U2 fans, get your boots on. The first song from the band's first album in five years is ready for you to hear. U2 began broadcasting the up-tempo single "Get On Your Boots" Monday � first on RTE, Ireland's state broadcasters, then for free on the group's Web site. more

Video footage of "piano man" Billy Joel performing a cover version of the AC/DC classic "Highway To Hell" on Friday, January 16 at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida can be viewed here

Franz Ferdinand have completed the line-up for the 2009 Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig. The Scots will play ahead of The Cure's full 90-minute set at the 02 Arena in London on February 26. more

Arctic Monkeys have been announced as the headliners of Oye Festival in Norway. The yearly event will take place on August 11th until the 15th, in Oslo. more

Atlantic Records is pleased to announce details of the upcoming third installment in Rush's continuing compilation series. "Retrospective III (1989-2008)" arrives in stores on March 2nd in the UK (we told you about the March 3rd North American release yesterday. details

The "No Rest For The Wicked"-era (1983) lineup of the Canadian hard rock band Helix will reunite for a one-off recording session where they will be laying down a cover version of AC/DC's "It's a Long Way To The Top If You Wanna Rock And Roll". The song will appear on an AC/DC tribute CD being released through Metal K-Tel (a.k.a. Perris Records). more

Drummer Jarno "Jake" Vanhanen (Tacere) has rejoined the Finnish melodic death metal band Embreach. more

Jennifer Hudson is the latest performer to be added to the lineup for the 2009 Grammy Awards, which will be handed out February 8. more

PJ Harvey and John Parish have announced a UK tour. more

Yngwie Malmsteen will team up with Deep Purple for a Japanese tour in April. dates

Jeff Beck has ruled out a Jeff Beck Group reunion with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood - because he thinks reformation of bands is a bad idea. "It usually indicates there isn't anything else happening in someone else's career, otherwise you wouldn't entertain it" - more

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