iTunes have announced 10 days of gigs starting next Thursday as part of their iTunes Live series. All the gigs will be available to download from iTunes after the 10 day festival is over. Last year’s festival was a bit later in the year, but were a significant success – dare I say it, but this years gigs aren’t anywhere near as impressive – I mean, come on, Nizlopi headlining? Tony Christie? Really?

The gigs will take place from February 21 to March 2 at AIR Studios, Lyndhurst Hall, London. The artists will play acousticcally for what is sure to be some very special evenings. Tickets cannot be bought, and are only available from the iTunes Live website as part of a ballot..

Thursday 21st February – Jose Gonzalez, Charlene Soraia, Julian Velard and Stephanie Dosen
Friday 22nd February – Nizlopi, Soweto Kinch
Saturday 23rd February – Alphabeat, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
Sunday 24th February – Billy Bragg, KT Tunstall, Foy Vance, Leo Abrahams
Monday 25th February – Daniel Merriweather, Estelle, Tawiah
Tuesday 26th February – Charlie Winston, Natalie Clein, Tom Baxter
Wednesday 27th February – Laura Marling, Mystery Jets
Thursday 28th February – Jason Mraz, Ron Sexsmith
Friday 29th February – TBC
Saturday 1st March – Roisin Murphy, Tony Christie
Sunday 2nd March – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Spiritualized

Photo of Roisin Murphy is taken from her myspace.

The Forestry Commission has announced their artists for summer 2008’s summer series. This year sees KT Tunstall, The Charlatans, Crowded House and Status Quo all rock various forests around the UK. Full details are on their website. Catch the below acts at the dates below. All tickets are on sale now..

The Zutons

Thursday 5th June – High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Near Brandon, Suffolk
Sunday 8th June – Bedgebury Pinetum & Forest, Near Goudhurst, Kent
Friday 13th June – Delamere Forest, Near Linmere, Cheshire
Friday 20th June – Westonbirt – The National Arboretum, Near Tetbury, Glos
Saturday 21st June – Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Near Edwinstowe, Notts
Friday 27th June – Dalby Forest, Near Pickering, North Yorks
Saturday 28th June- Cannock Chase Forest, Near Rugeley, Staffs

KT Tunstall -
(with support from Tom Baxter)
Friday 6 June – High Lodge, Thetford Forest Near Brandon, Suffolk
Sunday 15 June – Delamere Forest Near Linmere, Cheshire

Tickets are £27.50 and go on sale at 9.00am this Friday, 15th February

Crowded House -

Friday 20 June – Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Nr Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire
Saturday 21 June – Westonbirt, National Arboretum, Nr Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Thursday 10 July – High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Nr Brandon, Suffolk

Tickets are £30 and are on sale now

The Charlatans -

Sunday 29 June – Cannock Chase Forest, Near Rugeley, Staffordshire

Tickets are £26 and are on sale now.

James Morrison -

Saturday 14 June 2008 – Delamere Forest, Linmere, Delamere, Cheshire

Tickets are £27.50 and are on sale now.

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra -

Saturday 7 June 2008 – Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest, Nr Goudhurst, Kent (with Gilson Lavis and guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall)
Friday 18 July 2008 - The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire (with Gilson Lavis, special guest vocalist Marc Almond and guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall)

Tickets are £30 and are on sale now.

Katherine Jenkins -

Saturday 12 July 2008 – High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Santon Downham, Brandon, Suffolk
Saturday 19 July 2008 – The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

Tickets are £28.50 and are on sale now.

Status Quo -

Saturday 7 June 2008 – High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Santon Downham, Brandon, Suffolk
Friday 27 June 2008 – Cannock Chase Forest, Staffordshire
Saturday 28 June 2008 – Dalby Forest, Nr Thornton Le Dale, N York Moors
Sunday 22 June 2008 – The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Tickets are £30 and are on sale now.

Scottish Stunner KT Tunstall has announced a full UK tour next April. She’ll stop at all the usual haunts as well as some smaller venues off the beaten path.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, 23rd November at 9am.

Sunday 6th April – Cambridge Corn Exchange
Monday 7th April – Southampton Guildhall
Tuesday 8th April – Ipswich Regent Theatre
Wednesday 8th April – Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Friday 11th April – London Hammersmith Apollo
Sunday 13th April – Grimsby Auditorium
Tuesday 15th April – Preston Guildhall
Wednesday 16th April – Carling Academy Sheffield
Thursday 17th April – Carlisle Sands Centre
Saturday 19th April – Glasgow SECC
Sunday 20th April – Aberdeen Exhibition Centre