Guardian Music — Academy, NewcastleAlong with the BBC's Sound of the Year poll, the annual NME awards tour is a useful barometer of where pop is headed. Last year's bash gave White Lies and Friendly Fires a springboard while Florence and the Machine ­predicted th... more info

Rolling Stone — • News Ticker: Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash • Swift’s Label Defends Grammy Performance • Drake on Lil Wayne’s Prison Time • Kelly Clarkson Riled By Anti-Idol Comments • Arcade Fire, Mayer License Songs for Haiti • Jedward Rule With �... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — DOWNLOAD: Peter Gabriel - Flume (Bon Iver cover) (MP3) Peter Gabriel's new record Scratch My Back is an all-cover, orchestra-backed collection of songs from Bowie's "Heroes" to Arcade Fire's "My Body Is a Cage." There's also a Bon... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — DOWNLOAD: Peter Gabriel - Flume (Bon Iver cover) (MP3) Peter Gabriel's new record Scratch My Back is an all-cover, orchestra-backed collection of songs from Bowie's "Heroes" to Arcade Fire's "My Body Is a Cage." There's also a Bon Iver cover,... more info

Rolling Stone — Arcade Fire and John Mayer have licensed big songs to help support Haiti. Arcade Fire — whose Regine Chassagne’s family has roots in the earthquake-ravaged island — has given the NFL permission to use their Funeral song “Wake Up” for charit... more info

Gigwise — John Mayer also grants permission... more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — If a Super Bowl halftime show featuring two original members of The Who doesn't strike your fancy, there will be plenty of music targeted to a non-boomer audience throughout Sunday's game. For instance, indie rockers the Arcade Fire, a band... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — Arcade Fire, Partners in Health, the NFL, Merge Records and Bank Robber Music have collectively agreed upon a unique 100% for charity Superbowl licensing of "Wake Up" from the band's 2004 album Funeral. All proceeds from the song's airing on... more info

Stereogum — The Funeral track will be used during this weekend's Super Bowl, whatever that is, with 100% of the licensing proceeds benefiting Partners In Health's Stand With Haiti relief efforts. Last time was different. more info

We All Want Someone To Shout For — Peter Gabriel is getting set to release Scratch My Back, his orchestral indie rock cover album. It is Peter’s first album in 7 years. Bob Ezrin produced the album that features covers from the likes of Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Bower, Elbow, and Radio... more info