SXSW Surprise Guest

Ocote Soul Sounds' Martin Perna and Adrian Quesada were joined by a surprise guest during their recent set at a SXSW showcase in Austin last month. Video footage of John Popper (of Blues Traveler) playing harmonica along with Ocote is now on YouTube - please have a look! There are three parts, video 1, video 2, video 3.

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Signal, a New-Music Orchestra, Plays at Merkin Concert Hall

After its debut at the Bang on a Can marathon in 2008, Signal, the new-music orchestra conducted by Brad Lubman, built its reputation mainly with the music of Steve Reich and Philip Glass. But this year Mr. Lubman has been expanding the ensemble’s diet. Last month the group devoted a concert to the idiosyncratic music of Helmut Lachenmann. And at Merkin Concert Hall on Thursday evening Mr. Lubman led Harrison Birtwistle’s “Corridor,” a musically and psychologically thorny piece that focuses on one particularly fraught moment in the Orpheus legend, and a new work by Nico Muhly

AIRRACE and ROMEO'S DAUGHTER will be joining FM on their July dates!

AIRRACE are special guests for Cardiff July 8 and ROMEO'S DAUGHTER will be special guests at London July 9.

FM will release their new, download only, single Hollow / Flamingo Road on 17th May 2010 via Riff City Records to coincide with their recently announced tour dates.

Just two of the stand-out tracks from their recently released, critically acclaimed album Metropolis, Hollow and Flamingo Road have both been singled out (no pun intended) for praise by fans and critics alike, and the single has been playlisted by the nation's biggest radio station BBC Radio 2 amongst others.

Embracing the digital age, this "double A-side" single will be available for download 17th May from all good internet stockists.

FM have announced recently they have signed a deal with Japanese label Marquee/Avalon. Marquee/Avalon will release FM's new album Metropolis in Japan 19 May 2010 (Catalogue number MICP-10921) including the bonus track 'Kissed By An Angel'.

HOMENEWSVIDEOTICKETSNEW MUSICREVIEWSPHOTOSBLOGSMOVIESARTISTSFESTIVALSSTORELYRICSAll NewsMusic NewsMovie NewsTour NewsDaily GossipNewslettersRSS FeedsMessage Boards NME NewsNEXT STORYPREVIOUS STORYDamon Albarn wishes Bono 'all the best' as Gorillaz replace U2 at Glastonbury

has spoken about Gorillaz being drafted in to replace U2 as headliners at this year's Glastonbury.

Earlier today (May 26) the band were confirmed to headline the Pyramid Stage on June 25 following the news that original headliners U2 have been forced to pull out following a back injury sustained by frontman Bono.

Speaking of the change in line-up, Albarn paid tribute to the Irish band. "It's a terrible thing for U2," he said. "Glastonbury is magical. Gorillaz will come to life on that stage, but we wish Bono all the best."

Gorillaz co-founder Jamie Hewlett said that, after the band's recent performance at Coachella festival, he is confident of delivering a successful show.

Simon Cowell Tells Oprah His 'Time's Up' On 'American Idol'

The end of "American Idol" season nine next week will also bring the departure of controversial-yet-adored judge Simon Cowell. The Brit appeared on Thursday's (May 20) "Oprah Winfrey Show" to discuss his reasons for leaving, whether he'll miss the show and why he's starting a new, seemingly similar show.

Oprah started the interview by asking Cowell point-blank why he's leaving "Idol." "Time's up," he answered. "It feels like the right thing to do."

The often sharp-tongued Brit said part of the reason behind his departure is due to boredom. "After a while, you start to go on automatic pilot. Too many times I was sitting there [at the judges' table] bored. The audience deserves more than that ... and I can't hide when I'm bored."

To combat that boredom, Cowell said he's launching a U.S. version of his "X Factor" talent show that, although similar to "Idol," will have several differences. "It's different because there's no upper age limit. ... Singing groups can enter the show," he explained. "I have no idea whether it's going to work or not, but I'll put its success and failure on whether we can find a star."

Oprah then asked if Cowell is bored on "Idol" now why he would move on to yet another talent show. "I actually like doing it, funny enough," he said. "I remember Fantasia singing 'Summertime,' and for three minutes, I lost myself. I like the buzz it creates. You want to be part of something people are talking about. I love that feeling."

While recalling some of his favorite contestants (Carrie Underwood and Fantasia) Cowell readily admitted that his "big ego" often gets in his way — particularly with the case of Susan Boyle's now-famous audition on "Britain's Got Talent"

"On the day [of her audition], I was in such a bad mood, I didn't want to be there, I never thought we'd find anyone good," he remembered. "When I watched the clip back, I actually hated myself. We're all sneering, we're not listening. I didn't like what I saw. It was a wake-up call, and I was happy she made us look stupid, because we deserved it."

Yet all in all, and given his track record (and reported $1 billion net worth from his various productions), Cowell said he's confident he can still find undiscovered talent: "I do trust my judgment as somebody who can spot a potential star."

Regarding his impending "Idol" departure, Cowell said he expects his last night on the ratings juggernaut to be poignant.

"The final night will be quite emotional," he told Oprah. "I've had a great time. I love working over here [in the U.S.] and never thought I would."

What did you think of Cowell's interview? Let us know in the comments!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

MOVIE REVIEW: Prince Of Persia (12A)

The Computer Game movie- once regarded with disdain, it’s still rare to see a story make the jump from the hard drive to the drive in successfully. So, will lord of the box office Jerry Bruckheimer make a rare exception to the rule with ‘Prince of Persia: Sands of Time’?

Prince Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) is the adopted son of the King of Persia, and a new national hero when he storms the gates of a sacred city. However, when he is framed for the death of his father, he must go on the run with the princess of the city, Tamina (Gemma Arterton). Together, they must prove his innocence, and save the world via a mystic dagger that contains the sands of time.

The film plays like an Arabian Bond movie- our dashing, quick-witted hero leaps and bounds from one scrape to another. There’s no huge, epic battle sequences, with director Mike Newell deciding on tighter, one-on-one fights for the most part which makes it seem more like a video game than a movie. In it’s favour, the pace is lightning fast for a two hour film, and being a Bruckheimer production one doesn’t get the chance to get bored.

Jake Gyllenhaal has carved a career playing characters who are best described as ‘troubled’, so it’s good to see him changing it up a bit with a lighter, more humour-based role. In many ways this is his audition for the big leagues- he’s never been the star of a blockbuster of this size, and whilst it’s not a Jack Sparrow-worthy performance he carries the weight of this very Hollywood film with enthusiasm. Gemma Arterton similarly is heading for the big time, and as the feisty princess there’s a spark between her and Gyllenhaal which is maybe the most entertaining aspect of this movie. Kingsley looks bored throughout, and one wonders how long he can do these money-driven bad guy roles. A big surprise is Alfred Molina, playing an odd cockney version of Sallah from the Indiana Jones movies, and although it’s completely out of place he’s quite funny.

A big, overblown movie with explosions, beautiful people and a shaky script- yup, it’s a Bruckheimer film! Fortunately for him, the formula works (just about) and even though this action/adventure is nothing that will live long in the memory, you can happily while away a couple of hours and not feel cheated.