'Control' actor wins award for portraying Ian Curtis

Sam Riley has won the Rising Star Award at this year's Richard Attenborough Film Awards for his portrayal of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.

The former 10,000 Things singer, starred in the biopic 'Control', directed by former NME photographer Anton Corbijn.

Riley also played The Fall frontman Mark E Smith in 2002's '24 Hour Party People', but did not make the final cut. He’s next film is British sci-fi flick 'Franklyn', directed by Gerald McMorrow.

Iron and Wine announce second Melbourne show

With just a handful of tickets left for Iron & Wine’s Athenaeum Theatre show, Handsome Tours are very chuffed to present a second and final Melbourne show at the Corner Hotel on Wednesday March 12. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday February 6.

Iron and Wine ( aka Sam Beam ) made a long awaited return this year with his third full-length album, 'The Shepherd’s Dog', and to coincide will be making another long awaited return, that being to Australia, coincidentally also his third visit to these shores, and first since 2004.

The new album, whilst continuing Beam’s tradition of beauty and quality, marks a massive leap in vision. The arrangements are kaleidoscopic and lush, encompassing a massive swathe of interwoven musical influences and sounds derived from a myriad of instruments, all drawn together by Sam Beam’s inviting, honeyed vocal. Taken as a whole, The Shepherd’s Dog is a dreamscape that comes to life.

Naturally to perform such intricate and wonderful music is going to require a band of some substance, so Australian audiences will in fact be treated to the new, full Iron and Wine line-up for this series of shows.

Friday March 7 – The Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne

Sunday March 9 - The Zoo, Brisbane

Tuesday March 11 - The Manning Bar, Sydney

Wednesday March 12 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne

*also appearing at the Golden Plains festival

http://www.ironandwine.com/

http://www.handsometours.com/

Gnarls Barkley "The Odd Couple"

The new Gnarls Barkley album will be called "The Odd Couple", the pop pair have confirmed.

The follow-up to 2006's "St Elsewhere", which included the record-breaking UK Number One "Crazy", is currently nearing completion.

Producer Danger Mouse and singer Cee-Lo are reported to have finished the album recently in Los Angeles, reports Billboard.

Unlike their debut, which was built upon a foundation of samples and electronics, the new recordings will apparently feature live instruments.

"The Odd Couple" is due for release in April.

www.gnarlsbarkley.com

Kooks bassist quits band

Max Rafferty, troubled bassist for Brighton sensations The Kooks, has departed the band.

Rafferty’s reported drug problems have seen him take several time-outs from playing, but there’s no indication his permanent exit is in any way related.

“Max Rafferty has parted company with The Kooks,” a statement confirms. “The band will be continuing with the forthcoming shows. Dan Logan, bassist with local Brighton band Cat The Dog, will be filling in for the short-term.”

The Kooks are set to release a second album, Konk, in April, and have a string of sold-out UK dates stretching till the end of February.

PushOver 2008 announced

Strap yourselves in!

Tickets for PUSH OVER 2008 are now on sale, and with a line-up like this it’s the biggest all-ages show of the year. For one day only, PUSH OVER 2008 will be bringing music to the hallowed halls and grounds of the Abbotsford Convent on Labour Day, Monday 10th March.

With guests such as British India, Capeside, Carpathian, CC Martini, Closure in Moscow, Cog, Custom Kings, Dead Letter Circus, Famous by Association, 50 Lions, The Galvatrons, The Getaway Plan, Gyroscope, Her Nightmare, In Fiction, Mere Theory, Muph & Plutonic, Paris Wells, Shihad, Stealing O Neal, The Vasco Era and Young & Restless, how can you resist?

Tickets on sale now from Missing Link, Ticketek, oztix.com.au and moshitx.com.au

http://www.freeza.vic.gov.au

Below is the Young & Restless 'Satan' video

Muse win Triple J Hottest 100

Triple J has broken ranks this year to award none-Aussie act Muse the coveted number one spot on the Triple J Hottest 100.

The manually placed top spot has traditional been given to an Australian act to mark Australia Day (January 26) but in a change of mood at the J's, Muse 'Knights Of Cydonia' beat Silverchair's 'Straight Lines' to come in at number one.

Other Australian acts in the Top 10 were John Butler Trio, Faker and The Panics.

Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters, Cold War Kids, Daft Punk and Soko rounded out the Top 10.

Muse also had the No. 58 song with 'Invincible'. Silverchair made No. 30 with 'If You Keep Losing Sleep' and No. 80 with 'Reflections of a Sound'.

In a huge disappointment for the staff of Music Universe, Radiohead only came in once at number 94, Interpol once at 98, QOTSA at 89, Arcade Fire at 81 and Klaxons at 54. Considering these disappointments, the staff are on the verge of boycotting next year's countdown.

The Top 10 for the Triple J Hottest 100 was:

1. Muse 'Knights Of Cydonia'
2. Silverchair 'Straight Lines'
3. Kings Of Leon 'On Call'
4. John Butler Trio 'Better Than'
5. Faker 'This Heart Attack'
6. Foo Fighters 'The Pretender'
7. Daft Punk 'Harder, Better, Stronger, Faster
8. Cold War Kids 'Hang Me Up To Dry'
9. Soko 'I'll Kill Her'
10. The Panics 'Don't Fight It'

Cut Copy "In Ghost Colours"

Modular favourites Cut Copy have set March 22nd in concrete for the local release of their second album 'In Ghost Colours', but they won’t be here for the happy day. Their excuse? Just a little trip round the USA, culminating in the desert for the Coachella festival.

Before Cut Copy enter the land of the brave, they’re taking the stage in London, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Rome, Milan and other cities partial to synth-pop tunes. The album is released 8 April in the US, and 14 April in the UK, with the lead single 'Lights & Music' available for download now.

After hitting the LA and New York scene, the boys are joining compatriots Midnight Juggernauts at the mighty Coachella Festival.

Here’s the 'In Ghost Colours' tracklist.

1 Feel the Love
2 Out There on the Ice
3 Lights & Music
4 We Fight for Diamonds
5 Unforgettable Season
6 Cold Youth
7 Midnight Runner
8 So Haunted
9 Voices in Quartz
10 Hearts on Fire
11 Far Away
12 Silver Thoughts
13 Strangers in the Wind
14 Visions
15 Nobody Lost, Nobody Found
16 Eternity One Night Only

www.myspace.com/cutcopy

The Police hit Melbourne

The Police are in Melbourne today for the reunion tour. It is an interesting city for the band to return to as the last official gig they had as a band was in Melbourne in 1984.

They turned out to be correct and Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland headed home after their Melbourne show and a messy break-up.

It took 23 years to heal the wounds, although there they did regroup for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

The Police were a band who never failed. They only made five albums, every one was a hit. The band broke up at the peak of its career with 'Synchroncity' in 1983.

Here's the setlist for the reunion tour show.

Message in a Bottle
Synchronicity II
Walking On The Moon
Voices Inside My Head
When The World Is Running Down
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Driven To Tears
Truth Hits Everybody
Hole In My Life
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Wrapped Around Your Finger
De Do Do Do De Da Da Da
Invisible Sun
Walking In Your Footsteps
Can't Stand Losing You
Roxanne
King Of Pain
So Lonely
Every Breath You Take
Next To You

www.sting.com

Bjork cancels Sydney Big Day Out

Icelandic singing sensation, Bjork, has had to cancel her Sydney Big Day Out show due to illness.

Bjork's offical site has made a statement regarding her cancelling the Sydney Big Day Out

"We regret to announce that Björk will not be able to perform at the Sydney Big Day Out on January 25th. The decision was made following her performance at the Opera House last night. Doctors have advised Björk to rest due to swelling of the vocal chords. Björk and the producers of Big Day Out hope for a swift recovery in anticipation of a continued Australian tour."

Big Day Out producers, Ken West and Vivian Lees said the show was cancelled due to medical reasons "The decision was made following her performance at the Opera House. Doctors have advised Bjork to rest due to swelling of the vocal chords".

"Bjork and the producers of Big Day Out hope for a swift recovery in anticipation of a continued Australian Tour. After a standout show at the Gold Coast Big Day Out this is a great disappointment to Bjork, who is on her first tour of Australia in twelve years".

"No replacement show is possible".

"All acts on the Orange stage will move up one spot. New times will be on the website by 7pm". "We realise that even though the Big Day Out offers more than 70 amazing acts it is only fair to offer refunds in this particular circumstance; regardless of our existing ticket conditions. However; no partial refunds are possible".

For those who have tickets but now do not wish to attend you will have until Monday February 4th to obtain a refund from your point of purchase. Only the face value of the ticket will be refunded to the original credit card of purchase. "Again from all our team we apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment".

http://www.bjork.com/

My Chemical Romance discuss new album

A few weeks after My Chemical Romance retired their ‘Black Parade’ alter egos, the band is taking a new approach in the studio. Frontman Gerard Way has revealed their next album will be a less theatrical affair.

Speaking to NME, the singer-socialite revealed, “I think [the prospective album] will definitely be stripped down. I think the band misses being a rock band. “That doesn’t mean we won’t explore really crazy ideas on the next albums, or do something even crazier. It doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll start to take steps backwards creatively.”

To put their new direction in focus, Way elaborates on a new track that keeps popping up in the group’s live shows. “We haven’t told anybody the title yet because I noticed that if you change the title later, kids get pissed off,” he reasons. “So it’s just called New Song right now. It’s one of those songs that just spills out of you, and you’re very inspired. It’s nice because it’s a return to punk rock music. It feels like a rock song.”

www.mychemicalromance.com

Heath Ledger's idol was Nick Drake

Recently deceased Australian born actor Heath Ledger paid tribute to English singer Nick Drake in a video which shows Ledger drowning.


"I was obsessed with his story and his music and I pursued it for a while and still have hopes to kind of tell his story one day," Ledger told media at a press conference at the Venice Film Festival.


The film is set to 'Black Eyed Dog', a song Drake had named after a quote from Winston Churchill, in which he referred to depression as a "black eyed dog".

The Drake estate currently owns the video. It is not known whether or not they will release it.

Drake overdosed on anti-depressants at the age of 26.


'A Place To Be" - Nick Drake exhibition showcasing Heath Ledger's works
http://www.aplacetobe.cc/film/index.html

www.nickdrake.com

R.E.M. 'Accelerate' their new album

Jamye Waxman, an employee at New York sex-store Babeland, had what she described as a "New York moment" yesterday when R.E.M. turned up to use his store as the location for a video shoot.

At her blog, Waxman writes "I had an "only in NY" moment that I need to share. I mean, it's not every day that you can call up your friends and say "So I was working at Babeland yesterday when Michael Stipe and the rest of R.E.M. stopped by to sing," but yesterday, that was totally something I could, and did, say".

Waxman, somewhat of a R.E.M. novice, seemed quite surprised that the band even still existed. "Yes it's true, R.E.M., the band that seems to have gone bye-bye (or at least stopped releasing new albums) at least a few years ago, is back, and if the single from last night is any indication of the future of their music, let me just say I'm hooked," she wrote.

R.E.M. was filming the video for the track 'Supernatural Serious', the first single from the forthcoming 'Accelerate' album.

The album is due on April 1st in the USA and March 31st in the rest of the world.

R.E.M. will launch the album with a showcase gig at Stubbs B-B-Q in Austin during SxSW.

http://www.remhq.com/

Triple J Hottest 100 on Australia Day!!

The HOTTEST 100 COUNTDOWN is back again and will be broadcasted on Triple J on Saturday Jan 26 (Australia Day).

Countdown broadcast live around Australia starts at 10AM AEST on the radio (8AM in WA, 9AM QLD, 9:30AM SA and NT). More than 700,000 votes have been counted, making it the biggest Hottest 100 in history.

You'll also be able to see the top ten countdown replayed that night on ABC 2 at 8:30 pm.

Unfortunately voting has now closed, but its always fun to try and pick the top 10 with your mates on the day. It's a tough year to pick the winner, but the team at Music universe will be tuning in all day listening in anticipation of who will take out the gong in 2007!!


Past Winners of last 10 years:
2006 - Augie March "One Crowded Hour"
2005 - Bernard Fanning "Wish You Well"
2004 - Franz Ferdinand "Take Me Out"
2003 - Jet "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?"
2002 - Queens Of The Stone Age "No One Knows"
2001 - Alex Lloyd "Amazing"
2000 - Powderfinger "My Happiness"
1999 - Powderfinger "These Days"
1998 - The Offspring "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)"
1997 - The Whitlams "No Aphrodisiac"

www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/

Heath Ledger dead

Actor Heath Ledger was found dead yesterday in his New York City apartment. He was 28. It was thought to be accidental and not a suicide.

The Australia native was reportedly discovered by his housekeeper naked in his bed with sleeping pills near his body. Police said that drugs may have been a factor in his death. He was thought to be suffering from pneumonia and had been prescribed medication. Bottles of anti-anxiety drugs Diazempam and Alprazolam were found.

"We, Heath's family, confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda" father Kim Ledger said in a statement.

Ledger's most recent screen role was as Bob Dylan in the recent biopic 'I'm Not There'.

Ledger was also the cofounder of record label Music Masses Co with singer Ben Harper, and directed Harper's video for the song 'Morning Yearning'.

Ledger's role as a gay cowboy in 2005's 'Brokeback Mountain' brought him notoriety and an Oscar nomination. He also starred in movies such as 'The Patriot' with Mel Gibson, but was brought onto the scene thanks to the movie, 'Two Hands'.

He married actress Michelle Williams, who played his wife in the film, but the couple separated last year. They had one child. He has also been romantically linked to actresses Naomi Watts and Heather Graham. Australian actress Naomi Watts, who dated Ledger between 2002 and 2004, was reported to have collapsed in tears when she learned of his death at the Sundance Film Festival. He had recently been romantically linked to Australian model Gemma Ward.

Ledger had just finished filming his role in the forthcoming 'Batman' installment 'Dark Knight' in which he plays the villainous Joker.

The medical examiner's office told the Associated Press that they plan to conduct an autopsy tomorrow to help determine the cause of death.

New Buffalo Australia tour

Sally Seltmann aka New Buffalo will be returning home to Australia this February/March. It’s been quite a year for the singer songwriter, with the track she wrote for Feist ('1234'), is up for Grammy nominations and her single Cheer Me Up, Thank You set to feature on the cult TV show 'Gray’s Anatomy'.

The singer avoided the sophomore blues with her recent album release 'Somewhere Anywhere' delivering a sumptuous second album that resulted in sold out shows all across the country and tour dates in the US with labelmates Stars and Broken Social Scene.

New Buffalo will see in 2008 in style with a series of intimate piano shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne this February/March.

New Buffalo tour dates:

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 29 —‘Warhol Up Late’ – Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)
South Bank, Queensland
Part of the ‘Andy Warhol Up Late’ series. Tickets: $20.00 (includes ‘Andy Warhol’ exhibition entry). Book through qtix, phone 136 246

WEDNESDAY MARCH 19—The Toff in Town, Melbourne
THURSDAY MARCH 20—The Toff in Town, Melbourne
SATURDAY MARCH 22—The Factory Theatre, Sydney

New Buffalo – ‘Somewhere, anywhere.’ out now on Dot Dash

www.newbuffalo.net

Franz Ferdinand talk new 'dirty' 3rd album

World-conquering Glaswegians Franz Ferdinand are at work on their upcoming long player, and it promises to be “a dirty pop record”.

Talking to Billboard.com, singer Alex Kapranos revealed the band has been recording in Glasgow, after aborting their big-budget London studio sessions.

“We decided the ones we did in Glasgow sounded much better,” Kapranos told the website. “There was a real dirtiness, edge and attitude. It’s funny, because logically everything is wrong. We should go to a big studio and spend millions. But logic is never appropriate when you’re making music. You’ve gotta trust your instincts. This stuff made us want to get up and dance.”

Kapranos also elaborated on the sound of the as-yet-untitled third album.

“The idea of making a dirty pop record – this is what has been on our minds,” he divulged. “It’s the opposite of punk/pop, which took something that was wonderful and removed all the dirt.”

The band has been experimenting with old Russian synthesisers, including one built in the late ‘70s called a Polyvox.

“For me, the imperfections are what makes it perfect, like the cheapest, shittiest guitars through practice amps,” Kapranos mused.

No release date has been drafted yet for the album.

http://www.franzferdinand.co.uk

Yeah Yeah Yeahs talk new album

In a blog entry on their MySpace, perennially hip three-piece Yeah Yeah Yeahs confirmed a new album is on its way.

We have a wet and wild feeling about 2008 and we’re not kidding,” the band writes. “YYYs are currently writing and recording another record. A chunk of December was spent on a musical farm in Massachusetts throwing cow dung at each other; making music makes us do strange things. Holidays brought adventures and performances into the YYY foreground.”

According to the blog, the YYY kids have been keeping busy. Karen O has co-directed a music video for indie-punksters Tiny Masters of Today and contributed to the new Bob Dylan 'I'm Not There' soundtrack, guitarist Nick Zinner is busy with remixes (including one for Marilyn Manson!) and drummer Brian Chase has his own solo project Drums and Drones.

There’s no hint as yet when that dung-inspired record will hit the shelves.

www.yeahyeahyeahs.com

The Datsuns tour Australia

One of new Zealand’s best loved rock outfits, The Datsuns will be heading our way this April to deliver their customary riff mangling high impact rock to the masses. Having recently relocated to Germany to put the finishing touches on their fourth album, the gigs will be the last chance local fans will have to catch The Datsuns live for some time.

Tickets on sale February 1.

The Datsuns tour dates:

Melbourne – The East Brunswick Club, Tuesday March 18 & Wednesday March 19

Sydney - The Annandale Hotel, Thursday March 20

www.thedatsuns.com

Stone Temple Pilots reunion

Scott Weiland has alerted Stone Temple Pilots fans to look out for a reunion in coming months.

Weiland made the announcement at a solo gig in Florida on the weekend.

Weiland, currently lead singer of Velvet Revolver, fronted STP between 1990 to when the band broke up in 2003. He then formed Velvet Revolver with Slash and other members of Guns 'n' Roses.

Since the STP breakup, bass player Robert DeLeo and his brother, guitarist Dean, formed Army of Anyone and released their debut album in 2006. Drummer Eric Kretz now runs Bomb Shelter Studios in downtown LA.

www.stonetemplepilots.com

Supergrass new album 'Diamond Hoo Ha'

Supergrass are back with a new album 'Diamond Hoo Ha' to be released in March.

The band have been in the studio with producer Nick Launay (Midnight Oil, Silverchair, Nick Cave) and will have a finished product in stores on March 24 through Polydor.

The track listing for 'Diamond Hoo Ha' is:

Diamond Hoo Ha Man
Bad Blood
Rebel In You
When I Needed You
345
Return Of Inspiration
Rough Knuckles
Ghost Of A Friend
Whisky & Green Tea
Outside
Butterfly

http://www.supergrass.com

Reading/Leeds festival part ways with Carling

Both the Reading and Leeds festivals have until this year been branded by English lager Carling, but organisers have snubbed the ten year sponsor and will not be seeking a replacement.

"I wanted to reclaim the name Reading festival and the name Leeds festival," Festival Director Michael Benn told BBC 6 Music. "I wanted them to return to their roots, so to speak. I didn't want the events to be called after a sponsor. I'm not asking another sponsor to come in."

He doesn't make clear just how the festival is going to find the funding lost by losing their major sponsor, or what impact this will have on future festivals.

www.readingfestival.com
www.leedsfestival.com

Coachella festival 2008

The line-up for this year's Coachella was revealed at a press conference in Mexico City on Tuesday. As per usual, its on par with the Glastonbury festival as the greatest festival lineup of every year. One day I will be there. One day.

As rumored, Roger Waters will head the line-up and perform his classic Pink Floyd album 'Dark Side Of The Moon' on the final night show. Jack Johnson will headline day one of April 25 and Portishead lead the pack for Saturday, April 26.

John Butler Trio, Midnight Juggernauts, Architecture In Helsinki and Cut Copy are Australia's contribution to the festival.

Coachella highlights include the reformed The Verve, Jack White's Raconteurs, The Streets, Death Cab For Cuties, M.I.A., Battles, The National, Hot Chip, Les Savy Fav, Madness and Kraftwerk also feature.

The line-up for Coachella 2008 is:

FRIDAY, APRIL 25: Jack Johnson, The Verve, Raconteurs, The Breeders, Fatboy Slim, Tegan and Sara, Madness, The Swell Season, The National, Animal Collective, Slightly Stoopid, Mum, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Stars, Battles, Aesop Rock, Midnight Juggernauts, Does it Offend you, Yeah?, Minus the Bear, Spank Rock, dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip, Diplo, Adam Freeland, Santo Gold, Jens Lekman, John Butler Trio, Vampire Weekend, Dan Deacon, Architecture in Helsinki, Sandra Collins, Busy P, Cut Copy, Black Lips, Datarock, Professor Murder, Reverend and the Makers, The Bees, Porter, Rogue Wave, Modeselektor, American Bang, Lucky I Am.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26: Portishead, Kraftwerk, Death Cab for Cutie, Cafe Tacuba, Sasha & Digweed, Rilo Kiley, Dwight Yoakam, M.I.A., Hot Chip, Cold War Kids, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, DeVotchKa, Flogging Molly, Mark Ronson, Turbonegro, Scars on Broadway, Islands, Enter Shikari, Calvin Harris, Boyz Noize, Junkie XL, Cinematic Orchestra, Jamie T, The Teenagers, VHS or Beta, Carbon/silicon, Erol Alkan, Yo Majesty!, Little Brother, Bonde Do Role, St. Vincent, Akron Family, MGMT, Institubes DJs (Surkin, Para One and Orgasmic), James Zabiela, Sebastian, Kavinsky, Dredg, The Bird and the Bee, Grand Ole Party, New Young Pony Club, 120 Days, Yoav, Electric Touch, Uffie

SUNDAY, APRIL 27: Roger Waters ("Dark Side of the Moon"), Love & Rockets, My Morning Jacket, Spiritualized, Justice, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, The Streets, Metric, Danny Tenaglia, Simian Mobile Disco, Booka Shade, Murs, Dmitri from Paris, Autolux, The Field, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Les Savy Fav, The Cool Kids, Sons & Daughters, Sia, Holy Fuck, Black Kids, Black Mountain, The Annuals, Kid Sister w/A-Trak, Man Man, Duffy, I'm from Barcelona, Manchester Orchestra, Deadmau5, The Horrors, Austin TV, Shout Out Louds, Plastiscines, Brett Dennen.

Tickets for Coachella go on sale January 25.

www.coachella.com/

British Sea Power 'Do You Like Rock Music?'

If you found the title of British Sea Power's forthcoming Krankenhaus? EP a little curious, wait 'til you get a load of the name of their new album. Do You Like Rock Music? is the third LP from the seafaring sorts, slated for a February 12 release on Rough Trade/World's Fair in the U.S. and January 14 on Rough Trade in the UK.

The similarities between Krankenhaus? and Rock Music? are staggering; they both feature "Down on the Ground" and "Atom" (though the EP's version is slightly shortened), they both feature ex-Arcade Fire drummer Howard Bilerman and Godspeed/Silver Mt. Zion's Efrim Menuck, and they're both named after silly questions. Krankenhaus? Sure, why not? Do you like rock music? Of course you do!

Do You Like Rock Music?:

01 All In It
02 Lights Out for Darker Skies
03 No Lucifer
04 Waving Flags
05 Canvey Island
06 Down on the Ground
07 A Trip Out
08 The Great Skua
09 Atom
10 No Need to Cry
11 Open the Door
12 We Close Our Eyes

The Decemberists' Colin Meloy Sings Live!

The Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy is gearing up to release a live solo EP this spring.

'Colin Meloy Sings Live!' is due out in the US on April 8 and features 17 tracks performed during his 2006 solo acoustic tour.

Included on the album are snippets of covers of songs by REM, The Smiths and Pink Floyd, among others. It also includes solo renditions of songs from Meloy's first band, Tarkio as well as the The Decemberists.

The album, which will be released in CD format as well as gatefold double vinyl, also features two previously unreleased tracks, 'Dracula's Daughter' and 'Wonder'.

The tracklisting is:

'Devil's Elbow'
'We Both Go Down Together'
'Evoking a Campfire Singalong'
'The Gymnast, High Above the Ground'
'Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect/Dreams'
'Dracula's Daughter'
'Wonder'
'A Brief Introduction to Shirley Collins'
'Barbara Allen'
'The Engine Driver'
'On the Bus Mall'
'A Skull, a Ship, and a Sheep'
'California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade/Ask'
'The Bachelor and the Bride'
'A Cautionary Song'
'Red Right Ankle'
'Bandit Queen'

CSS reveal details of new album

CSS have revealed all about their forthcoming new album.

The band have headed back home to Sao Paulo to record the follow-up to their 2006 self-titled debut album.

Speaking to NME halfway through recording the album, the band revealed that they are moving away from their trademark electronic sound and are focused on making a more organic record.

"We’ve moved on from that", singer Lovefoxxx explained. "It sounds very different to that now. It sounds rawer and more live. Our last album sounded more held back than we wanted.

"The thing is, that if we’re in Brazil we’re going to be really quiet and it’s away from people trying to reach us," the singer continued, explaining why the band decided to record in the South American country.

"I wouldn’t mind recording in London", she added, "but I think it was better to record in Brazil."

CSS have confirmed that the record will be hitting shelves shortly. "We want to release the album quite soon," Lovefoxxx said. "It’s never really worked before with producers and it’s taken too long. We need to work fast to deliver the album."

Portishead are finally touring again!!

My Bloody Valentine won't be the only 1990s icons fully reborn as an active live act in 2008: Portishead, fresh off a successful stint last month at the ATP Nightmare Before Christmas festival they curated, have also put the touring cogs in motion.

The Bristol trio today announced nine gigs lined up for autumn (spring o/s), with the promise of more to come. For now folks in the UK, Portugal, France, Spain, and Italy should consider themselves fortunate; the last time Portishead embarked on anything resembling a tour, my favorite bands were Live and Korn.

One can only assume Beth, Geoff, and Adrian will use these shows to unveil more new material set to appear on the follow up to 97's Portishead, due in April on Island. From what we've heard thus far, their new stuff sounds promising, so we're pretty excited.

Portishead:

03-26 Porto, Portugal - Coliseum
03-27 Lisbon, Portugal - Coliseum
03-30 Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
03-31 Florence, Italy - Sashall
04-09 Manchester, England - Apollo
04-10 London, England - Hammersmith Apollo
04-11 Edinburgh, Scotland - Corn Exchange
04-13 Wolverhampton, England - Civic
05-05 Paris, France - Zenith
05-29-31 Barcelona, Spain - Parc del Fòrum (Primavera Sound)

Chris Martin punches photographer

Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin, tackled a paparazzi photographer to the floor outside New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center.

The Coldplay singer - who had accompanied wife Gwyneth Paltrow to the hospital amid rumours she is pregnant - lost his temper when a British photographer said "Congratulations Chris" as he walked out of the hospital.

Chris, who was wearing a black bomber jacket with the hood up, yelled "have some f***ing respect!" before grabbing the paparazzo.

After pushing him to the ground, Chris started to get into his black four-wheel drive car when the photographer stood up and exclaimed "what the f**k are you doing?', before tackling Chris from behind in retaliation.

A video featuring the attack has hit the Internet. The mild-mannered singer is seen chasing down a photographer and attacking him as he was trying to get shots of his wife Gwyneth Paltrow leaving a New York hospital earlier this week.

Check out the photos here.

The photographer was too shaken to comment on the incident when contacted. Gwyneth, 35, was rushed to hospital on Monday (14.01.08), but her publicist would not reveal the reasons behind the emergency dash.

Speculation is rife that the 'Shakespeare in Love' actress - who already has a three-year-old daughter Apple and a one-year-old son Moses with Chris - is pregnant, after the Coldplay singer pushed her into the maternity wing, Klingenstein Pavilion, in a wheelchair.

Chris was arrested in Australia in 2003 after allegedly attacking the car of a photographer who pictured him while surfing on Seven Mile Beach.

Lupe Fiasco to quit music

Rap star Lupe Fiasco has vowed to quit music in a bid to become a successful novelist.

The Food + Liquor hitmaker is convinced he will be able to produce one more album before he will be forced to take up a new profession - and writing a book is top of his list.

Fiasco - real name Wasalu Muhammad Jaco - released his last LP, The Cool, in December and plans on recording one more, which he has provisionally titled LupEND, to conclude his musical career.

He says, "I have one more album in me and then I'm out. I've been doing this music hustle for eights years and have more things I still want to do. "There are other ways besides putting out an album that allow me to channel my creative energy and I'm writing a book about a window washer. I will have more than enough to keep me busy."

Mark Ronson in bed with Amy Winehouse?

Music producer Mark Ronson has denied spending the night in a hotel room with troubled singer Amy Winehouse.

Ronson, who produced Winehouse's last album Back To Black, was accused of romancing the star after the pair were reported to have stayed at the K West Hotel in London together on Friday night after an alcohol-fuelled recording session. However, the 32-year-old has rubbished the reports that they are having an affair, insisting the pair are just friends.

He says, "We were pictured together at the weekend but we didn't spend the night together and we weren't even working in the studio. "We were just running around London, hanging out, going to a house party. I went to her house for a bit and she played me some new songs and then we went out."

Winehouse's husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who is currently being held on remand at London's Pentonville Prison on charges of perverting the course of justice, was said to be furious at reports his wife had spent the night with Ronson. It was another blow for Fielder-Civil who was also reported to have been angered by Winehouse's decision to spend a festive holiday in the Caribbean with her ex-boyfriend George Roberts.

DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist give Australia the 'Hard Sell'

For all you fans out there, you’ll only have to wait until April to witness the DJ Shadow audio-visual spectacular again and better yet, he’ll have Cut Chemist by his side.

At this stage, we’re assuming the tour will be in support of the new 'Hard Sell' CD that was the result of a massive gig that Cut Chemist and DJ Shadow played together at the legendary Hollywood Bowl last year – the 16,500 capacity site has hosted infamous concerts from the likes of The Beatles and The Doors, and the boys were the first ever turntablists that were asked to play a headline show. And the 'Hard Sell' is a recording of the rehearsals for the massive gig: an eclectic mix of funk, hip hop, rock and a whole bunch more that utilises 8 turntables and 2 loop pedals, pushing the possibilities of what can be done with live turtablism.

It’ll no doubt prove amazing to see the results of the two of them hitting the stage together. So far we’ve only got details on the Sydney gig, but you can be sure there’ll be national dates to follow…

Dates so far:

Saturday April 19th - Luna Park Big Top, Sydney NSW

Midnight Juggernauts sign to EMI

Melbourne's Midnight Juggernauts have signed an international licensing deal with EMI for all territories outside Australia.

The band, who have had a massive year in Australia, have signed an international licensing deal for their label Siberia Records.

It breaks down like this, Astralwerks will get their album 'Dystopia' in the USA, Virgin will get it in the U.K. and Japan, Capitol will get it in France and EMI will take the remaining territories.

In an e-mail sent by the band to friends, they said of the deal "'...the overseas EMI deal is a licensing deal for their own label Siberia, and all the midnight juggernauts work is still produced and controlled by Siberia Records (Midnight Juggernauts) and released on this label, though distributed through the EMI network worldwide (outside of australia).

"because of this the band were able to get quite an amazing deal in regards to ownership, creative control and percentages which reflect and maintain the ''indie'' nature of their approach along the way.

"Basically the band are just happy that they won't have to compromise their path but will now get their music across to a larger audience overseas.''

Check the band out at:
JANUARY
20 – Big Day Out, Gold Coast, Australia
25 – Big Day Out, Sydney, Australia
28 – Big Day Out, Melbourne, Australia

FEBRUARY
1 – Big Day Out, Adelaide, Australia
3 – Big Day Out, Perth, Australia

MARCH
1 – Duranbah Beach, Gold Coast, Australia
11 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney, Australia
12 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne, Australia
14 – The Tivoli, Brisbane, Australia
20 – Scala, London UK

APRIL
23 – Mezzanine, San Francisco, CA
29 – Hi Dive, Denver, CO

MAY
2 – Double Door, Chicago, IL
3 – Anti, Toronto, ON
4 – Les Saints, Montreal, Quebec
6 – 9.30 Club, Washington, D.C.
7 – Johnny Brendas, Philadelphia, PA
9 – Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

Followed by a Japanese tour, with dates TBC.

Lily Allen suffers miscarriage

UK pop star Lily Allen has suffered a miscarriage.

Lily, and the father, Ed Simmons of the Chemical Brothers, were expecting their first child.
reports from the UK state that Lily lost the baby yesterday.

The reports have been confirmed by her publicist who says that no further comment will be made on the matter.

Lily and Ed have been together since September last year. She was in very early stages of pregnancy.

Rolling Stones leave EMI

The Rolling Stones are the latest band to depart EMI Records. The band announced today that the next album, the soundtrack to the Martin Scorsese film 'Shine A Light', will be released by Universal.

Legendary film director Scorsese captured the band live and intimate over two nights at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

While Lucian Grainge, CEO of Universal welcomed the band to the label, EMI put out a conflicting statement saying that the band was still with them. "The Rolling Stones have not signed to Universal and they've not left EMI," Thomson Financial reports EMI as stating but Grainge said "We are really proud to be working with The Rolling Stones and so is everybody in Universal Music globally."

It's been a tough week for EMI. Head Guy Hands announced a cutback of up to 2000 staff worldwide over the next 6 months.

EMI has lost Paul McCartney and Radiohead in the last year. Robbie Williams and Coldplay have made public statements that they could be next to go.

Universal will release the Rolling Stones 'Shine A Light' soundtrack in March.

G.Love tours with Ozomatli in Australia

G. Love and Special Sauce and Ozomatli, make up a huge Bluesfest triple bill.

Hailing from the streets of Philadelphia, G. Love and Special Sauce have toured with the likes of of Donavon Frankenreiter and Jack Johnson, and in the summer 2005, the band featured in an advertisement for the launch of Coca-Cola Zero, featuring their own unique version of the noted Coca-Cola advertising song I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.

Los Angeles outfit Ozomatli have a lot to credit Carlos Santana with, having offered the band one of their early breaks as his opening act during his 1998 Supernatural tour. The nine piece outfit have since gone from strength to strength having received a Grammy Award in 2002 for 'Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album, played at the 2004 Latin Grammy Awards, featured on Sex In The City and Weeds, played at Coachella, South by Southwest, WOMAdelaide, Egypt, Nepal and most recently on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

This tour is guaranteed to be a blisteringly fun night of hip-hop blues, island-vibe roots rock and street-salsa funk mash-ups!

Kasabian talks 3rd album

Kasabian are going on a psychedelic jaunt with their third album, according to the band.

Tom Meighan and Sergio Pizzorno from the band were filling in for BBC DJ Zane Lowe while he was on holidays last week when Mighty Boosh comedian Noel Fielding phoned in and asked how the album was going.

"just cracking on with it now", Meighan said.

"We're sort of in the process," added Pizzorno. "I don't really know when it's going to be released, but as soon as we think it's ready it'll be out. It's psychedelic this one, it's going to open your mind."

The pair also confirmed that the single 'Fast Fuse' will appear on the album, with Pizzorno saying "I think it's going to go on the album. We've had thousands of people saying we want it on the album, we want it on the album, so it's going to go on."

The band are halfway through their sessions now.

U.N.K.L.E split

In a decision that is “mutual and amicable”, U.N.K.L.E mainstay Richard File has departed the band to concentrate on his new group, We Fell to Earth.

With James Lavelle and co. about to land in Australia for Big Day Out, File’s replacement has been announced as South lead singer Joel Cadbury.

File has been an integral part of the U.N.K.L.E story for over a decade, forming the Unklesounds DJ project with Lavelle in 2001. He also co-produced and lent his vocals to 2003’s Never, Never, Land and last year’s War Stories.

U.N.K.L.E’s Big Day Out set-up will now be captained by Lavelle and the Mo Wax-signed Cadbury. They’re joined onstage by Gavin Clark of Clayhill and Matt and Mike of Baltimore’s Big In Japan.

Radiohead perform free gig in London

After much speculation about their return to the stage, Radiohead appeased their fans with a humble free gig in London last night. Pfft, who needs to headline Glastonbury?

The band was set to play in London’s Rough Trade East store, just off Brick Lane. Tickets were allocated on first-come, first-served basis, meaning the queing started very early.

At the last minute, though, police decided it would be unsafe to have punters milling about outside the store, and moved the gig to the nearby 93 Feet East venue. Radiohead didn’t take the stage till 10:20pm, two hours after they were originally scheduled to start.

When they did though, it was In Rainbows from start to finish. The set tailed off with some older tracks like The National Anthem and My Iron Lung.

Here’s the full set list, courtesy of NME. Kills me!!

Bodysnatchers
Nude
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
All I Need
Faust Arp
Reckoner
House Of Cards
Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Videotape
Up On The Ladder (B-side on 'In Rainbows')
You And Whose Army? (Amnesiac)
The National Anthem (Kid A)
My Iron Lung (The Bends)
The Bends (The Bends)

Download the full concert in audio
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LQWSAJ7W

Download the full concert in video
http://www.sendspace.com/file/hcj3zr

For a more detailed outline of this enromous event go to NME. http://www.nme.com/news/radiohead/33700

East Coast Blues and Roots Festival 3rd announcement

The third artist announcement for Bluesfest has served up a crop of stonkin’ acts taking the tally to 60 international and local artists with a further 40 tipped for announcement before Easter…

22 acts were added to the line-up today including legends such as Ray Davies from The Kinks, original Wailer and his band – Bunny Wailer & The Solomonic Reggaestra, a specially reformed Cruel Sea and Weddings Parties Anything, John Hiatt, The Cat Empire and much, much more.

Festival director Peter Noble said, “Bluesfest 2008 is once again set to be an incredible musical party with something for everyone. This year, we’re so packed with amazing headliners – and depth of talent across the entire festival, that we think it could be our best line-up yet, and perhaps the strongest collective bill ever presented in Australia!

Bluesfest
The 19th Annual International East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival
Thursday March 20 to Monday March 24, Byron Bay

With:
Ray Davies, Bunny Wailer and the Solomonic Reggaestra, The Cat Empire, John Hiatt, Patty Griffin, The Cruel Sea, Jason Mraz, Ozomatli, Michelle Shocked, Weddings Parties Anything, Lost Dogs – Kasey Chambers’ alter ego band, The Beautiful Girls, True Live, Mamadou Diabate, The McClymonts, Jon Cleary & His Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Fiona Boyes, Jeff Lang, Jake Shimabakuro, Son Veneno, Last Town Chorus and The Angry Tradesmen.
John Fogerty, KT Tunstall, London Community Gospel Choir, Xavier Rudd, G Love & Special Sauce, Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Keb‘ Mo’, Seasick Steve, Ian Brown, Lee Ritenour, Lior, Charlie Musselwhite Band, Patty Griffin, Brandi Carlile, The Audreys, John Hammond, JJ Grey & MOFRO, The Bellrays, Galactic and Jeff Martin.
Buddy Guy, Sinead O’Connor, Keith Urban, The Black Crowes, John Butler Trio, Wilco, Eskimo Joe, Mavis Staples, Maceo Parker, Stanley Clarke / George Duke Project, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Don McLean, Loudon Wainwright III, Vusi Mahlasela, Ruthie Foster, Ron Sexsmith, Gotye, Clare Bowditch, Angus and Julia Stone, Music Maker Foundation featuring Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, Albert White, Pura Fe, Eddie Tigner, Tommy Brown, Little Joe Burton, Dr. G.B. Burt and more.

Kanye West says no to sideshows!

Many have quietly speculated on whether Good Vibrations festival headliner Kanye West would have time in his schedule for sideshows on his forthcoming Australian tour. Well speculate no more, as the official word has come from Justin Hemmes, head of Good Vibrations tour agent Jam Music; there will be no Kanye sideshow love!

A sideshow had been planned for Acer Arena in Sydney, but Hemmes told News.com.au that the event was now off the drawing board. “We just didn’t have time to promote the show right,” Hemmes remarked, also explaining that the decision to cancel the planned concert came from organisers, rather than Kanye himself. “His philosophy is you’ve got to have the best show to go with the best music and singing,” Hemmes went on to explain. “And by all reports, this is going to be an amazing show. It has come with a huge technical rider.”

We’re unsure where Kanye would have found time to fit the show on his itinerary. Arriving on Saturday February 9 for the Melbourne festival, he then immediately leaves the following day (missing the Gold Coast leg of the tour), so he can appear at the Grammy Awards in the US. He then returns the following weekend for the Sydney and Perth festivals. Regardless, at least he’ll be clocking up some serious frequent flier mileage.

Courtney Love to choose Kurt in 'Heavier Than Heaven'

Courtney Love has said she wants to 'Half Nelson' actor Ryan Gosling to play her late husband Kurt Cobain in a film.

Love who is executive producer on the £30 million pound film 'Heavier Than Heaven', has also asked Scarlett Johansson to portray her in the film according to the UK's ' The Mirror'.

The movie is based on Charles Cross's biography of Cobain.

A source said: "Kirsten Dunst was rumoured to be in the frame, but Courtney really admires Scarlett and has already sent the contract out for her to sign. Courtney even copied Scarlett's sleek blonde movie look when she was in London for the Fashion Rocks party last year.

"She wants the best actors to portray them - she will be on set all the time giving Scarlett and Ryan advice on what it was like being one part of the most notorious couples since Sid and Nancy . It will be explosive."

Bjork attacks photographer in New Zealand

Bjork has attacked a New Zealand photographer who tried to snap her when she arrived in the country on Sunday morning.

Photographer Glenn Jeffrey claims that the Icelandic singer ripped his shirt after he took some shoots of her as she departed the plane. He has reported the incident to Auckland police.

Jeffrey told the Associated Press that he took a couple of pictures even though he was asked not to by Bjork's security. He alleges that the singer came after him while he was walking away, grabbed the back of his skivvy and torn it.

Bjork is in New Zealand for the Big Day Out. Her next stop on the tour is Australia.

Coldplay 'Prospekt' out May

Coldplay's 'Prospekt' album is expected to be released in May.

The forth album, produced by Brian Eno, will be the follow-up to the 2005 hit 'X&Y'.

'Prospekt' is the final album owed to EMI under Coldplay's contract. Already, they have been making comments about leaving the label after this record.

EMI jewels Radiohead and Paul McCartney left in 2007. Robbie Williams is also stating he wants out.

Coldplay went cold on EMI during 2005 when the label issued a stock priced warning based on a potential delay for a Coldplay record.

Songs recorded for the album, but not yet confirmed for the release are:

Famous Old Painters
Glass Of Water
Lost!
Cemeteries of London
Violet Hill
Poppy Fields
42
Yes!
Leftrightleftright
Rainy Day
Prospeckt's March

Panic At The Disco change name

Panic! At The Disco have changed their name to Panic At The Disco. They have dropped their exclamation mark.

The logo at both their official website and MySpace sites is without the trademark exclamation mark that graced their name on the debut album.

The original idea for the exclamation mark was inspired by The Smiths hit 'Panic!'.

Guitarist Ryan Ross told MTV News that the ! got a bit annoying and that they were forever being asked questions in interviews about the !.

The band is readying the release of its second album that has been christened 'Pretty.Odd.'

'Pretty.Odd.' will be released on March 25th.

St Jerome's Laneway Festival second announcement

Round two of the bill includes a sterling international triple threat: beguiling Canadian five piece Stars, Chicago rap duo Cool Kids and moody rockers Manchester Orchestra. Also joining the tour nationally are Damn Arms, theredsunband, Darren Hanlon and The Vasco Era.

Each city also gets its own share of local notables. Check ‘em out below.

Melbourne: Rudely Interrupted, Still Flyin, Violent Soho, Hot Little Hands, The Basics and Emily Ulman.

Sydney: Rudely Interrupted, Still Flyin, Violent Soho, Hot Little Hands and The Basics.

Brisbane: Still Flyin, Violent Soho, The Basics, I Heart Hiroshima, Yves Klein Blue and The Gin Club.

Adelaide: Aviator Lane, Lady Strangelove, Leader Cheetah and No Through Road.

This over-abundance of talent joins a value packed first round announcement: Feist, Gotye, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Presets, Kevin Drew, Dan Deacon, Via Tania, Okkervil River, The Panics, Bridezilla, Devestations, The Brunettes, Little Red and The Holidays.

St Jermone’s Laneway Festival dates:

Saturday 23 February – Adelaide, Fowler’s Live, North Terrace
Sunday 24 February – Melbourne SOLD OUT, St. Jerome’s, Caledonian Lane, CBD
Saturday 1 March – Brisbane, The Zoo, Winn St, Fortitude Valley
Sunday 2 March – Sydney, The Basement, Macquarie Park & Reiby Place, Circular Quay

Green Day or Foxboro Hot Tubs?

Green Day have posted a free, top secret new album on the internet – and you can listen to it here.

The trio have shed their punk roots to record six tracks of 1960s-flavoured rock’n’roll under the name 'Foxboro Hot Tubs'.

The chart-conquering threesome are no strangers to secret side projects having released songs before under the name 'The Network'.

Collection Stop Drop And Roll is a nifty, light-hearted suite of songs.

1. Stop Drop And Roll
2. Mother Mary
3. Ruby Room
4. Red Tide
5. Highway 1
6. She's A Saint Not A Celebrity

www.myspace.com/foxborohottubs

Cat Power to tour Australia

Cat Power - aka Georgia, Atlanta born songstress Chan Marshall - returns to Australia this March for her first national tour since September 2003. And, although having toured select cities as a solo artist in June 2004, and with a makeshift pick up band as support to Nick Cave in May 2005, this is the first time Cat Power has performed in this country with her full-time band, Dirty Delta Blues.

The tour follows the release on January 19th of the brand new Cat Power album, Jukebox, a hand-picked selection of songs originally recorded by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Hank Williams, The Highwaymen, Billie Holiday, Joni Mitchell, Nick Cave and even Cat Power - 'Metal Heart' from 1998's Moon Pix - all reworked in Chan's own idiosyncratic style. Jukebox also includes Ode to Bobby, the sole new Cat Power composition.

In between the last visit to Australia and this upcoming tour, Cat Power has recorded and released arguably her greatest album, the award winning and suitably titled, The Greatest; appeared as a model and spokesperson for Chanel jewellery; lent her vocals to to recordings by Handsome Boy Modelling School, Faithtless, El-P and Dirty Three (amongst others), and performed at benefit concerts for PETA, Fuck Cancer and The Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian Parents' Circle. Currently, Chan is in India documenting the slums of Bangalore and Bangladesh and their lack of clean water and waste hygiene for the Charity: Water Organization. A cause that Cat Power have already showed support for via a charity show in NYC on December 17th of this year.

And although having been demonised on previous tours for her erratic stage behaviour, Cat Power returns to Australia this time brimming with good health and confidence.

Friday 7th - Cairns - Tanks Arts Centre
Saturday 8th - Brisbane - The Tivoli
Sunday 9th - Sydney - Enmore Theatre
Monday 10th: Adelaide - The Gov
Wednesday 12th - Castlemaine (Vic) - Theatre Royal
Thursday 13th - Melbourne - The Forum

The Panics tour Melbourne show only

Following a massive 2007 The Panics have been given the top honour of receiving the 2007 J Award for their amazing album ‘Cruel Guards.’ The award for Australian Album of the Year is given - for an albums creativity, innovation, musicianship and contribution to Australian music. To celebrate the award, the band play this Melbourne-only show.

"Cruel Guards is an album that spoke to us from beginning to end. With a definite Australian flavour in its atmosphere, the album realises The Panics' unique vision and contains the most consistent songwriting - both lyrically and musically - of any local album this year"
- Richard Kingsmill, Triple J, 2007

Kanye to headline Glastonbury

Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis has sparked rumours Kanye West will headline this year's festival.

The 'Stronger' rapper is hot favourite to top the bill at the world famous music extravaganza, in Somerset, England, after Eavis announced he had booked a "black American headliner" to appeal to a younger audience. He told British TV show 'BBC Points West': "I'm putting on a black American headliner, who is absolutely terrific, that's going to appeal to those people."

Eavis' cryptic statement also leaves the door open for a number of other big US stars, including Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Beyoncé Knowles.

The festival boss also revealed he is desperate for Amy Winehouse to perform again at the weekend event - which runs from June 27-29. When asked if she would be on the bill for the second year running, he replied: "I hope so, I really, really do need her."

In November, it was reported Kylie Minogue would be one of the three stars headlining the festival, after Eavis declared she would be the perfect act to close the event. Eavis said: "Kylie sums up everything Glastonbury is about. She's glam and theatrical. I see dancers, lights, feathers - almost like a circus show. "She seduced me with her 'Showgirl' tour and I'd love to see her do that on the last night."

Kylie was set to headline the 2005 festival but was forced to pull out after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Carl Cox sideshow tour in Australia

The guy millions around the world count on to get the party started, Carl Cox, has added a few sideshows to his already bulging BIG DAY OUT itinerary. Now from one end of the country to the other the gentle giant of techno will hit the decks and rock crammed dancefloors.

Carl Cox Tour Dates

BRISBANE - Saturday 19 January - The Met
GOLD COAST - Sunday 20 January - Platinum
SYDNEY - Saturday 26 January - Oxford Arts Factory
MELBOURNE - Sunday 27 January - Billboard
ADELAIDE - Thursday 31 January - HQ Complex
PERTH - Saturday 2 February - Heat Nightclub