Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal's 'Chico& Rita' On DVD/Blu-ray

Icon Home Entertainment is pleased to announce the May 9th DVD& Blu-ray release of“Chico& Rita”, the passionate and beautifully animated love story from Oscar-winning director Fernando Trueba (Belle Epoque), and Spain’s most celebrated designer Javier Mariscal.

Set in Cuba, 1948, Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey – in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero - brings heartache and torment. From Havana to New York, Paris, Hollywood and Las Vegas, two passionate individuals battle impossible odds to unite in music and love…

With an original soundtrack by legendary Cuban pianist, bandleader and composer Bebo Valdés, on whom the character of Chico is loosely based, “Chico& Rita” captures a definitive moment in the evolution of jazz music. The film features music by jazz legends such as Thelonious Monk, Cole Porter, Dizzy Gillespie& Freddy Cole (brother of Nat King Cole).

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Villagers Team Up With Charlotte Gainsbourg for Record Store Day Release

Villagers have teamed up with Anglo-French actress and singer-songwriter Charlotte Gainsbourg for a split 7” single in support of tomorrow’s Record Store Day (16th April). The record will feature the track ‘Set the Tigers Free’, taken from Villagers’ 2010 debut album ‘Becoming a Jackal’, as well as a new song called ‘Memoirs’. Both tracks can be heardhere.

The idea for the record came about when Charlotte approached Villagers’ Conor O’Brien last year, asking him to compose a song for her. The result was ‘Memoirs’, which the pair recorded together at Studio Ferber in Paris. In addition to its special release for Record Store Day, which features cover art by Conor O’Brien, the track will be included on Charlotte’s forthcoming album ‘Live and Unreleased’.


Villagers will tour the UK in May at the following venues:

9th - Preston 53 Degrees
10th - Newcastle Riverside
17th - Birmingham Glee Club
18th - Bristol Trinity
19th - Colchester Arts Centre
21st - London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
22nd - Oxford O2 Academy 2
23rd - Edinburgh Liquid Rooms
24th - Manchester Sound Control

Click Here to Compare& Buy Villagers Tickets

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The Vaccines and Cast Among Newest Additions to Lounge On The Farm

The Vaccines and recently reformed Brit-pop band Cast are among another batch of new additions to this year’s Lounge On The Farm festival in Kent. The Canterbury event, which is due to be headlined by The Streets, Ellie Goulding and Echo& The Bunnymen, will also see performances from Braids, Dry the River, Big Deal and Two Wounded Birds. Other new additions include Visions of Trees, Eagulls and Goodnight Lenin.

Lounge On The Farm, which takes place at Merton Farm in Kent on 8th – 10th July, is now in its sixth year and has become known for its unique location on a real-life, working farm. It prides itself as a family-friendly event with a strong focus on locally-sourced food. Organisers of the festival,which first took place in 2006, have also announced that the event is to have its capacity doubled to 10,000. It is also the first year that the festival will have a huge, outdoor main stage.


Here is the list of acts that have previously been confirmed for the July event:

The Streets
Ellie Goulding
Echo& The Bunnymen
Example
Katy B
Annie Mac
Hospitality presents: Netsky, Danny Byrd, London Elektricity, Nutone& Natalia Williams, Cyantific, Prototypes
Graham Coxon
Devlin
Jamie Woon
Cornershop
Johnny Flynn
Slow Club
The Joy Formidable
Caravan
Bob Log III
Scratch Perverts
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
Andy George and Jaymo
C.W. Stoneking
Jess Mills
Liam Bailey
Dananananaykroyd
Summer Camp
Fujiya and Miyagi
Syd Arthur
Benjamin Francis Leftwich
Pete and the Pirates
Egyptian Hip Hop
The Milk
Little Comets
Flashguns
Wolf People
Kid Adrift
Trophy Wife
Fixers
Chad Valley
Marcus Foster
Plump DJs
Jagga
Dog is Dead
Doorly
Feed Me
Pete Roe
Spector
Starsmith
Stopmakingme
Ellen& the Escapades
Paper Crows
Alpines
Reset
Barker Band
Beans on Toast
Boot Lagoon
Bucket Boyz
Cocos Lovers
D/R/U/G/S
Daughter
Eliza Newman
Findlay
Haight Ashbury
Handshake
Hannah Peel
Joshua Caole
Kyla La Grange
Rotifer
La Shark
Ladies of the Lake
Laura J. Martin
Leah Mason
Let’s Buy Happiness
Liam Magill
Lulu& the Lampshades
Marques Toliver
Marthas& Arthurs
Melodica, Melody& Me
Philip Roebuck
Rae
Roxanne de Bastion
Slap Alice
Still Corners
The Turncoat
Theo Bard Band
Tom Farrer& The Pharaohs
Tom Williams& The Boat
Toy Hearts
Will Varley
You Save You
Zoo For You

Click Here to Compare& Buy Lounge On The Farm Tickets

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‘X Factor’ Winner Joe McElderry Dropped By SyCo

‘X Factor’ winner Joe McElderry has been dropped by Simon Cowell’s record label after just over a year with the company, according to reports. TheDaily Mailhas stated that McElderry is being dropped after his latest single,‘Someone Wake Me Up’ sold only 7,000 copies.

According to the paper, McElderry has now moved back in with his mother after receiving the news. The singer is still technically signed on to SyCo’s books for another month, but the label have made it clear that they will not be renewing the contract.

A source told theDaily Mail:"Joe is devastated. His mum has been comforting him. He believed he could have a great music career. Although he is still on SyCo's books, his deal runs out in about a month and it won't be renewed."

A representative of SyCo also commented:"Joe's a lovely boy and it is a pity it did not work out, but no one can say Simon and his staff did not try to make it work. Simon gave Joe the best chance possible of success by making sure he worked with some of the world's top producers."

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Two Gallants Announce UK Tour& Tickets

After a two year break, the San Francisco guitar-drum duo Two Gallants will begin touring again this summer across the North America and Europe.

The well needed time off came after 6 years of incessant touring and the release of 3 full length studio albums and an acoustic EP. The band consists of childhood friends Tyson Vogel and Adam Stephens who met on their elementary school playground at the age of 5. Despite an initial disagreement and ensuing scuffle over the supremacy of White Lion vs. White Snake, the two have been best friends ever since. They have been playing music together in some capacity since 1994, when their parents made the mistake of giving them both electric guitars for Christmas.

Around 2002, the two college dropouts found themselves with some time on their hands and silence to kill; and so with an acoustic guitar and a trap set they formed Two Gallants in the basement of the Vogel residence. In an ongoing unspoken competition to out do one another, the intervening years have seen the two-piece increase their volume and gear ten-fold. The bands’ sound is somewhat of a syncretism of American old-timey roots music with the grunge and east bay punk of Tyson and Adam’s formative years.

The last show they played together was headlining The Fillmore in their hometown in December 2008. In the two years since, both have released solo material under The Devotionals and Adam Haworth Stephens, respectively. But now they are looking forward to getting back to the haranging strident noise that fuelled them across the world for 6 years.

Come see Two Gallants perform in a town near you this summer and look forward to a new album in the not too distant future.

July 2011

Monday 18th - London Hoxton Bar and Kitchen
Wednesday 20th - Bristol Thekla
Thursday 21st - Nottingham Bodega
Friday 22nd - Manchester Night& Day

Two Gallants Ticketsare onsale now.Click Here to Compare& Buy Two Gallants Tickets

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Kitty Daisy& Lewis, Teddy Thompson and The Young Knives Join Summer Sundae Weekender Line-up

Kitty Daisy& Lewis, Teddy Thompson and The Young Knives are among the latest acts to be confirmed for this year’s Summer Sundae Weekender in Leicester. The new additions will join the likes of The Maccabees, Graham Coxon, Example and McFly. Also newly confirmed are Jamaican reggae legends Toots& The Maytals, London-based garage rockers The Jim Jones Revue and indie quintet Pete& The Pirates.

Summer Sundae Weekender 2011 will take place at De Montfort Hall and Gardens in Leicester on 11th – 14th August. Last year, the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with performances from Mumford and Sons, Tinchy Stryder and Seasick Steve. The festival has grown to feature over 100 acts across six stages, attracting more than 6000 people.


The Summer Sundae Weekender Daily Line Ups are as follows:

Friday 12th August
2:54
ADMIRAL FALLOW
BETH JEANS HOUGHTON
BORN RUFFIANS
BY THE RIVERS
CARAVAN PALACE
GIVERS
GRAHAM COXON
RAGHU DIXIT
SHONEN KNIFE
THE AGITATOR
THE BEES
THE MACCABEES
THE WHYBIRDS
TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS
UNCLE FRANK
VARIOUS CRUELTIES
WOLF PEOPLE

Saturday 13th August
BELLOWHEAD
BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH
CHAPEL CLUB
DIONNE BROMFIELD
DIZRAELI AND THE SMALL GODS
FLASHGUNS
HHYMN
I AM KLOOT
JIM JONES REVUE
KYLA LA GRANGE
LIAM BAILEY
LITTLE COMETS
MAMA ROSIN
NEWTON FAULKNER
PETE AND THE PIRATES
REEF
SHOWADDYWADDY
TEDDY THOMPSON
THE HEARTBREAKS
WILKO JOHNSON
YAAKS

Sunday 14th August
BLOOD RED SHOES
CW STONEKING
DELTA MAID
DRY THE RIVER
DUTCH UNCLES
EXAMPLE
FACTORY FLOOR
JOHN COOPER CLARKE
KITTY DAISY AND LEWIS
MCFLY
SKINNY LISTER
THE ANTLERS
THE BLACK ATLANTIC
THE CUBAN BROTHERS
THE PHANTOM BAND
TOM BAXTER
YOUNG KNIVES

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Munich To Play Great Escape Ahead Of 'All Sussed Out' Debut Single Release

Munich have announced that they are to head out on a UK tour around the release of their debut single 'All Sussed Out' on the 20th June. Having not long completed their first UK tour they are certainly not a band to let the dust settle. The dates are being finalised as we speak but we can tell you thatthey'll be making an appearance at a number of festivals, kicking off with The Great Escape on the 12th May.

The Brighton five piece combine their talents to make music that is rich and cinematic. They fit together like pieces of a puzzle through a mutual respect in one another’s skill along with total dedication. Singer and wordsmith Stuart Slade takes influence from extraordinary songwriters such as Robert Smith and Conor Oberst. He twists his words from the normal to something quite beautiful and delivers them with a rawness and passion that cannot be faked.

In 2010 Munich completed their debut 11 date UK tour, released their debut EP ‘Where Are You Now?’ and sold out launch shows in Brighton and London, and 2011 is set to elevate them even further.

The critically acclaimed EP, released last November, was produced by Paul Corkett (The Cure, Placebo, Nick Cave, Bjork and Biffy Clyro) at Moles Studios, Bath. It received some great support from press and radio including being play listed on XFM and Brighton’s Juice FM, support from BBC Introducing and reviews in Q, The Fly, Source and XYZ.

Stay tuned for more details on their forthcoming tour. In the meantime here's a few festival dates:

12th May - The Great Escape (above Audio)
29th May - Meadowlands, Sussex

9th July - Outside:Inside Festival, Reading

Click Here to Compare& Buy Munich Tickets

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Lady Gaga Collaborates With Brian May On 'Born This Way'

Lady Gaga has called in Queen guitarist Brian May to work on her latest album, it has been reported. According toThe Mirror, the eccentric pop star has worked with May on a track called‘You& I’, which is set to appear on her upcoming LP ‘Born This Way’.



A source (supposedly) close to the‘Bad Romance’ singer told the paper:"It's always been Gaga's dream to perform as Queen. If it wasn't for Queen, there would be no Gaga. This collaboration with Brian May means the world to her."

Meanwhile, Gaga posted the official artwork for the album on her Twitter account this week. You can view the eye-catching image, which depicts Gaga wearing the latest design by Honda, on the right-hand side of this article.

This week Gaga also rush-released her new single‘Judas’ a day early after the song leaked online. The track, which is the second single to be taken from ‘Born This Way’, has received mixed reviews, with certain fans calling the song 'lazy'. Despite the generally good response from Gaga’s legion of diehard fans, several others have been quickto note the similarities between ‘Judas’ and Gaga’s earlier hits ‘Bad Romance’ and ‘Poker Face’.

Lazy songwriting or groundbreaking talent? Decide for yourself by listening to‘Judas’ below:

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Beatsteaks Reveal Details Of New Album 'Boom Box' - Out May 16th

Already a huge hit in Germany where it knocked Adele off the top of the album charts, the Beatsteaks’ new album ‘Boom Box’ looks set to make their biggest impact yet on these shores when it’s released on May 16th onWarner Bros. Records. The Gold-certified album will be preceded by the release of the single‘Milk & Honey’on May 9th. Check out the video to Beatsteaks' 'Milk& Honey' below.

‘Boom Box’ sees the Beatsteaks seeking out new borders to their sound with songs such as ‘CheapComments’, ‘Fix It’, ‘Access Adrenalin’ and ‘Automatic’ contributing to a diverse album that offers everything from the reggae-rock of ‘Let's See’ to the 72-second punk rock inferno‘Behavior’. The album was produced byMoses Schneider at the band’s rehearsal studio and was mixed by Nick Launay (Nick Cave, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire) at the Seedy Underbelly Studio in Los Angeles.
 
Confirmed to headline this summer’s Rock Am Ring and Rock Am Park festivals, Beatsteaks have previously played with the Sex Pistols and Faith No More, hit the Warped Tour and the Reading, Roskilde and Hurricane festivals, and performed at the opening gala for the 2011 Berlin Film Festival. They’re due in the UK in Mayas part of a huge European tour for three headline dates:
 
May 2011
 
19th – London, Koko
20th – Manchester, Academy 3
21st – Glasgow, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
 
Beatsteaks Ticketsare on sale now priced at£15 for London and £12 for Manchester and Glasgow.Click Here to Compare& Buy Beatsteaks Tickets
 
Formed in Berlin in 1995, Beatsteaks’ first break came when they won a local talent competition – the prize of which was an opening slot to the Sex Pistols. Their 1997 debut album won the attention of the renowned American punk label Epitaph and the Beatsteaks became the first German band to sign to the company when their released their second album in 1999. In 2004, they achieved a major breakthrough when the success of their ‘Smack Smash‘ album hit the German album charts and earned the band their first MTV Europe award. Their prior studio album, 2007’s ‘Limbo Messiah’, became their highest charting album to date when it debuted at #3.

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The Aussie BBQ Returns To The Great Escape, London Cargo& Liverpool Sound CIty

The Aussie BBQ is the biggest showcase of Australian talent outside of its homeland and is returning to the UK for its second year.

It started from humble beginnings when a couple of music fans from Melbourne decided to throw a small Australian style BBQ and showcase at the 2003 South By South West (SXSW) music conference in Austin, Texas. Since then the Aussie BBQ has showcased over 200 Australian artists in 4 countries around the world.
 
This year, it will head to Brighton at The Great Escape (14th May), London Cargo (15th May) and Liverpool Sound City (21st May)
 
Australia has a thriving music scene and many great talents. The Aussie BBQ introduces many great Australian acts to the world.
 
Come and experience a plethora of Aussie talent whilst enjoying a traditional Australian BBQ.

THE AUSSIE BBQ (The Great Escape)

DATE: Saturday 14th May 
VENUE: Digital 87 - 193 Kings Road Arches, Brighton
BANDS: The Touch, DZ Deathrays (pictured), Our Mountain, Deep Sea Arcade, Little Red, The Jezabels  

THE AUSSIE BBQ (London)

DATE: Sunday 15th May 
VENUE: CARGO, 83 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London, 2pm – 11pm
BANDS The Jezabels, Little Red, Our Mountain, Luluc, Seekae, DZ Deathrays, The Touch, Dan Parsons, Bonfire Nights and more to be announced.
 
The Aussie BBQ Ticketsare onsale now for £10 or £12 at the door.Click Here to Compare& Buy Aussie BBQ Tickets

THE AUSSIE BBQ (Liverpool Sound City)

DATE: Saturday 21st May 
VENUE: Heebie Jeebies (Outdoor Stage) 80-82 Seel Street, Liverpool       
BANDS: Dan Parsons, All Mankind, Bleeding Knees Club, DZ Deathrays, Little Red, Seekae, Deep Sea Arcade, The Jezabels
 

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Fun Lovin Criminals To Release Live Anthology Box Set

PledgeMusic, the groundbreaking direct to fan platform, which launched in November 2009, has partnered with US band Fun Lovin’ Criminals, to release a comprehensive live album box set entitled 'Fun, Live, And Criminal'.

'Fun, Live, And Criminal: Volumes I-III' is a 3 Disc box set featuring 52 live tracks spanning the band’s entire back catalogue featuring their biggest hits ‘Scooby Snacks’, ‘Love Unlimited’ and ‘The Fun Criminal’ as well as three brand new tracks, a special booklet featuring never-seen-before images of the band, a tour laminate and 3 FLC signature guitar picks.

The band will also be personally signing each box set for every fan that pledges. Fans of the band have been waiting a long time for such a release, and with PledgeMusic, are being give the chance to be a part of making this happen.

Alongside the music there are also a whole number of extra items on offer: signed merchandise, handwritten lyric sheets and presentation discs. Not only will Fun Lovin’ Criminals fans get an amazing choice of stuff but those who pledge will also gain access to the 'pledgers only' area of this site where the band will post exclusive video blogs, rare tracks, sneak peeks and more.

In addition, EVERYONE who pledges on any item will get a download of 12 live tracks handpicked by the band from across the 55 included in the box set. More details can be found atwww.pledgemusic.com/projects/funlovincriminals

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The View Unveil Video To Record Store Day Song 'I Need That Record' - Watch Now

Record Store Day, the annual celebration of independent record shops is due to take place tomorrow, April 16th this year and Scottish indie rockers The View have been selected to create an official anthem for the day, a re-recording of 80s powerpop classic ‘I Need That Record’ by The Tweeds.

The track can be heard below and will be released as a limited edition one-sided 7” single available only from participating indie record shops. The band will also be playing an instore show at Rock-a-Boom in Leicester on Record Store Day.

Record Store Day UK organiser Spencer Hickman said, “We are delighted that The View are showing their support in this way.”

Kieren Webster, from The View says:“The internet seems to be taking over music and it’s great to support Record Store Day as vinyl sounds so much better and it's so much more of an experience going to a record store to get your music. The people who work in them are avid music fans willing to help you. Even the simple pleasure of going in and flipping through the second hand bargain bucket is something I still do at least twice a week - think how many bands have been started by like minded musicians who first met in their local record shop. Without independent record shops every local music scene would lose a vital hub. Thisis why I am very proud to be doing my bit for Record Store Day!”

More than 150 independent record stores are expected to take part in this year’s Record Store Day, selling around 100 exclusive and collectible items which will only be available on the day. The day will also feature scores of unique events from PAs to exclusive gigs open only to RSD customers.

Spencer Hickman said,"Record Store Day is the perfect antidote to all the doom and gloom we hear about the music business. It's a day of celebration fuelled by the enthusiasm of artists and fans for record stores."

Last year's Record Store Day reached new heights with queues hundreds-strong forming outside some shops.

The View’s new album ‘Bread And Circuses’ is out now.

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The Charlatans, The Courteeners& The London Guns Confirmed For Napa Live 2011

In the summer of this year, a collection of the Hottest names in British rock and indie music today, will join forces with one of the most electric party destinations in the Meditteranean to create NAPA LIVE 2011– one of the fastest growing emerging events on the musical calendar and one of the summer’s standout highlights for a certain demographic.

Celebrating now its second year, Napa Live has invited The Charlatans, The Courteeners, The Twang and Twisted Wheel to inject the island with an unparalleled and unrivalled musical experience. Scattered amongst
the non-stop hedonism and musical madness, the '96-hour party people' can enjoy a number of beach parties, boat parties, club nights, beachside comedy acts and much, much more.

The 4-day non-stop party jumpstarts into action on Tuesday, June 14th with an intimate secret gig at the Live Lounge venue, which features very special, as yet, unannounced guests. Adam Ficek (Babyshambles) and Gary Powell (Libertines) get the island pumping and coiled in anticipation on Wednesday June 15th for the arrival of the headline acts, with their visceral new concept of big party indie tunes set alongside live percussion. The Courteeners and Twisted Wheel will have Ayia Napa bouncing on Thursday June 16th with The Charlatans and The Twang bringing the festival to an almighty close on Friday June 17th.

Line-Up and Ticketing Info:

June 14th Secret gig featuring very special guests (To be announced)– Live Lounge

*Free admission for first 100 NAPA LIVE ticket holders*

June 15th - The London Guns (DJ set and live percussion)– Napa Forum
June 16th - The Courteeners and Twisted Wheel– Napa Forum
June 17th - The Charlatans and The Twang– Napa Forum

Click Here to Compare& Buy Napa Live Tickets

3-Day Pass including Aftershow Pool Party:£69.00 - Price includes entrance into all gigs, club nights and the famous NAPA LIVE Aftershow Pool Party event on Saturday, June 18th.

Tickets and can be redeemed in resort for a NAPA LIVE wristband at the Live Lounge Venue.

The wristband will also entitle you to free entrance during your stay to the Castle Club, the biggest club on the island along with several discounts at restaurants, watersports and bike hire.

Tickets will be accepted on the door without wristband but it is highly recommended that you exchange your ticket for a wristband on arrival.

There are a limited amount of tickets for the secret gig featuring very special guests at the Live Lounge Venue.

The first 100 NAPA LIVE ticket holders to redeem their tickets for
event wristbands at the Live Lounge venue will be granted free
admission into our secret gig featuring very special guests.

You can also book additional events and activities on the shop page in
advance to avoid disappointment as demand for boat and beach party
events NAPA LIVE week can be high. More details can be found at the websitewww.napalivefestival.com

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