Jay-Z Calls Glastonbury Headlining Furore "RidiculousI"

Jay-Z hae expressed his exasperation at the criticism of his headline slot at Glastonbury Festival.

The Roc-A-Fella star is to play the Pyramid stage at the legendary festival on Saturday June 28th but his booking has been cited as the reason for slower ticket sales for this year's event.

But speaking to BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood, Jay-Z - real name Shawn Carter - called the criticism of his headlining slot from the likes of Oasis' Noel Gallagher "ridiculous".

"If we don't embrace what is new, then how do we progress?" he asked.

"I've never actually experienced anything like that before," he continued.

"It's 2008, what is that about? That's such old school thinking, that's not even how the world thinks anymore. So I was really taken aback [by the criticism]."

While artists such as Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly, Dizzee Rascal and the Guillemots have lent their support to Jay-Z's headline slot, arguing that the best rapper in the world should perform at the musical festival renowned as the best on the planet, Gallagher said a hip-hop artist was "wrong" for the festival.

But Jay-Z argued that dividing artists into genres is counter-productive.

"These barriers that they have are only put up there to separate us," he said.

"They are there so people have a way of filing the music but that's not the way kids today listen to music.

"I listen to all types of music and that's what should happen, that's what the world should be about, mixing culture.

"There's only good music and bad music."

Source: www.contactmusic.com

More On Freebass

In a lengthy recent phone conversation with Pitchfork, Peter Hook Hook spoke candidly about the demise of New Order, discussed the various Joy Division and New Order releases just hitting shelves or on the docket, and fondly recalled 30-odd years of "dodgy haircuts."

He also filled us in on the status of his current projects, including his work as a professional DJ, the bassist supergroup Freebass (whose latest prospective vocalists include Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke and Oasis' Liam Gallagher), this weekend's "Tony Wilson Experience", and a recent visit to the lost archives of Joy Division and New Order, which may well yield even more posthumous releases from both bands.

Pitchfork: [Laughs.] So now that we've touched on the past, on to the future. Obviously you're keeping quite busy lately. Where's Freebass at right now?

PH: Freebass is coming along quite well, really. If I didn't have to work for a living as a DJ, it'd be done a lot quicker because DJing can be quite arduous. I enjoy it a great deal, all of us do-- Mani, Andy Rourke, and I DJ professionally, and we do it a lot. And we're trying desperately to fit Freebass in between, which is proving to be a little bit annoying now, because as it's sounding better and better, we're more desperate to finish it. So it's coming along quite well.

We now have a vocalist, Gary Briggs from a band called Haven from Manchester. He's done great. We've done four tracks already with him. And we've got three, four guests probably. I'm one of the guest vocalists. We've got eight tracks finished, and hopefully in the next couple of months we'll have another eight finished and then we'll be ready then. Thank the Lord!

Pitchfork: So you think you'll have a record out by next year, hopefully?

PH: You know what? If we haven't got a record out by next year, I'm hanging my fucking boots up. I'm desperate to get it finished. I want to get it finished for February or March in the hope that we can do the festivals next year, because to be honest with you, while I enjoy DJing immensely, there's nothing like strapping on the old bass and hobbling around the stage!

Pitchfork: Ah, so it's definitely going to be a live outfit as well, then?

PH: Oh God, yeah. I mean the whole reason that Mani and I started the band was to play live. We're looking at the song as a hurdle that is stopping us from playing live, so the idea is to get the songs done so we can play live.

Pitchfork: I've also heard that you were trying to get Billy Corgan to sing?

PH: Yeah, Billy offered his services, and was provided with a couple of tracks. I'm still waiting, so if he's listening out there: Billy, get on with it!

We actually have a few guests. It was quite easy, really. Both Mani and I have a lot of friends in this business, obviously, and when we're working together I think a lot of people are really very interested in what we're doing. So people like-- [Charlatans frontman] Tim Burgess has done a great vocal. [Wah! guy] Pete Wylie's done one, [celebrity ex-drug dealer] Howard Marks has done one, and at the moment we're waiting for Billy Corgan. The guy from Bloc Party's doing one, Kele [Okereke]. And Ian Brown [ex-Stone Roses]. And Mani keeps saying to me that Liam's going to do one, Liam Gallagher [of Oasis], but he's proving very difficult to track down.

Pitchfork: Ha, I can imagine. So that's pretty much a who's who of British music over the last 20-odd years, apart from Billy Corgan.

PH: It's just a compliment to us, really, that people are willing to help, which I can't thank them enough for. I mean I also think that, groupwise, it's very important to have your own identity. So while having eight fantastic singers is a real luxury, you need to have your own core and your own heart. I'm pushing Gary very much to form the backbone of Freebass.

Pitchfork: Speaking of backbones, do you all play bass?

PH: Yeah, on four tracks, actually, all three of us play bass. Which is quite funny because when we originally plotted this project, everybody was laughing so hard at the fact that three bass players were together. I'm delighted to have proved them wrong, to be honest.

Pitchfork: And your playing style has certainly always been a lot more melodic than most...

PH: It works really well. Mani and I work together very well. Andy Rourke brings a different dimension. He and Mani work together very well and form a really interesting backbone. Andy's very funky. Mani's quite rocky, quite Northern soul-y. And obviously I sort of float up there, I float above it with the melody and the high bass. So it does, amazingly, work.

Pitchfork: Are there drums and guitars and other instruments?

PH: Yes, oh yes. It's a normal format. Andy Rourke plays a lot of guitar, and the tracks-- as I said, there are three or four tracks where we all play the bass. There's quite a lot of reggae in it, which I said to Mani, "Where did that come from?"

Pitchfork: How soon will we get to hear some of it?

PH: We're just putting up a Freebass MySpace page at the moment with the finished tracks and the demos. I don't see any reason not to put the demos up so people can hear the music before the vocals; then when you get the vocals, you can hear a big difference.

Read the full intereview with Peter Hook here.

Source: www.pitchforkmedia.com

More Tickets Released For Oasis' Canadian Tour

Due to demand, a limited number of extra quality tickets will be released for the Oasis gigs in Edmonton and Calgary. They go on sale Friday June 20th @ 10AM PST.

The two dates are part of the band's fast-selling inaugural tour of Canada. The support for all dates, except their headlining appearance at the Virgin Festival, comes from Ryan Adams & the Cardinals.

29/08/08: Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place: Tickets now on sale at Ticketmaster & Rexall Place Box Office.

30/08/08: Calgary, AB - Pengrowth Saddledome: Tickets now on sale at Ticketmaster & Pengrowth Saddledome Box Office.

Source: www.oasisinet.com

Oasis Man Set To DJ In London (Win Tickets)

We have been given a pair of tickets to see Andy Bell's DJ set at 'This Feeling' on 27th of June in London to giveaway to one lucky person.

All you have to do to win them is email info@thisfeeling.co.uk

When sending your email please title it 'I'd Like The Free Tickets' and include your your name in your email.

The prize is entry tickets only....

All Entries must be over 18, and in by the 23rd of July, the winner will be announced on Tuesday 24th of July.

For more information on tickets, photos from previous nights visit www.thisfeeling.co.uk

Oasis Opt To Stick With Sony BMG

Oasis have struck a new long term deal with Sony BMG Entertainment, via their own independent record label, Big Brother Recordings.

The deal incorporates the bands next three studio albums and the distribution and marketing of their existing catalogue.

The nature of the deal means Oasis recorded product, new and existing, will be released on Big Brother in all major markets worldwide under a profit share arrangement with Sony BMG.

Ignition management’s Alec McKinlay brokered the deal with Sony BMG and says he hopesit will provide more flexibility to react to new business opportunities with recorded music .He says, “This is an imaginative and exciting arrangement, which will allow Big Brother to team up with the crème of both the independent and major sectors worldwide to build on Oasis already considerable international success. This allows the band to take advantage of all the opportunities presented by the new business models available today as well as remaining totally in control of their own destiny. We are really pleased that Sony BMG have demonstrated the foresight and courage to engage with the band in this way.”

Over the course of their career Oasis have sold nearly 50m albums worldwide and have received 151 platinum awards. Since 2000 all releases have come out on their own, independently run label Big Brother Recordings in the UK, amassing over 4m sales. The band's seventh studio album is due out later this year.

Sony BMG UK chairman and ceo Ged Doherty is delighted with the deal. He says, “Oasis are in complete control of their destiny and could have chosen to sign with anyone - or even go it alone - so I am delighted that they have chosen to continue to work with us. In addition this new arrangement will empower Big Brother to market and release not only the new albums but also the historic catalogue in many other countries of the world so that they can replicate the unparalleled sales and marketing record they have in the UK.”

Source: www.musicweek.com

More Fun With Stevie Riks

The Fratellis 'Chelsea Dagger' by David Bowie, Marc Bolan and Friends.

Click here to see more videos by Stevie.

The View Play Surprise Oasis Acoustic Show With Babyshambles

Kyle Falconer plays new song before Pete Doherty and co.

The View's Kyle Falconer played a surprise acoustic show in support of Babyshambles at the Brixton Mass venue last night (June 18).

Taking the stage at 10:30pm (BST), after being introduced by Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell, Falconer played an eight-song acoustic set which included an Oasis cover, a new song and hits 'Same Jeans' and 'Superstar Tradesman'.

As well as the aforementioned two songs Falconer played 'Wasted Little DJs', 'Skag Trendy' and a cover of Oasis 'Don’t Look Back In Anger'.

Later on in the evening Babyshambles took the stage and played a 14-song set including two new songs, 'Ocean' and 'Heart Of The Matter'.

Source: www.nme.com

Kaiser Chiefs Bottle Oasis Chart War

Kaiser Chiefs have backed out of a potentially explosive chart battle with Oasis.

Frontman Ricky Wilson boasted to me that his outfit had swiped the title of most popular band in Britain from Noel Gallagher and his lads.

With both acts set for big album releases in October, the music industry was getting its Calvin Klein-knickers in a twist over the prospect of them going head-to-head in the charts.

But now the Kaisers have decided to release their as-yet-untitled third CD a week after Oasis issue their follow-up to 2005’s Don’t Believe The Truth.

That should mean they both get a week at No1.

A source revealed: "October is shaping up to be a month of big releases. Not only are the Kaisers and Oasis scheduling new albums for that month, but Keane are too.

"It’s going to be a titanic struggle at the top of the charts and the Kaisers want to get to No1. They think the best way of ensuring that does happen is to release after Oasis and before Keane."

Last month Ricky told me: "Music has moved on and I think we are the band that most music fans would see as the successor to Oasis."

An old-fashioned head-to-head would have shown beyond doubt which band was top of the pops. So today I’m urging Ricky to rethink his plans.

Put your hand down your Calvins, find your cojones and release your record on October 6, as Oasis intend to.

Bring it on...

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

On This Day In Oasis History...

"Stop Crying Your Heart Out" is a song by British rock band Oasis. It was released as the second single from Heathen Chemistry on 17 June 2002, peaking at number two in the UK charts. It went silver in the UK.

The song is an "epic weepy" anthem in the spirit of "Don't Look Back in Anger", reassuringly advising that in times of hardship, simply get over it and get on with your life. Noel Gallagher explained the song saying "A friend of mine was going through a pretty bad time with his kids and I sort of wrote it with him in mind.".

Noel Gallagher had high expectations for the song, saying "I hope it does for us what 'Don't Look Back In Anger' did... I didn't want it as a single because I thought we'd done all that before, but everyone's going, 'You're fucking mad.'" It appears Gallagher's hopes were well founded, as the song received a warm response from the critics. NME said, with regards to the album " 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' [is where] you really start rolling out the red carpet. A return to the long lost humanism of 'Don't Look Back In Anger', it's a reminder of Noel's uncanny knack of cheering up his audience just when they need it most." Q magazine held up the song as proof that "genius never completely left Oasis".



"Stop Crying Your Heart Out" was one of the songs played during the end credits of the movie, The Butterfly Effect, starring Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart. The song also appeared after England's defeats in the 2002 Football World Cup and the 2006-07 Ashes. Noel Gallagher dedicated it to the English football team before playing it at the 2004 Glastonbury Festival.

Click here for the video, or here for a live performance.

Source: Wikipedia

Noel Gallagher On The New Oasis Album, Ronaldinho & Fathers Day

Noel Gallagher joined Andy Goldstein from SoccerAM on his radio show on talkSPORT yesterday afternoon.

Noel spoke about Fathers day, the appointment of Mark Hughes to Manchester City, Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho and Euro 2008 and how he is glad England are not at it.

He also said the new Oasis album is out towards the end of September, but spoke about it for a few minutes without revealing any details.

Click here to listen or right click to download the podcast, Noel is 33 minutes in.

Source: www3.talksport.net

Muse, Killers, Coldplay & Oasis Slugging It Out In Radio Poll

Fans of four bands launch campaigns to bag NME Radio honour

Four bands are currently jostling for position in the vote to decide the first song that will be played on NME Radio.

The station launches next week, at 11am on June 24, and we're asking you to pick the first song that gets played.

Currently, Muse's 'Knights Of Cydonia', Coldplay's
'Bigger Stronger' and The Killers' 'Mr. Brightside' and Oasis 'Morning Glory' are fighting it out at the top of the online poll.

Fans have been uniting across a Coldplay fansite, a The Killers messageboard and a Muse online forum to orchestrate the mass voting.

There is still a week to go before the poll closes at 5pm next Monday (June 23). To have your say, click here and cast your vote

Source: www.nme.com

Oasis Debut Tour Of Mexico

Oasis have announced they will undertake a short Tour of Mexico this November. It marks the band's first shows beyond the capital Mexico City, which they last played in March 2006. It’s anticipated the band will be performing songs from their new studio album, as well as a large selection of old favourites.

The band will play:

26th November 2008: Mexico City, Sports Palace
28th November 2008: Guadalajara, VFG Arena
29th November 2008: Monterrey, Arena Monterrey

Oasisinet have secured a Pre-sale.

The pre-sale starts Thursday 26th June @ 11AM CTS and runs until Friday 27th June @ 8PM CST. The password for the pre-sale is: Oasisinet.

Tickets for all three of the shows will be available to Banamex Credit Card owners on Monday 30th June from 11AM CST until 10PM CST on Tuesday 1st July.

Tickets go on general sale from 11AM CST on Wednesday 2nd July from Ticketmaster.

Source: www.oasisinet.com

Recent Pictures Of Liam Gallagher

Recent pictures of Liam Gallagher.

Source: Newscom

Coldplay Fail To Beat Oasis' All Time Sales Record

Coldplay have shot straight to the top of UK albums chart - despite their album having been on sale for just three days.

The band's fourth album, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, had sold an amazing 302,000 copies since Thursday to become one of the fastest-selling records in history.

Be Here Now by Oasis is still the fastest-selling album of all time, it sold 695,761 copies in it's first week when it was also released on Thursday August 21st 1997.

Paul Weller's 22 Dreams falls to No 2 on this weeks Album Chart.

Noel On Russell Brand's Show Again

Noel Gallagher yet again joined Russell Brand on his weekly BBC Radio 2 show by phone, for the usual shenanigans after his unforgettable appearance on last weeks show.

Noel spoke to Russell for around fifteen minutes from his home.

They spoke about Richard 'Uncle Monty' Griffiths, Noel's birthday celebrations, Green Day, James Gandolfini from the Sopranos and more.

Click here to listen again or download the podcast (from Tuesday).

The Enemy Revive Oasis' Britpop Spirit At Isle Of Wight

Tom Clarke and co stage amp tribute with rumours Liam Gallagher is on the way

The Enemy paid tribute to the Isle Of Wight crowd - and Oasis - ' classic Britpop get up, and with rumours that the Manchester band's frontman - and The Enemy's hero - Liam Gallagher was planning to head to the site today, it was clear the band were putting in an extra effort for the receptive festival crowd.

Clarke added that it was a "privilege" to be on the line-up with the likes of the Sex Pistols and Ian Brown who follow them later at the Isle Of Wight tonight.

The band then performed 'Happy Birthday Jane' though dedicated to their friend 'Liz', who was celebrating her birthday today.

They then wrapped up their set with 'You're Not Alone' with Clarke telling the crowd: "I'll see you down the front for the 'Pistols!"

The Enemy played:

'Away From Here'
'40 Days And 40 Nights'
'Pressure'
'Technodanceaphobic'
'Had Enough'
'Aggro'
'We'll Live And Die In These Towns'
'This Song Is About You'
'It's Not OK'
'Happy Birthday Jane'
'You're Not Alone'

Source: www.nme.com

Nic's Flying High, Thanks To Liam

Liam Gallagher shelled out £6k so his missus Nicole Appleton didn't have to slum it on the ferry to the Isle of Wight Festival.

He forked out for a private helicopter so ex-All Saint Nic could spend a bit more time with her former bandmate Melanie Blatt.

They are presenting a slot on ITV from the fest, so romantic Liam (yeh, we were shocked too) sorted out the first-class treatment. Says our spy: "Nic was so excited. She was totally pampered and gushing about how sweet Liam is.

"He made sure she was chauffeured to the venue in style, with champagne and strawberries on tap."

Pharrell Williams was due to play at the festival last night but a mix-up left him stranded at Heathrow.

He should've hopped on Nic's chopper...

Source: www.mirror.co.uk

Coldplay Close In On Oasis Record

Coldplay's new album is on track to become one of the fastest-selling in chart history after 125,000 were bought on day one.

Viva La Vida, Or Death And All His Friends is Chris Martin and Co's fourth studio album and is expected to shift 400,000 to 500,000 by next weekend.

A cert to top tomorrow's album charts, it is widely tipped to be the fastest selling record of the year.

It will be a boost to label EMI, hit by falling CD sales as fans turn to downloads.

But in the all-time stakes the album is unlikely to beat Oasis's Be Here Now.

Here are the five most bought albums in their first week in British music history:

01. Be Here Now - Oasis, 1997 (695,761)
02. X&Y - Coldplay, 2005 (464,552)
03. Life for Rent - Dido, 2003 (400,351)
04. Spirit - Leona Lewis, 2007 (375,872)
05. Intensive Care - Robbie Williams, 2005 (374,000)

Source: www.mirror.co.uk

Exclusive Paul Weller Documentary

For 30 years, Paul Weller has been an artist on top of his game. Now, as the man they call 'The Modfather' releases his most ambitious album to date, Paul Weller gives an exclusive and in-depth interview to Xfm.

Across five episodes, Paul Weller reveals the how '22 Dreams' was made, the truth behind the collaborations with Noel Gallagher, Graham Coxon, Steve Craddock and others, what he really thinks of The Jam reunion that went ahead without him and why David Cameron has completely missed the point.

You won't see this footage anywhere else so grap yourself a cappuccino, a handful of blues and settle back with Paul Weller.

Click here to watch the exclusive documentary.

Source: www.xfm.co.uk

Oasis Man Set To DJ In London

Wowsers, do we have a treat for you this 27th of June…and it involves no mud, no Wellington boots, and certainly no Jay-Z.

We’ve got Andy Bell (Oasis) DJ’ing and if you were at the last TF he DJ’d at you’ll know it was literally impossible to leave the velvet, tune after tune! The Rifles are back and playing some old classics and some songs that are soon to be classics (so some new terry’s off their new album which they’re recording at the moment…it’s sounding mega from the sneak previews we’ve had), NME stereo stars The Lea Shores unleash their epic string laden rock in acoustic form plus we have hotly tipped New Yorker Nell Bryden who has toured with KT Tunstall and Gloria Cycles who I couldn’t possible begin to pigeon hole but will say they’re pretty mega!

As if that wasn’t big enough there are also 3 pairs of VIP festival tickets to be won for Hard Rock Calling, The Mighty Boosh Festival and Hop Farm Festival. There will also be signed copies of The Music’s immense new album to be won. Only those who purchase advance tickets will stand a chance of winning. Winners will be notified when then they enter This Feeling. And of course they’ll also be the usual monster drinks deals in various happy hours, inc beers £2, sambuca £2, TF cocktails £5 all night…boom!

Buy advance tickets here!

Source: www.thisfeeling.co.uk