News

Alabama Shakes have announced a short UK tour for this November. The band, who released their critically acclaimed debut album Boys & Girls earlier this year, will play four shows in November, including two in London. The run of shows begins at Manchester Academy on November 12, before moving onto Glasgow Barrowlands on November 13, the band will then play two dates in the UK capital, first day at the Coronet on November 16 and then at the HMV Forum on November 17.

Former New Order bassist Peter Hook has announced that Factory251, the music venue inside the former Factory Records office, will help launch a master's degree in Music Industry Management and Promotion alongside the University of Central Lancashire, reports The Guardian.

Jarvis Cocker has spoken about Pulp's future plans and says that he and his bandmates haven't ruled out recording new material. The band reunited in late 2010 and played a number of festivals and well-received gigs last summer, but have not as yet indicated if they will be writing or recording any new material. Speaking in an interview which you can read in the new issue of NME, the singer refused to be definitely drawn either way on the prospect of new material, but also ruled out the band breaking up once again.

The Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards has revealed that he and Jack White have "recorded a couple of tracks" together and could release them in the coming months. Speaking to Rolling Stone, the legendary guitarist said that he and White had worked together and he'd up for releasing the songs as long as White was also onboard with the idea.

Jack White has spoken about his issues with digital format music and his love of vinyl records. Speaking in a video interview with the BBC, the former frontman of The White Stripes said that he enjoys the "romance" of vinyl, adding that "invisible" digital music "makes you feel like some other being is in charge".

The Sex Pistols are to reissue their 1977 single, "Pretty Vacant". A limited edition seven-inch picture disc will be released via Universal Music on July 2 - 35 years to the day that the single originally came out. "Pretty Vacant", released as the band's third single following "Anarchy In The UK" and "God Save The Queen", peaked at number 6 in its fourth week on the UK singles chart. Reissued versions of the single charted again in 1992 and 2007, while a live version of the song cracked the top 20 in 1996.

Blur have cast doubt on their future once again, with bassist Alex James hinting that the band's show in Hyde Park this summer could be their last. The band will headline a huge outdoor gig at London's Hyde Park on August 12, which sees them topping a bill that also includes New Order and The Specials. The gig has been put on to coincide with the closing ceremony of the Olympic games.

Industry veteran Lars Brogaard has called for a fundamental change to stage erection guidelines following this month's fatal stage collapse at a Radiohead concert in Toronto. Brogaard, who has been production manager for Rod Stewart since 1985, recommended that the use of steel roofs should become an industry standard.

The Beach Boys have announced a second UK show for later this year. The band, who announced that they had reformed to celebrate their 50th anniversary last December, will play London's Royal Albert Hall on September 27. The new show is the second London date of the band's full European tour, which will also see them play London's Wembley Arena on September 28.

Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood is to reunite with former Rolling Stones members at a one-off gig this coming Saturday (June 30). The show, curated by Wood, is a celebration of legendary blues label, Chess Records, home to Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Etta James and Muddy Waters. Taking place at London's HMV Hammersmith Apollo, Wood will be joined by the Stones' original bassist Bill Wyman and his immediate predecessor in the band, guitarist Mick Taylor.