Material Girl is coming town
Thanks to one of those leaks we’re sure promoters and record companies would like a spanner taken to one day, we’ve found out the godmother of cheesy pop dance tunes Madonna is scheduled to head down under in 2012.
The information was sent by someone on the inside to a Madonna fan site. The document from touring company Live Nation lists the dates for her world tour with March and April pencilled in for Madge and her dancers to hit Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
The website DrownedMadonna.com that released the story also says after contacting the venues named, and ANZ Stadium in Sydney, everyone denied there was a booking. Other Australian venues had declined to comment.
Ooh the mystery and intrigue! Perhaps it was just a ploy by her management to build anticipation? Who cares, best get your dance moves perfected and sparkly costumes ready to go just in case. And don’t worry Londoners; the site also lists a July date for a show at the Emirates Stadium in North London.
ARIA nominations announced
The ARIA awards for 2011 have been announced and are a mix of the old and the new. Leading the charge with seven nominations is solo artist Gotye. Playing in London at the end of the month his new album Somebody That I Used To Know has proved its popularity with the artist in the hunt for Single of the Year and Male Artist of the Year.
Hip-hop has also been given some props (pardon the lingo) with rapper Drapht landing seven nominations. The new hot indie kids Boy and Bear landed six nominations including Best Album for their release Moonfire. In the female artist section Adalita, Kimbra and Sarah Bowditch will be fighting it out.
The older generation haven’t been forgotten with John Farnham and Nick Cave getting a nod. Billy Thorpe has posthumously been nominated with Tangier recorded before he died in 2007 nominated for best contemporary adult album.
We’re also cheering for Adam Hills for his nomination in the comedy DVD section.
Power to the people
Okay so it’s not exactly Australian but we had to mention this feel-good story. Although any Australian dance act worth their salt has played there and we’re willing to bet a few readers have ‘owned’ the dance floor at some stage in their London life, so yes it’s got our attention.
Iconic superclub ‘Ministry of Sound’ based in South London was saved this week from possible closure when the development plan for a high rise residential building opposite it was denied.
The club opened in the 1970’s and has a roll call of the world’s hottest DJs not to mention the 200 jobs it provides to local people. Its future was threatened with the new apartments which would have affected opening hours and noise complaints but the dance music fans fought back.
Over 25,000 people signed a petition in support of the club against a hostile development company who’s initial cold response was ‘clubs come and go.’ This week Southwark Council denied the application meaning the club will be able to operate as usual and remain a historical live music venue. Little People — 1, Big Developers — 0.