music
Big mouth Manu Chao not welcome in Mexico
Franco-Spanish musician and political activist Manu Chao found himself under investigation by the Mexican interior ministry last week after the 47-year-old singer referred to a 2006 police crackdown as "state terrorism". Read more...
The Bollywood clip with an Israeli objective
This clip is hoped to promote Israel's military might in India. An unusual way of going about it... the Bollywood style clip has not gone down well with everybody. Read more and see the clip.
From YouTube to the art galleries of New York
Daito Manabe came up with the "face visualizer" idea in his Tokyo kitchen. Webcam on, he wired his face up to a series of electrodes, put on some music, and let his facial muscles move to the rhythm. He then posted the face dance on YouTube. A few months and over a million hits later, and Daito is an international star. Read more and see the video...
Anti download law: 'the idea of disconnecting web users is unimaginable today'
While it's considered "inappropriate" and "suppressive" by web users, a French internet piracy law is being hailed as a saviour for bruised CD producers. The proposed "creation and internet" law, which would allow the state to block web access to illegal downloaders, will be decided on by the French Assemblée today. Read more...
Buskers find fame online
From the Bristol "beatboxer" to the Indian percussionist family, here's our selection of the best buskers from around the world, now available off the streets and online... Read more and see the performances.
'Luca was gay', and then he realised his mistake
Italian singer Giuseppe Povia is causing outrage in Italy over "Luca era gay" (Luca was gay), a song about a gay man who goes straight. See the clip and read more...
Georgia doesn’t want to 'put in' at the Eurovision in Moscow
Georgia is using this year's Eurovision song contest as an opportunity to poke fun at Russia. Not difficult to get their little joke, with a song entitled "We don't wanna put in". Read more and see the clip...
Brother Cesare, heavy-metal monk
Kraftwerk, Second Life and Oskar Schindler’s factory
Avant-garde music, Second Life and Oscar Schindler's museum - Poland's sixth edition of the Sacrum Profanum music festival came to Krakow last weekend, and brought German electronic giants Kraftwerk with it. Our Observer went to the festival. Read more and see the videos...
