Feb 13

The Police reveal reunion tour details
[source: NME.com] The Police will kick off their first tour in 23 years in Vancouver on Monday May 28.
The three-piece revealed the plans at an LA press conference just 24 hours after performing "Roxanne" at the Grammy Awards.
The band will then head to the USA for shows throughout June and July, including a slot at the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee on Saturday June 16.

Tour dates:

Monday May 28 – Vancouver GM Place
Wednesday June 6 – Seattle Key Arena
Saturday June 9 – Denver Pepsi Center
Friday June 15 – Las Vegas MGM Garden Arena
Saturday June 16 – Bonnaroo Festival, Tennessee
Monday June 18 – Phoenix US Airwaves Arena
Tuesday June 26 – Dallas American Airlines Center
Saturday June 30 – New Orleans Arena
Monday July 2 – St Louis Scottrade Center
Sunday July 22 – Toronto Air Canada Center
Wednesday July 25 – Montreal Bell Centre
Saturday July 28 – Boston Fenway Park
Wednesday August 1 & Friday August 3 – New York Madison Square Garden

Additional North American concert dates will be confirmed in the next few weeks, while British and European dates are expected to be announced towards the end of the month. It's rumoured more American dates are planned in the spring, along with visits to Mexico, South America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland split in 1984, although they regrouped for a handful of concerts in 1986 before breaking up for good. They did perform in public at their 2003 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and played an impromptu set at Sting's 1992 wedding to Trudie Styler.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Police-The.aspx


New Radiohead album release date denied
[source: NME.com] Radiohead have denied their album will be released on Monday August 6, despite an internet retailer listing that release date.
According to Amazon, the record, described as "New Album – TBC", would be released via EMI Records, but a spokesperson for Radiohead has denied this.
The band fulfilled its contract with EMI with 2003's Hail To The Thief and have not announced details of a new deal.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Radiohead.aspx


Taking The Long Way crowned Best Album at Grammys
[source: NME.com] Dixie Chicks beat out stiff competition from Gnarls Barkley, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Justin Timberlake to win Best Album at the Grammy Awards last night.
The Texas trio were successful in several major categories, which must have come as a big relief after the criticism they've endured in recent years following comments made in 2003 about US President George Bush.
"I'm not ready to make nice!" lead singer Natalie Maines exclaimed when accepting the award.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Dixie-Chicks.aspx


Lily Allen fights Jet and The Streets
[source: NME.com] Lily Allen has become embroiled in yet another spat, this time lashing out at Aussie rockers Jet and fellow Londoners The Streets.
Writing on her blog, the outspoken singer revealed how she got into drunken rows with both bands during the recent Big Day Out tour in Australia.
"I wound Chris [Cester, Jet drummer] up the wrong way and he flicked a cigarette at me. I then threw a bottle at him, which luckily missed, and all hell broke loose. I have no recollection of the whole event.
"I also had a big row with Mike Skinner from The Streets. I was so drunk I can't even remember what it was about."
According to Allen, her new friends Kasabian managed to dig her out of trouble.
"The Kasabian boys were dragging me off [Skinner], saying, 'Stop it, Lily, you're being an idiot'. They're such a good influence on me."
The singer also admitted she thinks she has no chance of winning at this year's Brit Awards, despite her four nominations.
Meanwhile, fellow nominee Corinne Bailey Rae became the latest target for Allen's spite.
"Corinne Bailey Rae? I think she's a bit boring, sorry," Allen told The Daily Mirror. "She's a lovely girl but I don't think her music stands out and I'd be a bit annoyed if she won Best Female. I'd be really happy if Amy Winehouse wins, though. She's brilliant.
"When I heard about the nominations I felt like it was a bit of a burden. I hate being in competitions because I never win. I'll go home with nothing. I just know I will."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Lily-Allen.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Jet.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Corinne-Bailey-Rae.aspx


Sarah Blasko hits the road
Sydney-based singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko has won critical acclaim for second album What The Sea Wants, The Sea Will Have and now she's taking the songs out on the road.
Recently announced in the shortlist for the 2006 AMP Awards, Blasko will make a series of rare and intimate appearances across the country in April. Featuring two sets of music and an eight-piece chamber ensemble, Blasko will be joined by her regular musical collaborators, as well as some mystery guests in each city.

Tour dates:

Friday March 30 – Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
Saturday, March 31 – Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
Wednesday, April 4 – National Theatre, St Kilda
Thursday, April 5 – National Theatre, St Kilda
Thursday, April 12 – Octagon Theatre, UWA, Perth
Friday, April 13 – Octagon Theatre, UWA, Perth
Saturday April 14 – Scott Theatre, Adelaide University
Sunday April 15 – Scott Theatre, Adelaide University
Wednesday April 18 – York Theatre, Seymour Centre, Sydney
Thursday April 19 – York Theatre, Seymour Centre, Sydney

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Sarah-Blasko.aspx


Another bub for Gwen Stefani?
With her No Doubt bandmates patiently waiting in the wings, platinum-haired US pop star Gwen Stefani has revealed she'll have a second child after completing her upcoming US solo tour.
The 37-year-old singer, who's married to former Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, is already a mum to baby son Kingston.
"It's already on the itinerary. I'm ready to go," Stefani admitted this week, although she added she was determined not to fall pregnant while touring.
"That was really crazy," Stefani recalled of her last tour, which saw Kingston in utero. "I was in rehearsals and I'm like, 'What is wrong with me? I am such a jerk right now'. Then I found out I was pregnant. I couldn't back out of the tour at that point and I was so sick… they had to keep expanding my costumes. And the smells of, like, the tour bus and air fresheners… yuck, so gross!"

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Gwen-Stefani.aspx


Jarvis Cocker joins V Fest
Former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker has been added to the inaugural Australian V Festival.
Since Pulp disbanded in 2002 – after such chart hits as "Common People" and "Disco 2000" – Cocker has moved into solo territory and has a new, self-titled LP due out in mid-2007.
He'll join the likes of Pixies, Pet Shop Boys, Gnarls Barclay, The Rapture, Groove Armada, Radio Soulwax, Bumblebeez, Mercy Arms, 2ManyDJs, The Temper Trap, Phoenix and The Softlightes at the festival.
V Festival hits Centennial Park in Sydney on Saturday March 31, and Avica Resort on the Gold Coast on Sunday April 1.
Meanwhile, Melbourne and Adelaide will see Mini V festivals taking place (it's basically the line-up split over two nights). Dates for Mini V are Tuesday April 3 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne and Wednesday April 4 at Memorial Drive, Adelaide.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Pulp.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Pet-Shop-Boys.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Rapture-The.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Gnarls-Barkley.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Bumblebeez.aspx


Dave Grohl: definitely not dead
Spare a thought for Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana skinsman Dave Grohl, who has – for a second time – been forced to notify his wife that he's still alive.
Back in May 2006, Grohl was the subject of an internet rumour that claimed he was dead. Now he's had to update his Wikipedia entry to remove the phrase: "David Eric Grohl (January 14 1969 – February 5 2007)" from the page.
"I got a phone message from a friend saying, 'Er, I guess… Jordyn [Grohl's wife]… this is maybe… for you. I'm so sorry to hear what happened," Grohl revealed this week.
"I heard this message and went, 'What the f##k?' They were leaving a message on my cell phone, saying, 'I'm sorry Dave died'. That was weird, but I guess I've finally graduated to that status of being an internet rumour. It weirded me out a bit, but it's stupid."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Foo-Fighters.aspx


New Found Glory hit Oz
Floridian rock outfit New Found Glory are heading to Australia in support of their fifth LP, Coming Home.
Described by Kerrang! magazine as an act whose "anthems inspired Panic! At The Disco and Fall Out Boy", the new LP has garnered glowing reviews by mags such as NME and Alternative Press.
Heading to our shores this April, they'll also bring pop-rockers Paramore.
Tickets go on sale Thursday February 22.

Tour dates:

Thursday April 5 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (all-ages)
Friday April 6 – Big Top, Luna Park, Sydney (all-ages)
Saturday April 7 – Billboard The Venue, Melbourne (all-ages, afternoon show)
Sunday April 8 – The Palace, Melbourne (18+)
Tuesday April 10 – HQ, Adelaide (all-ages)
Wednesday April 11 – Metro City, Perth (all-ages, afternoon show)

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/New-Found-Glory.aspx


Sigur Rós perform for anti-logging
Icelandic atmos-outfit Sigur Rós will perform a special one-off gig in their hometown of Reykjavik to protest the construction of a new freeway.
The orchestral rockers are hoping to raise funds to help block construction of a highway in Álafoss. Instead, they'd prefer it was "diverted through a less destructive route".
"The ministry for the environment has stated an evaluation of environmental impact is not warranted, which is a decision we just don't understand and have already appealed," drummer Orri Páll Dyrason said.
"The highway would also go through a grove of trees, which was planted by the children of the founders of Álafoss wool mill built in 1896. Half these trees have already been removed. It's such a remarkable place and played a huge role in the establishment of the [nearby] town of Mosfellsbær."
The band are currently working on the follow-up to hit LP Takk.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Sigur-Ros.aspx