BRITAIN'S Got Talent's Bailey McConnell reckons splitting from his girlfriend has given him the motivation to write even better music.
The 17 year old talent has been writing new material for his album and was in Glasgow this week touring with The Brooks twins at the Classic Grand.
He said: " I've been writing in the studio and trying to play my song and make it sound amazing and get on stage in Glasgow and show my tracks."
He added: "I've been through a few things that have spurned me onto writing songs. I was at school and stuff and just split up with my girlfriend and that. I guess I'm single now. It was quite a while to be fair."
Of the new tracks, he said: "My music is deeper and darker and if I have to describe a genre I'd say it's like Zane, Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran mixed up."
"You just need the motivation to do what you love especially when you can turn a tough experience into something crazy like a song or dance. I aspire to have that quality and like seeing it in others."
FRESH from Coachella the slick and smooth rapper G-EAZY is bringing his cool vibes to Scotland next month. The artist who looks like he should be more of a crooner than a hip hopping talent has announced UK headline dates in support of his album, When It’s Dark Out, released on December 4 last year. G-Eazy who had a Christmas hit with House Of Fraser Christmas TV advert, You Don’t Own Me by Grace, is already mixing with rap royalty. You can expect plenty of personal storytelling and immersive, hard-hitting and sweeping productions on tour if the album which includes stars like Big Sean and Chris Brown is anything to go by. G-Eazy will also perform tracks from These Things Happen, which was released last year to critical acclaim. The freshman album peaked at the number 3 position on both the Billboard 200 and Top Digital Album Charts, and bowed at number 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and Top Rap Albums Chart. Between the album and singles, G-Eazy’s past work has also amassed well over 50 million streams on Spotify. As a live performer, G-Eazy has been called by USA Today one of the best and biggest hip-hop touring acts on the college circuit. Catch him at Glasgow's 02 ABC2 on May 21 while you still can.
UK HEADLINE DATES 21-MAY-16 Glasgow, O2 ABC2 23-MAY-16 Manchester, Academy 2 24-MAY-16 Birmingham, O2 Institute 2 26-MAY-16 London, Koko 27-MAY-16 London, Electric Brixton 28-MAY-16 London, Electric Brixton
5 Seconds of Summer made a Scots heart patient's dream come true after sending her a private video message urging her to get better. The Aussie rockers and She Looks So Perfect hit makers played two sell out gig at Glasgow's SSE Hydro when they were told of Scots school girl Rachel Moffat's struggle. Rachel, 14 from Motherwell is currently bed bound in The Royal Hospital for Sick Children after undergoing a second heart transplant. She has just come out intensive care but is on dialysis. Mum Mary said: "Rachel had a heart transplant when she was seven but took unwell again last year . She was admitted to Glasgow Sick Kids in November and had another heart transplant on December 18. It was a Christmas miracle but because she was so ill she didn't really wake up until the end of January. I got her a 5SOS book and hoodie for Christmas and tickets for the gig but she couldn't go. She had spent over twenty one weeks in hospital now and she's got problems with her kidneys and critical illness neuropathy so her muscles in her body are affected and she can't really move." "She has moved to dialysis and it seems to be going well although she has lost a lot of weight and needs nutrition." Her birthday is in June 18 and we aim to get her sitting up to go home." Rachel who is a huge 5SOS fan had been hoping to watch the boys perform in Glasgow after seeing them twice before in Scotland but was too unwell to attend the concert. So instead of her going to the gig, the lads came to her via special video message after Dreammaker charity worker Les Hoey MBE and his team got in touch with them. Mary added: "We are progressing but not fast enough for her to go to 5 Seconds of Summer. It was incredible when Les told me they were going to send a video message." The lads including Calum whose dad is from Edinburgh told her: "Hey Rachel. It's 5 Seconds of Summer. We're thinking about you and sending all our positive vibes and all our love. We hope to see you at a show soon." Rachel who watched the video from the renal ward said: "This has made my year. I'm so thrilled. It's wonderful. Nobody at my school Coltness High will believe it." Mary added: "She has the biggest smile ever now and is over the moon." Without families donating and organ donation she'd not be here and we want to thank everyone for giving her inspiration and positivity."
MICHAEL Bolton arrived in Glasgow and proved he was dynamite with his personalised plate. The singer is due to play The Glasgow Clyde Auditorium tonight and made sure he arrived extra early to take in the city before his big date. Michael arrived at the Blytheswood hotel in style - in what appeared to be his own German plated chauffeur driven Mercedes car with the private plate BoMB.
He stopped to say hello to The Showbiz Lion saying he was thrilled to be back in Glasgow and later paid tribute to Prince saying: "The true Visionary. Honored to have known him. The world will hold him in highest esteem next to anyone in the history of Music." Grammy award winner Michael has been getting rave reviews for his tour which will see him sing hits like How Am I Supposed To Live Without You as well as covers including Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life and Otis Redding’s classic Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay.
MARTI Pellow has put all the rumours behind him to confirm they he will join the cast of Aladdin at The SECC Clyde Auditorium. The Wet Wet Wet star will be cackling away as he leads the cast in the role of the evil sorcerer Abanazar. Glasgow's biggest Christmas show, which runs for three weeks from Saturday 10 to Saturday December 31 will see Marti joined by Glasgow panto favourite Johnny Mac as Wishee Washee. As well as achieving some of the UK’s biggest number-one singles, Marti has regularly featured in the UK charts throughout his career, both as a solo artist and as the frontman to Wet Wet Wet. The BRIT and Ivor Novello award-winning artist has released over twenty studio albums, has enjoyed over 25 hit singles and continues to sell out concert and arena tours across the UK. He has also starred in numerous high-profile theatre productions in the West End and on Broadway, including Chicago, Blood Brothers and recently the sold-out, award-winning musical Evita for which he was nominated for Best Actor at the What’s On Stage Awards. Last Christmas Marti made his pantomime debut for Qdos Entertainment in the record-breaking Birmingham Hippodrome production of Aladdin. He said of his new role: "This production of Aladdin is incredible, staged by an award-winning production team working at the top of their game, with some of the most exciting and entertaining staging I’ve ever worked with - I can’t wait to bring it to Glasgow.” Debbie McWilliams, Head of Live Entertainment Sales & Ticketing at the SECC said: “Marti is no stranger to the SECC and it is fantastic that he will be returning to us this year to lead the cast in our biggest festive panto. We can’t wait to welcome him, Johnny Mac and the rest of the cast for Aladdin in December”
Tickets are on sale now priced £18.00 - £32.50 and are available from www.secc.co.uk or 0844 395 4000.
Beverley Lyons GUITARS, Drums and screams burst from the roof of the Glasgow SSE Hydro as 5 Seconds of Summer took to the stage. The smell of freshly shampooed hair whipped everyones nostrils and shoulders as teenage gals let out their biggest screams and swayed for Calum, Ashton, Luke and Michael. The Aussie lads who are more grimy and stubbly than One Direction who they used to support, were met by a wall of high pitched tonsils as they appeared on stage to play Hey Everybody, their guitars and drum hypnotising their captive crowd. Changing the lyrics of Money, Calum, whose dad is from Edinburgh, sang: "Take my keys for a great night out in Glasgow." After a rousing rendition of Disconnected he and the others took to the mic to have a 'Glasgow off' each taking it in turns to become more Glaswegian. Michael proved to be surprisingly talented when it comes to the Scots tongue . The pacy Don't Stop was met with more lung Splitting and Castaway got everybody oh oh ohing in the right places. Jet Black Heart was a massive singalong while during Beside You everyone wished they were alongside the boys on stage. Luke revealed his favourite song was Vapor, a slower paced anthem which let everyone get some breath for even more screams. They needed them for next number, the epic End Up Here which saw people jumping to the beats as a sweat soaked Ashton encouraged them from his drum kit. The guitars screamed along with the fans for Good Girls and everyone was on a high despite it being a school night. The icing on the cake was when Calum, who admitted he was home from home, played bass in time along to the now well known Glasgow gig chant of here we f***ing go and then ran it straight into the Proclaimers 500 Miles. Permanent Vacation and The Romantics cover What I Like About You followed before the smash She Looks So Perfect. Most of us were a hot mess after if but who cares. This was the start of rock n roll.
Beverley Lyons TROYE Sivan showed he was a caring sharing kind of guy when he invited lucky fans who had missed out on tickets to his sell out show in Glasgow at the weekend. The South African-born Australian singer, songwriter, actor and YouTuber met some fans as he popped out for a Starbucks and a shopping trip on Sauchiehall Street and put them on his guest list after hearing they were unable to get prizes briefs for his sold out QMU show. The twenty year old star was met by screams as he played his first ever gig in Scotland at the weekend on his Blue Neighbourhood tour - and he even attempted a Scots accent. Troy who featured as a young James Howkett in X-Men Origins: Wolverine thrilled with his cute charm and self penned songs like For Him, Fools, Youth, Too Good, Talk Me Down and Ease. He told the crowd it was only his third or fourth day in Europe and that he apologised if his pants were falling down - because he's forgotten his belt. No one seemed to complain. After hearing the chants of here we f***ing go, he told the audience: "When I go to other places I'll be like, do you know what Glasgow said to me? Why can't you guys be as cool as Glasgow was?" He even managed to try his hand at the local patois by saying: "Are you coming oot on the town to get mad wi it?" Troy entertained and stayed at the Glasgow Uni Queen Margaret Union till the wee small hours after his gig. After seeing him in the flesh no one needed to take a Happy Little Pill. Troy hasn't yet tweeted, instagrammed or snapchatted about his first experience in Scotland but we reckon it's just a matter of time...
The Scottish premiere of Girls Night Oot at Glasgow's Webster Theatre was a resounding success and even saw one enthusiastic audience member try to storm the stage. The bolshy and bantertastic musical sequel to stage hit I Will Survive tells the story of four girls on a hen night. With songs from the 60’s,70’s, 80’s, 90’s and now, it managed to get everyone dancing in the aisles. Producer director Paul Harper Swan and his Inside Out Production team provided plenty of laughs with cheeky new lyrics to accompany popular tunes like Steelers Wheel's Stuck In The Middle and Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl.
During a rendition of ABBA's Man After Midnight one man got hauled up on stage to be a stripper while the encore saw one over zealous audience member trying to get up on stage. As she attempted to jump up and join the cast during their rendition of Tina Turner's Proud Mary she was fended off by one of the cast - Lauren Ellis-Steele - who played the bride to be - wielding an inflatable penis! Sex mad Donna Hazelton, and the hilarious Alison Rona Cleland, joined Britney wannabe Natalie Tulloch in the supporting roles. The show continues at Webster theatre in Friday and Saturday April 15 and 16 before heading to other Scots theatres below. It's a wee bit naughty but a great night out for the gals.
23 April-Cumbernauld Theatre 1 May-Oran Mor 5 May-MacRobert 6 May-Rutherglen Town Hall 27 May-Howden Park 13 August-Glenrothes 4 September-Oran Mor 1 October-Eastwood Park Theatre 28 October-Byre Theatre
Beverley Lyons BIFFY Clyro might have got naked for their new album artwork but bassist James Johnston was keen to cover up when he got back to Scotland. The bearded brother loves his tattoos along with the rest of the group and was keen to complete one of his newest designs. As soon as he got back from the States he headed straight to the Lucky Cat tattoo parlour in Glasgow for his latest fix. James chose a very fitting watercolour Scottish thistle tattoo by artist Kevin and had been waiting to get it completed. The band just released the artwork for their forthcoming album Ellipsis and tomorrow (Tuesday) they will reveal their video for new song Wolves of Winter, the first single off of Ellipsis at 3pm on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/biffyclyro
Simon had previously teased the album cover saying: "I think the artwork for this will shock some people" He and his bandmates James and Ben Johnston are depicted lining up in the foetal position on the cover. Their new song Wolves Of Winter is already gaining rave reviews after being played by Zane Lowe. Simon said of the anthemic song which shows off different studio sounds and techniques: "It feels like the best thing we've ever done. We've found a new verbiage for Biffy Clyro. Wolves of Winter is about us being wolves on a patch and if you come onto that patch, we’ll tear you limb-from-limb.”
VAMPS singer and lead guitarist James McVey claims his first novel is along the lines of Maze Runner or The Island. The talented musician has been writing his debut work of fiction in between tour dates and studio time. Balancing some spoons on his face, he said: "I'm writing a book at the moment. It is a science fiction adventure story if you like things, not like the Hunger Games but if you like things slightly peculiar and have to think a lot about things like the Maze Runner or Island film, it's along those lines. Hopefully you'll be able to read it soon. I'm on chapter seven and have still got a lot to tell. I'm halfway through."
James, who wowed the crowd at the SSE Hydro for two nights at the weekend with his Vamps bandmates, also revealed his big phobia of sharks. He explained: "Sharks are my biggest phobia. Imagine if you are swimming in a really deep sea with sharks underneath. You'll see I don't go into the sea when I'm with the band or friends, even though there are no sharks, even in England." James, Tristan, Connor and Brad thrilled their Scots crowd with an energetic set which saw them perform anthems like Can We Dance, Wild Heart, Volcano and Wake Up.
Connor Maynard joined in live for I Found A Girl while New Hope Club popped up randomly for Oh Cecilia. Everyone got up on their feet as the boys ran down their runway to blast out their catchy tracks and James and Connor impressed with a short acoustic spot for Written Off and Risk It All. Showing off their skills on guitar and piano the lads showed they have got the stamina to go the distance as they chatted and flirted with fans. The Vamps have what it takes to go from arenas to stadiums. This time last year they played the SSE Hydro for the first arena tour and next year there'll be no stopping them. They're on fire.
CALVIN Harris has another admirer in the form of Selena Gomez.
The singer has admitted she thinks the Dumfries born hit maker is 'wonderful'.
The 23-year-old singer hung out with close friend Taylor Swift and her DJ man at the iHeartRadio Music Awards last weekend and said: "He's great, honestly, he's such a wonderful guy."
Hands to Myself singer Selena also told Entertainment Tonight that social networking can cause issues.
She explained: "I'm very lucky that I have the platform I have, but on social media, as much as it's a blessing and it's fun, it can really tear people down.
"I always hope the people I'm involved with, and who support me, can just kind of spread love within that. It's hard."
Exclusive Is this wee boy one of the reasons Rangers won the league? Cancer patient Lee Welsh turned twelve yesterday (Tuesday) and Rangers invited him to meet them as a special present before their league winning match. He was also a very special guest at their press conference last month. James Tavernier who scored gave him a signed print and Martyn Waghorn gave him a signed jersey.
Lee from Larbert, who won boxing championships before being diagnosed with Non Hodgkin Lymphoma at the start of the year, said: "It was a really good birthday meeting the players and then watching them winning the league. I wished them luck before the game." He added: "I love football but want to be a boxer because it is so disciplined and keeps you fit. I'm not doing any boxing just now because I have to use my energy to fight this." Dad Richard added: "Mark Warburton has been brilliant and said any time you want to come up, just phone. Since the change in management Warburton is like a breath of fresh air and very welcoming. Lee has chemo so he has got to fit his visits in between that. He's had three bouts and is due a fourth. Now that Rangers have won the league hopefully he is seen as a lucky mascot."
Little Mix invited some very special little guests to their soundcheck at Glasgow's SSE Hydro.
The girls were keen to be on top form for their third sell out show at the venue - and thought the small kids from Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Foundation might bring them a bit of extra luck.
They invited the nine children to watch them limber up and even held an impromptu question and answer session with them.
Amongst them were Caitlyn Fraser, 15, who suffers Germinoma a type of germ cell tumours in the pituitary gland.
Caitlyn who is one of only forty five in Britain with the condition and has three brain tumours as a result of it said: "It was so good. They were just singing and I was really excited although I feel a bit sick now."
Holly Dunlop ,8, from Livingston was chuffed after she asked two questions at the soundcheck. She said: "The girls were wearing jeans and hoodies, leggings and sweats and were very casual. I'm a big fan and when they asked us if had any questions I asked what song they liked. They said Black Magic. I got their album on my iPod for Christmas and that gets the crowd going because they do it at the end."
"They also said they had six dancers with them."
Nine year old Alisa, and Karly Bodman, six from Elgin were also at the rehearsal. Karly who suffers from acute myeloid leukaemia and had a born marrow transplant two years ago was too shy to ask anything but loved the songs.
The girls were asked by the small gathering if they went out in Glasgow and revealed they'd enjoyed a curry and a spa day before their gig.
Perrie also said her favourite food was haggis and that she auditioned for X factor in Glasgow because Newcastle was cancelled.
She and her bandmates have been very emotional recently and fans have been guessing online that she may be pregnant.
The two, who chose to dine separately from the rest of the band, looked a bit dishevelled as they emerged from their black cab and as they walked hurriedly into their hotel Jake admitted they both needed to shower.
A make up free Jesy put on her shades even though it was midnight.
LULU was thrilled to find out the Little Mix girls were staying at her Glasgow hotel.
The Shout singer bumped into The Showbiz Lion after her concert in the Motherwell Concert hall - and she was looking as good as ever.
She told us: "I am loving this tour and enjoying the old songs that I'm singing. Of course coming back to Scotland to see family is great too."
Lulu was at the plush Malmaison hotel in Glasgow and she was delighted to see that Little Mix were staying there too.
She said: "Little Mix are my guilty pleasure."
The Grammy nominated performer from Scotland wowed the crowds with hits from her fifty year career including Shout, To Sir With Love and Relight My Fire.
She made time to go out and about Glasgow yesterday morning.
She appears in Perth Concert Hall this evening.
THIS is the victorious moment when tennis champ Andy Murray is made to laugh by Little Ant and Dec. The cute pair try to cheer up the sporting Scot on the Saturday Night Takeaway finale and they manage to get him smiling in their own inimitable way. Mini Dec says: "My dad says you are sad all the time and you need to cheer up a bit." A down in the mouth Andy responds: "I'm not grumpy all the time."
Mini Ant then suggests: "I know what will make you happy. Playing football with your mates." And Mini Dec chirps: "Why don't we tell you a joke?" Ice cream is also proferred but it's only when the lads tell a rude joke about a bottom that Andy cracks a smile. Beaming, he concedes: "Never heard that one before."
KATIE Price put her breast implants up for sale for £1 million last night before watching The Vamps in concert. Katie aka Jordan - put her assets up for sale on Twitter, asking for "serious bids only". As she got ready with her kids to go see The Vamps perform before their trip to Scotland next week she tweeted: "My Breast implants 4 sale £1,000,000.00 email kpimplants@hotmail.com 2 buy collect , make an offer or for more info! She also offered a meet and greet into the bargain and said: "Serious bids only everything else will not be read and deleted. "
And after returning from the gig, where her wee ones posed with the band she insisted it was no April Fool joke, adding: "It's gone midnight and not a April fools joke selling my implants so if your interested make a decent offer email kpimplants@hotmail.com" Katie has had seven breast ops increasing her breast size from a 32B to a 32FF. The last procedure saw her reducing her boobs substantially back to her natural size. A few years ago she talked of raising money for beast cancer charities by putting her implants up for sale but this time round no mention of that powers to have been made. One fan suggested: "Have you thought of donating them to a pet shop? They'd make ideal trampolines for some playful hamsters." Another added: "Do they come from a smoke free home?"
