The show, which is part of their 360° tour, is completely sold out to over 96,000 fans and will be broadcast over the band’s YouTube channel at 8.30pm Pacific time.

Luckily for those of us across the pond who don’t wish to get up at 4.30am the concert will be available to watch on U2.com straight after the gig.

The tour was noted for its insane claw like stage which really has to be seen to be believed.

Paul McGuinness, U2′s manager said: “U2 have always wanted to do something like this for a long time. As we’re filming the LA show, it’s the perfect opportunity to extend the party beyond the stadium. Fans often travel long distances to see U2, this time U2 can go to them, globally.”

The Welsh rockers will now play a further date in Glasgow on March 2, 2010 and an extra London date on March 11.

The tour will showcase their new album Keep Calm And Carry On, released on November 16, as well as all the classics.

Tickets go on sale on Friday (October 23) at 9am.

Dates in full:

MARCH 2010
01  Newcastle, Arena
02  Glasgow, SECC
03  Glasgow, SECC
05  Nottingham, Arena
06  Birmingham, NIA
07  Manchester, MEN
09  Sheffield, Arena
10  London, O2 Arena
11  London, O2 Arena

Black Gold formed way back in 2006 when Eric Ronick and Than Luu met on a tour with the Killers and Ambulance Ltd; from there they started writing tracks for an album that has taken them until 2009 to release. Took their time didn’t they? So when it came to listening to Rush to for the first time I was all for condemning it to the indie graveyard. Surprisingly it’s really rather good.

Well firstly Black Gold are not your average indie band. They don’t, in fact, sound very indie at all. Single Plans And Reveries is reminiscent of Flaming Lips mixed with orchestra rock. If it weren’t for the obvious difference in the vocals this could easily pass for a Format song; it’s catchy pop-rock with a disco edge – utterly surprising and incredibly addictive.

Equally as good is Breakdown. Funky guitar with a rap-like verse followed by a pure pop chorus, it’s not exactly your regular mix for a song yet, strangely, it works beautifully. But that’s not to say this band can’t handle some good old hard-hitting rock music, just listen to What You Did which has a guitar heavy chorus that the White Stripes would be envious of.

Silver and Canyon are softer, acoustic feeling songs and previous single Detroit shows this band can do electronic as well as any other band. Black Gold are a hendecagon; eleven sides of surprise songs and genre mixing. Many of the songs on this album, in theory, shouldn’t work but hearing is believing. Rush is a complex album encasing as many genres as possible in just 50 minutes.

Black Gold might be an odd combo with little musical focus who take years to get their album out, but this album is rather fabulous and definitely worth the wait. Who knew such gems came in such unexpected places?

Goodnight Unknown is exactly what you would expect from folk-loving Barlow – soft, pretty and lyrically dreamy. First single, Sharing, feels exceptionally like a Snow Patrol song in which Barlow sounds startlingly similar to Gary Lightbody. Not that this is a bad thing, this single is fast-paced, exciting, angst driven pop and just the beginning of what is, overall, a very sound album.

Easily the strongest song on the album is Gravitate. Funk-fuelled folk, this song is bass heavy and spectacular with the makings of one of this year’s best songs. One Note Tone is a ‘one man and his guitar’ type affair and all the better for it. Both musically and lyrically clever this song is a strong way to end Barlow’s album.

The album does get a bit too soppy at times in tracks like Take Advantage with lyrics along the lines of “take apart a rainbow / feed it to the sunrise / wake me with your elbow and I’ll know / you love me like a pancake”. The same goes for The One I Call – all a bit lovey-dovey and sure to only be appreciated by nauseating couples on their honeymoon.

Goodnight Unknown continuously switches from dreamy love songs to cynical antidotes. It’s very confusing to the mind. To be fair this is a very good album – each song is good and nobody could deny that – it just isn’t very exciting, lacking some much needed spice. It’s ideal for some background ambiance but when it comes to picking an album or song you’re dying to hear on your iPod it’s not likely to be from this album.

For one, Daisy is a bit of a headache. It’s a hurricane of 11 tracks that neither complement nor mesh with each other. Raw emotion that at times feels like the band might just implode on themselves. Take Vices, the opening track, starting off with a good minute of gospel mumble jumble before exploding into Jesse Lacey screeching “we all need vices / well you took my hope and my marriage licence” against screaming incoherent guitars. Brand New have never sounded so loud or heavy.

But then comes Bed, the second track on Daisy and arguably one of Brand New’s most soft and beautiful tracks to date. Proof that Brand New are as inconsistent as ever – heavy? Soft? Who knows? Lyrically this song is pure poetry. Open to much interpretation it appears to re-enact the downfall of the Biblical Adam and Eve with each verse taking the point of view of either Adam, Eve or the snake. Take the second verse which is obviously the snake: “My eyes are lungs / I’m a prophet and I speak in tongues / I know how you’ll die / your sister groans, ‘are you usurper to the holy throne?’ / To me she’s just a dead spy.” It’s hard to describe this song as anything other than lyrical genius.

Equally as delicate is You Stole – another song depicting lyrics about flames and sleep. This entire album worryingly centres on endings and religion. Hopefully Brand New are just taking a leaf out of Matt Bellemy’s (Muse) conspiracy book as oppose to this being the final instalment of Brand New. And to complete the holy trio of soft and gorgeous we have At The Bottom which is as equally as brilliant as the former two.

Be Gone is a track that has to be heard to be believed. Bluesy guitars with vocals so warbled Lacey might as well be singing under water. Listening to it you cannot help but feel uneasy wondering if you’re being brainwashed but for this song it would be worth it. Be Gone is utterly fabulous.

So where does this album go wrong? Well it doesn’t really. Gasoline, In a Jar, Sink – all amazing tracks from an amazing album. The thing is Daisy IS one of 2009′s best albums. This album is quite frankly spectacular but the problem is that when matched to Brand New’s previous albums Daisy just doesn’t seem to compare. Brand New have clearly made an album of the music they want to play – and kudos to them – but when you have been spoiled with such brilliance in the past you can’t help but feel a little disappointed with the outcome.

Perhaps then, if they started acting a little older they might get taken a bit more seriously in the fickle world of music. You see, All Time Low are one of those bands trapped in the ‘emo’ phase that was, lets face it, so five years ago. One listen to their third studio album, Nothing Personal, is enough to have you reaching for the guyliner, skinny jeans and a good dose of apathy.

But hell for this album it might just be worth it. It’s cheesy, it’s OTT, the lyrics aren’t quite Shakespearian… OK, it’s emo-tripe but it’s FUN emo tripe. Much like pop-punk legends New Found Glory and Sugarcult, All Time Low can take even the most down-hearted lyrics, match them with an upbeat melody and transform a song into a seriously catchy tune.

First single Weightless is a song you will instantly love – that is of course if you’re not too ashamed to admit such an attraction. Alex Gaskarth singing: “I’m over getting older”. That’s the thing about All Time Low; they really make you feel sixteen again. And bad fashion and worse skin aside it’s a pretty good feeling. Of course it would benefit from a little less auto-tone from the overzealous producers who fail to realise that Gaskarth’s voice works well enough on its own.

Too Much is another victim of producers having a field day in the studio. The result being a song that sounds a bit too reminiscent of a Hellogoodbye track. Even so, this is still a seriously good song. Second single Dammed If I Do (Dammed If I Don’t) is a perfect choice for release and is sure to pick them up a few new fans – especially all those newly dumped female haters who are sure to connect with the title.

Lost In The Stereo is easily the best song on this album but really there is no bad track on Nothing Personal. Stella, Therapy, Sick Little Games etc. Every song on this album is a classic in its own way. It might be junk music but every once in awhile you need a big greasy calorific album to indulge yourself in.

Hey Austin, how are you?
I’m good thanks, how are you?

TMM are very well thanks. So where are you right now?
We are down in London at the moment. We have a show tonight. [Alberta Cross are playing a one-off secret show tonight to showcase their new album Broken Side Of Time - reviewed here]

Tell us, what’s the story behind Alberta Cross… Where did it all start?
Well Petter (Ericson Stakee) and Terry (Wolfers) met years ago at one of Terry’s friend’s bar. They were both there and they just hit it off. So they started writing music together and then the rest of us – the other three of us – met when they moved to New York. We just kinda hopped on when they moved out there. We all tried out and became a band about a year and a half ago.

Alberta Cross is a pretty interesting name. What inspired that?
I’m not sure what inspired it. There are some rumours that it came from a street name. There are a bunch of different stories on how the name came about. I have no idea to be quite honest (laughs).

What would you say are the band’s influences?
We all listen to older rock music and older soul music. You know music from the sixties/seventies like Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Stevie Wonder. Petter is really into Depeche Mode and Nick Cave. He’s into a whole bunch of stuff. We are all into our own stuff but collectively we are all really into our sixties and seventies stuff.

And personally what bands do you like?
Oh tonnes of bands. I like anything from ummm lets see I like everything [TMM appear to have put Austin on the spot here]. I like French-pop bands like Air and stuff like that. I like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and um what else do I like? Oh and Shuggie Otis. Do you know who Shuggie Otis is? [TMM at this point shamefully admits that no we have not heard of such a person]. Well he’s a guy kinda like Californian psychedelic soul stuff from the seventies – he’s really good. [TMM assures Austin we will Google him immediately]. Let’s see… I could list off so many bands here. I guess recent bands who I would be into would be Flaming Lips who I like a lot. I like Mew’s new record, have you heard of Mew? [Thankfully TMM has heard of Mew! We love Mew and you can read our review here].

Shuggie Otis: Strawberry Letter 23

How would you describe where Alberta Cross come from, what with all the members growing up in such different places?
Well basically that’s what it is. We are all from all different areas but we all met in New York and that’s where everything happens. We all live there and we all practise there. When we think of the band we all think of New York. That’s our home base. But we are definitely like a United Nation of band. We are from all over. I’m from California, our guitar player is from California, our keyboard player is from Minnesota and England – he’s kinda half American and half English. Then Petter was born in Sweden then moved to London and Terry is from London. So we all had different upbringings. But I think that’s good for us – it keeps things fresh you know?

Sure, it gives you that variation, right?
Yeah, we get a different outlook on everything as we all grew up in different areas. We are all very different but we all get along so it’s good.

For people unfamiliar with Alberta Cross how would you describe your sound?
Musically I would say there is a touch of gospel, there’s a touch of rock. There’s probably a lot more rock and a darker vibe on this new album. I tend to describe us as rock with a little hint of everything (laughs).

Have you got a personal favourite on the new album?
I think my personal favourite would be Rise From The Shadows [TMM has a bit of a gush here about that being our favourite track too – or Taking Control we haven’t quite decided]. Yeah, Rise From The Shadows was written down in Charlottestown, Virginia. When we first wrote it it was a lot faster but we decided to strip it down and make it feel like more like a soul track.

What with you supporting a lot of bands in the UK is it exciting to be starting your own headline tour in November?
Oh yeah. It’s certainly going to be different playing a headline tour. We’ve been basically supporting bands in the UK and America so it will be our first real headline tour. It will be interesting to see who comes out so we see who is actually fans of the band and not just fans of who we are opening for.

How intimidating was it supporting a supergroup such as Oasis?
The first show with them was a little bit scary as the crowd were really loud and they obviously just wanna see the main band. So they were all just throwing beer in the air, people yelling and that kind of stuff but I think we kind of won them over by the time we finished our set. They were getting really into it. All bobbing along – it was really good. It all seems so long ago now. It was scary at first but ended up being a really good experience for us.

So when can the TMM readers expect to hear some new material?
Right now we are basically concentrating on the album and touring. There is a couple of songs that we’ve started to write but they’re in the very early stages. There are also a couple of songs which we didn’t put on the album which will probably be on the next record which are really good.

OK before you leave us, what band or artist would you recommend to TMM’s readers?
Ooo let’s see. Can it be anything? [TMM: ANYTHING you want] In that case I’d have to say Shuggie Otis again, he really is brilliant.

Alberta Cross: ATX

Why may you ask? Well as Kelly Jones told BBC’s Newsbeat the Manchester United footballer was given a album sampler by the singer that instantly raised his game.

Rooney (a massive ‘Phonics fan) was so inspired by new album Keep Calm and Carry On that it has made him an even better footballer – or so claims Mr Jones (we sincerely hope he’s joking).

“I took the album to Rooney the week before the day they were playing Tottenham,” revealed Jones.

“He scored a belting goal that day as well and I can only put it down to the music really. Hopefully he’s going to cover his arms in lots of tattoos of the song titles – he’s a big fan.

“He liked a track called She’s Alright and he liked another one called Stuck In A Rut. He was just really excited by it. I’m a Leeds fan but starting to watch a lot of Man United games to see what his reaction to the music is.”

Rooney, of course, already has the rather fitting album title “Just Enough Education to Perform” (no laughing please) on his arm and famously had the band play at his wedding reception.

And with the Rooney’s seal of approval on the album it’s sure to be a goodie.

Now what’s this TMM hears about a 2010 tour?

Unlike the Twilight soundtrack which featured more pop-type offerings from Paramore and Linkin Park this soundtrack sees a darker indie-vibe to reflect what is set to be an altogether darker film.

And with director Chris Weitz insisting that each track is either exclusively written for the film or a special version recorded for New Moon, the soundtrack should make for an interesting listen.

Tracklist is as follows:

Death Cab for Cutie – Meet Me on the Equinox
Band of Skulls – Friends
Thom Yorke – Hearing Damage
Lykke Li – Possibility
The Killers – A White Demon Love Song
Anya Marina – Satellite Heart
Muse – I Belong to You (New Moon)
Bon Iver & St. Vincent – Roslyn
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Done All Wrong
Hurricane Bells – Monsters
Sea Wolf – The Violet Hour
OK Go – Shooting the Moon
Grizzly Bear – Slow Life
Editors – No Sound but the Wind
Alexandre Desplat – New Moon (The Meadow)

New Moon will be released in cinemas nationwide on November 12.

Well it isn’t Amelle Berrabah like we all (and heatworld) thought. It’s not even Heidi.  That’s right, the only remaining original Sugababe, Keisha Buchanan, has been booted out of the band.

In an official statement posted on the band’s website tonight (September 21) it was revealed that contrary to the buzz (and Keisha’s insistence) it would not be Amelle leaving the Sugababes.

Instead it is Keisha Buchanan who will be replaced with Eurovision starlet Jade Ewen.

The statement reads, in full: “The current line-up of the Sugababes has disbanded.

“Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah will continue as the Sugababes and will be joined by new member Jade Ewen. They release their album ‘Sweet 7’ on November 23rd through Island Records.

“Keisha Buchanan will continue to record for Island Records as a solo artist.”

Keisha’s Twitter page makes interesting reading tonight. She said: “Sometimes a break down in communication and lack of trust can result in many different things.”

But this all begs the question: How can a group with no original members continue under the name Sugababes?

UPDATE: Peter Robinson of famed webzine Popjustice reckons there’s more than meets the eye. He wrote on his Twitter page: “Let’s be honest, Sugababes is now OVER. Amelle, Heidi and Jade need a new name or they’re nothing but a laughing stock. Let’s just get one thing straight. Keisha didn’t just leave – this was a COUP.“