AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

WE’VE read countless annual reviews, griped over XfM’s choice of The Killers’ Mr Brightside as the top song of all time and have been quite proud to be left out of the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
Now, in the hope of being the first official music awards of the year, here are Tutankarbon's alternative prizes...

GLASTONBURY AWARD FOR MOST DRENCHED FESTIVAL – The Camden Crawl
Rain or shine we love it, you’re only ever seconds away from a venue to shelter in, but this year really tested our resolve. As we said at the time, rivers of black eyeliner ran down Camden High Street as someone in the heavens chucked buckets at the dedicated music fans swimming their way from gig to gig.

MOST WELL-INTENTIONED BUT ILL-JUDGED SPECIAL EFFECT – Kiss, 02 Academy Islington

They just wanted to give fans a taste of the stadium experience. But poor Kiss’ plans to set off ticker tape from huge cannons backfired as they accidentally suffocated themselves and their fans – cutting short their encore. There’s a reason they’re usually reserved for the arenas guys.

MALCOLM TUCKER AWARD FOR MOST DIPLOMATIC WARDROBE CHOICE – Missy Elliott, Wireless

She probably thought it was a nice gesture – wearing a German tracksuit from sponsors Adidas while their national team battled it out in South Africa. But Missy didn’t count on a bunch of sour-faced England fans, who booed and threw bottles at her, still sore at the country’s loss days earlier.

MOST RIB-CRUSHING GIG – Rage Against the Machine, Finsbury Park

We thought we’d planned it so well – close enough to see, far enough back to avoid being sucked into a mosh-pit stew of fists and feet. I even took my earrings off just in case. But from the very first bass note, the entire crowd contracted, we were lifted off our feet, flung across a molten sea of black t-shirts and banging heads before being dropped into the centre of the pit. Bones could be felt cracking and the mission to get to the edge of park was greater than any Labyrinth-type adventure. Phenomenal gig.

MOST WANTED MUSICIAN (for about five minutes) – Lowkey
He loves a good cause this one. Lowkey visited students at Camden School for Girls protesting at the planned university fees hike. Hours later, he appeared on the front of a number of national newspapers as one of the people police wanted to speak to in connection with protest violence. Of course nothing came of it and he doesn’t seem to be wanted but seeing his face in the rogues gallery it gave his fans a swift shock.

BIGGEST INSULT TO VISITING US ARTISTS – Wireless (Missy Elliott) and The Roundhouse (Talib Kweli)
I know they had their reasons, but pulling the plug on artists mid-song just is not cool. If they are running over, let them get to the end of the song. Leaving Missy and Kweli standing there, mic and music turned off, looking like fools, is not the way to make friends and can only end badly.

VENUE TO SCORE BEST SECRET GIG – Dingwalls – The Strokes

There was hysteria when news broke out that Dingwalls was going to host The Strokes’ comeback. Tickets were harder to find than a music store in Camden and there was no need for contact lenses from Cyberdog for those that missed out – the green eyes could be seen from outer space.

VENUE TO LOSE HUGE SECRET GIG – Dingwalls – Guns ‘n Roses

Dingwalls had to issue an 11th-hour cancellation after learning Axl and co wouldn’t be venturing our way, causing some anger but also a lot of relief from those who wish G n’ R would cut their losses and stop ruining the memory of their best work.

MOST MIDDLE-CLASS MOSH – Jamie Cullum, Kenwood
In among the vin, the pain and the Boursin, the picnic baskets were overturned, cheese knives waved in the air and Jamie Cullum’s encore became the oddest, multi-aged mosh-pit in the shadows of Kenwood House.

MOST GENEROUS HEADLINE PERFORMANCE (TAKE NOTE KANYE) – Jay-Z, Wireless

Unlike Kanye’s headline turn the year before, Jay-Z’s not mean with his time, his words, or his songs and there was not a hint of self-indulgence about his show.

SPECIAL AWARD FOR THE BAND AT THE CENTRE OF THE BIGGEST OFFICE ROW – N-Dubz

Yes Dappy, Fazer and Tulisa, you caused fireworks at my office earlier this year. No need to go into it now, suffice to say – I was on your side.

FAREWELL TO – The Luminaire, The Flowerpot and possibly The 100 Club
HELLO TO – The Wheelbarrow, Nambucca (just reopened).

NOT QUITE THE FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR EUROPE + CHAKA DEMUS AND PLIERS RETURN + N-DUBZ WEDDING SINGERS?

FOR some time, long-haired bandana-wearing air-guitar-playing crowds have gathered at The Monarch for some collective classic rock worship with metal covers band Metalworks.
So imagine the shock when Europe guitarist John Norum and bassist John Leven were spotted walking past the Chalk Farm Road pub after their Roundhouse iTunes festival gig on Sunday.
After some convincing they joined the band onstage and Norum grabbed Monarch bar supervisor Gabor Dudas’ guitar to play their big hit The Final Countdown. A moment of rock bonding ensued as the pair saluted each other in a Wayne’s World-style bull-horns salute.
In the past, members of Iron Maiden, Sisters of Mercy and Judas Priest have dropped by – defo the place to be for ageing rocker-spotters.
Can't find a clip of their Monarch show but here's how it went down minutes earlier at The Roundhouse


• Here’s an amusing vision from the past - Chaka Demus and Pliers played the Jazz Cafe last week – I still have their album on cassette tape – brings back memories of some fave road trips!
• Spotted a guy asking N-Dubz on twitter how much it would cost for them to play at his wedding. Any guesses? Which twitter-active band would you ask?
• Former Record of the Week contenders Trench City play a charity gig at Charlotte Street Blues Bar on August 14 – could be fun.

SECURITY ALERT - N-DUBZ ARE PLAYING FOR THEIR MUMS, LOUIS LE PRINCE AND THE PROJECTORS SELL OUT + LAST.FM'S DATING GAME

POLICE lined Chalk Farm Road waving knife wands, search arches were placed inside the Roundhouse doors – was Snoop Dogg paying a special visit to Camden Town? Is 50 Cent on his way? Turns out the heavy security was for...N-Dubz, who were playing to their mums, aunts and friends on their home turf for the iTunes Festival on Monday. The cops must’ve been disappointed – the only battle I saw was the group of young boys beatboxing in the street after the show. 

This is the best video I could find of the night. Critics should see them live before turning up their noses.

• By good fortune, I was present the day the founder members of fairytale-named band Louis le Prince and The Projectors met. There was an old man’s pub, whisky was involved and there was bonding over music.

So it was a privilege to be at The Wilmington Arms for the Hope House records gig last week – amazing feat to be sold out on their first show and they deserved it. In such a short time they’ve put together a professional sound with some addictive tunes. 

• Sydney’s gorgeous dark-pop quintet Teenagers in Tokyo headline The Lexington on July 15.

• Who here uses last.fm? Ever wanted to find your ideal date based on a mutual shared love of music?  www.tastebuds.fm attempts to find matches based on your last.fm list or your list of fave bands. Hmmm, not sure it’ll work.

POLITE PEARL JAM + STEVIE WONDER'S JEUNESSE ECLIPSE MCCARTNEY

IT'S a sign of the respect grunge hero Eddie Vedder commands that even when playing to a 50,000-strong crowd at Hyde Park, he could inspire a hush when he spoke.
Hard Rock Calling was a weekend of reminiscences – three very different, generous headliners set the tone for memorable days in the scorching sun.



Pearl Jam was looked upon with such reverence that at one point veteran frontman Vedder convinced the huge crowd to take three steps back for safety, just by asking politely. He earnestly promised to replay any songs he would have to stop if there were any crowd management problems.
Yeah, this doesn't sound like the kind of rock icon we've come to expect but it one we've come to love.
From the early evening, with Vedder joining Ben Harper's set for a powerful cover of Under Pressure, the tone was set for a special night.

The duet was not unexpected – Vedder and Harper have been known to team up on occasion and their duet of Indifference is a Youtube favourite.
But it was a treat all the same and one Harper reciprocated during Pearl Jam's set, with an incredible instrumental on encore Red Mosquito.
It was touching to see Vedder in trademark grunge lumberjack shirt of old, running through tracks old and new, classics and a tribute to Joe Strummer with a cover of Arms Aloft in Aberdeen, with the same molasses-quality voice we idolised as teens. Entrancing.
By most standards, Hard Rock Calling was a success – bar a timetabling clash pitting Elvis Costello against World Cup disappointment on Sunday.
We were eager to hear how Gomez had got on more than a decade after soaraway debut album Bring it On but only lovers of sauna-type conditions could bring themselves to step inside the sweltering Pepsi Max tent for the full set and there was a minor exodus after biggest hit Whippin' Picadilly.
For Stevie Wonder's set on Saturday it felt like the numbers had doubled. Kids, grandparents and everyone in-between piled in to see the legend in action and they were not disappointed.
Wonder's success was almost his failing. His set was a bonanza of every hit you would ever wish to hear, his cheeky, cheery disposition kept the mood light, but the sheer numbers made it at times uncomfortable.
As people later eased into their spaces, it was a historic sight to see the mass human carpet become one giant funky dance show of moves through the ages.
Stevie – whose inability to contain his joy was infectious – played an ambitious back catalogue of everything from Sir Duke to Ma Cherie Amour to I Just Called To Say I Love You, and Happy Birthday – a reminder that this man, whose life-work is so extensive and influential, is still only 60.
Paul McCartney on day three took a little time to warm up, but something changed when the sun went down.
As if a spirit had suddenly possessed him, he came alive – helped by electrifying fireworks during Live and Let Die and the second half of the set was stunning.
The sounds of Hey Jude echoed across the park as every single person joined in the mass singalong – na na na nana na naaa – did N-Dubz learn it from these guys?

GENEROUS JARVIS COCKER, SERGE'S SOUNDTRACK, N-DUBZ' "SUCCESS" + WINO POPS UP IN CAMDEN SHOCK

PROUD Camden held an extravagant birthday party on Wednesday night – to mark their second year in Camden Market’s Horse Hospital. The Delays launched their new album but didn't play live in the end - apparently due to some sort of leg injury - you can still sing boys!

Jarvis Cocker did a fantastic job hosting, posed for a photograph with me and generously stopped to listen to troubadour Joseph Strouzer play the Ballad of the Big Beautiful Woman all the way through.
His verdict: "I like it, especially how it turned out in the end, of course you won't ever get any air-time."
Strouzer said afterwards: "I guess he was referring to the ever-so subtle sexual references woven into the lyrics."

Professor Green did a brilliant job of headlining, bringing some grime vibes to the gallery, while Amy Winehouse popped up, as she does, onstage, took a spot next to the backing singers and danced along for a whole song before running off to mingle. Mumford & Sons DJed but it felt like a waste of their talents. Great night though.

• The iTunes Festival begins on July 1 at Camden Roundhouse, a month of huge names, from Tony Bennett to Ozzy Osbourne, Scissor Sisters to N-Dubz. Eighties hair rock bands Europe and Foreigner this week confirmed they play on July 25.

• The beautiful Serge Pizzorno, yes Kasabian bandana man, is lending his talents to Mighty Boosh star Noel Fielding. Fielding’s summer art show, at London’s oldest cake shop Maison Bertaux, Greek Street, Soho (July 5), includes an installation with an original soundtrack by Pizzorno.

• Love Being N-Dubz – a six-part C4 documentary on Camden’s finest, with the second programme going out on Monday. Best quote so far from Dappy: “I’m a success, sir”, followed seconds later by “I’ve got an Oyster, I’m legit.”

• Juliette Lewis unveils her new album Terra Incognita – the album she’s always wanted to make – at London Borderline on June 30.

• Celebs are coming out in force to back a revival of the Finsbury Park Rise Festival, after Boris Johnson’s office pulled funding for it last year. Writer Meera Syal and Labour leadership contender Diane Abbott have joined Roots Manuva, Asian Dub Foundation, and Beardyman in their support for replacement festival UpRise: London United Against Racism (July 11). Info from www.uprise.org.uk

• Here’s an opportunity for genuine talent to impress industry giants EMI at Camden Roundhouse – 30/30, a groundbreaking youth music project for 16-25s. Over the course of September, 30/30 (30 days, 30 bands, 30 tracks) will offer 30 unsigned artists one free day’s recording time in the Round house’s EMI Live Music Studio, along with top guest producers to profes sionally record and mix their track for free.
Artists should visit www.roundhouse.org.uk/3030.

N-DUBZ TAKE OVER YOUR TV, PRECIOUS BLACK KEYS TICKETS, GET YOUR SOCKS ON FOR MICHAEL JACKSON MEMORIAL

IF YOU'VE been lucky enough to snap up a ticket for The Black Keys at Camden Roundhouse (June 23), clutch it tight, everyone wants one and quite rightly so. 

If you’re looking to mix it up, how about some N*E*R*D* at Kentish Town Forum (June 21) – we love you Pharrell. Over at Camden Barfly there’s Aussie quartet Blackchords on June 18 and diminutive Tiny Tempah (June 21). Or if you think you can do better, how about Rockaoke at Proud Camden on June 27? Meanwhile, I need to set my TV to record the N-Dubz documentary on Channel 4 on Monday – Camden’s sure to feature heavily and these guys are always good for a laugh.

• Buskers wanted! Aspiring musicians dreaming of playing the iconic 1970s Brunswick Centre can now send in demos for consideration. All genres are welcome, see www.brunswick.co.uk/brunswicklive. Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, acoustic pop trio Miccoli will play a special two-day gig.

• Leaping from Verdi to Erasure, Britney Spears to Peggy Lee via Jacques Brel, Judy Garland, Kylie Minogue, and Soft Cell, London Gay Men’s Chorus is bringing the stunning Seven Deadly Sins to Camden Roundhouse (June 25 & 26). Adding a touch of the urban are DNA Mix, a group of young, straight, rapping dads, who’ve teamed up with the Chorus to mash up Jealous Guy. Information fromwww.lgmc.org.uk

• It’s a year since poor Michael Jackson’s death and the famous Club de Fromage is paying tribute to the King of Pop at the 02 Academy Islington (June 26). Dig out the white ankle socks, roll up your sleeves and remember anyone in fancy dress skips the queue.

JOHN BARNES' REPRISE, JOHN FOXX'S REUNION, WOLFMOTHER'S REPEAL AND N-DUBZ RELEVATION

JOHN Barnes, what have you done? Why agree to reprise your “rap” from New Order’s 1990 World Cup song World in Motion – for a Mars ad?

It wasn’t great the first time, and it just sounds like a lifetime of chocolate has made it even more laboured. I’m fond of you Barnesy, but are you sure this was wise? It is funny though. Can’t we just stick to Kasabian being the unofficial football soundtrack for the year?

• New Finsbury Park pop-up club The Silver Bullet’s already got the power to attract the big names. They’re holding the Rage Against the Machine after-party with Gallows and Eddy Temple-Morris DJing. Visit www.thesilverbullet.co.uk

• There’s something of a reunion happening at the Roundhouse’s electronic festival, Short Circuit 2010 (June 5). John Foxx, original frontman of pioneering UK synth-rock act Ultravox, reunites with guitarist Robin Simon, following DJ sets from Gary Numan and Jori Hulkkonen. Foxx and special guests will assemble on stage for the first time with the machines he used on debut solo album Metamatic in 1980 to perform material from past and present.

• The Egg club in King’s Cross has reopened and is attracting an incredible list of international DJs. Watch this space or visit www.egg-london.net

• Sad to hear Wolfmother have cancelled their appearance at Hard Rock Calling due to illness – one I was looking forward to.

• How much higher can these guys go? N-Dubz are sharing the bill with Usher at Camden’s Koko tomorrow (Friday). They’ve kept this one quiet. 

JON MCCLURE'S SNOWY BREAKS, CHARLIE SLOTH AND DAPPY TALK GRUESOME DISCOVERIES AND ARE THE RUMBLE STRIPS SERVING PINTS?

MY spies tell me Charlie Waller, frontman of The Rumble Strips, was seen serving pints at a Dalston pub last week. Does anyone know if it’s true? And, if so, is it because they need to make ends meet or just an Amy-Winehouse-behind-the-Dublin-Castle-bar kind of favour to a fave venue? Although there’s nothing wrong with having a day – or in this case night – job, I only hope it’s the latter. It’s a long way from playing the Roundhouse with Mark Ronson.

• Archive moment, for any who haven’t seen Charlie Sloth’s Guided Tour of Camden, here’s a reminder – look out for our favourite Greek restaurant – Andy's Taverna - scene of many awkward office Christmas parties.
There's also a reference to where Camden Ripper Anthony Hardy's victims' bodies were found - timely in light of Dappy from N-Dubz' claims in his biography that he witnessed the body parts dumped in a bin bag at the back of his flats.


• Gleeks unite! Camden Jazz Café’s Hairbrush Heroes Glee night is next week (April 16). Dress as a US teen and belt out those tunes – hard to believe this comes from the same people behind Feeling Gloomy.

• Get well soon to Reverend and the Makers’ Jon McClure. He’s just broken his shoulder on the slopes at Snowbombing but was able to tweet all about it while lying on a stretcher waiting for his operation.

LETHAL BIZZLE V N-DUBZ - WILL IT EVER END?

The plot thickens...and the row over who came up with the hook to I Need You continues.
You need the background? Read previous posts here - but don't forget to come back for the latest chapter.
N-Dubz v Lethal Bizzle, Is Row Over I Need You Hook For Real?
N-Dubz v Lethal Bizzle Rights Row Descends Into Batt;e Of The Cribs - Plus Bizzle's Broken Mobo
Lethal Bizzle Gagged But N-Dubz Take Note, He Don't Hold Grudges

I reported yesterday how Lethal Bizzle's hilarious response video to N-Dubz' claimed "proof" that they were the first to come up with the hook was removed from YouTube.
Not one to be beaten, the resourceful Lethal B sent a twitter message to all his followers including a link to the banned footage.
So I'm happy to announce we have a copy - sadly it won't upload here - so instead here's the link to download it yourself.
If you can work out how to upload it, let me know.
Click here and enjoy!

LETHAL BIZZLE GAGGED - BUT N-DUBZ TAKE NOTE, HE DON'T HOLD GRUDGES!

LETHAL Bizzle has been forced to take down his video response to N-Dubz in the row over who came up with the original hook to "I Need You".
The gagged rapper may have been annoyed but he didn't show it last night when he told his twitter followers who appeared to have come up with a mafia-style solution: "Wow! Listen! This ndubz situation is over! Why are people sending me their home addresses lolololololol I'm not 50cent, I'm not that cold."
Perhaps we're on the verge of a fragile peace...or has Lethal B's lawyer just delivered some good news?
Up till now, the Camden trio and Lethal B have been airing their boxfresh laundry in public over twitter and via shaky mobile phone footage on YouTube.
Both sides had the chance to have their say, with the row degenerating into a battle over who's got the best crib. (See previous post)
But sadly the greatest clip - Bizzle's hilarious response, in which the sleighted rapper boasts of his fame, his fortune and his broken Mobo award - has been taken down.
In Bizzle's own words: "So now N DUBZ has got their label to remove my response video! Hmmmm I wonder why? Lololololol BAIT CATS! P.S its too late lolol."
A real loss.
I only hope someone out there has a copy they can send me, it should be treasured.

N-DUBZ v LETHAL BIZZLE - RIGHTS ROW DESCENDS INTO BATTLE OF THE CRIBS - PLUS BIZZLE'S BROKEN MOBO

IS this the UK's version of the East coast/West coast divide?
Thanks to the advent of the dodgy mobile phone vid British rappers can settle their fights in public on Youtube - safer than a drive-by I suppose.

Four days ago N-Dubs' Fazer and Dappy posted their "proof" that they didn't steal the hook for I Need You from Lethal Bizzle, as previously written in this blog (see here)

In the middle of it all, Fazer's film pans round to show off his crib.
Now Lethal B's posted his response on YouTube, but better still is his fightback over who's got the best "yard". Look out for the broken Mobo.
Still can't work out if the whole thing's a wind-up though - it's all relatively polite.



and more...

N-DUBZ v LETHAL BIZZLE - IS ROW OVER I NEED YOU HOOK FOR REAL?

Woah what's happening here?
The twitter row over who first came up with the hook for "I Need You" has prompted N-Dubz' Dappy and Fazer to post "proof" on YouTube.
It all started last week suggestions Lethal Bizzle had some legal beef with N-Dubz.
Tulisa hit back, claiming Lethal B emailed them a similar hook to that on "I Need You" but only after the band had cut their own record.
Now the row's moved over to YouTube and Fazer's looking pretty angry.
He wants to put a stop to any suggestion the Camden trio nicked the hook from Lethal B and is out to prove otherwise.
Fazer's posted a YouTube video - see below - looks like it's been filmed on his mobile phone - telling Bizzle: "Stop talking breeze...man don't need to cat tunes off you".
The shaky video then pans around Fazer's house as he explains: "This is my crib bro."
Turning to focus on emails and dates on his computer screen, he says the band cut their record two months before Bizzle emailed Tulisa with the disputed sample.
Dappy weighs in on the second video - "The Proof - part 2" - this time filmed in the studio, lots of focusing on computers, file dates and shaky footage of Dappy and Fazer moving the mouse around.
But listen carefully to Dappy's tone, sounds like he's serious about making the point but there's a hint of respect in there - could a conciliation be in the air?
Wonder what Lethal B makes of all this?



... and it goes on ...



So who's right? Is it for real? And is there any hope for peace?

N-DUBZ SIGNING TO DEF JAM??? DON'T SPEAK TOO SOON

Oh the dangers of Facebook, twitter and the like.
First we see N-Dubz' official twitter page @ndubz saying: "WE ARE SIGNING TO ISLAND DEF JAM IN AMERICA NXT MONTH!!! THE OFFERS ON THE TABLE PEOPLE!! WE DONE IT!!! BAAAAAP!!!!!! DUKU URSELFS!!"
Yes they really do write like that.
But minutes later Tulisa on her own twitter page @officialtulisa, clearly stressed by the overeager response of fans, is urging calm, perhaps for fear of risking a good deal.
First she says: "Its a mistake 1 of r mates went on r facebook sayin we're signed its not true, we've bin in talks but nothins bin confirmed, we won't no til next week, wen I no I'll let u guys no ok."
Then a minute later: "Stop the hype we're not signed nothin is confirmed at all!"
So it looks like there may be official news soon but until then - hold your tongue.

BRITS - N-DUBZ v ALEXANDRA BURKE AND MORE

LESS than a week to go until the Brits and we’ve got Islington’s Alexandra Burke (Bad Boys) and Tinchy Stryder with Camden’s N-Dubz (Number One) battling it out for Best British single.
They’re up against Alesha Dixon, the nation’s darling Cheryl Cole, poor eclipsed Joe McElderry, JLS, La Roux, Lily Allen, Pixie Lott and Taio Cruz. On the merits of pure pop singles I’m thinking it’s between our two and old Cheryl for Fight For This Love.
What's more concerning is the Brits' shortlist for top album of the last 30 years - some dubious choices in there ie - Dido.
Can Did really be credited as having made one of the top 10 albums in the last three decades? So much is missing - The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Elton John, need I go on? Suggestions on a postcard here.....
Follow me @roisingadelrab for live Twitter updates on all the action from Earls Court on Tuesday

• I went to the www.easyeartraining.com launch at Islington’s Union Chapel on Monday. If you’re learning to play an instrument, sing, or produce bands, this one’s for you.

• The Chemical Brothers play their first gigs in nearly 18 months at the Roundhouse on May 20-21. Tickets from www.gigsandtours.com

• OK, it’s not strictly north London, but Bon Jovi’s residency at the O2 Arena has to be mentioned, especially as Kid Rock’s joining them on June 25-26.

• Ant and Dec, along with Spaced actor Simon Pegg, were in the crowd at Leddra Chapman’s gig at the Jazz Café on Saturday.