BIG ASS SATURDAY NEWS WRAP #71

• Due to Monday’s public holiday in New South Wales, there was pretty much nothing to report for you on Tuesday, so we’ve decided instead to hold over our news wrap for a big ol’ bumper Saturday edition. So here’s Saturday news wrap #71…
• Pnau’s new single ‘Unite Us’ (pictured) was one of a selection of new tracks whisked out to media this week. Other tunes serviced included Oh Mercy’s new single ‘Blue Lagoon’, Boy & Bear’s new track ‘Part Time Believer’ and Aloe Blacc’s ‘Loving You Is Killing Me’.
• Warner Music will release ‘New Blood’ – the new album from British singer songwriter Peter Gabriel – later this month. Containing “re-imagined arrangements of many of Peter’s songs” including ‘Intruder’, ‘Don’t Give Up’, ‘Digging In The Dirt’ and ‘The Rhythm Of The Heat’. The 14 tracker will be released in standard and deluxe editions on Friday October 28.
• Fan of the Gorillaz? Then you’ll be thrilled with the news that EMI Australia will release the band’s best-of ‘The Singles Collection : 2001-2011’ next month. Bringing 13 of the band’s singles together on the one disc, along with two remixes, it’s due to be released in both standard and deluxe editions on Friday November 25.
• He announced a forthcoming Australian tour only last week, but now comes news that US soul singer Aloe Blacc will be on the ground in Australia again later this month for promotional duties. Truth be known, he’ll only be on the ground in Sydney during the visit, which will include a performance of his hit single of ‘I Need A Dollar’ on The X Factor on Tuesday October 25.
• Swedish House Mafia seems to be giving Aussies a little hint that something big is about to come our way, with a video posted late last month (HERE) revealing that we should be keeping an eye on THIS WEBSITE on Monday for an exciting announcement.
• Red Hot Chili Peppers have been confirmed to perform at the MTV EMAs. The show will be broadcast to a worldwide audience from multiple locations across Belfast. It will be hosted by Disney starlet Selena Gomez. The 18th Annual MTV EMAs will air on MTV Australia from 3pm on Monday November 07.
• Aussie dance/pop troupe Justice Crew has been confirmed as the support act for the forthcoming tour for international superstar Janet Jackson. They’ll be performing their three top 40 singles, along with their latest single ‘Sexy And You Know It’. The tour kicks off in Perth on Tuesday October 18.
• In addition to their appearances at the upcoming Southbound and Falls Festivals and their two shows at the Sydney Opera House (January 02 and 03), US based outfit Fleet Foxes have announced two sideshows to the schedule – one each in Melbourne and Brisbane. They’ll play The Palais in Melbourne on January 06 and The Tivoli in Brisbane on January 11.
• Great news this week for New Zealand/Aussie singer Kimbra, with her debut album ‘Vows’ achieving gold sales accreditation for sales of more than 35,000 copies in just four weeks. The album debuted at No.4 on the albums chart in early September and is still in the top 20.
• US President Barack Obama has made Latin songstress Shakira a member of his President’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for Hispanics. The singer was clearly honoured by the appointment, saying, “For a host of reasons, Latino young people in this country disproportionately drop out of school and far too few finish college. Closing this gap will not only determine the economic future and competitiveness of this nation, but can serve as a model for the world. I am grateful to have an opportunity to support such important work.”
• Plenty of top name performers will gather in Melbourne later this month for a fundraiser called ‘Gotta Have Heart’ (pictured). On the bill are artists like Icehouse, Michael Paynter and Paris Wells, along with comedians, circus performers, magicians and more, all joining in support of their fellow artists and crew who may require assistance. It’s all go at the Sofitel on Friday October 28. More details HERE.
• MTV Hits will celebrate all that was good about music in 2011 with a countdown of the top 100 tracks of the year on New Years Eve. The festivities all kick off at 5pm on December 31. Meanwhile, over on MTV Classic, Molly Meldrum will take a look back at the year that was in ‘Mastered by Molly: End of Year Special’ on Christmas Eve at midday.
• Sydney indie-poppers Convaire will launch their new EP in Brisbane and Sydney later this month. It’s called ‘The New You’ and is packed with what the band calls “synth-happy, ‘80s inspired, sticky-sweet pop songs”. They’ll launch it at the Alhambra Lounge in Brisbane on October 13 and GoodGod Small Club on Thursday October 27 ahead of its November 04 release.
• Spanish DJ Sak Noel has debuted atop the British singles chart with his Europe-wide smash ‘Loca People’. The Goo Goo Dolls’ classic ‘Iris’ is back in the charts (No.3) after performances on the UK version of The X Factor and LMFAO’s ‘Sexy And I Know It’ bullets into the top 100 at No.20.
• On the British album chart, James Morrison knocks Kasabian off the top spot after just one week with his new album ‘The Awakening’. Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ hits No.5 after the release of the deluxe repackages and Blink 182’s ‘Neighbourhoods’ is in at No.6. Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts’ debut solo offering ‘Cinderella’s Eyes’ debuts at No.17.
• Over the pond, Adele is back in the No.1 spot on the Hot 100 singles chart with her all-conquering ‘Someone Like You’ (that clip obviously did the trick). B.o.B.’s new single ‘Strange Clouds’ is straight into the chart action, debuting impressively at No.7, while Rihanna and Calvin Harris storm into the top ten with ‘We Found Love’ (up seven spot to No.9).
• And a big debut on the Billboard 200 album chart from J Cole. His LP ‘Cole World : The Sideline Story’ debuts at No.1 ahead of the new Blink 182 album ‘Neighbourhoods’ (No.2), Wilco’s ‘The Whole Love’ (No.5), Switchfoot’s ‘Vice Verses’ (No.8), Chickenfoot’s ‘III’ (No.9) and Mastodon’s ‘The Hunter’ (No.10).

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