Metallica to release new album on November 18
Metallica will release their eleventh studio album, Hardwired…To Self-Destruct, on November 18, via their own Blackened Recordings. The 2 CD / 2 vinyl set is the Grammy award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s first studio album since 2008’s multi-platinum Death Magnetic. Hardwired…To Self-Destruct is available for pre-order at www.Metallica.com starting today in various configurations including: CD, Vinyl, Digital, Deluxe, and Deluxe Deluxe Versions. The album is produced by Greg Fidelman, who engineered and mixed Death Magnetic.
Reeperbahn launches the Reeperbahn Festival International Music Award, Anchor 2016
The acts that have been nominated for the Anchor this year come from countries including the USA, UK, Sweden and Australia. All eight nominees are promising talents in their home countries. The competition for the Anchor 2016 is a “great challenge, but more importantly, a great opportunity,” said Alex Schulz, founder and director of the Reeperbahn Festival. He is confident that his latest project will quickly become established and will be for music “what the Palme d'Or in Cannes is for film. An award that is known and respected by the public, industry and artists alike”.
Ward Thomas: 'Country is such a diverse genre right now'
UK country duo Ward Thomas have commented on the genre’s growing diversity in a new interview with Music Week. The twin sister act, comprised of Lizzy and Catherine Ward Thomas, release their sophomore album Cartwheels on September 9, via the joint venture announced in March by WTW Music with Sony Music UK, which sees the group becoming Sony’s first British country signing. “When you’re going independently, you can go at your own speed and do things below the radar, and that’s fantastic,” said WTW’s Roland Hill. “We didn’t have any expectations for the first record, but once you start to get a bit of traction, obviously it’s harder to open doors and there are financial constraints. Hearing the new songs and realising how good the next record could be, it became obvious we needed to partner with someone who could fill some of those gaps.” (Music Week)
Festival No.6 to host Bowie Tribute
Festival No.6 has announced details of a David Bowie tribute which will take place on the main stage on the Sunday afternoon of the festival. Featuring a line-up of female-only vocalists paying tribute to the Thin White Duke, backed by the world-renowned Manchester Camerata orchestra, conducted by No.6 Composer-in-residence Joe Duddell, fresh from two sell-out nights at Sydney Opera House with New Order and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Commented Joe Duddell: “I’ve been involved in Festival No.6 since the beginning, and can’t think of another festival who encourage artists to push boundaries like No.6. As composer-in-residence we’ve had some incredible intimate gigs in Portmeirion Town Hall with my classical ensemble and artists such as Daughter, James, East India Youth and Steve Mason.”
KLS to release Best of collection for David Gray
Kobalt Label services will release the Best of collection for David Gray this October, alongside a brand new playlist format specially created for streaming services. With the Best of David Gray Weekly, Kobalt is changing the greatest hits concept from the traditionally static snapshot to a dynamic format, automatically updated on a weekly basis. David Emery, VP global marketing strategy, Kobalt Label Services said: "For an artist with such a great catalogue of massive hits like David Gray we wanted to take a step back and rethink what a Greatest Hits compilation should be in 2016. As we're a technology company as well as a music company, we have the power to sift through the massive amounts of data we receive every day from streaming services and utilise that to be able to create something innovative and exciting for his fans."
Kanye West Pablo pop-up retail event heading to 21 cities this weekend
Kanye West has revealed details of a worldwide Pablo pop-up retail event, which will see 21 cities across the globe host special ‘Pablo shops’ over the weekend. From August 19-21, temporary Pablo shops selling Kanye gear will pop-up in 21 cities around the world. There will be 13 pop-up stores in the US, three in Europe and more across Australia, Africa and Asia. The event, which is co-ordinated in conjunction with merch and branding specialist Bravado, will see each store stock Pablo merchandise featuring limited edition designs exclusive to each city. (Music Week)
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