Other gigs to look forward to this year include Stars (featuring members of Broken Social Scene) at Cyprus Avenue later this week (get your ticket now if you haven't yet – it will sell out, and Mark Eitzel's American Music Club at the same venue on January 30. Gabba mentalist Scotch Egg (February at Cork's newest venue the Whiskey) and Load Records Clockcleaner (July also at the Whiskey) should tick all the right boxes for those who like their music chaotic, noisy and confrontational.

The Sultans of Ping are booked in for two nights at Cyprus Avenue in March, while Dublin's Si Schroeder and Somadrome form an enticing double bill at the same venue in late February. Melting Pot Promotions meanwhile continue their Tuesday night residency at the Avenue with Limericks hotly tipped punk-poppers We Should Be Dead and the super-fun-mix-tape that is Super Extra Bonus Party lined up for the months ahead. 2ManyDj's do their mash up thing at the Savoy later this month, a gig that is sure to sell out! Be sure to keep the eyes peeled for upcoming Ladyfest and Coolaboola events also.

On the festival front, Cork can look forward to another typically busy year, with the Film Festival, Midsummers Festival, Jazz Festival and Live at the Marquee series all looking to build on their tremendous successes in 2007.

Jazz Programme Director Jack McGouran says that attendees to next years festival can expect some surprises. "We're looking at the musical content, specifically new strains of jazz. The Blue Note legends are dying out and this will be the last year they will be appearing at the festival." One of the biggest legends of all, Herbie Hancock, is rumoured to be this years headliner. The Film Festival will be looking to maximise their new sponsorship deal with Corona with a expanded programme and more exciting premiers. As for the Marquee, Peter Aiken has made no secret of his desire to bring Neil Young to Cork. Could 2008 be the year? Dolly Parton and Tommy Tiernan have already been confirmed for this years event.

On the home-music-front, we can expect releases from Rulers of the Planet and Hooray For Humans, while Fred will look to make good on the promise they've shown across the Atlantic, following a very productive 2007. Be sure to check out Limerick's Giveamanakick who drop their latest sonic bomb in April. It's a monster and it could be the record that finally plants the band in the mainstream conscious, following years of hard graft and awesome shows. Stanley Super 800 will be keeping their fingers crossed when the winner of the Choice Music Prize is announced having rightfully made the final list for their wonderful 2007 album Louder and Clearer.

On the new-local-music front check out the D&B styling's of Moses Malone, the bleak Black Metal of Alter of Plagues (who landed the European tour support slot with reining kings of the scene Mayhem) and the John Zorn influenced Hadasha who play a mix of Klezmer jazz, classical, latin, hardcore, surf, cartoon, dub and free blues. On that note, it's worth checking out the Mai World Music nights in 2008, if you're looking for a more international flavour and the West Cork Music nights in Bantry if classical music is your thing.

One of the most successful Irish theatre productions I Keano, returns for one last run in the Cork Opera House from February 4 until February 9, as does the musical Blood Brothers. Skylight Productions return to action with Wait Until Dark in early February, while on the comedy front Dara O Briain, Des Bishop and Tommy Tiernan are due over the coming weeks and months. The City Limits Comedy Club meanwhile will continue to bring the best up and coming and established acts to your doorstep on a weekly basis. No, if only the f**king weather would brighten up.

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