U2 CONFIRM GLASTONBURY HEADLINE SPOT

The Edge made the announcement in a video speech played at the NME Awards ceremony

It was the worst kept secret in the music world, but more than a few music fans will be reaching for their wellies and sunglasses following the confirmation by U2 that the band will headline the Glastonbury festival's Friday night slot this year.

U2's guitarist, The Edge, made the announcement in a video speech played at the NME Awards ceremony in London shortly after Glastonbury was named Best Festival.

"Congratulations to Michael and Emily [Eavis] and the rest of the team for the continued success of Glastonbury," he said. "It's more a way of life than a festival."

The musician then recalled his guest appearance with Muse at Glastonbury in 2010, when he joined the British band on the Pyramid stage, before delivering the news that U2 will be playing at the event on 24 June .

"I have to say there is something really special and iconic about that stage. So, we're all looking forward to coming back to pick up where I left off," he said.

"U2 will be playing on June 24. And we're so excited to get to play in front of the world's greatest festival audience. We'll see you there!"

The Irish band was originally set to headline the festival in 2010 but was forced to pull out after its lead singer, Bono, picked up a back injury while preparing for a tour in the US. At the time Bono said: "We really wanted to be there to do something really special. We even wrote a song especially for the festival."

Gorillaz, fronted by Damon Albarn, were late replacements but garnered mixed reviews from fans and critics for their performance at the festival's 40th anniversary. There was also a varied reaction to the announcement by U2.

"U2, Coldplay and Beyonce healing Glastonbury. It's now a festival for the middle class and accountants," tweeted Joe Richardson in York whose displeasure was typical of some others.

However, excitement at the prospect of watching the band at the iconic event was also palpable, with U2's legion of followers tweeting their happiness in a range of languages.

At the NME awards last night, goth rockers My Chemical Romance triumphed with two prizes. The New Jersey outfit were crowned best international band, and also took the award for best video for Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na).

For the fourth successive year stadium rockers Muse were also winners, walking away with best British band having seen off Arctic Monkeys, Foals, Kasabian and Biffy Clyro.

Laura Marling continued her winning run after picking up a surprise award for best British female at the Brit Awards last week, which saw sales of her acclaimed second album 'I Speak Because I can' leap as a result, moving from No 80 to No 21 in the chart. Last night at the Brixton Academy, she picked up a gong for best solo artist, seeing off challenges from starrier names, such as Kanye West.

ADELE MATCHES THE BEATLES IN LATEST CHART SUCCESS

Singer becomes first living artist since the Fab Four to have two releases in each of the top five singles and album charts at once.

Adele has become the first artist since the Beatles to have two top five singles and two top five albums in the charts at the same time. Buoyed by her rendition at last week's Brit awards, the singer's newest single, Someone Like You, jumped 46 spots to become her first No 1 hit. That song joins Rolling in the Deep, which sits at No 4; on the album charts, Adele's first two LPs – 21 and 19 – are also at No 1 and No 4 respectively.

"It's amazing," Adele told BBC Radio 1. "I've never had a No 1 single [before]. I'm probably annoying everyone as well, as I cried at the Brits and everything. I'm just so overwhelmed – I can't believe the response to it."


Book tickes to Adele London concerts at www.premierevents.co.uk

BRIT AWARDS 2011 - LIST OF WINNERS

British male solo artist
Plan B [See Tickets]

British female solo artist
Laura Marling

British breakthrough act
Tinie Tempah [See Tickets]

British group
Take That [See Tickets]

British single
Pass Out by Tinie Tempah

MasterCard British album of the year
Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons

International male solo artist
Cee Lo Green

International female solo artist
Rihanna [See Tickets]

International breakthrough act
Justin Bieber [See Tickets]

International group
Arcade Fire [See Tickets]

International album
The Suburbs by Arcade Fire

Critics' Choice
Jessie J

Visit www.premierevents.co.uk , book your tickets and see some of this artists live!

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.