Dust off your tent and pack that sleeping back, the year is barely half over, but already it's time to start thinking about your New Years festivities.

Tom Petty's recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine will be his last, with the singer declaring he will no longer be talking to the press.

India.Arie's third album ‘Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship will be the number one record in the USA later this week.

It may be 10 years since the death of Tupac but the rapper is still the hottest name in Hip-Hop.

Reggae star Buju Banton (real name Mark Myrie) has been forced to cancel a show in Brighton, UK thanks to protests and pressure from gay and lesbian rights groups, as well as the local council and the police.

Punk rockers Panic! At The Disco have announced their first ever Australian tour in October.

Grammy-winning soul singer Jill Scott has sent a clear message to the music world, hitting out at the degrading portrayal of black women in popular music.

Live event company Live Nation has bought out the House of Blues for $360 million.

Jimmy Buffett has beaten Billy Joel, David Gilmour and Coldplay for the most requested event of the first half of 2006.

Nashville based Gibson Guitar Corp. has announced it has acquired Deutsche Wurlitzer from Sydney based Nelson Group of Companies.

Singer/Songwriter Tom Waits is going back on the road for the first time in two years.

Media Mogul Sir Richard Branson has filmed a cameo role for the upcoming James Bond movie ‘Casino Royale'.

Rock legend Bob Seger is about to release his first studio album in 11 years and only 4th album in 20 years.

The Mars Volta's third album has been christened Amputechture.

Tim Burgess, frontman of Madchester legends The Charlatans has recorded a song with legendary DJ Justin Robertson called ‘Yes It Is'.

The newspaper which helped propelled The Beatles to fame is celebrating its 45th anniversary.

The lead singer of unknown UK-based act Brothermandude is arguably the richest musician in the world.

Kylie Minogue has spoken for the first time since being diagnosed with breast cancer, admitting that she “fell to pieces”.

Dancer, father of Britney Spears' children, and occasional rapper Kevin Federline announces that ‘PopoZao' was a joke and that his full album will be released in August.

A matter of hours after he was sentenced to four years jail for cocaine possession, R&B producer Dallas Austin has reportedly been pardoned by the Ruler of Dubai.

Elton John has lashed out at the England football team for “letting down” their fans at this year's World Cup in Germany.

A myriad of superstars has jumped at the chance to head into the studio with legendary crooner Tony Bennett for a duets album due out in September.

Bono told CNN in a recent interview that we have to hold the G8 countries accountable for their performances one year after the Live 8 concerts were held around the world.

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has reportedly signed on to play the father to Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow in the third instalment of ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean'.

Jimmy Barnes is heading to the UK later this month.

Producer to the superstars, Dallas Austin, will spend the next four years in a Dubai prison.

Ben Folds will once again front an orchestra. This time it will be the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Rapper Lil' Kim walked free from a Philadelphia prison early Monday morning after spending nearly 10 months behind bars.

With backing band The Dempseys, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi performed a rousing rendition of the Elvis tune ‘I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' for George and Laura Bush in Memphis.

Platinum-rockers Killing Heidi are reported to split.