On Tour: Madness

Following their standout rooftop performance at The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert Madness have confirmed a second London O2 Arena show just before Christmas on Saturday 22nd December as part of their biggest arena tour to date.

Featured Music: Sebadoh

With their first release in 14 years, Sebadoh last week made available a 5-track EP through Bandcamp (entitled the Secret EP) as something of a taster of their upcoming album, due in 2013. The tracks are 'stand-alone' however, and are not set to appear on the LP.

Blur Play Intimate Maida Vale Show

Last night (July 31st) saw Blur drop by Maida Vale to play an very cosy show, with only a handful of competition winners being allowed entry, the show having only been announced two short weeks ago. The event was split-streamed by BBC 6Music and Radio 2.

On Tour: Feeder

Whilst gearing up for the release of their new single Idaho (due on 27th August), indie/rock institution Feeder have announced that they are to play an exclusive live show at BT London Live in Hyde Park on 10th August, as part of the London 2012 Olympic celebrations. They'll be sharing the stage with Ocean Colour Scene and The Temper Trap.

On Tour: Slash

Legendary former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash has as of this morning confirmed an upcoming 5-date UK tour set for October. The gigs begin in Edinburgh at the city's Corn Exchange on October 7th and run through until October 15th when the guitarist and his band headline Newcastle's O2 Academy. The run of gigs also includes shows in Manchester, Birmingham and London.

On Tour: Bat For Lashes

Following the overwhelming demand for Bat For Lashes' Manchester Cathedral show scheduled for October 22nd, an extra date has been added for the following night in the same venue on the following night (Tuesday 23rd).

Classic Line-Up For 15th Rebellion Festival

Blackpool's Rebellion Festival, scheduled to take place over the long weekend of August 2nd to 5th, has an excellent line-up this year, with the very best of the punk rock underground joined by big names including Public Image Ltd., Rancid and the Buzzcocks.

On Tour: The xx

The xx have announced a trio of intimate UK shows for the second week of September.

The London band will take to the stage at the Shepherd's Bush Empire on September 10th - coinciding with the release or their second album Coexist. They will follow this hometown show with gigs at The Coal Exchange in Cardiff on September 11th and Edinburgh's Usher Hall on the 12th.

On Tour: Elbow

Elbow have this morning announced a UK arena tour for November and December 2012, with 5 shows confirmed for Nottingham, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and London. Elbow Tickets are on general sale from 9am on Friday 27th July.

Featured Music: (The Death Of) Six By Seven

Third in a series of demo/lo-fi EPs from (The Death Of) Six By Seven. Presented utterly stylishly in a grooved vinyl CD format, the proceeds of sales of the EPs are set to be put back into recording the project's second full length album.

Six By Seven, after numerous breakups/reformations are now creating new releases and gigging with a core of Chris Olley and James Flower from the original band line-up of the mid nineties, plus Pete Stevenson and Martin Cooper.

On Tour: Lynyrd Skynyrd UK Dates

Following their short run of June UK shows, iconic southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd have today announced a short November tour in the UK, calling in at Gateshead, Norwich and London's Shepherd's Bush Empire.

Robert Smith's Impromptu Acoustic Set At Bilbao

Technical difficulties delayed the start of The Cure's headlining performance at Spain’s Bilbao BBK Live festival on Thursday night. So rather than leave the large crowd stewing while repairs were done, Smith filled the time himself, emerging with an acoustic guitar and playing solo versions of three well-selected Cure songs, and stating "Don’t applaud too loudly or you’ll give me ideas.".