The Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has released a surprise new album online, testing a new form of revenue generation that he hopes can directly benefit musicians. Tomorrow's Modern Boxes, Yorke's second solo album, is a melancholy, ambient composition. While the sound will be instantly familiar to Radiohead fans, Yorke chose a new way to sell the album – via the file-sharing technology BitTorrent. He is breaking new ground by charging for the files, although the US$6 (Dh22) price is still less than most albums. "I am trying something new, don't know how it will go," Yorke wrote on Twitter. He said that BitTorrent could allow artists to bypass "the self-elected gatekeepers" and sell their work directly. "If it works well, it could be an effective way of handing some control of internet commerce back to people who are creating the work," he said. – AP
Tina Turner museum opens in Tennessee
A one-room schoolhouse where Tina Turner attended classes has been turned into a museum honouring the singer’s career and recalling her childhood in a small West Tennessee town. More than 100 people, including fans from as far as the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden, attended the official opening of the Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School, located on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. The museum features gold and platinum records, glittering outfits and dresses worn on stage by the singer. Turner, who lives in Zurich, Switzerland, did not attend but recorded a video message in which she said: “My spirit is with you. Have a wonderful day.” – AP
Rock in Rio line-up revealed
Taylor Swift and Metallica are among the performers lined up for the Rock in Rio music festival, which moves north to make its United States debut next year. Festival organisers say No Doubt, Linkin Park, the Deftones and John Legend will also perform during the four-day Rock in Rio USA event in Las Vegas in May. No Doubt attended the announcement of the line-up in New York’s Times Square on Friday, where John Mayer surprised the crowd with a live performance of two songs. Mayer performed at the 2013 Rock in Rio festival alongside Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. A 13.35-hectare, open-air music venue with five stages will be built on the Las Vegas Strip for the festival. Rock in Rio launched in 1985. The festival will also be held in Rio de Janeiro in September 2015, featuring Katy Perry and Legend. – AP
Naresh praises Nair’s performance
The actor Allari Naresh, who has teamed up with the actress Karthika Nair in the forthcoming action-comedy Brother of Bommali, says that he is stunned by her performance in the film. He also feels that nobody else would have done justice to the role. "Karthika is a live wire," he says. "I was stunned by her commitment to the role. She's performed some amazing stunts without using a double. I don't think any other actor could have done better justice to her role." Brother of Bommali is due for release soon. – IANS
