Music Week’s round-up of essential biz stories you might have missed...
Radio times like these
Radio X has rebranded as Radio Grohl for one day only (January 14) to mark the 50th birthday of Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl. Listeners will see the name “Radio Grohl” on their radios as the station undergoes a complete rebrand live and on-air. The one-off rebrand will culminate with highlights from the band’s gig at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium last year.
Matt Deverson, managing editor, said “Today is a rather special occasion for one of the best loved and most influential musicians of our time, and we’re celebrating the ‘nicest guy in rock’ all day on Radio Grohl. We’ll be recounting our favourite anecdotes and reliving some iconic moments from his incredible career as we celebrate Dave Grohl’s music. We’ll also be airing the deep cuts - those much-loved fan favourites that are rarely heard on the radio - as well as the artists that Dave himself cites as his biggest inspiration.”
Playing God – and Shepherd’s Bush
BRITs Critics’ Choice winner Sam Fender has confirmed details of a new track, Play God, a UK tour and plans for his first American dates. The single was originally released independently. In addition to a pair of sold-out London Electric Brixton and Manchester Gorilla shows next month, Fender has announced a six-date UK tour including a May 6 show at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
Independent Venue Week bags tea sponsor
Independent Venue Week (IVW) has announced a partnership with Yorkshire Tea. As well as supplying tea in participating venues, the brand’s mobile tea van will visiting The Adelphi in Hull on Friday, February 1 for Novelist’s gig and The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge on February 3 for Thurston Moore’s date. More than 200 venues have signed up for Independent Venue Week, which takes place from January 28 to February 3.
New Who
The Who are back in the studio working on their first new album in 13 years. The full details for the new album, which is due for release this year, will be revealed in the coming months. Along with the forthcoming record, The Who will be heading out on their Moving On! tour of the US, where the band will share the stage with orchestras at venues including Madison Square Garden in New York and The Hollywood Bowl.
Scream above the forest sound
Stereophonics have signed up to play gigs as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series promoted by the Forestry Commission. The band will perform at Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire (June 13) and Thetford Forest, Suffolk (June 23). Other artists confirmed for forest shows this year include Jack Savoretti, Jess Glynne, Paul Weller, Tears For Fears and a show from Hacienda Classical.
Forest Live is held every summer by Forestry Commission England in seven forests. More that 1.75 million people have attended a forest gig in the last 18 years. Money raised from ticket sales helps to look after the nation’s forests.
FOLLOW 
