Britney Spears gets restraining order against first husband after he gatecrashed her wedding
Britney Spears has secured a restraining order against her first husband Jason Alexander after he broke into her home last Thursday as she was preparing to marry her new husband Sam Asghari.

Spears famously married Alexander, a childhood friend, in 2004 at an impromptu wedding ceremony in Las Vegas. The marriage was then annulled just 55 hours later.

His attempts to gatecrash Spears' latest wedding were livestreamed on Instagram last week, with footage showing Alexander initially evading security and introducing himself to guests at the event. Along the way he stated that Spears was his "first and only wife", and also asked: "Where's Britney? I'm here to crash the wedding".

Police ultimately intervened, with Sergeant Cyrus Zadeh at Ventura County Sheriff's Office later confirming to Variety that they had responded to a trespassing complaint at Spears' home. Officers quickly discovered that there was an outstanding arrest warrant for Alexander on the system and so placed him under arrest in relation to that alleged offence. Officers are also determining if new charges should be filed specifically relating to last week's incident.

Meanwhile, an emergency protective order has been secured by Spears' legal reps which prevents Alexander from approaching the musician, although that order will only be in place for five to seven days, so it's possible something more permanent will now also need to be sought.

Spears' attorney Mathew Rosengart said in a statement that that order was now in force, adding: "I thank the Ventura County Sheriff's Office for their good work. This was an outrageous and disgraceful security breach and I hope law enforcement does everything possible to ensure Mr Alexander is fully and vigorously prosecuted and convicted for his criminal actions".

The gatecrashing incident didn't stop the wedding, which went ahead as planned. Spears and Asghari announced that they were engaged last September as the star was in the process of finally getting out of the conservatorship that had controlled her personal and professional affairs for thirteen years. The couple have not yet commented on Alexander gatecrashing their big day or the resulting legal action.

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Universal Music partners on music app for people affected by dementia
Universal Music last week announced a partnership with music wellness technology firm Music Health. The deal sees the former provide its catalogue to an app developed by the latter called Vera, which is described as "an intuitive music intervention tool designed for the care of people affected by dementia".

The alliance follows Universal UK's recent backing of a new online platform that provides information about the use of music in healthcare. That was announced alongside 'The Power Of Music', the recent report from UK Music and Music For Dementia that championed the use of music to improve the lives of people living with dementia, depression and other debilitating conditions.

Music Health says that its Vera app "analyses the age of the dementia affected person, where they grew up, and how they react to certain music. It uses these criteria to autonomously curate the right songs at the right times to effectively manage the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Vera curates songs from UMG's unrivalled catalogue, the world's largest, most diverse and culturally rich collection of blues, classical, country, folk, jazz, pop, R&B, reggae, rock n roll, soul and soundtracks".

As the Universal/Vera partnership was announced, Grace Meadows from Music For Dementia noted that the app responds to research that was referenced in the 'Power Of Music' report.

She said: "Research shows that music is much more impactful for people living with dementia when it holds meaning and is associated with moments from someone's life. In our report, which sets out how we can be harnessing the power of music more to support health and wellbeing, we emphasised the need for a personalised approach to embedding music in health and social care, and the Vera app helps carers to do that".

Commenting on the partnership from Universal's side, Michael Nash, EVP of Digital Strategy at the major, added: "From rigorous workouts to peaceful meditation to restorative sleep cycles, music is deeply integrated into numerous innovations promoting health and wellbeing".

"Now, scientists are finding that music is also a powerful tool for helping those suffering from the effects of dementia and memory loss", he went on. "At UMG, we are working with a wide range of companies to develop therapeutical applications of music and we're proud to partner with Music Health on Vera to help improve the lives of so many around the world".

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Live Nation US invests in plant-based burger maker
Live Nation in the US is going to be more proactively pushing meat-free burgers at its venues and festivals having invested in Everything Legendary, which specialises in making plant-based meat products. The food company will also provide the 'featured plant-based burgers' at Live Nation venues and festivals Stateside, including at the live giant's House Of Blues restaurants.

Confirming all this, Tom See, CCO of Live Nation's US venues business Venue Nation, says: "Fans create lifelong memories enjoying live music, and everything they enjoy while at the show has the potential to make that memory even better. By partnering with Everything Legendary we're excited to bring plant-based items to our events so fans have even more sustainable options to choose from".

In addition to ensuring vegetarians and vegans have a decent choice of food options at music events, it's also hoped having Everything Legendary products available at Live Nation venues and festivals might encourage some meat-eating punters to try meat-free burgers for the first time.

The food firm's co-founder Duane 'Myko' Cheers adds: "We're on a mission to not just win over taste buds but also eating habits, encouraging people across the country to adopt healthier alternatives. With the investment and partnership of Live Nation we'll be serving up our amazing flavour to millions of music fans".

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Download tells attendees to ground the drones
Organisers of the Download festival put out a joint statement with local police on Friday reminding people that the event's base at Donington Park is rather close to East Midlands Airport and therefore flying drones on the site is very much against the law.

The statement followed some drone-related disruption at the airport last week after the festival's campsites opened on Wednesday, with one or more Download attendees blamed for said drone activity. There was reportedly disruption to night-time cargo flights on Wednesday and Thursday night, and then further disruption on Friday which, among other things, resulted in two passenger flights having to be diverted to Leeds and Manchester respectively.

In the statement, local police and Download bosses said: "Recent reports of drone sightings near Donington Park have resulted in some operational disruption at East Midlands Airport during the last 48 hours. This has primarily affected the night-cargo operation but a small number of passenger flights have been diverted to other airports this afternoon. Both the festival organisers and the police have enhanced the number of patrols on site and the surrounding areas".

"The public are reminded that flying a drone in proximity to an operational airport is an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1982 and is a huge risk to public safety", it added. "The police will take appropriate action if necessary".

The airport's Managing Director Clare James was somewhat more forthright in her statement, telling the Daily Mail: "It beggars belief that someone would do this. It's a criminal offence, it is very inconvenient for passengers, it costs thousands of pounds for cargo carriers, but most of all it is a flight safety risk. We have detection equipment here, we are working with police, so my message to whoever is doing this is just stop or face prosecution".

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New MD appointed at Quietus Management
Quietus Management has announced the appointment of a new Managing Director as part of plans to scale up the firm's activities. Gemma Reilly-Hammond, currently VP Marketing New Recordings for BMG UK, will take on the MD role at the artist management company in September.

Confirming the appointment, the firm's Ian Grenfell says: "The role of artist managers is ever-expanding and post-COVID we are very much in growth mode, so this is the right time to bring in some senior resource. We know Gemma well from her work with most of the Quietus roster and she is clearly among the best of her generation. We have a great young team here which Gemma will complement. I have a clear view of how the company can evolve over the next five to ten years and beyond. Gemma's personality and skill set makes her the perfect person to help with that goal".

Reilly-Hammond herself adds: "I have spent eight fantastic years at BMG and feel fortunate to have played a part in its growth story. I have been lucky to work with some incredible artists during my time here and find the opportunity to have an even more direct relationship with artists very appealing. Although sad to say goodbye to a very talented team of people at BMG, I am delighted to be moving over to Quietus. Ian has built one of the most resilient and respected management operations in the UK and I look forward to helping him further solidify its success".

The Quietus roster currently includes the likes of Simply Red, Simple Minds, Suede, Bill Wyman, Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders, and new act Gorran.

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New shows at Radio 2 and Jack FM
Fun facts for fans of radio station schedule changes now. Both Radio 2 and local radio station Jack FM announced some schedule changes last week. So, if you haven't already, update your spreadsheets everybody!

The first company to use the North American Jack FM brand in the UK - and, I think, the only one still broadcasting stations using the name, all based in Oxfordshire - has hired Iain Lee to host the main Jack FM breakfast show. He takes over from current host Trevor Marshall, who will move to the drivetime slot. Lee's most recent radio gig, with Talk Radio, ended in 2020.

Confirming his new job at Jack FM, he said: "After two years off-air, I'm champing at the bit to get back on the radio. Absolutely THRILLED that Jack FM has taken a punt on me that I won't get them in trouble. In a world of doom and darkness, I'll be bringing a well needed bit of colour and silliness to anyone who fancies listening".

The new schedule has been put together by new Programme Controller Steve Simms. He previously worked with Jack FM Oxfordshire in 2011, before spending five years at another local station that used the Jack FM brand and format, that being Jack FM South Coast, which then re-branded as Sam FM before, like most British local radio stations, eventually becoming part of the Bauer-run Greatest Hits Radio network.

On his new job and new schedule, Simms says: "I'm delighted to have returned to the Jack brand and have been given an amazing opportunity to reinvent the wheel. I'm confident that we now have the perfect blend of big names and local heritage to compete with the big boys, whilst retaining the spirit of the original Jack FM, which I still have much affection for. We're 'Playing What We Want' and we're not afraid to say it!"

Over at BBC Radio 2, last week's schedule announcements all related to weekend shows, with new programmes announced presented by Angela Griffin, DJ Spoony and Michelle Visage, the latter two fronting new Friday night shows, while the former with host 'Radio 2 Unwinds' on Sunday nights. Making room for the new Radio 2 weekend programmes are Craig Charles, Ana Matronic and Dr Rangan Chatterjee, whose current shows for the station will all end.

Says Head Of Radio 2 Helen Thomas: "I'm delighted to welcome Angela, DJ Spoony and Michelle to the Radio 2 family and looking forward to hearing their new weekly shows on Radio 2 from July. As ever, listeners can hear the shows they love any day and any time of their choice via BBC Sounds".

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Robbie Williams announces 25th anniversary arena tour
With his new 25th anniversary compilation 'XXV' out in September, Robbie Williams has announced that he will be heading out to play some of his hits live in UK and Ireland arenas the following month.

The new compilation sees Williams re-record a bank of tracks from across his career - including 'Angels', 'Let Me Entertain You' and 'Rock DJ' - with Dutch orchestra Metropole Orkest, which is an interesting way to mark the anniversary. Though the orchestra isn't mentioned on the tour poster, so maybe the accompanying shows will go with the less interesting usual versions of those songs.

"I'm so excited to announce my new album 'XXV' which celebrates many of my favourite songs from the past 25 years", Williams said recently of the record. "Each track has a special place in my heart so it was a real thrill to record them again with the Metropole Orkest. Can't wait for you all to hear it".

The tour will begin on 9 Oct with the first of two nights at the O2 Arena in London. Tickets are set to go on general sale on Friday. Here are the dates:

9 Oct: London, The O2
10 Oct: London, The O2
15 Oct: Birmingham, Resorts World Arena
19 Oct: Manchester, AO Arena
21 Oct: Manchester, AO Arena
24 Oct: Glasgow, OVO Hydro
25 Oct: Glasgow, OVO Hydro
29 Oct: Dublin, 3Arena

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Steve Jones says he'd consider Sex Pistols reunion if he was "absolutely broke"
With all the renewed interest in the Sex Pistols - thanks to that new Disney+ series 'Pistol' and the Queen's platinum jubilee - talk has understandably returned to whether or not the band will ever perform together again. Not likely, you'd probably quite correctly say, but what if they did it Abba-style and didn't actually have to get in the same room together?

Asked on Rolling Stone's Music New podcast about the possibility of another Sex Pistols reunion - the last having been in 2008 - guitarist Steve Jones references Abba's new 'Abba Voyage' show in London, which sees the band members represented by digital avatars.

"Seeing that Abba can do it without being there, I'd be down for doing that thing - they're there but they're not really there", he says. I'm down for that, all day long".

As for actual shows where they did all get on stage together, he says: "You never know. [We're all alive] and we all have our hair too. I don't know, if I was absolutely broke I'd probably consider it".

Having said that, he added that he hasn't actually spoken to Lydon since they fell out on that 2008 tour - and last year's very public legal battle over whether or not 'Pistol' should be allowed to use the band's music did little to improve intra-band relations.

And despite never saying never, Jones confirms that, as it currently stands, "no money is worth it" to reunite with Lydon and perform Sex Pistols songs again. Although, maybe one day he'll get to a point where doing so wouldn't seem quite so tedious. Maybe.

"When I go on the road and play Sex Pistols songs - like the last time - I'm just literally looking on my watch thinking 'when is this over?' and I shouldn't be doing it", he explains. "That's where my head's at. [But] you just never know. It's not like I'm closing the door, you just never know".

Later this decade there will be several opportunities to mark the band's 50th anniversary. So we'll see what happens then. Assuming a proper reunion isn't desirable or practical, then some sort of disappointing virtual celebration instead doesn't seem entirely impossible.

After all, Universal Music has been churning out all sorts of Sex Pistols shit recently - jubilee coins, NFTs, that sort of thing. Why not go the whole hog and build a set of holograms?

One other recent Sex Pistols cash in, of course, was the re-issue of the band's 1977 single 'God Save The Queen' to coincide with the Queen's platinum jubilee.

With that being a limited edition vinyl release it didn't seem likely that the track would bother the charts too much - despite the re-release partly marking the controversy that occurred when the record originally charted during the Queen's silver jubilee celebrations in 1977.

However, with the various different Sex Pistols ventures happening at the moment and a new compilation album featuring the track available to download and stream, for a brief moment it looked like the song might go top five again in the week following the Queen's latest big bash.

But no. When the Official Charts Company eventually published the final chart on Friday, 'God Save The Queen' was sitting at number 57 - pre-orders of the vinyl likely having inflated its position earlier in the chart week.

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