the band's show in Massachusetts.

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    Cornell's Soundgarden and former Audioslave bandmembers added their own tributes, external, lead by guitarist Tom Morello who wrote a poem (below) inspired by Cornell.

    "You're a prince, you're a snare, you're a shadow / You're twilight and star burn and shade / You're a sage, you're a wound shared, you're masked / You're a pillar of smoke, you're a platinum heart."

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    The singer's funeral will reportedly take place on Friday at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

    6 Music have also put together a playlist inspired by the singer...which you can listen to below.

  9. Katy Perry performs Bon Appetit on SNLpublished at 14:35 BST 22 May 2017

    We can't really say too much in the run-up to this one, some videos simply speak for themselves.

    Case in point, Katy Perry serving up a slice of pop pie with Bon Appetit and all of its sexy culinary-based double entendres on Saturay Night Live.

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  10. Some more picture highlights from the Billboard awardspublished at 14:15 BST 22 May 2017

    CherImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    If I Could Turn Back Time... to 1989

    So, we know that Drake walked off with the lion's share of trophies from the Billboard Awards at the weekend (scroll down) but there was a lot more on offer, check out some pictures below.

    Cher turned back time, recycling an outfit from 1989, external (above) and debuted a new (equally revealing) one for 2017.

    Camila Cabello brought some fire to the event, host Vanessa Hudgens changed into some 'interesting' outfits and Miley Cyrus cried at the end of her own performance...

    ...oh and Celine's heart is still going on.

    Celine DionImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    The dress code seemed to be white or sparkly, Celine chose both and added 'puffy' to the mix

    CherImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Lady Gaga eat your (jewel encrusted' heart out

    Camila CabelloImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Camila Cabelo - not Blazin' Squad

    Vabessa Hudgen and LudacrisImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Vanessa Hudgens with a tiny spaceship on her head

    Miley CyrusImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    "Crying? I'm not crying. You're crying"

  11. Sigrid smashes The Great Escapepublished at 13:42 BST 22 May 2017

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    As well as Ibibio Sound Machine and Dream wife, there were queues around the block in Brighton full of people trying to get a glimpse at Norwegain starlet Sigrid.

    It seems there's nothing the 20-year-old can't do, from sitting down for a chilled acoustic piano performance...

    ...to jumping around like crazy with the band, as this fan shot footage shows above.

    Remember the name.

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  12. Chromatics share Twin Peaks-inspired videopublished at 13:22 BST 22 May 2017

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    The cult murder mystery TV show Twin Peaks returned to television screens last night after a break of 25 years.

    You can read what the critics thought of the return of Special Agent Dale Cooper to the small, exceeding weird Washington State town.

    The orginal series was soundtracked by the lo-fi ballad Falling, external by Julee Cruise.

    Last night's revival concluded with an appearance from Portland electro band Chromatics and their song Shadow.

    The band have now released the official video for the track, which sees them performing in front of the red curtains from the show's Black Lodge, external.

  13. Fyre Festival 'now being investigated by FBI' say reportspublished at 12:58 BST 22 May 2017

    New York Times

    Blink 182Image source, AFP

    Things are going from bad to worse for the organisers of the aborted Bahamian luxury music event Fyre Festival.

    As well as fighting legal action on several fronts, external, the New York Times now reports the event, which was due to run over two weekends last month but was cancelled after the headliners Blink 182 (above) pulled out, is now the subject of a criminal investigation.

    It said US federal authorities are now looking into possible mail, wire and securities fraud.

    Read more, external.

  14. Slotface: Playing in a prison was the bestpublished at 12:31 BST 22 May 2017

    SlotfaceImage source, Slotface

    More from the Great Escape now and we caught Norwegian rockers Slotface's set at Horatios Bar at the end of Brighton Pier on Friday night.

    They're one of the hardest-working bands in the business right now, having performed six shows in two days before heading back to Scandanavia for more.

    Frontwoman Haley Shea said: "It's been really, really fun.

    "Some shows were outside and people showed up and danced in the rain."

    The band tackle themes of feminism, gender topics and enviromental issues in their songs and want to encourage fans to be activists about things that are important to them.

    Their album Try Not To Freak Out is out on 15 September.

    "It's about anxiety and being in your 20s and not knowing what to do with your life," explains Haley.

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    The singer also told us that to qualify for Norwegian arts funding, they were asked to play gigs in schools and the high school class of a prison.

    And just like Johnny Cash before them, external, they loved it.

    "The prison gig was one of the best gigs we've ever had audience wise, so don't judge a book by its cover.

    "It was for prisoners who have re-enrolled in school and it was one of the most attentive audiences we've ever played to.

    "Apparently there is even a prison band... so that's a really underground band."

    Catch out Bright Lights (above) and catch them at Reading and Leeds, Truck Festival and plenty of other UK shows this summer.

  15. Six festivals to allow drug testingpublished at 12:10 BST 22 May 2017

    BBC Newsbeat

    Festival-goersImage source, PA

    It's being reported that at least six UK music festivals will have facilities where people can have illegal drugs tested this summer

    It follows a number of drug-related deaths at British music festivals in recent years.

    People will be able to take a sample of illegal drugs to the labs, which will be tested for purity, before being destroyed by scientists.

    Reading and Leeds Festivals and a number of other live music events are aiming to introduce the scheme with the support of local police forces.

    Festival Republic boss Melvin Benn from Festival Republic told he Press Association "between six and 10 festivals this year" were taking part.

    Read more.

  16. Listen: The Districts play live at The Great Escapepublished at 11:46 BST 22 May 2017

    BBC 6 Music

    DJ Steve Lamacq introduced Pennsylvanian rockers The Districts to a happily sun-drenched crowd at the BBC Music stage in Brighton on Friday evening.

    Their album Popular Manipulations is out in August and you can check out their chat and live set above.

  17. Music festivals: Here's one way to stay drypublished at 11:07 BST 22 May 2017

    Glastonbury-goers get wetImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    "Why does it always rain on me?"

    So, after we left you on Friday evening, we hopped from venue to venue in Brighton to catch some top new musical talent, including Kano, King Nun (below), Raye, Slotface (more from them later) and Astroid Boys.

    While The Great Escape - billed as SXSW by the sea - is mainly an industry bash, other inner-city festivals like Tramlines in Sheffiled and London's Bushstock and others are leading the way in ensuring you needn't be muddy or wet while discovering your favourite new acts at festivals this summer.

    Our music reporter Mark Savage has been finding out more.

    Read more.

  18. King Nun share their thoughts on what makes a great gigpublished at 11:07 BST 22 May 2017

    Media caption,

    BBC Introducing band King Nun on what makes a great live show

    Back to The Great Escape Festival now and one of the bands on show were Richmond rockers King Nun.

    The teenage band headlined the BBC Introducing night at the Paganini Ballroom on Brighton's seafront on Friday night.

    Here are their (completely unrehearsed) thoughts on what makes the perfect King Nun gig.

  19. Beyonce holds big baby bashpublished at 10:37 BST 22 May 2017

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    It was probably exactly like the baby shower you and your partner held, except ever so slightly more decadent.

    The singer celebrated her pregnancy with friends and family with an African-themed shindig on Saturday

    E News reports that Beyoncé celebrated with her star friends in a Beverly Hills house once owned by Madonna.

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    The new mum-to-be had her bulging baby(ies) bump adorned with a big henna tattoo (above) and guests enjoyed a soul-food buffet and a boogie to some traditional music and stomping Afrobeat.

    Ex-Destiny's Child bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland were in attendance at 'The Carter Push Party', as well as tennis star Serena Williams and plenty of other US socialites.

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  20. Lily Allen reminds you all to register to votepublished at 10:14 BST 22 May 2017

    Lily AllenImage source, Getty Images

    So there's a general election coming up v.soon.

    London pop star Lily Allen is urging - nay - begging you all to ensure you're able to get out there have your say come 8 June.

    She's posted a link to a government website detailing exactly how to register to vote., external

    From a musical point of view it's been an interesting campaign trail so far that has seen former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith spit out some Eminem lyrics on live telly, while current Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has the backing of the grime scene, appeared in support of The Libertines at the weekend on The Wirral.

    It also transpires that Lib Dem leader Tim Farron used front his own New Order-esque rock 'n' roll band.

    Other political parties are available music fans.

    Anyway...the deadline to register is today and here's what Lily said.

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