Damon Albarn’s solo debut and chart-topping duo Royal Blood heads the shortlist for this year’s Barclaycard Mercury Prize.

IN ITS 35 years, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has grown and broadened so far beyond its roots that it’s possible most years to preview it on two fronts: from the point of view of the jazz aficionado, and the perspective of the general music fan.

Tens of thousands of music fans are already salivating at the prospect of the line up for the forthcoming Cork Guinness Jazz Festival, which will include top acts like English saxophone legend Courtney Pine and the show-stopping Chic.

English band Elbow are celebrating today after being announced winners of this year's Nationwide Mercury Prize.

Radiohead, Robert Plant and Estelle have made it to the shortlist for the 2008 Mercury Music Prize.