DURAN DURAN will headline the forthcoming Lovebox Festival in London's Victoria Park in July 18th, the band's only UK show in 2009. See NEWS for more details.

SPANDAU BALLET reformation rumours have escalated after moving from the UK tabloids to the rather more respected paper The Telegraph who have reported that the band are getting back together although an official confirmation is to follow shortly. The band's original manager, Steve Dagger, who is behind the reunion is quoted as saying the exercise is 'not just a nostalgic re-run of the old, but a fresh slant on what Spandau Ballet are all about'.

PET SHOP BOYS have announced a special edition version of their forthcoming new album 'Yes'. The special edition will feature a bonus CD entitled 'Etc' featuring remixes of album tracks alongside a new track 'This used to be the future' which features guest vocals from THE HUMAN LEAGUE's PHIL OAKEY. 'Yes' is released on March 23rd. See NEWS for the full 'Etc' tracklisting.

DEPECHE MODE have been covered by female trio Red Blooded Women who will release their version of the classic 'Enjoy The Silence' as a single on March 29th although the track is already available as a free download (see NEWS for the download link). The news follows the recent announcement that Depeche Mode's 'Just Can't Get Enough', covered by girl group The Saturdays, will be this year's official Comic Relief charity single.

KIM WILDE will headline two Irish HERE AND NOW shows in April. The shows will also feature HEAVEN 17, KID CREOLE & THE COCONUTS, ABC, TOYAH, and ALTERED IMAGES, see NEWS for all the details.

ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN's singer IAN McCULLOCH will play low-key solo shows at Liverpool's Zeligs in March and April, see NEWS for more details.

SIMPLE MINDS will release a new studio album, 'Graffiti Soul', on May 25th this year. The album, which frontman JIM KERR descibes as 'a truly vibrant rock'n'roll album that's bursting at the seams with quite possibly the most ballsy pop songs we have written in years', will be supported by a world tour.

GARY NUMAN has announced more UK shows in April and June this year as well as festival appearances in Estonia and Belgium. See GIGS for all the dates.

THE HUMAN LEAGUE and MADNESS will both be among the bands performing at Australia's V Festival which will take place at three locations around the country in March and April. The bands will play on a bill that also includes sets from Snow Patrol, The Killers and Duffy. See GIGS for all the dates.

BELINDA CARLISLE will be one of the dancers on the new series of the US version of 'Dancing With The Stars' which starts on March 9th.

JOHN FOXX has teamed up with THE COCTEAU TWINS' ROBIN GUTHRIE on a collaborative album entitled 'Mirrorball' which will be released on May 4th.

DEACON BLUE will play a one-off show at Liverpool's Echo Arena in July as part of the city's annual Summer Pops series of shows. See NEWS for more details.

VINCE CLARKE has remixed 'Other Too Endless' for his Mute Records labelmate Polly Scattergood.

MADONNA has added more shows to the 2009 leg of her 'Sticky & Sweet' tour. The shows, in Marseille, Barcelona, Budapest, Sofia and Gothenburg will take place in July and August, see GIGS for all the dates.
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