News January 15 2009

Grammy Museum
As it prepares for the 50th edition of the Grammy Awards (Feb. 8), the organization behind the show is unveiling a new, four-storey, $34-million museum dedicated to the prestigious institution. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Calif., the Grammy Museum includes historic artifacts and displays of past trophy winners, with an emphasis on music education and appreciation. The 30,000-square-foot space includes an 18-foot touch-screen information table, booths that allow visitors an interactive look at the music-making process and a 200-seat theatre. The Grammy Museum opens with an exhibit titled Songs of Conscience, Sounds of Freedom, which looks at the connection between music and politics.

Arctic Monkeys
The Band took to the stage in New Zealand last night for their first gig in over a year. Performing some old favourites to a packed crowd in Wellington, they also treated their fans to four new songs. They previewed the new tracks - 'Dangerous Animals', 'Pretty Visitors' and 'Crying Lightning' to the sold-out audience at the city's Town Hall. Some of new material saw the band using a little toy piano and a slide guitar.

New Gorillaz?
Gorillaz founders Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett are set to start recording sessions on their third album in March, despite a staged break up live on radio last night. The pair confirmed work on the follow-up to 2005's 'Demon Days' would begin in earnest with a collaboration in Syria.