NEWS WRAP

* One of our regular readers Mark tipped us off about this one… ABC’s Rage is tonight being guest-programmed by the delightful Bertie Blackman. BUT after that, it’s a non-stop fest of electro-pop. 15 Goldfrapp videos in a row, followed by 12 Moloko clips, then some Roisin Murphy (where’s ‘Let Me Know’!?), Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ladyhawke, La Roux and Little Boots! Gosh! We’ll be up all night.
* Gin Wigmore is returning to our shores in May, following the Stateside release of her new album ‘Holy Smoke’. She’s not wasting any time settling down for a rest either, hitting the road alongside Dan Sultan for a series of ten shows across the country, beginning on May 14 in Byron Bay.
* Rapper Eminem has revealed that he’s scrapped plans to call his new album ‘Relapse : The Sequel’. Instead, he’s told the world’s press that he’ll release a new album called ‘Recovery’. “The music on Recovery came out very different from Relapse, and I think it deserves its own title,” he’s quoted as saying. ‘Recovery’ is out locally on June 18.
* UK rock outfit Kasabian has announced an Australian tour. They’ll play Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, kicking off in the Victorian capital on July 23. Tickets for all shows are on sale Friday April 29.
* The most played song in Australia this week was once again Train’s ARIA No.1 ‘Hey, Soul Sister’. John Butler Trio was the highest placed Aussie act – at No.10 with ‘Close To You’.
* Warner Music has revealed that Jason Derulo’s self-titled album has just been given a GOLD accreditation in Australia, for sales in excess of 35,000 copies. You’ll see him performing songs from it tomorrow morning from 11:30am on Network 10’s ‘Video Hits’.
* Warner has also announced that legendary performer Phil Collins will release a brand new album in September. Entitled ‘Going Back’, the LP is a covers album and will see Phil covering some of the songs that inspired him throughout his teenage years on his first new disc in eight years.
* Speaking of eight year hiatuses, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are also about to return with a new album. The new album is set to be called ‘Mojo’ and will hit the shops on June 11.
* On the US singles chart this week and Rihanna remains unbeated in the No.1 spot with her single ‘Rude Boy’. Taio Cruz and Jason Derulo both stake their claims on the top five, however, moving into positions four and five respectively. And Usher’s got himself a top ten hit with ‘OMG’.
* And on the Billboard album chart, Justin Bieber has clinched the top spot from last week’s No.1 Usher. The highest debut for the week comes courtesy of Slash and his self-titled debut solo offering at No.3, while the Sticky & Sweet tour CD/DVD release gives Madonna another top ten US hit.

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