Olly Murs finds himself in Cardiff tonight as he kicks off his 2012 Arena tour. The tour will travel the length and breadth of the country - reaching the O2 Arena in London this Saturday and Sunday.
The tour kicks off tonight, coinciding with the announcement of Murs' third single from his #1 album 'In Case You Didn't Know'. 'Oh My Goodness' will follow in the footsteps of Heart Skips A Beat and Dance With Me Tonight, the first two singles released from the album, which both hit the top spot. The single will be released on 1st April.
With the arena tour comes a brand new ITV2 documentary, that will follow Olly & his band as they travel across the country playing to thousands of fans. The three-part series has been asking for public involvement, with ITV asking for any fans to suggest ideas for what Murs and the band should do when they visit their town. The show is due to air in April.
Essex In The Media wish anybody who will be seeing Olly on tour a fantastic time!
I will be seeing Olly at the O2 on Saturday -- pictures to follow.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Album #2 on the way for Jessie
After releasing hit-after-hit from her first album 'Who You Are' throughout 2011, Jessie J is already keen to get back in the studio to start on her follow-up.
After spending two weeks at #1 with her latest single 'Domino', Jessica Cornish, as she is otherwise known, has expressed her desire to head back to the recording studio. After writing songs for many other artists such as Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus, Jessie had already written many of the songs that would appear on the Who You Are album and is therefore excited so write some fresh, new material.
Some of the tracks on the Who You Are album are said to have been written four to five years ago, so any new material is likely to be even more exciting and innovative.
Capital FM recently reported, when talking about fellow BRITs Critics Choice award winner Goulding, Cornish said she is "definitely going to get in the studio with Ellie." Jessie J also indicated an interest in working with other artists, saying she'd "love to work with Adele". After working with the rapper on her #1 single 'Price Tag', Jessie suggested interest in working with Devlin further, saying "Dev I'm definitely going to get back in the studio with."
Jessie J isn't the only Essex artist who has been considering high-profile collaborations recently. It has been rumoured that Pixie Lott is very keen to duet with Coldplay -- it sounds like big things are on the way for our Essex stars!
After spending two weeks at #1 with her latest single 'Domino', Jessica Cornish, as she is otherwise known, has expressed her desire to head back to the recording studio. After writing songs for many other artists such as Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus, Jessie had already written many of the songs that would appear on the Who You Are album and is therefore excited so write some fresh, new material.
Some of the tracks on the Who You Are album are said to have been written four to five years ago, so any new material is likely to be even more exciting and innovative.
Capital FM recently reported, when talking about fellow BRITs Critics Choice award winner Goulding, Cornish said she is "definitely going to get in the studio with Ellie." Jessie J also indicated an interest in working with other artists, saying she'd "love to work with Adele". After working with the rapper on her #1 single 'Price Tag', Jessie suggested interest in working with Devlin further, saying "Dev I'm definitely going to get back in the studio with."
Jessie J isn't the only Essex artist who has been considering high-profile collaborations recently. It has been rumoured that Pixie Lott is very keen to duet with Coldplay -- it sounds like big things are on the way for our Essex stars!
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Horror hits Colchester Zoo
Many spectators were left traumatised this weekend at a popular Essex zoo when a barn owl was eaten by a lion.
A demonstration had begun at Colchester Zoo when the bird flew into the lion enclosure. A female lion pawed on the owl before a fellow male pounced and ate the bird.
The owl, named Ash, was left helpless as the zoo keepers had little to do, except from move away the area of people who were left in shock and horror at the events that uncovered before them.
Children were left crying and women screaming as Ash was killed, very much interrupting a demonstration that was intended to entertain many at one of the county's top tourist attractions.
Marketing director of the zoo, Alex Downing said: 'We are very sad to report that our little barn owl, Ash, sadly died at the weekend'.
McFly Battle of the Bands
From November, McFly have been running a once-in-a-lifetime competition for unsigned and upcoming bands. Their 'Battle of the Bands' competition, open to any unsigned bands, gives under the radar talent an opportunity to support the chart-topping bands on their nationwide tour.
Running from the 7th March to the 21st April, the McFly tour will be visiting all major cities across the country on 26 dates; however, the band are currently lacking in a support act for each night. Bands across the country have been entering videos of themselves to the McFly website, where the public can then choose which band they would like to support.
By hitting the 'Like' button on a specific band's page on the site, this counts as a vote for the chosen band. With 26 bands required to fulfil the support-act slot, Tom, Dougie, Danny and Essex's very own Harry Judd, make up McFly, who will pick the final 26 from the top 50 placing bands.
With voting having ended on 12th January, the boys will currently be deciding which acts they would like to join them on their tour. The chosen bands will be finding out if they have made the cut within the next week.
My fingers are well and truly crossed for Fuze, a four-piece band coming from Essex, who placed at 21 in the competition. Ed Alston, lead vocalist and guitarist, George Kirchner, lead guitarist, Jack Goldsmith, bass guitarist, & Keir Adamson, drummer, make up the band that were crowned Chelmsford's YFest winners in August 2011. Having spent most of the competition in the Top 10, it seems that the band are a popular choice and deserve to win a spot supporting McFly on tour.
For more information about Fuze, please visit their YouTube page: FuzeBandTV - YouTube
Or follow @FuzeBand on Twitter
Running from the 7th March to the 21st April, the McFly tour will be visiting all major cities across the country on 26 dates; however, the band are currently lacking in a support act for each night. Bands across the country have been entering videos of themselves to the McFly website, where the public can then choose which band they would like to support.
By hitting the 'Like' button on a specific band's page on the site, this counts as a vote for the chosen band. With 26 bands required to fulfil the support-act slot, Tom, Dougie, Danny and Essex's very own Harry Judd, make up McFly, who will pick the final 26 from the top 50 placing bands.
With voting having ended on 12th January, the boys will currently be deciding which acts they would like to join them on their tour. The chosen bands will be finding out if they have made the cut within the next week.
My fingers are well and truly crossed for Fuze, a four-piece band coming from Essex, who placed at 21 in the competition. Ed Alston, lead vocalist and guitarist, George Kirchner, lead guitarist, Jack Goldsmith, bass guitarist, & Keir Adamson, drummer, make up the band that were crowned Chelmsford's YFest winners in August 2011. Having spent most of the competition in the Top 10, it seems that the band are a popular choice and deserve to win a spot supporting McFly on tour.
For more information about Fuze, please visit their YouTube page: FuzeBandTV - YouTube
Or follow @FuzeBand on Twitter
V Festival Line-Up...
Apologies for any excitement that this may have caused if you thought that the full line-up would be given here! However, what Essex In The Media can tell you is that the official announcement will be made on Thursday 23rd February at 10pm.
Many rumours have been circulating across the web, with some websites suggesting Coldplay and Muse as possible headliners. Other artists mentioned to potentially appear in the line up include Stone Roses, Florence & The Machine and Professor Green.
In the past, the V Festival website has often given a glimpse into some of the artists performing through the advertisements that appear in the header and footer of their page. In recent years especially last year, I've seen Arctic Monkeys, Dizzee Rascal and Chase & Status appear in these adverts - all three performed at the festival.
If this pattern were to follow, we could be in with a real treat at the festival that runs for two days at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in Staffordshire. Advertisements this year have included the rumoured Coldplay, as well as Snow Patrol, Swedish House Mafia, Example, Maverick Sabre and Rebecca Ferguson.
Could this potentially mean that Snow Patrol and Coldplay will be our headliners on the V Stage on August 18th and 19th? We'll have to wait to February 23rd to find out!
Tickets will go on sale on 3rd March. For those who are on the Virgin Media phone network, you can register for Early-Bird tickets from the 6th February until the 19th, with tickets being sold on the 27th.
Many rumours have been circulating across the web, with some websites suggesting Coldplay and Muse as possible headliners. Other artists mentioned to potentially appear in the line up include Stone Roses, Florence & The Machine and Professor Green.
In the past, the V Festival website has often given a glimpse into some of the artists performing through the advertisements that appear in the header and footer of their page. In recent years especially last year, I've seen Arctic Monkeys, Dizzee Rascal and Chase & Status appear in these adverts - all three performed at the festival.
If this pattern were to follow, we could be in with a real treat at the festival that runs for two days at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in Staffordshire. Advertisements this year have included the rumoured Coldplay, as well as Snow Patrol, Swedish House Mafia, Example, Maverick Sabre and Rebecca Ferguson.
Could this potentially mean that Snow Patrol and Coldplay will be our headliners on the V Stage on August 18th and 19th? We'll have to wait to February 23rd to find out!
Tickets will go on sale on 3rd March. For those who are on the Virgin Media phone network, you can register for Early-Bird tickets from the 6th February until the 19th, with tickets being sold on the 27th.
Saturday, 28 January 2012
The BRIT Awards 2012 - Perfomers Update!
After the announcement of the nominees at the BRITs Launch Party two weeks ago, all 9 performers have now been announced. A star-studded night of awards and celebrities will be joined by performances from some of the country's biggest musical artists, alongside some of the biggest acts from across the pond.
Rihanna
The BRITS 2012 will complete Rihanna's hat-trick of performances at the awards ceremony, after performing 'Umbrella' as a duet with The Klaxons in 2008 and in 2011, treating the awards show with a medley of hits from her Loud album. After a hugely successful 2011 with her #1 album 'Talk That Talk', Rihanna also became the artist to hold the UK #1 Single spot for the most weeks in 2011, with an astonishing 7 weeks. Any performance from Rihanna will always be a spectacle and this BRITs performance is likely to be no exception.
Bruno Mars
After writing hit song 'Forget You' for Cee Lo Green, last year's BRITs winner in the International Male category, as well as many other chart hits for artists such as Alexandra Burke, Flo Rida and Travie McCoy, Mars has now stepped in front of the mic to become a chart success himself. With four UK #1's under his belt, including 2011 hit 'The Lazy Song', Bruno Mars definitely deserves his spot performing to thousands at the awards ceremony at the O2 Arena.
Adele
Following on from Adele's mesmerizing performance of 'Someone Like You' at last year's BRIT Awards, this songstress has become a global phenomenon. With 3 UK #1's from her MasterCard British Album of the Year nominated album '21', this year has been hugely successful for Adele. It's going to be difficult to do, but I'm sure Adele's BRITs performance this year is going to be even bigger and better than last year's!
Coldplay
Having performed at the BRITs four times, most recently in 2009 when they performed 'Viva La Vida', as well as having six of the awards to their name, Coldplay are BRITs veterans. Nominated for Mastercard British Album for 'Mylo Xyloto' and British Group, the band have a chance of making six awards become eight.
Noel Gallagher
Having collected the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize in 2007 with brother Liam as Oasis, Noel returns as a solo act this year. 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' as his act is now known, is sure to produce a fantastic performance, complete with excitement and talent as the Gallagher brothers have always managed to do in the past.
Florence & The Machine
This indie pop singer-songwriter is no stranger to the BRITs, having performed a duet with Dizzee Rascal in 2009, when the pair collaborated to create 'You've Got the Dirtee Love'. Her album 'Ceremonials' went to #1 in four countries, with three songs being released from the album in the UK. Florence Welch never fails to give a spectacular performance with her uplifting voice.
Ed Sheeran
What a year Ed Sheeran has had. With his 3 singles reaching the Top 5 in the UK Singles chart, a #1 album and FOUR BRIT nominations, February 21st is set to be a tremendous night for this 20-year-old from West Yorkshire. After a fantastic performance already at the BRITs launch party, there are high hopes for Sheeran's performance at the awards ceremony and he will not disappoint.
Olly Murs
2011 has been a huge year for this Essex boy. With two #1 singles and a #1 album, a spot presenting hit TV show 'The Xtra Factor' alongside Caroline Flack, plus a 20+ date arena tour across the country, Murs knows everything there is to know about live performances, with his BRITs performance set to be the highlight of them all.
Outstanding Contribution - Blur
Blur are this year's winners of the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. The last time the cult Brit-Pop band performed at the BRITs was in 1995. After disbanding in 2009, Blur are back to receive their award and to make a very special appearance performing at the awards ceremony at The O2.
Be sure to tune into the BRIT Awards on February 21st on ITV.
Rihanna
The BRITS 2012 will complete Rihanna's hat-trick of performances at the awards ceremony, after performing 'Umbrella' as a duet with The Klaxons in 2008 and in 2011, treating the awards show with a medley of hits from her Loud album. After a hugely successful 2011 with her #1 album 'Talk That Talk', Rihanna also became the artist to hold the UK #1 Single spot for the most weeks in 2011, with an astonishing 7 weeks. Any performance from Rihanna will always be a spectacle and this BRITs performance is likely to be no exception.
Bruno Mars
After writing hit song 'Forget You' for Cee Lo Green, last year's BRITs winner in the International Male category, as well as many other chart hits for artists such as Alexandra Burke, Flo Rida and Travie McCoy, Mars has now stepped in front of the mic to become a chart success himself. With four UK #1's under his belt, including 2011 hit 'The Lazy Song', Bruno Mars definitely deserves his spot performing to thousands at the awards ceremony at the O2 Arena.
Adele
Following on from Adele's mesmerizing performance of 'Someone Like You' at last year's BRIT Awards, this songstress has become a global phenomenon. With 3 UK #1's from her MasterCard British Album of the Year nominated album '21', this year has been hugely successful for Adele. It's going to be difficult to do, but I'm sure Adele's BRITs performance this year is going to be even bigger and better than last year's!
Coldplay
Having performed at the BRITs four times, most recently in 2009 when they performed 'Viva La Vida', as well as having six of the awards to their name, Coldplay are BRITs veterans. Nominated for Mastercard British Album for 'Mylo Xyloto' and British Group, the band have a chance of making six awards become eight.
Noel Gallagher
Having collected the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize in 2007 with brother Liam as Oasis, Noel returns as a solo act this year. 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' as his act is now known, is sure to produce a fantastic performance, complete with excitement and talent as the Gallagher brothers have always managed to do in the past.
Florence & The Machine
This indie pop singer-songwriter is no stranger to the BRITs, having performed a duet with Dizzee Rascal in 2009, when the pair collaborated to create 'You've Got the Dirtee Love'. Her album 'Ceremonials' went to #1 in four countries, with three songs being released from the album in the UK. Florence Welch never fails to give a spectacular performance with her uplifting voice.
Ed Sheeran
What a year Ed Sheeran has had. With his 3 singles reaching the Top 5 in the UK Singles chart, a #1 album and FOUR BRIT nominations, February 21st is set to be a tremendous night for this 20-year-old from West Yorkshire. After a fantastic performance already at the BRITs launch party, there are high hopes for Sheeran's performance at the awards ceremony and he will not disappoint.
Olly Murs
2011 has been a huge year for this Essex boy. With two #1 singles and a #1 album, a spot presenting hit TV show 'The Xtra Factor' alongside Caroline Flack, plus a 20+ date arena tour across the country, Murs knows everything there is to know about live performances, with his BRITs performance set to be the highlight of them all.
Outstanding Contribution - Blur
Blur are this year's winners of the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. The last time the cult Brit-Pop band performed at the BRITs was in 1995. After disbanding in 2009, Blur are back to receive their award and to make a very special appearance performing at the awards ceremony at The O2.
Be sure to tune into the BRIT Awards on February 21st on ITV.
Bringing the X Factor back to Essex
This week saw the announcement of an exciting gig coming to Essex in the summer!
Organised by the Heart Essex radio station, June 16th will see many stars coming to Hylands Park in Chelmsford for a special summer concert.
Following on from the success of 2011's summer concerts in Hylands Park, Heart have invited Olly Murs back to his home county to headline the show. 2011 saw JLS headlining the two-night concert, with Olly, Alexis Jordan and upcoming boyband The Kixx also performing.
After a hugely successful end to 2011 and fantastic start to 2012, Murs was the perfect choice to headline the shows. Other acts and guests are still set to be announced, with fellow Essex star, Pixie Lott, being rumoured to appear. Duo Rizzle Kicks, who are featured on Olly's #1 hit single 'Heart Skips A Beat', are another name who have been discussed to be in with a chance of performing.
Olly Murs, who shot to fame after placing second in the 2009 series of The X Factor, will not necessarily be the only act from the show performing. Another act rumoured to appear at the event are Little Mix, current holders of The X Factor title. Jesy Nelson, ¼ of Little Mix, a former barmaid from Romford, would be more than thrilled to take part in her first gig in her home county.
Tickets were released yesterday (Friday 27th January) at 10am, with many more tickets still available.
Watch this space for more news and announcements about the June 16th concert!
Organised by the Heart Essex radio station, June 16th will see many stars coming to Hylands Park in Chelmsford for a special summer concert.
Following on from the success of 2011's summer concerts in Hylands Park, Heart have invited Olly Murs back to his home county to headline the show. 2011 saw JLS headlining the two-night concert, with Olly, Alexis Jordan and upcoming boyband The Kixx also performing.
After a hugely successful end to 2011 and fantastic start to 2012, Murs was the perfect choice to headline the shows. Other acts and guests are still set to be announced, with fellow Essex star, Pixie Lott, being rumoured to appear. Duo Rizzle Kicks, who are featured on Olly's #1 hit single 'Heart Skips A Beat', are another name who have been discussed to be in with a chance of performing.
Olly Murs, who shot to fame after placing second in the 2009 series of The X Factor, will not necessarily be the only act from the show performing. Another act rumoured to appear at the event are Little Mix, current holders of The X Factor title. Jesy Nelson, ¼ of Little Mix, a former barmaid from Romford, would be more than thrilled to take part in her first gig in her home county.
Tickets were released yesterday (Friday 27th January) at 10am, with many more tickets still available.
Watch this space for more news and announcements about the June 16th concert!
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| Olly at the Heart Essex summer concert last year |
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| Olly previously performed at Hylands in July 2011 supporting JLS |
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