Justin Bieber and U2 are among artists who have agreed to contribute songs to an album to raise funds for victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Record label Universal Music said it hoped to release the digital-only album globally by the end of the week. Bon Jovi and Rihanna have also been confirmed for the album, which will also raise money for the Japanese Red Cross. "We are doing it only digitally because it is faster," said a Universal spokesman, adding that the record would be "a worldwide release".
Universal artist Lady Gaga may also appear on the album, with more artists set to be announced. The singer has designed a We Pray for Japan rubber wrist band to sell to fans, with all proceeds going to relief efforts. Last week she announced her fans had raised $250,000 (£153,000) within the first two days of sales.
Arts Funding - Northern Ireland's social development minister Alex Attwood has announced a £300,000 fund to encourage arts, cultural and community events in Belfast city-centre's Laganside area. The riverside area has been the focus of substantial regeneration since the opening of the Waterfront Hall in 1997 and later rejuvenation of the 19th-century Customs House Square as an outdoor performance and event space. The new funding will cover activities taking place between April 2011 and March 2012. Attwood said it was "good news for the arts in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland".
Festival Update - Muse, My Chemical Romance and The Strokes have been confirmed as the headliners for this year's Reading and Leeds festivals. The event takes place at Reading's Little John's farm and Leeds' Bramham Park between 26-28 August. Last year's festival was headlined by Arcade Fire, Blink 182 and Guns N' Roses. Axl Rose's band controversially played on after the event's curfew and criticised bosses saying their disagreement was 'war'.
Farewell Blues - Grammy award winning blues pianist Pinetop Perkins has died at the age of 97, his manager has announced. Perkins, who died at his home in Austin, Texas, became the oldest-ever Grammy winner only last month winning for best traditional blues album. In a career spanning eight decades, Perkins toured with Ike Turner in the 1950s and later with Muddy Waters.
Despite his age, he played regularly at blues clubs in the Austin area. His agent told the Associated Press news agency he had more than 20 performances booked this year. "He is the blues, he is the epitome of it," Mr Southard said. "He lived it, breathed it."
Also being mourned is Jet Harris, the original bass player with The Shadows, who has died of cancer aged 71. Sir Cliff Richard paid tribute to his former bandmate, saying, "Jet was exactly what The Shadows and I needed - a backbone holding our sound together." Earlier this month, Harris cancelled all his appearances due to ill health.
(Jim Evans)
