Guardian Music — Son of Rogue's Gallery, a compilation of songs from the seafaring tradition, will feature a grizzled crew including Keith Richards, Michael Stipe, Nick Cave and Shane MacGowanIggy Pop, Patti Smith, Tom Waits and the Pogues' Shane MacGowan are among t... more info

Guardian Music — Dorian Lynskey chooses the best music books in what's been a vintage yearIn his memoir Waging Heavy Peace (Penguin), Neil Young has some sound advice for his guitar-slinging peers. "Writing is very convenient, has a low expense and is a great way to... more info

Guardian Music — She wrote incisive lyrics, sang exquisite harmonies and graced arguably the greatest Christmas single ever. Yet Kirsty MacColl has somehow been erased from the story of British pop. Will the re-release of her first four albums finally change that?Nex... more info

Guardian Music — The music blogger picks the songs that mean the most to him as part of our Six Songs of Me projectI'm Andy from The Von Pip Musical Express; an award winning music blog, bringing together the best new music, interviews, reviews and free downloads. We... more info

Guardian Music — This week's playlist slaked a major thirst for beer in song, be it sad, profound, lost or bellowingRR commenter Pairubu, who suggested this topic, sings the praises of beer, "the most convivial of drinks". Yet our request last week for your favourite... more info

Guardian Music — A memoir of the Pogues and their self-destructive frontmanLast year, the interiors magazine Livingetc offered its readers a feature on Christmas decorations. One suggestion was that they fix a chalkboard sticker to the wall and write festive lyrics o... more info

Guardian Music — The hard rocker has handpicked a veteran Dutch post-punk group to open for him at Hammersmith. Is this the strangest support choice ever?Sometimes, even in music, it's wiser to go with your head than your heart. The big romantic gesture is all very w... more info

Guardian Music — Regular host Alexis Petridis is somewhere across the Atlantic this week, so Kieran Yatesis joined by Michael Hann, who exclusively reveals what he used to wear at funk gigs as a young man. Jude Rogers is our guest.James Fearnely, accordion player fo... more info

Guardian Music — Finally, a folk troupe whose bonhomie doesn't make us wretch. Think of them as the Pogues with good teethHometown: London.The lineup: Daniel Heptinstall (songwriter, vocals, stomp box, acoustic guitar), Lorna Thomas (vocals, ukelele), Maxwell Thomas ... more info

Guardian Music — City Halls, GlasgowWhat a pity we don't hear Richard Ayres in the UK more often. Since moving to the Netherlands in the late 80s – he went to study with Louis Andriessen and ended up staying – he has made his musical home on the continent, but re... more info