The Barclaycard Mercury Prize Awards Show is being held next Tuesday evening, 8 September in London and will feature live performances from all 12 shortlisted artists for the first time. The evening will culminate with the live announcement of the overall winner of the 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize for Album of the Year. Many of the bands and artists will be flying into the UK especially for the prestigious (Read more…)

Jack Peñate is back and will be playing the Futures Stage at T in the Park on Sunday 12th July. For his second album he decided to rip it up and start again and the offering ‘Everything Is New’ is just that. Produced by one of the hottest British production talents around, Paul Epworth (who is also responsible for albums by fellow T in the Park artists Bloc Party and Friendly Fires), Peñate’s second album is an ambitious, lo-fi soul record which, from the sound of recent killer single ‘Tonight’s Today’, is going to get the Futures Stage crowd jumping to some top tracks. Reforming in 2008 after more than a decade on hiatus, That Petrol Emotion continue a string of successful reunion shows with a slot opening the Radio 1/NME Stage on Saturday 11th July. Critically lauded for their highly skilled musicianship, intense performances, diverse influences and political agenda, the band were considered musical pioneers and we know the Balado massive will give their return a warm reception when they kick off proceedings on the middle day of T in the Park. Filling the same slot on the final day of revelry are Northern Irish rockers In Case of Fire who have been lined up to open the Radio 1/NME Stage on Sunday 12th July. Tipped as a top new talent, the band who have been described by NME as a ’skyscraping pop-metal hybrid’, were the viewer’s choice of bands to watch out for on MTV’s 2008 ‘Spanking New’ coverage and were the opening act on the Kerrang! tour this year. The three-piece released their debut album ‘Align The Planets’ just last week and no doubt the Balado crowd will greet their set with the electric enthusiasm that provides T in the Park with it’s globally recognised atmosphere.

Manchester’s Delphic take to the Futures Stage on Saturday 11th July and will bring a strong dose of 1980s nostalgia to the T in the Park proceedings. Influenced by Factory Records, the Hacienda and acid house they play electronic music with a full band line up and will be supplying Balado with some massive hands in the air moments as their superior brand of indie dance takes over the crowds in the Futures Stage tent that is the home to the hottest new talent at T in the Park this summer.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can also stay up to date by using our online media room at www.tinthepark.com/media and entering the password community

THE XCERTS’ story began around the turn of the century when then 13-year-olds Murray MacLeod (vocals, guitar) and Jordan Smith (bass, vocals) met in the headmaster’s office of their school in Aberdeen. In 2006 they relocated to Brighton and met drummer and Exeter exile Tom Heron, where the line-up of THE XCERTS was finalised. After a barrage of dates with Future of the left, Bat for Lashes, Biffy Clyro, Make Model, Cage the Elephant, Brakes, Get Cape.Wear Cape. Fly and Fighting with Wire and recent supports with Enter Shikari and Feeder, THE XCERTS are gearing up for recording their debut full length album late summer with producer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers / Idlewild) . They’re a double edged sword of ferocious guitar and dainty, poetic words - a distorted pop band who fuse the influences of fellow countrymen Idlewild and Biffy Clyro with the thoughtful approach to songwriting of old school ‘emo’ bands like Jimmy Eat World and Bright Eyes. With support from Radio 1, XFM, MTV2, Rock Sound and !Kerrang, and a work ethic of epic proportions with a live show to match, these are exciting times for the Aberdeen / Exeter and Brighton based trio. “Nothing short of astonishing” - !Kerrang “Ludicrously Punchy” – Steve Lamacq “’The Xcerts are going to be making big strides in 2008” - Drowned in Sound Following the release of their critically acclaimed debut album ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ The Xcerts can now reveal plans for their next single. ‘Just Go Home’ will be released on 8th June through Xtra Mile Recordings as a download on iTunes and all major DSPs. Fans who purchase ‘Just Go Home’ in the week of release are eligible for an additional free live track recorded at the band’s recent sold out Glasgow show and mixed by Dave Eringa (Idlewild, Manic Street Preachers,) who also produced the band’s debut album. For more information please see www.xtramilerecordings.com No strangers to the road, The Xcerts who spent a lot of last year touring with the likes of Get Cape, Wear Cape. Fly, Twin Atlantic, Feeder and Fight Like Apes will soon embark on a national tour supporting My Vitriol while stopping off at every festival along the way!

Dates below:

MAY
15th - Great Escape Festival
17th - Aberdeen Tunnels - Supporting My Vitriol
18th - Liverpool Barfly - Supporting My Vitriol
20th - Cardiff Barfly - Supporting My Vitriol
21st - Exeter The Hub - Supporting My Vitriol
22nd - Southampton Joiners - Supporting My Vitriol
23rd - Audio, Brighton
JUNE
5th - Herts Uni Summer Ball
6th - Hull Uni Summer Ball
20th - Lexapalooza Festival, London
24th - Southend Arts Festival
25th - Warwick Uni
JULY
3rd - Electric Bay, Perth
4th - Electric Bay, Perth
5th - Perth Music Festival, Perth
24th - Wickerman Festival (Solus Festival), Scotland
25th - Truck Festival
26th - Truck Festival
AUGUST
1st - Leopallooza Festival, Cornwall
30th - Beachdown Festival Brighton

Scotland’s wildest party this summer Rock Ness has been boosted by the addition of homegrown heroes The Aliens.

Set in the Highlands, Rock Ness combines a breathtaking natural amphitheatre with a stunning line up. Grabbing some exclusive performances, Rock Ness has emerged in just three short years as one of the best festivals around.

Amongst the latest additions to the bill are Scottish indie heroes The Aliens. Formed from the ashes of The Beta Band, The Aliens released their second album late last year to acclaim from both fans and critics alike.

Joining the Fife group on the bill are Just Jack, Australia’s Sneaky Soundsystem and Glaswegian newcomer Tommy Reilly. One of ClashMusic’s ‘9 For 2009′ Baddies are sure to impress on the mainstage while festival legends The Cuban Brothers are also set to perform.

Further down the bill hot new DJ Annie Mac has been confirmed alongside Radio 1’s brightest new stars Jaymo and Andy George. Manchester group The Whip are set to bring their sleek live show to Rock Ness, and will be joined by Scottish rustic rockers Frightened Rabbit.

As always, Clash will be there to add a little spice to the affair. Clash hosts the Wonderland Arena, where previous headliners have included The View and French electro legends Daft Punk. This year the organisers have secured a major coup with rave heroes Orbital set to play a rare live set.

The Hartnoll brothers disbanded in 2004, but are set to bring their legendary live show to the Highlands along with a sure fire party atmosphere.

Rock Ness takes place in Dores, near Inverness between June 12th - 14th.

Play In-store Tour and hit Loch Ness for the Release of ‘In the Cold Wind We Smile’! Hot on the heels of the release of their mighty, anthemic single ‘Crisis in the Slow Lane’ The Xcerts can now confirm that they will be embarking on an in-store tour the week that their album ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ is released (30th March). Each show will be FREE, feature a live performance from the band and allow fans to get their copy of the band’s debut album signed.

The dates of the band ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ in-store tour are as follows:

MONDAY 30TH MARCH 4.00PM - 1UP, ABERDEEN
TUESDAY 31ST MARCH 5.00PM - FOPP, UNION STREET, GLASGOW
WEDNESDAY 1st APRIL 5.00PM - RISE, CHELTENHAM
THURSDAY 2ND APRIL 6.30PM - PURE GROOVE, LONDON
FRIDAY 3RD APRIL 6.00PM - BANQUET, KINGSTON

No strangers to the road, The Xcerts spent a lot of last year touring with the likes of Get Cape, Wear Cape. Fly, Twin Atlantic, Feeder and Fight Like Apes.

In addition to the band’s in-store tour The Xcerts will also continue their tireless touring schedule with additional dates (below), playing a very special intimate show on a boat on Loch Ness! Let’s hope Nessie knows a good Rock song when she hears one!

14th March - Shinkiba Studio Coast, British Anthems Festival, Tokyo (with The Fratellis)
28th March - The Ark, Edinburgh
29th March - A Boat, Loch Ness
30th March - The Tunnels, Aberdeen
1st April - Frog and Fiddle, Cheltenham
4th April - Glasgow Academy, Glasgow
7th April - Cargo (Club Attitude), London
15th April - Camden Barfly, London
17th April - Deaf Institute, Manchester
18th April - The Magnet, Liverpool
April 30th/May 1st - Hinterland Festival, Glasgow
20th June - Lexapalooza Festival, The Gaff, London
1st August - Leopallooza Cornwall (Festival)

More about The Xcerts.
With radio support from tastemaker DJs and press across the board The Xcerts are on the cusp of something big. Catch them in a venue near you now before they are filling arenas!

THE XCERTS’ story began around the turn of the century when then 13-year-olds Murray MacLeod (vocals, guitar) and Jordan Smith (bass, vocals) met in the headmaster’s office of their school in Aberdeen. In 2006 they relocated to Brighton and met drummer and Exeter exile Tom Heron, where the line-up of THE XCERTS was finalised.

After a barrage of dates with Future of the left, Bat for Lashes, Biff Clyro, Make Model, Cage the Elephant, Brakes, Get Cape.Wear Cape. Fly and Fighting with Wire and recent supports with Enter Shikari and Feeder, THE XCERTS are gearing up for recording their debut full length album late summer with producer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers / Idlewild) .

They’re a double edged sword of ferocious guitar and dainty, poetic words - a distorted pop band who fuse the influences of fellow countrymen Idlewild and Biffy Clyro with the thoughtful approach to songwriting of old school ‘emo’ bands like Jimmy Eat World and Bright Eyes.

With support from Radio 1, XFM, MTV2, Rock Sound and !Kerrang, and a work ethic of epic proportions with a live show to match, these are exciting times for the Aberdeen / Exeter and Brighton based trio.

“Nothing short of astonishing” - !Kerrang
“Ludicrously Punchy” – Steve Lamacq
“’The Xcerts are going to be making big strides in 2008” - Drowned in Sound

After a barrage of dates with Future of the left, Bat for Lashes, Biff Clyro, Make Model, Cage the Elephant, Brakes, Get Cape.Wear Cape. Fly and Fighting with Wire and recent supports with Enter Shikari and Feeder, THE XCERTS are gearing up for recording their debut full length album late summer with producer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers / Idlewild) .

They’re a double edged sword of ferocious guitar and dainty, poetic words - a distorted pop band who fuse the influences of fellow countrymen Idlewild and Biffy Clyro with the thoughtful approach to songwriting of old school ‘emo’ bands like Jimmy Eat World and Bright Eyes.

With support from Radio 1, XFM, MTV2, Rock Sound and !Kerrang, and a work ethic of epic proportions with a live show to match, these are exciting times for the Aberdeen / Exeter and Brighton based trio.

“Nothing short of astonishing” - !Kerrang
“Ludicrously Punchy” – Steve Lamacq
“’The Xcerts are going to be making big strides in 2008” - Drowned in Sound

Hot on the heels of the release of their mighty, anthemic single ‘Crisis in the Slow Lane’ The Xcerts can now confirm that they will be embarking on an in-store tour the week that their album ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ is released (30th March).

Each show will be FREE, feature a live performance from the band and allow fans to get their copy of the band’s debut album signed.

The dates of the band ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ in-store tour are as follows:

MONDAY 30TH MARCH 4.00PM – 1UP, ABERDEEN
TUESDAY 31ST MARCH 5.00PM – FOPP, UNION STREET, GLASGOW
WEDNESDAY 1st APRIL 5.00PM – RISE, CHELTENHAM
THURSDAY 2ND APRIL 6.30PM – PURE GROOVE, LONDON
FRIDAY 3RD APRIL 6.00PM – BANQUET, KINGSTON

No strangers to the road, The Xcerts spent a lot of last year touring with the likes of Get Cape, Wear Cape. Fly, Twin Atlantic, Feeder and Fight Like Apes. In addition to the band’s in-store tour The Xcerts will also continue their tireless touring schedule with additional dates (below), playing a very special intimate show on a boat on Loch Ness! Let’s hope Nessie knows a good Rock song when she hears one!

Dates are:

14th March - Shinkiba Studio Coast, British Anthems Festival, Tokyo (with The Fratellis)
29th March – A Boat, Loch Ness – Order tickets here: www.ironworksvenue.com / www.seetickets.com/?c=384559&filler2=384559
30th March – The Tunnels, Aberdeen
1st April - Frog and Fiddle, Cheltenham
4th April - Glasgow Academy, Glasgow
7th April - Cargo (Club Attitude), London
15th April - Camden Barfly, London
April 30th/May 1st - Hinterland Festival, Glasgow
20th June - Lexapalooza Festival, The Gaff, London

With radio support from tastemaker DJs and press across the board The Xcerts are on the cusp of something big. Catch them in a venue near you now before they are filling arenas!

www.myspace.com/thexcerts
www.xtramilerecordings.com
www.myspace.com/xtramilerecordings

Having enjoyed a raucous welcome around the country on their first UK tour earlier this year, The Bookhouse Boys announce a fresh string of live dates culminating at London’s Bush Hall on April 16th. A live phenomenon, with a veritable feast of mariachi brass, a duo of drummers and girl-boy vocals; they realise euphoric surf guitar and Ennio Morricone soundscapes of their debut album, with a visceral Cramps-esque prosecution and Nick Cave croon.

UK TOUR DATES: 11th APRIL GLASGOW, Twisted Wheel; 12th APRIL ABERDEEN, Moshulu; 13th APRIL NEWCASTLE, Cluny; 14th APRIL NOTTINGHAM, Bodega; 15th APRIL OXFORD, Bullingdon Arms; 16th APRIL LONDON, Bush Hall;

The Bookhouse Boys opened 2009 with their maiden UK tour, having lit up Festival stages and enjoyed widespread critical acclaim for debut album in 2008. Building on the underground success of debut vinyl releases Tonight and Dead, the bands single Can’t Help Myself was picked up by Zane Lowe at Radio 1, playlisted at XFM, and enjoyed the renewed support of long term fans Steve Lamacq and Nemone at 6Music.