Check out the latest installment right here — this week’s episode features items on The Pretenders, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, The Psychedelic Furs, Morrissey and U2’s Bono, plus a countdown of the top 10 albums by Depeche Mode as voted by Strangeways Radio fans. Watch the whole thing right here.
The House of Love today canceled what would have been the beloved indie-pop band’s first North American tour in nearly 30 years, saying the decision was made “with heavy hearts” and that the band hopes to reschedule the concerts “when the virus is contained.” Full details right here.
The Cruel World music festival lives on. Goldenvoice, the event’s promoter, today announced the inaugural Los Angeles-based festival with the ’80s-heavy bill — Morrissey, Bauhaus, Blondie and Devo — is being moved to Sept. 12 from May 2 over concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. Full details right here.
Paul Weller today gave fans the first taste of his 15th solo album On Sunset in the form of “Earth Beat,” an uptempo number featuring a guest turn by R&B singer Col3trane that previews a record being billed as part soul, part electronic and part orchestral. Hear the song right here.
The legendary Chrissie Hynde is reactivating The Pretenders for the band’s first album in four years and 11th overall, a collection of new music called Hate for Sale that she’s previewing with the new single “The Buzz” — which you can stream right here right now. Full details and tracklist on the new album.
The inaugural Cruel World music festival that boasted a bill topped by ’80s alternative stalwarts Morrissey, Bauhaus, Blondie, Devo and Echo & The Bunnymen appears to have been postponed indefinitely in response to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, but promoters have barely communicated anything to ticketholders.
A year ago, The Arkive — the archival wing of the Beggars Group — launched a 50-song curated playlist spotlighting some of the classic music as well as the deeper cuts released throughout the 1980s by its labels 4AD, Beggars Banquet, Situation Two and more. Check out the full 3½ hour playlist right here.
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 