MIDWEEK NEWS WRAP

• Though they’ve not offered up any dates at this stage, recently reformed British girl group Atomic Kitten have announced that Australia is on the radar for their 2015 Greatest Hits Tour. The trio (Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon and Kerry Katona) became ‘whole again’ as part of ‘The Big Reunion’ on UK TV a couple of years back and are now ready to roll out their hits, including ‘The Tide Is High’, ‘Right Now’, ‘Be With You’ and ‘Whole Again’ as part of a best-of tour. We’ll bring you details of Aussie dates as soon as they’re announced.
• Fresh from their ARIAs win last week and their single ‘Take Me Over’ going gold over the weekend, the boys from Canberra duo Peking Duk have confirmed that remixes for the new tune (which features Safia in a guest role) will be released on December 12. Just A Gent, NEUS and Sonny Fodera all lend their talents to new versions of the track, which currently sits at No.15.
• Among the new tunes rolling at media this week are 5 Seconds Of Summer’s ‘What I Like About You’, Megan Washington’s ‘Begin Again’, The Vamps’ ‘Jingle Bells’, the new Ylvis single ‘Trucker’s Hitch’ and Guy Pearce’s ‘Fly All The Way’. Check out FACEBOOK page tomorrow for a larger list!

• Speaking of Guy Pearce (we really must find out what product he uses…), he and Powderfinger’s Darren Middleton (both pictured, left) have announced a national co-headlining tour in support of their respective album releases. Kicking off in Bendigo in Victoria on January 31, the nine date jaunt sticks mainly to the East Coast, but will venture to Adelaide’s Garden Of Unearthly Delights on Tuesday February 17. Tickets for all shows are on sale at 9am today.
• DJ Havana Brown has been confirmed as the final act on the bill for Summernats in Canberra, which kicks off on new years day. She’ll be joining Bliss N Eso on stage for a huge Friday night celebration (January 02). Also playing as part of the 28th edition are Illy and rock outfit The Radiators.
• Chicago house legend Derrick Carter will return to Australia late this month for appearances across the country. Shows are locked in in each of the five main capitals, kicking off at Adelaide’s Mr.Kim’s on Boxing Day. He’ll play Sydney’s Greenwood Hotel on new years day, before flying down to Melbourne to appear at the city’s New Guernica later the same day.

• The departure of Jason Orange a couple of months back doesn’t seem to have affected the British public’s love of Take That, with the now-three piece outfit bagging the No.1 spot on debut in the UK this week with their new track ‘These Days’. It knocks Band Aid 30’s version of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ from top spot, while Olly Murs’ ‘Wrapped Up’ remains in position three for a second successive week. Labrinth’s ‘Jealous’ is the week’s second highest debut… at No.7.
• He might not have been able to bag the No.1 spot on the singles chart, but Olly Murs is making up for it on the British albums chart; his new LP ‘Never Been Better’ premiering at No.1 ahead of Ed Sheeran’s ‘x’ (No.2) and One Direction’s ‘Four’ (down from No.1 to No.3). David Guetta’s ‘Listen’ is the week’s only other top ten UK debut; it’s new at No.8. Susan Boyle’s ‘Hope’ and Boyzone’s ‘Dublin To Detroit’ debut at Nos.13 and 14 respectively.

 Australia's first stop for pop!