YAZOO have announced an appearance at Spain's Sónar festival on June 21st and have also confirmed that they will take the reunion tour to the USA with news of dates there to be announced shortly. See GIGS for all the dates confirmed so far.

THE CURE and REM will headline this year's Sasquatch! Music Festival in Washington which takes place on May 24th to 26th.

HEAVEN 17 will play a second HERE AND NOW show at Shrewsbury's The Quarry on July 12, on a bill which also features RICK ASTLEY, BANANARAMA, MIDGE URE, NICK HEYWARD, T'PAU and TOYAH. Another HERE AND NOW show has also been announced at Ascot Racecourse on August 9th and will feature KID CREOLE AND THE COCONUTS, BANANARAMA, BELINDA CARLISLE, PAUL YOUNG, ABC, T'PAU and TOYAH.

CHRIS DIFFORD will put out his first solo album for five years on April 7th when he releases 'The Last Temptation Of Chris' on the Stiff label. The former SQUEEZE mainman will also play an extensive UK tour in April and May with Boo Hewerdine who co-write and produced the new album. See GIGS for all the dates.

THE BLOW MONKEYS have finished recording their new album and have announced two London shows at the Jazz Cafe in May. See GIGS for the dates.

ERASURE will release a live DVD entitled 'Live At The Royal Albert Hall' on April 7th. The release features the duo's 2007 concert at the prestigious venue and contains live versions of all their biggest hits as well as a behind the scenes documentary. In addition, costumes worn by Vince and Andy on the 2007 tour are to be auctioned for charity via eBay with more details to be announced shortly. See NEWS for the full DVD tracklisting.

MADONNA's new album will be called 'Hard Candy' and is to be released on April 28th on the back of a new single, a collaboration with Justin Timberlake, entitled 'Four Minutes'.

REM have announced a UK stadium tour to take place in August and will see the band play huge shows in Manchester, Cardiff, Southampton and Twickenham. See GIGS for all the dates.

SIMPLY RED have released a new edition of their classic 'Stars' album featuring two CDs and a DVD containing the original album remastered, session performances, live material, videos, dance mixes and photographs. Meanwhile frontman MICK HUCKNALL will release a solo album of Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland songs entitled 'Tribute To Bobby' on May 19th which he will follow with a solo tour which currently takes in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. See GIGS for all the dates.