DEPECHE MODE will tour in 2009 and announced the first dates of the jaunt at a special press conference this week. The first twenty-eight confirmed shows in the band's 'Tour of the Universe' outing will take place in and around Europe with a further US and South American leg to be announced. The band, who have recently renewed their contract with Mute Records, will release a new album in early spring next year. See GIGS for all the dates announced so far.

DURAN DURAN have announced that they are to bring their 'Red Carpet Massacre' tour to an end with a final leg of shows in the USA and Canada in December which will see the band play eleven intimate theatre shows. See GIGS for all the dates.

ERASURE singer ANDY BELL will appear live at London's The Arches club on November 7th to perform some of his best known material in support of international art platform 'Act Art'. The night will also see a DJ set from S'EXPRESS mainman MARK MOORE.

DAVID BYRNE has announced two UK shows at London's Royal Festival Hall in April next year. The shows will be part of Byrne's current tour which see's him playing songs from all stages of his career, including versions of classic material originally recorded by TALKING HEADS and material from his new album 'Everything That Happens Will Happen Today'. See GIGS for all the dates.

DEBBIE HARRY has recorded vocals for a track on Fall Out Boy's forthcoming album 'Folie A Deux' which is set for release on November 3rd

THE SISTERS OF MERCY have lined up a massive US tour which is to start at the end of October and will run until December. The US shows will be followed in the new year by shows in Germany, Austria, Holland, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. No UK shows have been announced yet but are thought to be in the pipeline. See GIGS for all the dates.

BANANARAMA are set to headline a forthcoming Irish HERE AND NOW concert to be staged at Killarney's INEC on January 3rd. The bill will also feature BELINDA CARLISLE, PAUL YOUNG, BUCKS FIZZ, T'PAU and CUTTING CREW.

STEPHEN DUFFY will see his 1985 solo album 'The Ups And DOwns' reissued as an expanded edition on November 17th. The album, which featured the hits ''Kiss Me' and 'Icing On The Cake', will feature a brand new introduction from Stephen, a vintage interview from 1985, plus 9 additional tracks, consisting of rare b-sides and 4 previously unreleased tracks and alternative mixes including rare original version of 'Kiss Me'. See NEWS for the full tracklisting.

VINCE CLARKE has arranged and produced the title track for Robert Marlow's forthcoming album 'Inside/Outside' and has also remixed one of the tracks, 'Home'. The album will feature ten tracks and two remixes. MARLOW has also announced a gig at Nottingham's Junktion 7 on November 14th where he will be supported by up and coming synth acts Electraset and One Moment. The show will also be the launch of the much anticipated 'Trans Continental Electronica' compilation of contemporary electro acts. See NEWS for the full Marlow album tracklisting.

THE CURE are to play a one-off concert in Rome on October 11th to launch their new album '4:13 Dream' which will follow on October 28th. The free outdoor show in the city's Piazza San Giovanni will be filmed by MTV and transmitted live in Southern Europe and then broadcast elsewhere on MTV's global network at a later date.

RICK ASTLEY has been nominated for the 'Best Act Ever' award at the forthcoming MTV Europe Music Awards which will take place in Liverpool on November 6th. The singer will be up against Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, Tokio Hotel and U2 for the award.

SWING OUT SISTER have announced a short UK run of intimate acoustic concerts to support their current album 'Beautiful Mess'. The shows start in Manchester on November 20th. See GIGS for all the dates.

GRACE JONES' new album 'Hurricane' will feature contributions from both Sly and Robbie and Brian Eno and will be released on November 3rd and will be supported live, including a series of UK shows next year which will be announced shortly. See NEWS for the full album tracklisting.

MORRISSEY and guitarist JOHNNY MARR have apparently collaborated on a new compilation of material from THE SMITHS' which will combine the band's biggest hits with rare tracks, live tracks and b-sides. The release, 'The Sound Of The Smiths' will be available in November. See NEWS for the full compilation tracklisting.

ALISON MOYET will join legendary songwriter Michel LeGrand on his UK tour next year performing LeGrand's classic material alongside a big band. See GIGS for all the dates.

ZANG TUUM TUMB, the label responsible for FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD and PROPAGANDA amongst others, are to be the subject of a three- week exhibition,'The Art of ZTT', which will put some of some of the label's classic and iconic record sleeves on display to mark ZTT's 25th anniversary. The exhibition will take place at London's ArtVinyl and starts this week.

SIMPLY RED have announced UK arena dates in March and April next year to support their forthcoming hits collection 'Simply Red: Greatest Hits 25' which will be released on November 17th, preceded by a single, a cover of The Moody Blues''Go Now'. See GIGS for all the dates.

KYLIE MINOGUE is said to be writing a stage musical based on her greatest hits. The singer is thought to be collaborating with Australian author Kathy Lette on the production and her sister Dannii is also expected to be involved..