Cast Your Votes At The NME Music Awards 2008

You still have time to get your votes in for Oasis at the NME Shockwaves Awards 2008.

Have your say to determine shortlists for each category, to be voted on again from January 29.

Oasis could be voted for in a number of catergories at the award show, that take place in London's Docklands on February 28th, 2008.

Click here for more information on how to vote.

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Oasis Album Preview From Q

2008 Preview

Oasis

The Pitch - Everything turned up to II. Noel Gallagher is living out his Burt Bacharach fantasies, talking up the successor to 2005's career - steadying Don't Believe The Truth as "colossal" and "60s sounding", complete with "100-piece orchestras and choirs". One song, I Wanna Live In A Dream In My Record Machine is a 10-minute psychedelic epic.

Producer Dave Sardy is back on board for sessions at London's Abbey Road studios. But while the band may be label-less, don't expect them to do a Radiohead - Liam Gallagher has said they'll give away the album "over my dead
body".

We Say - The last album was a return to form. Gallagher senior has his
confidence back.

ETA - May

Source: Q Magazine

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All Hail Lord Noel Of Bizarre

Step forward Noel Gallagher - the first ever Lord Of Bizarre.

It is a pleasure to give the chief his new moniker after a spectacular 2007.

His sell-out solo gigs for charity were class, he has penned a new OASIS album - and he found time to spawn first son Donavon with stunning missus Sara Macdona, and so giving the country a future king of rock ’n’ roll.

The Manc legend signed off his year at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations with a guest slot alongside his young protegés Kasabian.

The Leicester lads proved they were last year’s best live act by a country mile, grabbing the boozed- up Scots crowd by the scruff of the neck and hauling them into 2008.

Tom Meighan and Serge Pizzorno brought Noel on stage for the last three songs - and he stirred the crowd into a frenzy. After the show I handed Noel his award and the rocker, with a Magners in his hand, told me: “I’ll accept this and will celebrate it accordingly!”

Former Bizarre Caner Of The Year Noel then passed that honour on to Kasabian guitarist, songwriter and general all-round legend Serge as they headed off for a session to be proud of.

I was lucky enough to be part of Noel and Serge’s mother of all tear-ups drink for drink - and let me tell you, these lads don’t mess about.

Our night finished in the Balmoral Hotel’s presidential suite at 8.30AM - after complaints from other guests about the iPod DJ-ing led by Noel’s missus.

Sore heeds all round at the start of 2008 - just what you’d want from the Bizarre Caner Of The Year - old and new.

But Noel had a lot of good work to celebrate. He raised a hefty wedge for charity at the start of the year by playing the MEN for Manchester Versus Cancer and London’s Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

He performed his first gig in Russia and crowned it with a vodka session that would have turned even Keef Richards green.

On top of all that he lit up various telly shows and films - BBC2’s docu series Seven Ages Of Rock and The Who flick included - with his unique, rapier-like wit.

His Kasabian pals are now huge too - unquestionably a headline act for any festival and one of the few highlights of last year’s overcrowded scene.

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Noel lost his caner of the year title to Serge Pizzorno, and also many congratulations to 'This Feeling' who picked up Best Club night.

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Inside This Months Copy Of Q

And, as 2008 begins, for the first time Q’s opening issue of the year previews the next 12 months in music. It seemed as good a time as any to do so.

We were all assailed throughout 2007 with dire figures for, and even worse predictions about the future of the music business, and certainly no one in their right mind would claim the year just gone to have been a vintage one. But, at the risk of seeming hopelessly optimistic, what’s immediately ahead inspires more than a degree of confidence that 2008 may, by contrast, be a year to excite. Hence, the preview of the year.

Personally speaking, the current point reminds me very much of 2004, my second year on Q. 2003 had been, quite frankly, a stinker for music. Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and a whole fleet of seemingly pre-packaged, entirely interchangeable pop muppets were in the ascendancy. Almost to a man, the type of artists Q is happy to endorse were putting their feet up and pondering their next move. Come 2004, many of them returned, and happy days ensued all round. Plus ca change.

When we first began compiling details of the releases and events that would shape 2008, it felt very familiar. On the horizon, then, are new albums from such established acts as Coldplay, U2, Oasis R.E.M., The Verve, Green Day, Madonna, Metallica and more. In the case of Coldplay and U2, at least, the scent of re-invention is in the air. As for R.E.M., whose forthcoming album I’ve heard, it looks like very much being a case of a renewed sense of focus and a return to former glories.

Source: www.q4music.com

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Kasabian Joined By Superstar Pal During Hogmanay Show

The band ring in New Year in Edinburgh

Kasabian were joined onstage by pal Noel Gallagher as they rang in the New Year in the early hours of this morning (January 1) with a special Hogmanay show in Scotland.

The band rounded off 2007 with a spectacular performance which saw fireworks blasted off at the climax of their hour-long set in Edinburgh Gardens. And the Oasis main-man joined them for the last three songs, performing on 'Club Foot', 'Stuntman' and 'LSF'.

Kicking off with 'Shoot The Runner', the Leicester rockers were greeted by a raucous crowd as they reeled off tracks from their second album 'Empire' for the last time before they head into the studio to work on their new LP.

During the show, the band also ran out hits from their debut album including 'Processed Beats'. Frontman Tom Meighan dedicated set closer 'LSF' to late Motherwell FC footballer Phil O'Donnell who died tragically following a match at the weekend.

"Edinburgh, you have been fucking empire," said Meighan. "I fucking love you. I didn't want to be anywhere except here."

Up to 90,000 people were estimated to have taken to the Scottish capital's streets for the Hogmanay party.

Kasabian played:

'Shoot The Runner'
'Reason Is Treason'
'Cutt Off'
'Me Plus One'
'Fast Fuse'
'Empire'
'ID'
'Last Trip (In Flight)'
'Processed Beats'
'The Doberman'
'Club Foot'
'Stuntman'
'LSF'

Source: www.nme.com

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Noel Gallagher Joins Kasabian Onstage In Edinburgh

Almost 120,000 revellers welcomed in 2008 at Hogmanay bashes in Edinburgh and Glasgow as Scots showed the world how to party last night.

People flocked from all around the world to Edinburgh for Europe’s biggest party – and the celebrations were spectacular.

Gales and rain forced last year’s event in the capital to be cancelled.

But there were no hitches last night and organisers hailed the bash, which drew 100,000 people, a huge success.

Other street carnivals around the country – including in Glasgow, where celebrations were washed out last year too – were also a hit, with more than 15,000 packing the city centre.

Rockers Kasabian headlined the Edinburgh party with Calvin Harris and Idlewild.

There had been disappointment when X Factor winner Leon Jackson had to pull out of the Concert in the Gardens with tonsillitis.

But Oasis star Noel Gallagher soon raised spirits by joining Kasabian on stage for two songs, before leading the countdown to the bells. Kasabian also dedicated one of their songs to tragic footballer Phil O’Donnell.

Crowds who had flocked to the capital also enjoyed the traditional gunfire on the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle at the stroke of midnight before sensational fireworks lit the sky.

Source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk

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Happy New Year

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.....











Some stats from NeoEarth

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Top 10 Selling Music DVDs In The UK

01: Various Artists - The X Factor (Fremantle Home Ent)
02: Celine Dion - Live In Las Vegas /A New Day (Sony BMG)
03: Various Artists - Now That's What I Call An 80s Music Quiz (EMI TV)
04: Cast Recording - High School Musical The Concert (Walt Disney)
05: Kylie Minogue - White Diamond / Homecoming (Parlophone)
06: Queen - Rock Montreal (Eagle Vision)
07: Amy Winehouse - I Told You I Was Trouble - Live (Island)
08: Nirvana MTV - Unplugged In New York (Geffen)
09: Various Artists - Martin Scorsese Pts The Blues (Secret)
10: Oasis - Lord Don't Slow Me Down (Big Brother)

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

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Oasis Be@rbricks Start To Appear On Ebay

A few of these Oasis Be@rbricks have already started appearing on auction site EBay here

I'm not to sure if they will be in the attractive packaging like The Beatles and Sex Pistols ones are in, but I'm sure they will make a great addition to any Oasis collection.

Be@rbrick is a collectible toy designed and produced by MediCom Toy Incorporated. The name is derived from the fact that the figure is a cartoon-style representation of a bear, and that it is a variation of MediCom's Kubrick design.

The at sign in the place of the letter a is a visual device that is a part of the Be@rbrick brand, and as such, a trademark of MediCom Toy.

The standard size is seven centimeters high, and these figures are referred to as 100% Be@rbricks. Other Be@rbricks are named for their size relative to the standard: 50% are four centimeters high, 70% are five centimeters high, 400% are 28 centimeters high, and 1000% are 70 centimeters high.

Be@rbricks are most often sold individually in "blind box" assortments, in which figures are packed in small boxes, and the only way to know which particular figure is inside a particular box is to purchase and open the box.

Exclusive pieces such as these are highly-sought after and difficult to obtain for collectors outside of Japan; they are often purchased on the secondary market, especially online auctions.

The Oasis Be@rbricks will be available early 2008.

For more information visit these websites
www.medicomtoy.co.jp/ (Japanese)
www.bearbrick.com/ (Japanese and some English)
www.medicomtoystore.com/ (Medicom Toy English Language Website)

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Great Deal On A Limited Edition Oasis T-Shirt At Play.com

Oasis - Lord Don't Slow Me Down - Play Exclusive (Charcoal - T-Shirt)

Exclusive Oasis T Shirt for £10 when you buy any Oasis CD or Music DVD (price of T-Shirt is normally £17.99)

Limited Edition 3000 only.

This T-shirt is a hand picked design by Noel Gallagher to coincide with the release of Oasis first digital only single and the bands new tour DVD. Play.com have secured this as an exclusive product with Oasis management company for all the many fans on the site. This is strictly limited edition and is a one time chance to own 1 of only 3000 T's that will be produced UK wide
Click here for more information on the deal.

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Men Behaving Blandly

The scandal sheets are filled with sorry tales of Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and other silly starlets, but where have all the bad boys gone?

Right now in the world of celebrity, it’s the girls that just wanna have fun. The bad boys have turned good – Liam Gallagher prefers daytime telly to drunken brawls, Russell Crowe keeps his temper in check, even Kevin Federline has been nominated for father of the year. When did male celebrities get so boring?

Liam Gallagher: Liam Gallagher’s transformation from rock ‘n’ roll rebel to dedicated family man seems complete with the recent revelation that he does the school run each day and teaches music to students at his son's school in his spare time. And he’s swapped drunken brawls for daytime telly – early in 2007, Carol Vorderman let slip that the Oasis frontman was in negotiations to appear as a regular guest in Dictionary Corner. “I told him I think it will do his cred no end of good,” Carol giggled.

Click here to look at 12 reformed bad boys in the photo gallery.

Source: www.msn.com

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Liam Gallagher's On A Health Kick

It seems like Oasis legend Liam Gallagher wants to Live Forever - he's on a health kick.

Yep, the Mad Fer It! rocker has swapped Cigarettes And Alcohol for lots of jogging, drinking water, steam rooms and, erm, facials.

What happened to The Importance Of Being Idle.

Source: News Of The World

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Noel Gallagher To Appear In Ricky Hatton's New DVD

He is the Liverpool man with the inside track on Ricky Hatton’s dramatic shot at boxing glory.

Director Mike Cockayne followed the rising star of British boxing around the world to make a film about his life.

The pair became good friends and now Mike, who runs Bold Street film company Integral Productions, has promised Hatton a night out in Liverpool.

Mike, 41, from the city centre, flew out to Las Vegas to film the record-breaking run-up to Hatton’s unsuccessful fight against undefeated US champion, Floyd Mayweather.

The footage will be added to his hit film, already a top selling DVD, and will be screened on ITV 1 in the new year.

He said: “I had a fantastic time making the film and it was a privilege getting such close insight into the life of someone like Ricky.

“The timing couldn’t have been better, with the big Mayweather fight taking place when the film came out.

Mike, who has directed music videos for Atomic Kitten and Happy Mondays, hopes his DVD will become the biggest selling boxing DVD ever.

It has already become a high-street bestseller on the back of promotion by Liverpool PR firm Fire Management, which is run by Mike’s wife Leisa Maloney.

“We also interviewed Amir Khan and Noel Gallagher for the film. Ricky is very well liked.

“One of my favourite parts is when we used a new technique so we could show the viewer what it’s like to get in the ring with Ricky and just what it s like to be hit by the Hitman. It’s a scary experience.”

Ricky Hatton: A Life Story is on sale now

Source: www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

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How British Pop Music Took Over The World

A new documentary series starts on BBC Four (UK) later this week called Pop Britannia.

Starting with the birth of pop after the Second World War up until the present day, this series examines generations of youthful revolution and how British pop has taken the world by storm.

Episode 1: 10pm, Fri 4 January BBC Four

Move It

But the British Invasion and Beatlemania almost never happened at all. During the previous 20 years, the British music establishment based in London's Denmark Street and controlled by a nexus of publishers, major record companies and the BBC, had done its best to incorporate every new style of popular music and its performers into what it knew best - show business and the light entertainment industry.

By the end of the 50s, rising affluence and new technologies meant that there was a new generation of post war kids, confident that the world was theirs for the taking. Yet they barely had their own soundtrack. Their imaginations had been captured by American rock and roll and rhythm and blues but homegrown British pop was imitative, patronised by the Establishment and our first pop stars - Tommy Steele, Cliff Richard, Marty Wilde et al - were happy to do what their elders and betters told them. This was the world that obliged The Beatles to escape to Hamburg to learn their trade, that repeatedly passed on the band and finally and almost reluctantly signed them while replacing their leather jackets with crew necked suits.

This film traces the ebb and flow of the emergence of a British pop dream in the 50s and its struggle to emerge from a conservative, derivative notion of pop dictated by its elders and betters.

Produced by Alan Lewens

Episode 2: 22:00, Friday 11 Jan, 2008, BBC Four

A Well Respected Man

Together with their artists, the likes of Brian Epstein, Andrew Loog Oldham, Chris Stamp et al, would prise British pop out of the grasp of old school showbiz interests and turn it into the spearhead of a youthful revolution into style.

Yet they also prepared the way for a new, more corporate rock business that allowed big money and corporate lawyers to move in. Glam stole back the impetus for the kids, putting colour, youth and sexuality back into pop after the rock revolution of the late 60s. Glam struggled between two tendencies - one lead by the art-school brigade of Bowie and Ferry who used glam as provocation, the other fuelled the charts as professional songwriters and producers like Chinn and Chapman who sold million of records with the likes of Mud, The Sweet etc. It would take punk to lay the groundswell for a new generation of young pop dreamers.

Produced by Ben Whalley

Episode 3: 22:00, Fri 18 Jan 2008, BBC Four

Two Tribes

At the dawn of the 80s, a generation of punk-inspired art students invented bands like The Human League, ABC and Dexy's Midnight Runners and took British pop round the world again via MTV.

This British pop had a fascination with style and image, a flair for gender provocation and a restless ambition. Spandeau Ballet, Duran Duran and Culture Club took the blueprint and quickly turned into international act that, by Live Aid in 1984 were suddenly starting to act remarkably similarly to old guard acts like Queen with whom they shared the Wembley stage.

A new mainstream was emerging and Stock, Aitken and Waterman re-modelled the Motown approach for Thatcher's Britain while Pet Shop Boys looked wanly on. The 90s belonged to the starmakers who put together the likes of Take That and Boyzone and Cool Britannia, a brief art school coup by the indie kids lead by Blur and Oasis. 10 years on, the likes of Franz Ferdinand and Kaiser Chiefs have taken up the Cool Britannia challenge while Girls Aloud and Sugababes prove that good production-line pop is a matter of character and producer.

Produced by Ben Whalley

For more information about the documentary series click here.

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First Pop Band To Split In 2008? 'Latest Odds'

Who will be the first pop band to split in 2008?

8/11 Spice Girls
10/3 Girls Aloud
6/1 McFly
8/1 Westlife
10/1 Take That
12/1 Sugababes
16/1 Arctic Monkeys
25/1 Oasis
33/1 U2

All Betting from Paddy Power

Source: www.mirror.co.uk

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Dave Berry's A Fan Of Liam Gallagher

With Britney Spears treating herself to a Richard O'Brien-style makeover, Amy Winehouse treating herself to a last minute, month-long career break and Pete Doherty apparently treating himself to a bit of chemically-enhanced quality time with his cat, 2007 has been one hell of a year in the world of celebrity. What on earth will our favourite fame-hoggers get up to next?

One man who might just have an inkling is Dave Berry, the host of Channel 4's latest Celebrity Predictions special. We gave the model, TV presenter and Sugababe-squeezer (Hello Heidi!) a call to find out more.

Who's your favourite celebrity?
"I like Liam Gallagher - as a musician, as a fashion icon and as a man. I don't know whether I'd class him as a celebrity. Where is the line drawn, you know? Is Kate Moss an international supermodel and fashion icon or a celebrity? You know, I really don't see what people like Paris Hilton bring to the table. Personally, I think that she should be used as a human incubator for healthy organs. For example, if one of our very brave fire-fighters was to need another kidney after something happened to him in a house fire, well, I'd say Paris has been keeping one warm for him for the last 25 years."

Read the full interview here

Celebrity Predictions airs December 30 at 12.30pm on Channel 4.

Source: www.digitalspy.co.uk

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Manchester Versus Cancer DVD Update

As we exclusively revealed earlier this year, that this years Manchester Versus Cancer show that took place earlier this year is coming out on DVD.

Today I received some more information in an E-mail from the Director of Manchester Versus Cancer about the release of the show from March this year.

The show included performances from Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, The Charlatans, Echo and the Bunnymen & Ian Brown to name a few.

This is the email I received...

Thanks for your support.

The DVDs are both in production, so should be on TV / in shops in the Spring.

Thanks again

Katharine Mainprize
Director
Versus Cancer™

Noel & Gem's set list that night was

Talk Tonight
Cast No Shadow
Half The World Away
Importance Of Being Idle
Butterfly Collector
Don't Go Away
Listen Up
Slide Away
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Don't Look Back In Anger

From all the information I have received so, the full set is going to be on the DVD. Keep checking back for more information as and when I get it.

Thanks to Katharine Mainprize from Versus Cancer for the information.

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Top Ten Gigs Of The Year

2007 has been a great year for gigs, here are our top ten choices...

Noel Gallagher – Royal Albert Hall, London: The man’s God-like Teenage Cancer Trust performance confirmed the 40-year-old is now the star attraction in Oasis. The big hits remained in his locker in favour of the greatest B-sides ever recorded, while Paul Weller, 49, joined in for Jam classic Butterfly Collectors.

Prince – O2 Arena, London: Prince gigs have been notoriously hit and miss over the years but the 49-year-old diminutive purple genius finally cracked open his back catalogue greats during his 21 Nights In London residency. Backed by the late James Brown’s sax player Maceo Parker, 64, the wee fella even chucked in a copy of his current album with the ticket price. Good man.

Take That – Odyssey, Belfast: I didn’t think my favourite manband could top their comeback shows – but boy did they ever. Pole dancing, nu-rave remixes and 37-year-old Jason Orange overcoming his shyness to deliver a beautiful solo of Wooden Boat were particularly special moments. Even when Howard Donald, 39, punctured his lung, Mark Owen, 35, Gary Barlow, 36, and J soldiered on.

Daft Punk – Wireless Festival, London: The French dance wizards’ first tour in 10 years was an audio visual, delight featuring a stunning pyramid stage and light show. Best of all was the ingenious way the robot duo mixed their best bass bin-blowing moments into a sort of glorified Jive Bunny megamix.

Arctic Monkeys – Ibiza Rocks, Bar M: The Sheffield primates took over the White Isle and the red-necked barmy army were there in full force to sing along. Surrounded by lobster-coloured lasses, Alex Turner’s top-notch tales of life in Everytown sent lucky punters totally mental in this tiny beach club. Alex, 21, looked like he almost enjoyed himself.

Justin Timberlake – Odyssey, Belfast: Justin, 26, came of age on his FutureSex/ LoveSounds tour. Set in the round, this show gave fans the chance to glimpse those infamous dance moves from all angles. Justin also played guitar and piano, as well as showing off his spine-tingling falsetto.

Led Zeppelin – O2 Arena, London: The music world collectively wet their knickers over this mother of all reunions in honour of late label boss Ahmet Ertegun. The sight of Jimmy Page, 63, straddling his signature twin-necked guitar to chime the opening notes of Stairway To Heaven and then produce a cello bow for his legendary Dazed & Confused solo certainly lived up to the extraordinary hype.

My Chemical Romance – Koko, London: The Black Parade album was meant to play out like a movie and 30-year-old Gerard Way’s theatrical performance was certainly authentic. He prowled across the stage and drank the audience in like a thirsty runner. This was no hastily put-together show and their hardcore planning was worth every second.

The Who – Wembley Arena, London: From the anthemic Baba O’Riley through to youngster punk beast My Generation, this British institution can still shatter eardrums. An iconic performance that blew a raspberry in any young copycats’ faces.

Amy Winehouse – Brixton Academy, London: After a disastrous and somewhat tearful tour opener in Birmingham, 24-year-old Amy got it together for some of her London shows, reminding us that when she is on song no one can hold a candle to that incredible voice. Here’s hoping she pulls through in 2008.

Source: www.dailystar.co.uk

Noel Gallagher To Join Kasabian On Stage In Edinburgh?

Kasabian are cooking up a special surprise for their headlining stint at Concert in the Gardens – but the cheeky scamps won't tell.

"It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you what it is," says frontman Tom Meighan, and it's hard to argue.

Still, no harm in a little probing, so when it's put to the singer that the Leicester band could be joined on stage by none other than their pal Noel Gallagher from Oasis, he's visibly taken aback.

"Oh man, where did you hear that?" he laughs, firing the question straight back.

"Nah, seriously, who told you that?"

When Meighan is informed that a little birdy told us, he makes a not-very-convincing job of playing down said speculation.

"That's bull****, man," he begins earnestly, before saying, "No man, I don't know anything about it."

Then he adds: "I don't want to say too much about anything but . . . no man."

It was Meighan's bandmate, rakish guitarist Sergio Pizzorno, who set the rumour mill in motion, teasing, "Since we are headlining it, we have planned a surprise.

"I can't tell you what it is because it's one of those things that if it does not happen, then it will still be a great gig.

"But if we do pull it off it will be the greatest New Year throughout the whole world – I promise."

Back to Meighan, whose resistance to the rumour is wearing down. He says: "Oh man, right, all I'm saying is there's a very strong possibility of . . . Oh man, listen, if we can pull it off, let's just say that it's gonna be a corking Hogmanay.

"It's going to be awesome whatever happens, I can tell you that much," he adds.

This is the most forthcoming 26-year-old Meighan has been on the subject of Gallagher's possible cameo and, to be fair, it's not as if Kasabian aren't capable of providing their own fireworks on stage.

Leicester's biggest musical export since Engelbert Humperdinck, the band have visited the Capital on two previous occasions, and both resulted in bristling performances.

The band's two principal members, Meighan and Pizzorno (the others are Chris Edwards and Ian Matthews) met in Leicester, aged 11. The year was 1993 and Oasis ruled the airwaves.

Fast forward a few years and the lads set out to emulate their heroes, holing themselves up at a now-mythical farm where they "arrived for a party and never got around to leaving".

It was there they recorded their eponymous debut album, a release which may have bypassed most critics but connected dramatically with an audience that recognised them as one of their own – just as Oasis had done with Meighan and Pizzorno in 1993.

The band sold an impressive 700,000 copies of their first album in the UK alone, and went on to become the undisputed victors of the festival circuit, putting on sizzling performances at T in the Park, Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds.

But if their debut album announced their arrival then it was the follow-up effort, Empire, which put the band in the big league, shooting into the charts at Number 4, and going on to win a wedge of awards.

Like idols Oasis, Kasabian have since gained a huge and fiercely loyal following, and those who witness their show at Concert in the Gardens will be happy with what they get.

After all, this is the band who took home the Best Live Act award at the 2007 NME Awards.

"We were delighted when we were asked to play the Edinburgh Hogmanay gig," says Meighan, who adds the band didn't have to think twice before accepting the invitation.

"It's like, what else would we be doing on New Year's Eve anyway? Sitting at home in front of the telly watching Jools Holland and watching Big Ben, waiting for the bells. And then what? Phoning about 200 relatives and telling them how much you love them?

"Nah, we're coming up there and it's gonna be mental.

"Edinburgh's up there with New York and the rest of 'em for New Year's Eve, and we've heard it's the best Hogmanay party in the world.

"We've never been to the Edinburgh Hogmanay Party but we've seen it on telly and we can't wait for it. It's gonna be awesome. We're going to f****** rock that place."

After next week's gig it's back to the recording studio for the band, who aim to put out album number three in the summer.

"We're recording the third album just now on the outskirts of Leicester," explains Meighan. "We've got this little studio set up and it's like the Batcave – it's hidden away and no-one can find it.

"We did an EP a while back and it's along similar lines to that. We put a few right good demos down and it's sounding great.

"We'll get back in there at the beginning of January and hopefully it will be ready for release in the summer."

Asked what sort of year 2007 has been for the band, Meighan answers in his customary amusing manner. "Effin' mental, man," he laughs.

"It's been another mental year for us. Man, this was supposed to be a year when we took it a bit easier and it's been full f****** on. We've played about 85 gigs already, ridiculous, man, and next year we'll probably play about 800 more.

"We played two gigs in Brazil 'cos we've got a lot of fans there. Man, the place is horrible, horrible. Horrible man, it's completely poverty stricken and it wasn't a nice place to go."

Switching the subject back to Edinburgh and Pizzorno says he too can't wait to get up on the stage at Princes Street Gardens. "Playing there is going to be phenomenal," he smiles.

"I am really looking forward to it and now I couldn't imagine being anywhere else."

He adds: "Like I said, Edinburgh is well renowned for being the place to be on New Year's Eve. I've never been there to celebrate it but I've always wanted to.

"I've seen it on the telly and it looks fantastic – all the people on the streets going mental."

Getting the last word in, Meighan revels in telling of the band's plans for after the gig.

"Just get right in the middle of it and join in with all those mental Scots," he says.

"Yeah, I reckon we'll pull off a stormer of a gig and, as we come off stage about five minutes before the countdown to the bells, we can then just get right in there amongst it all. We're gonna 'ave it."

Kasabian headline the Concert in the Gardens on Hogmanay

Source: www.scotsman.com

Tickets Still On Sale For The Charity Event Of The Year

Versus Cancer is to return for a third year running.

The huge fund-raising concert organised by former Smiths legend Andy Rourke will once again takeover the M.E.N. Arena on February 23.

Last year saw unforgettable performances by Oasis' guitarist Noel Gallagher, Manc indie-rock veterans The Charlatans and Modfather Paul Weller.

Details of 2008's line-up are set to be announced in recent weeks.

On the concert Rourke told Xfm Manchester: "Next year’s gig is going to be talked about for years to come. We’ve got some of the biggest bands of the moment lined up as well as some legendary acts that haven’t performed live for a long time.

Special

"It is also the start of something special for us.

"We’ve created a campaign ‘Join the Line Up’ that centres around the Versus Cancer badge - basically, we’ve always been about loads of people getting together to make a stand and do something special, and this year we wanted everyone to be able to be a part of it."

Versus Cancer is Manchester's biggest fundraising event, raising money for cancer research and awareness with last year's event raising £250,000 alone.

Versus Cancer takes place on Saturday, February 23. Tickets are £40. For details of how you can join the line-up, show your support and book tickets NOW, simply visit www.versuscancer.org.

Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

All standing tickets are now sold out, but some are still available from the venue.