Spirit Store, Dundalk

Kentucky songwriter Sturgill Simpson plays the Kilkenny Roots Festival, reports Gerry Quinn.

KILKENNY is gearing up for the 15th Smithwick’s Rhythm and Roots music festival this May bank holiday weekend.

Eminem’s “Recovery” was made complete as the Recording Academy nominated the resurgent rapper for 10 awards, including the biggest prizes: album, song, and record of the year.

Anne Hathaway is planning the songs she wants played at her wedding, after watching her gay brother marry his longterm boyfriend.

Pop newcomer Lily Allen leads the nominations for the Brit Awards, which were announced tonight.

FESTIVAL revellers across the south-east are gearing up for the Kilkenny Source Festival tomorrow, a massive concert weekend which sees Bob Dylan return to the region for the second time.

The running order for the Kilkenny Source Festival in Nowlan Park this Saturday has been announced.

FESTIVAL revellers looking forward to the gig of the summer in the south-east next weekend can now look forward to bopping to Mundy, one of the acts at the long-awaited Bob Dylan gig.

Music fans will be trooping to Kilkenny the weekend after next, to see Bob Dylan, Mundy, The Flaming Lips, Violent Femmes and Ray LaMontagne in action.

UK media group Chrysalis today said listeners defected from its radio arm in the final quarter of 2004, but claimed the worst of a downturn in advertising was over.