Press Play — Just a heads up for you shoppers out there — the Amazon MP3 Store is having some decent MP3 Album deals for Black Friday.  There's nothing incredible about it in my opinion, but there are a few albums in there that I've been meaning to buy, but ne... more info

Guardian Music — Have a cool Christmas with our selection of the season's finest gigsVampire WeekendA mammoth victory-lap tour for preppy afro-influenced indie rockers, who arrive bearing intriguingly eclectic support acts at their two London shows (on 2 and 3 Decem... more info

Guardian Music — It's the coalition that gives! Here's more free music from across the globe with the latest instalment of the Music Alliance PactEach month, the Music Alliance Pact – a team of 34 music blogs from around the world, including this one – simultaneo... more info

Guardian Music — A week in the life of the Vampire Weekend singer more info

411 Mania — To aid oil spill victims… more info

NME — 'Gasoline Rainbows' will be released on November 30 more info

XLR8R — Twenty-first-century world music—that is, music that looks to, borrows from, and name-drops artists and genres from different parts of the globe—has frequently been met with discomfort and thorny arguments about appropriation and authenticity, al... more info

Guardian Music — Sage, Gateshead"When I look at the time I have left," Hugh Masekela told the Guardian last week, "I have to hurry up." This may explain why the great South African trumpeter is such a bundle of energy on stage. Apparently aged 71 (you would never bel... more info

Guardian Music — After years of honing their tight harmonies, southern Californians Local Natives are breaking out. But they've suffered a few comparisons too manyImagine a band that sings harmonies like Fleet Foxes. Whose arrangements twist and turn like Grizzly Bea... more info

Guardian Music — Show based on life of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti faces $5m lawsuitHailed as the Muhammad Ali, James Brown and Bob Dylan of Africa all wrapped into one, modern hip-hop wouldn't exist without Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the late Afrobeat star.But Kut... more info