Source: theregoesthefear.com

XFM have announced details of a string of Winter Wonderland UK Tour dates, with all sorts of megastars lined up to play some sensational gigs.

As with previous years, all dates are in aid of Shelter, the homeless charity.

Tickets go on sale next Friday (9th November) at 9am, but many of the headlining bands and XFM members can get them as soon as next Wednesday or Thursday by pre-registering or such like.

Sunday 9th December - London Brixton Academy -
Bloc Party, Supergrass, Kate Nash, One Night Only, School of Rock Winner
Monday 10th December - Glasgow Academy -
Stereophonics, The Twang, Special Guests, Figure 5, School of Rock Winner
Tuesday 11th December - Manchester Apollo -
The Charlatans, Special Guests, The Courteeners, The Ting Tings, School of Rock Winner
Wednesday 12th December - Cardiff University -
Super Furry Animals, The Enemy, Kids In Glass Houses, Special guests, Duffy (accoustic set)

Photo is taken from Shane Bee’s flickr stream under the creative commons license

Source: theregoesthefear.com

Updates: I’ve just added the 20th November gig and the 26th November gigs, thanks to a comment from Kathryn below. This was originally posted on 4th October.

The brilliant Mencap have announced this year’s “Little Noise Sessions”, a series of intimate, acoustic gigs, which will take place from Tuesday 20th November to Wednesday 28 November 2007, at Islington’s Union Chapel in London. They’ll be hosted by Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley.

To get tickets you’ll have to register here to get tickets when they go on sale. Ticket registration opens on Tuesday 2 October and closes at 12.00 Friday 19 October. Those who have registered can then buy tickets online on a first-come-first-served basis from 9am on Monday 22 October. Tickets are £35 each.

The gigs will raise money for Mencap’s Arts Awards scheme which enables children and young people with a learning disability to take part in local arts projects.

Tuesday 20th November - Secret Headliner, Jack Penate, Laura Marling, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
Wednesday 21st November - Athlete and The Hoosiers
Thursday 22nd November - Will Young, Newton Faulkner and Adele
Friday 23rd November - Biffy Clyro, We Are Scientists and Young Knives
Saturday 24th November - The Pigeon Detectives and The Metros
Sunday 25th November - Snow Patrol and Cajun Dance Party
Monday 26th November - Kate Nash, Robyn, The Ting Tings
Tuesday 27th November - The Enemy + Special Guests
Wednesday 28th November - Keane, Rilo Kiley + Scouting For Girls

Source: theregoesthefear.com

Bloc Party are set to play a very special one off night at London’s Roundhouse as part of the BBC’s electric proms series of dates.

They’ll play the historic venue on Saturday October 27th, and apparently tickets are on sale now though I can’t find any evidence of this online. They have probably already all gone, but we’ll see. They’ll be supported by Mercury nominated Maps.

The press release mentions that the gig will feature “choral backing and alternate arrangements of the songs in collaboration with the Exmoor Singers”.

The band are warning fans to expect something very different from a normal Bloc Party gig with more details to follow.

Photo is taken from Shane Bee’s flickr stream under the creative commons license

Source: theregoesthefear.com

Believe it or not, Gonzo on MTV2 is 5 years old this year. To celebrate, they’re doing a tour of Barfly venues around the UK, with some of the best bands of the moment. Catch Bloc Party, We Are Scientists (who are doing yet another UK show) and The Cribs amongst other bands at each of the dates.

The ever present Operator Please are openers for each date.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on

Friday 12th October - Birmingham Barfly - Funeral For a Friend with The Dykeenies
Saturday 13th October - Cardiff Barfly - The Rumble Strips with Blood Red Shoes
Sunday 14th October - Camden Barfly - Bloc Party with Does it Offend You, Yeah?
Friday 19th October - Liverpool Barfly - The Cribs with Lightspeed Champion
Saturday 20th October - York Fibbers - Jack Penate with Dan le Sac Vs Scoobius Pip
Sunday 21st October - Glasgow Barfly - We Are Scientists with Foals

Photo is taken from Shane Bee’s flickr stream under the creative commons license

Source: theregoesthefear.com

Bloc Party today announced that they’ll be playing three arena tours in December here in the UK.

They’ll play:

12 December: Glasgow - SECC
13 December: Manchester - G-Mex
14 December: London - Alexandra Palace

Tickets are £18.50, or £20 for London. They go on sale on Thursday to members of Marshalls, Bloc Party’s online fan club, or on Friday to the rest of you. Expect them to sell out all dates exceptionally quickly - and possibly add some new dates too.