Fall

Robert Smith sheds light on the band's upcoming release, out in October

Returning band also bring out a traditional Beatles cover

Stipe, Buck and Mills are back on form in Manchester

REM are firing up “Orange Crush”, their veiled commentary on the plight of a promising young buck packed off to serve in Vietnam, and 40,000 people are on their feet, high-clapping for all they’re worth. Later, Michael Stipe will urge everyone to “put your hands up in the air” prior to a song about a dead comedian and lunar conspiracies. “Man On The Moon” kicks in, and everybody starts hugging each other. Hugging! This seems too weird. Since when did REM become everyone’s favourite feel-good stadium band?

The band to play 18 dates nationwide from October

This week's playlist, then. Still no sign of the complete Bob Dylan album, I'm afraid, though compensation of sorts comes from The Grateful Dead's "Rocking The Cradle", which proves that their 1978 shows by the pyramids in Egypt weren't quite as shabby as myth has suggested. "Fire On The Mountain" and "Shakedown Street", in particular, are strong enough to make me want to re-evaluate that late '70s studio stuff.

Stormy, heavenly and hymnal – it’s like they’ve never been away

Shock of the Lightning will come with first ever remix too

Remastered recordings dust off the crowning glories of English folk’s Indian summer

REM's Scott McCaughey and ex-Dream Syndicate leader Steve Wynn team up