U2 is set to release a new limited-edition, vinyl-only live EP next month called ‘Wide Awake in Europe’ — adapting the title and cover concept from 1985’s ‘Wide Awake in America’ — that will feature the debut of fan-favorite track ‘Mercy.’

Taking a break from the ongoing Crowded House tour, bandleader Neil Finn played a solo show at London’s Jazz Cafe last night, and as he’s wont to do, invited Johnny Marr onstage to perform several songs, including The Smiths’ beloved ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.’

Much-buzzed digi-punk duo Crystal Castles has tapped Robert Smith of The Cure to sing new vocals on ‘Not In Love,’ a cut off the band’s second self-titled album that will be released as a single Dec. 6.

While it wasn’t quite as momentous as last February’s performance of ‘Somebody’ at London’s Royal Albert Hall, former Depeche Mode bandmates Alan Wilder and Martin Gore teamed once again up last night, with Gore appearing as a post-show DJ at Wilder’s Recoil performance in Santa Ana, Calif.

This week’s releases include a new studio albums from Bryan Ferry (‘Olympia’) and Elvis Costello (‘National Ransom’), a live DVD from R.E.M. (‘Live From Austin, TX’), a 4CD ‘omnibus edition’ from The Fall (‘The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall’) and the belated U.S. release of Prefab Sprout’s new album (‘Let’s Change the World With Music’).

High points of tonight’s ‘Dark Wave’ on Sirius XM’s 1st Wave include Depeche Mode’s greatest B-side (‘Dangerous’), a rare album cut off Morrissey’s solo debut ‘Viva Hate’ (‘Dial-A-Cliché’) and the opening cut from The Jesus and Mary Chain’s third album, ‘Automatic’ (‘Here Comes Alice’).

Although his catalog was just put back into print last month, Peter Gabriel is planning a full series of new reissues in 2011, including an expanded 25th anniversary edition of his crossover smash ‘So’ packaged with mixes, demos and new artwork.

With his 30th anniversary ‘Pleasure Principle’ U.S. tour now underway, synthpop figurehead Gary Numan this week released separate CD and DVD documents of his Dec. 3, 2009, London performance of that landmark 1980 solo debut and other assorted selections from his ample back catalog.

Double dose of Nine Inch Nails news today: Trent Reznor this afternoon announced the band’s 1989 debut ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ will be reissued next month on CD, vinyl and digital formats, newly remastered ‘for a greatly improved sonic experience.’

Reissue specialists Vinyl 180 will follow up their recent Cocteau Twins and Gary Numan box sets next month with the first of two multi-record Dead Can Dance sets, a 4LP box that collects the band’s first three releases plus a new Peel session disc on audiophile vinyl.

After some delay, the 33⅓ book series — pocket-sized titles that dissect one classic album at a time — will publish its much-anticipated title on Nine Inch Nails’ 1989 debut ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ in March.

X will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its debut ‘Los Angeles’ by performing the album in its entirety during a run of Christmas dates along the West Coast — including a pair of special San Francisco shows featuring the record’s producer, Ray Manzarek of The Doors.

The surviving members of INXS finally have unveiled the tracklist and release dates for their long-in-the-works ‘Original Sin’ greatest-hits collection, featuring re-recordings of the band’s classics with new vocals by the likes of Ben Harper, Rob Thomas, Tricky and even occasional frontman J.D. Fortune.