Kevin Greening

 

I've just got in from a night out dancing to read the news that Kevin Greening died last night in his sleep.

Only 44 years old, I'm really sad at this news. I spent a year working with Kevin in his role of chair of the Student Radio Awards in 2003 - 2004. We had meetings with him maybe 3 or 4 times a month over 9 months and he was always really lovely, patient and encouraging, and he really cared about helping new talent succeed. I can't say I ever really heard him on air, I hadn't found Radio 1 while he was still on the station and I don't really hear Smooth that often, but as a person, rather than a celebrity, he was a great gentlemen (with a wicked choice in suits!) and my sympathies go out to his partner, his friends and family.

Miss-Shapes Setlist 20/12/07

Last night was Xmas Miss-Shapes and as I've not done a setlist in a while, here is what I played. It's long!

Goldfrapp - A & E
Bat for Lashes - What's a Girl To Do
Nouvelle Vague - Ever Fallen in Love
Mutya - Strung Out
Dubstar - I Will Be Your Girlfriend
Garbage - Androgyny
Chicks on Speed - Love Life
Christophe Williem - Double Jeu
Le Tigre - Phanta
Ladytron - Playgirl
Northern State - Better Already
Sahara Hotnights - Who Do You Dance For
Donnas - Take It Off
Lush - Ladykillers
Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
New Young Pony Club - Get Lucky
M.I.A - Paper Planes
Robyn - Who's That Girl
Aly & AJ - Potential Breakup Song
Justice - D.A.N.C.E
Foals - Hummer
Maximo Park - Our Velocity
Klaxons - Golden Skans
Kylie - Wow
Annie - Chewing Gum
Roisin Murphy - Let Me Know
Groove Armada - Song 4 Mutya
Britney Spears - Piece of Me
Kaiser Chiefs - Everyday I Love You Less & Less
Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks
Le Tigre - Deceptacon
Sounds - Tony The Beat
Blondie - Call Me
Girls Aloud - Call The Shots
Ronson - Valerie
Gossip - Standing in the way
CSS - Let's Make Love
Calvin - Acceptable in the 80s
Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger (YUCK)
Hole - Celebrity Skin
Killers - Mr Brightside (EEEUGH)
Bloc Party - Banquet
Rihanna - Please Don't Stop the Music
Fedde vs Ida Corr - Let Me Think About It
Mariah Carey - All I Want For Xmas
Girls Aloud - Love Machine
Lily Allen - LDN
Gloria Jones - Tainted Love
Ike & Tina Turner - Nutbush City Limits
Kanye - Stronger
Britney - Gimme More (AAAGH)

Ashlee + Timbo = Kkkrazzy

Every so often a popstar who you don't really care about does something that really doesn't fit the opinion you hold of them. Holly Valance did this on the amazing 'State of Mind' and now, well now it's Ashlee Simpson's turn.

I interviewed Ashlee a few years ago at TOTP and it was horrible. I was probably rubbish because it was my first popstar interview, and she was rubbish because she really didn't want to be there. The rather ace 'Boyfriend' and the catchy 'L.O.V.E' from her last album did show that Ashlee could perhaps be a really cool popstar, and now she's got jiggy with Timberland no less to make the delirious 'Outta My Head'. I can't decide if it's just weird or totally amazing, but I reckon this is the song Timba had lined up for Britney before she went all crazy on his ass.

SPICE WORLD!

I went to see Spice Girls last night at their opening London gig. Despite being right at the top of the O2 and looking down on them as tiny people, it was awesome.

These were the highlights

- the crowd going WILD every time Victoria sang. Seriously it was hilarious. She seemed to genuinely smile at it.
- the cartoon visuals behind 'Holler' that somehow made every SG look like Cheryl Cole.
- the full on Gatecrasher "I Turn To You"
- "Viva Forever" making me nearly cry!
- how at times it felt like The Geri Halliwell Show
- The chants of "GERI, GERI, GERI" before 'It's Raining Men'
- Them playing a snippit of Run DMC vs Jason Nevins "It's Like That" before "Stop"; the very song that made "Stop" the only (old) Spice single not to reach number 1.
- Geri's union Jack dress

I am totally going again before they finish their o2 gigs so I can sit closer. Ebay at the ready!

THE CHART IS GOING MENTAL

One of my favourite things in the whole world is when the chart goes MENTAL, so let me tell you this week is very ace!

As the people who have to count down the chart, we get insights into how many people have bought songs all through th e week. And while we're not telling you where they are, if things stay like they are at the moment, it's very likely some of these songs will be appearing in a top 40 countdown near you on Sunday..

Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
Mariah Carey - All I Want For Xmas
Wham - Last Christmas
Shakin Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone
Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas
The Pogues - Fairytale of New York
Andy Williams - It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year

Amazing

You Know You Love Me

 

Buffy is dead. Angel is dead. Veronica is dead. At the start of this US season I was determined to find myself a new favourite television show and I've managed it hook, line and sinker. In just 9 episodes, the CW's (boo!) Gossip Girl has become possibly my favourite show ever. Based on a series of teen books by Cecily von Ziegesar that I don't think ever made it to the UK, the show has the same feel as the amazing Cruel Intentions.

For some reason I never watched the OC but some people are comparing it to that, but who knows if that's right. What I can tell you is that it's sexy, funny, devious, and if you're one of those people whose heart is crushed every time she thinks of the US visa laws, this is one of those shows that just makes you want to move to New York tomorrow. Revolving around the lives of the rich Upper East Siders, the gorgeous Blair and Serena take centre stage in a world little miss anonymous Gossip Girl really wants to keep us updated on. Kirstin Bell herself is Gossip Girl, a role which never appears on camera but just narrates. It's odd at first but it works.

I don't want to spoil it, I don't want to say anymore. Just find a way to watch it, it's all types of brilliant.

You know you'll love it. xoxo.

To Cut A Long Story Short

About 18 months ago a band called Cazals had one spiky indie hit that we loved playing djing. It was called Poor Innocent Boy and then I never heard anything about them again. Friends with Doherty (boo) and Bloc Party (woo), I forgot about them entirely until an email appeared telling me they were supporting Daft Punk in Japan this week.

It seems in their missing period they've been signed to Kitsune and have been in France perfecting their debut album What Of Our Future which'll be appearing in March 2008.

Their new single is a cover of Spandau Ballet's To Cut A Long Story Short (out Dec 17). This sounds like a terrible concept but it's surprisingly good, making the 1980s hit sound like something fresh and new in 2007. Maybe it's just the strength of the original songwriting as it doesn't really sound that much different from the original but this news is making me really anticipate the Cazals album. Check out the video: