robmacca's entertainment news

BAFTA Awards 2012: Full Nominations List

2012-01-17T11:09:00.000Z

Silence may indeed be golden as The Artist looks set to sweep up at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday 12th February 2012 at London's Royal Opera House. The silent film is up for a total of twelve awards at the British ceremony next month but faces tough competition from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which is nominated for eleven awards this year.

Here are all the BAFTA Award Nominations for 2012:

Best Film:

The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
The Help
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Outstanding British Film:

My Week with Marilyn
Senna
Shame
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
We Need to Talk About Kevin

Leading Actor:

Brad Pitt (Moneyball)
Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
George Clooney (The Descendants)
Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
Michael Fassbender (Shame)

Leading Actress:

Bérénice Bejo (The Artist)
Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)
Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)
Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin)
Viola Davis (The Help)

Supporting Actor:

Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
Jim Broadbent (The Iron Lady)
Jonah Hill (Moneyball)
Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Ides of March)

Supporting Actress:

Carey Mulligan (Drive)
Jessica Chastain (The Help)
Judi Dench (My Week with Marilyn)
Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids)
Octavia Spencer (The Help)

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer:

Richard Ayoade (Submarine)
Paddy Considine (Tyrannosaur)
Joe Cornish (Attack the Block)
Ralph Fiennes (Coriolanus)
Will Sharp (Black Pond)

Film Not in the English Language:

Incendies
Pina
Potiche
A Separation
The Skin I Live In

Documentary:

George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Project Nim
Senna

Animated Film:

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
Arthur Christmas
Rango

Director:

Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist)
Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive)
Martin Scorsese (Hugo)
Tomas Alfredson (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
Lynne Ramsay (We Need to Talk About Kevin)

Original Screenplay:

The Artist
Bridesmaids
The Guard
The Iron Lady
Midnight in Paris

Adapted Screenplay:

The Descendants
The Help
The Ides of March
Moneyball
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Original Music:

The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

Cinematography:

The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

Editing:

The Artist
Drive
Hugo
Senna
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy

Production Design:

The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
My Week with Marilyn
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Costume Design:

The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
My Week with Marilyn
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Make Up & Hair:

The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Hugo
The Iron Lady
My Week with Marilyn

Sound:

The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

Special Visual Effects:

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Hugo
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
War Horse

Short Animation:

Abuelas
Bobby Yeah
A Morning Stroll

Short Film:

Chalk
Mwansa the Great
Only Sound Remains
Pitch Black Heist
Two and Two

Orange Rising Star Award:

Adam Deacon
Chris Hemsworth
Tom Hiddleston
Chris O'Dowd
Eddie Redmayne

BAFTA Fellowship:

Martin Scorsese

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Tales From The Television - Part 4

2012-01-15T17:31:00.000Z

Dr Who has entertained generations and become iconic, thankfully the BBC revived the programme for a new worldwide audience.

We've all got a favourite Doctor, and this latest video reveals mine along with a little tale about the Dr Who theme music!

*Red Rob - a view from the left side

Brit Awards 2012: The Nominations

2012-01-12T19:14:00.000Z

The full nominations have been revealed for the 2012 Brit Awards, with Adele and Ed Sheeran set for an award or two at the glitzy music event at London's O2 on Tuesday 21st February 2012. JLS will have to battle it out for British Single of the Year against other new boys on the block - One Direction and The Wanted.

Full list of Brit Award nominations:

BRITISH MALE SOLO ARTIST
Ed Sheeran
James Blake
James Morrison
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Professor Green

BRITISH FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
Adele
Florence & The Machine
Jessie J
Kate Bush
Laura Marling

BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT
Anna Calvi
Ed Sheeran
Emeli Sandé
Jessie J
The Vaccines

BRITISH GROUP
Arctic Monkeys
Chase & Status
Coldplay
Elbow
Kasabian

BRITISH SINGLE
Adele Someone Like You
Ed Sheeran The A Team
Example Changed The Way You Kissed Me
Jessie J Ft B.o.B. Price Tag
JLS Ft Dev She Makes Me Wanna
Military Wives / Gareth Malone Wherever You Are
Olly Murs Ft Rizzle Kicks Heart Skips A Beat
One Direction What Makes You Beautiful
Pixie Lott All About Tonight
The Wanted Glad You Came

MASTERCARD BRITISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Adele 21
Coldplay Mylo Xyloto
Ed Sheeran + Atlantic Records / Warner Music
Florence & The Machine Ceremonials Island

INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Bruno Mars
David Guetta
Ryan Adams

INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
Beyoncé
Björk
Feist
Lady Gaga
Rihanna

INTERNATIONAL GROUP
Fleet Foxes
Foo Fighters
Jay Z / Kanye West
Lady Antebellum
Maroon 5

INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH ACT
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Foster The People
Lana Del Rey
Nicki Minaj

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC AWARD
Blur

CRITICS’ CHOICE
1st - Emeli Sandé
2nd - Maverick Sabre
3rd - Michael Kiwanuka

BRITISH PRODUCER
Paul Epworth
Flood
Ethan Johns

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Tales From The Television - Part 3

2012-01-11T11:01:00.000Z

Media has changed so much over the past 30 years, but back in the 'old' days we had to rely on television for most of our screen entertainment. ITV was made of many smaller regions, like Thames (and London Weekend Television) and I loved watching the Thames/LWT logo at the start of some programmes.

I also remember going to bed quite scared after watching a certain programme at about 8.30pm on some school nights - this episode of 'Tales From The Television' reveals that TV thriller......

Tales From The Television - Part 3: The Scary TV Titles and More TV Logos

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

Top 10 DVD Chart 2011

2012-01-08T13:17:00.000Z

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows topped the DVD sales chart for 2011, but overall DVD sales dropped 7.2% in the UK last year. Total DVD units sold in 2011 were 207m, continuing the decline from 253m total sales in 2008.

As physical DVD sales continue to drop, it is downloads and online streaming that are propping up the entertainment industry, but this was not enough to stop a 3.4% year on year drop (includes all digital and physical retail sales, plus physical rental transactions, consumers spent an estimated total of £2.25b).

It was a good year for British films, with eight out of the top ten films for 2011 earning a place in the end of year chart. The year to come is expected to see physical DVD sales continue in their free fall, while at the same time customers move online to more subscription download content. This will increase the pressure on retailers like HMV, as previously discussed HERE.

Top 10 DVD Sales 2011:

1. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
2. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows – Part 1
3. The Inbetweeners Movie
4. The King's Speech
5. Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides
6. Despicable Me
7. Paul
8. Tangled
9. Peter Kay – Live – The Tour That Didn't Tour
10. Transformers – Dark of The Moon

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Tales From The Television - Part 2

2012-01-06T11:26:00.000Z

Ever wanted to watch a 'naughty' programme on TV but you knew your parents would never let you view it?

This was the situation robmacca found himself in when OTT was first broadcast on Central TV. Today's 'Tales From The Television' explores what happened....

Tales From The Television - Part 2: OTT, Bullseye and the Central TV logo

*EXTRA BLOG - more from the world of robmacca

US Top Selling Albums And Singles 2011

2012-01-05T10:57:00.000Z

British singer Adele had the best selling album and single in the US with her album '21', according to figures released by Nielsen SoundScan. Adele sold 5.8m copies of her second album that went on sale in March 2011 - selling 352,000 copies on the first week. The single 'Rolling In The Deep' topped the biggest selling singles chart for the year, also selling 5.8m copies in the US.

The Spice Girls and Elton John were the last British acts to top both album and singles best sellers list in 1997. Album sales in the US were up 1% in 2011, reaching a total of 330m by the end of the year - the first increase since 2004 and bucking the trend we have seen in the UK, where album sales fell 6%.

US Best Selling Albums 2011:

1.Adele - 21 - 5.8m
2.Michael Buble - Christmas - 2.4m
3.Lady Gaga - Born This Way - 2.1m
4.Lil Wayne - The Carter IV - 1.9m
5.Jason Aldean - My Kinda Party - 1.6m

US Best Selling Singles 2011:

1.Adele - Rolling In The Deep - 5.8m
2.LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem - 5.5m
3.Katy Perry - E.T. - 4.8m
4.Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger - 4.1m
5.Pitbull - Give You Everything - 3.9m

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PICTURES: David Beckham H&M Underwear Launched

2012-01-04T16:43:00.000Z

David Beckham has once again stripped down to his underwear for his latest ad campaign, this time it is for H&M. The pictures will interest fans around the world as well as boosting sales for the clothing range at H&M. Previously the Beckhams modelled underwear for Armani, as seen HERE.

See more pictures of Beckham in his underwear on this blog: Beckham Underwear Pictures

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Tales From The Television - Part 1

2012-01-04T11:22:00.000Z

A brand new series of videos exploring the effects of television on the life of robmacca. In this opening episode we venture back in time to the launch of Central television and the end of ATV.

The video series will take a trip down memory lane, looking at unforgettable TV programmes shown on British television over the decades. Who can forget Crossroads, Tiswas or the launch of Channel 4?

Each week two new videos will be coming out, so keep updated and subscribe to the YouTube channel: Tales From The Television

Tales From The Television - Part 1: The ATV and Central Logo

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HMV Dogged By Digital Revolution

2012-01-02T18:32:00.000Z

When HMV announce their sales update on 9th January 2012, it is expected his masters voice will have fallen on deaf ears as the digital age eclipses the physical stage. Could it be that the HMV dog is about to be put to sleep? With like for like sales expected to be down 8% and UK album sales plunging 6% with CD's dropping 13%, HMV is holding on for dear life.

Record stores have been disappearing from the High Street at a rapid rate as Woolworths, Virgin (Zavvi) and Borders vanished from the retail world. The big supermarkets dropped singles and independent outlets shut up shop as physical sales continued to decline at an alarming rate. A new generation had arrived and they did not want the hassle of trawling through the High Street, instead they opted for digital downloads and couldn't give a fig about owning a CD or DVD.

The Enemy @ HMV, Coventry

Online retailers like iTunes and Amazon have revolutionised the way we own music and movies, our collections can be seen on screen instead of a bulky display shelf - but sadly, HMV was slow to respond to the rapid shift in consumer consumption. Other online retailers like Play.com and CD Wow ate into the retailers market share and took a chunk out of the dogs ear - but HMV would not go down without a fight. The stores stocked new products as they tried to shift reliance from their traditional sales base to other products, but this just added to the confusion as they became more like Woolworths, having a bit of everything but a lot of nothing!

The loss of HMV will be another nail in the High Street, this goes beyond a recession. We are seeing the effects that cheaper online retailers, with lower overheads, are having on High Streets across Britain. Sadly for HMV, although they have tried different approaches, their fate will be rather like a sick dog visiting the vet for the last time. A new generation has a different High Street which is accessed via the super fast highway called The Internet. Retailers like HMV will fall by the wayside unless they can reverse their fortunes via the internet.

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VIDEO: Tales From The Television - The Teaser

2011-12-27T09:04:00.002Z

Here is the video teaser for the brand new series 'Tales From The Television' in which robmacca will take you through a video journey of stories about the influence of television as he was growing up in Coventry.

The series will launch on Sunday 1st January 2012.......

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Christmas Day Top 10 TV Viewing Figures - 2011

2011-12-26T21:05:00.001Z

Christmas Day viewing figures proved to be good once again for the BBC, but ITV had plenty of festive cheer as Coronation Street and Downton Abbey were among the most watched programmes this Christmas. The Ad Fab special proved a hit with viewers later in the evening when Patsy and co returned once more, keeping 7.5m entertained.

The top ten most-watched programmes on Christmas Day were as follows:

1. EastEnders: 9.92m (33.4%) - BBC One
2. Coronation Street: 9.03m (32.8%) - ITV1
3. Doctor Who: 8.92m (34.2%) - BBC One
4. Downton Abbey: 8.13m (29.4%) - ITV1
5. Strictly Come Dancing: 7.52m (27.3%) - BBC One
6. Absolutely Fabulous: 7.43m (27.5%) - BBC One
7. The Gruffalo's Child - 6.47m (27.7%) - BBC One
8. Michael McIntyre's Christmas Roadshow: 6.45m (29.2%) - BBC One
9. The Queen - 6.29m (37.3%) - BBC One
10. Emmerdale - 6.24m (27.2%) - ITV1

(timeshift channel ratings not included in this list.)

Here is the Top 10 TV Xmas Day 2011 Peak Viewing Programmes List:

1. EastEnders - BBC One - 10.2 million peak (9.9 million average)
2. Coronation Street - ITV - 9.9 million (9.3 million)
3. Downton Abbey - ITV - 9.1 million (8.6 million)
4. Doctor Who - BBC One - 9 million (8.9 million)
5. Queen's Speech - BBC One and ITV - 8.2 million (8.2 million)
6. Strictly Come Dancing - BBC One - 8 million (7.5 million)
7. Absolutely Fabulous - BBC One - 7.9 million (7.4 million)
8. Emmerdale - ITV - 7.1 million (6.7 million)
9. All Star Family Fortunes - ITV - 6.9 million (6.4 million)
10= The Gruffalo's Child - BBC One - 6.8 million (6.5 million) and Michael
10= McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow - BBC One - 6.8 million (6.4 million)

(Source: BARB, based on 15-minute peaks and average viewers over entire shows)

Christmas Day 2011 Overnights - Full Roundup (from Digital Spy)

BBC One
03:15- BBC News: 0.2m (14.4%)
06:00- Breakfast: 1.1m (31.4%)
09:00- The Nativity: 1.5m (16.3%)
10:00- Christmas Day Eucharist: 1.0m ( 9.3%)
11:00- Songs of Praise: 1.3m (10.4%)
11:40- Morecambe and Wise: Christmas Show 1971: 1.6m (12.8%)
12:35- Kung Fu Panda: 3.1m (24.1%)
14:00- Top of the Pops: 3.9m (28.1%)
15:00- The Queen: 6.3m (37.3%)
15:10- Monsters vs Aliens: 4.5m (27.4%)
16:35- BBC News: 4.6m (25.8%)
16:50- Ratatouille: 5.4m (26.7%)
18:30- The Gruffalo's Child: 6.5m (27.7%)
19:00- Doctor Who: 8.9m (34.2%)
20:00- Strictly Come Dancing: 7.5m (27.3%)
21:00- EastEnders: 9.9m (33.4%)
22:00- Absolutely Fabulous: 7.4m (27.5%)
22:30- Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow: 6.4m (29.2%)
23:35- BBC News: 3.8m (25.1%)
23:55- Have I Got a Bit More News For You: 1.5m (14.0%)
00:40- The Graham Norton Show: 0.8m (14.1%)
01:40- The Hot Chick: 0.5m (12.5%)

ITV1
02:15- Spartacus: 0.2m (10.8%)
05:15- ITV Nightscreen: 0.1m ( 5.9%)
06:45- Special Agent Oso: 0.1m ( 3.4%)
06:55- Sooty: 0.1m ( 3.7%)
07:15- Annabel's Kitchen: 0.1m ( 2.6%)
07:30- Horrid Henry: 0.2m ( 5.0%)
07:45- The Borrowers: 0.8m (12.6%)
09:25- March of the Penguins: 1.5m (13.7%)
11:00- Miracle on 34th Street: 2.3m (18.5%)
13:05- ITV News and Weather: 2.0m (16.0%)
13:15- Aladdin: 1.8m (13.5%)
15:00- HM the Queen: 2.2m (12.8%)
* inc +1: 2.3m (13.9%)
15:10- Happy Feet: 2.9m (16.9%)
* inc +1: 3.2m (19.0%)
17:10- ITV News and Weather: 3.1m (16.5%)
* inc +1: 3.3m (17.6%)
17:30- New You've Been Framed!: 3.9m (19.3%)
* inc +1: 4.3m (21.1%)
18:00- Emmerdale: 6.2m (27.2%)
* inc +1: 6.7m (29.4%)
19:00- All Star Family Fortunes: 6.1m (23.5%)
* inc +1: 6.4m (24.4%)
20:00- Coronation Street: 9.0m (32.9%)
* inc +1: 9.3m (33.8%)
21:00- Downton Abbey: 8.1m (29.4%)
* inc +1: 8.6m (31.0%)
23:05- ITV News and Weather: 3.8m (18.6%)
* inc +1: 4.0m (19.6%)
23:20- Benidorm: 1.6m (12.3%)
00:35- The Comedy Annual: 0.4m ( 6.9%)
01:35- The Towering Inferno: 0.3m ( 8.0%)

BBC Two
07:10- Arthur: 0.1m ( 1.9%)
08:15- What's New Scooby-Doo?: 0.2m ( 3.5%)
08:35- Blue Peter: 0.2m ( 2.9%)
09:05- The Slammer: 0.2m ( 1.8%)
09:35- The Magic Roundabout: 0.5m ( 4.7%)
10:50- The Sword in the Stone: 1.3m (10.3%)
12:10- Alive's Adventures in Wonderland: 0.4m ( 3.1%)
14:10- A Musical Nativity with John Rutter: 0.3m ( 1.8%)
15:10- The Prince and the Composer: 0.4m ( 2.1%)
16:40- Dad's Army: 0.9m ( 5.2%)
17:10- Porridge: 1.8m ( 9.0%)
18:00- University Challenge: 2.1m ( 9.3%)
18:30- Darcey Bussell Dances Hollywood: 1.5m ( 6.1%)
20:00- Blackadder the Third: 1.7m ( 6.1%)
20:30- Blackadder the Third: 1.8m ( 6.4%)
21:00- The Toys That Made Christmas: 1.5m ( 5.3%)
22:30- James May's Man Lab: 0.7m ( 3.2%)
23:30- Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings: 0.7m ( 5.8%)
00:25- The Many Faces of Les Dawson: 0.3m ( 4.5%)
01:25- QI: 0.2m ( 5.2%)

Channel 4
02:00- Cee Lo Takes the UK: 0.1m ( 2.5%)
05:25- Brothers and Sisters: 0.1m ( 5.7%)
06:10- The Ugly Duckling and Me: 0.1m ( 5.3%)
07:40- The Simpsons: 0.2m ( 5.9%)
08:00- The Simpsons: 0.5m ( 8.7%)
08:30- James and the Giant Peach: 0.7m ( 8.2%)
10:00- Gordon's Christmas Cookalong Live: 1.2m ( 9.6%)
14:00- Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas: 1.5m (10.9%)
14:30- The Snowman: 1.2m ( 8.4%)
15:00- Celebrity Come Dine with Me: 1.0m ( 6.0%)
16:05- Channel 4 News: 0.9m ( 5.6%)
16:20- Deal or No Deal: Deal Panto: 1.5m ( 8.2%)
17:20- Big: 1.2m ( 5.3%)
19:15- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs: 2.2m ( 8.0%)
21:00- Alan Carr: Chatty Man Christmas Special: 1.7m ( 5.9%)
22:00- Rude Tube: 1.5m ( 5.8%)
23:05- So This is Christmas: 0.5m ( 2.9%)
00:05- 8 Out of 10 Cats: 0.7m ( 7.6%)
01:10- American Football Live: 0.1m ( 1.4%)

Channel 5
07:00- The Milkshake! Show: 0.1m ( 2.3%)
07:25- Make Way for Noddy: 0.1m ( 2.2%)
07:45- Little Princess: 0.1m ( 2.1%)
08:25- Rupert Bear: 0.1m ( 1.3%)
08:45- Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom: 0.1m ( 1.2%)
09:00- Mist: The Tale of a Sheepdog Puppy: 0.3m ( 3.4%)
10:35- Animal Rescue Squad: 0.2m ( 1.9%)
10:55- Andre Rieu's Christmas Spectacular: 0.3m ( 2.7%)
11:55- Ice Road Truckers: 0.4m ( 3.4%)
12:55- Ice Road Truckers: 0.6m ( 4.6%)
14:00- Mrs Miracle 2: Miracle in Manhattan: 0.6m ( 4.2%)
15:45- Mrs Santa Claus: 0.6m ( 3.2%)
17:30- The Santa Suit: 0.7m ( 3.0%)
19:25- Christmas Card: 0.5m ( 1.8%)
21:05- Eddie Stobart: Trucks, Trailers and Tinsel: 0.7m ( 2.5%)
22:00- Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs: 0.5m ( 2.7%)

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UK Top 40 Christmas Chart 2011

2011-12-26T01:45:00.001Z

The Military Wives sold a staggering 556,000 copies to claim the Christmas number one spot in the UK singles chart - that was more than the Top 12 combined and became the 60th official Christmas #1. X Factor winners Little Mix, had to settle for number two but can be content with being number one the week before.

1 (144) 2wks Wherever You Are MILITARY WIVES/GARETH MALONE
2 (1) 2wks Cannonball Little Mix
3 (132) 2wks Dominick The Donkey LOU MONTE
4 (NEW) 1wk Forever Yours ALEX DAY
5 (2) 9wks Paradise Coldplay
6 (3) 5wks Dance With Me Tonight Olly Murs
7 (6) 6wks Good Feeling Flo Rida
8 (4) 3wks Dedication To My Ex(Miss That) LLOYD FT ANDRE 3000 / LIL WAYNE
9 (7) 5wks Levels Avicii
10 (5) 12wks We Found Love Rihanna

11 (113) 189wks Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana
12 (18) 4wks Mama Do The Hump Rizzle Kicks
13 (13) 60wks Fairytale Of New York The Pogues ft Kirsty Maccoll
14 (9) 15wks Lego House Ed Sheeran
15 (14) 19wks Moves Like Jagger Maroon 5
16 (12) 9wks Earthquake Labrinth feat Tinie Tempah
17 (11) 61wks All I Want For Christmas Mariah Carey
18 (15) 6wks Take Care DRAKE FT RIHANNA
19 (16) 16wks Sexy And I Know It LMFAO
20 (20) 10wks The One That Got Away Katy Perry

21 (24) 15wks What Makes You Beautiful One Direction
22 (35) 5wks You Da One RIHANNA
23 (23) 11wks Love On Top Beyonce
24 (10) 3wks 5 O'Clock T-PAIN / WIZ KHALIFA / LILY ALLEN
25 (43) 18wks Heart Skips a Beat Olly Murs ft Rizzle Kicks
26 (21) 23wks Who You Are Jessie J
27 (NEW) 1wk Driving Home For Christmas Stacey Solomon
28 (25) 10wks Mistletoe Justin Bieber
29 (40) 10wks Video Games Lana Del Rey
30 (32) 30wks Jar of Hearts Christina Perri
31 9(29) 7wks Marry The Night Lady Gaga
32 (26) 8wks It Will Rain Bruno Mars

33 (NEW) 1wk Last Christmas The Cast of The Only Way Is Essex
34 (28) 28wks Last Christmas WHAM!
35 (34) 5wks Nothing's Real But Love Rebecca Ferguson
36 (53) 23wks Driving Home For Christmas Chris Rea
37 (36) 7wks Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Slow Moving Millie
38 (31) 28wks I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday Wizzard
39 (30) 8wks Fight For You Jason Derulo
40 (37) 32wks Merry Xmas Everybody Slade

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Blur To Perform At Brit Awards 2012

2011-12-19T11:04:00.000Z

Blur will be performing at the Brit Awards 2012 as they pick up their 'Outstanding Achievement Award', it has been confirmed. The band's bassist Alex James told XFM radio listeners, "We're going to play, which is brilliant, it's like putting the Blues Brothers back together."

The chart topping band won four Brit Awards while at the top of their career with 'Parklife', taking home best album, best single, best video and best group in 1995. Blur reformed briefly in the summer of 2009, including an emotional performance at Glastonbury (see video below) - but fans were left wanting more after the Britpop band went their separate ways once again.

Alex James remained tight lipped about the future prospects of Blur returning to the music world with a tour or new songs as he spoke to XFM, "Well, lets hope - heritage year next year..... be good wouldn't it? I wish I could tell you more. I'm sure it will happen one day but I don't know when. It's quite nice to keep it special."

Blur return to Glastonbury 2009 with 'She's So High'

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NME TV Closing Down

2011-12-15T12:29:00.000Z

Fans of 'real' music will be disappointed to learn that NME TV will go off air forever on Thursday 5th January 2012 after owners decided to pull the plug on the music network.

Smaller advertising revenues and low viewing figures of less than 50,000 meant CSC Media Group could not operate the channel without incurring growing losses. The station first broadcast over four years ago and has been the home of rock, indie and Britpop since it's launch on 22nd November 2007. NME magazine and NME radio are not affected by the decision to cease broadcasting NME TV.

R.I.P NME TV - we'll miss you!

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Madonna To Perform At Super Bowl 2012

2011-12-06T15:37:00.001Z

It has been revealed that Madonna will be singing during the half time section of the 2012 Super Bowl Final, eight years after Janet Jackson suffered a 'wardrobe malfunction' during the same event when as she sang with Justin Timberlake.

Although Madonna has been quiet lately on the music scene, the 53 year old singer is expected to make an explosive return with her next single 'Masterpiece' - which is expected to be on her new album and forms part of the soundtrack for her film W.E.

Madonna will perform on Sunday 5th February 2012 at the Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, with a massive global audience and 111 million tuning in from the USA last year, it will be the perfect promotion for W.E. - which will be released two days before.

Madonna - Masterpiece

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Coldplay Set For Coventry Ricoh Arena

2011-11-11T17:18:00.000Z

Coventry Ricoh Arena will be kicking off the Coldplay 2012 tour on Tuesday 29th May 2012, it will be the chart topping bands only Midlands date and is expected to sell out when tickets go on sale on Friday 18th November 2011. Chris Martin and the band are only performing a few dates while in the UK, including London Emirates Stadium (June 1, 2), Sunderland Stadium of Light (June 7th) and Manchester Etihad Stadium (June 9th).

Coldplay have enjoyed massive worldwide success since their debut album in 2000 with 'Parachutes' (2.3m in UK), their latest album 'Mylo Xyloto' went to number one in thirty two countries on it's release recently. 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head' sold 2.6m copies in the UK with 'X And Y' not far behind on 2.3m.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday November 18 through www.gigsandtours.com (0844 854 1360), http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ (0844 847 2312), http://www.ticketline.co.uk/ (0844 888 9991) and http://www.ticketfactory.com/ (0844 581 9900).

For further information and to book hospitality packages at the Ricoh Arena email coldplayvip@ricoharena.com, telephone 0844 873 6310 or log on to http://www.ricoharena.com/

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FREE DOWNLOAD: Sharliza Jelita - Breaks My Heart In Two

2011-10-08T19:44:00.000+01:00

Click on me to download Breaks My Heart In Two.

Have you ever loved a star so much you listen to them every day, stare at their pictures, watch their videos, consume every piece of literature you can find on them, start a fanclub, and carve their name into your arm at a school assembly? That sums up Sharliza Jelita's past obsession with Thom Yorke and Radiohead in her teens. It is his birthday this month (Oct 7th) so Sharliza's present Breaks My Heart In Two, a song about unrequited love just like ‘Creep’. While he made a lot of money with his composition – his first house was christened ‘the house that Creep built’ – Sharliza won’t with hers, as she is giving away Breaks My Heart in Two for free on Soundcloud. Enjoy… it’s a bright, catchy cross between Indonesian keroncong, Trojan calypso and No Surprises. You’ll hum it as you’re doing the dishes. This track will be on her upcoming album Strange Things.

Sharliza Jelita - Breaks My Heart In Two by -Sharliza Jelita-

The recent gig at the Water Rats turned out mad and solo – James and Bob the homeless cat turned up but weren’t allowed in the venue so Sharliza had to make do with an impromptu photoshoot and my other mechanical animals called Rabbit, Pussy and Doggy! Nick Miners was on hand to capture a sanitized version of events. Catch Sharliza's next London gigs at Oxjam Islington Takeover at Wenlock & Essex on Oct 22nd and a Halloween party with the Good Suns at the Good Ship in Kilburn on Oct 29th.

Michael Jackson's The Wiz

LED dress from Cutecircuit, mask from Spitalfields, bling from Hamburg, person from Singapore

VISIT: http://www.sharliza.com/

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Mercury Award Winner 2011: P J Harvey

2011-09-07T08:43:00.001+01:00

For the first time in the history of the Mercury Prize Award, PJ Harvey was announced as the winner for the second time. The 41 year-old singer said she had been inspired to write 'Let England Shake' by the horror of war. She first won the Mercury Prize back in 2001, but due to the 9/11 attacks she was unable to attend the award ceremony in London. PJ Harvey beat Adele, Tinie Tempah, Katy B and Elbow to win the prestigious prize.

PJ Harvey told the audience, "This album took me a long time to write. It was very important to me. I wanted to make something meaningful, not just for myself but for other people, and hopefully to make something that would last."

PIC: REUTERS

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VIDEO: Pint Shot Riot - Twisted Soul

2011-08-13T12:14:00.002+01:00

The video for 'Twisted Soul' by well known Coventry band Pint Shot Riot has been released this week and features some familiar Coventry locations. Directed by Dino Kazamia (who also directed PSR's 'Hazy Days' and 'Somebody Save Me') and starring James Bird - the video follows a young man on his way home. We all know walking home on your own late at night can be dangerous, and 'Twisted Soul' delivers an interesting end to that night out. The track has been featured on the FIFA 12 soundtrack and fans can buy 'Twisted Soul' on CD from 12th September 2011. Another great tune from our very own Pint Shot Riot!

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VIDEO: Sharliza Jelita - No Go Pogo

2011-07-25T11:29:00.004+01:00

Life can get a bit heavy at times, that's why it is always good to step back and enjoy yourself. Sharliza Jelita is one of those people who doesn't take life too seriously, being zany actually keeps you sane!

While at Warwick University, Sharliza was often seen jumping around at various venues with her band The Rrrs. The energy on stage oozed out into the audience and always left a favourable impression. After finishing at uni the reality of work and making a living came home and the band went their separate ways. Yet the desire to perform never left Sharliza, who yearned for a return to the stage.

The video above is a triumphant return to the music world - with Sharliza on vocals, you don't just get a song ..... you get theatre and a performance worth watching again and again. We need people like Sharliza to help us escape the woes of this world and just enjoy life. No Go Pogo is the perfect summer song you could skip through the fields singing along too or blast out as you are getting ready for a night out with friends.

The world would be a much happier, creative place if we could have a few more people like Sharliza Jelita. So if you ever need cheering up, buy this song and blast it out because you are guaranteed to feel happier after a dose of Sharliza - just what the doctor ordered!

Buy 'No Go Pogo' on Amazon for just 69p!
Visit: http://www.sharliza.com/ for more details

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Mercia Radio Leaving Coventry Behind

2011-07-10T08:35:00.003+01:00

Coventry's legendary Mercia radio station is dumping the city in favour of Birmingham after 31 years in the heart of Coventry. Top presenters like John Dalziel (JD) and Andy Goulding will be forced to move across to the Birmingham BRMB studio. Mercia owners Orion Media, which bought the station from GCap Media in June 2009, released a statement saying, "Mercia will of course continue to serve Coventry and Warwickshire with local output specifically made for the area throughout the majority of the day."

JD - star of the Breakfast Show on Mercia

For news reporters it will mean re-applying for their jobs as Orion Media will be cutting the number of journalists from 10 to 8 across the West Midlands, resulting in less local stories from Coventry. Mercia will also have less programmes designated to the people of Coventry and Warwickshire as it seeks to reduce costs by broadcasting programmes across BRMB and Mercia. The station will no longer have it's own mid morning show, the first casualty of the cuts being enforced by Orion Media.

Many people will remember the launch of Mercia Sound in Coventry on May 23rd 1980, offering a new independent sound to the area. The station quickly became popular, broadcasting for 19 hours daily and allowing listeners to pop into the Hertford Place studio and place requests. DJ Stuart Linnell was the presenter of the 'Afternoon Delight' show, which aired between 1pm and 4pm weekdays as well as the 'Sportacular' programme on Saturdays.

Stuart reacted to the news about Mercia moving out of Coventry by saying, "While I understand that things change and economically times are tough, I note Mercia's move out of Coventry with some sadness, it was a great place to work and I was proud to be part of the Day One team at Mercia Sound (as it then was) and, later, Mercia's Programme Controller and Managing Director."

Mercia Sound - the early presenters from May 1980

Stuart Linnell went on to recount some of his memories at Mercia, "I remember several thousand people surrounding the building when Cliff Richard stopped by for a live interview one afternoon, a similar response when The Bee Gees were there and a massive crowd that turned up from nowhere when Bob Geldof came in with no prior on-air announcement.

Not to mention the hilarious afternoon that the rising young TV star Michael Barrymore was introduced to his co-star in that year's Coventry Theatre panto, Lenny The Lion, or the day Pete Waterman spent recording a 6-part series telling his life story and the memorable moment that Dave Jamieson interrupted his programme to announce the sinking of HMS Coventry at the Falklands."

Although Stuart now works for BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, he very much enjoyed his time at Mercia recalling when, "an unsuspecting Bernie Keith was "arrested" live on-air by Coventry police in the midst of interviewing David "Kid" Jensen who then took over and presented the rest of Bernie's Breakfast Show.Then there were the superb events we held there during the year - the annual Cathedral Carol Service after-party, the Snowball Appeal "radiothon", the sports forums and live music events."

When Trinity Media took over the Coventry Telegraph and eventually moved production of the newspaper out of the city, many local people felt the newspaper had lost it's heart and ceased being a truly local newspaper. Now listeners may begin to feel the same about Mercia radio when it moves to Birmingham. Already a Facebook page has been set up entitled 'Keep Mercia In Coventry'.

For me personally, I remember the launch of Mercia Sound in 1980. As a Coventry kid we loved being able to pop into the studio and look around and the "220 Medium Wave" jingle would never leave our memory. Everywhere you went around Coventry you would see Mercia Sound car stickers, and although we never owned a car - I proudly displayed mine in my bedroom window!

The original leaflet about the Mercia Sound launch, May 1980

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VIDEO: Melanie C 'Rock Me'

2011-06-09T10:00:00.002+01:00

Here is the brand new video by Melanie C for 'Rock Me', along with the lyrics and photo shoot for the new single. Rock Me will be released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on June 24th 2011 as part of ZDF's FIFA Women's World Cup broadcast. Fans worldwide will be able to purchase the tracks via iTunes around the same date.

Melanie C - 'Rock Me' Lyrics:

Rock Me baby, Rock Me baby, Rock Me baby

Chorus:
Rock Me baby, Rock me better into the beat
You make me wanna throw my hands into the air, air, air
Rock Me baby, Rock me take me over
Come on let’s go everybody throw your hands in the air, air, air

Waiting, for you
will you do, what I want you?
Beautiful fever, taking me, deeper
I lose myself, in myself
I’ll meet you there, in another world
Hear the crowd, feel the drums
Here we go, come on, come on

Chorus:
Stronger, deeper, music, set me free
Beating, faster, music, remedy

Snapshots
Speed of sound,in my head
Spinning round, levitate of the ground
Gettin’ up, gettin’ down
Let me see you jump now

Chorus:
Stronger, deeper, music, set me free
Beating, faster, music, remedy

Rock Me baby, Rock Me e baby, Rock Me (in the air)
Rock Me baby, Rock Me e baby, Rock Me (get up)
Rock Meeeeeeeee, Rock Meeeeeeeee
Rock Meeeeeeeee, Rock Meeeeeeeee

Chorus:
Stronger, deeper, music, set me free
Beating, faster, music, remedy

Rock me baby

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Coventry's Got Style With Stylusboy's New EP

2011-06-06T09:32:00.001+01:00

Stylusboy - Whole Picture

Having just worked all night, the last thing I thought I would be doing was writing a review about a new EP. Yet my love for all things Cov means I'll give a shout out if something good comes along.

Coventry born Steve Jones (aka Stylusboy) has just released his third album - Whole Picture, which was the perfect easy listening album to play while unwinding after a hard nights labour. I had just been expecting guitar and solo vocals but this EP also features the backing vocals of Rachel Grisedale and much more than just a guitar! The two vocals compliment each other and make the album a pleasure to have on while relaxing as the blend of modern day folk music soaks gently into your ears. Beyond The Flags is the outstanding track from the Whole Picture EP. Stylusboy has scored a winner with this tune, and deserves to be up there with such artists like Danny and the Champions of the World. Steve and Rachel should be very proud of their songs and Coventry are fortunate to have such talent. If you get the chance, check out Stylusboy's website and order whatever tacks you like, or see him performing at a local gig (if you ask nicely he might even come around your house and perform for you and your friends!) There is a limited Whole Picture CD available for those who prefer something a little more physical.

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The End Of Glee

2011-05-17T18:59:00.000+01:00

It looks like hit TV programme Glee will be disappearing from our TV screens in the very near future as Channel 4 have refused to pay double the price for the third series. Glee fans will still be able to watch the next series, but they will need to be subscribers to Sky because it will no longer be aired on E4. A Channel 4 spokesman said: "By not renewing the Glee deal, we are freeing up huge amounts of budget to invest in homegrown programming, British talent and of course continuing to discover and showcase what the US has to offer. We are particularly thrilled to have recently acquired The Killing."

For more details on the story, visit the Guardian website.

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