As the BRITs draw closer...

It has become tradition within the past few years for some of the country's biggest artists to come together to perform at the BRITs War Child gig at Shepherds Bush, and this year is no exception.

Coinciding with the BRIT Awards each year, these gigs help to raise awareness for War Child, a very special charity helping to raise money for children across the world who are affected by war. By providing medical care,  education, a safe place as well as helping to protect their human rights, War Child work day-in-day-out in countries such as Uganda, Afghanistan, Congo and Iraq. In the past three years, these gigs have raised over £500,000.

2009 saw The Killers and Coldplay join together to put together a spectacular show, made even more incredible with two special guest appearances from two of the biggest names in music - Bono and Gary Barlow. Barlow started off the encore, performing 'Back for Good' with Chris Martin, whilst Brandon Flowers and Bono soon joined in to perform the Killers classic 'All These Things That I've Done'. The iconic lyrics: 'I've got soul but I'm not a soldier', echoed around the room as 2,000 fans sang along at the exclusive and memorable event.

In order to establish the post-BRITs War Child concert as an annual event, the show continued in 2010, with Best British Group winners, Kasabian headlining. The group were joined by Calvin Harris, La Roux and even Mighty Boosh's Noel Fielding.

With a new year came a new venue, as in 2011, War Child moved to the Indigo Arena at the O2, showing how the concert is developing to grow each year. This year's headliner was Mark Ronson, who brought along many other special guests including Temper Trap, Boy George, Katy B, Ms Dynamite, Wretch 32 and Kyle Falconer from The View.

2012 sees the War Child gig move back to the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. With a slight change this year, the concert will take place on Sunday 19th February - two days before the BRITs Awards Ceremony. After a hugely successful 2011, as well as having the most BRIT nominations with a fantastic four, Ed Sheeran tops the bill. Ed described headlining the show as 'an absolute honour', and the singing sensation will be joined by Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Dry The River.

Who will follow in the footsteps of Gary Barlow, Bono and Boy George making a guest appearance at the event?

Tickets, that went on general sale on Saturday 4th February, are some of the hottest tickets around and will be the most magnificent run-up to the awards show on Tuesday 21st February.

V Festival Rumours Have Begun!

One of the biggest music festivals in the country, organised by Virgin, always attracts thousands of music-fans to Chelmsford every summer. This year will be no different, with competition for tickets set to be fierce if the current rumoured acts are to be correct!

V Festival, which will take place at Hylands Park over the 20th & 21st of August, never fails to pull in some big name artists. 2010 saw Kings of Leon and Kasabian headline the festival on the main stage, with The Prodigy, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Scouting For Girls, Florence & The Machine and the Stereophonics being just a few of the other artists who packed in large crowds over the weekend!

This year is set to be bigger and better than ever, especially if the current rumours are true. Sheffield rock band, Arctic Monkeys, were one of the first names that spread across the internet in relation to the event. Having never played at the festival, Essex fans of the band will be excited to hear that they may play at Hylands Park in the summer. Coldplay have also been rumoured to play.

One of the biggest and most exciting rumours spreading over the internet is that US Superstars Eminem and Rihanna may both play sets, including performing together. Their song 'Love The Way You Lie' was the biggest selling song of 2010 in the UK, so there is no doubt that they would attract huge crowds to watch their sets. 

No acts have been confirmed yet but the list of rumours are set to grow and expand until the official line-up is announced in the Spring. Keep checking back to the Essex In The Media blog for more rumours and line-up news.