MONA thunderous new single..‘Teenager’ UK tour dates March

Having recently been certified as Nashville’s newest and hottest export, Mona return to the UK (for the third time in six months) to perform a series of live shows that coincide with the release of their first single of 2011. ‘Teenager’ was released on February 28th through the band’s own imprint Zion Noiz Recordings/Island Records on digital download and limited edition 7-inch. 'Teenager’ is the soundtrack for a new generation, an angst driven anthem with vintage roots. Passion, obsession, longing and desire are the backdrop to this gigantic juggernaut of a song. “All people have desire and need more than just themselves, you love love but can’t find a love” says frontman Nick Brown on the theme of the song. Mona finished 2010 on a high after appearing on Later...With Jools Holland, being tipped by all key music press including the BBC Sound Poll and being selected for MTV’s Brand New For 2011. This is not to mention ‘Trouble On The Way’ being record of the week on BBC Radio 1. The band also recorded a session with The Guardian which you can see here. Following a sell out regional UK tour in December, Mona returned to the UK in January / February for a string of live shows. The band have also been confirmed for one of NME’s Award shows at London’s Relentless Garage, a Q Live show and a free show in association with Channel 4 drama ‘Skins’. Mona will be supported The Walkmen in January and February on tour. Tour Details for March
March 7th - Stoke-On-Trent - Sugarmill
March 8th - Liverpool - O2 Academy 2
March 9th - Glasgow - King Tut’s
March 11th - Leeds - Cockpit
March 12th - Oxford - O2 Academy 2
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“it appears that in Mona we may have found a big-sounding, big hearted rock’n’roll band to believe in again” NME
“Mona are very much rock’n’roll’s great white hopes” The Guardian
“Mona are an act armed with an arsenal of power riff and rip-roaring choruses” The Fly

Steeley Span - Folk Rock Pioneers Back in Barnstaple

Since their debut in 1969 Steeleye Span have become one of the most influential names in British roots music, credited with changing the face of folk music forever, taking it from small clubs into the world of gold discs and international tours. Catch them in Barnstaple as they return to the Queen’s Theatre for what’s set to be another cracking performance on Thursday 17th March. Members have come and gone over the years, with past and present line-ups virtually a who’s who of the British folk scene, but Steeleye has always remained an institution, at the forefront of the genre they helped define. With Maddy Prior - the voice of Steeleye for 34 years - back at the helm, the line-up features band stalwart and fiddler extraordinaire Peter Knight, Rick Kemp on bass, Peter Zorn on guitar and Liam Genockey on the drum stool. Steeleye Span’s 35th anniversary year in 2004 saw the line-up hailed as one of the band’s strongest with two sell out UK tours and a fantastic gig at the London Palladium. Incredibly the band now has their 45th anniversary year within sight and shows no signs of slowing down.
Tickets are £16.50 and £9.50 for young people. A 60p Love Arts payment also applies to each seat sold. For further information or to book tickets call the Box Office on 01271 32 42 42 or visit http://www.northdevontheatres.org.uk/

‘Definitive’ Soul Singers to Share a Stage at the Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple

Two of the world’s most iconic soul singers are set to share a stage at the Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple as good friends Gary U.S. Bonds and Ben E. King present The Great American Soulbook on Tuesday 15th March. Along with a stunning 8 piece band made up of the UK’s greatest musicians from the bands of Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Jeff Beck and Jerry Lee Lewis, this is set to be an amazing night made up of some of the greatest soul songs ever written. The legendary Gary U.S Bonds will host the show, and as well as belting out his own hits such as New Orleans and Quarter To Three, you’ll also hear Gary sing some of the world’s most loved tunes from one of the most loved eras. Gary will then be joined by another Soul legend, Ben E. King for what promises to be one of the most talked about tours to come to the region in years. Ben E. King is one of the defining soul singers of all-time. From his early days as the lead singer of The Drifters, through to his solo work, Ben E. King has delivered many hits, including Spanish Harlem, Save The Last Dance For Me, Don’t Play That Song, I Who Have Nothing, Don’t Take Your Love From Me, and of course the legendary, multi million selling, Stand By Me. These two legends will be belting out the songs that have provided the soundtracks to so many people’s lives, songs such as In The Midnight Hour, Higher And Higher, Rescue me, Soul Man, Mustang Sally, Stand By Me, Midnight Train To Georgia and many more.

Tickets are £22 and £18, with concessions at £20 and £16 and young persons’ tickets are £9.40. A 60p Love Arts payment also applies to each seat sold. For further information or to book tickets, call the Box Office on 01271 324242 or visit www.northdevontheatres.org.uk

Robyn New single ‘Call Your Girlfriend’ - UK shows March dates:

After a ridiculously successful 2010 which saw Robyn rank high in many end of year poll’s, from Popjustice’s #1 album of the year to Guardian’s #1 single of the year, to winning Radio 1’s Live Lounge of the year - and pretty much everything in between - Robyn is ready to stamp her platform booted mark all over 2011 just as hard. Not only was she recently nominated for a BRIT Award for International Female Solo Artist (alongside Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Kylie Minogue and Rhianna), and for ‘Best Dance Recording’ in the US Grammy’s, she also won a massive 4 awards at the Swedish Grammy’s, played a sold out 6000 capacity Radio City Music hall in NYC and has announced a 15 date American tour with said fellow BRIT nominee, Miss Perry, starting in June. This follows Robyns return to the UK for her own select shows this March including a sold out gig at London’s Roundhouse - before Europe awaits. Robyn will release ‘Call Your Girlfriend’, taken from her latest Body Talk album on May 16. Remixes come from Kaskade, Sultan & Ned Sheperd and Feed Me.
http://www.myspace.com/robynmyspace
Winner of 4 x Swedish Grammy’s *US Grammy Nomination *BRIT Nomination *Katy Perry US Tour
March dates:
3/3 London Roundhouse (w/ special guest Mylo & Natalia Kills)
4/3 Bristol O2 Academy (w/ Fenech Soler & Natalia Kills)
5/3 Manchester Academy (support as above)
GET TICKETS

Devlin announces his 2nd UK Official Bud, Sweat & Beers May Tour

Dagenham’s finest Devlin announces his second nationwide tour of 2011. His Feb/March tour of 6 UK venues from Glasgow to London sold out in a flash. His debut album ‘Bud, Sweat & Beers’ has surpassed Silver sales in 2 months. To meet the surplus demand Devlin will be back out on the road with his full live band in May 2011, bringing his visceral mix of consciousness lyrics and grime energy to the Great British public. The Official Bud, Sweat and Beers Tour is the most powerful UK rap show of the spring.
Tuesday 10th May 2011 Oxford O2 Academy
Wednesday 11th May 2011 Cardiff Coal Exchange
Thursday 12th May 2011 Cambridge The Junction
Monday 16th May 2011 Manchester Academy 2
Tuesday 17th May 2011 Preston 53 Degrees
Thursday 19th May 2011 Edinburgh Liquid Rooms
Friday 20th May 2011 Sheffield The Plug
Sunday 22nd May 2011 Leeds Stylus
Monday 23rd May 2011 Birmingham HMV Institute
Tuesday 24th May 2011 Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Thursday 26th May 2011 Newcastle O2 Academy
Friday 27th May 2011 Liverpool O2 Academy
Saturday 28th May 2011 Norwich UEA
Sunday 29th May 2011 Bristol O2 Academ
Monday 30th May 2011 London O2 Academy Shepherd’s Bush
http://www.officialdevlin.com
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
‘this year’s absolute must-have; conceptual, clever and conscious’ i-D
‘dazzling verbal dexterity’ Vogue
‘one of the few MCs daring to say something different’ Dazed & Confused
‘biting and intelligent…all eyes are on Devlin’ The Sun
‘voice of the people’ The Mirror
‘highly complex and poetic’ Drowned in Sound
‘scabrously witty and precociously talented’ The Observer New Review
‘whip-smart Eminem of Essex…caustic urban realism…undeniable strife-born brilliance’ Q

N-Dubz release their new single ‘Morning Star’ on March 14th - Watch Video no

Following on from their triumphant Royal Variety performance, which saw the band perform for Prince Charles, N-Dubz announce their first release of 2011, brand new single ‘Morning Star.’ Released via All Around The World & Island Records, ‘Morning Star’ is the third single from the Camden trio’s most recent Top 10 album, ‘Love.Live.Life’ with over a quarter of a million copies of the album sold in a month. Another example of the band’s trademark euphoric pop, on this all new radio edit Dappy and Fazer wax lyrical on this brand new single version, about missing someone special, while Tulisa’s sweet, sing-along chorus introduces flavours of the Rose Royce classic, ‘Wishing On A Star’ to a whole new generation. 2010 has been another phenomenal year for N-Dubz. In December they announced their first UK arena tour; the first UK Urban act to embark on such major venues. The Love.Live.Life 10-date tour will see the band play to their biggest audiences ever, taking in every part of the country and climaxing with a huge show at London’s O2; N-Dubz’s hometown. The past 12 months have also seen the band sign a five album deal with Def Jam America, win a MOBO award, a BRIT nomination, fans in the form of Gary Barlow and Lil’ Wayne and an almost unmatchable online presence, with 100 million views on YouTube, 1 million friends on Facebook and 200,000 followers on Twitter. 2010 also saw the release of a Sunday Times Bestselling book: ‘Against All Odds: From Street Life To Chart Life,’ their own major Channel 4 reality series: ‘Being N-Dubz,’ while Tulisa presented the BBC3 documentary ‘My Mum And Me’ about her mum’s struggle with mental illness. Without question, N-Dubz are one of the most culturally significant groups in contemporary British pop music. Their most recent album ‘Love.Live.Life’ debuted straight inside the Top Ten and they have sold over 1 million copies of their debut album, ‘Uncle B’ (2008) and its 2009 follow-up, ‘Against All Odds.’ The antithesis of manufactured, mass-produced pop puppets, the Camden three have already left an indelible mark on the charts, while their cultural impact - from their look to their sound, slang and catchphrases - is unequivocal.

Brand New Single: Morning Star Released: 14th March 2011 Check out the video now

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

“The countries most entertaining pop act” Observer Review

"Good for the Soul" - Dionne Bromfield returns with Diggy Simmons

15 year old London-born soul singer Dionne Bromfield, whose debut album introduced the teenager as one of the finest young singers the UK has produced in years, returns with the April 11th release of her brand new single “Yeah Right”. The single, which features rising US rapper, reality tv star, and son of the Rev. Run Simmons, Diggy Simmons, is taken from Dionne’s eagerly awaited new album “Good For The Soul”. Released on friend and mentor Amy Winehouse’s Lioness label, the album is a collection of all new soul songs co-written by Dionne and some of the UK’s premier songwriters, and looks set to establish her as a writer and genuine star in her own right. Dionne Bromfield came to the attention of the world’s media when she became the first signing to Amy Winehouse’s Lioness Records label. ‘Everyone told me I could sing from about the age of ten, but I was so shy I didn’t believe them. It wasn’t until Amy was round the house one night and heard me and said ‘girl, it’s true. You can sing.’ And that started something off in me. I started getting just that bit more confident.’ Much as she loves the first record, “Introducing Dionne Bromfield”, an album of well known and not so well known soul classics, there was never any doubt in Dionne’s mind that the second record would be a collection of her own songs. Following a writing trip to LA in early 2009, where she co-wrote with some of the top names in US music, including Beyonce / Rihanna collaborator Toby Gadd, Dionne returned home and settled down to make the record she wanted to make. She found her sound with former Incognito henchman John Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick, sometime Duffy collaborator Steve Booker, and Dusty Springfield/Amy Winehouse collaborator Paul O’Duffy and began developing her writer’s voice, using her own experience and the experiences of friends. “Good For The Soul” is absolutely the birth of Dionne Bromfield: the artist. ‘To be honest, it couldn’t feel further away from the first one, which I love and I loved making. But this is next level and it had to be.’ It is a sound that fits perfectly into the catalogue of a new British soul tradition, of artists like Plan B and Paloma Faith that have contemporised their Motown leanings, freshly minting them for a brand new generation.
http://www.myspace.com/dionnebromfieldmusic
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“A properly gorgeous soul voice” Grazia

“Dionne is spectacular…Dame Shirley Bassey’s successor is found at last” The Sun
“A sensation, note-perfect” Daily Mail
“Remarkable…her voice has huge range and character” NME
“this little lady has one very bright future” OK

Encore DEBUT SINGLE ‘Wind Up’ out now

UK Urban music has a new male group ready to claim their spot in 2011. Encore, aka singers Mark and Cairo and rapper Pierre are freshly signed to Island Records. Having formed in 2009, the boys have already toured the country with likes of N-Dubz, Chipmunk and Taley Riley. Now ready to step out on their own, Encore released their debut single ‘Wind Up’ on February 14th, Valentine’s Day. So what do Encore sound like? They’re not just your average, sweet uniformed male group, Encore create something fresh & original by combining dubstep, R&B and a hint of pop. ‘Wind Up’ takes us through a troubled relationship, urging their girl to “make your mind up”; laced with slick R&B vocals thrown over a tough and edgy dubstep beat. Encore’s debut album will follow in 2011.The group have been in the studio working with top writers and producers from both sides of the Atlantic including Davinche (Kano "P's & Q's") Nate Walka (Jamie Foxx ‘Blame It’) and Ina Wroldsen & Arnthor (Shontelle ‘Impossible’). Keep your eyes peeled for more to come; Encore will leave you wanting more!
http://www.myspace.com/wantmoreencore

Lady Gaga "Born This Way" new single out now

Award-winning, record-breaking singer/songwriter Lady Gaga continues to push the envelope with her edgy fashion-forward aesthetics and massive electro-pop anthems. Get the empowering first single, "Born This Way", from her upcoming full-length album.The new single launches today

PJ HARVEY: LIVE WEBCAST MONDAY 14.02.11

To mark the release Let England Shake, PJ Harvey will debut her new album live in a one-off, special show from Paris next Monday February 14th. The show will be streamed live on Monday night at 8pm GMT by the French music site Deezer www.deezer.com and the cultural chanel ARTE www.arteliveweb.com The webcast will also be available on the official PJ Harvey site www.pjharvey.net  Let England Shake, Harvey’s eighth studio album is set for release next Monday and has already received exceptional reviews internationally. This week’s NME awards it a rare 10/10, calling it “arguably her most brilliant record to date.”  Harvey will play two sold out shows at The Troxy in London later this month, as well as sold-out dates in Brussels, Berlin, and Paris.

Teenage Cancer Trust Tickets and Tour Dates: Roger Daltrey, Biffy Clyro, Tinie Tempah ....

Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall - Concert Tickets On sale Friday 11 February 09:00am – Beady Eye, Biffy Clyro, Editors, John Bishop, Roger Daltrey, Squeeze, Tinie Tempah CHECK TOUR DATES/GET TICKETS

WHAT'S ON FEBRUARY: NEW RELEASES AND MORE

Here's a quick round up of February new releases and news from Taio Cruz & Kylie, Jesse J, John Fratelli, Nicki Minaj, Lauren Pritchard, Mona, CocknBullkid, PJ Harvey and Devlin
CLICK HERE FOR INDIVIDUAL POSTS, NEWS, LIVE DATES AND NEW RELEASES ON THE ABOVE ARTISTS

John Fratelli Live – playing a special show in Edinburgh at the HMV Picturehouse on Feb 12th plus free download

Jon Fratelli, who has just finished recording his as yet untitled debut solo album in LA with producer Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air, Depeche Mode, The Fratellis!), is set to mark the album’s completion by giving away a new song, ‘Rhythm Doesn’t Make You A Dancer’, on his new website (http://www.jonfratelli.co.uk/) and playing a special show in Edinburgh at the HMV Picturehouse on Feb 12th as part of the HMV Next Big Thing Festival. The show, at which Jon will play alongside much-tipped newcomers Morning Parade, marks something of a new beginning for one of Scotland’s most prolific and talented songwriters. Jon’s band will feature former bandmates from his previous bands The Fratellis (with the one and only Mince Fratelli returning to the drum stool!) and Codeine Velvet Club. Jon Fratelli first came to fame as frontman of The Fratellis, a trio of unruly Glaswegians whose 2006 debut album ‘Costello Music’, featuring the monster hits ‘Chelsea Dagger’, ‘Henrietta’ and ‘Creepin Up The Backstairs’, sold over a million copies and earned the band a BRIT award. The band were also successful in the US where their song ‘Flathead’ soundtracked an iPod advert in 2007 and in 2010 ‘Chelsea Dagger’ was taken up as a theme tune by the Chicago Blackhawks ice hockey team (who after a 60 year drought won the prestigious Stanley Cup this season!). The Fratellis’ second album ‘Here We Stand’ was released in the summer of 2008 and the success story continued around the globe with hit singles ‘Mistress Mabel’ and ‘Look Out Sunshine’. Without a pause for breath the band fulfilled a relentless touring schedule that took them all over the world. After touring Japan and Australia in early 2009 The Fratellis decided to take a break. At the end of 2009 Jon teamed up with Lou Hickey as Codeine Velvet Club. Fast-forward to now and Jon has written a batch of songs that signal a return to the raw rock’n’roll sound that was his first love and are arguably the best of his career. He’ll be giving some of these songs their first public airing at the HMV Picturehouse show, and will also be delving into his ever-burgeoning catalogue of songs from both the Fratellis and Codeine Velvet Club. The album featuring the new songs will hit the shops in the Spring. Says Jon: "I've made an album that's a mesh of everything that's ever excited me about Rock n Roll. Tony Hoffer's production is the most original i've heard in ages and I'm desperate to get out and play these songs for people"
The free download of “Rhythm Doesn’t Make You A Dancer” is available on www.jonfratelli.co.uk
JON FRATELLI LIVE – hmv Next Big Thing
Jon Fratelli, Morning Parade + Support
HMV Picture House Edinburgh, 12-Feb-2011 at 19:00
Tickets priced £10 available here: http://www.hmvtickets.co/events/1588 or tel 0844 822 2603

Nicki Minaj's Moment 4 Life

Nicki Minaj, without question the hottest new artist on the planet right now, follows her wildly acclaimed debut album “Pink Friday” with the release on February 21st of her new Young Money/Cash Money single “Moment 4 Life”. The track features label-mate, friend and fellow hip hop superstar Drake and is taken from the 25 year old rap phenomenon’s feverishly anticipated debut. Nicki Minaj’s star has been on the rise since she released her first mixtape, Playtime Is Over, in 2007. Themixtape featured Lil Wayne and the cover showed Nicki posing as a Barbie Doll. A second mixtape “Sucka Free” released a year later, increased the heat around Minaj and was followed in 2009 by mixtape number three “Beam Me Up Scotty”. Shortly thereafter Nicki, aka Harajuku Barbie, aka Nicki Lewinsky, aka Roman Zolanski, aka Ms Step Your Cookies Up, signed to Lil Wayne’s new label Young Money Entertainment and featured heavily on Young Money’s debut album “We Are Young Money” which spawned the massive hit single “Bedrock”. Minaj has also made her name from her many features on A list artists tracks including "Up Out My Face (Remix)" with Mariah Carey, "My Chick Bad" with Ludacris, "Lil' Freak" with Usher, “Knockout” with Lil Wayne, Christina Aguilera's "Woohoo" and most recently label mate and fellow Young Money soldier Drake’s “Up All Night”. It was Minaj’s larger than life personality and gum-snapping flow that drew the attention of Lil Wayne, and now the anticipation for her debut album has reached fever pitch as the first single proper is about to drop and this undisputed Queen Of Hip Hop, all 5’ 2” of her, is set to follow in the footsteps of Wayne and Drake as the next genuine superstar of hip hop.
http://www.myspace.com/nickiminaj
NICKI MINAJ feat. DRAKE “MOMENT 4 LIFE”
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“One of the most startling rap records in years” NME 8/10
“Minaj is the Lady Gaga of the R&B world” The Times 4*
“Simply the hottest name in rap. That she should be both enormously talented as well as original and funny, goes some way to explaining the Pink Friday mania.” The Observer
“Nicki is the name for 2011. The future belongs to Minaj” The Sun
“I haven’t been this excited by a pop star in years” - Sunday Times Culture
“Best new pop star in the world Nicki Minaj” Guardian Guide
“Watch your back Gaga because there’s a new girl in town (Nicki Minaj) and she’s stealing your wacky-style thunder” GRAZIA
“She makes Lady Gaga look like Margaret Thatcher”! Heat