Guardian Music — (IML)Billy Connolly once called the Dubliners "folk music's Rolling Stones", but the rousing wild men of the Irish traditional scene sadly never reached their 50th anniversary in the same lucrative style. The death of Barney McKenna earlier this yea... more info

Guardian Music — Twelve years after it first began, the Longplayer is only beginning its thousand-year voyage. Join us on Monday to watch Caitlin Moran and John Lanchester discuss the mindbending implications of this extraordinary musical eventAt midnight on the 31st... 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

The Independent — Festive favourite "The Fairytale Of New York" is back in the charts 25 years after it was first released. more info

ContactMusic — The Pogues frontman Shane Macgowan has revealed ghosts help him write his hits.The boozy singer has confessed he often sees dead people - and they... more info

ContactMusic — Irish rocker Shane Macgowan is turning his back on touring after growing tired of life on the road.The Pogues frontman is a prolific live performer... 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 — She first saw Kirsty on TV when she was nine, but the penny dropped for Jude Rogers in her 20sHer name got me first – Kirsty. It was such an ordinary name, much more suitable for girls in my school than people on Top of the Pops. But there she was:... more info

Guardian Music — Twice a week we invite independent bloggers to tell us about what they do. Today, a site from a UK old-school romanticistWho are you and what's your blog called?I'm Steve Worrall and the blog is called Retro Man.Where are you based?The UK.Describe yo... 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