Guardian Music — As pointed out in a recent blog by Mark Beaumont, Christmas songs are best when they're not trying to be cool. What's the point in trying to be a hipster when you're sat having roast parsnips with your aunt Mildred? Do you really think your gran want... more info

Jam! Showbiz Music, Canada — Irish folk-rocker Shane MacGowan is embarking on a bizarre new career change - he's hosting his own TV gardening show. more info

NME — 'Victoria and Shane Grow Their Own' is a homage to 'The Good Life' more info

Guardian Music — The 'pickled poet' is set to emulate the premise of The Good Life by growing his own vegetables in a reality TV showIt's come to our attention that Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan is to star in a reality TV show about gardening. According to Spinner, ... more info

Guardian Music — Our pop critic's guide to the most festive albums and gigsA Not So Silent Night An all-star lineup troops across the stage for the Wainwright/McGarrigle family's Christmas show. Rufus and Martha Wainwright and their mum Kate McGarrigle have roped in ... more info

Guardian Music — Robbie Williams's latest album bulges with fantastic melodies and undemanding pop references – but it's also consumed with angst and self-doubtIn 1967, the Beatles were planning a new film. In search of a suitable script, they approached Joe O... more info

Guardian Music — The Hollywood A-lister is reportedly in talks to play guitar with one of his favourite British bands at London's Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen in NovemberJohnny Depp is in negotiations to play a one-off gig at a small London venue in November. The ac... more info

Live Daily — The Pogues [ tickets ] haven't written new material in years, but according to guitarist Phil Chevron, the shows stay fresh because of the strength of the original material. "It is some of the best material of the past 20 or 30 years," Chevron sai... more info

Stereogum — Last night Carnegie Hall hosted the biggest assortment of megastars this side of the Orpheum for a (RED)NIGHTS charity show, benefiting the Global Fund's efforts against the African AIDS epidemic. The night was billed as "Hal Willner Presents: An ... more info

Rolling Stone — Rufus Wainwright will be among the stars to take the stage this Sunday, October 4th, at New York’s Carnegie Hall for the (RED) concert “Hal Willner presents: An Evening with Gavin Friday and Friends.” Other “friends” slated to perform inclu... more info