U2, top 10 British Albums, Michael Moore and Glastonbury...

Intro...

Welcome to today’s slice of stuff. Read on to find out what the staffers at Q magazine think is the best British album of all time, news that Michael Moore’s film ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ will finally see the light of day in America and a quick breakdown of who is playing on what stage at this years Glastonbury festival. But first up news of U2’s new album.

---

All new beautiful day...

If anyone should know about U2’s up coming release schedule it should be their manager Paul McGuiness. So when he hints that the new long player from the biggest band in the world is due out sometime this year you should really take notice.

The lads have been working on the follow up to 2000’s ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’ for the last 12 months or so and apparently it is nearing completion. This has prompted the manager to hint at a November release.

According to reports the new album is being produced by Steve Lillywhite and Chris Thomas with Universal Records Jimmy Lovine coordinating the final recordings with the band somewhere in France.

Expect to hear a single sometime in September and a world tour next spring if Bono isn’t too busy saving the planet that is. It was reported the other day that the Fly-glasses wearing frontman could be ready to unleash ‘Live Aid II’ on us.

The concert is set to raise awareness of and try to help ease Third World debt on the 20th anniversary of Live Aid. According to the trashy tabloids the project has the backing of Prime Minister Tony Blair and could take place in either London’s Hyde Park or Knebworth.

---

We’ll have lasagne...

Let’s start with a nice easy question. What is the greatest British album of all time in your opinion? Kinell! That is what ‘Q’ magazine asked their staff recently and a bit surprisingly Oasis’s ‘Definitely Maybe’ topped the poll.

The full Top Ten:

10. Massive Attack – Blue Lines
9. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin III
8. The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead
7. The Rolling Stones – Beggars Banquet
6. David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust
5. The Clash – London Calling
4. Radiohead – OK Computer
3. Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks
2. The Beatles – Revolver
1. Oasis – Definitely Maybe

It isn’t known at the time whether or not the magazine are going to open the poll to the public but I’m sure if they did there would be a few surprises. Saying that ‘Definitely Maybe’ is a really good album so maybe I am just talking out of my arse?

---

Please release me...

After much fucking about it seems that Michael Moore’s anti-Bush flick ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ will finally be released. The film won the Palm d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and has caused murder at Disney HQ where executives blocked its release as they got splinters on their political arses.

But now Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein have bought the film for around $6 million and have found a new distributor. Finally the people of America can see what all the fuss is about.

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and IFC Films will release the film in theatres while cable television network Showtime will handle rights for pay TV.

‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ was originally going to be released on July 2 to 500 theatres, but the company decided to push the date ahead. The number of theatres that will screen the film on June 25 has yet to be determined.

---

Line up...

The final line up has been released by organisers of the Glastonbury Festival. This year promises to be one of the biggest in the festival’s 243 year history with Paul McCartney, Oasis and Morrissey all appearing amongst others.

The line up looks something like this:

Pyramid Stage

Friday 25 June
Oasis
Kings of Leon
P J Harvey
Groove Armada
Elbow
Nelly Furtado
Wilco
Bright Eyes
Ralph Myerz & the Jack Herren Band

Saturday 26 June
Paul McCartney
Black Eyed Peas
Starsailor
Ben Harper
Lostprophets
Scissor Sisters
Spearhead
Sister Sledge
Taima

Sunday 27 June
Muse
Morrissey
The Libertines
James Brown
Christie Moore
Joss Stone
to be confirmed
English National Opera

Other Stage

Friday 25 June
Chemical Brothers
Goldfrapp
Franz Ferdinand
Snow Patrol
Jet
The Rapture
I Am Kloot
The Stands
Billy Talent
Kasabian

Saturday 26 June
Basement Jaxx
Damien Rice
The Von Bondies
British Sea Power
My Morning Jacket
Keane
Simple Kid
22-20's
The Subways
The Duke Spirit
Rilo Kiley

Sunday 27 June
Orbital
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Belle & Sebastian
Gomez
80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster
The Ordinary Boys
The Divine Comedy
The Zutons
Denis Lecorriere
Avalonian Free State Choir

Acoustic Tent

Friday 25 June
Tindersticks
Love with Arthur Lee
The Kilfenora Ceili Band
Justin Adams & The Wayward Sheiks
Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club
Taima
Lisa Mills
Paul Armfield and the Four Good Reasons

Saturday 26 June
Hothouse Flowers
The Rutles
Hot Club of Cowtown
The Long Ryders
Josh Rouse
Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club
The Sadies
Michael Weston King and The Decent Men featuring Jackie Leven
Bodixa

Sunday 27 June
Suzanne Vega
Simon and Oscar (Ocean Colour Scene)
John Cooper Clarke
Cara Dillon
Simple Kid
Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club
Obi
Waking the Witch

New Tent

Friday 25 June
Spiritualized
The Bees
Mark Gardener
Electrelane
Minuteman
Chikinki
Concretes
Grand Transmitter
The Walkmen
South
Experimental Pop
Halima
Once Under

Saturday 26 June
Zero 7
Tim Booth
Hope of the States
The Killers
The Stills
Longview
Carina Round
Marjorie Fayre
Dogs Die In Hot Cars
Gisli
BlackBud
Milk Teeth
The Others

Sunday 27 June
Television
Stellastar
Delays
Raveonettes
Ian McNabb
Buck 65
The Open
Ella Guru
Gonga
The Golden Virgins
Fiction Plane
Broken Dolls
James Blunt

There are other attractions of course including the Jazz Tent where you can see the likes of Bonnie Raitt if you swing that way and tablet-monster’s favourite, the Dance Tent which will swing to the sound of Kosheen, Chicks On Speed, Scissor Sisters, the mighty Goldie Lookin' Chain and worryingly Sister Sledge!

---

---