The Readers' Poll 2009 Edition - it's our Obama moment - with New Years Eve finally being consigned to the past, we can finally ask WHAT were your favourites of 2008? Did Damien Dempsey's New Year's Eve gig @ Vicar Street finally steal the show, Did 'Phil Lynott' by Jape make your track of 08, has Laura Izibor already stolen your heart! Vote once and once alone and you'll be in with a chance to win a fabulous Sony Ericsson Walkman and dozens of Books, CDs and DVDs to give away to the voters meaning we've over 50 spot prizes to be sent out, no, not one for everyone in the audience, but if you're not in it you can't win it! So what are you waiting for? Get voting http://www.hotpress.com/readerspoll

Click on the link below for details of the TEN finalists for the IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year - Hot Press Readers' Award These were the 10 venues with the most nominations in the first round of voting. Now it's up to you to decide the Overall Winner The Winner's will be announced at The Music Show, October 4-5 in the RDS http://www.hotpress.com/vote/vote.php?id=4821512&action=view

Waterford man Power (pictured with Shane MacGowan) came to prominence across the Irish Sea through his involvement in the Mean Fiddler set-up, the Reading Festival, Glastonbury and countless other live endeavours. After selling the Mean Fiddler Organisation he then set up the Vince Power Music Group and involved himself with Spain's Benicassim festival. This year he launched the sold-out A Day At The Hop Farm festival in Kent, headlined by Neil Young and notable for its lack of a VIP area. Meanwhile, Ballinasloe-born John Feeley enjoys the label of "Ireland's leading classical guitarist" bestowed upon him by The Washington Post, and is also a lecturer in the DIT Conservatory of Music. With an extensive back catalogue of recordings, qualifications and pieces written for him, Feeley has brought his love of the guitar to a whole generation. They join an already impressive list of attendees. Island Records man Chris Blackwell will give a Keynote Series interview to Hot Press's Stuart Clark at the official launch in Trinity College Dublin on Friday October 3. Over the following two days, The Live Stage of The Music Show at the RDS will play host to The Coronas, Damien Dempsey, The Blizzards, Ham Sandwich and many more top acts. Down for panel discussions, debates and workshops are Liam O Maonlaí (Hothouse Flowers), Henry McCullough (guitarist, Wings/Joe Cocker), John Hughes (manager, The Corrs), Dave Robinson (founder, Stiff Records), Mark Crossingham (MD, Universal Music Ireland), Ronan Hardiman (composer), Gavin Friday and more. The Music Show presented by Hot Press in association with RTÉ 2fm runs from October 4-5th in the RDS, Dublin. Early bird tickets are now available in advance: Adults €10, Children €5, Families €25 (2 adults + up to 4 children) on Ticketmaster now. Two-day early bird tickets are also available (Adults €15).

The Music Show, Ireland's ultimate music spectacle, rolls into Dublin on the first weekend in October for an action-packed and star-studded event. Run by Hot Press, The Music Show will attract thousands of musicians, industry professionals and music fans from across Ireland and beyond - to see a phenomenal array of instruments, technology and much more. Where: Main Hall, RDS, Dublin When: Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th October, 2008 Workshops - Seminars - Live Stages & Much More Panelists: NICK SEYMOUR (Crowded House / Producer), JOHN CARNEY (movie director 'Once'), PAUL CHARLES (Joint MD, Asgard London & Author of 'How To Succeed in the Music Business'), DECLAN O'ROURKE, MIKE EDGAR (Head of Entertainment & Music Television BBC N.I.), James MORRIS (Chairman, Irish Film Board / Windmill Lane Pictures), CATHY DAVEY, EDISON WATERS (Manager, Laura Izibor) & MORE... Live Stage Acts: The Coronas, The Blizzards, Ham Sandwich, Damien Dempsey, and Many More! Tickets: One-Day Pass: €10 Weekend Pass: €15 For more information, contact Graham Gilligan or Ronan Meagher on +353 1 2411500