Brooklyn’s We Are Augustines released their ‘Rise Ye Sunken Ships’ album via their own label, Oxcart Records last week and enjoyed the sold out UK shows they left behind.

The band lit up the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas last week with various gigs and secret acoustic shows and are currently taking their energetic live set around the US touring with Band of Skulls. Once they have played the Coachella Festival in April, We Are Augustines will return to our shores in the first week of May to tour the UK at the dates listed below. Please note that the show at Dingwalls in Camden, London sold out as soon as it was announced through the band’s Facebook page, but keep an eye on the band’s social networks for one-off guest list comps.

The three-piece had a full day recording at the legendary Abbey Road studios in Maida Vale, London this month and recorded some footage to discuss the making of debut album ‘Rise Ye Sunken Ships’ and the journey they have endured over the last year. Watch the video at http://youtu.be/vPzerhTjTNE and look out for the album which is out now on Oxcart Records.

We Are Augustines play the following shows in May:

2nd May – Academy 3, Manchester
3rd May – Dingwalls, London (SOLD OUT)
5th May – Live at Leeds Festival
6th May – Hare and Hounds, Birmingham
10th May Captain’s Rest ‘ Glasgow

Follow We Are Augustines online at www.weareaugustines.com

Hot on the heels of the amazing reception to their recent sold out live dates and forthcoming album, Feeder announce a string of huge UK dates for November 2012. Culminating in a show at O2 Academy Brixton, the tour takes in five dates across the country. The band are also confirmed for Isle of Wight, T In The Park and Sonsiphere festivals.

Clearly rising towards a new career peak, 2012 is shaping up to be a big year for the band. Having already sold out a UK tour in January in support of their single ‘Borders’, Feeder are gearing up for the release of their eighth album ‘Generation Freakshow’, out April 23rd. The response to the new songs at recent live shows has signalled great things for the album, as has the 500,000 views on YouTube for the ‘Borders’ video.

‘Generation Freakshow’ takes the heavier elements of Feeder’s previous album ‘Renegades’ and marries it to the anthemic rock of their much-loved hits. In their career, which spans over two decades, the band have racked up over 25 hit singles, sold in excess of five million records, and released a double platinum singles collection.

Tickets go on presale at 9am on Wednesday 21st March. Tickets go on general sale on Friday 23rd March.

Friday 22nd June Isle of Wight Festival
Friday 6th July T In The Park, Scotland
Saturday 7th July Sonisphere, Knebworth
Friday 27th July Kendal Calling, Cumbria
Saturday 17th November O2 Academy, Glasgow
Sunday 18th November Manchester Academy
Tuesday 20th November Portsmouth Guildhall
Wednesday 21st November Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
Friday 23rd November O2 Academy, Brixton

Nicki Minaj has announced that she will be returning to the UK this June for the ‘Pink Friday’ Tour. She will perform in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Nicki Minaj tickets go on sale 9am on Friday 23rd March priced at £45.00 & £35.00 LONDON / Regionally £40.00 & £32.50 (subject to booking fee) and will be available for www.livenation.co.uk

With 3 million albums sold globally, 15 million likes on Facebook, 8.5 million followers on Twitter and a profile that is rising by the day, 2012 looks like being an even bigger and better year for this 5′ 2′ phenomenon.

NICKI MINAJ
PINK FRIDAY TOUR

JUNE 2012
SUNDAY 24 LONDON HMV HAMMERSMITH APOLLO
MONDAY 25 LONDON HMV HAMMERSMITH APOLLO
TUESDAY 26 BIRMINGHAM NIA ACADEMY
THURSDAY 28 02 APOLLO MANCHESTER

Nicki Minaj tickets go on sale 9am on Friday 23rd March priced at £45.00 & £35.00 LONDON

On Thursday 22nd March, David Walliams will take on the role of Editor for one day, for a special Sport Relief edition of The Independent and i, to be published on Friday 23rd March. The proceeds from The Independent’s sale will go to Sport Relief.

The issues will be packed full of contributions from a wide range of celebrities, comedians and sports personalities. Highlights of this very special edition include an exclusive photo shoot with Lara Stone and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, shot by Alasdair McLellan; interviews with Bill Gates, JLS, Eddie Izzard and Thierry Henry; articles by Richard Curtis, Helen Skelton, Alan Carr, Rob Brydon, Dermot O’Leary and Nick Frost and a host of other guests stars.

David Walliams said: ‘I was thrilled to be invited to guest edit The Independent and i. I can’t wait to sit in the editor’s chair and help decide which stories will make it to print. I’m also very grateful to Evgeny Lebedev and everyone else at The Independent and i for supporting this great cause.’

Marilyn Manson is planning to perform at a birthday party for Johnny Depp’s son.

The goth rocker seems an unlikely choice as an entertainer at a young boy’s party ‘ however, Depp’s son Jack has specially requested him.

Jack turns ten on April 9 and Manson has agreed to play a set to mark the big day.

The outrageous singer spent time with Jack after he asked Depp to feature on a version of Carly Simon’s 1972 hit You’re So Vain for his new album.

“We did a cover version together of a song which we thought was ironic for each other. Johnny played the drums and lead guitar and I played guitar and sang,’ Manson told MTV News. “Johnny”s son Jack, whose birthday I”m gonna perform at, was in the room and played on the song too.’

Manson also revealed details about his promo to accompany the new single. He says Depp will feature in the video for You’re So Vain.

“It”s pretty cool. The video will probably be us looking at each other like a mirror,” he explained.

Depp and Manson have been friends for years. The unlikely duo first met on the set of 21 Jump Street ‘ the cult 80s television show starring Depp. Manson was an extra on the crime series when he struck up a friendship with the Hollywood star.

One Direction have made music history by becoming the first British group to top the US charts with their debut album.

The boyband ‘ comprising of Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson ‘ have been making waves in America with their first album Up All Night, which recently claimed the top spot on iTunes in the country.

One Direction have now seen their popularity rise and have made musical history with their Billboard chart success.

The band’s group Twitter account posted today: ‘Congratulations to One Direction for coming in at #1 on the U.S. @billboard charts. Thank you to all who’ve been there from day one. 1DHQ X (sic),’ they wrote.

The band shot to fame after coming third in the 2010 season of the UK version of X Factor, and are signed to Simon Cowell’s label Syco.

Liam was interviewed this morning on UK TV show Daybreak and revealed the band are still in shock following their success in the US.

‘I don’t know if we can say that yet, it still seems strange to say it,’ he replied when asked how it feels to have broken America. ‘Everything has happened so quickly, it is a little bit of a shock. We didn’t expect to be over here, even release an album, let alone be the first to debut at number one. I don’t think it has hit home yet…

‘We are all so naïve to the music industry that we don’t really understand all these things. People tell you all these stats and tell you it’s great but you just smile and go with it, really.’

It was recently revealed that One Direction’s newfound fame has bagged them their own Nickelodeon TV show.

The previous highest entry for a UK group’s first album was the Spice Girls. The famed girl band entered the charts at number six with their album Spice in 1997.

Many American stars have taken to their Twitter pages over the past couple of weeks to show their support for the teenage pop band.

Canadian sensation Justin Bieber also praised British band The Wanted who are currently riding high in the charts too.

Katy Perry has also tweeted her support.

The songstress was a guest judge on The X Factor when Niall was put through to boot camp stages.

“congratulations, you didn’t let me down! Xo,’ she wrote, before Niall replied: “hey katy, thank you, let’s hope it holds out this week! Thank you for putting me thru! we’ve been working hard,I won’t let you down (sic)”

Rihanna has reportedly asked Kate Moss to be her plus one when she performs at a music festival this summer.

The songstress is taking to the stage at London’s Wireless music festival in July, and according to reports, is eager for Kate to join her entourage at the event.

The pair hit it off after being introduced at Stella McCartney’s London Fashion Week party in February.

“She thinks Kate is great fun so has invited her to see her play and party afterwards,’ a source told British newspaper The Sun.

It was reported last week that Kate’s constant gushing over Rihanna is reportedly getting on her family’s nerves.

The stunning star is also said to have developed a ‘girl crush’ on the Bajan beauty.

‘When Kate first saw Rihanna at Stella’s bash, she asked her ex, Jefferson Hack, to move so she could sit next to her. She spent the entire night gushing over the singer and wants to throw a party for her at her North London home,’ a source told British magazine Closer.

‘She’s confessed to her girl crush, which is driving husband Jamie Hince and daughter Lila mad.’

In between one-off shows scattered around the world in the past several months THE FLAMING LIPS have still found time to record a series of unique and experimental sessions for an album featuring a diverse cross-section of heavy friends from every corner of the musical cosmos. THE FLAMING LIPS AND HEADY FWENDS includes vocal and musical assistance from such disparate playmates as Yoko Ono, Nick Cave, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Bon Iver, Ke$ha and many more.

Some of these tracks have already appeared on previously released, extremely limited edition color vinyl 12″ EPs released in past months, which sold out as soon as they became available. Most of the tracks on the album are being released here for the first time and will surprise even the most ardent LIPS fans.

THE FLAMING LIPS AND HEADY FWENDS will be pressed on two high-quality, multi-color vinyl discs housed in separate custom art jackets and poly bagged together. No two discs will look exactly alike. This double album will be very limited and released exclusively for RECORD STORE DAY. Once it’s gone, it will not be repressed again making THE FLAMING LIPS AND HEADY FWENDS the most anticipated RSD release this year.

Track-listing for THE FLAMING LIPS AND HEADY FWENDS is as follows:

Side 1:
2012 (featuring Ke$ha and Biz Markie)
Ashes In The Air (featuring Bon Iver)
Helping The Retarded To Know God (featuring Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros)

Side 2:
Supermoon Made Me Want To Pee (featuring Prefuse 73)
Children Of The Moon (featuring Tame Impala)
That Ain’t My Trip (featuring Jim James of My Morning Jacket)
You, Man? Human? (featuring Nick Cave)

Side 3:
I’m Working At NASA On Acid (featuring Lightning Bolt)
Do It! (featuring Yoko Ono)
Is David Bowie Dying? (featuring Neon Indian)

Side 4:
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (featuring Erykah Badu)
Thunder Drops (featuring New Fumes)
I Don’t Want You To Die (featuring Chris Martin of Coldplay)

As previously announced, THE FLAMING LIPS will also have this highly sought-after title available on Record Store Day:

The Flaming Lips / Mastodon: “A Spoonful Weighs A Ton” (7″ baby pink vinyl single) The mighty Mastodon faithfully covers the Lips classic “Spoonful Weighs a Ton,” from The Soft Bulletin album. Ferociously beautiful! This single is part of our on-going Side by Side 2012 Series, which was initially introduced in 2011. All are exclusive for Record Store Day on uniquely colored and extremely limited edition 7″ vinyl singles, featuring Warner artists covering other historic and personally influential iconic artists.

Stay tuned for further announcements from THE FLAMING LIPS soon including live dates, work on a new studio album and much more.

Rumer has announced her return with a brand new album, ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, which will be released on May 28 (Atlantic Records).

‘Boys Don’t Cry’ follows the breakthrough success of Rumer’s debut album, ‘Seasons Of My Soul’, which charted at number 3 upon its release in November 2010, and has since sold over a million copies. Along the way, Rumer has been nominated for two BRIT awards, been named the much-coveted Breakthrough Act at the Mojo Awards, and played shows everywhere from the Royal Albert Hall to The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (she recently reached #1 on iTunes in America).

Describing ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, which she began recording whilst still unsigned, Rumer says: ‘this project is about passion, and paying respect to other people’s work. I went on a journey and this music tells that story.’ Further plans for ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ ‘ including news of the first single ‘ will be announced shortly. The track-listing, including the original recording artists, is as follows:

Boys Don’t Cry:
1. P.F. Sloan (Jimmy Webb)
2. Be Nice To Me (Todd Rundgren)
3. It Could Be The First Day (Richie Havens)
4. Travelin’ Boy (Paul Williams)
5. A Man Needs A Maid (Neil Young)
6. Soulsville (Issaac Hayes)
7. The Same Old Tears On A New Background (Stephen Bishop)
8. Soul Rebel (Bob Marley)
9. Flyin’ Shoes (Townes Van Zandt)
10. Home Thoughts From Abroad (Clifford T Ward)
11. We Will (Gilbert O Sullivan)
12. My Cricket (Leon Russell)

Boys Don’t Cry (Special Edition):
13. Sara Smile (Hall and Oates)
14. Just For A Moment (Ronnie Lane)
15. Andre Johray (Tim Hardin)
16. Brave Awakening (Terry Reid)

Katy Perry has hit back at reports she has been “dissing” other stars.

The singer has taken to her Twitter account to slam claims she was having a dig at celebrities. She appeared to be referring to reports she took a swipe at Beyoncé Knowles and Shakira during a recent radio interview.

‘F**k all y’all (press) dat thinks I dissed anyone, puhlez, u havin a slow news day or what?! Get a life, cuz it’s not mine! #hoodratcominout (sic),’ she wrote on Twitter.

In the UK radio interview earlier this week, Katy spoke about collaborating with Rihanna for a track. She said she was keen to record an ‘iconic’ track with her close friend.

“I want it to be like that Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin song Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves,’” she said of the hit ’80s song. “Not Beautiful Liar. It’s one of those things where it’s gotten so much build up that if we don’t’ deliver, like, the best song… We’re both busy, but we planted a seed two years ago, we’re just looking for that special one.’

The Fireworks singer made the comments after she performed a cover version of N**gas in Paris – originally released by Beyonce’s husband Jay Z and Kanye West.

Katy has seemingly dismissed any suggestions that she thinks Beautiful Liar, which topped the charts in 2007, will not stand the test of time.

‘If ya ears are filled with wax it’s time to get a cleanse boo,’ she tweeted.

‘Anywayz… (steps off of box) (sic).’

Katy has also discussed her upcoming performance at the opening night of Indian Premier League (IPL) in Chennai on April 3. She will perform at the YMCA Grounds as part of ceremony for IPL’s fifth edition.

‘Put on your dancing shoes. I’m all set to bring it @IPL Opening Night: http://iplt20.com #YehIPLhaiBoss,’ she said.

Katy married British comic star Russell Brand in India in 2010 following a whirlwind romance. The pair split in December last year and their divorce will be finalised later this year.