Joe Kavanagh's Music News

Glastonbury's 40th anniversary already looks like it might meet the expectations associated with such a special milestone in Europe's most venerable music extravaganza, with confirmation from festival organizer, Michael Eavis, that U2 will definitely headline the Friday night slot at next year's event. Saturday's slot also looks to be filled with reports circulating last week that Muse will soon be announced as the headline act for the second night, giving the festival two of the most dynamic live acts in music. The biggest announcement may still be in the pipeline however, with rumours abounding that a deal is nearing completion that will make the Rolling Stones the main event on the festival's final night. Spokespeople for the Strolling Bones have already intonated that the band will tour next year, adding further grist to the mill of those positing that they will perform at next year's Glastonbury, which has already sold-out a full seven months before the event is due to take place. While music fans and ticket touts may all be excited at the prospect of such a collusion of star-crossed names, don't expect Ian McCullough to attend on the Friday night at least, after the Echo And The Bunnymen front man launched a scathing attack on U2 last week. Speaking to New York magazine, the singer blasted the Dublin band's musical legacy, stating: "Bands all say they want to be as big as U2, but weirdly no one ever says they're influenced by them. That's because there's nothing there, really. They've got good tunes, and you can see that it works on 14-year-olds. But I can't see mature people or kids, who are looking for something, something deep - something that you just know it's art and it's going to change your life - caring. For U2, it's always flag-waving and 'Yippee'". I find myself in the very unusual position of having to stick up for U2 twice in as many weeks, but could this be a case of sour grapes? Alright, so U2's music may lack the poise of someone like say Radiohead, but their achievement of staying at the top of their game for over three decades surely shows that they have something enduring about their sound. Few could disagree with the fact that they have borrowed from just about every innovative act that has come along in their wake but only a fool would fail to list the Edge amongst the most pioneering guitarists in rock. As for them not influencing anyone, has McCullough listened to the Killers recently? To Greenday? Even Jay Z claimed that he was hugely influenced by U2 as a youth, in an interview that he gave last week. As a matter of fact, I would almost go so far as to say that virtually any rock band playing in stadiums today has at least studied U2 and their songwriting technique. I mightn't agree with Bono's hypocrisy, or even enjoy all but a handful of their songs, but to say there is nothing in their music is to prove that there's nothing in your opinion...

In the same week that she shattered a slew of records associated with album sales, concerns continue to rise regarding the mental wellbeing of Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle. The 48-year-old was in New York last week for a television appearance, when she was presented with a quilt that had been made for her by fans from across the world. The gift allegedly had a profound effect on the singer, who was reportedly observed only moments later bawling her eyes out and sucking her thumb. A source close to the singer told UK tabloid, the Daily Star: "It was clear she is still very fragile and struggling to cope with the fame. She's treated like an international superstar in the United States. Susan managed to pull herself together very quickly, though, and shake herself out of her tearful mood. You can only hope, for her sake, that she can get through the next few days and weeks when she will be the focus of so much attention." Those around her would do well to be extremely cautious with this lady, as she has already spent one stint in rehab for emotional exhaustion earlier this year. If they are not very careful, she could end up like that crazy lady on the Simpsons who throws cats at people. Incidentally, why is it that every article I read about this woman describes her as "spinster Susan Boyle"? Spinster makes her sound like some woman that's more barren than the Burren. You tell me which sounds like more fun; bachelor or spinster? A case of one rule for women and another for men...

Speaking of which, highly talented UK artist, Little Boots has decided to go on a diet due to the amount of abuse she has received on Twitter alleging that she is fat. The singer, real name Victoria Hesketh, claims that she is tired of all the porker jibes, revealing in an interview with the BBC last week: "It is really difficult. I guess just doing this job you become used to it whether it's on the internet or in the papers, people saying things which simply aren't true about you. I think the internet is just a place where if you make yourself known publicly on it you're going to be open to people''s opinions. You''ve just got to be quite hard-skinned about it and try not to worry if someone says you're fat or ugly or untalented - which they do." Is it any wonder that girls end up with eating disorders? Little Boots is to fat what I am to intergalactic space travel but between abuse, airbrushing of photos and airheads like Kate Moss making statements saying that "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels", who would be a girl? ...

Mercury Music Prize winner, Speech Debelle has parted ways with her record label, because she feels that they failed to capitalize on her popularity in the wake of her album Speech Therapy, winning the prestigious award earlier this year. Speaking of the reasons behind her break with Big Dada Records, the rapper claimed: "The Mercury Prize was on Tuesday, and on Friday there were no more physical albums in the shops. So, on the Mercury weekend, which would have been my biggest selling weekend, people couldn't get it. I wasn't disappointed that it didn't sell well, I was disappointed in the people I was working with. I wasn't on a big label and the machine wasn't there. So even though the album won the Mercury, it was still only able to do what the label was capable of doing, which just means that I'm more prepared for next time. One thing I've learnt is that having bargaining power is important. It's important to walk into a record label and say 'This is what I have, and these are the kind of terms I want.'" See how log that attitude lasts if her next album bombs because I defy anyone out there to name five Mercury Prize winners right now without consulting the internet. Debelle, real name Corynne Elliot, also caused a fuss last week when she performed at the launching of a Take That version of video game SingStar, where she performed a rap version of the band's hit, Pray, telling the crowd: "I don't do Take s***". Probably not a good idea to do that in front of Take That and all their fans, and the cascade of boos that rained down on her was hardly surprising. What was surprising was the fact that host, Stacey James Cordon hopped up on stage after her performance and told the crowd: "That was s***. Anyone can rap." Which is funny but not true, as anyone that has listened to a P Diddy album will tell you...

After a long campaign to recognize the roots of their nation's rich music heritage, the UK's Performing Rights Society put up their first two blue plaques last week, marking places where noted musical acts began their careers. The first plaque was erected at the Railway Museum where Blur played their first ever gig, whilst the second was placed on a block of flats that saw Dire Straits' debut performance. I am positively for such recognition but in the spirit of yin and yang I would suggest that they also seek out the places that bad acts kicked off their careers, in an effort to destroy their bad karma. For example, I would find the place that James Blunt first performed, then torch it before razing it to the ground. I would then exorcise everywhere within a ten block radius and shoot the very spot where he stood with a silver bullet. Hey, if you think that's bad, you should hear my suggestion for Gary Glitter's debut venue...

Quote of the week comes from Sugababes member Heidi Range, who claimed in an interview last week that she and the other two girls in the act "feel like a new band". Well, given the fact that the Sugababes began life with Siobhan Donnaghy, Keisha Buchanan and Mutya Buena, and now contains Range, Amelle Berberrah and the recently added Jade Ewan, I would suggest that the reason it feels like a new band might have something to do with the fact that it actually is a new band. The Sugababes are like the Logan's Run of the pop world, except that in Logan's Run, they at least allowed you to get to 30-years-old before they offed you...

Florence And The Machine will soon head out to New York to begin work on the follow-up to their critically-acclaimed debut album, Lungs, but if front woman, Florence Mathers, is to be believed, they won't be going anywhere unless their label stumps up. The flame-haired singer claims that the band is totally broke, despite having a hit album under her belt, telling a recent interviewer: "I'm basically the same and everyone's like, 'Aren't you supposed to be some loaded pop star?' and I'm like, 'No, trust me I'm not, I get an allowance'. Life hasn't changed. I still get the bus. I have no cash cards so I'm pretty much broke and borrowing money still. My phone's broken, I'm still exactly the same." If you think that Mathers is exaggerating the circumstances of her pecuniary situation then consider the fact that Lady Gaga received the princely sum of $167 last week from Swedish music website, Spotify, after her single, Pokerface, received over a million plays...

Former Black Sabbath front man Ronnie James Dio, is currently battling stomach cancer, which forced him to cancel all of his upcoming tour dates. A statement issued to Blabbermouth by his wife/manager Wendy, stated: "Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans. Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio. Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up." Dio joined Black Sabbath in 1979 before breaking away to form his own band called Dio own act in 1982. He went on to name his children 'Boy', 'Girl' and 'Girl 2'... I'm kidding and we wish him well in his battle with the big C...

Not to be disrespectful but that reminds me of a story by the late, great Irish comedian, Dave Allen who returned to Ireland shortly after his father's death and was approached by an old woman who said to him: "I was very sorry to hear about your father, but if you don't mind me asking, what did he die of?" Allen replied: "The 'big C'". To which the old woman responded confusedly: "Oh right, so he drowned?"