With just over two weeks to go until Oxegen 2009 starts, Key Notes has a very simple message for festival goers and it's a lesson he learned over 10 years in the Scouts; be prepared.

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 9 and July 12, remains a four day event, following the successful introduction of an extra day last year.

The final list might not be his cup of tea, but it's fair to say that the CLUAS top 50 Irish albums of the past decade accurately reflect the opinions of the CLUAS writing universe, who, in turn, represent a fair cross section of the Irish listening public.

Thanks to Forever Presents, Key Notes has a double pass to give away for Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs this Thursday, May 28, in Andrew's Lane Theatre.

Key Notes attends the launch of the latest batch of NYU Tisch/Hot Press videos.

Key Notes has teamed up with MCD to offer you the chance to win tickets to see Casio Kids.

At the Oliver Cole gig on Saturday evening, Key Notes found himself in the unusual position of being in front of the stage.  However, it did mean he could get his hands on several of the nights set list's.  They make for some, erm, interesting reading.

Key Notes looks at the line up for Castle Palooza, announced yesterday, and can't help but be excited about the current state of the Irish indie scene.

Key Notes' countdown of his favourite Irish albums returns with a look at Damien Rice's debut record, O.

In this edition, Key Notes talks about Groom, a band that he, sadly, hadn't heard of until last month, but now can't get enough of.

Once again, Key Notes is offering you the chance to beat the recession by seeing some of Dublin's best gigs for free.  This week he has two double passes for Matt Elliot to give away.

Key Notes and Forever Presents team up to give away two double passes for A Place To Bury Strangers in Whelan's on March 31.

In this interview, a CLUAS first, Key Notes talks to Dave Kennedy of Road Records about the news that the store may soon have to close and the efforts being made to try and save it.

Key Notes today attended the launch of OXEGEN 2009 where it was announced that Pet Shop Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Jane's Addiction and Glasvegas were to be added to the line up.

The first in an irregular series, Key Notes takes a look at bands who, having produced interesting or innovative music early in their careers, are now so middle of the road that they're in danger of being knocked down.  Kings of Leon feature in this first edition.

February 27th sees The Academy host the 'Inspirations - Gig of the Year' in aid of Barretstown.

If the Choice Music Prize is the Irish version of the Mercury Music Prize then the Meteor Music Awards are our very own version of Liverpool FC, i.e. predictable and boring.

Key Notes, after a prolonged absence, is back with a look at what's happened over Christmas and the New Year in the world of Irish music.

Made From Sand, the debut album from Alphastates, comes in at number 8 in Key Notes' countdown of his favourite Irish albums.

Number 9 in the countdown of his favourtie Irish albums is Microdisney's The Clock Comes Down The Stairs.

Key Notes looks at his 10 favourite Irish albums starting with Roisin Murphy's Overpowered

Key Notes has been chosen as the release outlet for Laid Open, the fifth track made available by Escape Act in their innovative release strategy for debut album, Loosely Based on Fiction

Indiecater, the digital label offshoot of mp3hugger, has begun reissuing classic forgotten albums and Key Notes, for one, rejoices.

The final part of his two part Rocktober series sees Key Notes examine some of the international artists that will be visiting Ireland this month.