Nineteen seventy nine: new possibilities are offered, people grew up, got older, sometimes wiser. Others refused to grow up, still finding safety in numbers.

Looking back there was some excellent music made. Here in Ireland we saw The Rats hit number one, the Radiators released their second LP, Horslips began to receive the kind of success they have long sought after. New names like U2, The Atrix and D.C. Nien emerged. We have the technology, do we have the audiences or do we still have to have our successes British-approved. Could any radically different music survive – how would a home grown pop group be received?

These are just a few questions; the coming decade may provide some answers. The overall outlook we’re told is bleak.

It doesn’t have to be, there is always hope.