The band’s fifth studio album was unable to topple Adele’s ’21′, which spent a seventh successive week at Number 1.

Elbow are set to begin their much-anticipated UK tour tomorrow evening at Glasgow SECC, with Elbow tickets on sale now for the following shows:

S.E.C.C., Glasgow – 15th March
Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle – 16th
Capital FM Arena, Nottingham – 17th
Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield – 19th
Echo Arena, Liverpool – 20th
NIA, Birmingham – 22nd
Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff – 23rd
Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester – 25th
O2 Arena, London – 28th
O2 Arena, London – 29th
O2 Arena, Dublin – 31st

Although new album ‘Build A Rocket Boys!’ will be fighting to take over the number one spot from Adele, Guy told the Daily Star he spends a hefty amount of time painstakingly poring over his words.

He said: “It’s the responsibility to the rest of the band that gets me. I’m not a natural lyricist and I have to work really hard to get them to a standard I’m really happy with. I feel that responsibility to the song as well – to make the song as good as it can be.”

Elbow tickets are on sale now for the following live UK shows:

S.E.C.C., Glasgow – 15th March
Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle – 16th
Capital FM Arena, Nottingham – 17th
Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield – 19th
Echo Arena, Liverpool – 20th
NIA, Birmingham – 22nd
Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff – 23rd
Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester – 25th
O2 Arena, London – 28th
O2 Arena, London – 29th
O2 Arena, Dublin – 31st

The band released their latest album, Build A Rocket Boys, this week ahead of their much-anticipated UK arena tour.

Elbow tickets are on sale now for the following live UK shows:

S.E.C.C., Glasgow – 15th March
Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle – 16th
Capital FM Arena, Nottingham – 17th
Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield – 19th
Echo Arena, Liverpool – 20th
NIA, Birmingham – 22nd
Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff – 23rd
Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester – 25th
O2 Arena, London – 28th
O2 Arena, London – 29th
O2 Arena, Dublin – 31st

Having won the Mercury Music Prize in 2008 for their last album, ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’, Elbow have a lot to live up to, and ‘Build A Rocket Boys!’ does not disappoint.

The album should delight long standing fans, but it will also attract new fans, despite it’s apparent lack of radio-friendliness. Frontman Guy Garvey told Q: “We could write deliberate radio hits until the cows come home, but I think you can hear it really obviously when a band has done that.”

“Lippy Kids’, according to Q, was a key song. Written in defence of the British teenager, victim to, as Garvey put it, “the anti-hoody **** that goes on in the media, the thought that if you hang around on a street corner you’re a criminal.”

Tickets for Elbow’s UK Tour are on sale now.

The album release will coincide with the band’s UK arena tour. Elbow tickets are available to buy online now for the following shows:

March 15th – Glasgow SECC
March 16th – Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
March 17th – Nottingham Trent FM Arena
March 19th – Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
March 20th – Liverpool Echo Arena
March 22nd – Birmingham NIA
March 23rd – Cardiff International Arena
March 25th – Manchester MEN Arena
March 28th – London O2 Arena
March 29th – London O2 Arena
March 31st – Dublin O2 Arena

Elbow are set to perform shows across the UK throughout March, in support of the release of their fifth studio album, Build A Rocket Boys!

Elbow tickets are on sale now for concerts in Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Brighton, London and Dublin. Full Elbow UK tour details are as follows:

March 15th – Glasgow SECC
March 16th – Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
March 17th – Nottingham Trent FM Arena
March 19th – Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
March 20th – Liverpool Echo Arena
March 22nd – Birmingham NIA
March 23rd – Cardiff International Arena
March 25th – Manchester MEN Arena
March 28th – London O2 Arena
March 29th – London O2 Arena
March 31st – Dublin O2 Arena

The Elbow UK tour will run throughout March and will see the band perform at arenas in Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff, Brighton, London and Dublin.

Elbow tickets are on sale now for the following shows:

March 15th – Glasgow SECC
March 16th – Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
March 17th – Nottingham Trent FM Arena
March 19th – Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
March 20th – Liverpool Echo Arena
March 22nd – Birmingham NIA
March 23rd – Cardiff International Arena
March 25th – Manchester MEN Arena
March 28th – London O2 Arena
March 29th – London O2 Arena
March 31st – Dublin O2 Arena

March 15th – Glasgow SECC
March 16th – Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
March 17th – Nottingham Trent FM Arena
March 19th – Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
March 20th – Liverpool Echo Arena
March 22nd – Birmingham NIA
March 23rd – Cardiff International Arena
March 25th – Manchester MEN Arena
March 28th – London O2 Arena

It seems Lungs by Florence and the Machine is one of the bookmakers’ favourites to take home the accolade. Florence Welch claims that she is so nervous about tonight’s awards ceremony that she is considering hiding in the toilets until the winner is announced, saying that it is sitting through the ceremony that is scaring her the most.

Fellow nominee Elly Jackson, singer from La Roux, also thinks Florence and the Machine is the favourite to win together with the self-titled debut album from the Friendly Fires. Elly Jackson says that she was not expecting to win and was looking forward to her live performance as well as the live performances of her fellow nominees.

She also said that even if La Roux do pick up the gong, there will be no time to celebrate as they have to jet off to France soon after the show. It seems the Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2008 winners Elbow agree with La Roux’s Elly Jackson, having said they think Friendly Fires will win take the crown from them this year.

Speech Debelle has talked up her own chances of winning the Barclaycard Mercury Prize with her album Speech Therapy. She claims that if it was a popularity contest, she would lose but will have a very good chance if the decision was based on the reasons why she was nominated for the shortlist in the first place.

Speech Debelle has also described her album as being different to what is always heard on the radio and is confident of winning the top prize, despite saying she does not have a speech prepared.

Also in the running for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize is Kasabian with the album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. Kasabian guitarist Serge Pizzorno claims that the band might donate the money to charity if they win the award, unless the money gets given to the barman, that is.

Many of this year’s front runners to lift the Barclaycard Mercury Prize crown are also on tour playing at many venues across the UK.

Florence and the Machine, already performing shows throughout September, has just announced details of new tour dates for the UK and Ireland scheduled for December 2009. The new Florence and the Machine tour dates include the Glasgow O2 Academy on December 9 as well as the Manchester Apollo (December 10), Lincoln Engine Shed (December 11) and the London Brixton Academy (December 13).

Florence and the Machine tickets for the December gigs go on general sale on Friday September 11 at 9am, however tickets for their September shows are still available to compare and buy at Tixdaq.com

The Kasabian tour begins at the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena on November 10 and will also stop off for two dates at the London Wembley Arena (November 14 & 15), the Manchester Evening News Arena (November 20) and ending the tour at the Sheffield Hallam FM Arena (November 23).

Also playing UK venues throughout November is La Roux, like the Leeds University Union on November 13 as well as the Birmingham O2 Academy (November 18), the Southampton Guildhall (November 24) and two dates at the London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire (November 25 & 26).

Kasabian tickets, La Roux tickets, as well as tickets to see fellow Barclaycard Mercury Prize nominees The Horrors and Bat for Lashes, are all available to compare and buy at Tixdaq.com

A host of top acts including Klaxons, Elbow, Lily Allen and Massive Attack are currently preparing for this weekend’s Bestival. The festival takes place at Robin Hill on the Isle of Wight and is set to kick off this Friday.

The 2009 Bestival sold out at the box office within days of going on sale. However, tickets remain available to compare at Tixdaq.com. Adult weekend camping tickets have been selling for as much as £285, but similar tickets are now available online for as little as £120. These cut price Bestival tickets are expected to sell fast. Fans have only a few days to snap them up and attend what is set to be one of the greatest Bestivals to date.

Other acts on the 2009 Bestival line-up include Kraftwerk, Soulwax, MGMT, Bat for Lashes and Fleet Foxes.

Hundreds of Bestival tickets are available at Tixdaq, but they will not be around for long.

Earlier this month, a statement on the official website for the Reading and Leeds Festival announced that flags were not allowed to be brought into the main arena, in order to allow ticket holders the best possible view.

Some have opposed the ban, claiming that the wave of colours was a main feature of the festivals, and that the flags had some practical implications such as being used as a meeting point in the sea of people. However, others may be thrilled with the flag ban, especially those who have had their views obstructed by flags in the past.

Now it seems Glastonbury may implement the flag ban next year after conversations were held between Michael Eavis, the Glastonbury festival chief, and Melvin Benn, the head of Festival Republic.

Melvin Benn, who runs the Reading and Leeds Festivals and also helps to organise Glastonbury, reflected on this year’s Glastonbury festival, which was held in June, and claimed that there was poor visibility of the acts on stage because of the number of flags.

Melvin Benn continued to say that there had always been flags at festivals but not to the extent as now, where flags had become very long and tall and there were more flags now than ever before.

For now, no official decision on a flag ban at Glastonbury has been made, and despite some protests against the flag ban at the Reading and Leeds Festival 2009, event organisers have failed to respond.

Despite the summer months coming to an end marking the end of the festival season, there are still plenty of festivals to look forward to in the UK.

Of course, the Reading and Leeds Festival is still to come, taking place at Reading Richfield Avenue and Leeds Bramham Park from August 28-30, headlined by Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead and Kings of Leon.

However if dance is more your taste in music, you can check out Creamfields 2009 which takes place at the Halston Daresbury Estate from August 29-30 where you can catch Basement Jaxx, Dizzee Rascal and Calvin Harris in action.

Get Loaded In The Park is one of the last of the biggest festivals that take place in the capital, and is happening at London Clapham Common on August 30, featuring Orbital, Royksopp, VV Brown, and a DJ set from Pendulum.

Bestival 2009 is one of the last festivals to feature some chart-toppping acts such as Elbow, Massive Attack, Lily Allen, Florence and the Machine, and Little Boots. Bestival 2009 is taking place at the Isle of Wight Robin Hill Adventure Park from September 11-13.

Reading and Leeds Festival tickets, Creamfields tickets, Get Loaded In The Park tickets, and Bestival 2009 tickets are all available to compare and buy now at tixdaq.com

As well as DJ performances from the band, the night will also feature a debut live performance from Welsh band, The Infamous.

The Horrors have had a successful 2009 following a series of sold out concerts as well as a Mercury Music Prize nomination for their latest album, Primary Colours.

Horrors fans still have a chance to see the band live in concert this year as the band bring their summer to a close with shows at Reading and Leeds Festival. The 2009 Reading and Leeds Festival is set to take place on August  and will include performances from the likes of Arctic Monkeys, The Prodigy, Kings of Leon and Radiohead. Reading and Leeds festival tickets are currently available to compare at Tixdaq. The Horrors are also set to appear at Bestival this September (11-14).  Other Bestival 2009 headliners include Klaxons, Lily Allen, Massive Attack, Elbow and MGMT. Bestival tickets are available to compare online at Tixdaq.

It has recently been revealed that Little Boots and The Maccabees will join the list of top acts set to perform at this year’s Oxegen Festival which is set to take place at Punchestown Racecourse this summer (July 10-12)

Bands including The Killers, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon and Blur have already been confirmed as the headline acts for the 2009 Oxegen Festival.

Fans will be glad to learn that some of this year’s Oxegen Festival headline acts will also be on tour in the UK this summer.

Blur kick off their 2009 tour at Southend-on-Sea Cliffs Pavilion on June 24. The 2009 Blur tour also calls at Newcastle O2 Academy (June 25) and Manchester Evening News Arena (June 26). The Blur tour climaxes at London Hyde Park with two massive shows (July 2 & 3). Meanwhile, Kings of Leon perform five huge arena concerts in London and Manchester. The Kings of Leon tour includes three shows at London O2 Arena (June 15,16 & 30) and two performances at Manchester Evening News Arena. (June 22 & 23). Tickets to see both Blur and Kings of Leon are available to compare at Tixdaq.com.

The 2009 Oxegen Festival will also feature live performances from Bloc Party, Elbow, Razorlight, The Specials and Lily Allen.

Oxegen Festival tickets are currently available to compare at Tixdaq.com.

Elbow have already had a sell-out UK tour following the release of the album The Seldom Seen Kid in March 2008.

It has arguably been Elbow’s most successful year to date after forming nearly two decades ago.

Elbow won the Mercury Music Prize for 2008 for album The Seldom Seen Kid and the Brit Award for Best British Group in early 2009.

Tickets to see Elbow in this homecoming gig go on general sale on Friday May 1 at 9am.

Before playing the Manchester MEN Arena in September, Elbow will be playing live in various festivals this summer.

Elbow are set to play at T In The Park which takes place at Balado Airfield, Kinross from Thursday July 9 until Sunday July 12.

Elbow will be supporting U2 for the 360º tour at Wembley Stadium, London on Friday August 14.

Elbow will also play the V Festival over the weekend of August 22-23 at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Shifnal.

Lastly, Elbow will play at Bestival 2009 taking place in Robin Hill Park, Isle of Wight from September 11-12.

Tickets for T In The Park, U2, V Festival and Bestival 2009 are available at tixdaq.com

As well as topping this week’s official album chart, U2 have recently revealed that they will be visiting the UK on their massive 2009 world tour. U2 make four stops on their forthcoming tour, calling at London Wembley Stadium (August 14), Glasgow Hampden Park (August 18), Don Valley Stadium (August 20) and Cardiff Millennium Stadium (August 22). U2 tickets are expected to go on sale soon and will be available to compare at Tixdaq.com.

A number of this week’s chart entries are also on tour in the UK in 2009 and tickets are still available. The Prodigy are on tour next month and there are still hundreds of Prodigy tickets available. The 2009 Prodigy tour kicks off at Cardiff international Arena on April 5 before calling at the Glasgow SECC (April 7), Manchester MEN Arena (April 10), Sheffield Hallam FM Arena (April 13) and Brighton Centre (April 14). The Prodigy tour comes to a close with two shows at London Wembley Arena on April 16 and 17. The Prodigy tickets are available from £25. Kings of Leon play a series of massive shows at the London O2 Arena and the Manchester Evening News Arena in June. Kings of Leon tickets are available from £90. The Lily Allen tour starts at the Glasgow O2 Academy on March 14. The Lily Allen also visits Bristol O2 Academy (March 18), Brighton Dome (March 20) and Birmingham O2 Academy (March 23). The Lily Allen tour comes to a close in London Where Lily Allen will play three shows at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. Lily Allen tickets are still available from £33. The eagerly awaited Take That tour kicks off at the Sunderland Stadium of Light on June 5 before visiting Coventry Ricoh Arena, Cardiff Millennium Stadium, Glasgow Hampden Park and Lancashire County Cricket Ground. The Take That tour comes to a close with four nights at London Wembley Stadium.  Hundreds of Take That tickets are still available to compare from just £50. Elbow kick off their tour at Brighton Dome on February 28. The Elbow tour also visits Blackpool Winter Gardens (March 7), Bristol Colston Hall (March 10) and Newport Centre (March 12). The Elbow tour climaxes at London’s Wembley Arena on March 14). Elbow tickets are available from £22.

The U2 Tour will visit 14 cities across Europe including U2 concerts in Milan, Gothenburg, Amsterdam, Paris, Nice, Dublin, Chorzow, Berlin, Gelsenkirchen, London, Sheffield and Glasgow before finishing at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 22nd August. The European leg of the U2 tour will be followed by dates in North America beginning at Chicago’s Soldier Field on September 12th, 2009.

Long-time U2 Show Director Willie Williams has worked again with architect Mark Fisher (ZooTV Tour, PopMart Tour, Elevation Tour and Vertigo Tour), to create an innovative 360Ëš design which affords an unobstructed view for the audience.  The U2 360 Tour also marks the first time a band has toured in stadiums with such a unique and original structure (which can be viewed at U2.com).

“U2 has always been at their best when surrounded by their audience, this staging takes a giant leap forward. With 85 percent of the U2 tickets priced at less than 95 Euro, general admission floor tickets to see U2 are priced at 55 euro and at least 10,000 U2 tickets at every venue on the U2 Tour priced at around 30 Euro, we have worked very hard to ensure that U2 fans can purchase a great priced ticket to see U2 with a guaranteed great view” says U2’s manager Paul McGuinness.

In keeping with their long-standing tradition, U2 will welcome a number of different support acts to the tour including Glasvegas, Elbow, Kaiser Chiefs, Snow Patrol and Black Eyed Peas with additional artists to be announced.

Tickets for U2 360° concerts in Milan and Gothenburg go on sale this Friday, March 13th. Tickets for the U2 concert in Amsterdam go on sale this Saturday, March 14th.   Full details of all dates and on-sale information as well as a virtual model of the unique production and seating positions can be found on a dedicated microsite at U2.com.

As usual, existing subscribers to U2’s official website u2.com will have an opportunity to purchase tickets in advance of the public on sale date.

A number of this week’s chart entries are on tour in the UK in 2009 and tickets are still available. Chart toppers, The Prodigy, are on tour next month and there are still hundreds of Prodigy tickets available. The 2009 Prodigy tour kicks off at Cardiff international Arena on April 5 before calling at the Glasgow SECC (April 7), Manchester MEN Arena (April 10), Sheffield Hallam FM Arena (April 13) and Brighton Centre (April 14). The Prodigy tour comes to a close with two shows at London Wembley Arena on April 16 and 17. The Prodigy tickets are available from £25.Kings of Leon play a series of massive shows at the London O2 Arena and the Manchester Evening News Arena in June. Kings of Leon tickets are available from £90. Lily The Lily Allen tour starts at the Glasgow O2 Academy on March 14. The Lily Allen also visits Bristol O2 Academy (March 18), Brighton Dome (March 20) and Birmingham O2 Academy (March 23). The Lily Allen tour comes to a close in London Where Lily Allen will play three shows at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. Lily Allen tickets are still available from £33. Elbow kick off their tour at Brighton Dome on February 28. The Elbow tour also visits Blackpool Winter Gardens (March 7), Bristol Colston Hall (March 10) and Newport Centre (March 12). The Elbow tour climaxes at London’s Wembley Arena on March 14). Elbow tickets are available from £27.

A number of this week’s top five artists are on tour in 2009 and tickets are still available. Kings of Leon play a series of massive shows at the London O2 Arena and the Manchester Evening News Arena in June. Kings of Leon tickets are available from £80. Lily The Lily Allen tour starts at the Glasgow O2 Academy on March 14. The Lily Allen also visits Bristol O2 Academy (March 18), Brighton Dome (March 20) and Birmingham O2 Academy (March 23). The Lily Allen tour comes to a close in London Where Lily Allen will play three shows at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. Lily Allen tickets are still available from £35. Morrissey hits the road in April , starting at the Gleneagle Hotel in Kilarney on April 28. Morrissey also visits Belfast Waterfront Hall (May2), London Royal Albert Hall (May 11) and Hull Arena (May 19). The tour comes to a close in London with three shows at the O2 Brixton Academy (May 28-30).  Morrissey tickets are available from £35. Elbow kick off their tour at Brighton Dome on February 28. The Elbow tour also visits O2 Academy Sheffield (March 3), Blackpool Winter Gardens (March 7) and Newport Centre (March 12). The Elbow tour climaxes at London’s Wembley Arena on March 14). Elbow tickets are available from £27.50.

The 2009 Brit Awards took place at London Earl’s Court last night and featured live performances from the likes  of Kylie Minogue, Coldplay, Take That and Kings of Leon.

A number of last night’s winners are on tour this year and tickets are selling fast. Katy Perry, Elbow, Kings of Leon and Paul Weller will be touring the UK in 2009. Elbow kick off their tour at Brighton Dome on February 28. Elbow tickets are available from £52. The Paul Weller tour kicks off on March 17 and Paul Weller tickets are available from £49.50.  Kings of Leon play a series of massive shows at the London O2 Arena and the Manchester Evening News Arena in June. Kings of Leon tickets are available from £85.

Coldplay, who failed to pick up any Brit Awards, embark on their 2009 stadium tour in September. The Coldplay tour kicks off at Lancashire County Cricket Ground in Manchester on September 12 and draws to a close in London at Wembley Stadium on September 19. Hundreds of Coldplay tickets are available from £44

The Killers, MGMT and Kings of Leon dominate the international acts with two nominations each. All three artists are up for the Best International Album award and face stiff competition from rock veterans AC/DC.

The 2009 Brit Awards kick off this evening at London Earl’s Court.

A number of this week’s chart entries are on tour in the UK this year. Kings of Leon play five dates this June visiting the London O2 Arena and the Manchester Evening News Arena. Loads of Kings of Leon tickets are available for every show with prices starting at £69. Fleet Foxes play three dates t the London Roundhouse this month (February 22 – 24). Fleet Foxes tickets are available from £47. The View are also on tour this month. The View play dates across the UK including shows at Newcastle University (February 11), Leeds University (February 17) and Belfast Mandela Hall (February 25).  Other acts on tour this month include The Killers and The Script.
Elbow embark on their UK tour in March and tickets to see Elbow are available from £40. The 2009 Beyonce tour kicks off in May and hundreds of Beyonce tickets are available from £66. The Beyonce tour features visits to Newcastle Metro Radio Arena (May 22), London O2 Arena (May 25, 26 & June 8), and Liverpool Echo Arena (June 6).

Duffy, Coldplay, Adele and Elbow were amongst the acts nominated for more than one award. Coldplay and Duffy lead the way with four nominations each including the awards for Best Album and Best Single. Coldplay were also nominated for Best Live Act. Elbow and Adele received three nominations each. Other nominees include Girls Aloud, The Streets, James Morrison and Paul Weller.

The Killers, MGMT and Kings of Leon dominate the international acts with two nominations each. All three artists are up for the Best International Album award and face stiff competition from rock veterans AC/DC.

The 2009 Brit Awards are set to take place at London’s Earl’s Court on February 18.

Read the full list of the 2009 Brit Awards here.

The band kicked off their 13 date tour with a 3 day residency at London’s Roundhouse on Sunday (11th October). The band will then play 10 further dates around the country. The next port of call is Wolverhampton followed by Leicester and then Leeds. The two week jaunt closes in Dublin on the 28th October.

Hundreds of tickets are still available for the remaining shows with some at Liverpool University being listed for as much as £108.90 – more 5 times face value. Near identical tickets can still be found for £39.99 for the same performance.

Elbow recently confirmed that they will be playing a one-off show at Wembley Arena next March. Tickets are available from £22.50.

Elbow are due to embark on their UK tour next month and ticket sales are expected to rocket following their Mercury success. Starting in Cambridge on the 6th October at the Corn Exchange, the band will play a further 17 dates up and down the country. Despite the fact that most of the nights are sold out, tickets are still available from the box office for a handful of the shows. Unsurprisingly, online ticket exchanges are listing hundreds of tickets for as much as £180 per pair – more than 4 times the face value.

Fellow Mercury Prize nominees, The Last Shadow Puppets also kick off their 8 night tour in October. Tickets for their London show are currently listed for at £105 each even though identical Circle seats can be had for £40.