Performers at the UK's biggest music awards include Lady Gaga, Kasabian, Cheryl Cole, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Prince Harry has recorded a message for the live show, as the ceremony celebrates its 30th anniversary. The awards themselves began in 1977. Comedian Peter Kay will host the event, at London's Earls Court, which will include a duet between Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine and rapper Dizzee Rascal. Robbie Williams will receive the honorary award for outstanding contribution to music, ending the show with a live performance. Two special categories have been created to celebrate the best of the Brits over the past 30 years - the best Brits performance and the best album since the ceremony began.
Property News - Abbey Road recording studios in London has been put on the market by EMI as the music group looks to extricate itself from the debt burden of Terra Firma's 2007 leveraged buy-out, according to the Financial Times. EMI would not comment but "five people familiar with the situation" told the FT it had been courting bidders for the property in St John's Wood. A sale could raise tens of millions of pounds.
It was not immediately clear whether EMI would sell the Abbey Road brand name along with the property, but one media lawyer said: "The brand is worth more than the building . . . anybody who wants the studios will want the brand." EMI bought the house at number 3 Abbey Road for £100,000 in 1929 and transformed it into one of the world's first custom-built recording studios. EMI has worked to exploit the Abbey Road brand name in recent years, launching a service called Abbey Road Live last November that offers fans the chance to buy instant concert recordings at venues.
Papal News - The Pope has received a Classical Brit nomination for the first time, pitting him against artists such as former X Factor finalist Rhydian Roberts. Pope Benedict XVI's voice appears on Alma Mater - Music From the Vatican, which will compete for the album of the year award, voted for by the public. The other artists nominated for the Classical Brit album of the year are the Fron Male Voice Choir, Only Men Aloud, Faryl Smith, Camilla Kerslake, The Priests, Blake, Howard Goodall and The Coldstream Guards.
Festival Update - Rage Against the Machine are to headline the Download festival alongside rock band Aerosmith. The Californian band will also be playing a free gig in London's Finsbury Park on Sunday 6 June as a reward to fans following their successful campaign for last year's Christmas number one.
(Jim Evans)
