• As revealed previously on the site, Sony Music will release the new Rebecca Ferguson single ‘I Hope’ in Australia later this month (Nov 22). The track (cover pictured) is the lead single from the UK soul songstress’ new album ‘Freedom’, which is also to be given an Aussie release… on Friday December 06.
• Sony turned up the pop factor this week, servicing new singles from Britney, Labrinth, The Fray and Bonnie Anderson to Aussie media. They also confirmed the upcoming release of the new Pitbull album ‘Meltdown’ (on November 29).
• The Deni Blues & Roots Festival got a little bigger this week, adding to the already impressive line-up (which includes John Mayer, The Doobie Brothers, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Russell Morris & Jasmine Rae). Also heading down under for the April 19/20 2014 event are Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Boz Scaggs, Michael Franti & Spearhead and many more. Tickets are already on sale.
• Public Enemy will tour Australia in early March. In the country for the Breath Of Life, Golden Plains and Perth Festivals, they’ll also play shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Newcastle, with tickets for all on sale now.
• Bernard Fanning has announced the upcoming release of a new iTunes Live Sessions. It was recorded recently at Byron Bay’s Studios 301 and contains a selection of solo material from both ‘Tea & Sympathy’ and ‘Departures’. It’s out digitally on Friday November 22.
• When the people of the US latch onto something, they certainly don’t like letting it go too quickly. New Zealand starlet Lorde is a case in point, with her single ‘Royals’ continuing its reign atop the Billboard 100 singles chart for a sixth consecutive week. Miley’s ‘Wrecking Ball’ edges one spot higher, with Eminem and Rihanna’s chart ‘Monster’ premiering at No.3. One Direction scores another top ten US hit with ‘Story Of My Life’, which comes into the countdown at No.6 and the reign of Eminem continues in the 11-20 bracket, with three more tracks in the top 20.
• Eminem’s new album won’t impact on the Billboard albums chart ’til next week, which allows Arcade Fire to premiere in the top spot with ‘Reflektor’. It knocks off Katy Perry’s ‘Prism’ after just one week, with festive season offerings from Kelly Clarkson and The Robertsons premiering in positions three and four respectively. Country offerings from Thomas Rhett and Toby Keith debut at Nos.6 and 7 respectively, while Linkin Park are ‘Recharged’, debuting at No.10.
• And don’t forget… for all the goings-on on the charts back here in Australia, check out our weekly Chart Watch segment; live on the site from 7pm AEDT.
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