GOVERNMENT RESPOND TO NOISE CONTROL PETITION - GOOD NEWS!

You might remember the fuss that was caused around a month ago when it was alleged that the Government were going to introduce sound control devices as a legal requirement in entertainmment venues - and music lovers around the country panicked at the thought of no more heavy bass, no more wailing guitar solos, and no more bangin' beats!

An official petition was set up on the 10 Downing St website and it was signed by 86,493 people. The government today responded to the petition with the following message:

"We are pleased to tell you that there is no truth in claims that the Government is planning to introduce a requirement for entertainment venues to fit noise control devices. Each Local Authority Licensing Authority considers every live music application on its merits, and decisions are made entirely by them. However, the Licensing Act 2003 does not allow mandatory conditions for live music to be imposed across the board. It would not be possible to impose such a condition without a change in the law and such a change is not, and never has been, on the Government’s agenda. There is also no legal requirement under health and safety legislation for entertainment venues to have noise control devices fitted, nor is there any proposal. The Government is acutely aware of the contribution that music makes to our culture and we remain committed to a vibrant and flourishing creative sector, of which live music plays an essential part."

Good stuff, eh?! Read more about the petition here

KASABIAN ANNOUNCED AS FIRST EDEN SESSIONS HEADLINER OF 2009

We’re already waiting excitedly to hear their new album (due to be released on 1 June) so when this news popped up this morning we almost choked on our weetabix.
Kasabian have just been announced as the first band to play the Eden Sessions later in the year, and they’ll be rocking the world famous Eden Project stage on 4 July. Their last album, Empire, went to number one in the charts when it was released in August 2006 and the band saw off fellow rockers Muse and Arctic Monkeys to win Best Live Act at the NME Awards so this gig is going to be super hot.

The fantastic Eden Sessions take place in the beautiful setting of the Eden Project, near St Austell, and over the last eight years the Sessions have included performances from the likes of Amy Winehouse, Vampire Weekend, The Verve, Lily Allen, Mark Ronson, Muse, Basement Jaxx, Editors and Goldfrapp. The 2009 Sessions look set to be some of the best ever, with the mighty Oasis already confirmed to play a rescheduled gig just ten days after Kasabian on 14 July.

Tickets for the Kasabian Eden Session will go on sale on 24 Feb at 6pm priced at £35 each plus a £5 booking fee per ticket. To book, call the Eden box office on 01726 811972 or visit edenbookings.com

+++ URGENT: South West Drum and Bass Awards postponed due to bad weather +++

Due to bad weather and circumstances beyond our control, the Awards event has been postponed.

We have just been informed (at 4pm today) that the Lemon Grove in Exeter where we were due to be hosting the SW DNB Awards event has been shut down by the University due to the adverse weather conditions we have been experiencing throughout today and that are forecast for tonight.

We are currently working on re-scheduling the event to take place in the next couple of weeks and will release more information as soon as we have it. We apologise for any problems caused by this and hope that you can join us at the rescheduled event.

The SW DNB Awards Team

CALLING ALL SMOKERS/BOOZERS/JUNK FOOD LOVERS... Want to make a change? Want to do it on TV?!

Have years of raving left your body ravaged? Is boozing leaving you looking bloated? Or is your love affair with The Colonel giving you big fat chicken wings?

Back in the day, you'd probably have sunk into a deep pit of misery, unsure what to do with yourself or where to start with overhauling your life. But now, you can throw caution, cider and zinger tower burgers to the wind, and do what all troubled souls seem to do now - air your problems on REALITY TV!

If you're aged 18 - 30 and you feel like you need to change your body and your life, the Make My Body Younger team want to hear from you. Not the most subtle or private way to go about giving yourself an overhaul but it might just make some amazing TV... And it's one sure fire way to guarantee you won't fall off the wagon as soon as you roll past the tempting treats of the local supermarket/booze aisle/takeaway/pub/corner shop/nightclub/cafe/canteen/ice cream truck/gym...

(whoops, how did that last one get in there? Maybe we should apply for this... Hmm... We're definitely developing an unnaturally sofa-shaped-bum...)

Just call them for a confidential chat on 01752 727448 or email makemybodyyounger@twofour.co.uk. You can even nominate a friend... awww!