Morrissey performed a number of new songs alongside classic Smiths tracks at the second night of London's O2 Wireless Festival Friday night (July 4). The singer played a handful of songs from his forthcoming album 'Years Of Refusal', including the well-received 'Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed', at the event in Hyde Park.more

Elton John, Tony Bennett, Lou Reed and former U.S. President Bill Clinton will be among the heavy hitters appearing on Elvis Costello's new variety show. The show, called "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...," has taped four one-hour episodes of a planned 13-program run. The series is being co-produced by CTV in Canada and Channel 4 in the U.K., as well as the Sundance Channel in the U.S. more

Christmas came early in Sheryl Crow's world this year because of an as-yet-untitled holiday album she's recorded with producer Bill Bottrell for Hallmark's annual series, following releases by James Taylor, Barry Manilow and George Strait. It'll drop into Hallmark Gold Crown stores in September, and Crow gave Billboard an exclusive sneak peek before stashing it away until then that is here

Christmas also came early to the world as Swedish supergroup Abba will "never" perform on stage again, two of the band's members have said. Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson told The Sunday Telegraph there was "simply no motivation to regroup".

Longstanding English punk act The Damned are in the studio recording a new full length. The group, as of 2007, featured a line-up of that included Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible backed by keyboardist Monty Oxy Moron, drummer Pinch, and bassist Stu West.

MasterCard this week launched a campaign with an extensive music component. As part of a new campaign dubbed "Roots of Rock" from New York ad agency McCann-Erickson the credit card maker is offering MasterCard holders free downloads from the entire Universal Music Group catalog from priceless.com. more

Texas rock trio ZZ Top has signed to producer Rick Rubin's American Recordings imprint, hoping for a commercial and critical revitalization along the lines of prior Rubin clients Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond. more

At the mid-point of 2008, U.S. album sales stand at an 11% decline when compared to the same period a year ago. Though not as precipitous a drop as the one recorded in the first half of 2007 (15.1%), this year's first half tally is 204.6 million units, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That's compared to 229.8 million units scanned in the first six months of 2007. Before you click over to read more, ask yourself "were there more CDs you were interested in this year than last year?" The answer from many may be sobering for the suits at the labels.more

Concert promoter Live Nation has added another artist to their Artist Nation division roster today. International Pop star Shakira has signed a 10 year deal with Live Nation that will encompass tours, recordings, merchandise and sponsorship. more

Long Island, New York, hardcore legends Vision Of Disorder are reportedly planning to reunite for several shows this summer - more

Preview and Purchase Serj Tankian CDs