Michael Stipe will make one of his periodic returns to the concert stage this weekend when the former R.E.M. frontman performs alongside Patti Smith, Joan Baez, Talib Kweli and Flea at the Pathway to Paris climate event at New York City’s Carnegie Hall on Sunday. Full details here.
They Might Be Giants will release their 15th studio album — the 15-song “rock album” I Like Fun — in January, and will embark on a marathon 50-date U.S. tour that will take the two Johns from coast to coast while on the road from January through April. Here the album’s first single right here.
Record Rack: A round-up of the week’s new albums, expanded reissues and/or box sets, appearing each Monday on Slicing Up Eyeballs. All releases due out this Friday unless noted. This week’s releases include a new mini-album from Billy Bragg and the UK release of INXS’s ‘Kick 30’ box set.
“Dark Wave,” hosted by Slicing Up Eyeballs’ Matt Sebastian, airs 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. EDT every Sunday on Sirius XM satellite radio’s 1st Wave (Channel 33). The most recent two episodes also are available via Sirius XM’s On Demand service for online subscribers. Check out the full playlist right here.
Tears For Fears will embark on an arena tour of the U.K. and Ireland next May in support of the group’s new best-of Rule the World — an eight-city trek that will see Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith supported by Alison Moyet. The tour opens May 2 in Dublin and continues through May 12 in Brighton.
As he prepares to embark on his U.S. tour next week, Morrissey has now announced a tour of arenas and larger venues in the U.K. and Ireland early next year in support of his forthcoming album Low in High School. The trek opens in Aberdeen on Feb. 16 and wraps up with London concerts on March 7 and 9.
R.E.M. has offered up the latest taste of its upcoming multi-disc 25th anniversary reissue of Automatic For the People in the form of a demo of the song “Photograph,” an AFTP-era track that, in its completed version, would feature a duet between Michael Stipe and Natalie Merchant and appear on 1993’s Born to Choose.
Q&A: Daniel Ash on Love and Rockets’ reunion, his new band — and figuring out how to play “So Alive” 
Q&A: Chris Frantz talks Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club and new book ‘Remain in Love’ 
Q&A: Steve Wynn on The Dream Syndicate’s first new album in nearly 30 years 
Q&A: Bauhaus’ David J on his ‘accidental’ concept album ‘Not Long For This World’ 
Q&A: Peter Murphy on ‘Ninth,’ Bauhaus’ break-up, reuniting Dalis Car 
Q&A: Joey Santiago on Pixies’ ‘Doolittle’ tour, possible ‘Surfer Rosa’ shows, new album talk 
Q&A: Prefab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon on new album, changing the world with music 
Q&A: Peter Hook talks ‘Unknown Pleasures’ tour, re-recording Joy Division 