Legendary English music writer Paul Morley is among the many people who still appear to be reeling from the news that Howard Devoto’s post-punk outfit Magazine are reuniting. Writing in the Observer, Morley says: “I thought not only would hell freeze over but perma-resistant the Smiths, the Jam and the Stone Roses - and 1977 Talking Heads and XTC and the Davies brothers Kinks last seen in 1969 - would reform before the majestic Magazine materialized again.”

While Morley catches his breath, Devoto has been talking about the band’s forthcoming shows, which will take place in February 2009. The reunion talks began when a promoter contacted the band’s keyboard player, the wonderfully named Dave Formula. "Dave made me an offer I couldn't refuse," says Devoto. "He said: 'Howard, it's your last chance to be venerable.'"

Not wanting to miss a chance to be venerable, Devoto signed up for the shows, and speaks warmly about the feeling the reunion has engendered. “I like old gangs,” says the singer, who will sadly be performing without guitarist (and former PiL and Siouxsie & the Banshees member) John McGeoch, who passed away in 2004. As Morley comments, the shows are “surely about meaning more than money,” making them a highly anticipated addendum to the live music calendar in ’09.