With the announcement that Kate Bush is returning to the live stage after a whopping 35-year absence, we thought we'd throw our eye over some other acts that have shunned touring and live performances and see if they'd be up for playing in our backyard.

DAVID BOWIE

Look, we all know Bowie's getting on in his years but he's still definitely got it. After all, last year's The Next Day was a commercial and critical smash. We know he doesn't HAVE to tour in support, we're just saying we'd love to see him tour.

NIRVANA

Yes, we're aware that Nirvana is noting without Cobain. Not only that, Dave Grohl's made a fine career for himself with Foo Fighters and Krist Novoselic is off doing whatever he's doing. Still, we'd love to see the two of them get together for a couple of live shows. It wasn't all about Cobain, y'know. Novoselic and Grohl were fantastic musicians in their own right and went to prove that. Plus, they could always bring in somebody to replace Cobain in a live setting. Who'd be the best replacement? Answers on a postcard.

THE SMITHS

We'd have a better chance of getting Morrissey to eat a Big Mac than this happening. Still, it's worth a shot. Them regrouping, we mean.

THE FACES

Rod Stewart might now be hanging off Penny Lancaster and generally being Rod Stewart, but there was a time when he was a serious musician who had real credentials. Years of performing 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy' and trying to be Tony Bennett might have diminished this, but The Faces were one of the finest bands working in the 1970's. It's difficult to recapture that same magic, but damn we'd like them to give it a shot. Just listen to this.

TALKING HEADS

David Byrne may still be active and his album with St. Vincent the year before last was pretty great. Still, it doesn't compare to the work he did with Talking Heads. If you ever doubt that he doesn't sound better with the rest of the group, just watch Stop Making Sense or better yet, listen to this. 

PINK FLOYD

This one has become tantalisingly close. Just two years ago, David Gilmour joined Roger Waters on-stage at the O2 London for this rendition of Comfortably Numb. It brought the entire house down and then nothing since. Gilmour has no desire to tour as he simply doesn't need the money and doesn't feel creatively pushed to do it. That said, Waters is still trying to keep the Pink Floyd name running strong and his live shows are filled with every possible spectacle you could imagine. Imagine the full band. They'd sell out arenas across the globe in a second.