Pressparty: All site Newsdesk postings

Jessie J single ‘Wild’ to be released at midnight

London Newsdesk — Sat, 25 May 2013 20:22:45 +0100

Jessie J has announced that her latest single ‘Wild’ will be released tonight at midnight on UK iTunes.

The ‘Price Tag’ star made the announcement via Twitter by starting a countdown to the release earlier today (May 25th). She also revealed that the single will see a worldwide release on May 27th.

The track – which Jessie J teased with an acoustic version earlier this week – will boast Big Sean and Dizzee Rascal as guest artists. ‘The Voice’ judge has also previewed the single artwork, featuring her current blonde close-cropped hairstyle.

The single is the first song to be released from Jessie J’s as-yet-untitled second album and follow up to her massive debut ‘Who You Are’.

Check out the acoustic teaser performance of ‘Wild’ here:

Stone Temple Pilots sue former frontman

London Newsdesk — Sat, 25 May 2013 19:57:39 +0100

After sacking singer Scott Weiland and replacing him with Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, the Stone Temple Pilots have taken their split from their former frontman one step further, into the courts.

The band have claimed that Weiland’s constant lateness on their 2012 tour and his personal lawyer’s interference with business have cost the band money. The group also cited Weiland’s struggles with addiction and poor live performances as a hit on their earning potential.

The lawsuit aims to have Weiland stripped of the ability to use the group’s name or songs to further his solo career.

"The band endured much strife and lost significant opportunities because of Weiland," the suit states.

In a message posted to his website Friday, Weiland said his former band mates shouldn't call themselves Stone Temple Pilots either.

"First of all they don't have the legal right to call themselves STP because I'm still a member of the band," he said. "And more importantly, they don't have the ethical right to call themselves Stone Temple Pilots because it's misleading and dishonest to the millions of fans that have followed us for so many years."

Watch a performance by the Stone Temple Pilots on the tour in question last year below:

Leona Lewis refuses to sing during awkward interview

London Newsdesk — Sat, 25 May 2013 18:56:30 +0100

During an interview with ‘The Xtra Factor’ Arabia, singer Leona Lewis declined to sing a few lines claiming she was unprepared.

Following Lewis’ live performance on the main show, host Rita Hayek conducted a wrap up interview with the star, rounding up with the request.

"Thank you, Leona. You were glowing on stage tonight! We wanna hear something special before you leave the Xtra Factor studio tonight."

"Oh, I didn't know I was going to sing,” said the visibly uncomfortable Lewis.

Hayek added: "Something very brief. Something special for the Xtra Factor contestants.” But Lewis simply replied “I didn’t prepare anything.”

The host pressed the star further - mentioning her cover of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' - but was met with a similar answer and the interview concluded soon after.

Watch the awkward interview below:

Robbie Williams and Dizzee Rascal team up onstage at Radio One's Big Weekend

London Newsdesk — Sat, 25 May 2013 18:31:14 +0100

Dizzee Rascal brought an extra treat for his fans last night during his set at the Radio One Big Weekend.

Between a set of old favourites and cuts from his latest album, Rascal announced to the crowd: "I didn't want to come empty handed today - so I brought along a friend of mine, Robbie Williams."

The crowd went wild as the ‘Angels’ singer took to the stage to join the rapper on their new collaborative track ‘Goin’ Crazy’ – the first single from Rascal’s new album ‘The Fifth’. The performance marks the very first time the duo have played the tune live.

Other performances of the night included Rita Ora, Calvin Harris and Rudimental, who all scraped in under the wire after being left stranded at Heathrow airport following a fire on a BA flight. The same delays prevented Aluna George and Angel Haze from making it to the gig on time, causing them to miss their sets.

Check out Robbie Williams and Dizzee Rascal performing ‘Going Crazy’ below:

Kanye West promo screening shut down by police

London Newsdesk — Sat, 25 May 2013 17:58:04 +0100

A screening of Kanye West’s new video ‘New Slaves’ in Houston Texas was thwarted by police after fans were told they were trespassing on private property.

Last weekend was the beginning of the screenings, and saw the video projected onto buildings in cities around the world. A new selection of locations was chosen for this weekend as well, including the Rothko Chapel in Houston. However, soon after they arrived last night, police came to tell fans that they would be arrested if they did not leave the premises as it was private property.

According to The Houston Chronicle, two other screenings in the city also failed to take place. One at the Central Library was dropped due to technical difficulties, and a second at Bush Memorial Hall was a “no show” according to fans, one of whom said: “All we saw were the sprinklers come on and obnoxious people screaming Kanye threats.”

More locations on the website have been updated, including screenings in Milan and Amsterdam.

Check out the premiere of the video ‘New Slaves’ here:

One Direction thank fans as stadium dates sell out

London Newsdesk — Sat, 25 May 2013 17:08:51 +0100

As many expected, it took only minutes for the initial dates of One Direction’s ‘Where We Are’ tour to sell out. Upon hearing the news, the lads expressed their appreciation for their fanatic listeners over Twitter.

"Thank you so much everyone for making even our wildest dreams come true," tweeted Liam Payne.

Niall Horan also piped in with: “@real_liam_payne @louis_tomlinson @zaynmalik @harry_styles we simply have the best fans in the world boys! Without a doubt!"

Harry Styles added: "Gaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh this is insaaane!!"

Due to the overwhelming demand, the group has added additional dates to the tour in order to give fans their best chances of catching them live in 2014.

Watch the boys performing their hit ‘Live While We’re Young’ on Children in Need below:

Chris Brown unveils single artwork for ‘They Don’t Know’ featuring Aaliyah

London Newsdesk — Sat, 25 May 2013 16:29:30 +0100

Singer Chris Brown has revealed the single artwork for ‘They Don’t Know’, the second single off his forthcoming album ‘X’.

The song has been attracting a hefty amount of buzz since Brown announced that the track would feature previously unheard vocals from the late Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash in 2001.

"I just actually shot a video and the song is dedicated to all my fans. It’s called, “They Don’t Know” and the song features Aaliyah!," said Chris. "Never heard before vocals, all new stuff that has never been heard before, it’s something special for all my fans."

‘X’ is currently scheduled for release on July 16th and along with the Aaliyah track, will also feature guest spots from Nicki Minaj, Pharrell Williams and Timbaland – who was a producer on Aaliyah’s second album before her death.

Check out Aaliyah’s video for ‘We Need A Resolution’ featuring Timbaland here:

Muse frontman: “Kids put things into perspective”

London Newsdesk — Sat, 25 May 2013 15:57:53 +0100

As UK rockers Muse approach their 20th year as a band, frontman Matt Bellamy has admitted that their days of rock’n’roll excess are long since over, thanks to the band members’ grounding in family.

The singer has a 22-month-old son Bingham with actress Kate Hudson and credits fatherhood with setting him straight.

“You have to put others before you — especially when you have kids,” Bellamy told The Sun. “You focus on the needs of a child being in front of your own, and that’s an amazing experience.

“When you’re flitting about all over the world you can get caught up a bit in your own needs and wants. But as soon as there is someone else there, it puts it in perspective. It’s a really healthy thing. Family life is all about love.”

Bellamy also praised Hudson, saying that her compromises go a long way to making their unique family dynamic work.

“I think I am very lucky because my partner, my girlfriend. She loves travelling,” explains Bellamy. “She was raised in a family where there was a lot of travelling and upheaval going on all the time.

“She is really open to us being on the road and because of that we haven’t really been apart for anything more than a week since our baby was born.

“A lot of the time, if she is working, I will go to where she is — and it works both ways. She comes to see us all the time.

“You balance a little bit, especially with two working people.”

Watch Muse’s video for ‘Panic Station’ here:

Beady Eye to perform on ‘X Factor’

London Newsdesk — Sat, 25 May 2013 15:21:32 +0100

Despite having previously lambasted the show in the press, Beady Eye’s Liam Gallagher has revealed that his band is due to appear on ‘The X Factor’.

It appears that the former Oasis frontman has admitted the viewing figures are just too good an opportunity to pass up, even though he has called the show “fucking annoying”.

In an interview with The Mirror, Gallagher said: “We’re doing ‘X Factor’, I think it’s to be on one of the live shows. I don’t care man, we’re rock and roll stars and you can’t argue that’s a huge audience. You have to take that opportunity.”

The singer also commented about the talent contests most famous sons, One Direction, saying: “I mean, they’re not rock stars are they? Harry’s alright though. I met him at the Olympics and I just said to him, ‘Keep on keeping on’.

“He knows what’s happening, but he’s nothing like me. I’m a proper rock and roll star.”

Check out an interview with Gallagher from 2009 where he discusses the Oasis split and ‘The X Factor’ here:

Prince premieres video for new single 'FIXURLIFEUP'

Pressparty — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:46:32 +0100

Prince releases a new promo clip on SoundCloud with his new all-female three-piece band, 3rdEyeGirl and premieres a new video for the track.

The video follows a recent performance of the track at the Billboard Awards at May 19. Yesterday (May 24), meanwhile, Prince's cover of Pearl Jam's 1992 single 'Even Flow' surfaced online, which you can also listen below.

Prince recently told the Star Tribune in a rare interview that he only wants to work with young musicians, stating: "I don't have time for old people." The 'Purple Rain' singer, who turns 55 on June 7, told the Star Tribune that he chose to recruit young musicians for 3rdEyeGirl, as he wants to look towards the future. "I don't have time for old people," he said. "I want to work with young people. I have my legacy. It's time for their legacy."

PRINCE & 3rdEyeGirl Cover Pearl Jam's "Even Flow" Snippet Instrumental by drfunkenberry

Watch the video for 'FIXURLIFEUP' below:

Professor Green cancels another gig after car accident

Pressparty — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:29:16 +0100

Professor Green has cancelled another concert after being hit by two cars.

Green was preparing to set off for his gig at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire when he was hit.

He was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital after receiving treatment on the roadside, and subsequently told fans he could require an operation.

In a series of posts on his Twitter.com page, he wrote: "Won't know until tomorrow if it's surgery or not, so f**king depressed. No jokes left in me this could hinder and ruin so so much. If I'd have fallen when the car hit me I'd be dead... Would have been my head in between the cars."

As a result, he has now axed his planned set at England's University of Roehampton tonight (May 25).

Watch Professor Green be interviewed at the launch of the new Relentless TV commercial below:

New Dublin, Manchester and London dates added onto One Direction 'Where We Are' tour

Pressparty — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:54:18 +0100

Three new UK dates have been added to the One Direction 'Where We Are' world tour shortly after the initial batch of tour tickets went on sale today (May 25) at 10am (UK time).

The new dates are Saturday May 24 at Dublin's Croke Park, Sunday June 8 2014 at Wembley Stadium, and Sunday June 1 2014 at Manchester's Etihad Stadium.

The tour was announced at Wembley Stadium on May 16 at a press conference featuring the band. Some of the tour dates have already sold out.

The new world tour will stop at stadiums all around the world. The band kick off in Latin America in April before returning home to the UK and Ireland.

Both Simon Jones from One Direction's PR company, Hackford Jones, and Nial Horan confirmed that more dates and countries will be added to this tour during this year, so the initial additions should be the first of many.

Below are the tour dates confirmed so far:

April 25, 2014 Bogata, Colombia Estadio El Campinon
April 27, 2014 Lima, Peru Estadio Nacionalon
April 29, 2014 Asuncion, Paraguay Jockey Clubon
May 1, 2014 Santiago, Chile Estadio Nacionalon
May 3, 2014 Buenos Aires, Argentina Velezon
May 6, 2014 Montevideo, Uruguay Estadio Centenarioon
May 8, 2014 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Apoteoseon
May 10, 2014 Sao Paulo, Brazil Palmeiras Arena
May 24, 2014 Dublin Croke Park (new date)
May 25, 2014 Dublin Croke Park
May 28, 2014 Sunderland Stadium Of Light
May 31, 2014 Manchester Etihad
June 01, 2014 Manchester Etihad (new date)
June 3, 2014 Edinburgh Murrayfield
June 7, 2014 London Wembley
June 8, 2014 London Wembley (new date)

Watch footage from the 'Where We Are' press conference below:

Rocky Horror star Tim Curry suffers stroke

Pressparty — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:09:50 +0100

The actor Tim Curry has suffered a stroke.

The 67-year-old 'Rocky Horror Show' star is recovering, following the collapse at his Los Angeles home. His agent Marcia Hurwitz confirmed.

"Tim is doing great."

"He absolutely can speak and is recovering at this time and in great humour."

Curry is best known for playing the infamous role of Dr Frank N. Furter in Richard O'Brien's 'The Rocky Horror Show' and Jim Sharman's movie adaptation 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'.

'The Rocky Horror Show' returned last winter for its 40th anniversary tour and the film is still in limited release to this day.

Curry also played Mozart in the stage production of 'Amadeus', and is known for his film roles in 'Annie', 'Clue' and Stephen King's 'It', among others.

Watch Tim Curry as Dr Frank N. Furter, performing his classic song 'Sweet Transvestite', below:

The Saturdays' Frankie Sandford on pregnancy cravings: "I want alcohol and strawberries"

London Newsdesk — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:00:00 +0100

The Saturdays' Frankie Sandford has opened up on her pregnancy cravings.

The singer announced earlier this year that she was expecting her first child with fiance Wayne Bridge.

Speaking to the Daily Star, the 'What About Us' star said that she has developed some odd cravings as she gets further into her pregnancy. The British beauty said:

"I was never really a big drinker before I got pregnant. But now that I'm not allowed, I really want one!"

Sandford added: "That's my only pregnancy craving, that and strawberries."

The singer is due to be the next Saturdays member to have a child, with Rochelle Humes recently giving birth to a daughter.

Watch The Saturdays' 'Gentleman' video below:

L.A. Reid on Avril Lavigne: "She's a superstar"

London Newsdesk — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:00:00 +0100

L.A. Reid has heaped praise on Avril Lavigne.

The Canadian singer signed to Reid's Epic record label to release her upcoming fifth studio album.

She recently performed single 'Here's To Never Growing Up' on the Today Show and praised Reid before she played.

Speaking to Billboard, the former X Factor USA judge returned the favour by complimenting Lavigne's star quality. He said:

"My relationship with her has been this way since the day I met her, and my guess is that it will always be this way."

Reid added: "She's a superstar. I think she's motivated now, and I expect that she'll do really well."

The music mogul initially signed Lavigne to Arista back in 2000 and she released two albums on the label.

Watch Avril Lavigne perform on the Today Show below: