ThePensmith

On the lineup for Radio 1's Big Weekend in Sunderland in May on the Sunday.

Yeah Boyzone absolutely didn't deserve this one. They were basically on their "For fecks sake Shane, stop moving, they'll think we're a boyband" autopilot era by this point, where no one but Ronan mattered. Although that said, I recently discovered that Jewels & Stone - remixing and production team who were to have their first production for another artist chart about a month on from this - did a remix of this which improved it immeasurably. It's that remix I've got on my own 1999 playlist in place of the original mix. Geri would probably say by her own admission that there was a lot of ego and "F-you" in "Look At Me" but that's part of why it was such a killer first solo single and video. I remember really well that TOTP video premiere they showed a couple of weeks ago on the reruns and it being the talking point of my entire year group. I think in recent years only Jade has matched anywhere near that same uncompromising energy when launching a solo career from a successful girl group.

Guests on the second show (20th March) are Niall Horan, Joanne McNally and Guz Khan. I'm intrigued to see what format this show will take.

Sounds good from the clips I've heard so far! He's a guest on Claudia Winkleman's new chat show on BBC One the day this single comes out (not performance though, by the looks of it).

Confirmed that they are opening for JLS on a couple of their summer shows at Derby and Colchester in August. I've booked for the latter already so that'll be fun!

Re-enters at #68 this week on account of its physical release. There is a rather lengthy feature on them in Music Week that feels rather planted, yes: http://www.musicweek.com/interviews/read/inside-the-rise-of-december-10-with-the-band-simon-cowell-cassandra-gracey-louis-bloom-more/093540 Whilst I don't wish to continue to pour schadenfreude on this, this really is being delivered with no actual clue of what works in this era in terms of release. I mean Sam Fender only just got to number one with a song released nine months ago.

I think if what's been reported previously is true then in all likelihood I could see them announcing something further - tour etc - around the time they do this Boyzone show. Good gig for them to have though and also a reasonable percentage of Boyzone's audience would more than likely be there for their own shows.

Their Radio 2 Piano Room set was gorgeous, it's on iPlayer now. They did "Falling Into You", "Black Coffee" and also a cover of "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell:

I agree, it's nice that they're doing it gradually by the looks of things! And yeah the Radio 2 support and also with their slot on Piano Room tomorrow is another big tick. The reason why "Falling Into You" works for me is because it's a natural continuation / progression from what they did on Everything's Eventual, and it sounds timeless yet still of their sound. Working with Gareth Young who was a big part of that album, and in particular "Fantasy", underlines that. I'm almost wondering if they might do well to get a support slot on tour for another band from their same era? It served All Saints well when they did the Backstreet Boys and Take That tours. Trouble is I can't think of anyone touring this year (to my knowledge) that might be a good fit?

Nice new interview with Emma Bunton on her Heart radio show last night: Nic is also the guest on Sophie Ellis-Bextor's podcast Spinning Plates this week. I listened to it this afternoon and again, very insightful!

Now on the A List at Radio 2. There's a new interview with them on the UK Rolling Stone site - they'll be announcing more gigs soon by the looks of things although the album might be a while away yet: https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/nicole-and-natalie-appleton-on-their-return-as-a-duo-its-a-dream-come-true-58335/

Girl Thing all the way back in 2000 is the proof, if any were needed, that projects which are just a front for Simon's own hubris and ego never end up gaining traction because, as half the comments attest here, people see right through it. Of course it's not the boys' fault, and one hopes they'll be able to springboard to other opportunities after this. Because I don't honestly see this lasting beyond the next 10 months.

Record Store Day release list for this year (18th April) is out: https://irp.cdn-website.com/67794b89/files/uploaded/RSD26+Releases+PDF.pdf Quite a few Buzzjack favourites - among them, Mel B, Perrie, Demi Lovato - all seeing releases this year. Don't think I'll be bothering this year, there's nothing here I'd be absolutely desperate to own compared to recent years.

Penny has finally dropped for me tonight that it's Marvin who is Can of Worms. I reckon Davina has it right that Mica Paris is Toastie. Moth is Keisha, no question.

The Tamperer feat. Maya - "Feel It" sold about 48,000 or so the week it climbed to number one in May 1998. The following week it fell back to #4 but increased sales week-on-week to about 68k (which bizarrely was actually its biggest sales week): https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-06-06.pdf