Our regular contributors select their highlights of the year.

With a Congolese heritage and a penchant for electronic r’n’b, Dublin singer Soulé is being hailed as one of the leading lights of an emerging scene in Ireland, writes Ed Power

Campsites at Electric Picnic are due to open soon (9am) for tens of thousands of festival fans.

MUSIC NEWS: Despite still being in the midst of an extensive Joshua Tree tour, U2’s release of a new song earlier this week shows the band are not planning to stand still any time soon.

Des O’Driscoll looks through the highlights of what’s on the telly this week. 

Strictly Come Dancing scored a further ratings victory last night as it beat rival The X Factor for a second night running.

Pop star Frankie Bridge stormed to the top of the chart on Strictly Come Dancing as she achieved the highest score of this year’s new celebrity contestants.

The first of the X-Factor’s live shows this year hit our screens at 8pm with an 80s night, testing the new performer’s nerves in front of a live audience of millions.

Jessie J won't strip off in her new video with Robin Thicke.

Lindsay Lohan allegedly had a lover in rehab.

IN DUBLIN, the curtain has fallen on another Absolut Fringe festival.

Cissy Houston’s tribute to her late daughter was the emotional highlight of the BET Awards, a show that was defined by extended bleeps and the vulgarities that censors failed to catch on stage throughout the night.

Chaka Khan believes it was “insane” to hold a party the same night Whitney Houston died.

The world of music was in mourning today after the sudden death of Whitney Houston at the age of 48.

Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, has died. She was 48.

50 Cent is collaborating with Chaka Khan.

Pop princess Kylie Minogue is to play her only UK show of the year as one of the headliners at Radio 2’s tribute to Abba, it was announced today.

Amy Winehouse was forced to abandon a comeback gig in St Lucia after torrential rain hit the island, her spokesman said today.

Amy Winehouse described it as an “honour” to be playing St Lucia’s jazz festival today, as a reward for the locals who have welcomed her.

Jennifer Hudson has postponed a string of dates on her US tour after falling ill with a throat infection.

Singer Chaka Khan has been awarded a lifetime achievement prize by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

SINGER Amy Winehouse won five Grammy awards, including record and song of the year for her autobiographical hit Rehab.

Singing legend Liza Minnelli nad David Gest's long-running divorce battle with finally come to an end this week.

Soul legend Chaka Khan launched a new charity initiative aimed at paying for a select group of kids' college tuition.

Fans planning to attend the New Year's Eve performance by late musical legend James Brown have been offered a replacement line-up by event promoters.

Actor-singer Jamie Foxx, R&B songbird Mary J Blige, crooner Chris Brown and rapper T.I. topped their performances at the BET Awards early today by taking home trophies.

Scissor Sisters led the winners at the UK music industry's Brit Awards last night, walking off with three prizes.

Disco star Chaka Khan is desperate to record a duet with fellow legend Stevie Wonder.

Three members of girl band All Saints are set to reunite to record a track for the Asian tsunami appeal.

Held for the first time in Miami, the city of skin, the MTV Video Music Awards was sizzling, energetic and colourful – yet tame, by MTV standards.

Liza Minnelli's divorce from David Gest is set to take a back seat while his $10m (€8.2m) civil claim against her for physical abuse is settled.

Ray Charles, a talent who erased musical boundaries between the sacred and the secular with hits such as “What’d I Say”, “Georgia on My Mind” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” died at age 73.

RAY CHARLES, the Grammy-winning blues singer who blended gospel and blues in classics such as What'd I Say, Hit the Road, Jack, and heartfelt ballads like Georgia on My Mind, died yesterday. He was 73.

Ray Charles, the Grammy-winning crooner who blended gospel and blues in classics such as “What’d I Say” and heartfelt ballads like “Georgia on My Mind,” died today. He was 73.

Liza Minnelli is taking her fourth trip down the aisle as she marries producer David Gest at a star-studded New York wedding.

Liza Minnelli is taking her fourth trip down the aisle as she marries producer David Gest at a star-studded New York wedding.

Some of Hollywood's biggest names face being searched before being allowed inside the church where Liza Minnelli is to be married.

Some of the artists performing at Liza Minnelli's wedding have been announced.