The Michael Jackson concert documentary This Is It earned $20.1m (£12.1m) at worldwide box offices in its first day, the studio that made the film has said.

The movie, which is based on rehearsal footage for the star’s ill-fated comeback shows, was premiered around the world on Tuesday.

Steve Elzer from Sony Pictures said the movie is a “reaffirmation of the global appeal of Michael Jackson”.

The film made $7.4m (£4,4m) in the US and $2m (£1.2m) in the UK.

Oscar nomination

“The studio believes that the worldwide launch, with very strong performance across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia, represents an amazing beginning for the film,” Mr Elzer said in a statement.

He has also revealed that the studio will submit the movie to the Academy Awards for consideration this year in the best picture category.

To be a contender for Oscar shortlisting, the film must complete a seven-day run in Los Angeles County and film-makers would need to “submit the proper paperwork,” Academy spokeswoman Leslie Unger said.

Director Kenny Ortega said the late star “deserves” to win an Oscar.

Jackson’s brothers attended the film’s screening in LA on Tuesday and simultaneous premieres were held in 18 other cities around the world.

The movie was then released to cinemas on Wednesday for a two-week run only.

However, Sony has said the movie will be extended beyond its planned stint if ticket demand is high.

The movie, which runs to nearly two hours, features Jackson singing and dancing to his biggest hits, including Beat It, Black or White and Man in the Mirror.

Jackson, who died on 25 June aged 50, had spent the previous four months rehearsing in LA for the record 50 concerts which were to be held in London.

More than 800,000 tickets had been sold for the concerts, with organisers promising one of the “most expensive and technically advanced” live shows ever.

He was just two weeks away from the opening night at the time of his death.

By the weekend, it will be shown in 110 countries.

BBC News October 30th 2009

Red Hot Chili Peppers have announced plans for their new album.

The band who are currently working on a follow-up to 2006’s ‘Stadium Arcadium’, have revealed that a new album could be released by October 2010.

“We’re gonna write for a while, it usually takes us a while” drummer Chad Smith told Clash Magazine , before speculating that a release date for the album would be “Some time next year, maybe this time [next year]“.

Also asked if Flea’s experience working with Thom Yorke might affect the band’s new material, Smith said the bassist had given him a CD of electronic beats to inspire him but that, at the moment, there wasn’t an explicit electronic direction. “You never know. We’ve got songs with piano on them right now, so who knows.” He added.

NME.com October 30th 2009

Pop star Robbie Williams has cancelled a planned performance at the MTV Europe Music Awards next month due to a “scheduling conflict”.

Williams’ spokesman confirmed the star will “no longer be performing at next week’s MTV Europe Music Awards”.

But he added that other appearances will still be going ahead, including a spot on BBC One’s The Jonathan Ross Show next weekend. Williams, 35, is up for best male at the ceremony in Berlin on 5 November.

Outstanding contribution
The singer has recently made a comeback after a three year hiatus.

His latest single Bodies went to number two in the UK singles chart and the singer unveiled some of his new material at the BBC Electric Proms in London last week.

It has also been announced that the star will receive the outstanding contribution to music prize at next year’s Brit Awards.

He has already won 11 Brits as a solo artist - more than any other singer.

Katy Perry is hosting the MTV Europe awards show for the second year in succession.

Jay-Z, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Leona Lewis, Shakira and Tokio Hotel are all expected to perform at the ceremony.

Lady Gaga and Kings of Leon lead the nominations list with five nods apiece.

They are closely followed by Beyonce who has been nominated in four categories.

BBC News October 30th 2009

Jay-Z has spoken to clarify comments saying he would be interested in working with Noel Gallagher, saying he has “no problem” with a potential collaboration.

However, the rapper said that nothing was on the horizon – he had just been making an “offhand comment” about the possibility of hooking up with the former Oasis man, who questioned Jay-Z’s billing as a Glastonbury headliner last year.

“It was an offhand comment, someone asked me if I would work with him,” he told BBC Newsbeat. “I don’t have any problem, so I said anything is possible.”

“It’s not like we had any talks of doing it, it’s like someone asked me would you work with him, I said ‘Yeah, I don’t have any problem with it’.”

Gallagher isn’t the only former Oasis member the star hasn’t ruled out working with. Jay-Z said he’d love to team up with singer Liam Gallagher in the future.

NME.com October 30th 2009

Settle down Jonas Brothers fans: Despite rumors to the contrary, the band is not breaking up. “We plan to make music together for as long as we can,” the brothers said in a letter to fans that they shared with People magazine.

The speculation started after word spread Nick Jonas, 17, formed a band called Nick Jonas & the Administration and intensified since Kevin, 21, is getting married. But to clear things up, the band wrote a letter to their fans just before taking the stage in Venezuela, where they are performing as part of a world tour.

“We’ve said from the beginning of our career as the Jonas Brothers that anything we do outside of the group is a side project because you can’t break up brothers,” Nick writes of Nick Jonas & the Administration, which is releasing an album next year. “My brothers are my biggest supporters, and were on the phone with me everyday while I was in the studio asking how it was going, and telling me they couldn’t wait to hear the record.”

In a joint message, Joe and Kevin write, “We are so proud of our brother Nick. We know that we will be doing music together for the rest of our lives. But we are thrilled for you to hear these songs that were on his heart.”

They add: “A three-chord strand is not easily broken, and one thing’s for sure… this three chord strand is stronger now than it’s ever been. You are truly the best fans in the world, and we love you with all our hearts.”

People.com October 27th 2009

Brought to you by the organisers of the sell-out UK music weekender The Big Reunion, The Big Snow Festival proudly announces Calvin Harris to headline at the 2010 event.

Following the massive success of his latest album, Ready for The Weekend, Calvin is set to hit the decks and make the mountains shake.

The Big Snow Festival hits Andorra’s premier ski resort, Arinsal on the 14th to 21st March 2010. Offering a fantastic line up of pumping beats, combined with ski and snowboard fun, it’s the must-attend festival this winter. Tickets are now on sale from www.thebigsnowfestival.com

Here’s a breakdown of the talent performing at The Big Snow Festival, but keep your eyes peeled for further announcements!

• Headline: Calvin Harris (DJ set)
• Remix hosted by Eddy Temple Morris, featuring Kissy Sell Out (DJ Set), Stereotype and many more,
• Goodgreef featuring Eddie Halliwell, John O’Callaghan, Kutski (Radio One)
• Viper Recordings presents DJ Hype and Daddy Earl, Futurebound and Matrix, J Majik and Wickaman, Brookes Brothers
• Ninja Tunes presents STEALTH, Toddla T, Qemists (DJ Set), J Mountain
• Brandon Block presents Old Skool Disco
• Riot featuring Judge Jules, Scot Project, Anne Savage, BK
• Kissdafunk with Micky Slim, Rob Tiserra and many more,
• Mountain Side Stage with Pritchard Vs Dainton Live (Dirty Sanchez) GLC Soundsystem, Jaguar Skills, Leeroy Thornhill (X Prodigy), Dumb Blonde, Rawkus, and much more,

Arinsal is in the Vallnord ski area and has an altitude of 2560m ensuring snowy peaks throughout the season. From gentle, open pistes for complete rookies, to huge powder bowls and tree-lined runs for experts, the area boasts sensational skiing and boarding landscapes for all levels. It has 40,000 square metres of freestyle terrain, with a half-pipe, rails, kickers, boxes and a designated chill-out space.

Arinsal lies in the heart of the Pyrenees, is nestled between France and Spain and is connected to neighbouring Pal. Just three and a half hours from Barcelona and Toulouse Airport, the resort is easy to reach.

To book festival tickets, visit www.thebigsnowfestival.com

Music-news.com October 28th 2009

A US grand jury has refused to indict a man accused of stalking teenage pop star Miley Cyrus because of insufficient evidence.

Mark McLeod, 53, has been in jail since August on stalking charges after he repeatedly tried to contact Ms Cyrus, 16, as she filmed a movie in Georgia.

The Chatham County jury said Mr McLeod should not be charged in Superior Court, which hears felony cases.

Mr McLeod still faces two misdemeanour charges in a lower court.

A spokeswoman for district attorney Larry Chisolm said he still planned to prosecute Mr McLeod for attempted stalking and disorderly conduct.

Mr McLeod was arrested twice over the summer on Tybee Island, where Ms Cyrus was filming the movie The Last Song.

Police say Mr McLeod told them he was engaged to the singer.

Mr McLeod’s lawyer James Byrne said his client had never posed a threat to the Hannah Montana star.

“The grand jury showed some common sense, which no-one else in this case seems to have, which is there’s nothing to these charges,” he said.

“He didn’t stalk anyone, he didn’t threaten anyone. He acted strangely, and that’s why he’s in jail.”

BBC News October 29th 2009

Noisettes have announced details of a spring 2010 UK tour.

Beginning in February and continuing through March, the London band will be playing in support of their album ‘Wild Young Hearts’.

Noisettes will play the following:

Aberdeen Music Hall (February 18)
Edinburgh Picture House (19)
Sheffield Academy (20)
Nottingham Rock City (22)
Cambridge Corn Exchange (23)
Bournemouth Opera House (24)
Brighton Dome (26)
London Roundhouse (27)
Manchester Academy (March 2)
Newcastle Academy (3)
Liverpool Academy (4)
Bristol Academy (5)

Tickets for the tour will go on sale this Friday (October 30) at 9am.

NME.com October 29th 2009

Arrest papers detailing drug busts involving The Beatles’ John Lennon and George Harrison in the 1960’s are to be sold at auction.

The first set of papers reveals the time when Lennon’s London flat was raided in 1968 and the Police found a quantity of cannabis resin, which resulted in the arrest and a £150 fine.

The second occasion happened a year later when this time Harrison’s home was raided while he was attending Sir Paul McCartney’s wedding to first wife Linda. He too was later arrested and fined.

Both arrested by D.S. Pilcher, the officer was famed for targeting rock musicians including Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton over their wild lifestyles, but was later convicted himself of corruption and jailed.

The papers are to be auctioned off online later today (October 29).

NME.com October 29th 2009

50 Cent’s long awaited new album Before I Self Destruct has leaked to the net a month before its due out.

The record- which was originally due for release over a year ago- is not out till November 23 although fans will be able to find it online now.

The most hotly anticipated track to leak is the Eminem/ Fiddy banger Psycho- which includes production by Dr. Dre.

Slim Shady takes two verses on the track while Curtis sings on the chorus: “See I’m a psycho, a sicko, I’m crazy.”

The only other artists to feature on Before I self Destruct are Ne-Yo- on new single Baby By Me- and R. Kelly.

Other songs leaked from the gangster rap record include The Invitation and Death To The Enemies.

MTV.co.uk October 29th 2009