Mark Kaye’s music column

Normally I don’t look forward to Valentine’s Day, but this year is different. This year, Bloc Party are throwing THE event of the year for singletons in Manchester. That’s right, Bloc Party are playing the Apollo on Valentines Day - I can’t wait, and it should be full of single people like me… unless you are one of the lucky ones whose other half loves them too!

All my mates who have partners are gutted because they have to do the meal thing and will miss what should be one of the gigs of the year. If you can make it to Virgin Megastore that afternoon though you can catch them doing an exclusive in-store performance, or listen to my show as Kele will be joining me in the studio for a quick chat. The new album “A Weekend in the City” is the big album in the Xfm offices at the moment and it’s just awesome. Another big song at the moment is “White American Trash” by the lcd Soundsystem.

After missing Snowfight every time I tried to see them last year, I finally got to see them and Night and Day last week – and they were well worth the wait. It was my first time watching Air Traffic too, who were just brilliant. It’s no wonder I get so many requests for them on the show.

At the gig I bumped into “Mandolin Pete”, Liam Frost’s partner in crime, and he promised to come on the show next week with Liam - so fingers crossed! In between decorating his house and watching gigs Liam is currently promoting the new single “She Painted Pictures” which is out this week. And with a gig in that London town this weekend with The Magic Numbers, he’s pretty busy.

If, like me, you fancy sleeping in a tent for three days this summer you will need to register for Glastonbury tickets at www.glastonburyregistration.co.uk. The on-line registration closes at the end of the month and you’ve got to be in it to win it as they say… well, you’ve got to register to stand any chance of being at the event this year.

Still no real hints about headline acts, but the Arctic Monkeys have confirmed and so too have Arcade Fire who are one of my favourite bands, so I’m praying I get tickets. I had a sneak listen to their new album “Neon Bible” this week, and it’s simply brilliant. They performed songs off the album last week at a church in South West London and both Chris Martin and Gary Lightbody were in the crowd, both of who profess to being both big fans. It must be great for the old ego! It’s only February and “Neon Bible” could already be in the running for album of the year, it’s that good.

Finally a quick word about Xfm’s competition “What’s in the box”. You can win all three items in the box if you guess the phrase that describes item three so try your luck you never know! If you want some help check out the website www.xfmmanchester.co.uk for some tips and hints…..

Mark Kaye