News

Radiohead has revived a song that was first written in the “OK Computer” era as it continues to record material for its new album, which is expected for a summer release.

According to a post from frontman Thom Yorke on the group’s official Web site, the track “Nude,” which has also been known as “Big Ideas (Don’t Get Any),” will feature accompaniment by a string quartet. “It sounds beautiful, as far as I can tell,” he said.

Yorke played an acoustic version of “Nude” at a January 1998 show in Tokyo, while the full band premiered it during an April 1998 show in Dallas. It also appears on the Radiohead concert film “Meeting People Is Easy.”

The group’s site also features new photos of band members in rehearsal, including a close-up of a lyric sheet for a song with lines like “Did the cat get your tongue / One by one, in procession / Did your string come undone?”

Source billboard.com.

Two of the most pivotal and event-filled years in the life of lauded singer/songwriter Michael Franti will culminate in June with the simultaneous release of new studio disc with Spearhead and a documentary DVD and book chronicling his recent trip to Iraq. All three will carry the name “I Know I’m Not Alone.”

The CD will be the debut Franti/Spearhead release for Epitaph’s Anti- label under a new worldwide deal and includes appearances by Pink and reggae riddim kings Sly & Robbie. The agreement with Anti- excludes Australia, where his work is licensed through Liberation Records; he will also continue to release material on his own Boo Boo Wax label, through which he has issued remix, acoustic and live efforts.

Source billboard.com.

The spirit of carnival arrived a week early in Brazil with a free Rolling Stones concert before a crowd of over 1 million people at Copacabana Beach.

The band opened the Saturday night gig with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” cheered on by fans who had staked out spots before the enormous stage.

Fire department officials estimated the crowd was over 1 million at the show’s start but that more people were coming. Officials estimated that as many as 2 million could see the concert.

“It’s going to be an amazing show,” said 19-year-old Barbara de Carvalho, a student from Sao Paulo who had camped on the beach since Thursday. “I’ve waited for this all my life.”

Photographers and fans also crowded around the Copacabana Palace hotel where the Stones have been staying since arriving here Friday.

Fans said the guitarists Keith Richard and Ron Wood appeared from time to time on the penthouse balcony to wave at them.

A specially erected footbridge took them from the hotel, over the beachfront Avenida Atlantica and directly to the stage.

Source yahoo.com.

A videotape showing Kid Rock and former Creed frontman Scott Stapp engaging in explicit sexual activity with four female fans on a tour bus has been acquired by California company Red Light District, the distributor of the notorious 2004 Paris Hilton sex tape “One Night in Paris.”

The company has launched a 40-second preview clip of the 45-minute tape at the Web sites KidRockSexTape.com and ScottStappSexTape.com and says it plans to release the entire video at some point this year.

billboard.com.

Heralding the comeback of New Orleans music and culture, organizers of the 2006 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell today announced a music lineup filled with hundreds of New Orleans

It has been six years since quintessential San Francisco Bay Area Rock band ZERO has played together, and on March 9, they will kick off a trio of reunion shows at Denver

Lollapalooza will return to Chicago’s Grant Park as a three-day event in 2006. Organizers Capitol Sports & Entertainment confirmed that the one-time touring festival is not only growing in length, but in size as well, taking over more of the park to house eight stages that will present as many as 130 acts.

The Lollapalooza Web site confirms the dates and location for the show, but confirmation of participating artists and ticket information isn’t expected to emerge for about a month. The show will take place August 4-6, 2006 in Chicago’s Grant Park.

Of course, that that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning. As previously reported, a reunion of the Windy City’s own Smashing Pumpkins is among the most persistent rumors, while the likes of the Flaming Lips and Disco Biscuits also the focus of speculation. Members of Thievery Corporation recently told Billboard.com that the group would be on hand for year’s festival.

Source billboard.com.

David Byrne and Brian Eno’s landmark 1981 collaboration “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts” will be reissued March 28 via Nonesuch. The new edition features seven previously unreleased tracks that date from the original recording sessions.

By 1979, the artists had worked together on the Talking Heads albums “More Songs About Buildings and Food” and “Fear of Music.” While recording the follow-up to the latter, “Remain in Light,” they set out to make an album inspired by their fascination with the groove-driven music embodied by African artists like Fela Kuti. The pieces were then accented by African field recordings, as well as samples of everything from talk radio shows to evangelists.

Byrne and Eno were aided in the studio by Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz, bassists Bill Laswell and Tim Wright and conga player Steve Scales, who later played with Talking Heads on the tour in support of “Remain in Light.”

The extra tracks on the reissue, “Pitch to Voltage,” “Two Against Three,” “Vocal Outtakes,” “New Feet,” “Defiant,” “Number 8 Mix” and “Solo Guitar With Tin Foil,” are bolstered by a film for album track “Mea Culpa” by Bruce Connor.

Source billboard.com.

Singer-songwriter Glen Phillips, whose unique blend of folk-pop has been lauded as

There are few bands so revered by their contemporaries as the SOLEDAD BROTHERS, who formed in 1995 and hail from the same Detroit scene that spawned the likes of the White Stripes, Brendan Benson, and the Greenhornes. ‘The Hardest Walk’ arrives a full two years after the release of their acclaimed third album ‘Voice Of Treason,

Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes will hit the road together this spring on an all-acoustic tour. With performance dates in New York, Austin, Texas, San Francisco and Los Angeles, it marks the first such outing for the sometimes sparring siblings.

Brothers of a Feather: An Acoustic Evening With Chris & Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes will open April 13 in Brooklyn, the first of three shows in as many venues in New York. Confirmed dates run through a two-night stand in Los Angeles. It is unknown if more shows will be added to the run.

The Robinsons will play Black Crowes songs old and new, as well as a selection of covers. Each performance will be recorded for a possible acoustic release in the future.

The first tickets for the tour go on sale Friday (Feb. 17) for all Austin shows. Tickets for New York dates go on sale Feb. 24. Full ticket details can be found on the Black Crowes’ official Web site.

Here are Chris and Rich Robinson’s tour dates:

April 13: Brooklyn (Warsaw)
April 14: New York (Rose Theater/Lincoln Center)
April 15: New York (Town Hall)
April 17-18: Austin (Cactus Cafe; two shows)
April 20: San Francisco (Swedish American Hall/Caf

The 4th annual Joshua Tree Music Festival will take place Friday, May 19th, through Sunday, May 21st, at the Joshua Tree Lake Campground at 2601 Sunfair Road, in Joshua Tree, California. The festival is a family-friendly event for music-loving souls of all ages. Nestled just outside The Joshua Tree national park in the high desert of the Mojave Desert, The Joshua Tree Music Festival is one of the ONLY multi-day campout festivals of its caliber in the Southwest United States.

The festival showcases an incredibly diverse array of more than 25 nationally recognized recording artists. Featured genres include singer-songwriter, rocket-fueled funk and dance music, bluegrass, southern rock, reggae, flamenco-delic, and afro-centric music. The intimate setting of just two stages, set back to back, keeps the music flowing non-stop over the course of the weekend.

The line-up so far includes: Kinky, Particle, New Monsoon, Lotus, Thomas Mapfumo & Blacks Unlimited, Moonshine Still, Breakestra, Kaki King, Spam All Stars, Kan’Nal, Samantha Stollenwerck, Alfred Howard & The k23 Orchestra, Brett Dennen, The Axis Brothers (featuring Wally ingram and Mighty Dave Pellicciaro), Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble, Corinne West, Groundation, Tim Easton, Toubab Krewe, Alma Melodiosa, Neulander, Giant Bear and The Thrift Store All Stars (featuring Travis of Gram Rabbit, Victoria Williams, and Tim Easton). More artists will be announced. Check website for updates.

The supply of quality Canadian indie rock exports doesn’t look to be dwindling anytime soon, if Montreal four-piece Wolf Parade is any indicator.

The group has received rave reviews for its debut album, Apologies To The Queen Mary, and will headline a North American club tour this spring, starting in Boston April 7.

Two shows are on the books for NYC’s Webster Hall, along with dates across the East Coast and South through the middle of the month. They’ll do a hometown show April 19 and appear at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival April 30 in Indio, Calif.

Last year, the group opened for fellow Montreal indie stars Arcade Fire and headlined a series of U.S. gigs in the fall, followed by a few early January sellouts in California.

Tour Dates

Fri 04/07/06 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club / Lounge

Sat 04/08/06 Providence, RI Lupo’s At The Strand

Sun 04/09/06 New York, NY Webster Hall

Mon 04/10/06 New York, NY Webster Hall

Tue 04/11/06 Philadelphia, PA Theatre Of Living Arts

Wed 04/12/06 Washington, DC Black Cat

Thu 04/13/06 Asheville, NC Orange Peel

Fri 04/14/06 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle

Sat 04/15/06 Baltimore, MD Ottobar

Mon 04/17/06 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place

Tue 04/18/06 South Burlington, VT Higher Ground

Wed 04/19/06 Montreal, QC Theatre National

Sun 04/30/06 Indio, CA Empire Polo Field

Source pollstar.com.

Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris have announced a co-headlining duet tour of Europe in support of their upcoming album together.

The two legends have confirmed a dozen concerts across 10 countries, starting May 26 in Brussels, Belgium. The tour will hit Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, several Scandinavian countries and more before June 12, when Le Zenith in Paris will host the final show.

The itinerary includes two U.K. stops, with Wembley Arena set for June 8 and Manchester Evening News Arena the following day. An Italy stop is expected to be added for June 3.

The Knopfler / Harris duets album – All The Roadrunning – is scheduled for release April 25 in the States and a day earlier in Europe.

The pair will perform songs from the new album as well as some classics from their individual repertoires.

Tour Dates

Fri 05/26/06 Brussels, BEL Forest National

Sat 05/27/06 Copenhagen, DEN Forum

Sun 05/28/06 Hamburg, GER Color Line Arena

Tue 05/30/06 Stockholm, SWE Stockholm Globe Arena

Wed 05/31/06 Oslo, NOR Oslo Spektrum

Fri 06/02/06 Zurich, SWI Hallenstadion Zurich

Mon 06/05/06 Rotterdam, NET Ahoy

Tue 06/06/06 Frankfurt, GER Festhalle

Thu 06/08/06 London, UK Wembley Arena

Fri 06/09/06 Manchester, UK Manchester Evening News Arena

Sat 06/10/06 Dublin, IRE The Point

Mon 06/12/06 Paris, FRA Le Zenith

Source pollstar.com.

In addition to the initial line-up released earlier this month, Bonnaroo has announced the addition of Oysterhead and Les Claypool, performing with his own band. This will be the first Oysterhead performance since 2001. This is the second round of additions to the festival along with Umphrey’s McGee and The Disco Biscuits.
See bonnaroo.com for more info

After an enormously successful headlining tour of Scandinavia, Swedish rockers The Sounds have confirmed a 40-date North American tour beginning March 22nd at The Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. The tour will coincide with the band’s new album DYING TO SAY THIS TO YOU coming out March 21st on Scratchie / New Line Records. Morningwood and Action Action will be the support for the entire tour.

Barely out of high school when the band members recorded their debut album, LIVING IN AMERICA, The Sounds have been firmly established as a band to watch, as they played more than 300 gigs since its release, logging many miles on the Warped Tour as well as with the Foo Fighters and the Strokes.

Besides being on every late-night TV show and featured in almost every national US publication, including the New York Times Sunday Magazine, which is startling for any band, let alone one from such a remote place as the small southern Swedish city of Helsingborg, The Sounds were anxious to start writing new songs, after 3 plus years of constant touring.

Ready to record their sophomore album, the band began work with producer Jeff Saltzman (The Killers) at Studio 880 in Oakland, CA, where Green Day recorded “American Idiot.” Bringing an even stronger fusion of the band’s punk attitude and pop savvy that they established on their debut, the band presents a diversified and deeper version of the sound on DYING.

The band will also make an appearance at this year’s SXSW Festival in Austin, TX on March 18th.

Dates to be announced shortly.

In addition to the initial line-up released earlier this month, Bonnaroo has announced the addition of Umphrey’s McGee and The Disco Biscuits for a billing deemed, “Special Late Night Tent Show.” Interlocking sets and collaborations are expected.

See bonnaroo.com for more info

Widespread Panic has completed recording of its next studio album, due in June via Sanctuary Records. As previously reported, the group worked for the first time with producer Terry Manning (Big Star, ZZ Top) at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas. The as-yet-untitled set will boast new songs and “an old favorite or two,” according to the band. Additional details have yet to be announced.

While it’s been three years since Panic released a new disc, the group has put out new music recently. The group recorded the track “Perfect Hair” for the Cartoon Network “Adult Swim” series “Perfect Hair Forever” and also utilized it in a short shown during a New Year’s Eve concert in Atlanta. The clip can be viewed via the Adult Swim Web site.

Source billboard.com.

British critical darlings The Magic Numbers are returning to the U.S. for a quick tour this spring, with help from Rilo Kiley side project The Elected.

The 11-date itinerary is focused mainly on the East Coast and South, starting March 15 in Ft. Worth, Texas.

The Elected will open at all shows, save for The Magic Numbers’ March 16-17 stop at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.

They’ll hit New York City’s Webster Hall and Detroit’s Magic Stick before finishing up April 1 at Chicago’s Double Door. West Coast fans won’t be totally left out, though: The Magic Numbers will be back for Coachella at the end of the month.

The band is currently touring Japan and will hit Europe as well before the U.S. trek launches.

Source pollstar.com.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members U2 captured the Grammy Award for album of the year for the disc “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.”

It was the band’s second major award of the night, having won song of the year for “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own,” one of the album’s songs.

Lead singer Bono explained earlier that the atomic bomb in the album’s title referred to his father, whose death inspired many of its lyrics.

“This is really a big, big night for our band,” Bono said.

U2 beat out Mariah Carey’s best-selling “The Emancipation of Mimi,” shutting out the songbird from any of the major Grammy Awards in her comeback year. Other nominees included Paul McCartney’s “Chaos and Creation in the Backyard,” Gwen Stefani’s “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.,” and Kanye West’s “Late Registration.”

Other notable winners include:

Alternative Music Album: “Get Behind Me Satan,” The White Stripes.

Rock Instrumental Performance: “69 Freedom Special,” Les Paul and Friends.

Solo Rock Vocal Performance: “Devils & Dust,” Bruce Springsteen.

Hard Rock Performance: “B.Y.O.B.,” System of a Down.

Alternative Performance: “Welcome to Jamrock,” Damian Marley.

Top Collaboration With Vocals: “Feel Good Inc.,” Gorillaz Featuring De La Soul.

Traditional Blues Album: “80,” B.B. King and Friends.

Traditional Folk Album: “Fiddler’s Green,” Tim O’Brien.

Contemporary Folk Album: “Fair & Square,” John Prine.

Bluegrass Album: “The Company We Keep,” The Del McCoury Band.

Jazz Instrumental Solo: “Why Was I Born?” Sonny Rollins.

Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: “Beyond the Sound Barrier,” Wayne Shorter Quartet.

Contemporary Jazz Album: “The Way Up,” Pat Metheny Group.

Dance Album: “Push the Button,” The Chemical Brothers.

Best Long Form Music Video: “No Direction Home” ( Bob Dylan).

Click here for a full list of winners.