April, 2011

On Wednesday rock legends Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters Dave Grohl and Pat Smear surprised fans during an encore at a Mike Watt and The Missingmen’s gig in Seattle. The trio jumped on stage at the Triple Door venue and treated everyone to an extended jam of Watt’s 1995 track “Big Train“

In his short-lived but extraordinary life, Buddy Holly left behind a body of work so enthralling, his enduring influence is nearly impossible to overstate. The melodic joy and fierce independent streak at the core of his artistry is profoundly felt on Rave On Buddy Holly, a 19-song collection of indelible Holly covers by a rich assemblage of current musical visionaries and creative kindred spirits. Fantasy/Concord will release Rave On Buddy Holly June 28, 2011.

The English do not know how to do summer. Sad, but true. We give it a go, with open-toe sandals, knotted handkerchiefs, flowery shirts and cocktails with those little paper umbrellas…but then a band like Best Coast hop over for a tour date or two and show us how it’s really done. Perhaps you’ve heard of them. They usually get some favourable adjectives thrown at them – surf garage pop punk California – rearrange as preferred.

Carl Barat has cast further doubt on the continuation of The Libertines‘ reunion which began with a hugely successful appearance at last year’s Reading/Leeds festival, saying any future projects for the group ‘might not happen’.

U2 have signalled their intention to ensure elements of their familiar ambitious, big budget live productions will not be lost when they make their long awaited debut on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage in June.

Irish instrumentalists And So I Watch You From Afar have made their new album ‘Gangs‘ available to stream and download digitally on Bandcamp.

Sir Paul McCartney will re-issue expanded editions of two solo albums, 1970′s ‘McCartney‘ and 1980’s ‘McCartney II‘, on June 13th.

Actress Kate Hudson has confirmed she is engaged to Muse star Matt Bellamy during an interview on the US’ Today Show.

Dance/rock legends The Prodigy are to release a new live CD/DVD of their acclaimed Warrior’s Dance show, which was filmed at the Milton Keynes Bowl last July.

As the media build up goes into overdrive this week ahead of Friday’s royal wedding, one man who has rather unsurprisingly said he won’t be tuning in is former Smiths frontman Morrissey.