Green Day speak about new 'powerpop' album (Yahoo! Music)
Yahoo! Music - Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong has hinted that their forthcoming new Butch Vig-produced album could take a "powerpop" direction.

Britney Spears "Circus" is back -- new album, tour (Reuters)

Reuters - Britney Spears starred in her own "Circus" on Tuesday, performing songs from her new album of that name under a big top in New York City, unveiling plans for a 2009 tour and celebrating her 27th birthday.

U2 scrap Rick Rubin tracks on new album (Yahoo! Music)
Yahoo! Music - U2 have shelved a host of tracks recorded with Rick Rubin on their forthcoming 12th studio album.

Beyonce to perform at Essence Fest in New Orleans (AP)

AP - Beyonce is the first artist lined up for next year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

New Jay-Z song leaks, old videos go mobile (Reuters)

Reuters - Jay-Z fans have both new and old music to enjoy this week.

Bonnaroo sets dates for 2009 (Reuters)
Reuters - The eighth Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will take place June 11-14, 2009, on its usual site in Manchester, Tennessee, an hour southeast of Nashville.

Keith Urban plans North American tour (Reuters)

Reuters - Keith Urban will tour North America next spring in support of his as-yet-untitled new album.

Akon 'fan tossing' trial postponed (Yahoo! Music)
Yahoo! Music - The trial of Akon, which was scheduled to begin yesterday (December 1) in Fishkill, NY, has been postponed until December 17.

Celebrities to flock to inauguration for Obama (AP)

AP - The Super Bowl? Forget it. The Oscars? Who cares. The biggest star-studded event on the horizon is President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.

American folk music legend Odetta dies at 77 (AP)

AP - Odetta, the folk singer with the powerful voice who moved audiences and influenced fellow musicians for a half-century, has died. She was 77.