THE Eighties King of Cool, since crowned the nineties King of Croon, has announced a homecoming gig later this year in Liverpool.

Buoyed by news of winning the 2008 European Capital of Culture, Merseyside fans are in line for another rare treat with the return of the Mac, at The Royal Court, in November.

The Bunnymen have been enjoying a renaissance of late, with some extensive touring and the new millennium seeing them jetting off to Japan for a headline slot at the Fuji Rock Festival, and six high-profile shows in Australia.

Echo & the Bunnymen last played in Liverpool at the Paul McCartney Institute of Performing Arts in Liverpool, around the time they released their first official live album, which includes classics like Rescue, Never Stop, Killing Moon, The Cutter

and Nothing Lasts Forever.

The perennial McCulloch has also been busy ploughing the furrow of his solo career. Slideling was released in May, his third solo effort, with Coldplay's Chris Martin and Johnny Buckland guesting on two tracks - Arthur and Sliding.

McCulloch even covered a David Bowie B-side on his new single Love In Veins, called The Prettiest Star, from David Bowie's 1973 album, Aladdin Sane.

And The Bunnymen will be returning to the UK this summer to play at Glastonbury, T in the Park and the V Festival.

The tour line-up consists of Ian McCulloch, Will Sergeant, Pete Wilkinson (bass), Vinny Jamieson (drums), Ceri James (keyboards) and Ged Malley (guitar).

The Bunnymen play at Liverpool's Royal Court, on November 29. Tickets are available from the box office on 0151 709 4321 or book online at www.gigsandtours.com