First came the BRIT Award nominees and now we have news of another awards event that will take place on February 24, 2010. The Shockwaves NME Awards 2010 have announced their nominees for this year and there are really very few surprises in there. Known for its bias towards indie, alternative and rock, the names amongst the nominees are actually quite predictable. However, unlike other awards, NME allows the people to vote for their favourites so they deserve a lot of credit for giving us the power!

Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Biffy Clyro, Oasis and Muse are all up for various awards, with the former two being up for six nominations each. Both are nominated for the Best Album, Best Live Band and, of course, the Best Band award. Muse are also up for three awards, which also includes Best Band.

There is one surprise in there though and that is the advent of a brand new award – the Giving It Back fan Award. NME are officially recognising those acts that go the extra mile to please their fans and actually give a lot back to the community as a result. The nominees have all come through for their fans, as you will see when you take a look down the nominees list.

The list of those up for awards can be seen below. I have left out the movie, hottest and best dressed awards, but all of those pertinent to music can be found below:

Best British Band – Arctic Monkeys, Biffy Clyro, Kasabian, Muse, Oasis Best

International Band – Green Day, Kings Of Leon, Paramore, Vampire Weekend, Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Best Solo Artist – Dizzee Rascal, Florence And The Machine, Jamie T, Julian Casablancas, Lady Gaga

Best New Band – The Big Pink, Bombay Bicycle Club, Mumford & Sons, The xx, La Roux

Best Live Band – Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Muse, Radiohead, Them Crooked Vultures

Best Album – Arctic Monkeys – ‘Humbug’, Kasabian – ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’, Muse – ‘The Resistance’, The Cribs – ‘Ignore The Ignorant’, The Horrors – ‘Primary Colours’

Best Track – Animal Collective – ‘My Girls’, Arctic Monkeys – ‘Crying Lightning’, Florence And The Machine – ‘Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)’, Jamie T – ‘Sticks N’ Stones’, The Big Pink – ‘Dominos’

Best Video – Arctic Monkeys – ‘Cornerstone’, Biffy Clyro – ‘The Captain’, Kasabian – ‘Fire’, The Maccabees – ‘Can You Give It’, Oasis – ‘Falling Down’

Best Live Event – Blur at Hyde Park, Jay-Z at Alexandra Palace, Muse at Teignmouth, Oasis at Heaton Park, The Dead Weather at Shoreditch Church

Best Festival – Download, Glastonbury, Reading And Leeds Festivals, T In The Park, V Festival

Best Dancefloor Filler – Dizzee Rascal And Armand Van Helden – ‘Bonkers’, Florence And The Machine – ‘You’ve Got The Love’, La Roux – ‘In For The Kill’ (Skream Remix), Lady Gaga – ‘Poker Face’, Yeah Yeah Yeahs – ‘Zero’

Best DVD – Kings Of Leon – Live At The The O2 Arena, Flight Of The Conchords – Complete HBO Second Season, The Killers – Live From The Royal Albert Hall, The Mighty Boosh – Future Sailors, Nirvana – Live At Reading

Giving It Back Fan Award – Kasabian and Noel Fielding for free ‘Vlad The Impaler’ video, Danger Mouse for leaking ‘Dark Night Of The Soul’, Lily Allen for her Twitter ticket treasure hunt, Arctic Monkeys for their Oxfam golden tickets, Vampire Weekend for giving away ‘Horchata’ from the album ‘Contra’

Hero Of The Year – Beyoncé Knowles, Noel Gallagher, Rage Against The Machine, Matt Bellamy, Alex Turner

Villain Of The Year – Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher, Simon Cowell, Kanye West, Lady Gaga

Worst Album – Green Day – ’21st Century Breakdown’, Lady Gaga – ‘The Fame’, The Jonas Brothers – ‘Lines Vines Trying Times’, U2 – ‘No Line On The Horizon’, Arctic Monkeys – ‘Humbug’

Worst Band – Green Day, Oasis, Jonas Brothers, Paramore, JLS Best

Album Artwork – Muse – ‘The Resistance’, Green Day – ’21st Century Breakdown’, Kasabian – ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’, The Cribs – ‘Ignore The Ignorant’, Manic Street Preachers – ‘Journal For Plague Lovers ‘

Best Band Blog – Muse (Muse.mu and Twitter.com/muse), Radiohead (Radiohead.com/deadairspace), Noel Gallagher (Oasisinet.com), Los Campesinos! (Loscampesinos.com), Paramore (Paramore.net).

Head over to NME.com if you want to cast your votes.

With just days left in January, the football season is entering its final phase at a great pace. This obviously has absolutely nothing to do with music at all, except for the fact that it is a world cup year. Of course, this being England – the home of the novelty record – speculation has already started about whether or not there will be a World Cup song released.

We’ve has Fat Les’s Vindaloo, New Order’s World In Motion (complete with the now infamous John Barnes rap) and Skinner and Baddiel’s Three Lions… twice… so what is next for 2010?

Yes, Skinner is back and coming with him is Three Lions mark three. Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup have already been subjected to the Skinner and Baddiel treatment. The 2010 World Cup is apparently next.

I really am not sure as to whether or not this is a good thing just yet. Only time will tell, but there has been a statement released by the FA stating that there will be no official song. However, that has not put Frank Skinner off.

Stating that “I think I might have a go at writing a new one with the other guys,” he has already set out his intentions to write and release another one, no doubt with the same old tune and just slightly different lyrics. If this one is released though the likelihood is that others will follow. Although there will be no officially endorsed tune, novelty records will come thick and fast because of the ability to make some fast cash from it.

As a music fan and a football fan, I hope that they all leave football novelty songs where they are… firmly in the past. They did not have an official song in 1966 when England last won the World Cup so let’s follow in their footsteps – no novelty song, just a whole lot of goals and the ultimate trophy at the end of it all!

Every single fan of band Kings Of Leon will be well aware that there are always loads of stories out there about the latest fallings out and shenanigans that the four brothers get up to. Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill certainly attract more than enough press for their antics and arguably not enough for their music but the latest news stories combine the two.

There are rumours surrounding their current recording contract that just will not go away at the moment, so much so that Nathan has had to address the rumour via his Twitter account in the past few days. The word was that the band was preparing to leave Columbia, their existing and longstanding label, to move to Warners to get a better financial deal in terms of increased royalties and greater control over their music as well.

Nathan has declared the rumours completely untrue via a Tweet: “Once again there is another rumour circulating about KOL. We are not leaving our record label. We are happy where we are, now let’s get drunk.” That pretty much sums up where the band are and where their loyalties lie in more ways than one! This Tweet is assertive and definitely reveals no hidden agenda or denial. The likelihood is they will not be moving any time soon so avoid listening to the rumours and just concentrate on the tunes.

Regardless of where the band end up in relation to their record labels though, all KOL fans can rest assured that their music will definitely continue because they are currently working on their fifth album before scheduling another tour in the not too distant future.

First there was Queen’s We Will Rock You., then Abba’s Mamma Mia and finally Take That’s Never Forget. It is definitely musical season in the worlds of pop and rock so it really should come as no surprise that a new musical featuring the music of one of the most successful girl bands is on the cards.

It has been announced that the new musical will feature the music of The Spice Girls and is rumoured to be called Viva Forever! after one of the most famous hits that the girls released.  Simon Fuller, the band’s original manager, and the producer behind Mamma Mia, Judy Craymer, are behind the idea and it is said to be well underway.

Plans are apparently to use the music to tell a completely unique story, as in the other musicals named above. This makes sense because Craymer has already stated that it will not be a tribute show in any way, shape or form. However, that is not to say that some of the Spice Girls have not been getting involved. Geri Halliwell has apparently been making herself available to discuss ideas.

When asked about the possibility of opening the musical in the West End of London and the nature of the production by NME.com, Craymer said that: “It’ll be a mix of fact and fiction, a story of women and friendship. The Spice Girls create a lot of excitement, and the show will tap into the essence of them.”

As a huge fan of both Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You, I get that these type of productions work when they are done correctly and can really get the nostalgia going. It is definitely all going to depend on the story so here is hoping they get it right again.

It has been officially confirmed today that a song designed to raise awareness and funds for the Haitian people has been recorded. It was only a matter of time given the global aid appeal that has been issued to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake that absolutely devastated the small country this time last week. With a little luck, the music industry will once again be able to help those in need, if only to make people understand just how much devastation the natural disaster caused and how far the development of the poor country has been set back.

The song has been produced by Swizz Beatz and recorded by U2 and Jay-Z after having completed the entire process of writing through recording in just a few days. All proceeds of downloads and sales are going to the earthquake appeal so hopefully the aid will begin to make a difference and help to offset the damage caused to the country.

The Edge appeared on 2FM last weekend and had the following to say about the single according to the BBC: “Bono got a call from a producer, Swizz. He and Jay-Z wanted to do something for Haiti. So Bono came up with the phrase on the phone and last night we were here, we wrote a song, finished, recorded, and sent it back to them.”

The new single will be performed by Jay-Z, U2 and Rihanna in London on Friday as the Hope For Haiti telethon, which will be shown on MTV. It is also hosted by George Clooney and Coldplay, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Wyclef Jean, Sting, Mary J. Blige, Shakira and Bruce Springsteen have all agreed to perform but will be doing so from various locations during the course of the telethon.

Tune into MTV on 1am on Saturday (23^rd January) to watch the telethon live.

Yep, that time of year has come around again. It truly is awards season and just to prove it the BRITS nominations have now been announced, complete with some surprises.

Dealing with the surprises first, there has been no nomination at all for Susan Boyle despite the level of sales that her album has generated and the popularity she built up during the Britain’s Got Talent run of 2009. Beyonce, U2 and the Arctic Monkeys also miss out. These are all huge acts that have been fixtures of the BRITS for quite some time so the fact that they are not in with a shout highlights just how good a year 2009 was for the music industry.

There are actually five artists up for three different awards this year and they are Florence and the Machine, JLS, Lady Gaga, Pixie Lott and Lily Allen.

Here are the nominations in full:

British Male Solo Artist – Calvin Harris, Dizzee Rascal, Mika, Paolo Nutini, Robbie Williams

British Female Solo Artist – Bat for Lashes, Florence & the Machine, Leona Lewis, Lily Allen, Pixie Lott

British Breakthrough Act – Florence & the Machine, Friendly Fires, JLS, La Roux, Pixie Lott

British Group – Doves, Friendly Fires, JLS, Kasabian, Muse

British Album – Dizzee Rascal – Tongue N’Cheek, Florence & the Machine – Lungs, Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s You, Paolo Nutini – Sunny Side Up

British Single – Alesha Dixon – Breathe, Alexandra Burke Ft Flo Rida – Bad Boys, Cheryl Cole – Fight For This Love, Joe McElderry – The Climb, JLS – Beat Again, La Roux – In For The Kill, Lily Allen – The Fear, Pixie Lott – Mama Do, Taio Cruz – Break Your Heart, Tinchy Stryder Ft N-Dubz – Number 1

BRITS Performance Of 30 Years – Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive/How Deep is Your Love (1997), Bros – I Owe you Nothing (1989), Coldplay – Clocks (2003), Eurythmics & Stevie Wonder – Angel (1999), Girls Aloud – The Promise (2009), Kanye West – Gold Digger (2006), Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out of my Head (2002), Michael Jackson – Earth Song (1996), Paul McCartney – Live & Let Die (2008), Pet Shop Boys – Go West (1994), Robbie Williams & Tom Jones – The Full Monty Medley (1998), Scissor Sisters – Take Your Mama (2005), Spice Girls – Wannabe/Who Do You Think You Are (1997), Take That – Beatles Medley I Wanna Hold Your Hand/Hard Day’s Night/ She Loves Me (1994), The Who – Who Are You (1988)

International Male Solo Artist – Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Jay-Z, Michael Buble, Seasick Steve

International Female Solo Artist – Lady GaGa, Ladyhawke, Norah Jones, Rihanna, Shakira

International Breakthrough Act – Animal Collective, Daniel Merriweather, Empire of the Sun, Lady GaGa, Taylor Swift

International Album – Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion, Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D., Empire of the Sun – Walking on a Dream, Jay-Z – The Blueprint, Lady GaGa – The Fame

BRITS Album Of 30 Years – Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head, Dido – No Angel, Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms, Duffy – Rockferry, Keane – Hopes & Fears, Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, Phil Collins – No Jacket Required, Sade – Diamond Life, The Verve – Urban Hymns, Travis – The Man Who

This year, the outstanding contribution award is going to Robbie Williams, who has also been nominated for the best British male. There has not been too much controversy surrounding the outstanding contribution award this year but I am really surprised about that given the fact that Williams has been away from music for some years, had his best success with Take That in the 1990s and his current album is not on my favourites list. In fact, I think the songs all sound the same. I think there are artists more deserving of the award but what do you think?

First of all, apologies for the title – I just could not resist the urge to use it instead of trying to think of a better one!

Anyway, it has been announced today that Lady Gaga wants to apologise to all of her fans for pulling out of various engagements recently as a result of ill health, namely exhaustion and dehydration. A concert at Purdue University in Indiana is the latest casualty of Gaga’s poor health but there have been instances of other cancelled performances in the past few months.

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, aka Lady Gaga, is just 23 years old and yet it really is no wonder that she is suffering from exhaustion given her monumental rise to the top of the charts in the past year. She had the best selling single of 2009 with Poker Face and has literally seemed to be absolutely everywhere when promoting her music. It seems that she is being forced to take a break because her body has had quite enough for the moment.

Lady Gaga was certainly one of the success stories in the music industry during 2009. The fantastic singer songwriter not only released some amazing tunes but made a major impact on the performance aspect as well with her crazy clothes and ever-changing image. Her individuality and couldn’t care less attitude has certainly captured the imagination of many members of her audience. Obviously sick of the same carbon copy pop stars that appear in the industry every single year, Lady Gaga has been welcomed as a refreshing change and proves it is possible to make it on your own terms.

For all of these reasons (and because I really like her), I wish her a speedy recovery and hope she is back gracing stages near us soon!

Music was today mourning the passing of one of its rising stars. Memphis garage rocker Jay Reatard was found dead at his home in the Cooper-Young neighbourhood of Midtown by his roommate at around 9am, according to reports, and nothing could be done to save him. Although there are no suggestions of foul play at this time, an investigation has been opened to determine cause of death.

It all sounds so clinical when put like that but it is all too real for the British fans of the rocker who had the opportunity to see him perform live as recently as November, Jay Reatard, real name Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., was just 29 but had been around the industry since the age of 15. Having been a member of The Reatards and Lost Sounds, he was one of the best musicians to have come out of Memphis in some years and had attracted quite a following. His punk sounds as a member of The Reatards made him a prominent name in the 1990s and the synth punk he produced with the Lost Sounds took his music to a whole new level, but many critics considered him to be in the prime of his career as a result of the success of his debut solo album, Watch Me Fall, last August.

Gone Records, his previous label with The Reatards released a statement announcing that Jay ha died in his sleep overnight, with current label, Matador Records, releasing the following statement: “We are devastated by the death of Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., aka Jay Reatard. Jay was as full of life as anyone we’ve ever met, and responsible for so many memorable moments as a person and artist. We’re honored to have known and worked with him, and we will miss him terribly.”

Rest In Peace Jay. You will be sadly missed.

We all know that the worlds of music and the movies cross over on a regular basis, but last week saw the release of a movie that combines the two to a greater extent than most. A must see for all music fans, this movie has received rave reviews and will probably introduce younger fans to the wonders of the 1970s New Wave and Punk movements.

So what is this film? Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, the biopic of Ian Dury.

Starring Andy Serkis as Dury (previously Gollum and King Kong), the movie literally lays the star bare from his childhood struggle with those around him and his battle with polio, which left him permanently disabled to a certain extent. It really highlights the star and is an inspirational story that every music fan absolutely has to see.

So who was Ian Dury? Well, as the lead singer in Ian Dury & The Blockheads, he was one of the most seminal artists of the punk era. He wrote most of the songs the band performed and was an excellent lyricist. “What a Waste”, “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick”, “Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3″ and “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” are just some of the hits that they had, with the latter obviously being used for the film title. If you do not know them from the titles, you would as soon as the first notes started blaring out of the radio or MP3 player.

Dury sadly died of cancer on March 27, 2000 but his legacy still lives on in the music world. More people will undoubtedly appreciate him and his contribution to music after seeing the film. You absolutely have to see it so book your tickets now and get listening to Dury’s music. You will not regret it.

Yesterday, one of the most hotly anticipated stamp collections was revealed for the New Year by Royal Mail. Yes, you read that correctly – hot stamp collection! The release could be classified as hot because of the subject of the stamps and who unveiled them. The stamps feature the top ten most iconic album covers of the last 40 years and Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page unveiled them.

The Classic Album Covers collection features the front cover of instantly recognisable albums but has another quirk that we do not necessarily expect of stamps, thus making them that little bit more special. A disc is emerging from the cover, resting outside of the stamp. Apparently, the collection has music and stamp fans alike excited because of the fact that they are recognising 40 years of such an excellent British music tradition.

So which albums are being featured in this stamp collection?

“Let It Bleed” by The Rolling Stones (1969) is the first album cover and was designed by Robert Brownjohn. The design is actually not what you would expect with the name of the album because it was designed with the alternative title of “Automatic Changer” in mind. It also features a cake baked by the unknown Delia Smith.

Led Zeppelin’s “IV” (1971) is the second cover to be featured. It does not mention that band at all and features a painting found by Robert Plant in a junk shop. It’s the painting of the faggot-bearing man that attracts most attention and is arguably the reason why it is so iconic.

“London Calling” by The Clash (1979) is the third iconic album and is in the list as a result of it featuring one of the greatest pieces of rock photography ever. Taken by Pennie Smith, the shot of Paul Simonon will undoubtedly go down in history as such.

The other iconic covers are David Bowie’s “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars” (1972), Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells” (1973), New Order’s “Power, Corruption And Lies” (1983), Primal Scream’s “Screamadelica” (1991), Pink Floyd’s “The Division Bell” (1994), Blur’s “Parklife” (1994) and Coldplay’s “A Rush Of Blood To The Head” (2002).