Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

blink-182 have confirmed that their UK and European dates will go ahead as planned despite the cancellation of US tour dates. The band posted the following news on their website: “ The North American cancellation does not affect any European tour dates. blink-182 will start their summer run as planned in Birmingham, UK on June 7th”  The band will be touring in support of their album “Neighbourhoods” which was released in September 2011 and the first new music released by the band since 2003. Blink 182 were formed in San Diego in 1992 by Mark Hoppus and Tom De Longe and later joined by drummer Travis Barker. The bands breakthrough album, Enema Of The State, was released in 1999 and went on to sell in excess of 15 million copies worldwide. Their next two albums, Take Off Your Pants And Jacket (2001) and blink 182 (2003) cemented their position as a pop punk supergroup. Additionally the band have won a number of MTV Awards throughout their career. The band will head to the UK next

21 year old Salford born singer Ren Harvieu, has her debut single “Through The Night” released on January 16th through Kid Gloves/Island Records. The single, a beautifully orchestrated slice of classic yearning taken from Ren’s forthcoming debut album, was originally set for release on July 4th this year until Ren suffered a terrible accident which left her with a broken back and not knowing whether she would ever walk again. Thankfully after a miraculous recovery, in less than three months, Ren is back on her feet and finally ready to release her first single. Ren Harvieu is brand new, just turned twenty one, realer than real ale . She sounds one way and looks and acts completely differently. No Brit School training, no showbiz connections, just a young girl with a truly remarkable voice and a set of songs that will stir your soul and break your heart. Ren sang in the odd local talent show, one called ‘Salford Superstar’ and attended what she calls the Primark version of a performin