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Source: gamespot.com
The folks at Harmonix are busy. When they aren't working away to create weekly downloadable content in support of last year's Rock Band, they've been coming up with new ways to keep you rocking on your home console. Prime among those projects is the upcoming Rock Band 2, the follow-up to one of the more memorable music games of recent years. At EA's recent pre-E3 event in Los Angeles, Harmonix showed off the follow-up to this incredibly popular game and gave some hints as to what to expect from the highly anticipated sequel.
For a while there, it seemed that online world-tour play might arrive as a patch for the original Rock Band; as it turns out, that feature will be one of the biggest features in the sequel, letting you join up with bandmates all over the world to fulfill your dreams of rock stardom. Online play sounds like great fun, and the folks at Harmonix have also made the smart decision to do away with band leaders in Rock Band 2. As a result, you can change your lineup at any time without having to break up the band as a result. Better yet, any character will be able to play any instrument as you go. Combine that with new gigs, challenges (more on those in a bit), as well as new cities and venues to play in, along with the ability to hire staff, and there will be a lot to do in Rock Band 2's World Tour mode.
Still, according to Harmonix, online World Tour wasn't the number-one feature requested by Rock Band fans. That distinction goes to "backward compatibility"--ensu
We know only a handful of the songs that have been announced so far in the sequel, but it's turning out to be as varied a list as in the first game. Here are the officially released songs:
This is just 10 of the 80+ tunes that will make up the entire song list in Rock Band 2, one that, if the previous game (and its subsequent downloadable content) is any indication, will run the gamut across rock's decades and various subgenres. With hundreds of songs available to you from the get-go, the ability to create setlists for quick-play sessions is a crucial addition in Rock Band 2. In the last game, you could pick songs only one at a time; with the sequel, you'll be able to create setlists exactly how you see fit. It's perfect for the Rock Band fan who insists that every third song be a Rush tune, or that repeating Freezepop's "Sprode" 13 times in succession isn't just a good idea, it's a great idea.
When you aren't rocking out with your all-night custom quick-play sets in Rock Band 2, you'll be spending your time with the new game modes, including Tour Challenges and Battle of the Bands. The Tour Challenge will replace the Solo Tour from the original Rock Band and follow a nonlinear path, in which you unlock new challenge groupings as you go. Tour Challenge will be playable either solo or with up to three other bandmates, with any mix of local and online players.
The challenges themselves will be built around a variety of play styles, and beating one challenge will unlock additional challenge paths for you to take. Instead of being a linear list of songs, the challenges are structured more as a progression web in which you can choose which path to take through the game...." gamespot.com
XBox 360 is definately coming out in September...those of us who have other systems like PS3 and Wii may have to wait just a little longer...so looks like my rocker chick is going to have to be a little more patient 
I LOVE this game soooo much. I can't believe all the changes they are making that are gonna be so much cooler! Thanks so much for bringing this news to our attention!
oh buggar there goes a few friends that are already obsessed with rock band hahahaha ill never see them again 
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Ok this is so freakin cool ...There will be 80+ new songs, new upgraded instruments if you want to upgrade like cushioned drumsets, metal foot pedal, snazzier guitars, plus Get This! Online Battle of the Bands !!!!! Woot Sign me Up Now!!