THE Alfie bandwagon rolls on and on it would seem.

After recently touring with their idols The Flaming Lips, the band are hoping to kick on in 2004 after announcing two major tours and the release of a new single.

The Chorlton group will open the year with their first ever European tour.

The band will take in Rotterdam, Hamburg and Brussels, among other venues, before returning home for a 16-date jaunt around the UK.

The quintet are set to round off the tour with two special dates, one at Manchester’s Ampersand, where the band launched their last album Do You Imagine Things? in stylish surroundings earlier in the year.

Following this the band will guest at old mates Elbow’s Brixton Academy show on Thursday, February 19.

If that was not enough, they also release their next single, No Need, on February 16.

Elsewhere there is good news for Charlatans’ fans.

After time off while Tim Burgess made and promoted his debut solo album I Believe, the band have returned to the studio to complete their eighth studio LP.

The band recently met up for lunch prior to Burgess’ solo show at Academy 2 to discuss the album, which is set to be finished at Big Mushroom Studios.

They have already finished three tracks and hope to have eight completed by Christmas.

Titles include: ‘Dead Love’, ‘Apples And Oranges’, ‘Up At The Lake’, ‘Loving You Is Easy’ and ‘High Up Your Tree’.

The album is set for release early next year.

Manchester-based quartet Haven are also set for a return in the New Year.

On March 22 the band will release their second album All For A Reason through Radiate Records.

Produced by former Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr and Dave Eringa, the LP follows their gold-selling debut, Between The Senses.

The album was initially due for release in August, but was delayed as a consequence of guitarist Nat Wason developing the debilitating medical condition Bells Palsy.

The album will be preceded by a mini-tour, including a date at Night & Day on January 25 and a single on March 8.

Buy tickets to all the Manchester dates mentioned by calling 0161 832 1111 or click here to book online.

Tweet