November 30th, 2009

US band The Strokes are to make their long awaited UK festival comeback next summer when they headline the Saturday night at The Isle Of Wight festival. The announcement marks the return of the band who have been taking a break since the release of 2006′s ‘First Impressions Of Earth‘.

The band recently confirmed they have written new material set for a new album, but no confirmed details have yet been given. Earlier this month, frontman Julian Casablancas released his debut solo LP ‘Phrazes For The Young‘ to widespread critical acclaim, while the band’s seminal debut record ‘Is This It?’ was voted NME’s Album Of The Decade earlier this month.

Following sold-out rave review concerts in Amsterdam, Brussels and Hamburg, Simple Minds and special guests OMD, start their UK tour tonight at the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena. Both bands join forces together for the first time when they perform Kraftwerk’s ‘Neon Lights’ during Simple Minds’ set.

Simple Minds will perform music from their new album Graffiti Soul, plus their classic hits including Alive and Kicking and Don’t You (Forget About Me), while OMD will perform the electro pop classics Electricity, Messages, Enola Gay” and Joan of Arc. Ticket Hotline: 0844 888 9991, www.ticketline.co.uk.

BRMC’s home page has announced details for their new album to be released in 2010 and has posted their headlining tour dates for North America and Europe:

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is set to release their fifth studio album, Beat The Devil’s Tattoo, on March 8th (UK/Europe/Japan/Australia et al), March 9th (US/Canada) and March 16th (Germay). This release signifies the band’s first full-length on their own Abstract Dragon label, in partnership with Vagrant Records and Co-Op Music Group. The band wrote and recorded most of the album at The Basement Studio in Philadelphia, PA – the same room where they wrote and recorded “Howl” as well as some work in their hometown Los Angeles. Beat The Devil’s Tattoo also marks the first album with drummer Leah Shapiro.