News

Lou Reed astounded a small group of 100 fan who had gathered to celebrate his 1972 album Transformer by making a personal appearance to listen to the album in its entirety. The event, set up by website high50.com, took place on March 4 at New York's Soho House. Reed also took part in a discussion about the album's content and its wider cultural significance. Earlier in the evening, photographer Mick Rock, who shot Reed for Transformer's album cover, read excerpts from his new book - Transformer.

R.E.M are to release a deluxe, 25th anniversary reissue of Green. The reissue will include a remastered version of the band's 1988 album accompanied by a live live disc taken from a November 10, 1989 show in Greensboro, North Carolina, the penultimate date of the band's Green World Tour. Sleeve notes will be written by Uncut's editor, Allan Jones. Green was R.E.M’s sixth studio album and their first for major label Warners. It includes the breakthrough singles, “Stand” and “Orange Crush”.

My Bloody Valentine will play this year’s Off Festival. Off Festival will take place in Katowice, Poland, between August 2 and 4. My Bloody Valentine, who will play on August 4, are the only band so far announced on the website. Tickets are 150 zł (£31.38) or 190 zł (£39.75) including a camping pass.

Five more acts have been confirmed for the Uncut Stage at this year's Great Escape festival. Lord Huron, Mikal Cronin, Woods [pictured], The Strypes, White Fence will be playing the Uncut Stage - along with the Allah-las and Phosphorescent, who have already been confirmed.

Iggy And The Stooges have debuted their new single 'Burn'. The track, which will feature on the band's forthcoming new album 'Ready To Die', is currently streaming on Soundcloud. You can also find it below.

Suede played an intimate show at Camden's 200-capacity Barfly venue last night (March 4) to raise money for War Child. The Britpop quintet, who reunited in 2010 following a seven-year hiatus, played a 90-minute set for XFM showcasing a number of hits as well as debuting cuts from forthcoming sixth album, 'Bloodsports'.

Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood was a surprise guest at an intimate Australian gig last week (March 1) - scroll down to the bottom of the page and click to watch. The guitarist joined the ACO Underground (Australian Chamber Orchestra) for their show in a loft apartment in Sydney, where he performed a cover of American composer Steve Reich's piece 'Electric Counterpoint'.

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have announced they will play this year's Hard Rock Calling. The band will headline the event on Sunday June 30. The bill will also include the Black Crows and Alabama Shakes. The festival will take place at the Olympic Park in east London. Tickets will be available at www.hardrockcalling.co.uk starting this Friday (March 8) at 9 am. Kasabian will headline the Saturday, June 29 bill at the Hard Rock Calling, with special guest, Paul Weller.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse have added two dates to their upcoming UK tour. The band will now play Liverpool Echo Arena on August 18 and London O2 Arena on August 19. This is in addition to previously announced shows at Newcastle Metro Radio Arena on June 10, Birmingham LG Arena on June 11 and sold out shows at Glasgow SECC (June 13) and London O2 Arena (June 17). Los Lobos will support at all shows and tickets are on sale now. They will be Young's first UK gigs with the Crazy Horse line-up of Frank 'Poncho' Sampedro, Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina since 2001.

Atoms For Peace have announced three London shows as part of their European tour. The band will play three consecutive nights at London's Roundhouse at the end of July. The band, led by Thom Yorke, have already announced three festival dates – Pohada in Slovakia, Exit in Serbia and Melt in Germany. In addition to the London shows, they will play two festivals, both in Italy: Rock In Roma and the (Milan) City sound festival, along side shows in Paris, Belgium and Germany.