Music News: The Lightning Seeds, Karima Francis, Vagabond, Kasabian, Delta Spirit, Paolo Nutini

Ian Broudie was in fine form last night for The Lightning Seeds showcase at The Hospital where he premiered tracks from his stunning new album ‘Four Winds’ (May 18, 2009). In his first gig in 5 years he played 5 songs from the record, all of which sounded immaculate, including "Said & Done" and "All I Do", he finished up with his dreamy new single "Ghosts" (May 25th). His backing band on the night were none other than fellow Liverpudlians The Coral. Terry Hall of The Specials was among the enthusiastic crowd.

Karima Francis truly arrived last night, as she played 2 shows in one night. First up she was a special guest to the Stereophonics for their headline Teenage Cancer Trust show at RAH. She then hotfooted it across town to play her first London headline show with her live band at Bush Hall, which included a stunning cover of Kings Of Leon’s track "Use Somebody". Her infectious debut album ‘The Author’ is out now.

Karima supports James Morrison on selected UK dates, there are 6 more dates left, including a show at London’s Apollo on Monday. But if you can’t wait until then, she is playing an acoustic set for Clash at Lock Tavern from 6pm on Sunday.

Vagabond are special guests on the entire James Morrison tour, which includes the Hammersmith Apollo on Monday and RAH on Tuesday. Their new single "Sweat (Until The Morning)" is out June 8th from the forthcoming album ‘You Don’t Know The Half Of It’, June 22nd.

Kasabian play their headline TCT show RAH tonight with support coming from their talented singer-songwriter mate Jersey Budd. No doubt they’ll play songs from their eagerly anticipated new album ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’, out June 8th. A sneak preview from the new record "Vlad The Impaler" is available in the form of a free download from www.kasabian.co.uk - but only for 4 days between 7.30pm, March 31st to midnight, April 3rd. The video for the track features Noel Fielding who plays ‘Vlad The Impaler’ and was directed by Richard Ayoade (Arctic Monkeys, Last Shadow Puppets). Watch this space for exciting news of a Kasabian UK tour shortly.

Fresh from their SXSW triumph Delta Spirit went through an awesome set at Monkey Chews in Camden on Wednesday, with Robert Plant in attendance. They performed songs from their impressive debut album ‘Ode To Sunshine’ out now.

They are currently on a UK tour, which finishes with a date at ICA (April 2nd). The same day they play an acoustic set at Rough Trade East from 1pm. Having played a stint of shows at SXSW their live show is really something to behold. The band were featured in the Telegraph yesterday and their new single ‘People C’mon’ is out April 20th.

Russell Brand releases his acclaimed Radio 2 shows in a 4-disc box set ‘The Best Of What’s Legal’, April 13th. Groundbreaking, eye-opening and cutting edge, it’s a celebration of improvised and anarchic comedy. Featured in ‘The Best Of What’s Legal’ is Russell’s radio cohort Matt Morgan and sometimes stalwart Noel Gallagher. There are also guest appearances from Simon Amstell, Noel Fielding and many more.

Russell Brand brings his hugely popular live comedy show to a spectacular close at the O2, April 17th. Other dates include Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium (April 9th, 10th), Hammersmith Apollo (11th) and Cardiff’s CIA (14th).

Tickets for Depeche Mode’s 3 UK dates in December went on sale this morning at 9am. Their seismic ‘Tour Of The Universe’ kicks off in Israel, May 10th and features a show at London’s O2 (May 30th). Their new album ‘Sounds Of The Universe’ is released April 20th. Preceding this is their addictive single "Wrong" out April 6th.

Elvis Costello releases his highly anticipated new album ‘Secret, Profane & Sugarcane’ out June 1st, produced by T Bone Burnett in Nashville. He embarks on selected US dates in June to coincide with the release of the album. Elvis returns to the UK in April for 6 shows with The Brodsky Quartet.

Simply Red kicked off their UK ‘Greatest Hits Tour’ in Glasgow on Tuesday. The tour features 2 sold out dates at London’s O2. (April 2nd, 3rd) and features tracks from their ‘Greatest Hits 25’ album released last autumn.

Paolo Nutini returns to the live scene in May, the tickets went on sale this morning and his Electric Ballroom and Glasgow shows sold out in less than an hour! They’re his first gigs since 2007 and coincide with his stunning new album ‘Sunny Side Up’ (June 1st) written by Paolo and produced by Paolo and Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon). The first taster from the new album is the exquisite single "Candy" out May 18th.

Following the success of his recent club tour, Just Jack heads out on a full UK tour in June. His hot new single "Embers", which is featured on the Radio One A-List is out on Monday. The new album ‘All Night Cinema’ (June 8th) has been receiving some nice reviews already and "Doctor Doctor" is set to be the second single from the record out June 1st.

Jason Mraz’s new single "Make It Mine" (April 13th) from his irrepressible album ‘We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things’ out now is on the Radio One and Radio Two B-List. He returns to the UK next week for a 5-date UK tour, which features 2 sold out shows at London’s Hammersmith Apollo (April 4th, 5th).