Daisy Lowe loves women’s bodies

| Sunday, May 9, 2010
The 21-year-old model doesn’t understand why she would be criticised for posing naked because she thinks her curvy frame, and all versions of the female form, should be celebrated.

She said: 'The female form is a beautiful thing. People are like, 'Oh, you get naked all the time.’ I got naked twice – just twice – and yes, maybe that’s twice too many, but I think that women’s bodies are great.'

However, the brunette beauty – who is dating 'Doctor Who’ actor Matt Smith - insists there is nothing sordid about nudity.

She added to Vogue magazine: 'I don’t want to do pornos. It’s a tasteful thing.'

Daisy also defended her fashion choices, and believes people should never be criticised for their style.

She said: 'I thought the whole point was to have fun with clothes? Sorry if that offends anyone.'
READ MORE - Daisy Lowe loves women’s bodies

Gwyneth Paltrow says wearing shorts is 'ridiculous'

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Gwyneth Paltrow thinks wearing shorts as a 37-year-old mother-of-two is "ridiculous".

The actress - who has children Apple, five and Moses, four, with Coldplay singer Chris Martin - admits she has to work hard to maintain her trim physique, but her friend Tracy Anderson's dance workout helps her get into shape.

She said: "This 26-minute long video was an amazing start for getting the butt and legs I had always hoped for.

"This regime got me into the shape of my life and I continue to return to it when I have a specific event so that I can do ridiculous things like be a 37-year-old mother-of-two and wear shorts!"

Writing in her GOOP newsletter, Gwyneth also claims she has to diet in short spurts to get good results.

"To really get in line, I follow her strict diet for five days to lose my extra winter weight. Now, I am not a good dieter and I cannot every do it for long - only when there is a goal in sight, which there was in this case."

Previously the 'Iron Man 2' star has revealed her distaste at the idea of dieting, and claims she puts on weight as soon as she thinks about cutting down on food.

She said: "I had to work hard to get it like this, but now I'm here it's so great because I don't have to think about it. I can just enjoy life. What a relief is that.

"I can eat what I want, as long as I exercise, which is just as well, because if I put the word 'diet' into my brain, I immediately gain a stone."
READ MORE - Gwyneth Paltrow says wearing shorts is 'ridiculous'

Katie Melua unsure of her sexuality

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The 25-year-old singer – who was previously in a relationship with Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard - admits she is often confused by her attractions to people, but is currently single.

She said: 'We live in the 21st century - questions of sexuality are not outdated, but I don’t think the lines are very clear and they are not always clear to me.

'I can tell you that I’m single, which is not lovely, but it is what it is. I really don’t think whether you are gay or not is the whole identity of a person. It’s just one side; it doesn’t have to be the thing that defines you.'

In 2006, reports surfaced that Katie had formed a close friendship with openly lesbian photographer Lara Bloom, although no romantic relationship was ever confirmed.

Discussing her latest album 'The House’ – masterminded by legendary musician-and-producer William Orbit – Katie claims it is a departure from her previous work and a journey of self discovery for her.

She said: 'If this is album is about something, it’s the puzzle of being alive, the mind maze of going inside your head and trying to figure out what the hell is going on in there.'
READ MORE - Katie Melua unsure of her sexuality

Britney Spears unreleased Lady Gaga song leaked

| Friday, May 7, 2010
The original version of `Telephone`, a hit for Beyonce and Lady Gaga, and written by Rodney Jenkins and Lady Gaga, has leaked online.

Jenkins confirmed the leaked Britney version is for real and was originally recorded by not used on her 'Circus’ album.

In a Twitter post Jenkins said, "As ya'll know, it's been an overwhelming day today. I want to say to all the people on Twitter, all Britney's fans, all the Darkchild fans, I was caught off guard last night with this 'Telephone' leak of Britney."

"I've been asked to leak the version, and I haven't leaked the version, and then last night, there was a version leaked. I really don't know who leaked the version. It was an early demo stage of the version."

"It wasn't even a mixed version. I would never leak something without Britney's approval, without Larry Rudolph, without Jive Records."
READ MORE - Britney Spears unreleased Lady Gaga song leaked

Lindsay Lohan denies drug problem

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Lindsay Lohan denies she has a prescription drug problem.

The troubled actress - who has rehab three times before for drug and alcohol issues - claims she is now clean and has rid herself of negative people.

Asked if she had a drug problem, she said: "No, I don't. No, I don't. I work. And, if I go out with my friends, I am 23 and I am allowed to do that.

"I am working. And I'm good. And I'm surrounded by great friends now. You know, I have weeded out a lot of people in my life."

Although she claims to be clean of substances, the 'Mean Girls' star does say the attention she receives has been detrimental to her film career.

She told 'The Early Show' television programme: "The only problem is that it distracts from me getting jobs, and that's when it hurts me - especially when it's not true."

Earlier this week Lindsay and her mother Dina sparked concern when they were seen partying into the early hours at Los Angeles' Chateau Marmont hotel.

An onlooker said: "Lindsay didn't look good. Her face is so puffy and she seemed exhausted. And everyone around is just looking at Dina like, 'Why the hell are you partying with your daughter?' Doesn't she see what she's doing and how weird and wrong it is?"
READ MORE - Lindsay Lohan denies drug problem

Susan Boyle to star in ‘Les Miserables’

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Susan Boyle could star in 'Les Miserables’.

The Scottish singer - who shot to fame after performing a version of 'I Dreamed A Dream’ from the musical when auditioning for Simon Cowell’s show 'Britain’s Got Talent’ - is being lined-up to star in a 25th anniversary version of the production.

The 49-year-old star went to see a touring performance of the show in Edinburgh last week and her team are said to be in talks with boss Cameron Mackintosh so Susan can appear as the character Fantine, and perform her signature song.

A source told The Sun newspaper: 'The tenth anniversary of the show was released as a video and CD. They are keen to do the same for the quarter century.'

Other ambitious projects for Susan include singing with a US hip-hop artist for her second album and the possibility of duetting with 'Telephone’ singer Lady Gaga.

The Catholic Church also wants Susan to sing for Pope Benedict XVI when he visits the UK later this year.
READ MORE - Susan Boyle to star in ‘Les Miserables’

Noel Gallagher to call his baby Carlos

| Thursday, May 6, 2010
Noel Gallagher plans to call his baby Carlos.

The former Oasis guitarist – who already has a daughter, Anais, nine, from his previous marriage to Meg Matthews, and two-year-old son Donovan with his current partner Sara MacDonald – plans to pay tribute to his sporting hero, Manchester City soccer player Carlos Tevez, when he becomes a father for the third time in September.

He said: "The new baby, if it's a boy – Sara doesn’t know this yet – is definitely going to be called Carlos. Yeah, without a doubt. Or just Tevez. Tevez Gallagher. Carlito Gallagher. She doesn't know this, but I'll nip out to the Marylebone Registry Office while she's having a nap."

The musician also admitted Sara’s pregnancy has scuppered his plans to spend this summer in South Africa for the soccer World Cup.

He added in a video interview for The Football Association website: "I was planning on going but I went and got my missus pregnant didn't I. I should have knocked her up when I got back or something instead."

Noel, 42, will now have to watch the tournament on television, but admits he still gets so involved in the action, he often frightens his children.

He explained: 'Anais isn’t into football, she thinks it’s boring. She can’t grasp the concept of dads standing up watching the TV, because I do that and shout and she’s just going, 'Daddy, sit down, you’re scaring me.’ '
READ MORE - Noel Gallagher to call his baby Carlos

Justin Bieber doesn't know what German means

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Justin Bieber had no idea what `German` was when he appeared on New Zealand television this week.

The pint-sized Canadian pop star was being interviewed in a New Zealand television show when the host asked him if it was True or False if Bieber was the German word for Basketball.

"I don't know what that means," he asked inquiring about what "German" was. The TV host showed him the question to which he replied, "we don't say that in America".

Thank God for Canada that Bieber suggested he was American and not Canadian.

Later in a Twitter post Bieber tried to explain that he thought the interviewer said "Jewman". On Twitter he wrote, "because I thought this interviewer in NZ said "Jewman" instead of "German" people think I dont know what German is?"

That still doesn't explain why even after shown the question he still didn't know what it meant.

Check out what happened here:
READ MORE - Justin Bieber doesn't know what German means

Britney Spears unreleased Lady Gaga song leaked

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The original version of `Telephone`, a hit for Beyonce and Lady Gaga, and written by Rodney Jenkins and Lady Gaga, has leaked online.

Jenkins confirmed the leaked Britney version is for real and was originally recorded by not used on her 'Circus’ album.

In a Twitter post Jenkins said, "As ya'll know, it's been an overwhelming day today. I want to say to all the people on Twitter, all Britney's fans, all the Darkchild fans, I was caught off guard last night with this 'Telephone' leak of Britney."

"I've been asked to leak the version, and I haven't leaked the version, and then last night, there was a version leaked. I really don't know who leaked the version. It was an early demo stage of the version."

"It wasn't even a mixed version. I would never leak something without Britney's approval, without Larry Rudolph, without Jive Records."
READ MORE - Britney Spears unreleased Lady Gaga song leaked

Lady Gaga dragged out by Oprah

| Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Lady Gaga had to be dragged out of her dressing room by Oprah Winfrey after suffering from stage fright.

The 'Telephone’ singer hid backstage prior to her performance at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday (03.05.10) – which was attended by an exclusive crowd of 700, including Anne Hathaway, Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez – but the talk show host helped her overcome her nerves.

A source told the New York Post newspaper: "She literally wouldn't come out. Friends tried, Warner Music executive Lyor Cohen tried, no dice. Eventually, Vito Schnabel came over and got artist Terence Koh on the phone to talk to her, which helped. Koh and Oprah were the ones who finally coaxed her out."

However, the eccentric performer was told she could only perform at US Vogue editor Anna Wintour’s annual fete on the premise she was polite and didn’t swear on stage.

She quipped to the crowd in New York City: "I'll never forget when Anna Wintour called me to play at this event, she called me and said, 'I would like you to play at the Met gala, but I just want to make sure, because I've seen you perform before, that you won't be swearing during the performance.' So Anna, I will do my f**king best!"

The 'Just Dance’ hitmaker’s performance seemingly got the guests in the mood for a singsong, as a number of A-list stars belted out tracks at the exclusive after party at the Mark Hotel.

A source added: "Pharrell Williams first jumped in and started singing 'Beautiful,' and then Sean Combs jumped up and started rapping to 'All About the Benjamins.' He even grabbed Anna Wintour into the deejay booth. Finally, Usher and Justin Timberlake joined in.
READ MORE - Lady Gaga dragged out by Oprah

Jennifer Lopez loves a treat

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Jennifer Lopez refuses to deny herself certain foods.

The singer-and-actress – famed for her perfectly curvy figure – likes to keep her diet varied and will indulge in the occasional treat but knows she can’t do it all the time if she wants to maintain her enviable body.

She said: 'Just like anybody I try to watch what I eat - there's no big science to it, which is what sucks.

'One of the good tricks is to have a goal - for me it may be getting in shape for a video shoot. The other is portion control. I love to eat everything and you pretty much can - a little piece of something fattening is not going to kill you. It's when you eat the whole box that it's going to kill you.'

Jennifer – who has two-year-old twins, Max and Emme, with husband Marc Anthony – also says she’s never felt pressure to be a size zero and has always been confident about her sexy curves.

She said: 'I was always very comfortable with who I was. I've never looked at myself in a negative way.'

When Jennifer first became a worldwide star, a lot of attention was given to her shapely behind but she insists she never paid too much attention to the stories, even when it was rumoured she had insured it for $1 million.

The 'Back-up Plan’ beauty added to Marie Claire magazine: 'I thought that story was funny. In fact, we traced that story, and that was a rumour that started in London.

'But I was honestly at that time was in such a work fog I didn't even notice. Now that I've had time to sit I appreciate and love everything in a different way, and I think that's because of the kids too. I just think of life in a different way: back then it was just about the grind.'
READ MORE - Jennifer Lopez loves a treat

Rihanna’s boyfriend loves her sense of fun

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Los Angeles Dodgers baseball star Matt Kemp has finally opened up about his relationship with the singer – who he was first romantically linked to in January – admitting he has never been happier.

When asked if they are a couple, he said: 'Yeah! That’s my girl.

"She's just a fun person. I love to be around her. She's definitely a great person in my life, and I'm happy I'm with her.'

Rihanna is currently on the European leg of her 'Last Girl on Earth' tour and the sportsman can’t wait to be reunited with her when she returns to the US.

He added to Us Weekly magazine: "She's definitely not gonna be here for a little while. Hopefully when she gets back she'll be at a couple more games."

The 22-year-old star recently revealed she and Matt, 25, rely on the internet to keep their romance alive when they are apart.

Rihanna – who is getting ready to bring her tour to the UK - said: "I'm really happy right now. I was hoping Matt would be able to come to London but he's working. And I'm touring and shooting videos for my next single so it's going to be seven weeks before I see him again.

"We have to make do with Skype and phone, but I miss him. I can't wait to see him again. It'll probably be when I get back to America that we can hook up properly."
READ MORE - Rihanna’s boyfriend loves her sense of fun

I Am Kloot to release fith album

| Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I Am Kloot are set to release their stunning fifth studio album, 'Sky at Night’ on July 5th.

Following 2007’s 'I Am Kloot Play Moolah Rouge’, the album further goes to cement John Bramwell’s status as one of the most talented songwriters in the country.

Proud Manchester men they may be, but the record is infused with an almost Parisian elegance. Tracks like 'It’s Just The Night’ and 'The Moon Is A Blind Eye’ reveal a Gainsbourg style of sophistication, but are still punctuated with their own inimitable Northern soul.

Opening with the warm, rolling 'Northern Skies’, it’s followed by 'To The Brink’, a decadently faded show tune, with celestial strings balancing delicately against the kind of poignant musings more typically found at the bottom of a brandy glass.

The theatrical instrumentation of 'Lately’ is lush and impressive, whilst remaining explicit and honest. Renowned harpist Marie Lionheardt provides a delicate accompaniment to the moving narrative in 'I Still Do’, while 'Radiation’ touches upon the Beatles’ more psychedelic moments of orchestration.

A songwriter’s songwriter, Bramwell is one of our finest wordsmiths and counts Pete Doherty and Elbow’s Guy Garvey amongst his many fans. Having produced their hugely acclaimed debut album 'Natural History’ Garvey, alongside band mate Craig Potter, has returned to produce and mix this sublime ten track collection.

With 'Sky at Night’, expect Kloot’s cult status to soar skywards.

The tracklisting for 'Sky at Night’ is:

'Northern Skies’
'To the Brink’
'Fingerprints’
'Lately’
'I Still Do’
'The Moon Is A Blind Eye’
'Proof’
'It's Just the Night’
'Radiation’
'Same Shoes’

I Am Kloot is – John Bramwell (vocals/guitar), Andrew Hargreaves (drums), Peter Jobson (bass).
READ MORE - I Am Kloot to release fith album

Wolfmother behind the scenes of the videoshoot

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Catch up with Wolfmother and the crew on the set of the music video shoot for 'Far Away' in Sydney, Australia. Take a look at all the 'smoke and mirrors' it took to create the visually captive video in this behind the scenes sneak peek.

The band’s music video for 'Far Away' was directed by Sam Stephens of Hydra (Passion Pit "The Reeling and Muse "Uprising" videos). Be sure to pick up your copy of Cosmic Egg on iTunes and in stores now
READ MORE - Wolfmother behind the scenes of the videoshoot

Scissor Sisters and Kelis to play Isle of MTV in Malta

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Scissor Sisters and Kelis will perform at the Isle of MTV live music event in Malta on 30 June.

MTV and the Malta Tourism Authority are gearing up to rock Malta once more in what has become one of the highlights of the European summer music scene. Now in its fourth year, the largest open air free concert in Europe has anchored itself firmly on the summer party circuit attracting fans from all over Europe to the sun kissed island’s dramatic Il-Fosos Square in Floriana to enjoy some of the best current artists.

Triple BRIT Award-winning American band Scissors Sisters, who draw inspiration from disco, glam rock, pop and the club scene, will be coming to Malta to perform highly anticipated new material from the forthcoming album 'Night Work’ released June 28th, Their debut album sold more than 3.5 million, putting them in the top 20 of all time in the UK and their smash hit 'Don’t Feel Like Dancing’ topped the charts at #1 in 10 Countries. MTV and the Island of Malta are thrilled to welcome this amazing band to Malta for this year’s Summer Spectacular, The Isle Of MTV!

''The Scissors are thrilled to be performing on the Isle of MTV, Malta. It's going to make what is already going to be a fun summer, over the top. We're so ready to get on stage and pop our gaskets, I'm sure we'll blow off a few bikini tops! It's going to be Beach Blanket Bingo meets Beyond Thunderdome!!!,' said, Jake Shears.

Award Winning Superstar and the original female Innovator Kelis will be performing at this years Isle of MTV, with songs from her new album Flesh Tone and no doubt some of her many Smash Hit World Wide Anthems. Kelis is a Brit Award winner and Grammy nominated female, who's received critical acclaim for her global success with Milkshake and her latest single, Acapella, has already been given Global Priority Status across the International network of MTV Channels and debuted as TOP 5 single in the UK! Kelis was a co-host for the 2006 EMAs in Copenhagen, and is looking forward to returning to the MTV stage as a performer:
READ MORE - Scissor Sisters and Kelis to play Isle of MTV in Malta

Doves and Editors join Oxegen

| Sunday, May 2, 2010
With the countdown to OXEGEN well and thoroughly under way, we thought we’d help ramp up the excitement levels even further with the addition of 13 more sensational acts!

Indie and Rock are to the fore in today’s announcement and Bell X1 are without doubt one of the most important bands to emerge from Ireland over the last couple of decades. They’ve notched up four critically acclaimed albums and have enjoyed phenomenal success both here and in the USA.

Doves have achieved worldwide record sales of over two million amid universal critical acclaim, with two number one albums and two Mercury nominations. Back at OXEGEN after a great performance on the second stage last year, Doves are touring their 'Best Of’ collection The Places Between.

Debut album The Back Room established Editors as one of the UK’s best bands. Their follow-up An End Has A Start went to number 1 and earned the band a Brit Award nomination for Best Band. Their brand of dark indie rock reached new heights on In This Light and on This Evening.

Two years ago, Scouting For Girls stole our hearts with a clutch of contagious hits (She’s So Lovely, Heartbeat, It’s Not About You, Elvis Ain’t Dead). New single This Ain’t A Love Song builds on that success and is taken from the new LP Everybody Wants To Be On TV.

Ocean Colour Scene will be celebrating their 21st anniversary next year and have clocked up an impressive eleven Top 20 singles and five Top 10 albums during their illustrious career. Always a big hit with Irish fans, it’s great to have them back at OXEGEN.

Kate Nash’s intelligent and insanely catchy single Foundations reached number two in the singles charts and helped propel her first album to No.1. New release 'My Best Friend Is You’ has already been met with much critical acclaim. Expect her to be a name on everyone’s lips by the time she returns to Punchestown.

Led by iconic frontman Ian McCulloch, Echo And The Bunnymen have been enthralling fans for three decades. Their last album, 'The Fountain’, was released in 2009 and confirmed their genius hasn’t diminished in the slightest with new track Think I Do ranking alongside classics Nothing Lasts Forever and Killing Moon.

Joshua Radin captured the public imagination when his songs were included on a string of hit US TV shows. Those who caught his recent show at Dublin’s Academy will know that this is an artist in the tradition of greats like Nick Drake and Elliott Smith--confessional folk-pop craftsmen who could say more with a whisper than most can with a scream.

Also added to the OXEGEN bill are Manchester four-piece The Courteeners, hard rocking rebels Airbourne and their Australian compatriots The Middle East – one of the most talked about bands at SXSW this year.

Two of our most popular Irish acts complete today’s announcement. Meteor Music Award winning Dublin act The Coronas put in a storming set when they played the Main Stage at OXEGEN on the Friday last year and also sold out three dates at The Academy in January.

2009 saw Republic of Loose play the US for three sold out tours. They returned to Ireland for OXEGEN and to open up for U2 at Croke Park on their 360 tour. In December, the band were nominated in Q Magazine’s 'Albums of the Century’.

OXEGEN returns to Punchestown from 9th-11th July (subject to licence).

The Ticket Deposit Scheme is available again this year, so €120 deposit will secure your ticket, with the remaining balance payable by 31st May 2010. Ticket prices remain frozen since 2008 with a 3 day camping ticket costing €224.50 (incl booking fee).
READ MORE - Doves and Editors join Oxegen

Tinchy Stryder joins Liverpool Sound City

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British rapper and grime superstar Tinchy Stryder is the latest act to join the Liverpool Sound City line-up, playing the city’s O2 Academy on Friday 21st May. Crowned the "Prince of Grime" by Rewind Magazine, 2009 proved to be the big year for the 22 year old, Ghanaian born Kwasi Danquah who now calls East London his home. After being tipped as a rising star by the likes of Radio One, Wiley, and (bizarrely) MP Norman Lamb, this Star In The Hood has scored two consecutive top 3 hits, (including the no. 1 single for three weeks 'Number 1’), he supported Akon and N-Dubz on sell out arena tours, launched a flourishing merchandise line with the kind of kudos and turnover that would impress Phillip Green, and completed a degree in Digital Arts and Moving Imagery at University of East London.

Tinchy Stryder also unleashed another hit 'Never Leave You’ which featured Sugababe Amelle it was the fourth cut to be taken from the album Catch 22 (released August 2009), Tinchy went on to perform at many of the top UK’s top summer festivals, before embarking on his first headline nationwide tour playing to a sell-out Liverpool crowd at O2 Academy earlier this year.

His latest album 'Catch 22’ is yet another milestone in Tinchy Stryder’s ascending career. Moving on from the sound of his first album, 'Star in the Hood’, it seen Tinchy working with a diverse range of producers (from Fraser T Smith to Frank Musik) and guest vocalists (from Taio Cruz to Amelle) to create a signature sound that is not only fresh and current, but is also uniquely his own. Lyrically the album focuses on Tinchy’s day-to-day tales from his hood in Bow, and his ever changing life as a rising star in the music industry. Spanning the shiny and radio friendly 'Number 1’ and 'Never Leave You’ through to the gritty and bassline heavy, 'Stryderman’ and 'Spotlight’.

Individual tickets are now on sale but the Liverpool Sound City festival wristband will also get you into this amazing event as well as the chance to see over 450 other bands at Sound City including The Maccabees, Blackout, Delphic, Paloma Faith and Wild Beasts. The current price is £45 so it represents the best value to really take in the whole Sound City experience. Please note walk up prices during the festival will be higher.

Also announced this week is the Wall of Sound party with Reverend Soundsystem on Friday 21st May at the Haigh Building, as curated by Mark Jones the head of the label, Mark also joins the Sound City Music conference line-up at the Hilton Hotel during the festival. Wall of Sound party impressive line-up also includes Ocelot DJ’s, Kids on Bridges, Grace Jones and Gold Panda to name but a few.
READ MORE - Tinchy Stryder joins Liverpool Sound City

Robyn to play London’s Heaven

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Robyn returns to the UK on June 17 to play her first live show here since June 2008.

This one off gig at London’s famous Heaven club is in celebration of her brilliant new album 'Body Talk PT. 1’ – the first of three this year - which is released on June 14.

Also released on June 14 is her massive new single 'Dancing On My Own’ which is already enjoying the top spot on Pitchforks Best New Music chart, as well as being a Radio1 daytime Record of the Week this week.

The excitement in Robyn’s return can only be raised by the announcement of this exclusive show.

Pre-sale tickets will become available via robyn.com/tickets on Wednesday April 28 at 9am and will go on general release on Friday April 30 at 9am.
READ MORE - Robyn to play London’s Heaven