The Langerado Music Festival is upping its game. While it has been a significant festival the last several years, this year's line up seems more diverse and an attempt to push Langerado into the upper festival echelon. Modest Mouse is the latest addition to the annual Florida gathering joining Snoop Dogg, Death Cab for Cutie, Ryan Adams and The Cardinals as some of the marquee names.

The rest of the line-up isn't too shabby either. Highlights include Broken Social Scene (great with or without Feist), Cold War Kids, Flogging Molly, Mute Math, Gym Class Heroes, The Pogues and Matisyahu. The Zach Brown band will also bring their anthem "Chicken Fried" to represent the country set while rubbing shoulders alongside festival mainstays like Umprey's McGee, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Michael Franti and Steel Pulse.

Besides some new names, there is also a new location. This year Langerado moves to Bicentennial Park in Miami on March 6, 7 and 8th. Tickets are on sale now.

Labels: Broken Social Scene, Cold War Kids, Death Cab, Festival News, Gym Class Heroes, Modest Mouse, Robert Randolph, Ryan Adams, Slightly Stoopid, Umphrey's McGee

Bono continues to try to harness the wild horse of capitalism to raise money for the world's poor. RedWire.com, a new online music magazine, is the latest aspect of the ongoing campaign. The site launched on World Aids Day with help from U2, Jay Z, Elvis Costello, Coldplay, John Legend and more, who all lend video content to the cause.

Death Cab for Cutie and Jenny Lewis (with a version of ("Acid Tounge") represent the music scene's new guard. The site's goal is to deliver music content via a subscription model to raise money with subscribers being offered updates on how their money is being spent in an effort to combat AIDS in Africa.

U2 offers up "I believe in Father Christmas" which can be seen here. The Edge stands out in the track with stellar guitar work that show's he's still on top of his game and continuing to innovate, which will prime U2 fans for their new album set for a 2009 release.

Labels: Coldplay, Death Cab, Jay-Z, PoPolicy, U2

The Pawnshop Roses joined the Kings of Leon as new adds to the Home Grown Radio chart last week. Calexico jumped to the top spot, with Vampire Weekend, Death Cab for Cutie, Beck and Fleet Foxes.

Here's the full list:

(1) Calexico - Carried to Dust
(2) Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
(3) Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
(4) Beck - Modern Guilt
(5) Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
(6) MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
(7) My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
(8) Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
(9) Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
(10) Sigur Ros - With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly
(11) The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
(12) Dr. Dog - Fate
(13) The Duhks - Fast Paced World
(14) G. Love & Special Sauce - Superhero Brother
(15) Jack Johnson - Sleep through the Static
(16) The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
(17) Broken Social Scene Presents: Brendan Canning - Something for all of us
(18) JJ Grey & Mofro - Orange Blossoms
(19) Zach Gill - Stuff
(20) Michael Franti & Spearhead - All Rebel Rockers
(21) Mike Gordon - The Green Sparrow
(22) Donavon Frankenreiter - Pass It Around
(23) Steve Winwood - Nine Lives
(24) Blues Traveler - North Hollywood Shootout
(25) Black Mountain - In the future
(26) Ray Lamontagne - Gossip In The Grain
(27) Old Crow Medicine Show - Tennessee Pusher
(28) Donna The Buffalo - Silverlined
(29) Brazilian Girls - New York City
(30) TV on The Radio - Dear Science
(31) Plants & Animals - Parc Avenue
(32) Railroad Earth - Amen Corner
(33) Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor
(34) Xavier Rudd - Dark Shades Of Blue
(35) Fujiya & Miyagi - Lightbulbs
(36) Zach Deputy - Out of The Water
(37) Pawnshop Roses - Versions
(38) Scrapomatic - Sidewalk Caesars
(39) Kings of Leon - Only by The Night
(40) Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping

Labels: Death Cab, Kings of Leon, Pawnshop Roses

Kelly Clarkson will have a little extra kick on her next record thanks for punk legend Mike Watt. Watt, currently playing with Iggy Pop and the Stooges, was impressed by the Idol's vocal abilities. He is quoted as saying "I heard that Kelly won some game show, but I was really impressed how she sang her ass off."

Kings of Leon told NME that their new record would be ready for an April 2nd release. But, the band also said we can expect a new single before then, probably in March.

Atlantic Records sent over a link to Paolo Nutini's vid for "New Shoes" - check it here.

The Post Chronicle speculates that Jewel may be in the running to replace Paula Abdul on American Idol if the spacey Paula continues her wacky ways. I don't see it happening. Fox is smart enough to know that people want to see what Paula will do next and the "is she or isn't she" tabloid headlines referring to intoxication are extra publicity for the show. Now, if she really goes off the deep end, maybe. But, for now I think Jewel will be sticking with Cowboy Troy on Nashville Star.

Minus the Bear is working on both a remix record and a disc of entirely new music. Scheduled for a summer release, the new record is tentatively titled Planet Of Ice and is being recorded by Matt Bayles (Isis, Mastodon). Meanwhile, MTB fans can look forward to Interpretaciones Del Oso, the band's remix record, which will be released Feb. 20th.

Deerhoof, who've toured with The Flaming Lips and Radiohead, is putting out their new record next week. Friend Opportunity hits stores on January 23rd and the band starts their US tour the next day in LA. Meanwhile you can check out their single "+81" here.

Jack Johnson, My Morning Jacket, Death Cab For Cutie, Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers, John Hiatt, Guster, Blues Traveler, Government Mule and a host of other artists will appear on a tribute record to The Band called Endless Highway: The Music of the Band. The compilation is due out later this month.

NYC's As Tall As Lions will be part of Alternative Press Magazine's "Band You Need To Know" tour. Cute Is What We Aim For, Circa Survive and Envy On The Coast are also on the bill.

The New Orleans area is still in need of help. If you can't afford move there like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie reportedly have, you can hopefully squeeze in a visit. A prime time to head to the Big Easy would be the first week in May. You can catch the 6th Annual Ponderosa Stomp on Wednesday May, 2nd at the New Orleans House of Blues. Roky Erickson of 13th Floor Elevators Fame will appear along with a host of others.

Labels: Allman Brothers Band, American Idol, Death Cab, Deerhoof, Jewel, Kelly Clarkson, Kings of Leon, Mike Watt, Minus the Bear, My Morning Jacket