The global economic crisis became a lot more personal for Key Notes this week.

Key Notes reports on an entertaining, if wet, final day of HWCH 2008.

Key Notes, like certain royalty, has two birthdays, one of which he celebrated this week. To help mark the occasion, Key Notes was joined by 11 of his nearest and dearest as he experienced the sights and sounds of day two of HWCH 2008.

Key Notes takes a look at the first day of Ireland's only music festival dedicated to Irish bands.

A very special edition of Key Note Speaker sees your blogger in conversation with Brian Carroll, organiser and indeed founder of Hard Working Class Heroes.  The 2008 event takes place this coming weekend (September 12-14) and some tickets are still available from here.

Favourite Albums from the Past Year? One of my favourite albums from the past year has been Cut Copy's In Ghost Colours (and I actually have the pleasure of tour managing these guys). Dan Whitford’s song writing is so masterful especially on this record, and it translates so well live - I should know i've seen them about 100 times!! Another record from this year I love is MGMT's Oracular Spectacular. I know I will love this record for the rest of my life!...

The second in an infrequent series that see's Key Notes take a peek at the more interesting Irish inde music videos.

Key Notes is not the type of person to say 'I told you so' and this morning is no different.  The demise of State magazine, though worryingly predictable, is of course a bad thing for the people involved, but not for the music reading public.  While State was in print, Key Notes took the unusual step of buying both it and Hot Press to judge the two side by side.  There is no doubt that Hot Press upped it's game, but in fairness, when an 'Indie music magazine' decides to put ABBA on the cover or run a full length feature on Justin Timberlake, they are essentially...

Key Notes continues his guide to this Summers festivals with a look at the award winning Cois Fharraige

As he continues his guide to this years music festivals, Key Notes takes a look at Electric Picnic.

With thanks once again to Leah in Urchin PR and Foggy Notions; Key Notes has two double passes to give away for Little Wings who will take to the stage Upstairs in Whelan's on Wednesday August 13th.

Little Wings is Kyle Field and whatever musicians and musical instruments cross his path as he makes his merry way through venues singing songs that flip-flop between old school country and low-fi electronica.  Field himself describes Little Wings as 'an ever-changing art project...

Key Notes favourite festival of the year returns this September 12th-14th.  The list of Irish bands performing was announced today.

This edition of Key Note Speaker see's Dudley, Mark and Joss from The Dudley Corporation take time out from promoting their latest album, Year of the Husband, to provide you with an insight into their musical, literary and visual tastes.

Favourite Songs from the Past Year Joss Meshuggah - Bleed Boris - My Neighbour Satan Dudley  Goblin Cock - We got a bleeder! (unreleased) Mark  Wilco - Either Way The New Pornographers - All The Old Showstoppers The Melvins - Billy Fish The Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock - The Spook

Favourite Song Ever Joss Today it's any one of: Richard Harris - McArthur Park Drive Like Jehu - Luau Erkin Koray - arlı Dağlar Blonde...

Mercury Music Prize: In approximately 30 minutes the nominees for the 2008 Mercury Music Prize will be announced. Lot's of speculation here and here as to who will get the nod.  While Key Notes isn't a fan of every album on the list below, he will eat his virtual hat if at least 50% of them are not included:

Radiohead - In Rainbows

The Last Shadow Puppets...

Key Notes enjoyed his first working Oxegen, but wonders why people seem to let his opinion stand in the way of their own memories.

In what can only be described as a clear attempt to shut down the interweb, nialler9 has posed an interesting challenge where you list your favourite record from every year you've been alive.  It's geektastic but Key Notes found it a rewarding exercise.

This edition features Daragh Anderson of Codes, who has taken time out from a busy schedule that includes gigs in London, The Academy and Oxegen, to become the Sixth Key Note Speaker.

Favourite Songs from the Past Year Radiohead - All I Need M83 - We Own The Sky Idiot Pilot - In Record Shape Unkle - Keys To The Kingdom MGMT...

In the first in a series of blogs in which he previews upcoming Irish music festivals, Key Notes looks ahead to Oxegen. The festival, which takes place between July 10 and July 13, will be a four day event for the first time in its history.

More free gig tickets from Key Notes

'Just living another day has always felt like some kind of success to me' writes Mark Oliver Everett in Things the Grandchildren Should Know, the greatest rock and roll story Key Notes has ever read.

Key Notes gives you the chance to win tickets to see Dan Deacon in Vicar Street on Saturday June 14th

Key Notes today launches a new series that will focus on music videos made by Irish artists.

Key Notes celebrates its first birthday tomorrow and to mark the occasion its author, Steven O'Rourke, will forgo his usual habit of speaking in the third person and will answer his own questions in a very 'special' edition of Key Note Speaker.

Key Notes is more excited than Hugh Hefner after a shipment of little blue pills as Manchester United get set to face up to Chelsea in the Champions League Final.

Key Notes attempts to explain why, despite what people might think, there is no such thing as right and wrong when it comes to reviewing music.