Michael Nyman plays The Royal Albert Hall

To celebrate the year's two big Baroque anniversaries – and his own 65th birthday – the Michael Nyman Band makes its Proms debut with a new work echoing the Purcell and Handel pieces heard in Prom 53.



Best known for his soundtracks to such movies as The Piano, Gattaca and Wonderland, Michael Nyman started out as a musicologist, editing scores by Handel and Purcell; as a critic he coined the term 'Minimalism'; and, as a composer he first made his name by putting the music of classical masters through the Minimalist mill to generate raunchy, rhythmically propulsive, raucously energetic new works, such as his score for Peter Greenaway's 1982 film The Draughtsman’s Contract and the grief-frozen Memorial, (which featured in Greenaway's later The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover) – both of which are Purcell-based.

The Draughtsman’s Contract – selection 23’
The Musicologist Scores c20’
BBC commission: world premiere
Six Celan Songs – Blume; Psalm 10’
The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover – Memorial 12’

PROM 54: MICHAEL NYMAN
Tuesday 25 August 2009 - 10:15 PM
Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore
London, SW7

Julian Perretta - Secret Gig

Julian Perretta - Secret Gig

Julian Perretta is playing an exclusive gig on 7th July 09 in London.

At 16 Perretta left school auditioning successfully for a course at the drama centre, RADA, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, intending to pursue a career as an actor.

When his course ended he began writing and producing material with the members of the band Jamiroquai. During that time he was introduced to Girls Aloud manager Hillary Shaw.



Music career
In March 2008, Sony Music executives signed him to a five album recording deal aged 19. Perretta went onto sign a publishing agreement as a songwriter, with Universal Music Publishing Group.

He joined Mark Ronson on a European Tour, where he sang The Smiths hit, "Stop Me."

In December 2008 he was tipped as one of MTV's Top New Artists of 2009, receiving high praise from the television network.

The track, "Wonder Why" debuted on radio, December 28 2008 on 95.8 Capital FM.

Perretta gained a large internet following from notable blogging websites, such as Hollywood celebrity blogger Perez Hilton who is known to be a big supporter of the singer. His myspace page seeing in excess of a two million views in three months.

Perez Hilton featured the singer in Paste Magazine's "Three Musical Acts To Watch in 2009.

The track Wonder Why saw a huge upsurge in plays and popularity on social networking sites such as myspace, taking over 1.5 million plays itself.

In May 2009, Columbia Records released a free download of the song Ride My Star to coincide with him supporting Girls Aloud on their Out of Control Tour UK Arena Tour. The download saw a huge reception, taking half a million hits that month on myspace.

It’s at a secret Venue in Central London

Tuesday July 7, 2009 at 6:00pm
Secret location in London

Long awaited trailer for Gerard Butler's Game leaked online

By way of Filmstalker from RuTube through Teaser-Trailer - the first teaser for The Game. Trailer looks spot on to what the buzz has been saying.  A contender (Gerard Butler) in a virtual game gains consciousness and all hell breaks loose. Made by Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor the writer/Director team behind Crank. This looks like it is going to rock. Expected release date is still September 04, 2009.

Carl Cox to play an exclusive intimate London Show Apr 23rd 09

Carl Cox Exclusive London Show Apr 23rd 09

Carl Cox Announces exclusive date at Guanabar, London. April 23, 2009, 11pm-2.30am 

• Carl's most intimate London venue for 7 years 

• Very limited tickets on sale at just £5 

As part of his forthcoming UK tour, which kicks off with a sold-out show at Camden's legendary KOKO on April 9, Carl Cox has announced a surprise date on April 23 2009 at intimate Brazilian partyspot Guanabara. 

Carl, who last played a London venue of the same size back in 2002, says: "I'm very excited to play at Guanabara. I love everything about Brazil - the food, the music, the people, the vibe! And there's nowhere better on earth to party than Sao Paulo… I just love playing to people who know their music and to have a good time." 

Doors open 11pm till 2.30am. DJ support provided by the upcoming Nicole Moudaber. 

Carl's full UK Tour details: 

April 2009 

9th - London @ Koko 

10th - Leeds @ Victoria Works 

12th - Glasgow @ The Arches 

13th - Belfast @ Shine 

17th - Bournemouth @ Opera House 

18th - Newcastle @ Digital 

23rd - London @ Guanabara 

24th - Manchester @ Sankeys 

25th - Birmingham @ Air 

May (Bank Holiday weekend) 

1st - Dublin @ Tripod 

2nd - Liverpool @ Circus 

3rd - Cardiff @ Liquid 

Carl Cox to play an exclusive intimate London Show Apr 23rd 09

Thursday April 23, 2009 at 11:00pm

Guanabara

Parker Street

London, England WC2B 5PW

José González to play exclusive one off gig in Canary Wharf, London

Acoustic After Hours With…Jose Gonzalez

Sweden's captivating and mysterious José González will be playing an exclusive one off London concert at Canary Wharf’s stunning East Wintergarden.

Armed with little more than an acoustic guitar, an ultra sensitive soul and a host of low-key tunes, González’s internationally acclaimed 2005 debut, Veneer, sold over 700,000 copies worldwide and went platinum in the UK and Ireland.



González and his lo-fi acoustic guitar music famously covered Heartbeats by The Knife and Massive Attack’s Teardrop and his pared down, soulful and melodic style also delights in his second album, In Our Nature, released, again to international acclaim, in 2007.

East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf
29 April 2009, 7.45pm (Doors open at 7pm)

Tickets £17 on sale now - Book early to avoid disappointment.
In advance: Visit www.ticketweb.co.uk or call 08700 600 100 (Booking fee applies).
In person: On the door, subject to availability

Hot Chip to perform a "secret" gig

Hot Chip will join the Filthy Dukes, Dodgy and The Bluetones to perform at a series of "secret" gigs in London to raise money for charity.

The band, who have had hits with Over And Over and Ready For The Floor, will kick off the series of concerts for Crisis, the homeless charity, on Tuesday May 5.

Dodgy and The Bluetones will be taking to a secret stage on Sunday May 17 and the Filthy Dukes, Bombay Bicycle Club and The Pipettes will also be performing later in the series of concerts.

The series of nine hidden gigs throughout May and June offer fans the chance to see bands in intimate, unusual spaces and the venue will remain hidden until the day of the gig, when a text or email message will be sent to the ticket holders, revealing its location.

By withholding details until the last minute, Crisis aim to raise awareness of the situation facing hidden homeless people, who often don't know where they will end up each night.

Al Doyle from Hot Chip said: "Whether they would like to admit it or not, most people have an image in their head of a 'homeless person', the old-fashioned and unhelpful figure of the down-and-out, who in fact is entirely unrepresentative of the majority of homeless people in the UK. These are the hidden homeless, who for a variety of often very complex reasons have no regular accommodation. We hope our gig for Crisis will raise awareness of their plight and are very happy to help the cause."

Hot Chip "secret" gig
Tuesday May 05, 2009 from 7:00pm
Secret Location, Zone 1, London

Tickets will go on sale at 11am on March 18 here!

Exclusive playback of the Pet Shop Boys' new album 'Yes' followed by a Q&A with Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe

On Friday 6 March the ICA proudly presents an exclusive playback of the Pet Shop Boys' 'Yes'.

The Friday evening (7pm) album playback will be an early opportunity for fans to have a bit of a sit down and a listen to the new album from beginning to end.
After the playback, there will be a Q&A with Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe.

Friday March 6, 2009 at 7:00pm
Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London.
London, England SW1Y 5AH

The Mother of all Secret gigs this Friday in London

It's been awhile since they have done something like this but "Make sure you're around upper Regent Street, near Langham Place around 6-6:15pm, to witness an unusual outdoor performance."

Levi's exclusive WHITE LIES gig… London

Levi's exclusive WHITE LIES gig… London


White Lies will play an exclusive gig next week to celebrate the opening of the Levi's Carnaby Street store. This super-exclusive event takes place on Monday 23rd February at The Borderline in Soho, London and will be a 16+ show. The only place to get tickets will be from Levi's Carnaby Street store from 5.01pm every day from 19th-21st February. We'll have 20 pairs to give away each day so don't miss your chance to snap up a pair of what will be the most exclusive tickets in town!

If you can't make it down to the store then you can enter our online competition by emailing lotw@levi.com with your name and contact number and 'WHITE LIES' in the subject field. Winners will be selected at random. Good luck!

Levi's exclusive WHITE LIES gig…
Monday February 23, 2009 at 7:00pm
The Borderline
Orange Yard 16 Manette St, W1D 4JB
London, England

A special preview screening of ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL and Q&A WITH ANVIL

PREPARE TO ROCK WHEN ANVIL COMES TO CURZON SOHO

Let down your hair and head bang your heart out when Anvil rock up at Curzon Soho. The (almost) legendary band will answer your questions after a special preview screening of the new documentary following their attempts at a comeback.ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL chronicles the journey of Toronto school friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner after they made a pact to rock together forever. Their band, Anvil, went on to become the "demigods of Canadian metal," releasing one of the heaviest albums in metal history, 1982's Metal on Metal. The album influenced a musical generation, including Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, that went on to sell millions of records. But Anvil's career took a different path - straight to obscurity. Director Sacha Gervasi has concocted a wonderful and often hilarious account of Anvil's last-ditch quest for elusive fame and fortune. His ingenious filmmaking may first lead you to think this a mockumentary, but it isn't. Sundance Film Festival

"The best documentary I've seen in years!" Michael Moore

A special preview screening of ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL and Q&A WITH ANVIL
Tuesday February 17, 2009 at 6:30pm
Curzon Soho
99 Shaftesbury Avenue
London, England W1D 5DY

"Possibly the greatest film yet made about rock and roll." The Times

Secret Cinema Febuary, London - A vote for Anvil is a vote for the spirit of Rock n Roll

Last weekend Secret Cinema pulled off their most awesome screening yet!:

- Dress for an 80s rock evening (Rock Gods, Shady Promoters, Metal Heads and Old School Rockers)
- Meet at the Sheperds Bush Empire
- An introduction by the legend that is Mr. Ralph Brown or Danny as he is known to his friends
- A screening of a short film about a Lebanese drummer
- An actual performance by up and coming rock band Cauldron
- A UK Premiere screening of ANVIL!

The following is a quote from www.metalhammer.co.uk which sums up the film pretty neatly:

"It’s not as if we metal fans aren’t used to being patronised and misunderstood by outsiders, but the strength of the Anvil movie lies in the fact that it’s a genuinely touching story about human beings, relationships and the pursuit of childhood dreams; all things that the vast majority of people can relate to without recourse to sneering superiority. In fact, the most startling thing about this screening of the film is that as it progresses, there’s a very noticeable change in atmosphere, as bemused giggling slowly evolves into bona fide sympathy and affection for Anvil and their rollercoaster ride."

The film moved me (a non hard metal fan) to purchase the latest ANVIL CD. I say "moved" as I have not bought a hard copy music in about 4 years. I knew of the ANVIL film and although impressed on hearing that ANVIL the band had been making live appearance to support the films launch had already decided that I would see it as a download or when it was on TV. I'm really glad I got to see the film big screen at Secret Cinema. I should mention that I had it the wrong way around - the film was created to promote the story of ANVIl. I only found out at that screening that the film was actually made by a dedicated ANVIL fan who had followed them since their early performances.

In many ways not only is it true to the spirit of rock but independent film making as well. So the film is over. It's time to pack up and leave. WRONG! Secret Cinema was just starting! After the credits the lights dim, a lone guitar riffs metal and a spotlight lights up a second tier balcony revealing "Lips" wailing on his axe.

- The screening was followed by a performance from ANVIL themselves and if that was not enough they pulled in Scott Ian (legendary Anthrax guitarist) to play a couple of songs. ANVIL pretty much got the audience on their feet and rocking out. It was a genuine rock gig by a genuine rock band.

Thanks Secret Cinema and thank you ANVIL for continuing to rock!

An online petition to get ANVIL to play Glastonbury can be found here > http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sendanviltoglastonbury/

We the people have had enough of rich, bratty rock stars getting all the money and fame. We DEMAND to see ANVIL live on the Glastonbury stage in the summer of 2009. It's not just that they've earned it, it's that ANVIL ROCKS!'

After 35 years of putting in the work for NO REWARD, now is the time for ANVIL!!!

METAL ON METAL FOREVER!!!

Klaxons to play surprise pub gig in London

Klaxons are set to play a surprise gig tomorrow night (February 15).

The band will play the Old Blue Last pub in east London. 

Tickets are £10 on the door, with The Big Pink set to support.

Philip Glass: An Evening of Chamber Music

An intimate chamber concert with acclaimed composer/ pianist with new material never heard in the UK.

Philip Glass is one of the world's most popular living composers, acclaimed for his stunning soundtracks and ground-breaking operas, but in this concert, there's an intense focus on Glass himself, as a pianist and composer.

The Guardian wrote "Glass's restrained but haunting playing really is a joy", and the concert features part of his great solo piano cycles Metamorphosis and Etudes. He's joined by Wendy Sutter on cello and percussionist Mick Rossi to play music from Glassworks and Naqoyqatsi, the final film in the legendary Godfrey Reggio trilogy that began with Koyaanisqatsi.

Most of this programme has never been played in Britain before, and its centrepiece is Songs and Poems, a new work for Wendy Sutter.

Sony VIP exclusive BRAVIA ‘World’s First’ LCD TV range

You are cordially invited to the Sony VIP exclusive BRAVIA ‘World’s First’ LCD TV range launch on Thursday 29 January 2009 at 7pm until 11pm.

Guests will be treated to the awe-inspiring unveiling of these TV’s (the World’s thinnest (ZX1), the World’s fastest (Z4500), The World’s first wireless technology/picture frame TV (EX1) and the World’s first OLED technology TV (XEL-1), with the help of a mind-blowing, interactive and unique light installation featuring a one-off short film, while celebrity DJ Henry Holland and ‘Filthy Dukes’ spin the decks.

As Celebrities/Media and VIP guests will be in attendance, Sony have the right to refuse entry/eject to any guests deemed unruly etc.!!!

Enjoy.

Franz Ferdinand live at HMV, London

Franz Ferdinand live at HMV, London

Franz Ferdinand will be performing live and signing copies of their new album 'Tonight: Franz Ferdinand'

Access to the signing event will be restricted. 300 wristbands will be issued from the store on the day of the event from 9.00am on a first-come first-served basis, one per customer only, subject to availability.

Monday January 26, 2009 at 1:00pm
HMV Oxford Circus

150 Oxford Street
London,
W1D 1DJ

Fun Lovin’ Criminals to play an exclusive gig in London

The Fun Lovin’ Criminals will be playing the F*ck Rehab launch at Maya next Wednesday (January 14) in London.

Pete Doherty & Roger Daltrey are rock out at a secret gig for charity

Pete Doherty and Roger Daltrey join hands for charity gig

Pete Doherty & Roger Daltrey Ring Of Fire

The 64-year-old Who legend asked Doherty – lead singer for Babyshambles – to perform with him after Doherty sang at the funeral of Daniel Squires, a teenage cancer sufferer he had struck up a friendship with.

“Roger was really impressed and touched when Pete performed for Daniel,“ a source told Britain’s The Sun newspaper. “He has told Pete to choose a list of Who songs and they will perform them together. They are both really excited.”

Proceeds from the concert – to be held at the Bristol Academy in the UK on January 12 – will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity supported by Doherty and of which Daltrey is patron.

Black Tide playing a Secret Gig in London

Black Tide have released details of a free show next week in London.

Black Tide have announced that they are to play a free show for BBC Sound at 1pm, January 15th at a secret London location.

Anyone interested in attending should send an email to switchguestlist@monkeykingdom.com with Black Tide in the subject. You will also be required to add your name, age and how many tickets to the show you would like.

Fall Out Boy Set To Play Gig In London Dungeon

Fall Out Boy will play a fan-only gig in the London Dungeon later this week, it's been announced.

UNKLE To Play London Gig

UNKLE have announced they will play a show at the
Union Chapel in London on the18th December.

The show will coincide with the release of their new album 'End Titles…Redux' which will be released on the 15th (Dec). The LP saw a 48 piece orchestra involved, and James Lavelle was also approached during the recording to put together a programme of Music and Film at titled 'Marginalized' to aid 'Margins Project', Union Chapel's charity for the homeless in London. Ge tickets for the show below.