Belle & Sebastian have announced details of a UK tour, which is due to get under way in Gateshead on December 5. The band, who headlined last weekend's Latitude festival, which also play dates in Birmingham (December 6), Leicester (14) and Bristol (16). Read more >>

Kings Of Leon has defended their decision to play songs from their forthcoming new album on tour. In June, the band previewed four new songs from the follow-up to 2008's 'Only By The Night' in defiance of their record label at London's Hyde Park. Read more >>

Lady Gaga is at a centre of a bidding war as rival tea companies attempt to sign her as an ambassador, it's been reported. The singer, who is often pictured holding a tea cup, is understood to have attracted the attention of several brands. Read more >>

Madonna has been warned by council officials after staff at her London home staged a noisy house party. Residents near the singer's Marylebone property complained about loud music and singing coming from the house last month. Read more >>

Dizzee Rascal, Biffy Clyro and The xx have been nominated for this year's Mercury Prize. Foals, Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons and Wild Beasts have also been shortlisted for the award. Read more >>

Kele Okereke has announced details of a one-off gig in London this winter. The Bloc Party frontman will play the Electric Ballroom on November 19 in support of his debut solo album 'The Boxer'. Read more >>

The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers has outlined details of his first tour dates in support of his debut solo album. The singer is set to play five shows in the US, starting at the Las Vegas Hilton on August 15. Read more >>

Klaxons have unveiled the video for their new single 'Echoes'. The track, released on August 16, is the latest song to be taken from the group's forthcoming album 'Surfing The Void'. Read more >>

The xx are 5/2 favourites with bookmakers to win this year's Mercury Prize. The band's self-titled debut album is one of twelve shortlisted for the prestigious album award. Read more >>

Radiohead's drummer Phil Selway has said that the band's next studio album is “not finished yet”. In June, guitarist Ed O'Brien said the band were hoping to finish recording the follow-up to 2007's 'In Rainbows' “in a matter of weeks”. Read more >>

We Are Scientists have announced details of a winter UK tour, which is set to get under way in Portsmouth on November 15. The 11-date jaunt also includes gigs in Birmingham (November 16), Manchester (20) and London (21). Read more >>

Biffy Clyro have described their nomination for this year's Mercury Prize as a “lovely surprise”. The Scottish band's 2009 LP 'Only Revolutions' is one of twelve albums shortlisted for the honour. Read more >>

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo has revealed that he was a close follower of the recent football World Cup in South Africa. The singer told The News Times that he was originally introduced to the sport by his father, Frank, and has attended three America games. Read more >>

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has condemned the band's tour documentary Some Kind Of Monster as “stupid”. The group were followed during the making of their 2003 'St Anger' for the film, which was released the following year. Read more >>

Lily Allen has criticised the Mercury Prize following the announcement of this year's nominations. In a post on Twitter, the singer appeared to take aim at Dizzee Rascal's nod for his 2009 album 'Tongue 'N Cheek', before backing Laura Marling or The xx to win. Read more >>

Les Savy Fav are set to play a one-off gig in London in September, it's been announced. The US band will perform at Cargo on September 10 in support of the release of their new album 'Root For Ruin'. Read more >>