Liberty – Back With A New Name!

The British pop group Liberty have announced details of their new name, and new single. The band, signed to Virgin Records, lost the rights to use the name “Liberty” after a London band claimed they thay’d been using the name for some time and they owned it. So, Kelli, Tony, Jessica, Kevin and Michelle are now known as Libertyx.

Their new new single ‘Just A Little’ is finished and is

sounding phat! There are remixes by Bump and Flex and Almighty and it’s due for release on 13th May. The video was shot two weeks ago at two locations in London and it was directed by Alex Hemmings who did the band’s first two videos. It’s a sort of Blade Runner meets Mission Impossible!

Their official website is also under construction, and is now available at a new address: www.libertyx.co.uk. It should be up within the next few weeks.

On Monday 1st, Libertyx are playing at a Charity Celebrity Basketball Tournament at Crystal Palace Indoor Arena. Other prople playing include Dermot O’Leary, Dane Bowers, Gary Lucy, Danny and Johnny from Hear’say, 3SL and many more.

Following the busy weekend they will be out on a Regional Promo Tour starting in Wales. They are also playing 3 gigs next week:

Tuesday 2nd April – Time, Swansea (under 18’s)

Wednesday 3rd April – Henrys, Scunthorpe (over 18’s)

Sunday 7th April – Smash Hits Butlins, Bognor Regis (under 18’s)

Aurora are Dreaming

British pop/dance group Aurora are back with a brand new single on Monday called “Dreaming”.

You’ll probably remember them from their 2 previous hits on Positiva called “Hear You Calling” and “Ordinary World”. Well, Sacha and Simon are back with a new permanent lead singer, Lizzy, and a new sound. Having heard some tracks from the new album – it’s definetly different from their previous singles and it should open them to a new audience.

The single’s released on enhanced CD, DVD and cassette, which include the video, acoustic versions of the 2 previous hits, interview footage, a medley of tracks from the forthcoming album, and a remix from Goldtrix. That mix is also on the 12″ format, which is released on April 8th, and also includes a remix by Stella Browne.

Why not visit their new website (which you can do by clicking here), where you can hear “Dreaming”, along with other tracks from their new album.

Gareth Still On Top

Gareth Gates remains on top of the UK Top 40 Singles charts again this week with his cover of ‘Unchained Melody’. The Pop Idol finalist outsold Shaggy & Ali G for a second time leaving them in the runner-up spot.

Other Highlight’s from this week’s chart include:

Missy Elliott – ‘4 My People’ – a new entry at number 5 (check out the great Basement Jaxx remix!)

Shy F/X & T-Power feat. Di – ‘Shake Ur Body’ – new entry at number 7.

Travis – ‘Flowers In The Window’ – new entry at number 18.

Emma Bunton’s Jaded

Emma Bunton, also more commonly known as Baby Spice, is now single. The ‘What Took You So Long’ vocalist has broken off with boyfriend Jade Jones from Damage.

According to tabloids, Emma and Jade have been quarrelling for weeks now because of her decision to re-ignite her relationship with the ex-Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, who used to be a former lover of hers.

A friendly source with rather close ties to the beautiful singer had this to say “Emma and Jade have split up. Jade was not happy about her going back to Simon. He was quite jealous whenever Simon phoned.”

It has been said that both of them also had loads of squabbles over which way they wanted their relationship to go. Emma had been hoping for marriage while Jade still enjoys life as a single pop star.

Emma and Jade’s history:

The pair started dating in 1998 after meeting at a Spice Girls gig. They split up sometime in May 1999 and soon after Emma started seeing Rio Ferdinand. That didn’t last long because she patched things up with Jade and have been going out since November 2000.

Now that Emma’s single, think she’d get back with Jade or will she rekindle what both she and Simon had in the past?

George Harrison Memorial Garden In India

It has been reported that Hare Krishna devotees will fashion a memorial garden to late George Harrison, former bandmember of the phenomenal Beatles.

George, who died from lung cancer last year, was a staunch Hindu devotee. Starting in the late 1960’s, influenced by Indian culture, he began incorporating the sounds of the sitar into the Beatles’ music and even encouraged the rest of the band to visit the Yogi Maharishi in India. And in keeping with his faith, he was later cremated in a cardboard coffin.

His chief solo hit ‘My Sweet Lord’, sort of a chant to Lord Krishna, Hinduism’s most revered god, re-entered the UK charts last year and emerged No. 1 for weeks.Head of the Calcutta chapter of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (Iskon), Dayaram Das said the garden would be laid in Mayapur, north of Calcutta, India.

“We are going to set up the George Harrison Garden at Mayapur to commemorate his contribution in spreading the messages of Lord Krishna through his music” said Mr Das.

Also, this is just in. Peter Jackson, the director of the whole J.R.R Tolkien ‘Lord Of The Rings’ trilogy, has just told the press that the Beatles actually wanted to do their version of the fantasy trilogy back in the 60s. “J.R.R. Tolkien still had the film rights at that stage and he didn’t like the idea of the Beatles doing it. So he killed it,” said Peter. Should that have taken place, you would’ve seen George Harrison playing Gandalf, Paul McCartney as Frodo, Ringo Starr as Sam and John Lennon playing Gollum.

Jennifer Lopez To Enlarge Her Business Empire

In a bid to develop her business enterprise, Jennifer Lopez is about to dabble in the world of designer fragrances and cosmetics.

J-Lo’s Sweetface Fashion Company has signed a worldwide marketing contract with the Lancaster Group, a top manufacturer of cosmetics, fragrance and sun-care products. The agreement allows Lancaster to develop and market make-up and perfumes under the J-Lo By Jennifer Lopez Brand.

The Lancaster Group says the products will mirror “the inspirational, confident and desirable qualities of Jennifer Lopez herself.” The goods will be made available in the US, UK, Germany, Austria plus Switzerland and at select departmental stores where J-Lo fashions are currently sold.In an official statement, the ‘Ain’t It Funny’ singer/actress said “The dynamic and creative energy of the Lancaster Group is exactly what I am looking for in a partner to bring this fragrance to the market.” She went on to say “I think people will find that this fragrance embodies the J-Lo brand’s spirit, character, energy… it is a true reflection of the modern, independent, yet passionate woman.”

In other Jennifer Lopez reports, the 31 year old Latino superstar can be next seen on the big screen in the thriller, ‘Enough’, which is due in US cinemas on 24th of May.

Looks Like Beverley Knight Is Here To Stay

In the last couple of years and mainly since the whole major garage explosion, all of us have seen acts like Mark Morrison, Kele le Roc and Shola Ama disappear. Hopefully, Beverley Knight is here to stay.

Beverley, who sings like a dream, originally broke through with the single ‘Flava of the Old Skool’. Her previous hit was the brilliant sounds of ‘Shoulda Woulda Coulda’ that made it to the top 10 of the UK singles chart a while ago.

Her latest album ‘Who I Am’ is much more fetching when the bass is deeper, the rhythm smoother, such as on the classy duet with Musiq Soulchild, ‘Beautiful Contradiction’. She also gets all feisty on her tracks like ‘Get Up!’ and ‘Same (As I Ever Was)’.Beverley Knight has also plans to tour and has announced her first headline tour of the UK in May.

She recently supported Jamiroquai’s UK and European tours, and Beverley takes to the road in her own right starting on May 15 in Middlesborough. The full dates are:

Wed 15 May Town Hall, Middlesborough

Thu 16 May Arches, Glasgow

Fri 17 May MDH, Manchester

Sun 19 May UEA, Norwich

Mon 20 May Shepherds Bush Empire, London

Thu 23 May Pyramids, Portsmouth

Fri 24 May Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

Sun 26 May Academy, Bristol

Mon 27 May Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton

Tue 28 May Regent, Ipswich

Her new album ‘Who I Am’ is already out in all good record stores.

Paul quits S Club 7

Paul Cattermole from UK pop group and TV show S Club 7 has announced that he is to leave the band to pursue a solo career.

The remaining 6 members of the group, managed by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, have vowed to carry on. They will rename themselves “S Club” – reports suggest that the split was amicable and that Paul will continue to work on the 4th television series.

Many fans will be very upset by the news, but it is expected that Paul will persue a solo career. Paul’s currently going out with fellow S Clubber Hannah Spearitt.

More updates will appear here later at www.Pop-Music.com – let us know your thoughts – does this spell the beginning of the end for S Club?

Celebrity Football Match – May 2002

Want to see your favourite music and entertainment stars having a laugh and playing some football? Then you’re in luck!

The Music Industry Soccer Six will take place on Sunday, May 19th at Anfield, Liverpool F.C and on Sunday, May 26th at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea F.C. and will feature a whole heap of stars! Tickets for both events are now available from Ticket Master on 0870 6021 145.

2001 champions ‘Ant & Dec’ are already in training and raring to regain their title at both venues this year. Pop sensations ‘Atomic Kitten’, ‘Blue’, ‘Hear Say’, ‘5ive’, ‘Steps’ have also signed up to play alongside TV stars from ‘Holyoaks’, ‘Brookside’, ‘Coranation Street’ and ‘Eastenders’.Last year over 15,000 fans watched as Ant & Dec’s team (including Peter Beardsley, Jonathan Wilkes, Michael Greco and Lee from Steps) triumphed over Rod Stewart’s team (featuring John Leslie, ‘Footballers Wives’ and ‘Hollyoaks’ Star ‘T Gary Lucy and Mark Owen) in a gripping final at Stamford Bridge. Other teams participating included Toploader, Blur, Simply Red, Steps, Damage and 5ive. But the question for 2002 is will Robbie Williams be assembling his team to reclaim his crown?

The girls are expected in force and last year team members including Cat Deeley, Jordan, Melinda Messenger, Amanda Holden and Gail Porter amongst others.

Soccer Six has become the Number one date in the music industry and celebrity sporting calendar alike. It continues to attract an unrivalled array of stars with some of the biggest names in music, TV and sport all eager to take part in this prestigious and renowned tournament.

And, now with 2002 introducing Soccer Six to Anfield, Liverpool it is sure to make both of this year’s Soccer Six’s the most successful and enjoyable for all involved yet.

For all ticket enquiries for either event please call Ticket Master on 0870 6021 145 or check out www.cup.uk.com.

Here at Pop-Music.com we’ll bring you further news and pictures from the event, so stay tuned!

Gareth Gates Pushes Will Young Off No.1

Time goes by so slowly/and time can do so much/are you still mine?/I need your love/I need your love/God speed your love to me.

You just read a couple of lines from the Righteous Brother’s classic ‘Unchained Melody’. Now, sitting on the top of this week’s UK singles chart is the Gareth Gates’ version of the very same track, finally relieving Will Young, the champ from the mega hit reality TV series ‘Pop Idol’, of the No.1 spot to second place.

It was reported earlier that Gareth Gates, 17, might not make it to the No.1 slot because of slow sales of his debut single. Looks like sales of his single must have picked up over the weekend across the UK.

Gareth, who was touted as the eventual winner of ‘Pop Idol’ but of course lost to Will, even beat George Michael who released his very racy comeback single ‘Freeek’ in 3 years. ‘Freeek’, a new entry, came in at No.7. Another new entry came from Blue with their ‘Fly By II’ number that went in at No.6.

Other brand-new tracks to make it to the singles chart include:

Way Out West – ‘Mindcircus’ at No.39

Cassius Henry – ‘Broke’ at No.31

Starsailor – ‘Poor Misguided Fool’ at No. 23

Alicia Keys – ‘A Woman’s Worth’ at No.18

Pet Shop Boys – ‘Home and Boys’ at No. 14

Darren Hayes – ‘Insatiable’ at No. 8