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1. Axis Of – Brobdingnagian
Yes, we would have preferred if they’d submitted the heroically titled ‘Swine Flu vs Bird Flu’, but let’s not fall out with Axis Of over that. Hardcore to their hardened cores, the Portstewart trio wished us all an angry new year by releasing the pot-boiling ‘Brobdingnagian’ way back in January. But while 2010 has got steadily worse, they’ve only got better and better.

2. Pocket Billiards – Dirty Money
You might imagine that, in a list of things the world really doesn’t need any more of right now, punk/ska bands come in just below devalued currencies, rapacious oil companies and, wrong-headed military expeditions. Wrong. The exception are Pocket Billiards. A nine strong mob of Special Brew balladeers and wonderfully low-rent laureates – they’re 2-Tone, but (as the superb ‘Dirty Money’ proves) in a multi-coloured way.

3. More Than Conquerors
Home Is A Red Dress
Nice boys, nice fringes, nice smudgy riffs and choruses – if by the year’s end, More Than Conquerors haven’t provided the backing for a dramatic climax in Misfits, or been romantically linked with a Geldof (not Bob), the world is indeed couped.

4. Key Of Atlas – Someone Help Me
This lot can write hooks that don’t lodge in your brain – they positively infest it. But, much as we love ‘Someone Help Me’, let’s hope you don’t – out of necessity – have to sing it too loudly in the field.

5. General Fiasco
We Are The Foolish
(from the album Buildings)
So close to home are General Fiasco when they play Glasgowbury, they probably travelled further on afternoons when they beaked off school. Expect, then, a rousing home-town reception for the power pop tyros to celebrate the success of their superb debut LP, Buildings. ‘We Are The Foolish’ is a great taster...

6. Panama Kings – Children
No longer Henry, but not yet Lear, Panama Kings have enjoyed a cosy reign over parts of the Belfast music scene for quite some time now. A stirring introduction, ‘Children’, their first single, remains their finest moment.

7. GASCAN RUCKUS– The Govenor
From Middletown of all places, on the evidence provided by ‘The Govenor’, Gascan Ruckus are capable of whipping up a black death scale racket that strays well away from the middle of the road. Fearsome stuff.

8. LaFaro – Atlantic
Who let this lot in? Swaggering tall after the success of their disgracefully good (self-titled) debut LP, just think of the damage Messrs Black and co could inflict on all those innocent, impressionable young minds in the Glasgowbury crowd. Be warned: it’s going to get gloriously messy. ‘Atlantic’ is a brilliant, buzzing, grungy introduction.

9. Fighting With Wire
Into The Ground
Glasgowbury stalwarts and all-round Northern noisenik legends, on the evidence of the superb ‘Into The Ground’, FWW show no signs of either slowing or quietening down. The Derry lads’ can-do spirit is a perfect fit with Mr Glasgow’s annual shindig. So much so, that Cahir and co have already been booked for the 40th anniversary.

10. The Wonder Villains – Space Jam
Fresh-faced, Derry-born, electro-indie pranksters, The Wonder Villains are just the kind of two boy/two girl act who’ll get your feet moving and the crowd jumping at a festival. ‘Space Jam’ is a glorious teeming pop gem that could yet storm global charts...

11. Joe Echo
The Heart That Knows Desire
Psst: Let’s start a rumour. Joe Echo? He’s that multi-talented, big-voiced guy who writes with Madonna, isn’t he? And Madonna plays live to big crowds. And she’s always going on about Draperstown in her interviews. Isn’t she? Psst: Two words: Special. Guest. Psst. Listen to ‘The Heart That Knows Desire’. Joe doesn’t need any back-up. Psst. You’re right. It’s rockin’.

12. Cashier No 9 – Lost At Sea
Their brilliant new, David Holmes-produced album will see Danny Todd and co lift off into the upper reaches of a folk-infused-baggydelic cosmos. If you remain unfamiliar with their oeuvre, there’s no better place to start than the wonderful, reverb-drenched ‘Lost At Sea’, which boasts a brilliant arrangement that would be entirely at home on a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack.

13. The Last Tycoons – Speed
It’s street gang chic, trebly guitars and sweet slide a-go-go for Dublin’s Last Tycoons, who remain one of the most impressive songwriting bands of the current generation of Irish hopefuls. And yes, ‘Speed’ does what it says on the tin in a superbly Doors meets the Rolling Stones kinda way. This fucking rocks!

14. The Lowly Knights – Miracle
Now shorn of their once newsworthy choir, you’ll be relieved to know that the Slimfast version of TLN is still more than capable of conjuring up moments of sky-high elation. Calling a song ‘Miracle’ leaves a band a hostage to fortune. Thankfully, this almost is one. Brilliantly melodic and urgent, with staccato riffs and layered vocals powering it along, it’s a fine thing indeed.

15. John, Shelly & The Creatures Long May You Reign
You’ll know this one already. From the excellent album Dinosaur, the brilliant ‘Long May You Reign’ has been used all year as the bedding on ads for the NI Tourist Board. So no excuses now for not singing along.

16. Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchiladas – Barefoot In Verona
Formerly with one-time gonnabees The Screaming Bin Lids and The Whole Tribe Sings, ace songwriter Paddy Nash is now carving a reputation for himself in a new guise, leading the countrified Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchiladas. Featuring Diane Greer on vocals, the warm and lovely ‘Barefoot In Verona’ comes on like a novella you can whistle along to.

17. Captain Kennedy
Stretch That Penny
If The Big Pink had been situated in Belfast’s Holy Lands, Lurgan outfit Captain Kennedy (who take their name from a Neil Young song) would be the (mad)house band. Think this otherwise brilliant compilation is missing a Credit Crunch anthem? Hey Presto – here it is. And quite extraordinary it is too, a lovely slice of Americana that reeks of authenticity.

18. Henrietta Game – The Last Thing
Southern folkies and JD Set finalists, the two boys and two girls of Henrietta Game bring proceedings to a lovely, evocative, moody close with the string-drenched ‘The Last Thing’. It’s a fine way to end, capturing the potential of a wonderfully adventurous outfit in fine style.