News

The xx's Jamie Smith has revealed that he is working on building a brand new instrument based on both an MPC sequencer and an iPad. The producer and DJ told the Observer that he is planning on making a see-through device which will make music via "colourful graphics" and finger taps. The band's vocalist Oliver Sim also explained that he has written a song for Beyonce. He said that he has written a track which isn't right for The xx, but which he hopes Beyonce would like to record "if he can work up the courage to ask".

Stevie Wonder has spoken out about comments he made regarding the sexuality of soul singer Frank Ocean last week. Speaking to the Guardian, Wonder had said that he thought Ocean – who publicly revealed that his first love had been a man earlier this year – might be 'confused'. He said: "I think honestly, some people who think they're gay, they're confused. People can misconstrue closeness for love. People can feel connected, they bond."

David Bowie has broken his silence to say he is not involved in a retrospective of his costumes at London's Victoria & Albert Museum. The Observer reported this week that the legendary singer would co-curate an exhibition of his life and work told through his extravagant costumes next year. The show was said to chart his rise to cult status, using his collection of outfits to document his changing identity, with him selecting outfits for the retrospective.

Eddie Van Halen could be out of action for six months after undergoing emergency surgery. Van Halen, lead guitarist in the band of the same name, had been suffering from a severe case of Diverticulitis. The disease is a digestive disorder which involves an inflammation and infection of the colon.

Bob Dylan has unveiled the video for his brand new single "Duquesne Whistle". Click above to watch the video, directed by Nash Edgerton and set on the streets of downtown Los Angeles. The promo features a number of appearances from the legendary singer songwriter, who is seen strolling through the city at night.

Metallica have unveiled their cover of Deep Purple's "When A Blind Man Cries". Click above to listen to the track in full. The track is taken from to a new Deep Purple tribute album, which is titled Re-Machined: A Tribute to Machine Head, and will see a selection of acts including Iron Maiden, Chickenfoot and The Flaming Lips covering each of the tracks on Deep Purple's classic 1972 album Machine Head.

Elbow singer Guy Garvey has announced that he will be launching a vinyl-only record label. In an interview with the BBC, the singer said he will be releasing a series of four-track EPs – one of which will be instrumental and one will be spoken word. Each release will feature a free download code too.

Red Hot Chili Peppers have unveiled the next two tracks in the set of 18 new singles they are set to release over the next six months. The tracks are titled "Magpie's On Fire" and "Victorian Machinery" and you can hear them by scrolling down to the bottom of the page and clicking. They will be formally released on September 11. The band released tracks titled 'Strange Man' and 'Long Progession' earlier this month and will release another two tracks, this time titled 'Never Is A Long Time' and 'Love Of Your Life', on October 2.

The Rolling Stones have announced details of a new documentary titled Crossfire Hurricane. Directed by Brett Morgen, the film documents the band's career from their early road trips and gigs in the 1960s, via the release of 1972's Exile On Main Street right up to present day.

The Rolling Stones have been booked to play four shows later this year, including two nights at London's O2 Arena, according to US sources. US music industry magazine Billboard quotes a source this morning (August 30) who claims that the band will play four dates in November, two at London's O2 Arena and two at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The source also details that the gigs will be put on by British entrepreneur Richard Branson and Australian promoter Paul Dainty and reports that the band will be paid a cool $25 million (£15.8 million) for the four shows.