Michael Jackson today said his London dates would be his last as he announced ten shows at London's O2 Arena.

The star said the shows would be his "final curtain call" as he attended a brief press conference at which he unveiled his plans for a megabucks comeback, which it is thought will help to bring him back from parlous financial health.

Jacko has not performed live since 2006, when he put in an underwhelming appearance at the World Music Awards, and his last substantial set of dates was in 1997 when he toured his HIStory album. His last new set of recordings was in 2001 with Invincible and he has since beset by money worries, health fears and probes into his private life as a result of Martin Bashir's TV interview.

Today he announced a string of dates at the O2 Arena beginning on July 8 with tickets going on sale from March 13.

Announcing the shows, Jackson - wearing black shades and a black silk suit - said: "This is it. These will be my final show performances in London - This will be it. When I say this is it, I really mean this is it.

"I'll be performing the songs my fans want to hear. This is the final curtain call. I'll see you in July," he concluded

Many of his fans had queued for hours to catch a glimpse of their idol at the launch, which ran 90 minutes late and saw Jackson onstage for little over two minutes.

Inside the venue, video screens had displayed images of the star prior to his arrival to build the sense of occasion for anyone who had got through the tight security and scanners, as well as braving the long queue.

Press conference host Dermot O'Leary - who was given a hug by Jackson - admitted the shows were the world's "worst kept secret" as he introduced a video of archive clips of the star in action.

Arriving on stage to cheers, Jackson told fans: "I love you so much."

The singer, 50, flew into London on Tuesday to prepare for the announcement of his latest shows. There had been breathless speculation about the shows for 48 hours since invitations were sent out for today's press conference, for which fans were also invited to attend.

Earlier in the day posters went up around the Tube network rather jumping the gun by announcing that he would be playing ten dates in July.

More details from www.michaeljackson.com

Source qthemusic

Blur's reunion for a summer '09 show got every fan excited. First it was a one-off Hyde Park show, then two.

Hopes were still high for new music, too, but now they're headlining Glastonbury and Manchester before their 'reunion' gig at Hyde Park. Oh, and they're headlining Scotland's T In The Park and Ireland's Oxegen also.

And now, drummer Dave Rowntree says he plans to return to his aspiring law career as soon as Blur's summer dates are over.

Speaking of his recent work at a London law firm, Rowntree told The Independent: "I only went along for a day but then they said I could go in once a week as work experience. Now I go in three times a week. Hopefully I can go and work there when I'm finished with the Blur tour."

The drummer-turned-lawyer also plans to stand for the Labour Party in the next general UK election. He stood in London council elections in 2007, but failed to get elected.

While Rowntree is certainly being honest, one wonders what Blur devotees actually think of this?

The 'one-off' reunion has now become anything but that. And the drummer has announced his post-tour career plans before the first snare is hit.

Some might reasonably think Blur's live dates are simply about money…?

Source musicradar

Oasis have been left "bewildered" after their inaugural shows in China were cancelled following a government ban.

Tickets for the gigs, due to take place in Beijing and Shanghai in April, were withdrawn from sale on Saturday (Feb 28). The band are currently nearing the end of the European leg of their Dig Out Your Soul tour.

The promoters have revealed that officials within the Chinese Ministry of Culture only recently discovered that Noel Gallagher had appeared at a Free Tibet Benefit Concert in New York in 1997. Consequently, the authorities have deemed the band "unsuitable to perform".

A statement from the band reads: "Oasis are extremely disappointed that they are now being prevented from undertaking their planned tour of mainland China and hope that the powers that be within China will reconsider their decision and allow the band to perform to their Chinese fans at some stage in the future."

Source MOJO

DEVO are set to play their iconic 1978 album 'Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo?' in full, live in London, for the first time.

The Ohio New Wavers will perform the album at the Kentish Town Forum on May 6 just two days before their scheduled appearance at the All Tomorrows Parties festival.

DEVO play The Fans Strike Back event in Minehead on May 8.

Source Uncut

Neil Young will headline this year's Isle Of Wight Festival. He'll play the final night of the event on Sunday, June 14.

John Giddings, the festival's organiser, has said, "I have tried every year since we restarted the event to book Neil Young., His music is part of my life and has inspired generations ever since. I'm sure that his performance will be talked about for years to come".

Young joins a host of acts already confirmed to appear of the weekend, among them The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, Stereophonics and Razorlight.

The Isle of Wight Festival takes place at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight between June 12 and 14. Tickets are on sale now.

For more information, head over to the event's official site HERE.

Young's new studio album, Fork In The Road, is released on April 6.

Source MOJO

Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will share a stage for the first time since 2002 when they perform at Radio City Music Hall in New York on April 4.

The show is the ‘Charity Begins Within; benefit to raise funds to teach one million children how to mediate.

Starr and McCartney learned mediation under the guidance of Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India in the 60s.

“In moments of madness, Transcendental Meditation has helped me find moments of serenity,” Paul said in a statement. He added that he supports the work of the David Lynch Foundation to bring Transcendental Meditation to one million children for the same reason. “I would like to think that it would help provide them a quiet haven in a not-so-quiet world.”

Ringo Starr expressed his personal satisfaction to be performing at the concert: “It gives me great pleasure to be part of this evening. I feel the aims of this charity are wonderful!”

The show will also feature Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow, Donovan, Ben Harper, Moby and Bettye LaVette. Undercover hears that Bettye may be called upon to sing Let It Be with the Beatle legends.

Tickets for the show will go on sale on Monday (March 9)

Source undercover