R.E.M. Brings London Apple Store Up To Speed

R.E.M. showcased its new album "Accelerate" (Warner Bros.) alongside obscure old songs during an intimate showcase for fans and media at the Apple Store on London's Regent Street. The gig, which will be available as an audio download from the iTunes Music Store at a future date, came just two days after the band played its first-ever show at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall. After a May-June tour in the U.S. and Canada, R.E.M. returns to the U.K. in July for a headline slot at the T in the Park festival, followed by stadium shows in August. (Billboard)

R.E.M.'S New Album Will Premiere Worldwide Exclusively via iLike

Warner Bros. Records’ R.E.M. and leading social music discovery service iLike announced that Accelerate, the best-selling rock band’s 14th studio album, will stream in its entirety exclusively on iLike and its syndicates beginning March 24th. A first for the company, the iLike Worldwide Listening Party will continue through March 26th, six days before the album’s North American release on April 1st, 2008. (PR, Times Online)