The Vinyl Villain — mp3 : Simple Minds - Glittering Prize (Club Mix) A #16 hit from 1982. One of a number of great tracks on the LP New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84). After this, there's not many who will disagree Simple Minds went diownhill at an increasingly rapid rate.H... more info

ContactMusic — LETHAL WEAPON 2 star PATSY KENSIT is on a mission to restore Britain's abandoned playgrounds.The British actress is spearheading the Parents for Playgrounds drive, which will hand out $22,500 (15,000) grants for play spaces in desperate need of renov... more info

Scotsman.com — SCOTTISH rock band Simple Minds are to stage a concert at a venue better known as the home of the Inverness Tattoo and for cricket and piping competitions. more info

Guardian Music — This lot specialise in surging, shimmering synth-pop refracted through waves of My Bloody Valentine guitar hazeHometown: Nottingham.The lineup: John Sampson (vocals, instruments), Peter Sampson (drums), Jonathon Spittlehouse (guitar), Andrew Wright (... more info

Guardian Music — Mega pop diva Rihanna will no doubt live up to the title of her tour, Loud (5-16 Oct, tour begins 02 Arena, SE10, livenation.co.uk) ...Mesmerising indiester Conor Oberst, aka Bright Eyes, plays a one-off UK date for his forthcoming new album The Peop... more info

Guardian Music — Shimmering synth-rock sophisticates looking to wrest Sheffield back from the likes of Arctic MonkeysHometown: Sheffield.The lineup: Justin Robson, Tom Hudson, Simon Poole, Spencer Marsh.The background: If yesterday's new act were about reclaiming roc... more info

I Like Music — The band announce dates for a Greatest Hits Forest Tour in summer 2011, playing a series of dates in spectacular woodland locations more info

411 Mania — Band dusting off their greatest hits... more info

NME — Group will hit the road in June and July next year more info

Guardian Music — There has been a lot of 80s-fetishising pop of late, much of it excellent, but even in such grand company this trio stand outHometown: NYC/London.The lineup: Maria Usbeck (vocals), Jer Robert Paulin (guitar, bass), Max Peterson (keyboards).The backgr... more info