Blur

Last night, it was all about anticipation. First, the rumours started circulating that Michael Gove was implicated in some job-threatening scandal, only for those rumours to reach a resounding anti-climax, as The Observer’s story was revealed to be a little spat between a couple of hacks and some unsavoury Tory operatives.

The lineup for this summer's Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona has been announced.

Live Nation is to host a number of live music events at the Olympic Park this summer, including the Wireless and Hard Rock Calling festivals.

Bobby Womack has released an official statement after revealing this week that he is suffering from Alzheimer’s. The 68-year-old, who released his first single in 1954, previously admitted he is suffering from the brain disorder and that he struggles to recall the names of his songs and those of his collaborators. He said: “The doctor says there are signs of Alzheimer’s. It’s not bad yet but will get worse. How can I not remember songs I wrote? It’s frustrating. I don't feel together yet. Negative things come in my mind and it's hard for me to remember sometimes."

London's Olympic Stadium in Stratford, East London, is set to reopen in July 2013 with a series of rock concerts, reports BBC News.

Bobby Womack has revealed he's suffering from brain disorder Alzheimer’s. The 68-year-old, who released his first single in 1954, has admitted he struggles to recall the names of his songs and those of his collaborators. He said: “The doctor says there are signs of Alzheimer’s. It’s not bad yet but will get worse. He added: "How can I not remember songs I wrote? It’s frustrating. I don't feel together yet. Negative things come in my mind and it's hard for me to remember sometimes."

Following on from yesterday's Top 75 new albums of 2012 post, here's our Top 30 compilations, reissues and box sets of 2012, with links to the original reviews where possible. Have a great Christmas and New Year, folks!

Arctic Monkeys will play next summer's Open'er festival in Poland. The event takes place in Gdynia from July 3-6, and will also see sets from Queens Of The Stone Age, Blur and Kings of Leon. Arctic Monkeys will play on July 4. Early bird tickets for the festival are on sale until January 15, 2013. For more information visit Opener.pl/en. This autumn, drummer Matt Helders' mum confirmed that Arctic Monkeys were in the Californian desert recording the follow-up to ' Suck It And See.

From Uncut's November 2009 issue (Take 150), Bryan Ferry and his bandmates recall the making of Roxy Music's classic single, "Street Life"

The Specials have announced plans for a 10 date tour of the UK next year. The ska legends will play throughout May 2013, kicking off the run of dates at Glasgow Barrowland on May 10. They will visit Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and more, finishing up at London's O2 Academy Brixton on May 28.