The Ting Tings LIVE at Comic Relief!

The Ting Tings performed "That's Not My Name" for the Comic Relief charity event in the UK. It remains one of my favorite songs in ages, so I definitely didn't mind hearing it once more time. I was a bit surprised they didn't perform something else from their brilliant album since "That's Not My Name" was already a big hit in the UK and this could have been a big opportunity to gain another. I guess they still have strong album sales and are just giving the fans what they want to hear! I hope this jam will be as big of a hit here in The States!

BRIT Awards Performances!

Here are a few of my favourite performances from the big night! There were some truly amazing performances that totally outdid the Grammy's in my opinion. I still can't believe the Grammy's didn't have Duffy perform during the live show--at least the Brits got that right!!

Co-hosts Kylie Minogue, James Corden and Matthew Horne opening the evening in quite a comical ode to Kylie.


Girls Aloud performed "The Promise" and shockingly it was their first performance ever at the BRITs! The girls did a great job and it was a fun performance. I was waiting for the big reveal of their outfits for the entire time! I just really wish the girls could actually dance(other than Cheryl).


I was super excited to hear that two of my fave artists were performing together! The Ting Tings and Estelle brought down the house by the end of their number! At first it started off a bit disastrous when they tried to mash up "Shut Up and Let Me Go" along with "American Boy" but the songs just do not go well together. Things finished off at a high point with "That's Not My Name," the song that put The Ting Tings on the map.


Duffy performed a gorgeous rendition of "Warwick Avenue." She can do no wrong in my eyes. She is just perfection! Though I'm a bit surprised she didn't perform her newer single "Rain on Your Parade."


The Pet Shop Boys were honored and performed a long medley of their biggest hits. Lady Gaga and Brandon Flowers from The Killers joined them on stage. Decent performence, but a bit long even for a medley. I also can't say that Gaga's and Flower's vocals really mesh well together.

BRIT Award Winners 2009!!!

Here are the big winners at this year's BRIT awards in bold! Duffy was the BIG winner of the night which left Adele along with the Ting Tings empty handed. Duffy was absolutely deserving having the biggest album of the year in the UK and also being hailed by the critics. In a somewhat shocker Girls Aloud walked away with the award for "British Single," which makes me incredibly happy!!!! Check out of the rest of the best below! So sad I couldn't be in Earl's Court tonight.

British Male Solo Artist
Ian Brown
James Morrison
Paul Weller
The Streets
Will Young

British Female Solo Artist
Adele
Beth Rowley
Duffy
Estelle
M.I.A.

British Group
Coldplay
Elbow
Girls Aloud
Radiohead
Take That

British Single
Coldplay - 'Viva La Vida'
Duffy - 'Mercy'
Girls Aloud - 'The Promise'
Leona Lewis - 'Better In Time'
Scouting For Girls - 'Heartbeat'

British Album
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Duffy - Rockferry
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Ting Tings - We Started Nothing

British Breakthrough Act
Adele
Duffy
The Last Shadow Puppets
Scouting For Girls
Ting Tings

British Live Act
Coldplay
Elbow
Iron Maiden
Scouting For Girls
The Verve

International Male Solo Artist
Beck
Neil Diamond
Jay-Z
Kanye West
Seasick Steve

International Female Solo Artist
Beyoncé
Gabriella Cilmi
Katy Perry
Pink
Santogold

International Group
AC/DC
Fleet Foxes
The Killers
Kings of Leon
MGMT

International Album
AC/DC - Black Ice
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
The Killers - Day & Age
Kings of Leon - Only By The Night
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

Critics' Choice Award
Florence and the Machine

Outstanding Contribution to Music
Pet Shop Boys

"That's Not My Name" US Video Premiere!

The Ting Tings have just released another brilliant video for their even more brilliant track "That's Not My Name" for the US audience. The track is one of the ones that launched their careers in the UK and was a smash hit across the pond. I hope American likes it equally! I mean the video does feature sign flippers..who can resist those right!??!! right?!!

BBC's Sound of 2008 Poll

More than 150 music experts were polled for BBC's Sound of 2008. Journalists rank artists that broke in 2008 and should give us some exciting tunes in the upcoming twelve months. The list is usually quite accurate with Mika coming in at #1 in 2007 and Corrine Bailey Rae at #1 in 2006. Here's a breakdown of some of my faves from the list:

1. Adele

She is ABSOLUTELY one of my favorite artists of all time which is quite a feat for a) not being part of a girl group, b) not singing pop music, and c) having only one record released. I'm quite surprised her album 19 was not nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy's. At least "Chasing Pavements" was nominated 3 times. Check out her video for "Cold Shoulder" below:


2. Duffy
Duffy is simply amazing. She's like a pretty version of Amy Winehouse with a mix of Dusty Springfield. I'm glad she's received so much success and so many Grammy nominations as well. It's going to be a battle between Adele and she for statues. Check out the video for "Rain on My Parade" from the Deluxe Edition of Rockferry:

3. The Ting Tings
I've also played this group on repeat for a majority of 2008. Their album is full of gems and they were even (deservingly) nominated for Video of the Year at the VMAs. Check out a video for "That's Not My Name"


4. Glasvegas
Not one of my fave bads, but they deserve a mention because of their clever name owing to the fact that they're from Glasgow!
5. Foals

6. Vampire Weekend


7. Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
8. Black Kids
9. MGMT
10. Santogold
She's a Brooklyn native who fuses many different styles including punk, hip hop, pop and electronica to form her own musical style. Her closest musically is probably the very talented MIA. Each of her tracks is really unique but also really catchy.


11. Ida Maria
12. One Night Only

13. Alphabeat
Danish and Amazing--that's all!

I've listened to "Fascination" literally thousands of times this year.

14. Laura Marling
15. Cajun Dance Party
16. The Courteeners

17. Gabriella Cilmi (pronounced Chill-Me--you're welcome!)
She's another (Australian) singer with a soul influence a la Duffy and Adele. She has some great tracks including "Sanctuary" and "Sweet About Me," which is below:


18. Late of the Pier
19. Black Mountain
20. Lil' Wayne
He probably doesn't deserve to be on this list. Journalists are probably just mentioning him because he has been such a cultural influence--but I don't think his music is really above average for rap artists. I'm VERY surprised he was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy's--despite how many he's sold.