Live and kicking year ahead

HAPPY New Year y'all! I trust your festive season was as much fun as mine. How's the sore head?

The parties may be over for just now, but there are still plenty of reasons to celebrate the forthcoming 12 months.

As well as a ton of new releases about to hit the shelves and download sites soon, my appetite is ripe for a year of gigs, events and festivals. So let me throw a few ideas into the air for you, so you can plan and book your tickets.

How about this hat-trick for starters? Franz Ferdinand are waiting in the wings for an imminent album release, and will be playing Edinburgh on January 14 and Glasgow in March. Plus, 2008 heroes Glasvegas have two shows in Glasgow this month AND Dundee songsmiths The View hit the road in February for live carnage. Awesome!

On the festival front, I'll be kicking things off by heading to Austin, Texas, for the awesome South By South West gig-a-thon in March.

Loads of Scottish bands will be showcasing their wares, including legends such as Primal Scream, The Vaselines and The Proclaimers, as well as newer acts like Dananananaykroyd, Twin Atlantic, We Were Promised Jetpacks and Broken Records.

On my return, I'll be hot-footing it to the slightly less hectic East Neuk of Fife, for the Fence Records annual Homegame, when their friends and family gather in Anstruther under the watchful eyes of King Creosote and James Yorkston.

The new Hinterland event has announced its arrival at the end of April in Glasgow. It plans to link local bands and artists over two days and the bill looks good so far.

As we move further into 2009, Rock Ness looms on the horizon, with the inspired booking of Ayrshire's Biffy Clyro as headliners simply adding to an already incredible two days of fun.

The unstoppable T In The Park will have another world-beating line-up which I very much look forward to, while Belladrum, Hydro-Connect and Loopallu will cater for the more boutique festival needs.

I've only just scratched the surface here - but you have to admit it does look good, doesn't it?

It certainly gives us a good cause to shake off those hangovers, head into the gym and get ready for another year of wicked live music.