Katy Perry reveals she’s giving up world tours to focus on making new music
KATY Perry has been behind some of the defining hits of the past decade, selling 40million albums and 128million singles around the world.
But as she launches her return with brilliant new single Never Really Over, the pop superstar has told how she is doing everything different this time around.
Ever since her breakthrough album One Of The Boys in 2008, which featured No1 single I Kissed A Girl, she has focused on writing an album, releasing it, and then touring.
Yet I can reveal that after four major world tours, totalling almost 500 shows, she has decided to throw the music manual out of the window.
She is bringing it back to just the music and will release songs whenever she wants.
During a visit to London she played my reporter Howell Davies three new songs and talked about her plans.
She said: “I don’t really want to go on tour right now. I can’t make a record while I’m on the road because one thing suffers.”
The larger-than-life star, whose most recent album Witness was released in 2017, said it now feels much more “authentic” to put out songs as and when they are ready.
Speaking about the music industry, Katy said: “I feel a little bit like 2008 was a time, and now 2019 is a totally different time, and all of the change that has happened in between that, it’s a totally different playing field.
“I mean, you have to rewire and relearn. I would say that, as an observer, and a big fan of music, there are fewer characters. Lots of songs come out, but fewer characters and personalities.”
There is certainly plenty of Katy’s personality in Never Really Over, which has been produced by Zedd and is out today.
In the anthemic chorus, she sings: “Oh we were such a mess, but wasn’t it the best? Thought it was done, but I guess it’s never really over.”
It’s her first official solo music in two years and certainly paves a path for an exciting few months in pop.
Katy, it’s good to have you back.
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Michael sees double Buble
AFTER his 11-date UK tour sold out in minutes, I can reveal Michael Buble is giving his fans more of what they want.
The singer will today announce seven additional gigs as part of his Evening With show. Michael is playing gigs in London, Leeds and Dublin before the run ends in Belfast on June 10.
But he will return later in the year for a second run of performances, starting in Aberdeeon on November 27.
He will also play in Newcastle, Liverpool and Nottingham before bowing out in the capital on December 9 at the 20,000- seater O2 Arena.
The Grammy winner took a break from music in 2016 after his youngest son Noah, now five, was diagnosed with cancer. Michael returned to the stage only after Noah had beaten the disease last year.
The star broke down in tears as he thanked his fans on stage for their support.
Michael said: “Instead of talking about the pain and the negativity of it, I would much rather take the opportunity to really say thank you. To thank all of those people who sent their prayers, who sent their well wishes.
“We are not the only family that’s gone through something like this and we were more than grateful for that love we got. It kept us alive.”
Michael will head home to Canada for family time after his Belfast show then resume touring a month later in the US.
I know plenty of fans who will be counting down the days until he’s back.
Bizbit
DRAX Project want to team up with Justin Bieber after working with Hailee Steinfeld on Woke Up Late.
The Kiwi four-piece have an album out this year they wrote while on tour with Ed Sheeran and Camila Cabello.
Lucky lot
AHEAD of his Glastonbury headline slot next month Stormzy tried out his set on a lucky group of fans at an exclusive bash in the middle of the Thames.
The rapper took to a floating stage in London to help EE celebrate becoming the first network to switch on 5G.
Along with those jammy enough to catch the gig live from a boat in front of the stage, others were invited to watch his explosive performance, which included his No1 track Vossi Bop, through a 360 virtual reality experience in stores across the UK.
If the fireworks from this show are anything to go by, Stormzy’s Glasto set on the Pyramid Stage is going to be incredible.
Bizmeter
- GUNS N’ Roses have begun writing their seventh studio album. Guitarist Slash said: “We’ve already started working on stuff. When we finish the tour in the autumn, then we will commence working on what will end up being the next Guns record. I am excited.”
- Joel Kinnaman has confirmed he’s taking part in the follow up to DC’s 2016 hit film Suicide Squad. He will reprise his role as Rick Flag, alongside Margot Robbie, Jared Leto and Viola Davis. Idris Elba will make his DC debut as a mystery new character.
- After the success of Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody, director Dexter Fletcher has revealed: “I’d do Madonna. I don’t know how happy she’d be about that . . . but what an extraordinary life that would be. If I was to tackle any other icon like that, it would be her.”
- Jay Z will host the official listening party for Prince’s posthumous album Originals in Los Angeles next Thursday. The rapper said it gives fans a “peek behind the curtain”, adding: “Prince led the way, for artistic freedom, for ownership. He’s one of the bravest people I can think of in the industry.”
I’m Keane on tunes
KEANE will soon release new album Cause And Effect – and having heard some tracks, fans will not be disappointed.
During the band’s hiatus, frontman Tom Chaplin couldn’t see a way the band would reunite.
Having split from bandmates Richard Hughes, Jesse Quin and Tim Rice-Oxley, he was also addicted to drugs.
But now Keane are back on form. Of the break, Tom said: “I just felt at the time I wanted to do something else with my life for a bit.”
As well as the band issues, Tim also revealed he’d split from his wife Jayne. He said: “It’s been a challenging few years personally.”
Bizbit
TOVE Lo has released her single Glad He’s Gone, from upcoming album Sunshine Kitty.
Other stars with new music out today include Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus, Cardi B, Camila Cabello and Cheryl Tweedy.
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