CHART TOPPERS
Simon Cowell's 'urban' act Labrinth is celebrating his first number one hit, after his duet with Emeli Sande 'Beneath Your Beautiful' (sic) topped the official UK singles chart.
The British rapper and record producer knocked Calvin Harris and Florence Welch off the summit, as their track 'Sweet Nothing' slipped to number three.
Labrinth's song, which was at number 85 in last weekend's charts, enjoyed a massive sales boost after he and Emeli performed it live on last Sunday's 'X Factor' results show.
Meanwhile, American pop-country artist Taylor Swift topped the album charts with her fourth LP 'Red'. The album, which features the single 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together', was reportedly outselling its nearest rival, the deluxe version of Emeli's 'Our Version Of Events', by two to one this week.
British rockers Lawson also made an impact on the album charts with their debut 'Chapman Square' at four, while Jake Bugg's eponymous debut is at three and Mumford And Sons' latest 'Babel' is at five.
And former N-Dubz star Dappy won't be in a good mood after his debut album 'Bad Intentions' charted at number six. He recently told me he would not be satisfied with anything less then a number one spot.
GIGS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Celebrated electric guitar player Joe Satriani, fresh from appearing as himself in Brad Pitt’s Oscar-nominated baseball film 'Moneyball', will undertake a 10-date 2013 UK tour starting on Saturday 8 June at the Manchester Apollo.
This will be Satriani’s first UK tour since 2010’s Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards tour and will feature blues guitarist Matt Schofield as a special guest.
Satriani was recruited by Mick Jagger as lead guitarist for Jagger's first solo tour in 1998 and went on to become the lead guitarist for Deep Purple. He's currently playing in supergroup Chickenfoot consisting of former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar (vocals) and Michael Anthony (bass), along with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.
Tickets go on sale Friday 2 November and can be booked online from www.ticketline.co.uk or call 0844 888 9991 or the venue direct. The tour coincides with Satriani’s new solo album released by Sony worldwide in May 2013.
OPEN YOUR EARS
Charlie Brown, who has written with the likes of Wiley, Jay Sean and The Script, is being tipped as one to watch for 2013. Take a listen to his smooth and catchy single 'Dependency', out on 2 December, in the video below:
The singer/songwriter has spent the last decade learning his craft and has worked with high-profile hitmakers including Fraser T. Smith (Adele, Ellie Goulding), RedOne (Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Usher) and FutureCut (Lily Allen, Wretch 32, Rizzle Kicks).