As someone who works in A&R I have spent this year attending many gigs. Some good, some not so good, some incredible. I use this site alot. I think the opinions and discussions which most of you post are brilliant and i think the site itself warrants such issues we talk about. Firstly, to Cluas.com. Thank you for providing the Irish punter with a media to express their views and promote their gigs. I wonder, in the days of Junkster, Engine Alley, Power of Dreams, Peach, The Pale & Something Happens et all how we coped without the Internet. You really had so little access to the public outside of posters and word of mouth and trying to convince the demon that is Hotpress that your band warranted coverage in the form of a little news section. Secondly I am going to briefly give you a little insight into the acts who have caught my eye this year. Alot of them are playing in December, some you must wait until 2005 to see. There are acts that I have not mentioned. There are too many to mention. By not mentioning your band it means that "I" have not been caught by what you do, it DOES NOT mean your band is in anyway flawed. Mine is an opinion, everyone has one and my opinion counts for little in the grand scheme of things. This year has seen the arrival of some great bands who were either knocking before or have simply arrived from the cold and warmed our souls. The band scene is healthy now, lets keep it that way. Acts are not in order & have just given a little title for each one! BEST NEW ACT* The Rags - I have seen these guys four times. In Danny there is an arrogance which is almost offensive from a lead singer. But when a band produces tunes of this peril and with such conviction, it becomes easy to forgive. Pure pop alt rock with class. "Modern Citizen" & "Beats" are tracks to endure & love. May you be rewarded for your welcome arrival on the scene. MOST DESERVED* The Republic of Loose - Playing Oxygen this summer would boost the moral of any band, particularly one who in 2000 seemed so down and out. "Girl I'm gonna F**k you up" Ep's is what brought these guys to my attention awhile ago & their debut album "This is the tomb of the Juice" has received critical acclaim. Topped with the fact that the lead singer is a guy called Mick Pyro... have to be rock star bound. Have already set my sights on seeing them in the Ambassador in December. Some of the percussion and mood of earlier songs reminded me of Fun Lovin Criminals... with melodies that just ring and ring and ring and ring in the head. Well traveled & professional act. No alarm clocks needed here. See them LIVE! BEST LIVE* 66e - Stole the show for me at Hard Working Class Hero's on the Sunday. It's Radiohead without the confusion. Like being at the opera or listening to songs made for swirling Orchestration. Their debut album is released in January followed by a nationwide tour. Their most recent gig in Whelans with Polar confirmed to me what a truly amazing band this really was. I believe everyone should make the effort to see them once. BEST BAND* Jove - Jove vanished. Then this year seemed to come from nowhere. The guitars pelt your ears from all angles, strings & soaring vocals drive stakes deep inside the heart & I am beginning to believe that there IS room for Jove & Muse on this planet. No releases planned this side of 05 so LIVE is where its at for you if you've not seen them. Managed by one of the most genuine & ambitious people I have ever met, Voodoo Lounge on the 3rd of December is the only place you should be. Ireland's next superstars?! MOST EXCITING* The Immediate - Recently signed to the massively influential UK Independent Label Fierce Panda, i belive the Immediate will be on London soon to play a number of dates and are managed by Supremo in Dublin. Indescribable act... four piece who switch and change instruments so the singer who was the bass player is now the drummer who is on guitar! Funky,.. jazz rock bizarre stuff! Seeing the Immediate is an experience... experience them! DARK HORSE ACTS* Stars of the City Alphastates The Things Cortinaz 79 The Chapters The Chalets The Chakras Just opinions, remember they are only valid when you see the above bands and make your own minds up. However would enjoy chatting with you all over the next few days and please let me know if there are acts I have not mentioned, i may not have seen them. Thanks Kerb