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No rock assault since the '60s British Invasion has beat The Beatles or even whipped Cream, despite a steady influx of UK talent that conquers charts at home.   Oasis spearheaded a '90s wave before washing out. U.S. fans also tuned in for Radiohead and, to a lesser degree, Blur, Elastica and The Verve. (Related story: Elbow your way into 12 others, for maximo effect)   Mellower fare fared better. Coldplay's piano-driven pop seduced the U.S. mainstream, and crooner James Blunt's current No. 2 alb

She didn't know that London was in the UK and thinks everyone in Europe speaks French. So God knows how Paris Hilton will fare when she's a roving reporter at this year's Brits.   The dippy blonde heir-head is to present ITV2's The Red Carpet, in which she will chat to stars as they go into London's Earl's Court Arena for the Brit Awards on February 15.   For her services, 24-year-old Paris (below) will pocket £100,000. But there's just one snag - she won't know who anyone is.Undeterred, ITV bos

Last Canada Day weekend, CTV presented 18 hours of television that joined together over 10 million Canadians to hear music with a message.   Now, one year later, CTV revisits Live 8 with the new 90-minute MTV special Live8: What A Difference A Day Made, airing Saturday, July 1 at 12 midnight exclusively on CTV. The special will air as part of the MTVonCTV branded block. Once again, CTV will join the world in an international broadcasting event when the special is also broadcast to 480 million ho

The Tragically Hip released their latest CD last Tuesday. When the sales charts came out this past Tuesday the collective music industry waited to see how many copies the new CD would sell as they undoubtedly would debut at #1.   The new CD sold a respectable 29,000 copies. Meaning it debuted at #2. The #1 selling CD this past week in Canada sold a staggering 109,000 copies. Fully 4,000 more CDs than the previous top selling CD in Canada this past year, which was Coldplay, selling 105,000 for X&

I think I'm going to hug an SUV driver. As David Cameron said of hoody-wearers this week, they need our love and understanding. Indeed these two urban tribes — the skulking teenager brimming with attitude and the tiny stressed mother encased in her monster vehicle — are manifestations of the same mindset. Both are, as Mr Cameron put it, “more defensive than offensive”, trying to stake out space, to keep the scary, maddening, overcrowded city at bay.   Such is my prejudice I never, ever let SUV

"You can't come to Cleveland without coming to the back!" Chris Martin declared.   So the Coldplay frontman sprinted to the rear of The Q to serenade the cheap seats with "In My Place." The soul-searching ballad found Martin contemplating his role in the cosmic scheme of things, a favorite Coldplay theme. You could say this arena-rocking British quartet found its niche Monday night in front of a near-capacity crowd.   Concert promoters worry about which latter-day acts will pack 'em in when ve

BANGALORE: Digital technology is today enabling advertisers to provide personalized and situation- relevant ads and information to consumers.   Take the recent campaign at the London Tube station where a dynamic digital display ad of the band Coldplay also allowed for what is called “Bluecasting.” In this, an individual with a Bluetooth enabled PDA or smart device, standing close to the display got a chance to download a sample song on his mobile.   Retailers, fast food restaurants, post office

The Isle of Wight waited over 30 years for a chance to revive its legendary 60s festival - and now two have come along at once   When the biggest story to come out of the Isle of Wight all year is about a missing penguin (remember Toga?), I can forgive you for thinking flap all happens on the so-called "Garden Isle", my home for the first 17 years of my life.   Dubbed a haven for OAPs by The Beatles in When I'm 64 ("Every summer we could rent a cottage on the Isle of Wight"), its reputation for

The Isle of Wight waited over 30 years for a chance to revive its legendary 60s festival - and now two have come along at once   When the biggest story to come out of the Isle of Wight all year is about a missing penguin (remember Toga?), I can forgive you for thinking flap all happens on the so-called "Garden Isle", my home for the first 17 years of my life.   Dubbed a haven for OAPs by The Beatles in When I'm 64 ("Every summer we could rent a cottage on the Isle of Wight"), its reputation for

Having lit up the performances of some of the biggest names in music, Radical Lighting is now aiming to illuminate itself on the world stage.   To do that the Bradford-based company, which provided stage lighting for the Live 8 concerts in London and Paris, needs a cash injection. Radical provides lighting and video equipment to the live entertainment, leisure and architectural industries as well as the computer software needed to control the effects.   The company, which also provided the light

Having lit up the performances of some of the biggest names in music, Radical Lighting is now aiming to illuminate itself on the world stage.   To do that the Bradford-based company, which provided stage lighting for the Live 8 concerts in London and Paris, needs a cash injection. Radical provides lighting and video equipment to the live entertainment, leisure and architectural industries as well as the computer software needed to control the effects.   The company, which also provided the light

Destination Kansas City. We rolled up at the Sprint Center, Kansas City today. Some of these arenas have quite grand and strange designs. This one struck me that if you shone some flashlights on it, it would become a crystal ball. At the moment though, it just looks a bit like a glittering fruit bowl you might find in a certain Swedish megastore..   It was another mammoth drive yesterday. I sympathise for the truck and bus drivers when we do long-hauls like that. It’s an incredible country to to

It is cold. My hands are feeling all crinkly. I went outside in a t-shirt earlier and regretted it. We are a long way from the Florida sun that shone on our tour buses a few days ago. The confetti canons have just blown butterflies over a crowd of 14’500.. From where I’m sitting, at the Oxfam stall, I can see a few of them fluttering down, when someone opens the curtain to go through to their seat. When it’s closed, I just see the glow of the lights, in time with Will Champion’s kick pedal foot.

Open to the public September 22nd, 2006 to October 28th, 2006 at The Blink Gallery, 11 Poland Street, London, W1.   Eponymous photographer Kevin Westenberg is famed for his creation of provocative, electrifying images of world-class musicians and actors. Obsessed by his wish to create the ‘definitive portrait’ of each of his subjects, each image is an intense feast of light, colour and composition.   This September will see the launch of his first exhibition, IDYLL WORSHIP, celebrating an illust

Performing at the Big Day Out and landing a heavy-duty national support gig might just be signs of the times for Youth Group, Christine Sams writes.   When his band Youth Group scored the supporting slot with Coldplay for their Australian tour in the middle of this year, singer Toby Martin found himself getting unexpected attention.   "My mum's friends were suddenly saying, 'Oh, you're playing with Coldplay'," Martin says, with a soft chuckle. "It's one of those things where people who aren't in

Coldplay.com caught up with Coldplay's latest support act yesterday. With Albert Hammond Jr supporting Coldplay on the current European leg of the Viva La Vida tour, they gave The Strokes' guitarist a shout before the Strasbourg show to find out more about his solo project.   Hi Albert. So, it's the first gig of the European tour today. Yes it is. I'm about to do soundcheck.   Are you excited? Are you kidding? Yeah, I'm very excited.   It must be quite strange to be supporting when you're used t

Wigan born singer-songwriter Richard Ashcroft is to perform at the M.E.N. Arena on November 30 as part of a nationwide tour.   The former Verve frontman has already performed two sell-out tours this year, including a gig in front of a 30,000 capacity audience at Old Trafford cricket ground.   His new album, Keys To The World, has recently gone platinum and includes the hit singles Break The Night With Colour, Music Is Power and Words Just Get In The Way. The Verve met at Wigan's Winstanley Sixth

Eisley sounds like a fairy tale. The band — composed of home-schooled family members from small-town Texas — formed about a decade ago when keyboardist/singer Stacy DuPree was only 7.   The quintet — sisters Stacy, Sherri and Chauntelle, their brother Weston and a friend, Jon Wilson — released a pair of stunning, dreamy rock EPs in 2003, which set the stage for tours with Coldplay and Snow Patrol. The full-length debut, 2005's "Room Noises," led to tours with New Found Glory, Hot Hot Heat and Sw

Eisley sounds like a fairy tale. The band — composed of home-schooled family members from small-town Texas — formed about a decade ago when keyboardist/singer Stacy DuPree was only 7.   The quintet — sisters Stacy, Sherri and Chauntelle, their brother Weston and a friend, Jon Wilson — released a pair of stunning, dreamy rock EPs in 2003, which set the stage for tours with Coldplay and Snow Patrol. The full-length debut, 2005's "Room Noises," led to tours with New Found Glory, Hot Hot Heat and Sw

AUSTRALIAN indie band Youth Group's career so far can be easily divided into two distinct eras -- before and after Forever Young.   Before its hit cover version of the '80s Alphaville song went through the roof, the Sydney quartet had two albums under their belt, a support slot lined up with mega-band Coldplay and a solid, if not spectacular, live following.   But when the band was commissioned to record the song for use in Channel 10's teen drama The O.C., doors started to open.   Read the fu

Ron Sexsmith's old Portuguese landlord is to be forgiven for not having a clue what his tenant does for a living.   How could he possibly know that this 42-year-old man, forever clad in pajamas at his piano, drinking coffee, is an icon? Do icons live a full year shut inside their apartments hooked on The Amazing Race and Rock Star: INXS?   They do if they're Sexsmith, who does not have hobbies, and who spent last year getting caught up on things like TV. This year, he's off the couch and promoti

Ron Sexsmith's old Portuguese landlord is to be forgiven for not having a clue what his tenant does for a living.   How could he possibly know that this 42-year-old man, forever clad in pajamas at his piano, drinking coffee, is an icon? Do icons live a full year shut inside their apartments hooked on The Amazing Race and Rock Star: INXS?   They do if they're Sexsmith, who does not have hobbies, and who spent last year getting caught up on things like TV. This year, he's off the couch and promoti

Australia's Youth Group have set a January 23rd, 2007 release date for the follow up to their Epitaph debut, Skeleton Jar.   The record, titled Twilight Dogs is their second for the label and was produced by Wayne Connolly (The Vines, You Am I). It was recorded live-to-tape and made its debut in July in Australia.   The band had a busy year since the release of Skeleton Jar which saw the band supporting a variety of acts including Coldplay and, Death Cab for Cutie.   Source: http://www.punknew

The Top 100 Tours of 2006 grossed a combined $1.012 billion, which was a whopping 38.5 percent above the $730.9 million generated in the first half of last year. The increase is also up a healthy 14.5 percent over the same period in 2004.   It’s no secret that the modern concert industry has consistently been fueled by artists that have been around for decades. The biggest earners are the acts the Baby Boom generation grew up with. But rock stars who are now in their 50s and 60s physically won’t

Are you a music fan? Do you fancy yourself as a budding journalist? Would you like the chance to meet and interview world-class artists? Then the Daily Mirror have the competition for you!   Mirror.co.uk has teamed up with Bacardi rum to celebrate the launch of Bacardi B-Live, a new musical concept taking the UK by storm. Bacardi B-Live pushes the boundaries of musical entertainment through collaborations of world-class DJ’s, musicians, live vocalists and percussionists. Performing together thes