... the tough get going!

Time for us to leave you now.

Scroll down for news of new music from The 1975, Kanye West, Charli XCX and Johnny Marr.

Plus of course our weekly look at the 5 Things We've Learned This Week, including how the Biggest Weekend lived up to its billing.

We'll leave you with one such memorable moment from Ivor Novello Award-winning Billy Ocean. The Trinidadian singer was handed an award for international achievement at yesterday's bash and told us on the red carpet about his admiration for music fans in this country.

"I would like to think, as an audience, the British are very dedicated," he said.

"If they like you they stick with you, never mind whatever anyone else says."

The 68-year-old added that his song, Love Really Hurts Without You, goes down the best at his UK gigs - but the track above seems like a more fitting way to end the week.

See you back here Monday morning and we'll do it all over again.

Image source, Ghelani Studios

As if filling Freddie Mercury's shoes is not a big enough job, Queen v2 singer Adam Lambert has been working on tackling homophobia alongside members of the Mosaic LGBT youth centre., external

During a Q & A last night in London, the 2009 American Idol runner-up offered his advice about coming out, drawing on his own personal experience.

"I think the best way is to begin communicating, to talk about how it makes you feel", he told the London-based group.

"When you own how you are feeling to another person, it always seems to work better and connect deeper in that moment."

The singer, who has fronted the classic UK rock group since 2011, went on to add that the "landscape has changed" regarding attitudes towards the LGBTQ community.

1) Weekends do not get any BIGGER than the last one

Aside from being another May bank holiday, last weekend saw four amazing music-filled parties take place across four sites in four nations as the BBC plugged this year's giant Glastonbury gap with the Biggest Weekend.

Swansea had Ed Sheeran for starters, before he jetted of to Manchester with Anne-Marie for his second gig of the day. Taylor Swift provided the main course in Wales and if that wasn't enough the crowds has Florence to feast on for desert.

You know it's been a great meal when Camilla Cabello (above) was simply something to snack on between courses.

In Belfast The Manics went Nicky Wireless and Liam and Noel Gallagher brought the rock 'n' roll to Coventry and Perth respectively, as the BBC wisely kept 350 miles between the feuding brothers.

Check out eight showstopping performances from a weekend to remember, which really showed the power of a good old fashioned sing along.

2) Dua Lipa kicked off the Champions League Final and is working on new material

Dua had a pretty big weekend of her own, despite not being in Swansea.

The singer performed before Liverpool's defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev, as she and her dancing pals did their best to mess up the pitch.

New Rules for the Liverpool goalkeeper: One - pick up the ball / Don't throw it to Karim / It'll be a silly goal.

Speaking to Music News LIVE ahead of her performance, DL said she was already looking to next season (to continue the tortured footballing analogy) and has been working on new music with hit-maker to the stars, Swedish producer Max Martin [Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and NSYNC], who seems to know what he's doing.

"I have a few more surprises that I'm excited about, at the top of the year I wrote in Jamaica and Los Angeles," she said.

3) Alex Turner helped shape Connie Constance

It wasn't only major names playing at the Biggest Weekend, as some of the hottest new and emerging talent also graced the many various BBC stages.

The likes of Dream Wife and The Orielles won over more followers in Belfast and our Newbie Tuesday artist of the week, 22-year-old Watford songwriter Connie Constance, showed what she's all about in Swansea (check her out below).

Speaking at The Great Escape Festival the week before, CC told us that she cites a certain Sheffield singer as her main inspiration.

"The Arctic Monkeys first album got me in, that's what I had on my headphones going to school and stuff.

"It's 100% about telling my own stories, also talking about stuff that's in my life, his [Alex Turner] phrasing is amazing."

Amazing phrasing.

As is yours Connie. As is yours.

Read more.

4) SZA tweeted (then deleted) messages saying her voice is 'permanently damaged'

The Grammy-nominated performer, who released one of the albums of 2017, posted several tweets suggesting recent health issues which caused here to miss several tour dates, external might be more serious than previously reported.

According to Vulture, external, who screen-grabbed the messages before they were deleted, SZA said: “My voice is permanently injured . Great !!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYYYYYUUYH!!!!!!!!’n.”

She added: “Tonight was the test. That settles that.”

The singer had said previously that an 11-month hectic touring schedule had affected her voice, explaining: "This didn’t happen overnight. I've been troubleshooting for a while now and usually steroids and pushing through help.

"They don’t this time... If I don’t pause now I’ll be forced to pause permanently."

SZA has yet to make any further comment.

Last but not least this week...

5) Lionel Richie is officially internationally-loved and he finally got to 'hang' with Eric Clapton - after 15 years

Ed, Stormzy, Dave and Elbow may have taken the main awards at Thursday's glitzy songwriting awards - the Ivor Novellos - but they saved the most legendary act for last by awarding a special international award to Lionel Richie.

The Hello singer, thanked his award presenter "kick-ass" Ed Sheeran before offered some pearls of wisdom to his younger musical colleagues about the importance of taking risks in your career and not listening to the naysayers.

He also joked that veteran blues guitarist Eric Clapton - a few tables away - had offered to buy him a drink... 15 years ago.

"Tonight we get to hang!"

Last we heard they were Dancing on the Ceiling of of London's Grosvenor Hotel.

Sorry it's been a long week - play me off Lionel...

Read more.

Isaac Fanin
Isaac Fanin, BBC Reporter

“Oh God, there are so many of you in here. It’s terrifying”, said Bonobo - aka Simon Green - to the crowd at London's Alexandra Palace during the first of two straight sold out shows on Thursday evening.

But Green had no real reason to be terrified as he enchanted with his mix of classical yet bass-heavy electronic music.

The Palace was filled to the brim and from the opening strains of Migration, the DJ had the crowd in his hands.

Green doesn’t seek the spotlight.

The Brighton star may be in the middle of the stage but you get a sense that it’s a team.

Joined by a string section and a six piece band, he's able to deliver organised chaos or breath-taking stillness with each song and with an incredible light show it all adds to a real festival vibe at the Ally Pally.

The party really started when Moroccan group Innov Gnawa entered the stage to perform their pumping track Bambro Koyo Ganda. The crowd singing along for two minutes before the bass dropped and then... bedlam.

Helped by beautiful visuals, Bonobo showed his ability to bend the crowd to his will.

One minute fans were bouncing around to Surface, the next they were looking to hold on to someone close as upcoming New Zealand soul singer Jordan Rakei sang the scenic No Reason.

Warning: Flashing images in the video Tweet below.

The historic venue clearly holds a special place in Simon's heart.

“It’s great to be back here at the Alexandra Palace, four years after the North borders tour ended,” he said.

Judging by the crowd during and after the first of his two night stay, he'll be welcome back anytime.

The Mancunian guitar hero has released a cool blue-tinged video for his new single, Walk into the Sea.

The colours in the video reflect the aquatic theme and possibly the colour of his favourite football team - Premier League champions Manchester City.

It's the latest single from forthcoming LP Call the Comet, which is out in a few weeks.

Watch/listen above.

The former Smiths man spoke recently about his incredible career at The Great Escape Festival.

"It’s a bit like sitting at the foot of Hendrix," he said.

He doesn't seem too thrilled now, does he? But then those Arctics tickets are pretty hard to get hold of...

Let's hope this is one big in-joke for the newly-weds, otherwise Matthew - who played Neville Longbottom in the films - might find himself in the doghouse.

In fact his new wife's reaction to the above tweet might be as lukewarm as some of the Arctic Monkeys' fans responses to their new album.

Alternatively, like with the album, she may love the dark humour contained within.

Either way, congratulations.

Image source, PA

Image source, Reuters

Earlier we told you how a cast of A-list stars had been treated to the first official listen of his new seven-track album, Ye.

Now the rapper is letting us mere mortals hear it too, having released it on major streaming services this afternoon.

Head to your local one now to hear cheery tracks such as I Thought About Killing You and Violent Crimes.

As we all know, nothing good ever happens after about 02:00 on a night out so exactly why Charli is still "busy ballin'" at 05:00 is anybody's guess.

We'd rather be back home curled up asleep by then, ready for the new day.

But everybody's different and Charli has released her new track, 5 in the Morning, detailing her big night/morning.

The singer appeared on the Rita Ora track Girls a few weeks back, which drew criticism from some quarters for appropriating gay culture.

Earlier in the week she told Rolling Stone: "Of course, the intention of the song was never to hurt anybody. None of the artists on this song would ever want to upset or hurt anyone."

Charli has threatened to release "a lot of music this year, and a lot of videos", so much in fact that we'll be "sick of her".

Not possible Charli, but do get some rest in the mean time.

Check out a snippet of the new track above, which you can't bring to you in full because of the sort of language you'd expect to hear at that time.

So as you know already, Ed - like Stormzy - bagged a couple of awards at yesterday's Ivor Novello Awards.

He won a special songwriting award, as well as the gong for most performed work for his ubiquitous ode to bodily appreciation, Shape of You.

Sheeran co-wrote the track with fellow songwriters Johnny McDaid and Steve Mac.

McDaid, whose day job is to play in Snow Patrol (nice work) spoke to us on the red carpet prior to the event and said there is no real formula for penning such a popular song.

Image source, DCSDC

"It would be impossible to say the reason for it is a mathematical equation" said Johnny.

"It's the conference of timing, Ed's incredible gift, Steve's gift.

"And timing you can't figure timing out - it just is."

So basically, befriend some talented people and then just hang in there folks.

Good things come to those who...

Image source, PA

Another man who worked with a star on one of his hits is Wizzy Wow (above).

He helped Stormzy produce, Don't Cry for Me, from his award-winning album Gang Signs and Prayer and said working with the big grime star was "easy".

"That was like waves in the water. that was easy", Wizzy told MNL.

He believes that grime is "in the right place", now that the likes of Stormzy are reguarly winning awards.

"It needs to be here, it's been underground for so long, for it to be at this stage is a blessing and there needs to be more of it happening."

And on the secret to the above-mentioned track, which was nominated for best contemporary song, Wizzy added:

So timing and feeling.

Your two top songwriting tips of the day.

Image source, Getty and Press Association

Gorillaz and Blur mastermind Damon Albarn has revealed he once had the chance to collaborate with Prince, but rejected the invitation as the Purple One prohibited smoking and drinking in the studio.

Appearing on Gordon Smart's Radio X show, external to discuss the animated band's upcoming album The Now Now, Albarn said the opportunity arose after he had played a gig in Minnesota.

"I was having a drink and a fag [at the time]," he said, admitting he couldn't imagine himself not wanting to smoke and "go mad" at Prince's studio in Paisley Park.

"If I’ve invited someone to my studio, they’re my guest and there aren’t any conditions like that,” Albarn continued.

"It’s just one of those ‘could have been’... I’ve got a few of those,” he said.

We'll bet...

He went on to tell Gordon that he in fact kicked the fags now, which we are pleased to hear.

The new Gorillaz album - set for release on 29 June via Parlaphone Records - comes only a year since the band's last LP, Humanz.

Damon, who acts as the virtual band's creative force when not fronting Blur, also chatted to BBC 6 Music's Matt Everitt about the project, telling the breakfast show it stemmed from a personal feeling of isolation.

The pair also spoke about Damon's anti-Brexit speech at The Brits, as well as his plans to release two more albums before the end of the year.

Does that man ever stop working?!

Listen above.

Many thought that Pusha T had pushed things too far in his ongoing rap battle with Drake, when he posted a picture of the Canadian in blackface.

It was to promote new track The Story of Adidon, the latest in a line of diss tracks between the two rappers.

Last night, like The 1975 before him (scroll down), Pusha spoke to Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac about his beef with Drake, his new album Daytona and appearing on the new Kanye album (more on that below too).

"I always thought women and children off limit - always" he told Annie.

"This is a sport. To mention my fiance by name in a song, you crossed a line."

Listen above.

The BBC also spoke to music journalist Tobi Oke for his views.

Unlike Pusha, Tobi doesn't believe that limits do exist when it comes to fierce rap rivalries.

Check out his thoughts above.

Image source, Reuters

Kanye West is a man who has a dislike for fanfare, and really likes to just live a simple life with zero fuss.

So it was something of a surprise that he hired a private jet to take a host of A-listers to Wyoming for the first listen of his new seven-track album instead of - I don't know, sending them a CD in the post.

The album, Ye, is his first since The Life of Pablo in 2016.

It's been recorded in Wyoming and hasn't yet been released to stream or buy online. But a select few - including Chris Rock, Pusha-T, Jonah Hill and Kim Kardashian West (naturally) - had already heard it in its entirety during the party, which was livestreamed.

They gathered at a ranch in Jackson Hole, with picnic tables and campfires, to mark the occasion. Hopefully, there were marshmallows toasted around them too.

We've not seen the album cover yet, but we do know that Kanye took the picture which adorns it yesterday. Nothing like leaving things to the last minute, eh?

The album features collaborations with Kid Cudi, Young Thug, John Legend and Nicki Minaj - though her input comes in the form of a voicemail.

Kanye refers to some recent controversies he's been involved in - including his comments that slavery is a choice. It's referenced on the album with these lyrics:

Just imagine.

We haven't got an official track list for you yet but you can check out a sample of some recent recordings - including the Donald Trump-championing rap battle Ye vs. the People - via his website now, external but be warned about the language.

Read more.

Image source, PA

London rapper Dave's political anthem Question Time, which rages about everything from Grenfell Tower to Syria and the NHS, won a top prize at the Ivor Novello songwriting awards yesterday afternoon.

The seven-minute track was named best contemporary song at the ceremony.

It contains a few swear words so we can't bring it to you here but we'd recommend that you check it out online.

Fellow rapper Stormzy, who famously criticised the handling of Grenfell at the Brit Awards, won the album prize.

His "brother" Ed Sheeran picked up two awards - songwriter of the year and most performed work for Shape of You.

Ed posted the below picture of the two enjoying themselves afterwards alongside the caption; "Me and@stormzyofficialb both won some Ivor Novello’s. What an honour, thank you x"

Other winners included Manchester band Elbow, whose track Magnificent (She Says) was named best song musically and lyrically.

The Ivor Novello Awards are judged by songwriters, and Dave shared his trophy with Question Time co-writer and producer Fraser T Smith (pictured top of page).

"Fraser took a big chance with me" said Dave on stage.

Read more and check out yesterday's ceremony as it happened live - including chats with Stormzy, Billy Bragg and Mel C.

We'll have more from the red carpet later today.

Some more New Music Friday news for you now - Father John Misty, fresh from his set at The Biggest Weekend in Belfast, releases his fourth album today.

God's Favorite Customer (sorry, it's the American spelling) comes just 12 months after Pure Comedy came out.

Some have pointed out that the cover makes it look likes he's got a bit of a sore head.

But is the album itself cause for a headache?

Well, it's already had a smattering of four-star reviews - with the Independent saying it's sincere, raw and melancholy, external.

The Guardian, meanwhile, has a wonderfully lyrical way, external of describing just how beautiful Mr Misty's (aka Josh Tillman's) voice is:

It was written in just two months, apparently, and the resulting album makes him sound "more wise than clever", says Pitchfork with its 8.5 review, external.

Here's the bearded troubadour himself, debuting new song Please Don't Die in Belfast, accompanied by the Ulster Orchestra.

We think you'll find it's rather lovely (if not a tad morbid).

We are! (Slightly later than normal).

Back with another dose of Music News, including Kanye West's star-studded listening party and plenty of new tunes for you on this New Music Friday, from the likes of Charli XCX, Johnny Marr and - first up today - The 1975.

The Manchester pop rockers return with a first taste of their forthcoming TWO albums.

Give Yourself a Try was Annie Mac's Hottest Record last night and you can listen back to the track plus the band revealing their plans for a surprise double release.

The first record will now be called A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships - not Music For Cars, as was originally planned/reported - and a second record, Notes on a Conditional Form is set to follow.

Listen above as band leader Matty Healy explains that Music For Cars will now be the name of the "era", rather than a final record in a trilogy, as was initially planned.

"I'm not stopping making records now as I just couldn't bear the thought of it" he said.

Neither could we.

It's their first new music since ludicrously-titled 2016 album I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It.

The video for the new single contains some swearing so you'll have to find it for yourselves online but you can enjoy a preview above, complete with Matty's new Fraggle Rock-inspired orange hair-do.

The band, who will be hoping to bother the charts again soon have also apparently been causing a glitch in the Google system. Thankfully the tech company has now come up with an explanation as to their 'weird' 1975 text message bug.

Phew, that is a relief.

Later we'll also have more from yesterday afternoon's Ivor Novello Awards, where two serial chart-botherers, Stormzy and Ed Sheeran were once again on top, plus 5 Things We've Learned This Week from around the world of music.

So keep checking in with us today and we shall ride off into the weekend sunset together with all the latest knowledge and a great new soundtrack.