Weekly Round-Up: Friday 28th June

With winter settling in across the country chances are you're looking for something to fill that fun-sized hole in your life that is Vitamin D and live music. Well you're in luck because as always we have a truck load of album release news this week to both keep you entertained and whet you appetite for new music over the coming months.

This morning Franz Ferdinand dropped two singles from their forthcoming - and long-awaited, their last studio album was back in 2009 - album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, weirdo experimental Australian artist Kirin J Callinan is streaming his latest effort Embracism after the release of his Cara Stricker-directed video for the title track (he is also touring here see below for details), the equally eccentric Yoko Ono has announced a new album that will feature tUnEyArDs and Beastie Boys and Matador Records announced Kim Gordon's new project - in the aftermath of Sonic Youth :( - Body/Head will release a double LP this September, appropriately titled Coming Apart. Big news for post punk fans: New Order apparently plan to release a new EP before the end of the year, and will start writing that in September, fellow brits the Arctic Monkeys confirmed the release of a new album, titled AM, in September after releasing a new track last week and MGMT have now confirmed details of their new album due out in  September also.

On the tour front, Wilberforces finally announced tour dates in support of their new  12" Paradise Beach EP,  stalwart rockers The Datsuns celebrate the release of Death Rattle Boogie with a comprehensive tour and new trippy, psychedelic press photos, the Audio Foundation are bringing lovely electronic songwriter Laurel Halo to our shores this September and they also announced the venues and support acts for Merzbow's November tour so tickets are now on sale.

Caught live this week we have Sigur Ros performing the title track from their new album Kveikur on Leno....

WEEKEND GIG PICKS

Friday

AUCKLAND: oOoOO and Butterclock, Cassette Nine
AUCKLAND: Seth Frightening, Wilberforces + Deerpark, Wine Cellar
AUCKLAND: Drab Doo-Riffs, David Saunders (3Ds) ,Hallelujah Picassos and Orchestra Of Spheres, Galatos Live
WELLINGTON: The Nudge and Joe Blossom, Puppies
WELLINGTON: Dead Vicious and Fantails, Mighty Mighty
CHRISTCHURCH: Minderbinder with Villain and Chief Chirpa, Darkroom

Saturday

AUCKLAND: Stone the Crows, Green Fog and Vessel, Whammy Bar
AUCKLAND: French For Rabbits, Wine Cellar
AUCKLAND: The Map Room, Little Lapin and Grand Rapids, Lucha Lounge
WELLINGTON: Secret Knives and Glass Vaults, Puppies
WELLINGTON: Shitripper, Numbskull and Electric Mayhem, Mighty Mighty
CHRISTCHURCH: Bond St Bridge, Happiness Stan and Brendan Turner, Dark Room
CHRISTCHURCH: Ladi6 and @Peace, The Bedford at CPSA
DUNEDIN: The Nudge, Alizarin Lizard and Geysers, Sammys

Coming up next month...

Manic Street Preachers - Auckland (Tue 2nd)
TOKiMONSTA - Auckland (Wed 3rd) and Wellington (Thur 4th)
Anthonie Tonnon and Watercolours - Nationwide from July 5th
Kirin J Callinan - Nationwide from July 10th
The Phoenix Foundation - Nationwide from July 12th
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Nationwide from July 18th
The Veils - Nationwide from July 19th

NEW TRACKS: