The UK’s greatest ever club and worldwide phenomenon, Ministry of Sound, has teamed with Britain’s leading internet discount provider.

Thanks to the team at discountvouchers.co.uk, you can now save 15 per cent off all orders from the massive catalogue at Ministry of Sound, with a huge range of CDs, DVDs and merchandise all on offer.

Browse the fantastic selection of house and trance, with highlights including the Clubbers Guide Summer 2010 & Ibiza 1991-2009 (5CD) for just £13.00, or Cream Club Classics & Beach House 2010 (6CD) from just £20.00. The iconic Hed Kandi range is all there in addition to the nights and events that put British clubbing on the global stage and launched the longest and most successful dance night in London, one which has been celebrated around the world by all true fans of quality music.

The more soulful music lovers can find the incredible 9CD 80s Groove + Anthems R&B + Anthems Electronic 80s bundle deal for under £20.00, with each CD able to be downloaded for the low price of £7.99. There is also a huge range of chill out tunes, featuring everything from trip-hop to Paul Weller and Radiohead. For fitness fanatics, head for the Pump It Up music DVDs that will burn calories and dance floors, with running track editions, aerobics and cardio all to the tune of the best house and dance beats.

Be quick – the offer runs out on September 5, and is only available at discountvouchers.

The multi award-winning singer has left many again scratching their heads after her latest antics, which this time included a decent night’s sleep in a Tesco carpark rather than at the sumptuous Dorchester Hotel where her travelling entourage stayed.

After her show at the LG Arena, Lady GaGa and her crew travelled down to London from Birmingham, arriving in the wee hours of Sunday morning. However, the dramatic diva declined to disembark the tour bus as it unloaded her staff and her considerable luggage. Instead, she decided to sleep on board as the bus parked itself for an overnight stay at the local Tesco’s branch.

The lobby of the Dorchester meanwhile temporarily resembled a backstage shambles, as Lady Gaga’s laminated luggage was piled high at reception. The scene was described as ‘bizarre’ by one witness, who also saw one of the crew and the bus driver head back out from the hotel around 15 minutes after arriving. They eventually ended up parked next to Alicia Keys’ touring coach in the West Cromwell Road Tesco carpark, where they the musician simply asked for the ignition to be turned off before turning in for the evening.

Later that morning, Lady GaGa was collected by a Mercedes SLK and a people carrier laden with shopping bags, presumably for the day’s work ahead in the recording studio.

The 2010 version of the famous contest will see Waterman behind the UK entrant along with former pop producing partner Michael Stock of the Stock, Aitken and Waterman triumvirate. According to Waterman, Simon Cowell would be insanely jealous if the British team were to walk away with the top gong. For all his entrepreneurial achievements and musical production fame, Cowell apparently harbours this one secret desire.

Cowell and Waterman have collaborated previously, as both have been judges on Pop Idol, but the latter said in a recent interview that if he won the contest then Cowell would be severely irked as he always wanted to win a Eurovision.

The British entrant will be sung by whoever should emerge victorious from yet another forthcoming reality TV/ game show/ public flagellation exercise entitled Your Country Needs You, although producers of this show have declared that it will be a one-off. The search for the Eurovision representative begins in March so time to tone up those vocal chords kids.

Last year’s effort, an Andrew Lloyd Webber penned song sung by the latest member of the Sugarbabes, Jade Ewen, could only manage fifth place at the Moscow showpiece. Waterman claimed that the failure of Lloyd Webber made him more confident of attempting the project, reasoning that if a knight fails that badly then nobody will notice his own try.

Mark the date in your diary now; for May 29 is when the entertainment might really kick-off.

The Poker Face songstress won in the categories of International Female Solo Artist, International Breakthrough Act and International Album, prompting host Peter Kay to suggest that the only award she did not win was International Male – a rather poor attempt at humour relating to hermaphrodite allegations. Despite the quip, Lady Gaga proved more human that former Oasis front man Gallagher who derided the voters who named the band’s ‘What’s the Story Morning Glory’ album as the greatest of the past 30 years.

Lily Allen, who won British Female Solo Artist, was also un-ladylike when prompted to wind up her acceptance speech told organisers to f**k off. The British music industry once again showed its class, or lack thereof, on the international stage, further highlighted by Brit boy band JLS taking out two of the night’s top awards – British Single and British Breakthrough Act. Dizzee Rascal won best British Male Solo Artist in one of the evening’s more triumphant moment, a groundbreaking victory for hip hop, while British Album was won by Florence and the Machine.

The real story of the evening, however, was the behaviour of Liam Gallagher who refused to acknowledge his brother Noel in taking credit for the band’s success, before irking the crowd by throwing both the award and the microphone into the audience – prompting frantic pleas for their return by organisers. Gallagher also said he was unsure if Oasis actually deserved the honour but if the voters wanted to play this game then he’d be happy to turn up. He then expressed thanks that the whole thing was over and asked if he could now go and take lots of Class A drugs. If you’re going to throw your toys in public you should stay home. Forever.

Soundwave, Croatia

Staged in a small village on the coast of Dalmatia, Soundwave features an inland amphitheatre for the performers, the circular Barbarella club of disco lovers and a terrace for the DJs right on the beach. and Europe’s best party boat make this one for sun-lovers. And for the real disco fans some events take place in the unreconstructed 70s glam of the circular Barbarella club. www.soundwavecroatia.com July 23, 24 and 25, 2010.

Netmage, Italy

Netmage, both a film and music event, promises to offer all the multimedia, post-cinema mix of bands and film-authors presented in the beautiful setting of a Bolognese decaying Renaissance building. www.netmage.it. January 21, 22 and 23, 2010.

Hellfest, France

Set in the kind of scary European forest, like all proper metal festivals, Hellfest offers a broad selection of artists, Performing at the 2010 edition will be Seven Seconds and Agnostic Front. www.hellfest.fr. June 18, 19 and 20, 2010.

Springfestival, Austria

Mostly featuring electronic and dance acts, Springfestival turns indoor inch in the lovely town of Graz into a huge dancefloor and is set only 30 minutes away from pristine Alpine lakes. www.springfestival.at. May 12, 13, 14, and 15, 2010.

Airwaves, Iceland

Reykjavik completely stops for Airwaves as festival-goers fill-up the streets of Iceland’s capital. Out of the Arctic night comes bizarre impromptu performances staged in small backroom cafes and clubs. www.icelandairwaves.is. October 2010.

Carmarthenshire Council is carrying out negotiations with the people behind Beach Break Live concerning the use of Pembrey Country Park.

Carmarthenshire Council admitted that no decision had been made about the three-day festival which was previously held in Cornwall and Kent. The town council does want to consider the event seriously has it could bring huge benefits to the region.

But local residents opposing the event have initiated petitions which are being circulated in Burry Port and Pembrey.

The Beach Break Live festival was first staged in Cornwall in 2007 although event organisers were forced to move it to a safari park in Kent last year after councillors had denied them planning permission.

Dizzee Rascal and The Zutons had headlined the 2009 edition of the festival which also featured other activities such as sports, dance, arts, games and theatre alongside the concerts as well as the bars and food.

Carmarthenshire Council claimed that a move to Pembrey could be worth £330,000 in local spending by the crowd of 20,000 for things like taxis, site hire, hotels, food suppliers and other event-related services.

But councillor Joanne Davies said putting the event at Pembrey would be crazy, adding that the area is a family orientated park as well as a public beauty spot.

She also said that concerns had been raise about congestion, noise and littering, adding that  Festival Fields close to Llanelli which staged the 2000 National Eisteddfod would represent a better option for the festival.

A county council representative said discussions were being held with the event organisers and communication had been initiated with authorities in both Cornwall and Kent.

Allen announced during an interview with BBC Newsbeat that after her last performance at her scheduled gig on March 7, a concert which will also feature Dizzee Rascal at London’s O2 arena, she’ll focus her energies towards launching a new record label as well as operating a rental clothes shop.

Allen had revealed in September that she wouldn’t be renewing her current record agreement, although at the time representatives for the singer had denied she was walking away music.

She now says that she needs one or two years off from performing and recording music.

Allen said the O2 gig was the last thing on her schedule adding that she was going to concentrate more on behind the scenes type things.

She said that her planned record label will focus on new acts.

Allen said she didn’t want to compete with established records labels but rather do her own thing and sign and support new artists.

Her other project, a fashion rental store, will be called Lucy In Disguise, a project that will be undertaken with sister Sarah in London.

Lily Allen had really created a stir a few months ago when she sort of lead a push against online music piracy. She finally decided to abandon her quest.
Lily Allen On Tour In The UK:

Liverpool Echo Arena Liverpool (December 09)
Trent Fm Arena Nottingham (10)
Cardiff International Arena Cardiff (11)
Brighton Centre Brighton (13)
O2 Academy Brixton London (15)
O2 Academy Brixton London (17)
Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester (March 05)
The O2 Arena London (07)

The Competition Commission temporarily and conditionally ruled against the suggested $2.5bn (£1.5bn) agreement, stating that it could hinder healthy competition in the live music ticketing market. It expressed concerns over the creation of such a powerful player since it may block market competition and push the prices up for concert tickets. To get the green light, one of the entities may have to get rid of its UK business

However, the two groups involved in the merger are working on solutions that they think will help convince the government watchdog to change its opinion. The companies will meet and consult during the next two weeks over a variety of options that business insiders suggest could involve offloading one of the UK businesses as a last resort.

The Competition Commission said it was probably not likely to block the agreement in its entirety, although added that a further possible solution was for the merged groups to ensure that a portion of the tickets sold in the UK would be sold by a rival company.

The watchdog plans to enter discussions with the US Department of Justice, which is also studying the deal, and is scheduled to carry out a final ruling at the latest on November 24.

The merger has caused a uproar in America, with Bruce Springsteen as one of its strongest opponents.

The two groups made a joint statement, which stipulated that they were “committed to this agreement and are anticipating addressing any and all concerns expressed by the Commission.

The companies claimed the proposal would provide a strong remedy for a music industry which is on its knees.

Via the statement, they said that people involved in this sector must be clear about industry challenges in music, which is at an important crossroads. The y added that the music recording business is a fraction of its former self. The album industry was formerly the motor driving the music industry; now, live entertainment is the one which will assume that role.

Growing up as a kid in London, the bassist quickly discovered that he possessed little affinity with progressive rock which was prevailing during the early 70s in British music. Instead, Matlock was fascinated with the 60s pop movement and the pub rock scene which nourished his thirst for incendiary powered sounds.

The musician’s wish came true in the form of The Sex Pistols. Matlock’s bass style gave root to the budding band, providing a solid foundation to build on. Glen Matlock participated to the creation of a series of epic punk tracks and injected a 60s pop sensibility to The Sex Pistols sound.

Glen Matlock later created a new wave quartet called Rich Kids, and eventually kicked off his solo songwriting career which brought him to work with Iggy Pop amongst others. Glen Matlock eventually re-joined The Sex Pistols when they decided to reformed.

Glen Matlock has scheduled some time off from The Sex Pistols so that he can tour the UK solo style. Glen

Matlock is scheduled to play the following cities:

October dates

5 London HMV Hammersmith Apollo (in the company of Mott The Hoople)

15 Manchester Ruby Lounge

16 Nottingham Old Angel

17 York Fibbers

27 Leicester Musician

28 Winchester The Railway

29 Guildford The Boileroom

30 Portsmouth Cellars

31 Cardiff Barfly

November dates

4 London Water Rats

7 Hitchin Club 85

8 Cambridge The Boathouse

Singer Lily Allen is turning up her fight to counter act online piracy via a blog gathering fellow acts to campaign in favour of the rights of artists.

The performer has created a new site called idontwanttochangetheworld.blogspot.com where messages from prominent supporters of her cause are posted.

This move comes in the aftermath of last week’s outcry against file-sharing which she claimed was spelling disaster for budding artists because it renders the situation more difficult for new acts to emerge.

Ms Allen is now planning for a music summit where artists, record companies, internet service providers and the Government will meet and discuss the future of the industry.

Allen’s blog has already attracted the backing of James Blunt, who is supporting the proposal of Business Secretary Lord Mandelson’s which would see persistent offenders disconnected.

Blunt wrote on the blog that the everywhere around the world, people are stealing music in the form of file-sharing by millions. He added that this yhas become acceptable behaviour by many but these people need to know that it is destroying the livelihood of performers and stunting the growth of budding British artists.”

Others artist supporting he move include Gary Barlow, who said he agreed with all the sentiments of Ms Allen. He added that he has spend so much of his spare time helping new artists, that he is therefore fully aware of all the issues.

Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet said he backed the move, and Bat For Lashes star Natasha Khan claimed that file-sharing is an immense and complex problem for new artists for the future of music.

These recent antics from the young singer come after the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), which includes big names such as Radiohead and Pink Floyd, have called for the people who practice file-sharing not to be disconnected from the internet.

But this situation will take more than simple talk to control the problem. The internet and digital advancements have brought immense changes in many facets of life, not only music.

One factor which feeds the problem is the immense difference which exists in terms of financial means between fans and famous performers. Technology is basically giving power to the ordinary folks, who in the most part work long hours for little pay, at least in comparison to pop stars.

No one is crying for Madonna or Lady Gaga when their files are shared. This is the cold hard reality. This is the same problem experienced by the software industry.

Lily Allen doesn’t appear to understand that the masses feel no pity for bratty musicians who jet around the world and stay in 5 star hotels. And regarding emerging artists, that’s just too bad; things change. Other industries have been affected by the rise in technology developments.

The future of music, in terms of its income, is in performances and memorabilia such as t-shirts. The days of easy money from sales of albums are over for most at least.

Very soon, we will experience acts which will have understood the rhythm of a new dynamic. These acts will GIVE (Smashing Pumpkins appears to be getting it) their music away and will tour extensively.

When we will have reached this point, only the best in the business will remain.