during autumn 2008, the band played in north america and canada. they played at the virgin mobile festival in toronto on 6 september 2008, and had their first ever american college show at syracuse university. they had their next live performance in the uk on 30 september 2008 with a special concert in london as part of q awards: the gigs. as well as this, they played at the glasgow date of mtv two and topman's "gonzo on tour" on 19 october 2008. on 8 september 2008, bloc party said that their next single, "talons" would be released on 20 october 2008. the song was not able to be downloaded as part of the pre-order album released on august 27, but did appear on the full album release on 27 october 2008. it was also given to fans who had already bought the download-only album, given out after the song's first play on zane lowe's bbc radio 1 show.