**Back on Monday (27/07)**

We're back kids!! Well not officially (back in office Monday), but we're back in the country and covering Splendour this weekend.

Jeez you guys missed out on some news whilst we were away. Here's a quick quick update on what's been happening in our music universe recently.

Australian:

** Jane's Addiction pulled out of Splendour and their Australian tour thanks to one of Jane's band members suffering from an elbow infection. Yuk. The Living End came in to save the day and will take over their duties at Splendour.

** Bloc Party played a secret gig in Byron last night, playing their 'Silent Alarm' album in full to a very intimate and lucky crowd.

** The Homebake Festival announced their first lineup. Powederfinger, Jet, Hilltop Hoods, Eskimo Joe, Daniel Merriweather, Midnight Juggernauts, Time Finn and more will be performing at the show.

** With a new single 'Sundown Syndrome' on its way, psychedelic adventurers Tame Impala head out on a headline tour in September.

** The Melbourne International Arts Festival was announced for Oct 9th-24th.

** Sadly, there will be no ATP (All Tomorrow's Parties) Festival in 2010. However, organisers have guaranteed a return in 2011. Also, in other Australian festival news, Modular's Nevereverland festival will return in 2009.

** Does it Offend You, Yeah? announce sideshows to coinside with their appearance at the Coaster festival in September.

International:

** Nominations are in for the 2009 Mercury Prize Award. They include: Florence and the Machine – 'Lungs', Kasabian – 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum', Bat for Lashes – 'Two Suns', La Roux – 'La Roux', Glasvegas – 'Glasvegas', Speech Debelle – 'Speech Therapy', Friendly Fires – 'Friendly Fires', The Horrors – 'Primary Colours', Lisa Hannigan – 'Sea Sew', The Invisible – 'The Invisible', Led Bib – 'Sensible Shoes', Sweet Billy Pilgrim – 'Twice Born Men'.

** The Beastie Boys have had to delay their work on their latest album due to Adam being diagnosed with 'treatable' cancer

** Gale force winds forced cancellations and evacuations from the mighty Benicàssim music festival

** Tegan and Sara are to release a new album 'Sainthood' on Oct 27th.

** The Rapture announced that bassist and co-vocalist, Mattie Safer, has split from the band. The news comes as a shock considering he was one of the driving forces behind The Rapture. The band have also stated that their tour of Australia will continue.

** The Strokes main man Julian Casablancas has a solo album on the way. The singer has been been hard at work on the eight-track LP, which is set to be called 'Phrazes for the Young'.

** After six long years, Massive Attack with their 5th album. Due for release in 2010, word is members from bands such as Blur, Doves, Mazzy Star, Tricky and TV On The Radio are contributing.

** The Michael Jackson death saga is still continuing and will never end. The far-fetched stories coming out of the States are that he was murdered (according to Le Toya), he named his daughter after Paris Hilton (according to Paris Hilton) and that he has another son (according to 'the other' son). One factual story is that he has sold 9 million albums since his death. Great career move as we mentioned earlier.

We will be back in the office officially on Monday and expect a report from Splendour in The Grasss fest soon.

Cheers.

Jase