So what if you've never heard of them, this time next year you'll be queuing up outside HMV overnight, trying to get a ticket for the Irish leg of their worldwide tour:
1. The Hormones: New Irish band who were signed by Richard Branson to his V2 label and are managed by the same team who manage Pulp. Led by Dubliner Marc Carroll, The Hormones are a power pop outfit who also have the odd foray into ballads, acoustic and trad-type areas. A single this year called This Is The Sound made a lot of people sit up and listen, and their debut album will be in the shops in April.
2. Decal: While Irish acts have proven themselves on an international level in almost every single genre of music, we've yet to produce a world-beating dance act. That should all change now with the release of Decal's last album which was a thoroughly original and imaginative take on the world of contemporary beats.
3. The Marbles: One doesn't usually think of Roscommon as a rock 'n'roll breeding ground, but this new bunch of noisy, shouty guitar types are putting the place on the map, thanks to the release of a wonderful EP this year on their own indie label. They have a sort of glamrocked tinged sound and are currently being chased around the streets of Dublin by a number of record companies. A very big and very bright Irish hope.
4. The Unbelievable Truth: Angsty, indie types who look like a bunch of over-educated slackers and sound like The Verve having a bad hair day. Everything is in place for this new British band and their first single, Higher Than Reason, will be out in February. There's also an instant media angle in the fact that singer Andy Yorke is the brother of Radiohead's Thom Yorke.
5. Amar: Already being called the "Asian Bjork", Amar has been singing since she was 14 but it's only since she started hanging out with the Talvin Singh crowd that she has come to critical attention. Her music is a real "east meets west" cultural collision and she is very much the newest name to drop in club/fashion circles.
6. Adam F: Already following in the esteemed line of drum 'n'bass crossover acts such as Roni Size and LTJ Bukem, Adam F made an immediate impression this year with his Metropolis single, which went on to be voted song of the year by the highly influential clubbing magazine, Mixmag. A combination of 1990s jungle and 1970s jazz makes him a contender for great things next year. Trivia: Adam is the son of 1970s star, Alvin Stardust.
7. Libido: The name all over the lips of London music types, this Norwegian trio come on like Supergrass on speed and throw in large dollops of Nordic angst along the way. Quite photogenic and very quotable, their first single, Overthrown, is released next month. Remember: Norway is the new Sweden.
8. Cleopatra: A sort of female version of Hanson, with a nod to the S***e girls and All-Saints. This perky R&B outfit is three sisters aged 17, 15 and 13, and their debut single, imaginatively titled Cleopatra's Theme, will be out in a matter of weeks. Expect the dolls/movie/advertising deals to follow.
