Franz ferdinand

Kicking off next spring

Doc celebrates Scotland's Chemikal Underground label

Beck is set to bring his 'Song Reader' album to London in July for a one-off performance including guests Franz Ferdinand and Jarvis Cocker. Song Reader is a book of sheet music, which was released in December 2012. It includes 20 songs and more than 100 pages of art. Beck's idea for the release is that the listener becomes the artist, with all 20 songs open to interpretation by different individuals. The London performance will take place at the Barbican on July 4 with tickets going on sale this Friday (May 17).

Franz Ferdinand's Nick McCarthy has unveiled his new side-project – The Nice Nice Boys. The guitarist has teamed up with Johnny Marr And The Healers' Andy Knowles and you can hear their new single 'Round Town', featuring rapper Marvellous Macc Mello, by scrolling down below. Recorded in McCarthy’s Sausage Studios and mixed at Abbey Road, the single is set to be released on McCarthy and Knowles' label Meat Records.

Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos dubbed Oasis as "boring" in an impromptu question and answer session with fans on Twitter last night [May 8]. When asked what tips he would give to new bands, his advice was to steer clear of Oasis covers: "Never cover Oasis. Never forget your friends. Always have a laugh." Queried further on why bands shouldn't cover Oasis, Kapranos replied: "Ach. Nothing personal. Just because everyone does. And they're so fucking boring."

Klaxons, Zutons also join in with tributes

Scottish band return this month with a trio of gigs

Alex Kapranos says the band are trying something different this time round

Wright plays with Paul Thompson in Correcto

Jaunt kicks off in Aberdeen in October