So it's agreed, it's been a pretty good year musically. We've laughed, we've cried - often during the same Stereophonics record - but now we're left wondering about the future. So when the dust has settled, who'll be troubling 2006's 'Best Of' lists? And what did they make of 2005?
Gazing into our crystal ball, we've come up with our best bet: seven bands who we think will be helping making 2006 even better, and who want to tell you about their 2005.
A quartet who revel in creating skewed, experimental pop. These are four birds who won't be flying south in 2006.
Are one of the bands that most probably will. They've supported James Blunt, but don't hold that against them.
"They are The Pipettes and they've got no regrets. They will catch you in their nets..."
The great unsigned hope for 2006. From Leeds and with the best t-shirts in music.
Leeds supplies 63.7% of all of the UK's new music. That is scientific fact. There is no real evidence for it, but it is scientific fact.
From The Libertines we now have three new bands. One is unproven, one is hell-bent on self destruction and one will make your heart sing.
An Anglo-American new wave influenced quartet who adopt impeccable three minute pop songs as their weapon of choice.
NOW IN MUSIC
GIG:
Beyoncé brings Sasha Fierce to London
MORE GIGS:
Rihanna, Martha Wainwright, Rickie Lee Jones, Steve Martin, Fionn Regan, Hope Sandoval, Muse ...
ALBUMS OUT THIS WEEK:
tUnE-yArDs, Norah Jones, Will Young, Mariah Carey, Stereophonics
ALBUM:
Gabby Young And Other Animals : We're All In This Together
INTERVIEW:
Martha Wainwright on her Edith Piaf album Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, a Paris
ALBUMS:
Nirvana : Live At Reading /
Bleach
INTERVIEW:
Gary Numan on pleasure principles
MORE MUSIC FEATURES
RELATED ARTICLES
FEATURE:
Review of 2005: albums (page 1)
FEATURE:
Review of 2005: albums (page 2)
FEATURE:
Review of 2005: albums (page 3)
FEATURE:
Review of 2005: singles
FEATURE:
Review of 2005: theatre
FEATURE:
Review of 2005: opera/classical
EXTERNAL LINKS
The Pipettes
¡Forward, Russia!
The Boy Least Likely To
iLiKETRAiNS
Yeti
Five O'Clock Heroes
gUiLLeMoTs