Music news

• Ludwig van Beethoven: The Original ‘Indie’ Artist…

  18-12-2015 20:44
  
  Long before record label deals and music industry middlemen, there was Ludvig van Beethoven, the ultimate ‘DIY’ indie artist. Beethoven, arguably the greatest classical composer in history, pre-dated the major label by more than 150 years and certainly couldn’t sell recordings.  But in an era free of middlemen and heavy-handed contracts, Beethoven managed to earn a decent living by directly collecting revenue from a myriad of sources.
  Including…
  1. Patronage
  Consid
  
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• Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton run up £800,000 legal bill in divorce case

  18-12-2015 19:43
  
  Judge finds legal costs of former Oasis star and his ex-wife were ‘manifestly excessive’ and rules £11m assets should be split equallyThe former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and his ex-wife Nicole Appleton ran up more than £800,000 in legal bills while arguing about how to divide assets worth almost £11m after their divorce, a judge has said.
  Judge Martin O’Dwyer has ruled that the assets should be split in half, with Gallagher and Appleton each getting nearl
  
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• 'I'm ready to do it now': Kara Tointon can't wait to be Maria in The Sound of Music Live!

  18-12-2015 19:15
  
  Kara Tointon, who will play Maria, showed off the set where the live performance will take place.
  
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• So Adele & Justin Bieber Are Breaking Even More Records Now

  18-12-2015 19:00
  
  '25' is pretty much the biggest album ever and Biebs just beat The Beatles...
  
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• Scott Weiland’s ‘Accidental Overdose': Cocaine, Alcohol, Ecstacy…

  18-12-2015 18:42
  
  It’s being ruled as an ‘accidental overdose,’ according to an autopsy report now being released.  The Hennepin County Medical Examiner in Minneapolis has now confirmed that heavy doses of cocaine, alcohol, and methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA, or ‘Sally’) were found within the dead body of Scott Weiland, a lethal cocktail that excited a heart condition and other ailments.
  Weiland was confirmed dead on December 3rd in his tour bus.
  Moments later, cops found a mix
  
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• 37 Times One Direction Were Picture Perfect In 2015

  18-12-2015 18:33
  
  Well, most of them.
  
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• Jason Derulo & Friends Would Like To Wish You A Very Merry Christmas!

  18-12-2015 18:25
  
  Ho, ho, ho!
  
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• Apple Music predicts which new artists you'll be listening to in 2016

  18-12-2015 18:24
  
  Your favourite newcomer may have made it to the list.
  
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• Little Mix, Tinie Tempah, Fleur East & More Reveal Their Mistletoe Christmas Crushes

  18-12-2015 17:54
  
  Who would they snog under the mistletoe this season, eh?
  
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• The playlist: metal - Killswitch Engage, Megadeth, Abbath and more

  18-12-2015 17:29
  
  This month’s roundup features Megadeth’s ferocious return to form, an eviscerating heavy metal snowstorm from Abbath and an alternative Yuletide anthem Reluctant figureheads for a post-millennial US metal scene that has singularly failed to live up to their standards, Killswitch Engage return in 2016 with an album that promises to be one of the year’s most significant. The band’s second album since the return of vocalist Jesse Leach in 2012, it needs to be brilliant for a
  
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• Meek Mill calls Philadelphia DA a b***h then weeps as he faces prison for violating drug and gun probation

  18-12-2015 17:12
  
  Meek Mill could be heading back to jail after a judge determined he has violated the terms of his parole on several occasions. The R.I.C.O. rapper appeared before a judge at a Philadelphia court where he is said to have tearfully pleaded for his freedom. One person who understands Mill's plight is r'n'b singer Chris Brown who has had several brushes with the law and launched a Twitter rant slamming the justice system.
  
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• This Single Woman's Hilarious Holiday Cards Are All Of Us Going Solo This Christmas

  18-12-2015 16:46
  
  Singletons 1 - 0 Smug Marrieds
  
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• Brad Mehldau review – a balance of space and intensity perfectly struck

  18-12-2015 16:38
  
  Wigmore Hall, London
  A dense and dazzling recital of Bach’s classics and the compositions and improvisations inspired by them makes this a powerful, thought-provoking gigOver the two decades since his star ascended, American pianist Brad Mehldau has been cutting a path – often introspective, virtuosic and indifferent to populist antics – that could have led him to jazz’s crowded unsung-genius shelf. But as conversations between jazz, classical music and pop have grown eve
  
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• Singer Aurora: ‘Bergen’s cold but has a creative energy – and it’s always bubbling with activity’

  18-12-2015 16:36
  
  The voice of John Lewis’s Christmas ad gets lyrical about her home city, with its cold climate, great scenery and warm peopleI love winter in Bergen. I think it’s because I love Christmas – I can’t wait for it to come around. I love it all: the fog, the rain and the dark nights. My house is in a town called Os, which is outside the city, and in winter they don’t clear the snow, so we ski along the roads. It’s great fun.Bergen’s got a really great creativ
  
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• Ferne McCann And George Shelley Have Finally Kissed, Oh And She's Wearing An Engagement Ring

  18-12-2015 16:13
  
  SOUND THE ALARM
  
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• Jaylin Is On To The 'Nex 1'

  18-12-2015 16:12
  
  Jaylin Is On To The 'Nex 1'
  
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• Ray BLK Shares The Video For 50/50

  18-12-2015 16:06
  
  Ray BLK Shares The Video For 50/50
  
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• 11 Times Hanna Marin Was The Best Character On Pretty Little Liars

  18-12-2015 15:33
  
  She’s basically our role model.
  
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• You Won't Believe How Much Money Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevingne and Gigi Hadid Make For A Social Media Post

  18-12-2015 15:21
  
  Spoiler: it's a lot.
  
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• "It’s Literally Non Stop From When I Wake Until I Sleep - MTV Meets Tom Zanetti

  18-12-2015 15:12
  
  We've had his club track 'Darlin'' on repeat for weeks, so now it's time to get to know the man behind the beats...
  
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• Edith Piaf at 100: the singer who defined Parisian courage

  18-12-2015 14:52
  
  Saturday is Edith Piaf’s centenary – and it’s fitting to remember a singer who helped shape French national identity in the 20th centuryÉdith Piaf was born 100 years ago on Saturday, around the same time Einstein made a breakthrough with his theory of general relativity. She arrived at the Hospital Tenon in the 20th arrondissement of Paris on 19 December, though according to her own version of events, she was delivered on the front steps of her home at 72 Rue de Bellevil
  
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• Just Peachy! Holly Hagan And Charlotte Crosby Are In A Battle Of The Bums

  18-12-2015 14:41
  
  The Geordie Shore BFFs go rear-to-rear on this one...
  
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• New band of the week: Blossoms (No 84)

  18-12-2015 14:16
  
  This Stockport five-piece give melodic, psych-inflected indie-pop a good name Hometown: Stockport.
  The lineup: Tom Ogden (vocals, guitar), Charlie Salt (bass, backing vocals), Josh Dewhurst (lead guitar), Joe Donovan (drums), Myles Kellock (keyboards).Continue reading...
  
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• New Year’s Eve 2015: the best clubs

  18-12-2015 14:00
  
  London round-up | La Cheetah Club NYE | RSP | RBMA & Abstract | Mono_Cult | Clouds | Wigflex | Final Frontier | Superstar Funhouse | Vogue HogmanayThe cry goes up across your socials: “Let’s just have a house party!” And there are compelling reasons to heed it: no other night of the year leaves you at least £40 poorer in a bar that’s had a James Bond or Las Vegas theme thrust upon it with a complete absence of finesse. Then again, New Year’s Eve is on a Th
  
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• Rita Ora sues Jay Z's Roc Nation record label over stalled music career

  18-12-2015 13:31
  
  The I Will Never Let You Down singer has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the hip-hop mogul's Roc Nation record label claiming her music career has been neglected due to the rapper's other business ventures. Ora, 25, signed to Roc Nation in 2008 and released her debut album ORA four years later in 2012.
  
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• Kylie Jenner, Bella Hadid And Lottie Moss Reveal What It's Really Like Having A Famous Older Sister In New Vogue Shoot

  18-12-2015 13:21
  
  All as they wear the most romantic dresses of all time
  
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• Kehlani Drops New Single "Did I"

  18-12-2015 13:13
  Kehlani Drops New Single "Did I"
  
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• Kendall Jenner's First Kiss Was Almost Crashed By Kylie Jenner, So She Took Things To The Shower

  18-12-2015 13:10
  
  Ah, the joy of having a younger sibling.
  
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• Justin Bieber Has A Gold Tooth Now Because Of Course He Does

  18-12-2015 12:55
  
  Swaggy.
  
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• OMG Coldplay & Justin Bieber Are Performing At The BRITs

  18-12-2015 12:38
  
  It'll be Justin's first ever BRITs performance!
  
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• Perrie Edwards Spotted On Winter Wonderland Date With Hot Model Leon King

  18-12-2015 12:25
  
  Could the Little Mix star be off the market again?
  
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• Ariana Grande Wants To 'Christmas & Chill' Like Never Before With Her New EP

  18-12-2015 12:20
  
  So festive.
  
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• Niall Horan wants to marry Selena Gomez: Justin Bieber's ex-girlfriend 'super flattered'

  18-12-2015 12:13
  
  One Direction singer Niall Horan has expressed his feelings for American singer/actress Selena Gomez. The 22-year-old confessed to James Corden that he would like to marry the former Disney star. During One Direction's Carpool Karaoke session on The Late Late Show, the boy band was asked to play the game of "sleep with, marry, cruise".
  
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• Rob Kardashian's Family 'Terrified He'll Go Off The Rails Again' As He Continues To Struggle With His Weight

  18-12-2015 11:23
  
  The star is supposedly out of control again.
  
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• Rita Ora 'Is Suing Jay Z's Label Roc Nation' In Hope To Terminate Contract

  18-12-2015 11:13
  
  She's not released an album since 2012.
  
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• DC Breaks Take Us To DnB Heaven With Their Top 10 Tracks

  18-12-2015 11:01
  
  The duo give our ears a bashing, choosing tracks from Noisia, Culture Shock and more...
  
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• Rita Ora dating life: Calvin Harris' ex-girlfriend was 'unrecognisable' following split

  18-12-2015 10:52
  
  Rita Ora has revealed it was difficult to move on after a messy split. Ora had previously revealed that she "wanted to crawl into bed and die" after parting ways with Scottish singer/DJ Calvin Harris. In June 2014, Harris confirmed that the two had split up on Twitter.
  
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• Here's One Direction & Justin Bieber Doing Carpool Karaoke, Christmas Style

  18-12-2015 10:38
  
  James Corden is basically Santa.
  
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• Coldplay and Justin Bieber to perform live at the Brits

  18-12-2015 10:13
  
  The UK band and the Canadian heartthrob join Adele on the bill for the awards show, which takes place in FebruaryColdplay and Justin Bieber are to perform live at the Brit awards on 24 February, though – sadly – not together. Coldplay, who will also headline the halftime show at the 50th Super Bowl on 7 Februry, return to the Brits for the first time since 2013. It will be Bieber’s first live performance at the Brits, although he won the award for international breakthrough act
  
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• Madonna says Sean Penn never hit her, as she offers evidence for her ex-husband

  18-12-2015 09:26
  
  Singer offers testimony in Penn’s defamation lawsuit against Empire co-creator Lee DanielsMadonna has denied she was struck by Sean Penn during the course of their marriage in the 1980s, as she offered evidence on Penn’s behalf for his defamation case against the co-creator of the TV show Empire.Lee Daniels had given an interview to the Hollywood Reporter in September, in which he defended the show’s star, Terrence Howard, who had been heavily criticised after admitting to hitt
  
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• Best of 2015: our classical critics pick their favourite live events

  18-12-2015 09:00
  
  There were masterly turns by prodigious youngsters, and vigorous performances by mature masters – across the UK, it’s been a fascinating classical yearSee our overall top 10 classical concerts and operas of 2015Top 10s from Tim Ashley, Andrew Clements, George Hall and Tom ServicePeter Hill and Benjamin Frith
  Pianists Hill and Frith’s February recital of Messiaen and Stravinsky – serenity and resonance – at Cardiff’s School of Music still stands out. Read the f
  
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• Meek Mill faces jail after latest parole violation

  18-12-2015 08:35
  
  Nicki Minaj appears in court to tell the judge she’s been working on making her boyfriend more responsibleA judge appears likely to send rapper Meek Mill back behind bars early next year for a steady stream of probation violations, most involving his failure to keep the court aware of his erratic travels.Mill offered emotional testimony on Thursday about his rudderless childhood in gritty North Philadelphia, while his girlfriend Nicki Minaj and various managers pledged to keep him on track
  
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• Why Sparks' The Island Years is the one box set you should hear this Christmas – video

  18-12-2015 08:00
  
  Alexis Petridis finds himself in a state of delighted bafflement revisiting Ron and Russell Mael’s albums from the mid-1970s. From 1974’s Kimono My House to Big Beat in 1976 – with an album of rarities thrown in – there’s no box set more idiosyncratic and strange. Yet Sparks had a knack for writing great pop songs with immediate melodies Continue reading...
  
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• Best albums of 2015: No 1 – To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar

  18-12-2015 08:00
  
  The rapper’s knotty and apparently uncommercial album found a mass audience by capturing the mood of its time: bleak, desperate and broiling with angerSee our countdown of the best albums so farMore on the best culture of 2015Kendrick Lamar’s 2012 breakthrough, Good Kid, MAAD City, was a great album: meticulously crafted, weighty, hugely entertaining, a platinum seller that topped critics’ best-of-the-year lists. But it still couldn’t quite prepare you for what he did nex
  
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• Thanks, Adele: Songkick Raises Another $10 Million In Financing…

  18-12-2015 07:27
  
   
  Ticketing is one of the toughest industries in the world, though the prize money can be oh-so-sweet.  The once aggressive-n-scrappy Ticketfly offers the latest proof, with a $450 million acquisition by Pandora to make all those all-nighters and wrecked marriages wash away.
  Now, longtime contender Songkick is pining for a similar destiny, with a $10 million investment to keep the innovation rolling.  The latest investor is Access Industries, owner of Warner Music Group
  
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• Wall Street Loves a Loser: Pandora Shares Surge 13.7%…

  18-12-2015 06:48
  
  Pandora’s royalty obligations just increased by $100 million in 2016, and nearly half-a-billion dollars over the next four years.  So why is Wall Street celebrating?The answer is simple: more certainty, and less uncertainty.  That’s a critical psychological guide where the bulls and bears roam, with investors at least better able to project Pandora’s coming fiscal obligations through 2019.  Additionally, the Copyright Royalty Board’s rate hike towards 17 ce
  
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• Stomping singalongs and toilet trouble as Cold Chisel wreck the joint one more time

  18-12-2015 06:14
  
  Jimmy Barnes told the crowd at the Sydney Entertainment Centre: ‘You guys go out there and get pissed and we’ll go back there and get pissed.’ So they did
  For the first time in the history of live rock ’n’ roll, or my part in it, the queue for the toilet is longer than the queue for the bar. It’s half time at the second last of Cold Chisel’s Last Stands at the Sydney Entertainment Centre before they demolish the joint.A couple of belting, roof-lifting nu
  
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• David Bowie's Blackstar album: 'An unexpected left turn that deepens the mystery' – first-listen review

  18-12-2015 01:01
  
  Blackstar doesn’t carry quite the same element of surprise as The Next Day – but it is the sound of an unknowable artist steadfastly ignoring his own pastNext month, David Bowie’s 25th album arrives in a manner not unlike that of his 2013 comeback, The Next Day. Like Where Are We Now?, the single that announced Bowie’s re-entry into the recording world, Blackstar is released on his birthday, 8 January. As with The Next Day, a degree of secrecy has surrounded the project &
  
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• Fufanu: Few More Days to Go review – thrillingly malevolent and catchy tunes

  18-12-2015 00:15
  
  (One Little Indian)Related: Björk on Iceland: 'We don't go to church, we go for a walk' When Einar Örn (who sang in the Sugarcubes with Björk) started bringing English post-punk records to Iceland in the early 1980s, he triggered an Icelandic fascination with the sound that has reverberated through the nation’s music. Three and a half decades on, his son Kaktus Einarsson is continuing the trend in Fufanu with Gulli Einarsson (no relation). The duo (who have now expanded to a
  
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• Meat Wave: Delusion Moon review – slashing riffs and silvery melody from outstanding Chicago punk trio

  18-12-2015 00:00
  
  (Side One Dummy) Related: Ork records: the hidden side of New York punk That name might suggest some kind of schlocky, funtime party punks, but this Chicago trio are something a bit smarter and sleeker than that: their debut album proper (after two excellent EPs) is an almighty rush of slashing riffs and silvery melody that sits neatly alongside their Midwestern post-hardcore peers of yore, but tweaks the stylistic dials in ways that make for a genuinely outstanding record. The arrangements hit
  
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