Villagers
IMRO New Sounds Stage – Sunday
Former Immediate man Conor O’Brien has bounced back impressively with his new Villagers project. Having recently supported Bell X1 in the UK, the Malahide group are putting together a much-anticipated debut album. If their live shows are anything to go by, we can expect a potent mixture of Radiohead-style drone rock and old-school indie.

Dark Room Notes
IMRO New Sounds Stage – Sunday
Cross Depeche Mode with Interpol and the results wouldn’t be all that far removed from Dark Room Note’s angsty chamber-rock. A critically lauded debut album has won them a huge MySpace following, but it’s in concert that the Galway-born, Dublin-based foursome really make sense.

Japanese Pop Stars
Oxegen Dance Arena – Friday
Feted by Groove Armada as the most thrilling newcomers in the electro scene, this Derry trio have lit up the genre, courtesy of a series of tasty remixes for Beyonce and others, plus a crackling debut album.

Codes
IMRO New Sounds Stage – Saturday
Recently signed to EMI, Codes take Muse’s Wagnerian rock blueprint and pour a whacking-great tub of electro-pop on top. Currently working on their next album, the Dublin outfit can be expected to road test some hot new songs during their Oxegen slot.

And So I Watch You From Afar
IMRO New Sounds Stage – Saturday
Post-rock had begun to sound like an increasingly exhausted genre of late – but Northerners ASIWYFA have put some balls back into it. Released to swooning reviews, their debut album is on its way to becoming a cult classic. On stage, meanwhile, they churn out a tooth rattling post-industrial din.

Republic Of Loose
Heineken Green Spheres – Friday
Mick Pryo was devastated after the death of his hero Michael Jackson – but he will have recovered sufficiently to lead his sprawling funk-pop ensemble into action at Oxegen, the scene of many of their previous triumphs. Miss 'em at your peril!

The Script
Main Stage – Friday
When was the last time an Irish band playing unabashedly commercial chart music managed to make a global impact and cross over into the rock arena? For that alone, we should be cheering them on – but the truth is that they make a very catchy noise indeed that'll likely find you unconsciously humming one of their hits the following morning.

Duke Special
Oxegen Stage 2 – Friday
And the award for best dreadlocks goes to... Belfast piano-man Duke Special, who has successfully crossed over into the mainstream these past 18 months. Renowned for his wacky hair and penchant for hefting a crackling gramophone on stage, he’s lately been reborn successfully as a classic songsmith somewhere between Rufus Wainwright and a crusty Elton John.

Fight Like Apes
Oxegen Stage 2 – Friday
Dublin pop-tarts Fight Like Apes have won the heart of the indie nation. They kick up a fearsome ruckus in concert, and madcap onstage antics from frontwoman MayKay are guaranteed. Dull their performance will certainly not be!

Heathers
IMRO New Sounds Stage – Friday
Granted, they are capable of sounding uncannily like Tegan and Sara. But since when was that a flogging offence? Non-stop touring in Ireland and the US has won the impressive Heathers a growing fanbase. With a second album on the way, things are surely starting to happen for Dublin twins Louise and Ellie McNamara.

The Blizzards
Main Stage – Saturday
Fresh from opening for AC/DC at this very same venue and supporting Oasis at Slane, punk-pop kingpins The Blizzards return to the fray, deterined to furnish fans with yet more bubble-gum thrills. Having triumphed at Oxegen last year, there’s no denying Niall Breslin and company know how to hold the attention of a huge open-air audience. Watch 'em go!