Teen sensation leads music news round-up

Andy Richardson rounds up the latest news from the music world.

Record Breaking Teen

Thirteen-year-old Faryl Smith, the teenage singing sensation, has broken yet another record, becoming the only classical artist to go gold within a week of releasing her debut album, Faryl.

Faryl will perform at the Classical BRIT Awards at the Royal Albert Hall on May 14, making her the youngest ever solo artist to perform on the show.

It follows her storming the pop charts at number six with her eponymous debut album, beating Charlotte Church and Hayley Westenra to become the fastest-selling classical debut artist ever.

She also out-shipped U2's latest chart-topping album last week, took the classical number one spot and sang the England rugby team to victory in front of 82,000 people at the Six Nations clash against France in Twickenham Stadium.

She had already broken the record for signing the largest record deal for a schoolgirl when she signed to Universal Music, home of U2 and Amy Winehouse, for £2.3million.

She said: "This has been an amazing week for me? I can't believe everything that's happening and I'm still only 13.

"I was really nervous about performing in front of so many people at the Six Nations game but it was brilliant that England won and I find it funny now that people are calling me England's lucky mascot!"

Faryl first rose to prominence when she appeared almost a year ago on a UK TV talent show.

All the Bestival

The festival voted the finest new event in the UK last year is back. Camp Bestival has announced its line up for 2009, after winning the prestigious Best New Festival at the 2008 UK Festival Awards.

Though Shropshire fans face a lengthy trek to it - it's right down on the south coast - many will find it worth the trip

This year's event features PJ Harvey, Mercury Rev, the marvellous Bon Iver, Chic and Candi Staton.

There will also be sets from Brit Award winner Florence and the Machine, Roy Ayers and many more.

Among the left-field celebrities appearing are Frankie Boyle, Phill Jupitus, English National Ballet, River Cottage's Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Mr Tumble, from Cbeebies.

There will also be performances from Will Young and Phoneix plus plenty more live acts and djs.

Spokesman Simon Blackmore said: "The sun is shining and the promise of a glorious summer is finally in sight, so what better way to kick off the summer holidays than in Camp Bestival's own inimitable style."

Tickets are available at www.bestival.net www.campbestival.net and www.myspace.com/bestival

Battle Of The Bands

Bands that want to play live at Shropshire's new £28 million Theatre Severn, in Shrewsbury, are being urged to send their music to the Shropshire Star.

The newspaper is running a Battle of the Bands competition with the prestigious new venue and the final will take place on June 20. Send mp3s, biographies, photographs and other details to arichardson@shropshirestar.co.uk

Latitude

Another of the UK's most popular festivals - and, again, one that involves a lot of driving for Shropshire fans - is Latitude.

The pioneering, genre-defying, award-winning Latitude Festival will return to England's Sunrise Coast for another spectacular year on July 16 to 19, near Suffolk's stunning sea-side town of Southwold.

Organisers Festival Republic are promising Latitude will be the perfect British summer destination.

Today a spokeswoman said: "Now in its fourth year, Latitude continues to inspire and innovate; bringing the very best from the worlds of music, film, comedy, theatre, cabaret, dance, poetry, literature and art together for a fun-filled, cultural adventure by the sea.

"Last year's sold out, sun-drenched event bore witness to such weird and wonderful sights as a spontaneous conga line, courtesy of comic genius Ross Noble; a slice of European hip-hop dance from Sadlers Wells performed at sunset on a beautiful stage upon the lake; and huge luminous, golden orbs which decorated Sigur Rós' stunning headline set on the Obelisk Arena.

"And that's not to mention the flesh-eating zombies that emerged from deep in the woods to assemble at the Theatre Arena in a climactic ending to a Royal Shakespeare Company thriller!"

Latitude never fails to offer the cream of the music world and caters for all tastes. With four stages dedicated to showcasing an eclectic line-up, fans can guarantee established bands and budding new acts aplenty all weekend long.

Last year at the Obelisk Arena, fans could bask in the sunshine and enjoy the sonic delights of festival headliners Franz Ferdinand, Sigur Rós and Interpol, as well as witness a frenetic show from Nick Cave's Grinderman, and a jaw-dropping sunset performance from Mercury Prize winners Elbow.

While on a leisurely amble over to the tented Uncut Arena they could sample music from all genres including reggae, jazz and blues from African duo Amadou And Mariam, progressive and experimental rock from Mars Volta, and orchestral rock from cult band Tindersticks, plus a nostalgic bop to the legendary disco/punk of Blondie.

The spokeswoman added: "Anything and everything is possible at Latitude Festival with new and exciting experiences just waiting to be discovered round every corner.

"Whether it's unexpectedly stumbling across a piano in the woods inviting you to have a play; drunkenly entering in a sack race on the sunny banks of the lake or just meandering between arenas sampling the full spectrum of art on offer, Latitude has something for everyone, making it an ideally located weekend away.

"There's even a dedicated Children's Arena as diverse as the rest of the festival, where kids can enjoy books, art, music, theatre, heaps of participation and fun with the added opportunity to take something away, from circus skills to handmade crafts to an appreciation of the woodland setting and the nature within it."

Festival Republic's plans are already underway for the fourth edition of Latitude and will be bringing back BAFTA, The Royal Court Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and Sadlers Wells to name but a few.