Rock

Party like it's 1999? Only if we can find a heckuva lot more acts for this year's concert calendar. The gig horizon appears a little hazy, with Celine Dion at Croke Park the only major outdoor event confirmed for summer (May 27th). However, the main concert promoters in Ireland, MCD and Concerts South, have already confirmed a number of shows for the early part of the year, and they'll surely announce more major gigs later. By summer we could be queuing for tickets to R.E.M. and The Rolling Stones, both of whom are performing in Europe and may well make a stopover on these shores.

Meanwhile, we should remind ourselves how lucky we are: some of us can remember a time when even the prospect of a visit by Dumpy's Rusty Nuts would have filled us with feverish anticipation. At least this month is busy, with three sold-out shows by The Corrs (Kings Hall, Belfast, January 14th; Point, Dublin, January 15th and 16th). Shirley Manson from Garbage will be snarling her way through songs such as Supervixen, Stupid Girl and Push It (Point, Dublin, January 14th). Scots singer Manson is backed by three studio dogs from Wisconsin, their live skills honed to deadly effect by constant touring. Prepare for something special.

Robbie Williams, right, has risen to glory in the past year, following a rather shaky spell. Robbo has sold out three nights in Dublin (Point, January 28th-30th) and two in Belfast (Kings Hall, February 1st and Waterfront, February 2nd). Childline's annual array of teeny-pop stars (Point, Dublin, January 23rd) features British boy band sensations 5ive and 911, plus new Irish hopefuls, Westside. Completing the bill are Gary Barlow, Kerri-Ann, Honeyz, Kele Le Roc, Dustin The Turkey, Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately and Denise Van Outen, but since most of the acts will be singing over a backing tape, think of it not as a concert but as a chance for the kids to see their heroes and help a good cause. February brings the return of the ever-popular Neil Diamond, who plays six shows in Dublin (Point, February 11th-14th, 16th and 17th).

Also on the way is the much-loved musical, Les Miserables, which begins an extended run at the Point from February 25th. Then there's Liverpool popsters Space (Leisureland, Galway, February 8th) and Placebo, led by the gender-bending Brian Molko (SFX, February 13th). Ian Brown is out of jail now, in time to perform his Dublin gig (Olympia, March 12th), while Meat Loaf goes back into hell for another big, blustery rock extravaganza (RDS, March 20th). Gary Barlow plays his own rescheduled gig at the Point (April 18th), and The Beautiful South headline the Heineken Green Energy Festival at Dublin Castle (May 2nd). All Saints play two shows in Dublin's Point Theatre (May 31st and June 1st), provided they don't disband acrimoniously in the meantime, and the devilishly dapper Cliff Richard, who recently fooled radio stations into playing his new single by using a false name, also plays two nights at the Point (June 7th and 8th). Rumours that he's booked the gigs under the pseudonym of Dumpy's Rusty Nuts in order to sell more tickets are completely unfounded. Stay tuned for updates on Grungebucket's big gig on O'Connell Street to unveil the new Stiffy By The Liffey monument.