New Bands Please!

Following on from yesterday's announcement that the former Olympic stadium in the East End of London would become a venue for concerts, "Music concerts planned for Headingley cricket ground" was a headline today (http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/music-concerts-planned-for-headingley-cricket-ground-1-5275013).

Looking for "Radio 2" style pop-acts this sounds quite promising, and anything that keeps cricket out of the stadium is alright for me :-p

Read More

Jack Whitehall, confused police and old people

The news has been alight today with all manner of stories, with the practically unanimous complaints about the rise of train fares finally subsiding (I had a return already so I've got the shout of astonishment to come when I find out how expensive my regular journey will become) as weary commuters resign themselves to the inevitable that they have to spend more money to get to work to earn money to pay for getting to work to earn money in the first place. I still can't understand how I can get to London return - granted on a coach - for £21.50 whereas it costs me £16 to get to York. How is that sensible?

With trains still being unreliable and over-crowded we still need to get some evidence that the money paid is improving the rail network, that doesn't involve spending millions of pounds on a high-speed rail link that knocks - whoopdedo - a whole twenty minutes off a journey.

(To be honest I'd be happier them spending the money on a large taser so everytime some chav with a pair of metal cutters and a deathwish steals the copper from Micklefield and causing delays they can get a nasty shock from the Fat Controller with an S&M addiction.)

Elsewhere in the news we get "Blue Christmas lights cause 'difficulties' for police helicopters" so criminals no longer have to be great at hide and seek, just need to find a willing accomplice with a portable generator and Wilkinsons' finest Christmas lights. I'm looking forward to the Christmas special of 'Police, Camera, Action' where a policeman curses the festive season for keeping Burglar Bill on the streets. Imagine how annoyed Santa must be when looking for chimneys.

"Adam spends his last £500 on billboard begging for work" reveals the Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4724965/Unemployed-graduate-buys-billboard-begging-for-work.html) showing Adam Pacitti's great billboard asking for a job. Either that or he just has a big ego. I'd like to do a similar thing but I can't afford a huge billboard. I've bought a sandwich board and an airhorn instead. I wonder if the Sun will cover me doing that like a walking vuvuzela?

In more serious news "'Target winter fuel benefit to pay for elderly care'" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20887547) was a topic not out of the news today at all. There's been a lot of criticism of the proposal but I, to a point, agree with that. For 99% of the people in the country they should still get the winter fuel allowance. But if, as a pensioner, you have a massive pension or loads of money saved up, it's cheeky to apply for that. The mooney could be, as suggested, used for better care home care for the elderly. (Though if Cameron / Clegg got their fingers out and started chasing up all the multinationals dodging tax, maybe we wouldn't be even having this conversation!)

Also revealed today was that 2012 was the second wettest year ever since records began, only stopped beating 2000 by Scotland having milder weather than England for a nice change. No wonder the econmy is in such a state as we've all spent our money saved for a raining day.

In entertainment "Television Awards refute claims Jack Whitehall is under pressure to stand down amid Big Quiz of the Year controversy" (http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/television-awards-refute-claims-jack-whitehall-is-under-pressure-to-stand-down-amid-big-quiz-of-the-year-controversy-8436531.html) in possibly the most ridiculous story of the day. A comedian is told off for making a joke that, whilst possibly a little distasteful, is no worse than have ever been on any of these shows and was in context. People need to lighten up and not take things so seriously and I hope it doesn't impact on Jack Whitehall's promising career. If anything, the sue should be controversial as it was completely unfunny. A show I was looking forward to seeing it, I hadn't laughed once in the first half hour. Thankfully Charlie Brooker's summary of the year didn't disappoint.

And, finally, "Jim Davidson To Miss Celebrity Big Brother". Lucky git.

Read More

Olympic Stadium To Become Music Venue

"Olympic stadium 'to host rock concerts by July'" reveals the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20891527), showing how gigs usually taking place in Hyde Park could move to the new venue.

Now I'm not saying this isn't a good idea but with the O2 "Dome" Arena and lots of other venues in London there to host venues, surely it would be better having some bigger venues elsewhere in the country, though I appreciate these would have to be built.

Here's hoping for some interesting acts to be held though, but perhaps more theatre productions or something like that would be fun!

Read More

iOS 6 Hit By Do Not Disturb Bug

The Millennium Bug has hit! OK, it's thirteen years too late and it's dramatic effect has been to stop some people spending all their lives on their iPhone. The bug (http://www.slashgear.com/ios-6-do-not-disturb-bug-getting-fixed-on-january-7-02262829/) stopped the feature, which activates a sort of airplane mode but then doesn't deactivate now due to a bug affected by the move to 2013. Therefore, I assume, people went ages without getting prompted to draw something, who is poking them on Facebook or that someone wants to speak to them on 'What's App'. In other words, people actually probably became more productive.

Read More

Let's Get Physical!

"Digital entertainment downloads top £1bn for first time in 2012" reveals http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/jan/02/download-sales-1bn-2012 today, with physical sales falling 17.6%

Unfortunately for the high street, this is the way things are going to go. You can only buy a handful of physical singles now in shops - though this is arguably a chicken and egg situation - and downloading music is so much more convenient, but for those high street traders who have embraced the digital world they'll still get the benefit. After all, buying 79p tracks quickly adds up without you really thinking about it.

I, however, still prefer physical CDs as a collector's item and I don't really fancy yet dipping my toes into the HD movie download market due to the size of the files and the feeling that they're not quite as safely stored as physical discs. And though I have downloaded many indie games, full-boxed releases over the internet are, again, hampered by their size and, for instance, Nintendo's model currently has the games more expensive to download than to buy in the shop.

I think both downloads and physical items will co-exist for a while but it's inevitable things will continue to move towards downloads, which I think in many ways will be a shame for longevity but is far more convenient.

Read More

My 2013 New Years Resolutions

And now it's time to set myself some new years resolutions for 2013 - will I stick to any of them? Time will tell! But here are eleven things to hold myself over a barrel with come December!

1. Eat more healthily!
For Christmas I got a new slow cooker and some electric whisks so I'm able to do more exciting meals in the kitchen. I enjoy cooking but have to say I've not been as active in the kitchen (steady!) as I could have been recently so I'm going to make all the effort to start cooking myself some proper, hearty food this year!

2. Sketch Show Part 2
I enjoyed creating the sketch show last year and I'm going to get the follow-up done in the early part of the year!

3. Grade Two on the Keyboard
I am going to do more practice on the keyboard than I have in 2012 to build on my grade one and get to the next level!

4. Promote my radio shows more!
I'm now doing several shows on a variety of stations that I'm getting into the swing of but it's time to get some proper promotion done for them so expect some posters and such like soon!

5. Go a little bit hippie
I'm considering making a stand and stop using companies that are currently flouting the UK tax laws, which mainly means Amazon of which I'm a big shopper and have a credit card with them - but is it possible to do this and, even if it is, will it make a difference?

6. Write my novel
I started it last January and did a bit over the year but it's still languishing on my pen drive. 2013 will be the year to finish it!

7. Read more!
I used to be an avid reader but until joining a book club I've lost the love I once had. I have a pile of books to read and 2013 will be me determined to read each night!

8. Do more badminton
I love badminton but hardly do it... it's time to get fit the badminton-y way (and possibly get to the gym!)

9. Catch up on my films and video games
I have a lot of films I haven't watched and video games I've never finished. It's time to get my money's worth out of them!

10. Go to Germany
I went to France last year and in 2013 I'd like to get to Germany. Time to save up and practice the old Deutsche!

11. Take up a new hobby
I need to try something different this year and join some new social circles. Any ideas??

Read More

Today's Music News

"X Factor Winner James Arthur Has Credit Card Declined" reveals an article in the Huffington Post, as he tries and fails to pay for an £700+ clothes bill as he has picked up the wrong card. Firstly, that's a lot of clothes for someone to buy but does include ten baseball caps. Thankfully it's not as if it's winter and raining constantly. (I don't know if he was shopping at the appropriately titled 'Monsoon')

Embarrassment ensued as he was being followed by a photographer at the time who, presumably, captured the whole incident on film. If I had been there I'd have clobbered the photographer with my size nines (if I could fit in them, Top Shop sizes are rather weird). http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/29/x-factor-winner-james-arthur-credit-card_n_2379920.html

The BBC has been looking ahead to 2013 for some big albums, with releases possible from Lady GaGa, Beyonce and the original line-up on the Sugababes, plus Tinie Tempah and Eminem and, it has been said, a fifth album by Rihanna in five years meaning she will Stay for a bit longer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/20757326

We also found that Ultravox's Vienna, beaten to the top spot by Joe Dolce's "classic" "Shaddup Your Face" back in 1981, is the best number two of all time. Aside from the fact it should have been Electric Six with "Danger! High Voltage", surely the biggest number twos of all time in the charts have been One Direction, Justin Bieber and anything from the X-Factor? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20881216

And finale, Adele's "21" is now the fourth biggest selling album of all time but she'll have to beat Queen and the Beatles to top the chart, so providing she can stay alive until she's old she could just about do it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/20868176

Read More