The Cure continues to move forward with its plan to headline seemingly every festival in Europe this summer, with three new additions to Robert Smith and Co.’s itinerary: Primavera Sound 2012 in Barcelona, Spain; Bilbao BBK Live in Bilbao, Spain; and Optimus Alive in Oeiras, Portugal.
The original five-person lineup of Scottish indie-pop outfit Close Lobsters — immortalized on the NME’s genre-defining C86 compilation cassette — will reunite for the first time since 1989 for a very brief ‘People of Europe Rise Up Tour’ this spring and summer that so far features performances in Madrid, Glasgow and Berlin.
Hoodoo Gurus will celebrate their 30th anniversary this spring by releasing a new career-spanning best-of set and hosting ‘Dig It Up! The Hoodoo Gurus Invitational,’ a series of four concerts in the band’s homeland featuring hand-picked guests such as Red Kross, The Fleshtones and The 5.6.7.8’s.
Rewind Scotland — The ’80s Festival will return for a second year this July, featuring 24 acts spread over two days — including sets by Holly Johnson of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Bronski Beat’s Jimmy Sommerville, Squeeze, Midge Ure, Lightning Seeds, Marc Almond, ABC and Roland Gift of Fine Young Cannibals.
A day after announcing headlining slots at three European festivals, The Cure — making good on its promise that ‘lots more’ were still to come — this evening announced appearances at five more fests in Holland, France, Denmark and Italy this summer.
This week’s installment of Slicing Up Eyeballs on Strangeways Radio featured brand-new music from Bauhaus’ David J and Lee Ranaldo of Love and Rockets, plus old favorites from Ian McCulloch, Talking Heads, Violent Femmes, The Lucy Show and Clan of Xymox, plus Fujiya & Miyagi covering New Order.
The Wedding Present this morning announced the release of its eighth studio album, the 10-track Valentina, which was recorded in France, California and England throughout 2011 and will be released worldwide in March in conjunction with the band’s previously announced South By Southwest appearance and North American tour.
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 