For two days and nights at least, as the weekend has landed!

Scroll down to discover Five Thing's We've Learned on Music News LIVE this week, plus reaction to Liam Gallagher's debut album and Robert Plant's matinee performance, new singles from Sam Smith and Pink and Gwen Stefani getting Christmas started (extremely) early.

Good luck to both Wolf Alice and Shania Twain in their battle for the #1 album later today.

Thanks for joining us, go 'mad for it' this weekend whatever you're doing and we'll see you Monday morning.

Tomorrow marks 40 years since Queen released both We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions. So today two alternative versions of their iconic hits were released from their upcoming 40th Anniversary record News Of The World.

So if you don't know what to do this weekend yet, just think to yourself; "what would Freddie do?"

BBC 6 Music

Lastly today, after years working as a musician and composer, Dhani Harrison - the song of late Beatle George - is, at the age of 38, releasing his debut solo album.

He's been based in Los Angeles, where he's worked on film and TV scores and with his band thenewno2.

IN///PARALLEL is out today and he's been speaking to 6 Music about his famous surname, which has has described as "both a blessing and a curse"

But all in all, he adds: "I'm happy being me."

It's our favourite bit of the week where we take a look back at five of the things that we've learned over the past seven days in music.

As usual - too much to mention like the line-up for Radio 2's 50th birthday celebrations and John Cooper Clarke's love of the sartorial style of golfer Tony Jacklin.

Sadly they didn't quite make the cut. Here's what we have instead...

1) A live lunchtime set won't stop Morrissey from courting controversy

The former Smiths singer opened this week's 6 Music Live from Maida Vale with a poorly-received quip in which he appeared to support a far-right candidate in a recent UKIP leadership vote.

"It was very interesting to me to see Anne-Marie Waters become the head of UKIP" he said.

“Oh no, sorry, she didn’t. The voting was rigged. Sorry, I forgot.”

He added: "You don’t get it do you. You obviously don’t read the news."

The 'gag' was greeted by silence.

Off-colour remarks aside, he played a selection of songs from his forthcoming album Low in High School and even covered a Pretenders classic.

Read more.

Image source, Getty Images

2) The gun lobby now has a powerful opponent in Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande posted a heartfelt message for the victims of a mass shooting at a Las Vegas music festival.

Fifty-nine people and more than 500 were injured by gunman Stephen Paddock.

The singer, whose own gig in Manchester in May was attacked in an act of terrorism, killing 22 people, called for greater "love, unity, peace & gun control."

She added that people should "call this what it is = terrorism."

Her message was supported by artists including Lady Gaga, Moby and Madonna.

Meanwhile, Brandon Flowers of Las Vegas band The Killers, wrote that he was, external "devastated for my community and for all of the people who gather together to see live music".

Read more.

3) Tom Petty will be missed by fans and artists alike

This week, we had the sad news that legendary US rocker Tom Petty had died in California aged 66.

A statement on behalf of the family said they were "devastated" to have lost their "father, brother, husband, leader and friend."

With his band The Heartbreakers, Petty had many hits in the States such as American Girl and Free Fallin'.

He then went on to enjoy critical-acclaim in the original rock 'n' roll supergroup The Traveling Wilburys, alongside Bob Dylan, Beatle George Harrison, Roy Orbison and ELO's Jeff Lynne.

Bob Dylan described his death as "shocking, crushing news," adding, "I thought the world of Tom. He was great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I’ll never forget him."

His influence extended to younger artists too with Taylor Swift saying she "idolised" him.

"He motivated thousands of guitarists to learn to play just because they wanted to be able to play Free Fallin. Count me as one of them."

Read more.

4) BBC Introducing parties hard... for a 10-year-old

BBC Introducing celebrated a decade of showcasing the best unsigned, self-signed and emerging musical talent in the UK with a gig at London's Brixton Academy.

Artists including Slaves, George Ezra, The Big Moon, Rae Morris and Nao were there to play short but bouncing sets.

It also gave 17-year-old grime star Yizzy (above) his largest audience to date.

He told us he's "just getting started"

"The only way is up. I'm 17. I've not put my foot on the pedal, I've barely stepped foot in the car. I'm still in the dealership trying to buy it."

Check out more performances below from Everything Everything and Rae.

Image source, Getty Images

And finally...

5) Florence and the Machine and Calvin Harris probably didn't vote Tory in the election

Flo and Calv condemned the Conservatives for playing their music at their party conference in Manchester.

Prime Minister Theresa May arrived on stage to the sound of the Rihanna and Calvin Harris track This Is What You Came For, while Florence & The Machines' cover of Candi Staton's You’ve Got The Love was played later.

Flo tweeted the Torys' use of the song "was not approved by us not would it have been had they asked."

She added:, external "If the Conservative party could refrain from using our music in future. x"

Calvin went one better saying: "I do not support nor condone happy songs being played at such a sad event."

Read more.

Nu metal rockers Linkin Park have announced they will broadcast their Carpool Karaoke episode via their own Facebook page next Thursday at 16:00 BST (US time).

The band filmed the cult singing comedy chat show feature with James Corden before the tragic death of singer Chester Bennington in July.

The Late Late Show said at the time that they would leave it up to the band whether or not the show aired and now it seems they've taken it in house.

Linkin Park are to hold a special tribute concert at LA's Hollywood Bowl on 27 October, featuring the likes of Blink 182 and Korn.

Image source, Dave Hogan

Naughty Boy bagged himself a day trip with intrepid Channel 4 news journalist Jon Snow (not the guy from GoT) during an auction at the Amy Winehouse Foundation, external's annual fundraising gala.

Look how happy they both look about it too!

The London rapper, DJ and producer was the highest bidder on the night, though he may need a stepladder when the two of them go out on their own special date - wonder what they'll talk about?

The gala was hosted by DJs Trevor Nelson and Clara Amfo and saw a surprise performance from Scottish singer Emeli Sande.

Amy Winehouse died in 2011, aged 27 and the charity was set up in her name soon after by her family with the aim of helping other vulnerable young people facing a variety of complex issues, including mental health conditions, homelessness and drug and alcohol addiction.

Image source, Dave Hogan

Liam's debut solo album came out today and it's been given a good write up by most of you it seems.

Zee says it's "pukka" and shows that "British music is alive and well".

While the new record has made Spoopy feel like he's "back in the 90s in all the best ways."

It's only drawn a "meh" from The Rebel MC, who gives it 5/10, but it's thumbs up all the way from Maria and Pamela.

Thanks for getting involved!

As you were.

BBC Radio 1

Royal Blood rocked up to the Radio 1 studios last night to give DJ Annie Mac a helping hand with the Party Playlist.

Mike and Ben have been in the middle of a whirlwind tour supporting desert rockers and occasional CBeebies stars Queens of the Stone Age.

Apparently touring with Josh and the gang involves consuming lots of vomit-inducing tequila. The things you do to play with your "favourite band alive".

Watch above as the Brighton rockers modestly deliver a special gift to Annie. A jigsaw of Mike's face.

Just the 2,500 pieces...

The sometimes 1D singer and new-found solo balladeer will kick off his eight gig Flicker tour in Dublin on 12 March and end in Brighton on 27 March.

You can check out the rest of the dates above.

Support will come from Julia Michaels. Chances are, you've heard her music whether you know it or not...

After surprise guest Jake Bugg helped them to celebrate their 10th birthday bash on Wednesday, external, BBC Introducing will continue to mark a decade of promoting up and coming talent with a programme of events and speakers at London's Excel Arena this weekend.

Introducing Amplify is the biggest new music business event ever to be held in the UK, with over 100 sessions and 250 speakers/top dogs from the music biz on hand to offer advice about writing, recording, performing, equipment and other trade secrets.

It's already underway as you can see below but for a full schedule and more information visit: introducingamplify.com, external

Wow!

We hope you brought something amazing in to eat at work today, because it's going to hard to top that lunchtime treat from Robert Plant.

The 69-year-old sang songs from forthcoming new album Carry Fire - which is out next week - along with some classics from his old band Led Zepplin (please see above).

We were loving it. You lot were loving it too.

We think Nicola (below) puts it best when she says: "Wow, what an amazing ending to an early brilliant 6 Music Live."

BBC 6 Music

One of the more bizarre Music News LIVE stories of last week saw Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme read a CBeebies Bedtime Story.

His full story will be broadcast tonight at 1850 BST.

Now in homage to the singer (get it?) the station's very own furry friend Hacker The Dog has recited the lyrics to the band's 2005 track Long Slow Goodybe, external.

Just when we thought things couldn't get anymore weird...

Image source, PA

Gwen Stefani is the first out of the gate as she has chosen the beginning of October to start plugging her seasonal musical offering.

Well, that's if you don't count Mariah Carey reclining in front of a festooned tree to promote her forthcoming UK Christmas shows, looking mildly awkward as Good Morning Britain's Pier Morgan quizzes her on the Las Vegas shootings, external.

Gwen's announcement comes with just 80 sleeps until Christmas.

There really is nothing like being prepared.

As we mentioned earlier the former Oasis frontman is back with a debut solo album bang today.

Listen above as he spoke to Radio 2's Chris Evans about his influence on the sequencing of the album.

Zero - basically.

He also thanks his "Mrs" 'Debs' for making it all possible and leads the studio in a little Harvest Festival singalong.

Some of your reactions to the record coming up shortly...

Image source, EPA

King of the goths (or is that Gary Numan?) Marilyn Manson has released his tenth studio album today called Heaven Upside Down.

So, if you're partial to drifting the dark side then you can find that available now.

Manson, 48, was rushed to hospital last weekend after being hit by a large falling prop during a gig in New York.

Watch eyewitness Anthony Biscardi describe the scenes below.

Ahead of his new release, the Ohio-born shock rocker has spoken to Rolling Stone magazine about the influence on music of David Bowie, drugs and losing his virginity, among other rebellious things.

Read more., external

Image source, Reuters

Pink releases her new seventh album Beautiful Trauma next week and has today dropped another single from it, following on from August release What About Us.

It's called Whatever You Want and you can watch the new lyric video, external.

Although we must again warn you she has dropped a few early swear words in the song which sees her plea to a lover about their rocky relationship.

"I feel like our ship's going down tonight // But it's always darkest before the light // And that's enough for me to try."

BBC 6 Music

If you missed it yesterday, you can now check out rapper Loyle Carner's set for this week's 6 Music Live.

He opened with The Isle of Arran (below) from his 2017 Mercury Prize-nominated album Yesterday's Gone.

The stage was designed to look like a living room, complete with an armchair, sideboard with books and Loyle's family photos (real name Ben Coyle Larner).

The rapper's beloved mum jean was even there, front and centre in the crowd.

Speaking to 6 Music's Clare Crane following the gig in front of around 100 people, he said: "We play such big shows now and this set is like my house, just to bring people in and make them feel a part of something."

Check out full highlights of the set.

We told you what some of the critics are making of As You Were (scroll down).

Now, For What It's Worth, external, we want to know what you lot make of it too.

Get involved via BBC Music's Twitter page, external.

Mark Savage
Music reporter, BBC News

"I haven't been here for ages," says Robert Plant as he emerges from the bowels of the BBC's Maida Vale studios to play his exclusive set on BBC 6 Music.

"Don't swear!" calls out an assistant as he takes the stage.

The rock legend is here to play songs from his forthcoming album, Carry Fire, named for the magical alchemy his band practice on stage.

"We carry the energy, the love and all this stuff and we put it together," he tells DJ Lauren Laverne.

"And if you believe that..."

Several of the songs are being played live for the first time.

"It's a kind of gamble," he says, of taking the songs out of the studio and "into a live condition".

"It's developing. So you have to be patient with us because we've never done three or four of those things before."

Could be an interesting show...

The set starts at midday.

Watch on 6 Music Live now.

Image source, Getty Images

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Tony-award winning actor and creator of the musical Hamilton has shared his new song to raise money for hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.

The Spanish-language Almost Like Praying features artists like Jenifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Fat Joe and Despacito singer Luis Fonsi.

He told NPR Music: "I've been following Luis Fonsi's career since I was in college and he was singing salsa.

"So it's been just joyful pride to see that song have the success it's had. But it also opens an avenue because there are a lot of people who don't speak Spanish who still love that song."

The track is available from the usual online spots now.

Read more and hear a clip, external.

Their debut album Communion was one of the highlights of 2015 now Ollie from Years & Years has shared a snippet of new music coming from the band.

Apparently they have finished eight songs, well nearly.

It certainly sounds good but perhaps a little more work needed on the presentation though guys?