The School of Life is a global humanist organisation devoted to developing emotional intelligence through the help of culture. Who did they choose to help spread that message on Mother’s Day? You’ve guessed it….David Baddiel and Rockaoke.
Sunday mornings are not a musician’s natural habitat but we managed to drag ourselves to the beautiful Conway Hall to sandwich David Baddiel’s brilliant secular sermon on Fame with two rock and roll hymns.
The subject of the talk provided the opening hymn, with us leading the congregation in an early morning dance to David Bowie’s Fame. We then sat back and laughed for 45 minutes as Baddiel, one of Rockaoke’s comedy heroes, shared his observations on fame; his own, other people’s and the myths surrounding this prized but also reviled status.
The following Q&A session provided us with the ideal end to a wonderful and slightly surreal morning, as a wannabe teenage rockstar asked a question about levels of fame based on his own upcoming XFactor audition. When we returned to the stage to play the final hymn, Creep by Radiohead, we asked asked him to come onto the stage and lead the song.
He rose to the challenge and delighted the audience as he rolled onto the stage, put on his sun glasses and delivered a slightly nervy, but wonderfully tender rendition of the Radiohead classic. It ended with the whole room singing an a cappella refrain of the chorus, before Conway Hall erupted into applause for the fame hungry youngster, who had given the perfect epilogue to David Baddiel’s poignant and extremely funny sermon.
Just a regular Sunday morning in the office. In the words of Mr Baddiel himself ‘I’ve never seen this before, It’s brilliant, you make karaoke NOT NAFF’.
Michael Mosley is challenged to confront one of his worst fears – his absolute terror of karaoke. And to makes things a bit harder Michael has to sing with a live band.
Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles has announced that he will be touring the country with a full live band later this year.
The DJ will broadcast his final show as the host of the Radio 1 Breakfast show on Friday (September 21) and will then head out on tour in October with his cast of radio sidekicks.
The shows are set to last 80 minutes and will feature a live band, games involving audience participation and a live question and answer session.
According to The Sun, a source said of Moyles’ plans for the tour: “It’s the first and last time Chris and his team will perform to a paying audience. They will be getting the audience really involved, be it singing with them or just playing games.”
The tour begins at Birmingham’s O2 Academy on October 14 and runs until October 24 when it finishes up at Manchester’s Academy. The run also includes stops in London, Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Leeds and Bristol.
It was recently revealed that Moyles’ replacement Nick Grimshaw will play double the amount of music than he did when he takes over the Radio 1 breakfast show. ‘Grimmy’ will play eight to 10 songs an hour – compared with the four to five an hour played by Moyles when his show launches on September 24.
Chris Moyles will play:
O2 Academy Birmingham (October 14)
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (15)
O2 Academy Bournemouth (16)
O2 Academy Sheffield (17)
O2 Academy Newcastle (20)
O2 Academy Leeds (21)
O2 Academy Bristol (22)
O2 Academy Liverpool (23)
Manchester Academy (24)
Tickets go onsale on Friday (September 14) at 9am (BST). To check the availability of Chris Moyles tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0871 230 1094.
STARS came out for a night of celebration to mark Toon record goalscorer Alan Shearer’s latest milestone.
The great and the good from the worlds of sport and celebrity turned up at the ex-Newcastle United ace’s home for his 40th birthday bash.
They turned up for the glittering event at the former England skipper’s plush Northumberland mansion in Darras Hall on the outskirts of Ponteland.
Famous faces from sport and showbiz attended the bash last weekend.
Shearer was joined by former Magpies teammates including Shay Given now keeping goal at mega-rich Manchester City, Gary Speed, new manager at Sheffield United, whose side today take on Middlesbrough, and Lee Clark, the Huddersfield Town boss.
Other sporting guests were ex-United defender Steve Watson, who previously lived in a house round the corner from Shearer, and Steve Harper, currently the Toon’s Number 1.
Ex-Toon manager Kevin Keegan also turned up to wish Shearer a happy birthday, along with Iain Dowie, who was Shearer’s assistant manager during their brief reign at the helm of the Magpies.
Ant McPartlin, one half of Geordie duo Ant and Dec, was also in attendance along with his make-up artist wife Lisa Armstrong.
And, as he declared live on Match of the Day last Saturday night, Shearer’s co-host Alan Hansen also made the trip to the North East from his home on Merseyside.
Guests spent the afternoon drinking champagne, with some, including former Wallsend Boys Club player Watson, leaving at around 7.30pm.
Others stayed until the early hours of the morning to celebrate with him.
It was a night for all of our guests to show off their hidden skills on stage at our Diary Party. For party band Rockaoke gave our VIP guests the chance to become a rock star for the night by grabbing the mic.
Hollyoaks star Andy Moss had everyone up and dancing with his version of Kings of Leon hit Sex On Fire, while Capital FM DJ Nigel “Wingman” Clucas kicked off proceedings with a swaggering duet of Oasis hit Rock ‘n’ Roll star alongside the inimitable DJ Dave Foran.
Among others showing off their impressive vocals were ex-Emmerdale and Candy Cabs star Danielle Henry, celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barn and yes, even The Diary may have been persuaded up on stage at one point, for a duet of It’s Raining Men alongside Hollyoaks star Nicole Barber-Lane.
Earlier in the night Coronation Street star Bruno Langley showcased his talent for singing, performing a host of swing classics as well as his versions of modern hits with his Wonderland Band.
Music runs in the family for Bruno – as his stunning siblings also performed at the bash, with a breathtaking set from The Langley Sisters of ’40s classics dressed in their elegant floor-length pistachio gowns.
Meanwhile Bruno’s Corrie co-tar Graeme Hawley was a real hit at the party – performing a DJ set of top dancefloor-filling tunes. Graeme took a break from all the dramatic shenanigans of his murderous Corrie character John Stape to head to our bash to show off his skills as a DJ that have seen him play at venues across Manchester.
Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan will sing Celebrity Rockaoke in aid of injured British soldiers.
The 22-year-old heads up the event at Manchester’s Moho Live and will belt out songs alongside Corrie co-stars Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster) and Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster) to raise money for BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Servicemen Association) and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Speaking of the event, Keegan – who plays Weatherfield’s Tina McIntyre – said: “Rockaoke is going to be so much fun and I can’t wait to see all the various stars performing and enjoying the night.
“I’ve not decided what I will sing yet, but it will probably be a pop song with a rock edge – and I might have to rope in a friend or two for moral support!
“BLESMA is an underfunded but vital armed forces charity that really needs some help,” she continued. “I know someone who serves with 11 EOD REGT RLC Bomb Disposal Unit in Afghanistan and every day he risks his health and life. He told me just how much this charity needs help so I was more than happy to do what I can.”
She added: “Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. They provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care. This is a charity very close to my heart.”
Other Corrie stars expected to take part include Shobna Gulati (Sunita Alahan),
Sasha Parkinson (Sian Powers), Nikki Patel (Amber Alahan), Graeme Hawley (John Stape). Emmerdale ‘s Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle) and Hollyoaks actors Andrew Moss (Rhys Ashworth), Gerard McCarthy (Kris Fisher) and Helen Pearson (Frankie Osborne) will also be in attendance.
Charity Celebrity Rockaoke will be held at Moho Live in Manchester on Tuesday, December 8 from 8pm. Tickets are available online from Skiddle, Ticketline and SeeTickets.
Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan has turned rock chick ahead of taking to the microphone for a night of singing for charity in Manchester .
The actress, who plays Tina McIntyre in the ITV1 show, donned spike-heeled ankle boots, a blue minidress and a Flying V guitar ahead of joining a host of other soap stars to sing karaoke, accompanied by live band Rockaoke.
Keegan’s co-stars Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster), Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster), Shobna Gulati (Sunita Alahan), Sasha Parkinson (Sian Powers), Nikki Patel (Amber Alahan), and Graeme Hawley (John Stape) will also show off their vocals at the event, which raises money for Blesma (British Limbless Ex-Servicemen Association) and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Other stars getting involved include Emmerdale’s Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle), Hollyoaks actors Andrew Moss (Rhys Ashworth) Gerard McCarthy (Kris Fisher) and Helen Pearson (Frankie Osborne), along with some surprise guests.
They will be singing a mix of pop, rock, punk and soul classics.
Keegan said: “Rockaoke is going to be so much fun and I can’t wait to see all the various stars performing and enjoying the night.
“Rockaoke is a newish concept and the band who are playing have performed on stage with some pretty big stars such as Peter Andre, James Corden, Justin Lee Collins and Davina McCall so yes, I am a bit nervous!”
She said she is keen to help Blesma because she knows someone who serves with a bomb disposal unit in Afghanistan . Every day he risks his health and life. He told me just how much this charity needs help so I was more than happy to do what I can.”
She added: “I have not decided what I will sing yet, but it will probably be a pop song with a rock edge, and I might have to rope in a friend or two for moral support!”
Charity Celebrity Rockaoke takes place at Manchester indie club Moho Live from 8pm on December 8.
Television stars are to front a live rock band for the first time in their careers.
And clear the Christmas decks for a battle of the bad boys, when Emmerdale’s Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) and Coronation Street’s jailbird John Stape (Graeme Hawley) go head to head as DJ’s for a night.
The star studded get together is to help raise much needed funds for BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Servicemen Association) and Macmillan Cancer Support, with stars from stage and screen coming together for one night only.
The celebrities will belt out rock, pop, funk and punk, followed by the DJ showdown at Manchester’s Moho Live venue, organised by Vital Management on December 8th 2009 .
Confirmed singers on the night include from Coronation Street: Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre), Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster), Shobna Gulati (Sunita Alahan), Lucian Laviscount (Ben Richardson), Sasha Parkinson (Sian Powers), Emma Edmondson (Mel Morton) and from Hollyoaks: Gerard McCarthy.
Also performing on the night will be Xfactor 2008 finalists Bad Lashes, Britannia High lead singer Marcquelle Ward, front man from Little Volcanoes Philip Quinn, Poppy Rush from hot Manchester band The Sticks, and Liverpudlian songstress Alison Crawford.
Presenting and attending VIP’s include Coronation Street beauties Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster), Nikki Patel (Amber Alahan) and Hollyoaks hunk Anthony Quinlan.
Actress Michelle Keegan said: “I am really excited to be performing, but also a little nervous as I have only sung at home or at Karaoke with my friends. I think I will bring them all along for moral support!”
And Helen Flanagan said: “ The charities that will benefit from this special night do such an incredible job,and they really need support. I am happy to get involved and can’t wait to see all my friends from Corrie take to the stage.”
Organiser Laura Graham from Vital Management and Public Relations said:“This event will be totally unique and I hope all the guests will get in the mood for Christmas as well as raise some money for two charities that are very close to my heart.
“The support I have had from the stars and various companies who want to get involved has been amazing.
Top Backing band “Rockaoke” have played with some of the UK’s biggest stars. They performed with BBC Radio 1’s Chris Moyles for his summer tour and stars such as Justin Lee Collins, Peter Andre, James Corden, Davina McCall and the Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson.
Laura added: “It’s the chance for people to live the dream…singing with a live band, with all the equipment and technology you get with a major concert.”
Michelle Keegan has turned rock chick ahead of taking to the microphone for a night of singing for charity.
Michelle Keegan will sing for charity
Michelle Keegan has turned rock chick ahead of taking to the microphone for a night of singing for charity.
The actress, who plays Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street, donned spike-heeled ankle boots, a blue minidress and a Flying V guitar ahead of joining a host of other soap stars to sing karaoke, accompanied by live band Rockaoke.
Michelle’s co-stars Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster), Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster), Shobna Gulati (Sunita Alahan), Sasha Parkinson (Sian Powers), Nikki Patel (Amber Alahan), and Graeme Hawley (John Stape) will also show off their vocals at the event, which raises money for Blesma (British Limbless Ex-Servicemen Association) and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Other stars getting involved include Emmerdale’s Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle), Hollyoaks actors Andrew Moss (Rhys Ashworth) Gerard McCarthy (Kris Fisher) and Helen Pearson (Frankie Osborne), along with some surprise guests.
They will be singing a mix of pop, rock, punk and soul classics.
Keegan said: “Rockaoke is going to be so much fun and I can’t wait to see all the various stars performing and enjoying the night.
“Rockaoke is a newish concept and the band who are playing have performed on stage with some pretty big stars such as Peter Andre, James Corden, Justin Lee Collins and Davina McCall so yes, I am a bit nervous!”
She added: “I have not decided what I will sing yet, but it will probably be a pop song with a rock edge, and I might have to rope in a friend or two for moral support!”
Charity Celebrity Rockaoke takes place at Manchester indie club Moho Live from 8pm on December 8.
Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan turns sexy rock chick for Manchester gig
Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan has turned rock chick ahead of taking to the microphone for a night of singing for charity in Manchester .
The actress, who plays Tina McIntyre in the ITV1 show, donned spike-heeled ankle boots, a blue minidress and a Flying V guitar ahead of joining a host of other soap stars to sing karaoke, accompanied by live band Rockaoke.
Keegan’s co-stars Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster), Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster), Shobna Gulati (Sunita Alahan), Sasha Parkinson (Sian Powers), Nikki Patel (Amber Alahan), and Graeme Hawley (John Stape) will also show off their vocals at the event, which raises money for Blesma (British Limbless Ex-Servicemen Association) and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Other stars getting involved include Emmerdale’s Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle), Hollyoaks actors Andrew Moss (Rhys Ashworth) Gerard McCarthy (Kris Fisher) and Helen Pearson (Frankie Osborne), along with some surprise guests.
They will be singing a mix of pop, rock, punk and soul classics.
Keegan said: “Rockaoke is going to be so much fun and I can’t wait to see all the various stars performing and enjoying the night.
“Rockaoke is a newish concept and the band who are playing have performed on stage with some pretty big stars such as Peter Andre, James Corden, Justin Lee Collins and Davina McCall so yes, I am a bit nervous!”
She said she is keen to help Blesma because she knows someone who serves with a bomb disposal unit in Afghanistan . Every day he risks his health and life. He told me just how much this charity needs help so I was more than happy to do what I can.”
She added: “I have not decided what I will sing yet, but it will probably be a pop song with a rock edge, and I might have to rope in a friend or two for moral support!”
Charity Celebrity Rockaoke takes place at Manchester indie club Moho Live from 8pm on December 8.
Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan will sing Celebrity Rockaoke in aid of injured British soldiers.
The 22-year-old heads up the event at Manchester’s Moho Live and will belt out songs alongside Corrie co-stars Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster) and Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster) to raise money for BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Servicemen Association) and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Speaking of the event, Keegan – who plays Weatherfield’s Tina McIntyre – said: “Rockaoke is going to be so much fun and I can’t wait to see all the various stars performing and enjoying the night.
“I’ve not decided what I will sing yet, but it will probably be a pop song with a rock edge – and I might have to rope in a friend or two for moral support!
“BLESMA is an underfunded but vital armed forces charity that really needs some help,” she continued. “I know someone who serves with 11 EOD REGT RLC Bomb Disposal Unit in Afghanistan and every day he risks his health and life. He told me just how much this charity needs help so I was more than happy to do what I can.”
She added: “Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. They provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care. This is a charity very close to my heart.”
Other Corrie stars expected to take part include Shobna Gulati (Sunita Alahan),
Sasha Parkinson (Sian Powers), Nikki Patel (Amber Alahan), Graeme Hawley (John Stape). Emmerdale ‘s Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle) and Hollyoaks actors Andrew Moss (Rhys Ashworth), Gerard McCarthy (Kris Fisher) and Helen Pearson (Frankie Osborne) will also be in attendance.
Charity Celebrity Rockaoke will be held at Moho Live in Manchester on Tuesday, December 8 from 8pm. Tickets are available online from Skiddle, Ticketline and SeeTickets.
Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson has been doing karaoke, DJing and even dancing on tables in Ibiza as he kicks back after T in the Park.
The outrageous singer known for his onstage high jinks kicked up a storm when he appeared on stage at a bash in flip-flops and shorts yesterday morning.
Clubbers at Manumission’s Bar M in Ibiza couldn’t believe their eyes when a sunburnt and tipsy Ricky launched into “I Predict A Riot” with ROCKAOKE…
OH MY GOD, IBIZA’S NEW KARAOKE STAR IS – RICKY WILSON!
HE may have gone to Ibiza hoping for a spot of rest and relaxation – but it seems Ricky Wilson’s trip abroad is rapidly turning into a busman’s holiday.
The Kaiser Chiefs frontman was spotted living it up in typically flamboyant fashion at the trendy Bar M nightspot near San Antonio on Wednesday evening.
He stole the show at the venue’s weekly karaoke bash by getting up on stage and treating revellers to a surprise rendition of his band’s hit I Predict A Riot.
And that wasn’t all – Ricky later clambered onto a table with pals from New York rockers We Are Scientists to belt out a raucous version of the Oasis classic Wonderwall.
One onlooker told the YEP: “No one had noticed him in the bar – it was a bit of a shock to suddenly see him up there on stage!
“At first he had his back turned to us, so when he span round and we realised it was him doing one of his most famous songs the place went absolutely mad.” Ricky, who comes from Ilkley, also performed a rapturously-received DJ set at the launch of this summer’s Ibiza Rocks event at Bar M on Monday evening.
Ibiza Rocks is the brainchild of former University of Leeds student Andy McKay and his brother Mike, the men behind the party island’s legendary Manumission club night.
Billed as a bid to bring top live bands to a destination that’s traditionally been dominated by dance music, its line-up over the next four weeks includes Dirty Pretty Things, The Streets and Kasabian.
They will be following in the footsteps of Leeds lads the Kaisers, who played at the first Ibiza Rocks extravaganza last summer.