- Dusseldorf, Germany, experienced tragedy this weekend as at least 19 are dead and more than 80 are injured when crowds entering the Love Parade Festival, the world’s largest techno music festival, began stampeding for fear of being turned away from the overcrowded event.
- In a far less tragic concert event, Kings of Leon were forced off stage on Friday night in St. Louis by pooping pigeons. The birds, who filled the rafters of the city’s Verizon Amphitheatre, shut down the band’s 20+ song set after just three songs. Openers The Postelles and The Stills managed to withstand the bombardment.
- The Sea and Cake have had a busy few years and it looks as if principle member, Sam Prekop, aims to continue the streak. Prekop has announced plans for a new solo album, Old Punch Card, to be released September 7th via Thrill Jockey. He’ll be touring this fall as opener for Broken Social Scene, with an October 15th appearance slated for Seattle’s Paramount Theater.
- Not to be outdone, Marnie Stern is set to release her third album (self-titled, to boot) October 5th.
- Announced via his website, John Martyn (who passed in January 2009) will be receiving the tribute treatment with an album featuring Beck, Robert Smith, Vashti Bunyan, and The Swell Season among a growing list of Martyn admirers. No word on an official release date but strangers to Martyn’s work can familiarize themselves September 6th when the double CD set, Live at Leeds, is reissued.
- It’s time to also re-acquaint yourself with songsmith, Nike Lowe. Come September 21st, Yep Roc will be reissuing Lowe’s critically acclaimed trilogy of albums--1994′s The Impossible Bird, 1998′s Dig My Mood, and 2001′s The Convincer -- on vinyl.
- The other Bryan of Roxy Music -- you know, the one who does all those awesome covers -- Bryan Ferry! It’s time to praise Ferry as he prepares to deliver Olympia October 26th. Ferry’s first solo album of original material since 2002′s Frantic, will feature a bevy of guests: Johnny Greenwood, Flea, old partner Brian Eno chief among them.
- It’s time to set your DVR’s for this week’s late night talk show appearances. Among the highlights are The Black Keys on Ferguson, Interpol on Letterman, and Of Montreal on Fallon. Here are the rest:
Monday, July 26
Jay Leno: Lyle Lovett
Craig Ferguson: She & HimTuesday, July 27
Craig Ferguson: The Black Keys
Jimmy Fallon: Angelique Kidjo
Carson Daly: Metric (R)Wednesday, July 28
David Letterman: The Flaming Lips
Thursday, July 29
David Letterman: Interpol
Jimmy Fallon: Of MontrealFriday, July 30
Carson Daly: The Raveonettes (R)
