David Bowie and the Arctic Monkeys are currently William Hill's favourites to win the 2013 Barclaycard Mercury Prize, after the nominations were announced yesterday evening [September 11].

Portishead's Beth Gibbons has recorded a "glacial roar" for a giant polar bear that Greenpeace will use to lead a street protest in London next Sunday. The singer recorded a roar for the double-decker bus sized polar bear puppet called Aurora, which will feature a giant sound system in its head to play the sounds of ice cracking, Arctic wildlife, and other roars donated by members of the public. The march will be part of a global day of action to demand that the Arctic be protected from oil companies planning to drill in its waters.

Arcade Fire's Win Butler has described the band's new album Reflektor as a "mash up of Studio 54 and Haitian voodoo." The frontman shed further light on the band's forthcoming album, due for release in October, during an interview with Zane Lowe on Radio 1 that aired last night (September 11). In the interview, Butler discussed the sound of the double album and also revealed some new touring members of the band who will join Arcade Fire on the road when they come to tour Reflektor.

Mazzy Star have announced dates for a 14-date North American tour. The tour will be in support of Seasons Of Your Day, their first album in 17 years which is released later this month.

Members of Sigur Róswill appear in the new series of Game Of Thrones. Jonsi Birigisson, Georg Hólm and Orri Páll Dýrason are currently in Croatia shooting scenes for the HBO show's forthcoming fourth series. Entertainment Weekly reports that the bandmates will play musicians in the programme and that their cameo came about as showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss are big fans of the Icelandic band and listened to their music while shooting previous series in Iceland.

The crime writer Ian Rankin has written a novella inspired by the music of Rory Gallagher. The book is being published as part of a new compilation of Gallagher's music called kback City, inspired by his love of crime fiction. Kickback City will feature Gallagher’s best crime novel influenced music alongside Rankin's novella which has been fully illustrated by graphic artist Timothy Truman. This album also includes a special narration of the story by actor Aidan Quinn.

Bruce Springsteen and Roger Waters are among the acts confirmed to take part in the Stand Up For Heroes benefit this November. The event takes place on November 6 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Springsteen and Waters both previously played at last year's Stand Up For Heroes/ benefit, which raising pledges for wounded troops battling the hardships of returning home from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

David Bowie has backed a campaign to get a bandstand he once performed on in Croydon, South London, restored to its former glory. On August 16, 1969 – the same weekend as Woodstock – Bowie was an aspiring psychedelic folk singer and organised a gig at Croydon Road Recreation Ground in Beckenham, which aimed to encourage donations for his Beckenham Arts Lab project. He later wrote about the experience in the single 'Memory Of A Free Festival' – listen to the track below.

Arcade Fire have revealed that their forthcoming new album will be a double LP. Pre-orders for the Reflektor album have opened up for the double album at Arcadefire.com, with the website stating that early orders will come with first access to ticket sales for special shows as well as the band's forthcoming world tour. The album artwork - which features a sculpture by Auguste Rodin, from the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice - has also been confirmed.

Arcade Fire have finally released "Reflektor", after weeks of anticipation. Earlier this evening, David Bowie confirmed he'd contributed "brief backing vocals" to the track.