Here are five news stories which we think you won't be able to avoid in 2009.

Live music's haves and have-nots

On one hand, there are the superstars such as Chris Brown, The Killers, Oasis and AC/DC selling out shows. On the other hand, the slump in the market for smaller shows will continue, with more cancellations due to "unforeseen circumstances" and acts downsizing their touring commitments.

Trouble for record labels

As if things weren't bad enough, indie labels have had a couple of horrendous months, with distribution giants Pinnacle and EUK getting into difficulties. While some labels will

continue to do business in a new download- friendly era, others simply will not be able to make ends meet and will stop recording and releasing acts.

More bands quitting their labels

As the likes of Supergrass and Radiohead have shown, you don't really need a record company once you've used that label's muscle and money to establish your audience base. Expect to see even more established acts jumping ship in 2009.

The ever-shrinking retail sector

Zavvi, the chain formerly known as the Virgin Megastores, went into administration on Christmas Eve, though the chain's 11 stores in Ireland are not directly affected by this move. Meanwhile, those independent shops that are still commendably in business will continue to feel the pinch as the volume of physical sales maintains a steady decline.

U2 "We want 2009 to be our year," Bono said in an interview with U2.com last year, "so we're going to start making an impression very early on." Make no bones about it, you won't be able to avoid the Dubliners in '09 with No Line On the Horizon(released on February 27th) and a lengthy world tour, which will presumably enable new partners Live Nation to begin recouping its investment in the band. Let's hope the album will be as good as the promotional and marketing campaign behind it.