News …

Police target scalpers outside London’s Brixton Academy. Haven’t they heard of eBay? – South London Press

Duff brings the stuff – Hilary Duff visits Indiana school to promote “Blessings in a Backpack” food program for students from low-income families – Associated Press

Want a bachelor of music degree in pop music performance? Then USC is the place to be – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Chris DeBurgh still wants to play Iran – The Evening Herald / Herald.ie (Ireland)

Proving that you can’t help but offend someone, father of knife-crime victim killed in 2000 criticizes Katy Perry for posing with a blade – The Times Online U.K.

Music stars hit the campaign trial in support of their favorite candidates, but sometimes you need a scorecard to know who’s stumping for who – The Raleigh News & Observer

Views …

TV On The Radio in Minneapolis – ” … the Brooklyn-reared quintet reminded a genuinely awed crowd of 1,400 fans why it’s one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the past half-decade.” – Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune

Kings Of Leon in Seattle – ” … blasted things off with their big new hit, “Sex on Fire,” which brought everybody to their feet.” – The Seattle Times

The Killers in Vegas – “It was a hero’s welcome for this bunch, the rock ‘n’ roll equivalent of a ticker tape parade.” – Las Vegas Review-Journal

David Byrne in Louisville – ” … was a James Brown carved out of ivory and animated by nervous tics, leading a relentless band through a series of relentless songs, and he earned a sustained, almost ecstatic ovation.” – Louisville Courier-Journal

New Kids On The Block in the Twin Cities – ” … provided plenty of the right stuff, channeling the campy extravagance from their heyday – costume changes, synchronized dance steps, puppy-dog eyes – while tossing in the occasional nod to 2008, mostly via the handful of tracks drawn from their comeback album, The Block.” – Pioneer Press / TwinCities.com

Crosby & Nash in Ithaca, NY – ” … treated a sold-out Monday night crowd at the State Theatre to a touching show that drew from their 40-year collaboration.” – The Ithaca Journal

They Say It’s Their Birthday … (Or so says Associated Press)

Leslie West (Mountain) is 63

TobyMac is 44

John Wesley Harding is 43

Carlos Mencia is 41

Shelby Lynne is 40

Shaggy is 40

Tracey Lee is 38

Zac Hanson (Hanson) is 23