Hot on the heels of media-activity for the new album "Total Life Forever", Foals will appear live at selected venues across the UK in the run-up to 'Christmas-end-of-year-present-pestering-time' (as I like to call it). Yes, late October and November is about the time when those who wavered about buying a particular album during its year of release, actively drop subtle hints about potential gifts to their loved ones.

"Hmmm, I've just been to see Foals and their new album is something I really must get my hands on at some point, perhaps towards the end of the year - around Christmas perhaps".

Naturally, if you are a fan, the new Foals CD / LP will be glued to your player right now.

So, to get the ball rolling, you could try booking a bit of Foals gigage as soon as you can, y'know, show a bit of willing by implementing Plan A of the 'I-will-get-Total-Life-Forever' ruse. Their autumn tour is a great place to start and so is Leeds - the boys will play the city's O2 Academy on 29th Oct, followed by Manchester (30th), Edinburgh (31st), Glasgow (2nd Nov) etc until the 12th November when Brixton hosts an Academy show. Tickets will go on sale at 9am this Friday, priced at £14 to £16.50. Plan B of the ruse is to suggest that your 'target' comes with you.

Of course, if it's your birthday between now and the tour, you could buy the album now, play it near your targeted loved ones and, with a loud cough, pronounce Foals as the band you would dearly love to see 'live' at some point and mention Allgigs as a great place to click for tickets. Devious? Moi? It's only Plan C ...

A review of Foals' new album will appear on this site very soon. As soon as I have played it several times.