PlayRewind

A "genuine story and relevant ID" will allow access to Waits says promoter

"Anti-tout system a success at Waits gig" was the headline in the Irish Times today. According to the newspaper Tom Waits insisted on the requirement of photo ID as an anti-touting measure. The rules, are the person who's name is printed on the ticket must be going to the performance.

After callers complained, RTE's Liveline were given a statement from the promoter, Aiken Promotions, that people with a "genuine story and relevant ID" would be allowed in. What ever that means is another thing altogether.  

Album sales fall 9.5% in US

From the New York Times (vie Memex)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Album sales in the United States plunged 9.5 percent last year from 2006, as the recording industry had another weak year despite a 45 percent surge in the sale of digital tracks, according to figures released Thursday.

Songs of Praise karaoke goes on the move

The Dublin rock ‘n’ roll karaoke night, Songs of Praise, is going on the move with a student karaoke competition.

The top prize is a Gibson electric guitar worth over €2,000, while each of the seven heat winners will get an Xbox 360 console, Guitar Hero III, and other games, worth over €1,000.

The amateurs will get rest with Phantom FM’s DJ Sinead NiMhordha playing in-between.

The Songs of Praise, a regular on Sundays at the Village, the Irish Times named it “Dublin's most successful and only credible Karaoke”, while the Guardian said “now firmly established as the city's place to go on the Lord's Day”.

MORE: Xbox launches student karaoke contest

Electric Picnic 'early' tickets out Friday

Electric Picnic 2008 'early bird' tickets go on sale this Friday, November 9. So, should we be expecting another increase of the normal price after the early birds fly?  Here's the email...

As the sheep of Stradbally Hall finally get rid of the ringing in their ears we can announce that early bird tickets for the 2008 festival go on sale next Friday November 9. 

Police on My Back updated?

Above is a video of an update, of sorts, of The Clash's Police on My Back, it's by Lethal Bizzle with the help of indie band the Enemy. (Vie mulley.net)

Lou Rhodes - Rain

This single is a must have for singer/song writer fans, Lou (from LAMB) struck out on her own and was nominated for the mercury prize in 2006. This is the first single of her follow up Bloom.

The 3-track single features a new radio mix of ‘The Rain’ and recordings of LAMB’s ‘Gabriel’ which is worth the price alone and Elliott Smith’s ‘Satellite. The song itself is a gem but when combined with Gabriel made me gleefully giggle like some form of school girl hyena hybrid. She as a unique voice and is in turns dramatic or understated to masterful effect.

Click on the play if you don’t believe me.

Thermal cameras and music videos

And the award for impressive use of thermal cameras goes to Jaron Albertin for the video for Emily Haines’ Out Hell. (Vie here, with other impressive music videos)

New Radiohead album is price less

Radiohead are releasing a new album, In Rainbows, and it's price less. No, that is not a comment on the quality of the LP that's its retail value.

Thom and the boys have decided to let the fans decide the how much they wish to part with for this download only (well, there is a limited edition two-disc box set out for Xmas).

Its on their website to order... and yeah you can give nothing if you want. They call it the "honesty Box".

You can tell the group has no record label with a move like this. Middle men hate to be shown as redundant. I'm not sure what the tracks are like but I raise my glass to Radiohead for giving their fans a choice and some respect.