In a Band? Unsigned?

This from the Coventry Festival 2005's promoters:

This years Coventry Festival supported by Kerrang 105.2 and ICE will be bigger than ever as we are producing the event in the centre of Coventry on the right in front of the Skydome on SUNDAY 3rd July 2005. The show starts at 2pm and finishes late. The main concert stage line up will include the competition winners from the 6 heats held at Coventry venues as well as major headline acts from all over the world. There are some fantastic prizes to be had if you are a Band, Duo or Solo artist…. Don’t miss this opportunity the closing date for the competition is the 27 MAY.

Coventry Festival Director, Sean Griffiths says: "If you are in a un-signed band or a solo artist and produce your own music, this is a fantastic chance to get recognised"

More

www.coventryfestival.com
Kerrang! 105.2

Electrified

One of the most exciting live bands of the moment - Electric 6 are to headline this year's free Middlesbrough Music Live festival sponsored by Middlesbrough council.

As if that weren't enough, you'll also see Kosheen, Dogs die in Hot Cars, Alistair Griffin, Razorlight and many, many more acts.

10 hours, 10 Stages, 100 Bands

The festival is to feature 100 bands on 10 stages over a 10 hour period - which is quite a feat.

More

www.middlesbroughmusiclive.co.uk
View the Lineup

This Year's Winners

This year's Grammys saw Beyonce Knowles walk off with the Lion's share of awawrds, collecting them for: Best Contemporary R&B Album (Dangerously in Love), Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (Dangerously in Love), Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals (The Closer I Get to You) and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (Crazy in Love - Feat. Jay-Z).

Luther Vandross - back on form in 2003 with 'Dance with My Father' - but unfortunately, still too unwell to attend the ceremony since hist stroke last year, picked up awards for: Best R&B Album (Dance With My Father), Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (Dance With My Father) and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals (The Closer I Get to You feat. Beyonce Knowles).

Outkast whose 'Hey Ya!' managed to stay in the UK charts forever - as well as the amazing feat of staying in the US chart alongside it's follow-up single - scooped Album of the Year (Speakerboxxx/The Love Below), Best Rap Album (Speakerboxxx/The Love Below) and Best Urban/Alternative Performance (Hey Ya!).

Reggae artist of the moment, Sean Paul grabbed the Best Reggae Album (Dutty Rock).

On the Jazz and Blues front, Buddy Guy walked off with Best Blues Album with Wayne Shorter picking up Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group (Alegria) - with Jazz/ Experimental guitarist Pat Metheny picking up the Best New Age Album for 'One Quiet Night'.

In the UK Corner

Flying the UK flag were Coldplay and The White Stripes who received awards for Record of the Year (Clocks) and Best Alternative Music Album (Elephant) respectively.

Winners' UK Tour Dates

More

www.grammy.com

Official Tickets on Sale 1st April

Tickets for this year's Glasto go on sale on the 1st April 2004. Check the official website for vendors.

More

www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

The Nominees

This year's list of nominees saw UK act The Darkness nominated in a total of four categories: British album, British group, British breakthrough artist and British rock act. With Dido, Dizzee Rascal, Daniel Bedingfield, [do I spot a 'band begins with D' theme here?) - and Busted [uh... no, I don't] - each nominated for 3 categories. Also doing well with nominations in two categories are: UK newcomer Amy Winehouse, Jamelia, Fame Academy's Lemar and The Coral.

Internationally, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake were each nominated for three categories, with Kings of Leon, Outkast, 50 Cent and Beyonce Knowles being nominated for two categories each.

The Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony shall take place at Earl's Court Exhibition Centre on the 17th February 2004.

Outstanding contribution to music

This year's 'Outstanding contribution to music' award goes to Duran Duran who have recently announced details of their 2004 UK tour.

Forthcoming Dates for the Nominees

More

www.brits.co.uk

All that Jazz

South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell, Berkshire are to host a Jazz weekend commencing on Friday the 26th of March, which will consist of a series of masterclasses for young and old alike - culminating in a Gala Concert on Sunday the 28th.

The weekend will feature tutors selected from the Pendulum Jazz Orchestra - whose members include: Steve Waterman, Nikki Iles, Tina May, Ben Castle, Clark Tracey, Don Weller, Gerrard Presencer, Peter King, Stan Sulzmann and Andy Crowdy.

Schools Jazz Day

Friday (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM) is aimed at junior schools - age 8 to 12 yrs, and includes workshops on improvisation, how to swing and vocals. Friday will finish with an evening concert featuring combined choirs and instrumentalists.

Jazz For All

Saturday and Sunday (10:00/ 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM) will consist of masterclasses, workshops and seminars geared towards:

• Bass and Drums Collectives
• Big Band
• Composition
• Jazz Harmonies
• Jazz Choir
• Music Technology
• Jamming

The event will be topped-off on Sunday with a Gala Concert featuring the Pendulum Jazz Orchestra (link).

Prices

Weekend:	£62.00 (Senior Citizens + M.U Members: £54.00, Students: £48.00)
Day:	£8.00
Gala Concert:	£12.00

More

www.southhillpark.org.uk

Second Annual Event

From March 19-21, 2004, thousands of musicians from all around the world will unite, via live webcasting, to perform in the Second Annual One World Beat Global Music Festival, developing into one of the largest charity musical extravaganzas since Live Aid.

The 2004 festival will benefit Keep A Child Alive, a new initiative of Artists Against AIDS Worldwide, set up to provide life-saving medicine to children living with HIV/AIDS in the developing world who will die without it.

Celebrity Supporters

There are a number of high profile celebrities pledging their support for this cause, including Phil Collins and Bill Bourne.

OK, So What Can I Do?

There are a number of things that you can do to help contribute to this cause, including:

• Sponsorship opportunities to support the One World Beat organisation, which includes the administration, operations, promotions and advertising, as well as web casting.
• Host an Event: If you manage a venue, you could contribute your premises towards hosting an event.
• Are you a musician? Contribute your time and be part of this massive event
• If you are involved in the media, write an article to help raise the profile of the cause.
• Lastly: Go to one of the gigs!

The Events

The events are taking place all over the World. The UK events (specifics yet to be confirmed) will be taking place at the following venues (so far): Shepherds Bush Empire - London, South Hill Park Arts Centre - Bracknell and The Fleece - Suffolk.

More

www.oneworldbeat.org
Make a Donation
www.keepachildalive.org

The Festival for up-and-coming Bands

The Emergenza Festival is a competition-cum-music festival that showcases up-and-coming bands (aged 15+), that can win music prizes as well as the chance of receiving a 4 date US tour....can't be bad!

The Heats

The regional finals will be held in front of a panel of judges and the audience - all of whom vote for their favourite. If you proceed to the UK final, you will be able to receive Stingray basses/ OLP guitars/ Crate digital amps or Mapex Drums - the prizes totalling over £200,000 pound across Europe.

View Dates

The Finals

The two winning bands will take part in a televised 4 day open-air Taubertal festival in Rothenburg, Germany, where every expense will be paid!

What Do You Win?

The overall winner will receive a two week US tour in conjunction with Ernie Ball supporting major internation Sony acts.

Register

The registration fee is £40, with the first 260 bands receiving Ernie Ball bass/ guitar strings or Mapex sticks and skins.

Register your band at www.emergenza.net

More

View Dates
www.emergenza.net
www.taubertal-festival.de

Concerts in the UK

The BBC's annual 'Children in Need' appeal is due to take place on the 21st of November 2003. This year's event - like those in previous years has the support of lots of stars - many from the music industry, who have donated their time to host a series of concerts all over the UK.

The lineup of stars performing includes (but is not limited to): Big Brovaz, Bryn Terfel, Cheeky Girls, D-Side, Fast Food Rockers, Fearne Cotton, Girls Aloud, Holly Valance, James Fox, Jamie Cullum, Javine, Konnie Huq, Kym Marsh, Lisa Maffia, Louise, Peter Gabriel, S Club 8, Simply Red, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Pretenders and Westlife.

Click here to find your nearest concert or check out www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey if we don't list anything near you.

More

www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey
Donate!

Band on the Wall Play Host to Drum Meister

Not only is Billy Cobham going to play a date at Band on the Wall, but he will be holding a drum clinic the day before.

Improve Your Chops

You can see the man in action - and pick up a few tips on the 12th November where he will be holding a drum clinic.

The following night, you can see him in action with his band - The Art of Five - featuring Julian Joseph and Guy Barker amongst others.

To book your place on the drum clinic, phone 0161 834 1786. Note: You can purchase a combined show and drum clinic ticket for £25.00.

More

www.bandonthewall.org
www.billycobham.com

Question: How Much Jazz Can You Squeeze Into Two Weeks?

Answer: Lots!

Serious www.serious.org.uk in conjunction with BBC Radio 3 have created a massive event for this years London Jazz Festival. The lineup includes Courtney Pine, David Sanborn, Incognito, Denys Baptiste, Carleen Anderson, Dianne Reeves, Jamie Cullum, Mica Paris, Soweto Kinch Quartet and Andy Sheppard to name but a few.

Where?

The events will be staged all over central london at the following venues: Barbican, Forum, Jazz Cafe, The Crypt, J2K (George IV), Kettners, Sadler's Wells, Dingwalls - Lock 17, Pizza Express - Royal Festival Hall, Rays Jazz (Foyles), Ronnie Scotts, Shino's, The Spice of Life, Spitz, The Other Cinema, Union Chapel, Vortex Jazz Club, 93 Feet East and 606 Club.

More events will be added as soon as the details have been finalised

More

View all of the Events
www.serious.org.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/radio3

Radio 1 DJs

Radio 1 is hosting a massive event in Brighton from the 27th October until the 2nd Nov. The event features over 40 acts, compered by Radio 1 DJs.

The diverse and stupendous lineup includes: Amy Winehouse, Basement Jaxx, Beecher, Billy Talent, Cat on Form, Chungking, Clearlake, The Cooper Temple Clause, Dave Clark, Dave Pearce, Dizzee Rascal, DJ Zinc, Dub Pistols, The 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Electrelane, The Electric Soft Parade, Evil 9, Franz Ferdinand, Freeland, Funeral for a Friend, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, Har Mar Superstar, Hope of States, Hot Hot Heat, Hundred Reasons, Jane's Addiction, Judge Jules, Keane, LFO, Melt Banana, Mogwai, Nina Nastasia, Phil Hartnoll, The Quantic Soul Orchestra, Rob da Bank, Sean Paul, Starsailor, Steven Malkmus, The Black Keys, The Blueskins, The Music, Themselves, Tomahawk, Turbonegro, Ty, Winnebago Deal

The One Live Cafe

Hosted at the The Honeyclub, the Life Cafe will allow you to watch and participate in the various music/ presentation demos from 12 noon until 6PM, Sunday 26th Oct to Sunday 2nd Nov.

The demonstrations, aimed at Music Makers, DJs/ MCs and Media-types cover: guitar, urban and dance acts, DJing, adding visuals to gigs, getting a gig, making contacts, making videos and even include the chance to try out as a presenter.

More Info

View all of the Events
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/events/one_live_brighton.shtml

Only 10,000 Tickets

On Sunday the 31st of August, there will be a free concert in Trafalgar Square featuring David Gray and Morcheeba and more as-yet-to-be-confirmed acts.

To obtain your tickets, phone 0870 511 2206 before midnight on Wednesday 13th August. The 10,000 winners will be picked at in a draw.

The event is in celebration of the newly revamped Trafalgar Square, and is the brainchild of Mayor, Ken Livingstone.

The Battleground

On Saturday the 23rd of August (and every 4 weeks thereafter), Edinburgh venue Cabaret Voltaire will stage a no-holds-barred, winner-takes-all, heavyweight, acoustic versus electronic play off to set the dance floor on fire.

Named "Moving Through" the bout will see some free-flowin', breakbeat drenched jazzy sounds

In the Acoustic Corner....

Flying the Acoustic flag are acoustic bassist Sneaky North Sea and Montreux Jazz Festivals where he was appearing as part of the Rae & Christian band. Tag-team partners, the Moving Through House Band will be breakbeating their way through the bout.

In the Electronic Corner....

The Resonance will be trying to overcome the acousticity with some percussion infused 3 deck turntabilism. Backup comes in the shape of DJ Mr Todd, who will be providing the sounds in studio 2.

Tickets

Tickets will cost £8.00 or &5.00 after midnight

More Info

View the dates
www.cabaret-voltaire.co.uk

Free Respect Festival - First Time In Manchester

Cool Ruler Gregory Isaacs and self-styled DJ Mr Scruff and are set to get them lovin’ and dancing at the north’s first free Respect Festival on Saturday 30 August, 2pm-10pm.

Four music stages, a buzzing alternative market place, get-stuck-in sports competitions and a family friendly arts & crafts field are just some of the late summer treats promised for the festival, at Platt Fields in Fallowfield, Manchester.

DJs, musicians, artists, sportspeople, community groups, small local traders and young performers will come together to bring home a message of respect for all and for the environment. Audiences of 20,000 are anticipated from across the NW.

The Lineup

• Britannia Rumba
• Gregory Isaacs
• Hohodza
• Jon Kennedy
• Josephine Oniyama
• J-Walk
• Metz & Trix
• Mr Scruff
• Phat Aki
• RDB (Rhythm Dhol & Bass)
• Un-Cut

More Info

Other Activities

Other highlights include the NW final of Big Hitters, a nationwide under-17s singing and rapping competition, free circus skills and Kung Fu workshops and a main stage headliner, yet to be announced.

This July’s Respect in London (details here) attracted 100, 000 people to the Dome and was dedicated to the memory of Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered in a racist attack ten years ago.

The TUC is the major sponsor of Respect, along with UNISON.

Article Source: Sara Teiger

More Info

www.respectmanchester.org

The Winner

Congratulations to Dizzee Rascal, whose 'Boy in Da Corner' has won this year's Mercury Music prize.

The Shortlist

The list of this year's 12 Mercury Music Prize "Albums of the Year" is determined by an independent panel of judges.
This year's list included:

Athlete	'Vehicles and Animals'
Coldplay	'A Rush of Blood to the Head'
Dizzee Rascal	'Boy in Da Corner'
Eliza Carthy	'Anglicana'
Floetry	'Floetic'
Lemon Jelly	'Lost Horizons'
Martina Topley-Bird	'Quixotic'
Radiohead	'Hail to the Thief'
Soweto Kinch Quartet	'Conversations with the Unseen'
Terri Walker	'Untitled'
The Darkness	'Permission to Land'
The Thrills	'So Much for the City'

Previous Winners

2002	Ms Dynamite
2001	PJ Harvey
2000	Badly Drawn Boy
1999	Talvin Singh
1998	Gomez
1997	Roni Size
1996	Pulp
1995	Portishead
1994	M People
1993	Suede
1992	Primal Scream

Nominees' Tour Dates

More Info

www.mercurymusicprize.com
www.panasonic.co.uk

Free London Anti-Racist Music Festival

Into Hip Hop/ Reggae? Live in London? You might just want to pop along to the Millennium Dome on Saturday July the 19th to see a free gig featuring:

• Public Enemy
• Un-Cut
• JJC and the 419 Squad
• Fallacy
• RDB (Rhythm Dhol & Bass)
• Heartless Crew
• Punjabi MC
• Gregory Isaacs

How good is that? And it's free!

" Respect is London's top free music and dance festival, celebrating the capital's diversity and promoting anti-racism in a day-long festival in one of London's parks or open spaces.
Following the success of festivals in 2001 and 2002, headlined by Run DMC and De La Soul, the 2003 festival will be bigger than ever. In the week leading up to the festival, there will be a series of events all over London in respect week, covering sports, performances, photography, film and much more.
This year's respect is to be dedicated to the memory of Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered in a racist attack ten years ago.
Organised by the Mayor of London in association with the National Assembly Against Racism (NAAR), SERTUC and the TUC. "

Gig Info

More Info

www.respectfestival.org.uk

Workshops and Concerts

The fourth annual Customs House International Guitar Festival is due to take place between Thursday 17 July and Sunday 20 July 2003.
The festival attracts artists from all across the globe to take part in a weekend of concerts, workshops and demonstrations.
The festival prides itself on the informal atmosphere that allows you to mingle with the artists and pick up tips from the experts in masterclasses.

Slide of Hand

There is a "Blues and Slide" theme to this year's festival, but, whatever your taste, there will be plenty to enjoy for guitarists and music fans alike.

Competition

There is also the opportunity to win a "Vintage" electro-acoustic guitar (Model: VEC825MM).

The Artists

• Catfish Keith
• Kevin Montgomery
• Jimi Savage
• The Hamsters
• The Hokum Hotshots
• Terry Ellis
• Michael Messer
• Bob Brozman
• Johnny Dickinson
• Al Perkins
• Ed Genis

Pricing

Workshops	£12.00
Concerts	£12.00
Hokum Hotshots Talk	£5.00
Final Show	£5.00

View all of the Events

More Info

www.customshouse.co.uk
mail@customshouse.co.uk

No Strat? No Telecaster? No Problem!

We've all done it. Alone in the bedroom. Slip a cassette in the stereo. Prepare in front of the mirror. Strap it on or just pick it up and stroke it. Responsive to every single touch. The feel. The rush. The energy. Then wild gesticulations in mid-air. Head bangingly pleasing, oh! The wrist action as the speed increases to the mind-bendingly beautiful solo. And then the power and fury of the climax. The roar of pleasure. The blinding light. Fingers trembling as sweat runs off the brow.YES! The time has come for you to go head to head with the best of them..

This year's events will start on the 26th June. Here's the full UK schedule (venue for final yet to be announced):

Thursday June 26	London On The Rocks
Tuesday July 8	Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
Wednesday July 9	Leeds The New Roscoe
Thursday July 10	Isle Of Wight The Royal Squadron
Sunday July 20	Birmingham Old Railway
Tuesday July 22	Cambridge The Boat Race
Saturday July 26	Abracadabbras Burton On Trent
Sunday July 27	Nottingham Social
Monday July 28	Manchester Roadhouse
Saturday August 2	Belfast Rossetta Bar
Sunday August 3	Brighton Concorde 2
Saturday August 9	Glasgow 13th Note
Sunday August 10	Scarborough Beached Festival
Sunday September 14	The Finals The Electric Ballroom - London

View all of the Events

Got What It Takes?

You may need to rehearse using these resources

Article Source: Thanks to Kris Reid of the Manchester Roadhouse

More Info

www.ukairguitar.com

ICE Productions Present

This year's Coventry Youth Festival, hosted by www.ice-productions.com will take place at Coombe Abbey Country Park, Coventry.
Covering three staged, the lineup will include:

• Liberty X
• One True Voice
• Blazin' Squad
• Kelly Llorenna
• Coree
• Moco
• Cheatin' Soccer Mom
• JX
• Prominent
• Rhino
• Suffrajets
• Fineline
• The Underdogs

...and many other acts, including local radio station Kix 96.2FM.
Tickets, costing £14.00 in advance (£16.00 on the day) can be purchased here.

Enter our prize-draw to win one of three pairs of tickets for this festival here.

More Info

www.coventryfestival.com
www.ice-productions.com
Buy Tickets

Failed to Download

In a move that will disappoint many of Limp Bizkit's UK fans, the band have pulled out of this year's Download Festival at Donington Park. The reason being that they want to work on their new album "Panty Sniffer" - the release date of which has been moved back sine they want to record with new guitarist Mike Smith.
Apparently they plan a number of free UK events this year, so look out for more info from AllGigs in the coming weeks.

More Info

www.limpbizkit.com

Lee Scratch Perry's Meltdown 2003

Lee Scratch Perry - famous for his many reggae productions, including Bob Marley - is hosting another Meltdown at the Royal Festival Hall. Running throughout June, the festival features an eclectic mix of R'nB, Reggae, Dub, Hip Hop and a smidgen of pop, the lineup includes:

• Aisha
• Alpha Blondy
• Asian Dub Foundation
• DJ Spooky
• Fun Lovin' Criminals
• Howie B
• Kingpin
• Linton Kwesi Johnson
• Lord Aswood
• Macy Gray
• Mad Professor
• Michael Franti & Spearhead
• Mutabaruka
• Neville Staples
• Ozomatli
• Public Enemy
• Rankin Roger
• Sister Audrey
• Skin
• Sly & Robbie
• Sun Ra Arkestra
• Susan Cadogan
• The Dennis Bovell Dub Band
• Tortoise

View all Meltdown 2003 Events

CDs

Lee 'Scratch' Perry CDs
Other CDs

Bare

Annie Lennox is releasing her first solo album since 1997. Due out on the 9th of June, Bare was produced by Stephen Lipson. Click here to view the track listing.
The album will be followed by a European tour, including two UK dates at Sadler's Wells in London.