From old favourites to new idols - Jim Carrollon the artists tuning up this New Year.
BRYAN ADAMS
The poor man's Bruce Springsteen continues to recreate "Summer of '69" in front of whoever will have him. Point, Dublin, May 4; Odyssey, Belfast, May 5
AIR TRAFFIC
One of many next big things jostling for position in '07. The Hub, Dublin, Jan 23; Speakeasy, Belfast, Jan 24; Róisín Dubh, Galway, Jan 25; Whelan's, Dublin, Jan 26; Cyprus Avenue, Cork, Jan 27
BADLY DRAWN BOY
Will the excellent Born in the UK album mean an end to ramshackle gigs for Damon Gough? Will pigs fly? Olympia, Dublin, Feb 11; Mandela Hall, Belfast, Feb 12
BARENAKED LADIES
The Canucks are coming, provided they survive January's "Ships and Dip" cruise. Olympia, Dublin, Apr 10
BLOC PARTY
This show is already sold out ,so expect more dates and festival appearances to come as Bloc Party talk up new album Something for the Weekend. Ambassador, Dublin, Feb 16
MICHAEL BOLTON
It's the big, big voice rather than the big, big hair which Michael Bolton hopes people talk about these days. Vicar St, Dublin, Mar 14
BRAND NEW
New York emo showboaters plug their rowdy and raw new album, The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me. Tripod, Dublin, Feb 15
JOHN CALE
Velvet Underground founding member and his band hit town ahead of new live album, Circus Live. The Village, Dublin, Jan 19
CHILDLINE
The biggest and loudest pop party of the season is already sold out. The 10th anniversary bash will feature Westlife, Shayne Ward, McFly and dozens more. Point, Dublin, Feb 18
CHOICE MUSIC PRIZE
Last year, outside bet Julie Feeney got the Irish Album of the Year nod for 13 Songs and went on to bigger and better things, including a worldwide deal with Sony-BMG. Vicar St, Dublin, Feb 28
CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH
Touring soon-to-be-released second album, Some Loud Thunder. Make sure you get there early to see the excellent Cold War Kids. Tripod, Dublin, Feb 1
LLOYD COLE
Are you ready to be heartbroken? One of pop music's most articulate craftsmen sets up shop for two nights on Wexford Street. Whelan's, Dublin, Jan 28-29
THE DECEMBERISTS
Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert is a big fan of this lot and their light sabres. New album The Crane Wife comes out over here on Rough Trade in February. The Village, Dublin, Feb 3
DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND
Brassy funk from the New Orleans band whose brave reinterpretation of Marvin Gaye's classic What's Going On album posed plenty of questions about how Hurricane Katrina changed everything in their hometown. Village, Dublin, Mar 12
DUKE SPECIAL
Lengthy Irish spin for the vaudeville superhero. Ulster Hall, Belfast, Feb 28; Nerve Centre, Derry, Mar 1; Spirit Store, Dundalk, Mar 2; Cyprus Avenue, Cork, Mar 3; Róisín Dubh, Galway, Mar 5; Garter Lane, Waterford, Mar 7; Tripod, Dublin, Mar 8
BEN FOLDS
Time to Rock This Bitch with the pianoman. Vicar St, Dublin, Jan 21
BRYAN FERRY
The Marks & Spencer's model returns to the day-job. Vicar St, Dublin, Mar 24
THE 4 OF US
"Mary" and friends welcome. Spirit Store, Dundalk, Feb 16-17; Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Feb 22; Vicar St, Dublin, Feb 24
THE FRAMES
It will be interesting to see how The Cost performs abroad in 2007 for The Frames. Vicar St, Dublin, Jan 14
KERRANG! TOUR 2007
Metal merriment for the discontented members of your family with Biffy Clyro, The Bronx, The Audition and I Am Ghost. Mandela Hall, Belfast, Jan 11; Ambassador, Dublin, Jan 12
THE KILLERS
Let's hope that Brandon Flowers doesn't catch a chill before these two sold-out gigs. RDS, Dublin, Feb 27-28
SETH LAKEMAN
This new-school British folkie won plaudits from the Mercury Music Prize judges for his Kitty Jay album. Spring & Airbrake, Belfast, Mar 30; Whelan's, Dublin, Mar 31
RAY LAMONTAGE
The ex-shoe factory worker from Maine tours his fine new album, Till the Sun Turns Black. National Stadium, Dublin, Jan 17; Opera House, Cork, Jan 18; UCH, Limerick, Jan 19; Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Jan 20
DAVE MATTHEWS
The oddly popular Yankee jam-band man's solo shows are sold out. He returns with his band (The, er, Dave Matthews Band) to the Point on May 23rd. National Stadium, Dublin, Feb 26; The Waterfront, Belfast, Feb 27
SCOTT MATTHEWS
Wolverhampton singer-songwriter with the Jeff Buckley-like voice and Passing Stranger album. Whelan's, Dublin, Jan 17
METEOR AWARDS 2007
Featuring Pussycat Dolls, Director and The Blizzards, comedy MCs Podge, Rodge and Deirdre O'Kane, and gongs for, amongst others, Clannad (Lifetime Achievement Award) and Larry Gogan (All-Round Decent Human Being). Point, Dublin, Feb 1
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
Emo kingpins and their fans bring the noise to Dublin 4. RDS, Dublin, Apr 1
WILLIE NELSON
The country music outlaw with Sharon Shannon, Damien Dempsey and Edie Reader. Point, Dublin, Jan 19 & 20; Odyssey, Belfast, Jan 21
NME AWARDS INDIE RAVE TOUR
Bands shoved into this ridiculous new pigeonhole are Klaxons, the excellent CSS, The Sunshine Underground and New York Pony Club. Ambassador, Dublin, Feb 3; Mandela Hall, Belfast, Feb 4
NME AWARDS ROCK TOUR
The Automatic, The View, The Horrors and Mumm-Ra are the potential next big things flying the flag for the NME. Ulster Hall, Belfast, Jan 29; Ambassador, Dublin, Jan 30
NERINA PALLOT
Go along to see if she's written another Everybody's Gone to War. Spring & Airbrake, Belfast, Feb 3; The Village, Dublin, Feb 4
DOLLY PARTON
Four sell-outs for the rhinestone cowgirl. Odyssey, Belfast, Mar 30 & Apr 3; Greenglens, Millstreet, Co Cork, Mar 31; Point, Dublin, Apr 2
PUSSYCAT DOLLS
Where pop music meets raunch culture. Support from Def Jam's r'n'b princess Rihanna. Odyssey, Belfast, Jan 31; Point, Dublin, Feb 2
THE RAKES
Plucky London indie jingle-janglers play songs from their new album. Vicar St, Dublin, Mar 20
THE RAPTURE
Recently in town for a lame-ass corporate launch thingy, this gig will see less of the brands and more of the band behind House of Jealous Lovers. Tripod, Dublin, Mar 3
LIONEL RICHIE
His daughter may be making more headlines, but there are still people who want to go dancing on the ceiling with Lionel. Odyssey, Belfast, Mar 26-27; Point, Dublin, Mar 28
GRUFF RHYS
Solo tour from the Super Furry Animal. Vicar St, Dublin, March 31
SAXON
Still going strong after 25 years in weather-beaten denim and leather. Spring & Airbrake, Belfast, March 2; Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin, March 3 S
Heavyweight hip-hop face-off. Snoop has considerable live form, but the Diddyman should really stick to flogging perfume. Point, Dublin, Mar 31
SUGABABES
Pop with pouts aplenty. Point, Dublin, March 27; Waterfront Hall, Belfast, March 28
YANN TIERSEN
Frenchman best known over here for his lovely Amélie soundtrack. The Village, Dublin, Apr 21
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
Surprisingly, there are still tickets on sale for Mr SexyBack's second show in Belfast and for the outdoor show in Dublin. Odyssey, Belfast, Apr 24-25
LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III
The elder lemon of the Wainwright clan shows that Rufus and Martha don't necessarily have all the best songs. Waterfront, Belfast, May 4; UCH, Limerick, May 5; Olympia, Dublin, May 6
SHAYNE WARD
No, we didn't realise he was this popular either. Last year's X Factor winner shows the makers of You're a Star how it's really done. Point, Dublin, Jan 21-23; Arena, Millstreet, Co Cork, Jan 26-27; Odyssey, Belfast, Jan 29
THE WATERBOYS
Mike Scott and friends bring the big music around the land. Point, Dublin, Mar 18; UCH, Limerick, Mar 20; Radisson, Galway, Mar 21; Radisson, Sligo, Mar 23; Waterfront, Belfast, Mar 25
ROGER WATERS
You may well want to hear the Pink Floyder perform Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety, but do you want to shell out silly money for the privilege? Point, Dublin, May 14
WESTLIFE
Another 10-night run at the biggest shed in the capital for the most ruthless pop machine in the business. Odyssey, Belfast, Apr 13-16; Point, Dublin Apr 19-21, 23-24, 26-28, 30, May 1
AMY WINEHOUSE
Sassy, sexy and ever-so-slightly sozzled soul from the lady behind the fantastic Back to Black album. Ulster Hall, Belfast, Mar 1; Ambassador, Dublin, Mar 2
X FACTOR LIVE TOUR
Featuring the X Factor 2006 finalists. You know, the ones you'll have forgotten all about by the time these shows come around. Odyssey, Belfast, Mar 20; Point, Dublin, Mar 21
