Modes and rockers: The fashion victims of Paris have hit upon a new look - skinny jeans, Ramones T-shirts and Converse runners. They're also visiting the live music venues, which are becoming the hip nightspots of the French capital. Is this just a passing fad, or will French bands reap the rewards? Here's Housse de Racket with their current airplay hit, 'Oh Yeah'.

Two notable French acts at Dublin's electro-fest next weekend; legendary DJ Laurent Garnier and synth-shoegazer M83. The latter's single 'Kim And Jessie' is one of the best tracks of 2008 - here's its rollerskating video.

The cider house rules: some catchy disco-pop from the foothills of the Alps. Here's 'Radio' by a Grenoble duo who aren't ashamed of loving Boney M.

The 10 nominees have just been announced for the Prix Constantin, France's annual award for best album. Let's look through the contenders and try to pick a winner (i.e. jinx our clear favourite).

Some fine new French retro-tronica recalls the 1980s Gallic precursor of the Internet. Here's Minitel Rose and the video for 'Magic Powder'.

More of the same from the follicularly-flush French folkies. But that's a good thing, non? Here's the latest confection of honey-sweet heartbroken acoustica from Herman Dune, 'My Home Is Nowhere Without You'.

I capture the castle: More poor form from the French capital's football team, losing at home to humble Grenoble. Meanwhile, your blogger defies the right-wing PSG ultras and takes the home terrace. What a guy. To mark the event, here's Ravel's 'Bolero'.

Ooh la la, me hearties! The famous Paris floating venue has shed its pirate image and gone back to just being a boat with gigs in it. Oh well. The Mighty Stef is playing there this Sunday, though.

The main artery of the famous Left Bank, the Boulevard Saint Germain and its surrounding area was home to people like Django and Miles and Serge. Drawing on that illustrious heritage, here's some modern electronica from an act named after the place itself.

 Âme soeur: Some fine Gossip-esque funk-rock from six French ladies with a taste for the playfully provocative. Well, they're called Pussydelic. They're getting attention for their song "Dick For A Brain". And it's from their EP "Six, Sex And Sun". May contain swearing and scenes of derriere-kicking attitude.

Vivement dimanche: Dublin’s monthly musical rendez-vous is back! New venue… and a new day of the week.

Brittany spared! Incredibly, endangered French alternative music festival La Route du Rock shifts its ticket backlog and looks to have seen off its financial problems for the time being. A surge of interest in the Icelandic headliners is one of the factors. Live from La Route du Rock, watch Sigur Ros save the day.

Honour Blackman: In which your Paris correspondent has to come all the way back to sunny Eire just to hear some lovely French-style pop. From 'The Glove Thief', here's 'Eyes Closed' by Carly Sings.

Straight outta rockin’ Clermont-Ferrand, it’s more of that city’s lovely folk-pop sound. Naming yourself after a Dylan song is a bit extreme as penance, though.

Brittany fears: Only days before it opens, prestigious French indie festival La Route du Rock is rumoured to have around half its tickets still unsold. The organiser has admitted to financial problems. And the festival's website features a begging letter asking music fans for donations.

Abroad thoughts from home, instead of covering the tradfest in Brittany this week. Watch the Irish highlight of last year’s Interceltique festival, a live performance from Sinead O’Connor.

A French researcher claims that when your local wants to fill you with drink, it just needs to pump up the volume.

A preview of the French band's forthcoming album. "Twenty-One One Zero" reminds us of the States-slaying strategy of an Irish band. We're not keen on tracks with three-minute intros. Judge for yourself, though.

...but will Dublin hit back? Careful: the President of France is used to having his own anti-insult laws back home. Even his own son is not safe. And Neil Hannon had better not sing his Frenchiest song at an embassy soirée tomorrow night.

First they were afraid, they were petrified: Tonight all France will celebrate the tenth anniversary of its World Cup victory... by singing the trumpet break from "I Will Survive". Let us explain.

The last day of the Paris music festival was a pop and indie extravaganza, where home-grown heroes like Rhesus and Yelle held their own against The Ting Tings and Foals. Beth Ditto stole all the attention, of course: watch her and The Gossip live at Solidays.

V for victory: two storming performances at the first big festival of the French summer. Watch Vampire Weekend perform 'A-Punk' live at Solidays in Paris.