News

Hope for Haiti...

Stars including Madonna, Coldplay, U2, Jay-Z and Beyonce all performed at a Hope for Haiti telethon Friday night. The benefit, organised by George Clooney, was broadcast live on all major US television channels, as well as on YouTube and Radio One Haiti. Reports suggest that the amount raised was close to $1 billion, helped along by million-dollar donations from Clooney, Leonardo diCaprio, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Sandra Bullock, as well as a hopping $1.5 million from Gisele Bundchen. Jay-Z, along with Rihanna and U2, performed a song written specially for the occasion, 'Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)", and Beyonce changed the lyrics in her hit single, 'Halo' to '"Haiti we can see your halo, we pray you won't fade away". Songs from the night are available to download here, with all proceeds going to the Haiti Relief Fund.

Some stars have also pledged goods in an online eBay auction for Oxfam, which features prized items such as the guitar from the Arctic Monkeys' video for 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dance Floor' (currently  commanding a bid of £2,800) and a personal song written for you by Damon Albarn of Blur (£5,100). The auction was organised by Emily Eavis, daughter of Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis, who visited Haiti in 2002 for Oxfam. Get your bid in for a piece of music history here.   

Gorillaz debut new song...

Animated band Gorillaz are back after a five year break with a new song, 'Stylo', featuring Bobby Womack and Mos Def, released 26th January. The band, who are set to headline American music festival, Coachella in April this year, claim they have been recording on "secret floating island deep in the South Pacific, a Plastic Beach HQ - the most deserted spot on the planet". Their new album is released on the 6th March, and features guest spots from Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed and Mick Jones, amongst others. Listen to 'Stylo' on their website. 

Flaming Lips' frontman in Google Street View...

Eagle-eyed Flaming Lips fans have spot their frontman, Wayne Coyne, apparently having a bath in the lawn on Google Street View. The spot was confirmed by the band on their myspace page, and was explained as a 'Halloween experiment'. Check out the view here.

Notable & New Singles

Broken Bells - 'High Road'
Editors - 'You Don't Know Love'
I Was A King - 'Not Like This'
Strange Boys - 'Be Brave'
The xx - 'VCR'

Album Releases

Spoon - 'Transference'
Four Tet - 'There is Love in You'
Beach House - 'Teen Dream

Latest gigs

Monday 25 January - The Magic Numbers - Wilton's Music Hall
Wednesday 27 January - Miike Snow - The Tabernacle
Wednesday 27 January - Sugababes - Fight Cervical Cancer In Style at secret location, Camden
Thursday 28 January - Reel Big Fish - KOKO