The Pet Shop Boys brought their current Electric production to Coachella this past weekend for the first of two appearances at the California festival, delivering a 19-song set over the course of 80 minutes that was heavy on visuals, as is to be expected from the duo.
Echo & The Bunnymen will embark on a 14-date North American tour this August in support of their forthcoming album Meteorites, and this week debuted not just one but two new tracks off the record, including the official U.S. single “Holy Moses.” Meteorites is due out May 26 in the U.K. and June 3 in the U.S.
Paul Weller this June will follow up 1998’s Modern Classics compilation with a new companion best-of — cleverly titled More Modern Classics — that will pick up where the previous set left off, collecting 20 favorites by the former Jam leader recorded over the past 15 years, including a brand-new single.
“Mad World: An Oral History of New Wave Artists and Songs that Defined the 1980s” arrives in stores this week, offering a page-turning tour through 35 classic songs via new interviews with the artists, a list that includes Depeche Mode, Echo & The Bunnymen, INXS, OMD, Adam and the Ants and more.
Having performed Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” at a pair of tour stops last week, Arcade Fire added a special treat during its Sunday night headlining set at Coachella: Debbie Harry herself, who joined the band to sing the 1978 hit. The Blondie frontwoman stuck around for “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains).”
Following up last month’s debut of the 7-minute “Market Town,” Echo & The Bunnymen this morning offered up the second taste of their forthcoming new album Meteorites, premiering the string-swept track “Lovers on the Run” over at The Quietus. The album is out May 26 in the U.K. and June 3 in the U.S.
This week’s new releases include the first new studio album from The Afghan Whigs in 16 years, plus a box set of Dead Kennedys 7-inch singles, a live CD/DVD package from Billy Bragg, an anthology of Ski Patrol’s recorded output and a vinyl reissue of The Stone Roses’ legendary debut.
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 