In fact, dyed-in-the-wool U.K. Gorillaz fans are the only people on the face of the planet right now who’ve gotten a look at what the band has in store for its upcoming summer dates.

Over the course of four days – March 23, 25, 26, 27 – Damon Albarn and company treated members of their fan clubs in Cambridge, Brighton, Birmingham and Lincoln to an exclusive look as they work out their new shows.

The mini-rehearsal tour was a warm up for the band’s eagerly anticipated return to the stage April 18 at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., as well as a pair of shows at London’s Roundhouse April 29-30.

During the residency, which marks Gorillaz first live shows in the British capital since 2001, the band’s core members – Albarn, Mick Jones and Paul Simonon – will be joined by Bashy, De La Soul, Kano, Little Dragon, Mos Def, National Orchestra for Arabic Music, Gruff Rhys, Shaun Ryder and Bobby Womack.

In addition to music from the band’s latest, Plastic Beach, fans will be treated to tunes from both of Gorillaz other albums, as well as a full production featuring animation, artwork and film from Jamie Hewlett.

French quartet Phoenix, who are still out on the road in support of their 2009 breakthrough Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, are giving devoted fans a couple of perks this month.

First up is a free album, Live in Sydney, which is up for grabs abso-stinkin’-lutely free from the group’s Web site.

The project features eight songs from Wolfgang recorded in all of their onstage glory, including a version of “Love Like a Sunset” that runs close to 11 minutes long.

Also on deck for Phoenix fans (or maybe Phoen-icians?) is a live performance in New York City on April 15 that will be filmed for MTV’s “Unplugged.”

If you wanna get in on the extremely intimate show – and I mean intimate, have you seen that tiny studio? – you’ll need to head over to WeArePhoenix.com and then submit a request for free tickets to Tickets@ GothamCasting.com.

Complete details are available on the band’s site, but you’ll need to include all your vital info, plus super important details like your favorite Phoenix song and why you’re such a fan.

But hurry. To quote the band, “These spots will go fast, so reply back soon!” Good luck!