We have all heard the arguments for and against reality TV shows and their large scale invasion of the music industry. Some think they open doors to individuals who have been trying to make it for years while others think that it is a lazy way of getting into the business because you are literally catapulted to the top, with the only way being down after that. No matter which camp you sit in, you can guarantee that the debate will be reignited after the debut of The Voice on BBC1 and Britain’s Got Talent on ITV this weekend.

I have to admit that I watched both over the course of the weekend and have changed my opinion to a degree. Over the past few years, I have largely begun to consider reality shows like The X Factor as a waste of time given that only a handful have ever taken their opportunity but no more. The contestants on The Voice are just that – new voices with considerable talent that have explored other avenues and, for whatever reason, have yet to make it. Being mentored by Tom Jones, Danny from The Script, Jessie J or Will.i.am cannot be a bad thing. Although it is not meant to be competitive between the judges, it helps that they can all sing and know what they are talking about (and yes that was a dig at Louis Walsh!).

If that show is the new reality TV then I’m all for it and will definitely be all ears next week.

Yes, you read this blog’s title correctly and are now sitting staring at your computer screen with a puzzled look on your face! Although not widely reported as yet, the strange make-up wearing veteran of music is all set to meet the strange make-up wearing veteran of film in an album collaboration that is going to be interesting if nothing else.

It was announced this week that Johnny Depp would be collaborating with Marilyn Manson on a version of Carly Simon’s hit “You’re So Vain”. It is certainly a version of the song that will be different from the usual covers you find out there. Think “Tainted Love” only more crazy!

The collaboration will feature on Manson’s upcoming album, Born Villain, which is due to be released on May 1^st this year. Of course, Manson fans are well aware of the fact that he has his own label and so also has complete creative control over what he produces. This is why the song with Depp is guaranteed to draw people in. With nobody to veto it, the song looks set to be a hit before it has even been recorded.

Mutual admirers for years, Depp and Manson have both cleared their schedules to allow for this to work so stay tuned for more news on it as and when it is released.

Think of all the bands around at the moment, all of the older ones and most popular ones and the ones most likely to break into the American charts and make it big. Coldplay is a given. The Script maybe? Or what about solo artists like Ed Sheeran and Jessie J? We already know Adele’s made it big there… But you’ll never guess who the latest band is to really make it in the American charts!

One Direction!

Yes, the teen boy band has officially made history by debuting in the Billboard 200 album charts at the top spot with their album Up All Night. They are the first UK group to debut at number one with their first album. Not even the Spice Girls managed it. They went in at number six and then climbed to the top spot. Even The Beatles did not make it to number one with their debut album.

The former X Factor group has so far sold 176,000 copies of their album and has a massive fan base in the US thanks to social networking and media so they look set to sustain their success.

Good luck to the lads. They might not be everyone’s cup of tea but they are certainly making the most of their fame and their music and making an impression all around the world.

There are very few stories in the music industry over the last five years that have been as big as the end of the relationship between hot R&B stars Chris Brown and Rihanna. Reported around the world, the duo very publically called time on their relationship after he assaulted her and pleaded guilty for it when charges were brought against him. Praised by women’s groups, Rihanna was said to have dealt a blow to domestic violence by setting a good example. Well, now the tide has turned and so has public opinion!

Rihanna and Brown have obviously put what happened behind them because they have recently collaborated on two tracks, the remixes of “Birthday Cake” and “Turn Up the Music”. It must be said that the tracks sound amazing and are certainly worth the wait for their fans but the music is not at the centre of the debate. Instead, the question as to whether she is right to have worked with her once violent ex-boyfriend is on everyone’s lips.

Women’s groups have demanded that she explain her decision, to which she simply said: “It made sense to do the record. Just as a musician, despite everything else, that was going to be the person. You know I thought about rappers, and I’ve done that so many times, and the hottest R&B artist out right now is Chris Brown.” As the victim, though, surely Rihanna deserves the right to put it all behind her and if working with Brown is a part of that then so be it.

There can be little doubt that 2011 was pop and soul artist dele’s year. Aside from having to take a few months out after a vocal chord haemorrhage that threatened to end her career, which is not a career high in anyone’s book, her career just kept soaring up and up. Her album, 21, broke all sorts of records and featured incredible singles like “Someone Like You”, “Rolling in the Deep” and “Set Fire to the Rain” that went to number one in several countries, selling millions of copies around the world. And, of course, she won plenty of awards throughout the year. However, it seems that no matter how good 2011 was for the Tottenham born singer, 2012 looks set to top it.

Adele’s comeback performance at the Grammys was one to remember and one that certainly proved that she was a force to reckon with. Back to her best, she belted out “Rolling in the Deep” and wowed America the same way that she has wowed the UK. She also had a record equalling night, being only the second woman to have won six Grammys in one awards ceremony, with Beyonce being the lone record holder after winning six in 2010. Nominated for six and won all six certainly looks impressive.

However, it was announced on 28^th February that she is now officially the Queen of Pop, having taken the King of Pop’s record away from him. 21 has now officially overtaken Michael Jackson’s Bad in terms of UK album sales with 4.02 million sales in the UK alone. There are only eight albums that have sold more now – Queen’s Greatest Hits, The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abba’s Gold, Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms and finally Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. I wonder how many of them she overtakes before the end of the year!

As awards season in the music industry gets into full swing, there have been some really memorable performances. Adele’s rendition of “Rolling in the Deep” at the Grammys was fantastic, especially considering she hadn’t sang for months in public as a result of health issues. Blur’s performance of numerous hits at the Brits, including “Parklife”, “Girls & Boys”, “Song 2” and “Tender”, certainly captured the imagination of music fans around the world. Finally, who can beat the Oscars 2012 performance of Kermit the Frog and Darren Criss, who plays Blaine in Glee? Their rendition of “Rainbow Connection” undoubtedly tied first with Angelina Jolie’s right leg for attention stealing moments.

However, there have been some questions asked of the quality of live music as a result of these performances. Adele has been widely praised for hers but there have been some critics who said she was holding back. If she was it’s understandable given how close she came to losing her voice at the end of last year. There has also been plenty of criticism of Blur for their performance. For example, Paul Connolly of the Daily Mail said: “I certainly have few good memories of Blur shows. Albarn can’t really sing – he just shouts. The band he fronts tend to sound like a washing machine falling down the stairs.” This is just one of the many comments about it. This begs the question, is it really worth singing live at all?

My answer would be a resounding yes. OK, so not all of the stuffy critics appreciate someone singing imperfectly and live but is that not what performance is all about? Both Blur and Adele offer two examples of artists who are talented and secure enough to entertain the masses. OK, so there have been better performances but do we really want note perfect miming? I don’t.

The weather over the past few days has definite signs of spring being in the air – warmer weather, a little sunshine and nowhere near as much cloud as we get used to over summer. But you know when spring really has arrived when festival organisers in the UK start announcing headline acts for the summer. You can feel the whole music scene kick up a notch and the excitement kick in!

The first announcement of the festival scene for 2012 has come from V Festival, which will be on 18^th and 19^th August 2012. Taking place in Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in Staffordshire, The Stone Roses and Killers will headline the event and really get the party roaring into full swing. Both acts have been huge for a number of years but will certainly grab headlines this year. With the Mancunian legends performing what is a very rare gig for them these days, tickets are sure to be in high demand

There are numerous acts already confirmed and you can see straight away that it is a refreshing mix of old and new acts alike. Tinie Tempah, Pixie Lott, Noah and the Whale, David Guetta, Madness, Ed Sheeran, Professor Green, Emeli sande, Happy Mondays, Olly Murrs, Snow Patrol and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds are all confirmed but no doubt more will be added to the list between now and August.

The tickets for V Festival will go on sale on 2^nd March at 10am. They are expected to sell out fast so if you are thinking of going then make sure you are ready to buy them as soon as they go on sale. With a line up like that, it will definitely be a weekend to remember.

She may have only given birth to her beautiful daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, on January 7^th, but Beyonce is already making plans for a comeback into the music industry. Perhaps comeback is the wrong term to use given that she purposely released “Love on Top” shortly prior to her daughter’s birth. It could be said that she has never been away!

According to producer and friend of the lady herself, Ryan Tedder, Beyonce is now being pitched new songs and has plans to release something new before the end of 2012. She has definite plans in mind as to what she is looking for and where she wants to take her career next.

Despite having given birth just under two months ago, Beyonce reportedly already has plans for two more albums, both of which may be released before the end of the year. Although there is no news yet on what the albums may feature, she is said to be looking to redefine the music industry in 2013.

And as for Blue Ivy, well, she is doing really well according to reports. Gwyneth Paltrow, who is close friends with both Beyonce and Jay-Z, has said that she is already showing serious potential. She told Hollywood Life the following in relation to the little girl: “For sure, she is going to be an entertainer. She just has this glow around her like her mother.” She has  already become the youngest person ever to debut in the Billboard charts with her crying and cooing being featured on father Jay-Z’s latest single, “Glory”. She made the noises when she was just hours old. Whether the couple like it or not, she is going to be in the public eye for a long time to come. Who knows, we could have a mini Beyonce on our hands before we know it!

Every music fan is hopeful that a new year will bring new music and new ideas to give them something new. They want to see new artists and new songs. They want to get to grips with changing beats and innovative rhythms. While 2012 may well bring this, it is also bringing a new flavour to the music business in the form of past heroes. That’s right, the oldies are back!

Last week, Blur wowed the crowd with a set of their greatest hits at the Brit Awards as a result of receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. It really was a blast from the past but one that was just as good as if they were back in the 1990s. They’re also playing at the Olympic closing ceremony alongside New Order, a fantastic band from the 1980s.

The thing is that it is not just the UK that’s experiencing a return of the oldies but goodies either. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band announced this week that they are going to be performing at SXSW in Austin, Texas this year, with Springsteen himself being the keynote speaker at the SXSW Music Conference. The Sex Pistols are re-releasing Never Mind the Bollocks this year as it is the 35^th anniversary of its original release.

So does the fact that many of the oldies are coming back into the spotlight indicative of the state of the music industry? Yes it is, but it does not mean that music is the loser. It just proves that music fans have more eclectic tastes today and still enjoy 1980s and 1990s music as they did before. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of variety and the best bands are always timeless in their appeal to old and new ears alike.

LONDON, UK, 8th September 2011 /BigDPressRelease/ — Daddy’s Boys, today announced the launch of their debut full-length album, “Daddy got shampoo on my toothbrush” with a hard release in London on 12th September, 2011. Daddy’s Boys will take the stage at 9 p.m. with a live full band performance at The Bumtickler Lounge – formerly The Crotch Rocket Bar – in Soho, London.

Daddy’s Boys break the mold with their debut album “Daddy got shampoo on my toothbrush.” Their innovative approach to today’s music is shocking to fans and listeners alike. The group bring a new unique concept they call “Orgasmic Pop” combining influences, which cover the gamut from pop to third world rhythms. “Our hope is that this music & our live experience catalyze human connection & unearth an environment where we are free to explore all that’s inside our hearts”. Truly modern day innovators, Daddy’s Boys’ “Daddy got shampoo on my toothbrush” captivates even the most discerning of music lovers.

Daddy’s Boys perform regularly in London & throughout the UK. 2011 will see them tour in Scotland, back through the North West & down through the Midlands. Daddy’s Boys aim to bring their music to international audiences through licensing, touring & collaborative opportunities later in the year.

Daddy’s Boys invite you out to participate in the album launch performance at The Bumtickler Lounge in Soho, London. The show is open to the public.