BRIT AWARDS 2011: TAKE THAT WIN BEST BRITISH GROUP 21 YEARS AFTER THEIR DEBUT

It may only take a minute to fall in love, but to reach the zenith of your artistic career can take a while longer, as Take That have discovered.

After 17 No 1 hits, pop world domination, an acrimonious split and a dewy-eyed reunion, the phenomenally successful boy-turned-manband were finally crowned best British group at the Brit awards, 21 years after their first performance on the cheesy late-night TV show The Hitman & Her.

Young pretender Tinie Tempah may have taken home more awards – the rapper received statuettes for both British breakthrough act and best single for the infectious Pass Out – but the night belonged to the veteran band.

It was most certainly the campest, and possibly the most spectacular, opening to any Brit awards, the boys took to the stage flanked by Take That soldiers, who by the end of the performance were only in their underwear.

The revamped Brits were styled as a music-centric event rather than the bacchanalian back-patting exercise of the past. And there was evidence that the 1,000-strong voting academy, which this year included music performers for the first time as well as the usual promoters, producers, publishers and retailers, wanted to celebrate "quality" music.

But the revamp could not deflect from the crowning of Take That, the peak of an extraordinary 12 months in which the group's most recent album, Progress, became the fastest-selling of the decade with first-day sales of more than 235,000, the highest since Oasis released Be Here Now in 1997.

Take That's accompanying tour – the biggest in UK history – sold out in minutes, and promises to be the most spectacular that "Thatters", as their fans are known, have ever seen.

The band split amid accusations, insults and alcoholism in 1995. Robbie Williams, ever the bad boy of the group, went on to achieve huge success as a solo act – and has won more Brit awards than any other artist. His debut album, Life Thru a Lens, went straight to No 1, and hits such as Angels lodged themselves firmly in the karaoke canon.

But after Williams's career hit the buffers, the newly-reformed four-piece Take That went on to have success without himwith The Ultimate tour in 2006, and The Circus album and tour in 2008.

After winning the award for best group, Mark Owen tear-jearkingly turned to Williams. "Rob, thanks for coming back mate," he said over the screams. Williams response was fittingly a throw back to the 90s, as he shouted "shabba!" into the mike.

Gary Barlow, the main songwriter of the band, recently turned 40, joining Jason Orange who is the same age, and Howard Donald, 42, in the realm of fortysomethings. Williams and Owen are not far behind at 37 and 39.

Take That's award – the first time they have been crowned best British band despite three previous nominations – comes eight months after Williams announced he was rejoining the band.

Source: The Guardian - Alexandra Topping


Tickets for Take That's UK and IE Progress Live 2011 Tour still available at Premier Events, call 020 7283 4040 or book online.

THE BLACK EYED PEAS HEADLINE FRIDAY AT WIRELESS FESTIVAL THIS SUMMER!

Boom Boom Pow!

We can reveal that global superstars The Black Eyed Peas will be heading to the UK in July to headline Friday at Wireless with Barclaycard 2011!

One of the biggest bands on the planet, The Black Eyed Peas have sold over 47 million records worldwide, scoring hit after hit with tracks such as Where Is The Love, Shut Up, Don't Phunk With My Heart, I Gotta Feeling and their recent single The Time (Dirty Bit).

If that's not enough, there is a hotbed of talent joining them in Hyde Park for the proceedings.

Fresh from picking up no less than THREE nominations at this year's BRIT Awards, rapper turned soul king Plan B will be heading to Hyde Park. With his last album The Defamation of Strickland Banks becoming a commercial and critical success, this is one performance not to be missed.

Also joining the party will be man of the moment Tinie Tempah. With two number one singles and a number one album under his belt over the last twelve months, this will be a triumphant return for the UK rapper, who is looking forward to playing at Wireless again.

They'll also be joined by fellow UK rapper Example, who also had a great 2010, breaking into the mainstream with two top ten singles in the shape of Won't Go Quietly and Kickstarts, and a top five album! One of the highlights of last year's festival, he'll be back in 2011 for more!

To book your Wireless Festival Tickets for Black Eyed Peas concert, call 020 7283 4040 or book on line with Premier Events.

GUANGDONG CHINESE ACROBATIC BALLET TO PERFORM IN LONDON

From 9 to 14 August 2011 - London Coliseum

Drawing inspiration from classical dance, traditional Chinese acrobatics and elements of Peking Opera, the Guangdong Acrobatic Company’s extraordinary version of Swan Lake has taken the world by storm since its premiere in 2006.

A seamless fusion of breathtaking acrobatic feats and magnificent classical dance, has transformed its principal dancers into international stars and thrilled audiences worldwide.

GUANGDONG ACROBATIC TROUPE OF CHINA

The internationally acclaimed Guangdong Acrobatic Troupe of China made its sensational debut in London at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 2008. Founded in 1951, the Company is China's foremost acrobatic company.

Renowned throughout the world, the Company astounds audiences with its astonishing productions which push imagination, physicality and technology to their limits in its electrifying presentations of traditional Chinese folk acrobatics within a dynamic modern perspective.

Book your tickets now! Go to Premierevents.co.uk

DURAN DURAN TO PLAY LONDON DATE

After a long absence, British rock legends, Duran Duran, will return to The O2 on 28 May. The shows will mark the band’s first European performances in support of their critically acclaimed, new album 'ALL YOU NEED IS NOW' (produced by Mark Ronson), and the start of a world tour that will last well into 2012.

Tickets on sale at Premier Events

ARCADE FIRE TO BRING THE SUBURBS TO HYDE PARK

Canadian band announce biggest ever UK gig this summer, with support from Mumford & Sons, Beirut and the Vaccines.

Arcade Fire have announced their biggest ever UK gig at London's Hyde Park this summer. The Canadian band will also reportedly release a new version of their latest album, The Suburbs, including an original film by Spike Jonze.

The 30 June gig in Hyde Park is Arcade Fire's only UK date so far this year, despite scheduled appearances at festivals in the USA and Europe. They will headline the venue just a week after Kings of Leon play two dates, plus there will be support from Mumford & Sons, Beirut and the Vaccines. Though Arcade Fire played the O2 Arena on their last visit to London, Hyde Park is about three times bigger – some 60,000 fans will have the chance to buy tickets, which go on sale this Friday.

Meanwhile, fans of The Suburbs have something else to look forward to. According to Germany's Spex magazine (via Consequence of Sound), Arcade Fire plan to reissue their third album in May. This will reportedly include a photobook, new songs and a DVD of Spike Jonze's Scenes from the Suburbs, which premieres at the Berlin international film festival next month. Scenes from this short film previously appeared in the video for the album's title track.

Arcade Fire's The Suburbs has been nominated for three Grammy awards, including album of the year, as well as two Brits. It debuted at No 1 in the UK charts.

See tickets at www.premierevents.co.uk

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jan/25/arcade-fire-suburbs-hyde-park

TAKE THAT - 4 UK DATES ADDED & WEMBLEY CONCERT RESCHEDULED

Take That's record-busting ticket sales a few weeks ago hit the press when tickets to the Progress Live 2011 Tour sold out in less than a day. Whilst thousands of you did get tickets, there were many of you who weren't so lucky, but we're hoping to change this with four additional dates!

New dates added to the UK leg are:

Friday 27 May: Sunderland Stadium Of Light
Saturday 28 May: Sunderland Stadium Of Light
Sunday 12 June: City Of Manchester Stadium
Monday 4 July: Wembley Stadium

Important information about Sunday 3rd July show at Wembley

In order to accommodate an extra date at Wembley, it has been necessary to reschedulethe show that was planned to take place on Sunday 3rd July to Thursday 30th June. The promoters apologise for the inconvenience this may cause to you, but tickets remain valid for customers who have already bought them for Sunday 3rd July. Anyone who cannot make the rescheduled date is eligible for a full refund from their point of purchase.

Take That said: “We are really sorry to have to move the dates in London but we’d heard that there was a lot of disappointment from those not being able get tickets and this was the only way that we could fit in another show. We hope everyone understands and look forward to seeing you all next year.”

Click here to see Take That tour tickets

FEDERER DEFEATS RIVAL NADAL TO WIN FIFTH TITLE AT SEASON FINALE

World No. 2 Roger Federer won his fifth title at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday when he defeated Rafael Nadal 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in a gripping finale at The O2 in London.

The Swiss also won the coveted year-end championships in 2003 (d. Agassi) and 2004 (d. Hewitt) in Houston and again in 2006 (d. Blake) and 2007 (d. Ferrer) in Shanghai. He was also the runner-up in 2005 and has compiled a staggering 34-7 event record. He is the third player in the tournament’s 41-year history to win the title five times, joining Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras.

Source: www.barclaysatpworldtourfinals.com