The Specials have announced tour dates for the United States. The band, who announced on their website in January that vocalist Neville Staples would cease touring for medical reasons, have confirming shows in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco in addition to the band’s appearance at the South By Southwest festival in March. The band have already announced a batch of UK shows in May. The dates are as follows: March 11: The Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL March 13: South By Southwest, Austin, TX

With Flight, director Robert Zemeckis has made a solid, unshowy character drama, the kind of film cinemagoers of a certain age will tell you the studios don't really make any more. It reminds me a little of an Eastwood movie - specifically, with Eastwood in his capacity as a film director, that is.

Songs For Slim, the first new recording from The Replacements in more than 20 years, will be publicly available for digital download on March 5 and 12” on April 16, according to slicingupeyeballs.com. A limited, autographed pressing of 250 copies of Songs For Slim was auctioned via eBay earlier this year, reportedly bringing in over $100,000. The five-song benefit EP will help pay for the long term medical care of ex-Replacements guitarist Slim Dunlap, who suffered a major stroke in February.

We head to Los Angeles in the new issue of Uncut (dated March 2013), out now, to meet Richard Thompson and discuss his extraordinary new album, Fairport Convention and recording in Nashville with Buddy Miller. Here, in this piece from Uncut’s May 2006 issue (Take 108), Thompson talks us through the making of some of his finest albums, including Liege & Lief, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight and Rumor And Sigh. “It was the best way to lose our audience overnight…” Words: Nigel Williamson __________________

Muse have revealed that they've already started discussing plans for their next studio album.

Johnny Cash is set to grace a tribute stamp in the United States. The late country singer is to be honoured with a commemorative stamp produced by the United States Postal Service, writes Beyond The Perf. The Cash tribute stamp will be produced as part of the Music Icons series and will feature a photograph taken by Frank Bez during the sessions for 1963's 'Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash'.

The Flaming Lips have debuted a preview of their new track 'Sun Blows Up'. The band wrote the song, which will not feature on their forthcoming album 'The Terror', to be used in an advert for car company Hyundai, with the commercial set to air during the Super Bowl on February 3. It is currently being shown on Billboard.

Rodriguez, the star of Oscar nominated documentary Searching For Sugar Man, is preparing to release his first album since Coming From Reality in 1971. Speaking to Rolling Stone, the 70 year-old said he was looking to record with a couple of producers including Steve Rowland. "He told me to send him a couple of tapes, so I’m gonna do that," Rodriguez said. "I certainly want to look him up, because now he’s full of ideas."

Mick Jagger has confirmed that The Rolling Stones are likely to play more live shows in 2013, with the singer dropping hints about a slot at Glastonbury Festival. Speaking to NME, Jagger revealed that the band were likely to add to their 2012 New York, New Jersey and London gigs later this year, saying that there are lots of offers and opportunities available should he and his bandmates wish to take them.

Emmylou Harris has been charged with hit and run following an incident which took place in Los Angeles in October of last year. The singer was charged today (January 30) by the LA County District Attorney, reports TMZ. If she is convicted on the charge of hit and run, she could face up to six months in jail.