R.E.M.’s first UK show of the year will be a rather grand affair, the band calling in at the Royal Albert Hall next month to help raise money for the ICA.

The 24th of March will see performances from Stipe and Buck and that other guy, as well as Robyn Hitchcock and the Duke Spirit in support. And what’s this? Yeah, and Foals, too.

You’ll have to part with anywhere between £55 and £25 plus booking fee for tickets, which go on sale this Friday (15 Feb) at 9am. All profits will go to London-based arts institute the ICA.

R.E.M, third member Mike Mills safely in tow, will embark upon a European tour in July and are expected to announce a further series of UK dates soon.

Before those though will come new album Accelerate, which is to be released through Warner Brothers on the 31st of March (details), preceded by new single ‘Supernatural Superserious’ on the 11th of February.