Vampire Weekend played an intimate London gig on Thursday, playing a clutch of songs from forthcoming album 'Contra.' Frontman Ezra Koenig said it was like "singing for Grandma in the living room."

Sir Paul McCartney is to join the lineup of artists playing a BBC concert for the charity Children in Need. Muse and Lily Allen will also play.

The money musicians earned from the public plays of their tracks increased by 16 percent worldwide in the last year, industry body Music & Copyright has said. More than £920 million ($1.5 billion US) was earned around the world last year.

Kevin Costner has had to pull out of a concert with his band in Turkey because of a row the actor turned singer had over his support of Kurdish rights.