DUBLIN band Villagers have been included on the shortlist for this year’s Mercury Prize.

Chart veteran Paul Weller was today shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize for the first time in 16 years – and will battle it out with past winner Dizzee Rascal.

Music fans at the T in the Park festival were praised today for their “vibrant” spirits.

Corinne Bailey Rae was honoured to perform at this year's Glastonbury.

US President Barack Obama and his family were bouncing in their seats at a White House tribute concert for former Beatle Paul McCartney.

US ACTOR-DIRECTOR Sean Penn, who this year is head of the Cannes festival jury, comes to the film extravaganza bringing his own romantic plot.

Amy Winehouse has accrued an estimated wealth of £10m (€12.5m), it was revealed today.

British singer Corinne Bailey Rae bid farewell to her musician husband Jason Rae at a funeral service in Leeds, England on Wednesday.

The inquest into the death of the husband of singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae will open tomorrow, police said today.

Singer Corinne Bailey Rae is said to be devastated after her husband was found dead from a suspected drugs overdose.

The husband of singer Corinne Bailey Rae has been found dead from a suspected overdose, sources said today.

The world must not grow complacent about Aids because the number of new HIV infections still outpaces the number of those being treated for the disease, former South African President Nelson Mandela said.

Troubled singer Amy Winehouse was the star and the flop of last night’s music awards.

Two music award ceremonies are going ahead tonight – without their biggest star.

Crowds began pouring into Wembley Stadium for the London leg of the seven-continent Live Earth concerts today.

Annie Lennox, Corinne Bailey Rae and James Morrison are to headline a London concert calling for global peace.

MADONNA, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Razorlight are among the acts taking to the stage for a star-studded concert at Wembley Stadium to highlight the threat of climate change, it was announced yesterday.

Madonna, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Razorlight are among the acts taking to the stage for a star-studded concert at the new Wembley Stadium to highlight the threat of climate change, it was announced today.

TAKE THAT returned to the limelight at last night’s Brit Awards, getting the plaudits for Best British Single thanks to viewers’ votes for their comeback track Patience.

The Brits, the biggest awards ceremony in Britain’s music calendar, take place tonight with Lily Allen expected to be the star of the show.

Lily Allen has hit out at her Brit Awards rival Corinne Bailey Rae, insisting the Put Your Records On star is "a bit boring".

COUNTRY music outcasts The Dixie Chicks, who jeopardised their career by criticising US President George W Bush, won all five Grammy Awards for which they were nominated, including the coveted album of the year.

Corinne Bailey Rae has seen her debut album shoot up the US charts following an appearance on Oprah Winfrey's TV show.

LILY ALLEN leads the nominations for the Brit Awards.

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

Movie musical Dreamgirls looks set to steal the major accolades at the 38th NAACP Image Awards after landing seven nominations yesterday.

James Blunt and Corinne Bailey Rae are among those tipped to be named Grammy Award nominees at a US ceremony to announce shortlisters later today. Rae is also expected to attend the announcement ceremony.

Arctic Monkeys and Oasis were double winners at the Q Awards today.

Mercury Prize-winners Arctic Monkeys are leading the nominations for this year's hotly anticipated Q music awards, with nods in an impressive four categories.

A 22-year-old north London rapper followed in the footsteps of his older sister, Ms Dynamite, by bagging a Mobo award.

R&B superstar Beyonce Knowles leads the nominations for the UK's Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards with mentions in four categories.

Singer Corinne Bailey Rae has been nominated for three Mobo Awards.

Music veteran Elton John and newcomer Corinne Bailey Rae were among the winners at the Mojo music awards.

Magician Paul Daniels and his wife and assistant Debbie McGee became the first celebrity crooners to be voted off the new X Factor show tonight.

Here are the names from the world of music which industry experts predict will be on everyone’s lips in 2006.