May 15

Lollapalooza goes global?
[source: NME.com] Legendary US rock festival Lollapalooza may go global within the next decade.
Festival founder Perry Farrell, who fronted alternative rockers Jane's Addiction and now heads Satellite Party, expressed the desire to take the festival to the world.
"I want to put together an event around the world in the next ten years that will refashion, redress and transform. It's something I'm looking into now and, if it happens, it will happen quick. That's my ambition," Farrell told MTV.
Lollapalooza travelled across the United States in the 1990s but currently stays put in one location for three days.
This year's festival will take place from August 3 to August 5 in Chicago's Grant Park. Headliners include Interpol, Muse, Modest Mouse, Daft Punk and Kings of Leon.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Perry-Farrell.aspx
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http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Daft-Punk.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Kings-Of-Leon.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Interpol.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Modest-Mouse.aspx


Franz Ferdinand star comments on Cribs collaboration
[source: NME.com] Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos has revealed what it was like to produce The Cribs' new album, Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever.
Posting on www.franzferdinand.co.uk, Kapranos wrote: "I was asked by the Jarmans to produce this record, so [I] stayed with them in Wakefield, going through the songs at their rawest, until we were ready to go to Vancouver where we recorded.
"A band like this is fun to produce because they don't rely on tedious studio tricks to sound good; it was all about songs and performance.
"We met up with Lee Ranaldo [Sonic Youth] in New York after Christmas for the song 'Be Safe' and [it was] one of the most spine-tingling studio moments I can remember – the band playing, Gary singing and Lee improvising, all completely live. However, the highlight of the recording was back in Vancouver for Ryan's 'face melting' guitar solo, which involved a litre of wine, a somersault and a snapped neck on his favourite guitar."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Franz-Ferdinand.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Cribs-The.aspx


Smiths hero to design sneaker
[source: NME.com] Guitar legend Johnny Marr is set to design a special limited edition sneaker.
Marr, in collaboration with PF Flyers, will design the shoe, with all proceeds going to charity partners Pictor School and Cure Autism Now.
In a statement, the former Smiths star, now with US chart-toppers Modest Mouse, said: "I've been wearing PF Flyers onstage for quite a while and to come up with a design on a sneaker that will also benefit a charity is an exciting opportunity."
Only 108 pairs of the sneakers will be available in the UK and the US.
For a chance of winning, head to www.pfflyers.com/johnnymarr from Tuesday July 10.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Smiths-The.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Modest-Mouse.aspx


Madonna to record special Live Earth song
[source: NME.com] Madonna has recorded a special song for Live Earth.
The tune, "Hey You", will only be available for download to benefit the global concert, which takes place across seven continents throughout Saturday July 7.
Fansite Drownedmadonna.com reported the song is about "making a difference, loving yourself and others".
"It is a simple song, not at all like Confessions," the website claimed. "You can call it a mid-tempo beat."
Madonna will perform at the London leg of the concerts, which will take place at Wembley Stadium. Beastie Boys, Genesis, Foo Fighters and Razorlight are all set to perform in the UK capital.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Madonna.aspx



Bob Geldof lays into Live Earth
Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof has criticised the involvement of former US presidential candidate Al Gore in the forthcoming Live Earth concerts.
In an interview with German newspaper De Volkskrant, Geldof said the global warming gigs lack a direct focus.
"I hope they're a success," Geldof said, "but why is [Gore] actually organising them? To make us aware of the greenhouse effect? Everybody's known about that problem for years. We are all f**cking conscious of global warming."
The Live Earth concerts will take place on Saturday July 7.
"I would only organise [Live Earth] if I could go onstage and announce concrete environmental measures from the American presidential candidates, Congress or major corporations," he told the newspaper.
"They haven't got those guarantees, so it's just an enormous pop concert or the umpteenth time that Madonna or Coldplay get up onstage."
In Australia, the Live Earth spectacular will feature an array of acts, including Crowded House, Jack Johnson, Wolfmother, John Butler Trio, Missy Higgins, Eskimo Joe, Sneaky Sound System, Paul Kelly, Ghostwriters, Toni Collette & The Finish and Blue King Brown.

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Sheryl Crow adopts son
US singer-songwriter Cheryl Crow celebrated the recent mother's day holiday with the best present of all: a baby son.
It's been a tough 18 months for Crow, who's recently battled breast cancer and broke up with long-time fiancé Lance Armstrong.
"I am so excited to share with you guys that I've adopted a little boy," Crow announced on her website. "He was born two weeks ago. [His name] is Wyatt (after my dad) Steven (after my little brother and Scooter) and we are enjoying some very private family time."
It's baby number one for the singer, who celebrated her 45th birthday recently. Crow is currently single and writing tracks for the follow-up to her most recent LP, 2005's Wildflower.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Sheryl-Crow.aspx


Sparta announce Australian tour
Formed from the ashes of Texas outfit At The Drive-In, US rockers Sparta will return to Australia in July for shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
It was four years ago the band were last in town, when they hit the stage as part of the 2003 Big Day Out. Fronted by guitarist/singer Jim Ward, Sparta's latest LP is the excellent Threes, released in October 2006.
Tickets go on sale May 25.

Tour dates:

Friday July 20 – Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne
Saturday July 21 – The Metro, Sydney
Sunday July 22 – The Arena, Brisbane

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Sparta.aspx


Robbie gives American women the flick
Now residing in Los Angeles after escaping the cold English winters, Robbie Williams has revealed he's well and truly over the women of his adopted homeland.
According to a furious rant on the singer's website, it was dating a woman named Tina that's put him off his game.
"There are a few dating rules people adhere to out here in Hollywood," the 33-year-old singer, who spent the beginning of 2007 in rehab, wrote. "And they're all stupid: don't call until the next day, then don't get back to him for at least two days… It's all rubbish. If any of the rules are applied to me, I respond in kind by never speaking to them again."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Robbie-Williams.aspx


Ride return
One of Britain's most influential shoegazing bands, Ride, are set to reform, after Andy Bell – Ride's former frontman and current bassist with Manchester rockers Oasis – hinted at a possible reunion this winter. Together with Mark Gardener, Bell was the main songwriter behind the group, who shot to fame in 1990 with tracks like "Sennen" and "Vapour Trail". Ride split in 1996, but are now heavily rumoured to be performing at Canada's North By Northeast Music and Film Festival in June. Bell is refusing to comment on the rumours.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Ride.aspx


Bullet For My Valentine head Down Under
Metalcore rockers Bullet For My Valentine will make their first trip to Australia in September.
Hailing from Bridgend in South Wales, the band have sold more than a million copies of 2005 album The Poison and toured with the likes of Metallica and Iron Maiden. Guitarist Michael Paget was recently voted by Kerrang magazine as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time.
Tickets for the band's gigs go on sale May 24.

Tour dates:

Tuesday September 4 – The Arena, Brisbane
Thursday September 6 – UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney
Friday September 7 – Billboard The Venue, Melbourne

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Bullet-For-My-Valentine.aspx