MTV News Round-up 21/05/2004

*** Orbital have announced details of a second farewell gig in London after selling out the first one. The dance duo's new show will take place at the Brixton Academy on June 24, a day before the sold-out gig. Their final performance in England will be at the Glastonbury Festival on June 27. They also play T In The Park in Ireland on July 11.

*** The Libertines will headline a free anti-racism festival in London's Finsbury Park on Sunday, June 6. 'Love Music Hate Racism' is set up by the Anti Nazi League and will include performances by ex-Clash guitarist Mick Jones and Welsh band Goldie Lookin' Chain. Another headliner will be announced soon.

*** More than 650 items belonging to the late country singer Johnny Cash, including handwritten lyrics, guitars and furniture, are being auction at Sotheby's in New York in September. Johnny died in September 2003, four months after his wife, June Carter Cash. Other items for auction include Johnny's Grammy Awards, a car, a suede-fringed jacket and concert posters.
*** Dannii Minogue has been dropped by her record label. According to reports, Warner Records dropped Kylie's little sister after they were unhappy with sales of her last album, 'Neon Nights'. Dannii's singles fared better " 'I Begin To Wonder' reached No 2 and her last single, 'Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling', debuted at No 5 " but single sales are less lucrative than album sales.

*** Alicia Keys has signed a two-book deal with book company G.P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Books. The first release, 'Songbook' is a collection of lyrics and poems, due in November, while 'The Diary Of Alicia Keys' will be released in 2005. 'Diary' will tell Alicia's life story, growing up in New York's Hell's Kitchen.

*** The Streets have announced the details of a US tour, which will include six shows with Dizzee Rascal. The extensive tour kicks off in Mountain View, California on June 11, with Dizzee Rascal supporting Mike Skinner and co. Dizzee will also appear at shows in LA, Boston, New York and Washington.

*** The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins has spoken about his recent throat surgery. "I had a hiatus hernia and acid reflux. Basically, there's a sphincter inside your throat, as well as up your bottom. It's supposed to control how much acid is let up into your throat," Justin explained. "But mine was broken so my stomach was spitting acid into the throat. It was literally burning my voice up."

CL