News

Mick Jagger is to host and perform at the series finale of American comedy sketch show, Saturday Night Live. According to Deadline, Jagger will host the episode, which airs on May 19. This will be Jagger's first time hosting the long-running series, but his third appearance as a performer. Jagger and the rest of the Rolling Stones co-hosted and performed, as well as appearing in a handful of sketches, in 1978. Jagger again appeared on the programme in 2001. The Rolling Stones are currently celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Alabama Shakes returned to the UK last night [May 3] for their first gig since storming into the Official UK Album Charts at No 3. The Athens, Alabama five-piece performed at London's Brixton Electric in their first UK show since their album Boys & Girls was released on April 9. They played a mixed set of songs from the album and some brand new tracks.

Lloyd Brevett, co-founder of the influential ska band The Skatalites, has died aged 80. Brevett played upright bass in the band, best known for the track "Guns Of Navarone", which was later covered by The Specials - pictured below. Scroll down to listen to both versions of the track. The original incarnation of The Skatalites formed in 1963 and were only around for 18 months before they disbanded in 1965. Billboard reports that Brevett passed away yesterday [May 3] in Jamaica at Andrews Memorial Hospital in St. Andrew, following a stroke and seizures.

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has spoken about the band's surprise at the overwhelmingly negative reaction they received to their collaboration album with Lou Reed, Lulu. Speaking to Spin, Ulrich said that the band all knew the project would be "difficult to embrace", but that the bile the record received took them all by surprise.

The Prodigy have revealed the working title for their new studio album. The record, which is the follow-up to their 2009 effort Invaders Must Die, has been given the working title 'How To Steal A Jet Fighter', the band's frontman Liam Howlett told NME. Howlett promised that the band's sixth studio LP would be "heavier and darker".

Bruce Springsteen brought to a close the first leg of his current world tour last night [May 2] in Newark, New Jersey, with a cover of The Band song, "The Weight", in tribute to drummer Levon Helm, who died two weeks ago. Speaking from the stage, Springsteen said of Helm: "He was one of the greatest, greatest voices in country, rockabilly and rock & roll. Levon's voice and drumming was so incredibly versatile. He had a feel on the drums... it comes from a certain place in the past and you can't replicate it."

Leonard Cohen has announced a 21-day tour of North America to support Old Ideas, his 11th studio album that was released in January. Speaking to Rolling Stone earlier this year about going back out on tour, Cohen said, "I have two minds. I don't like to do a small tour, so whether I'm going to sign up for for another couple of years...is that really where I want to be? Maybe it is…touring is like taking the first step on a walk to China. It's a serious commitment, so there are a lot of factors to be examined."

Damon Albarn has hinted that there could be another Gorillaz album without his partner, Jamie Hewlett. Speaking in an interview with Shortlist, Albarn said that nothing would change musically if he went ahead and made a record without Hewlett, but that there would be no cartoon element in the form of Murdoc. He said:

Kings Of Leon's Jared Followill and his girlfriend Martha Patterson are engaged, according to reports. The bass player, 25, apparently proposed to Patterson, a 21 year old model, last month on April 11. Rolling Stone reports that the pair have only been dating a few months. Followill confirmed the news earlier today via his Twitter account, joking: It's true! I'm engaged! CANNOT wait to finally lose my virginity. Following his online revelation, The Strokes' Nikolai Fraiture responded: "Congrats man! You're gonna love it!"

The xx are set to make a live return with three dates in London this month. Tickets are being allocated through a special lottery system on the band's website. The xx will play: London Electrowerkz (May 14) London Chats Palace (15) London Battersea Arts Centre (18) The band are currently working on the follow-up to to their Mercury Prize-winning debut. In December the band posted a demo of a new song titled "Open Eyes" on their blog.