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

Keane released their new single 'Sovereign Light Café' on 23rd July 2012, through Island Records. Keane's new album 'Strangeland' entered the UK charts at Number one to make it their fifth consecutive number one album, equaling Coldplay and Radiohead, and beaten only by The Beatles. 'Strangeland' has debuted in the top ten in twenty countries around the world. It is their fourth studio album, after 'Hopes & Fears' (2004); 'Under The Iron Sea' (2006); 'Perfect Symmetry' (2008) and the 'Night Train' EP (2010) which also topped the UK Album Chart.You could say that 'Sovereign Light Café' is the theme to 'Strangeland'. It was the first song that Tim wrote for the album - the idea came to him in a taxi in Sao Paulo. The title name checks the seafront café in Bexhill where, as teenagers cycling from nearby Battle, he and Keane drummer Richard Hughes would “spend hours sunbathing underneath cloudy skies.” Once a

Following the 200,000+ sales of his top 10 debut album Every Kingdom in the UK alone, two sold-outs tours of the US (multiple, and contemplating a hectic Summer of festival appearances ahead of his biggest, UK tour to date, Ben finds himself positioned as one of the most successful young singer-songwriters from the UK and Europe in years. Old Pine is a woozy, languid song, both cathartic and quietly euphoric. A long-standing live favourite, Ben’s percussive perfection is matched with the driving intricacies of his guitar playing and, smoky controlled voice. Originally released in the Spring of 2011 as an introductory EP through Communion Records, Old Pine has already played a crucial part in introducing Ben to a bigger, broader audience. He has since played to over 80,000 thousand fans at over 120 sold out performances. His UK tour later this year has now sold in excess of 50,000 tickets alone, culminating in three sell-out nights at London's Brixton Academy. Ben How

Devlin is pleased to announce details of a UK tour for later this year. The Dagenham born rapper will play four shows in November in support of his forthcoming second album, A Moving Picture, released on the 29th October. The dates kick off in Birmingham on the 9th November, and conclude at London’s Scala on the 13th November. Tickets are £11.50 (London £13.50) on pre-sale from 17th July, and on general sale from 20th July through www.livenation.co.uk and www.gigsinscotland.com . As previously announced, Devlin’s forthcoming single (All Along The) Watch Tower Ft. Ed Sheeran is out on the 20th August through Island Records. Watch the video here: Devlin Live: 19th August – V Festival, Stafford 24th August – Ibiza Rocks, Ibiza 1st September – Jersey Live, Jersey 9th November – Institute Library, Birmingham 10th November – Classic Grand, Glasgow 11th November – Academy 3, Manchester 13th November – Scala, London www.officialdevlin.com