Atlantic release their second album ‘Another World’ through Escape Music on June 21. The band’s first album ‘Power’ was released in 1994 and featured Phil Bates (ex-ELO Part 2) on vocals. Simon Harrison remains from that line-up teaming up with a new line-up including vocalist Mark Grimmett – brother of Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper).

Black Label Society are currently working on their next album for a release early next year.

Black Veil Brides release a new EP, ‘Bleeders’, on June 21.

The Dead Daisies (pictured), with vocalist John Corabi  and drummer Tommy Clufetosback back in the band, release their next album ‘Light ‘Em Up’ via SPV on September 6. The title track will be released as a single on May 10.

Focus release ‘Focus 12′ on July 5 via Spirit of Unicorn Music.

Darryl Hall’s new album ‘D’ is released on June 21. Produced by Dave Stewart who co-wrote seven of the nine songs on the album.

Hamish Hawk will release his third album ‘A Firmer Hand’ on August 16, with ‘Big Cat Tattoos’ released as the first single off the album.

Jadis release their first album in eight years, ‘More Questions Than Answers’, on June 6.

Nightwish will release their new album, ‘Yesterwynd’, on September 20 via Nuclear Blast, with the single ‘Perfume Of The Timeless’ released on May 21.

Pattern-Seeking Animals have signed with Giant Electric Pea. The band are currently working on their fifth album due for release later this year.

Quireboys featuring Spike, release their new album ‘Wardour Street’ on September 13 via Cadiz Music. The first single off the album, ‘Raining Whiskey’, is out on May 24 and features Frankie Miller.

Redd Kross release their new, self-titled double album on June 28 via In the Red.

Seether plan to release a new single in July, followed by their latest, as yet untitled, album in September.

Epica singer Simone Simons will release her debut solo album, ‘Vermillion’, on August 23.

Cherry Red Records is releasing a second Bernie Tormé box set, ‘The Bernie Tormé Archives Vol 2 – 1985-1993′ on July 26.

Trouble are in the process of recording their tenth album which will be released on Hammerheart Records in 2025.

Within Temptation release ‘Worlds Collide Tour: Live In Amsterdam’ on DVD/Blu-Ray on June 28.

Newly announced UK tours (2024 unless stated):

Jan Akkerman (Jun 22 & 23 Trading Boundaries), Cavalera (Jun), Cradle of Filth (Oct, Nov), the Dead South (Mar 2025), David Gilmour (Oct 9-15 Royal Albert Hall), Laurence Jones (Oct), Myles Kennedy + Devin Townsend (Nov, Dec), Kings Of Thrash (Oct, Nov), Levellers (Mar 2025), Massive Wagons (Nov, Dec), Mike + the Mechanics (Mar, Apr 2025),

Upcoming (Gigs – UK)

Newly announced US & European tours (2024 unless stated):

Black Stone Cherry (EU), the Doobie Brothers (CA), Evergrey (EU), Fifth Angel (EU), Belle & Sebastian (AU), Jesus & the Mary Chain (AU), Marilyn Manson (US), Morbid Angel + Suffocation (US), Mushroomhead (US), OMD (AU), Redd Kross (US), Roxette + Boom Crash Opera (AU 2025), Sisters Of Mercy (US), Slipknot (US), Squeeze (US), Stryper (US), Sweet (AU farewell tour), Testament + Kreator + Possessed (US),

Upcoming (USA/ROW)

Marillion have announced dates and destinations for their 2025 Weekends. The eight events will take place at Port Zelande (March 12-16), Montreal (March 28-30), Paris (April 11-12), Girona (April 25-26), Padua (May 9-10), Leicester (May 24-25), Oslo (June 13-14) and Berlin (June 20-21).

Postponed/cancelled gigs & tours

The Alarm have had to postpone their US dates planned for this month as frontman Mike Peters undergoes further cancer treatment.

Jamie Kyle has postponed all her live dates for 2024 as she recovers from illness.

Retailer Our Price Records is back with an online store launched on April 30 and physical stores planned in the UK after the online relaunch.

The owners of Manchester’s Co-Op Live, Oak View Group, are planning to build “the greatest arena in the world” in London, rumoured to be in the Hammersmith area.

Billboard is reporting that, according to sources close to Linkin Park, the band is considering a 2025 reunion tour with a female singer and three members from the band’s classic line-up.

Kikki Wong is the new guitarist in the Smashing Pumpkins.

Robin George, known for his solo work, including his 1984 hit ‘Heartline’, as well as producing and working with Phil Lynott, Asia, Notorious (with Diamond Head’s Sean Harris) and Damage Control (which featured Spike and Pete Way).

ELO’s Richard Tandy, who was a key part of the band’s sound since he joined the band in 1972. He last appeared on stage with Jeff Lynne’s ELO in 2014. Jeff Lynne commentated “It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my long-time collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy. He was a remarkable musician & friend and I’ll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together.”

Guitarist Duane Eddy, ‘the King of Twang’, who had a number of hit albums and singles during the late 1950′s and throughout the 1960′s. His last chart hit was Art Of Noise’s cover of his 1960 hit ‘Peter Gunn’ back in 1986, which he appeared on.