SMALL FACES

Apparently the Beastie Boys will sit out this year’s Tibetan Freedom Concert-the eighth year for the event the group founded. But plans are being made for a September concert in the U.K., with Radiohead, Robert Plant, the Cult and Eddie Vedder among those expected to perform

“Ally McBeal” regular Robert Downey Jr. not only is featured as a singer and songwriter on the upcoming show tie-in album, “For Once in My Life Featuring Vonda Shepard,” but he and Shepard will also make an in-store appearance signing CDs at the Virgin Megastore in West Hollywood on April 24. Downey wrote a song titled “Snakes,” and sings with Sting on “Every Breath You Take” and with Shepard on a version of Bob Seger’s “Chances Are.” ...

In a nod to Elvis Presley’s late-’60s back-to-basics telecast, Brian Setzer had given the name ’68 Comeback Special to his latest project, a three-piece band featuring drummer Bernie Dresel and bassist Mark Winchester of his swing-oriented Brian Setzer Orchestra. An album, “Ignition,” featuring all new original songs, is due June 12, while a summer tour will mix in material from Setzer’s Stray Cats years as well as stripped-down versions of songs from the orchestra’s repertoire.