NEWS DIGEST: Thursday, September 25

2:38 PM GMT 25/09/2008

Notorious procrastinator Kevin Shields has finally confirmed the good news that fans have been waiting for – My Bloody Valentine are set to record a new album. 17 years since the release of Loveless, Shields is heading back to the studio (did he ever leave?). He made the announcement at the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in New York, telling the New York Times: “I realised that all that stuff I was doing in 1996 and 1997 was a lot better than I thought.” Better late than never, we say.

Yes front man Jon Anderson has struck out at the rest of his band on his blog for going behind his back and hiring a replacement singer for their upcoming 40th anniversary tour. Anderson was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure this summer, forcing him to cancel tour plans until 2009. It seems the band weren’t willing to wait, however, and promptly hired Benoit David, a singer with Yes cover band Close To The Edge. Understandably ticked off, Anderson declared: “This is not Yes on tour”.

Jarvis Cocker has been announced as the keynote speaker for the final day of international music convention In The City 2008. The convention will this year take place in Manchester on October 5th, 6th and 7th. Entitled “Saying The Unsayable”, Cocker’s speech explores the role of lyrics in popular music. He will be analysing the lyrics in his own songs, as well as some of his favourite words from the likes of Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse… and Rozalla. Head to www.inthecity.co.uk for the all the convention’s events.

It’s been three years since the release of Franz Ferdinand’s second album You Could Have It So Much Better, but the band have announced that they have finally finished their third. Alex Kapranos told the BBC: “The last record was fast, furious, frantic… it was like a teenager having sex. This one’s a bit more assured and a bit friendlier on the dancefloor.” The as-yet-untitled album is reported to be due for release in early 2009.

27 years ago today, The Rolling Stones kicked off their 50-date North American tour at Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium. Here they are, looking decidedly colourful, opening their set with Under My Thumb.

Newshound: Chris Lowe

Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 2:38 PM GMT 25/09/2008

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