XFM Manchester have announced a series of gigs in April featuring many big names returning to very small venues. The shows, which were announced today (Mon 20th March) are to help launch the new Manchester station which begain broadcasting last week (on 97.7fm)

Friday 7th April 2006
Embrace + White Rose Movement @ Manchester Academy 3

Wednesday 12th April 2006
The Go! Team + Killa Kella @ Manchester Roadhouse

Thursday 13th April 2006
The Zutons + The Upper Room @ Manchester Night & Day

Tuesday 18th April 20006
Goldfrapp + The Shortwave Set + Vibgyor @ Manchester Ritz

Sunday 23rd April 2006
The Charlatans + Alfa 9 + Russ Winstanley @ Manchester Night & Day

Monday 24th April 2006
Feeder @ Manchester Academy 2

Tuesday 25th April 2006
Starsailor (acoustic) + The Weight @ Manchester Jabez Clegg

Sunday 30th April 2006
Elbow + Stephen Fretwell (acoustic) @ Manchester Night & Day

Tickets for the 'Access All April' shows cannot be purchased, instead XFM are running a series of competitions to give the tickets away.

Check out the XFM Manchester website for more details

Arctic Monkeys are number one in the new NME Chart announced last night with When The Sun Goes Down. The single is released today (Monday on 16th January) on CD and 7" vinyl. The tracklistings are as follows:

When The Sun Goes Down (CD)
01 .When the Sun Goes Down
02 .Sticking to the Floor
03. 7

When The Sun Goes Down (7” Vinyl)
01. When the Sun Goes Down
02. Settle for a Draw

Meanwhile the release date for the debut album from the Arctic Monkeys (entitled 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not') has been brought forward to 23rd January. The tracklist is:

01. The View From The Afternoon
02. I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
03. Fake Tales Of San Francisco
04. Dancing Shoes
05. You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights But You Were Looking Straight At Me
06. Still Take You Home
07. Riot Van
08. Red Light Indecates Doors Are Secured
09. Mardy Bum
10. Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But...
11. When The Sun Goes Down
12. From Ritz To The Rubble
13. A Certain Romance

Here's the NME chart in full:

01. Arctic Monkeys -'When The Sun Goes Down
02. Editors - Munich
03. We Are Scientists - It's A Hit
04. Belle and Sebastian - Funny Little Frog
05. Jose Gonzales - Heartbeats
06. The Strokes - Juicebox
07. The Kooks - You Don't Love Me
08. The Go! Team - Ladyflash
09. Queens Of The Stone Age - Burn The Witch
10. Boy Kill Boy - Back Again

You can vote for your favourite over at www.nmechart.com