Well that appears to be the most of May Madness now over (given that May itself is about to end, its hardly surprising). We set out with good intentions, limitless energy and hypothetically bulging wallets expecting to get to the lot - which was obviously not realistic at all given our track record for being unreliable, skint and tired. Hell, you can’t blame us for being optimists, eh?! Personally I did manage attendance at a few worthy gigs - starting with Why? in Andrews Lane Theatre.

What might have listed higher as one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to had I been closer to the front and not had my view of Johnathan Wolf blocked by two of the most unnaturally tall men I’ve ever come across. Still, a spectacularly energetic live interpretation of the two albums, which is saying something given their almost perfect execution of such an odd mixture of styles - and a surprising knowledge of lyrics and beats (necessary to bop your head in time) from the refreshingly mixed audience. Hopefully it won’t be too long til we see these guys return, although I wouldn’t expect a date in the North.

Why? - Crushed Bones

Swedish pop-folk troubadour Jens Lekman was another that ranks extraordinarily high for his performance last week in The Black Box. Support comes - most worthy of note, perhaps - from American folk singer-songwriter JayMay - who has recently just finished a stint supporting Beirut on tour. Hand clappy goodness - enjoy a track from both, why not!?

Jens Lekman - The Opposite Of Hallelujah

JayMay - Gray or Blue

Anything in particular rock your world this month? Or are we being too segregative - is there still more on the way that we should be looking forward to in June & beyond?

The Flaming Lips are part of a lucky minority in that their lack of consistent album releases is easily overcast by their stellar live appearances - even rarely playing their own material - but engaging the audience in singalongs, explosions of all things glittery and rolling over the top of them in a giant plastic ball. Even if you’re not won over by the attached track, it doesn’t matter, this is a live act that can’t be missed.

The Flaming Lips - She Don’t Use Jelly

With little seen from the Scottish post-rock troupe Mogwai since their 2006 release “Mr Beast”, this date accompanies the promise of a new album on the horizon, provisionally titled “The Hawk Is Howling”. Mogwai guitarist Barry Burns has described the albums songs as being “dreamy ballads about forbidden love gone awry, one minute pointless instrumentals and spoken word about the future of the music industry in India.” So, more of the same then.

Mogwai - Secret Pint

It’s always nice to see that Oppenheimer haven’t forgotten us. The lads have been scooped repeatedly for support slot after support slot, on endless revolutions around Europe and the US, branding their brand of indie-pop electro goodness wherever they go. Electric Picnic ‘07 proved they know how to bring it to a festival and their addition to the Belsonic sealed the deal for Mucho Danke.

Oppenheimer - Look Up

The Irish music scene seems to pumping out gem after gem of late, Jape easily being top of the pile. Responsible for some of the catchiest electro-infused pop music currently coming out of Dublin, getting down early to catch this guy live is highly recommended.

Jape - Floating

Keep an eye on the offical Belsonic website and BBC’s Across the Line for more information on the emerging lineups. Mucho Danke won’t be far behind!

Bands shouldn’t be able to do so much in one year. Seriously, playing sold out gigs around the country, getting local and national radio coverage, establishing a large and loyal fanbase, getting featured on the telly and in local highly anticipated compilations, more gigs and tours in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London… oh and a sing-a-long with Gary “This Is The Biggest Gig We’ve Ever Done” Lightbody.

And in true rock & roll form, they might even get the shite kicked out of them as well - so to find time to record a tight, innovative, exciting new single Young Blood is pretty impressive.

The distinctive sound you would recognise from their live set is there, captured superbly by the boys at Start Together Studios and improved upon with some tight production and mixing. Also on the release will be Less In Control, I Don’t Want To Die and a Hello Translinks? remix.

So here’s a preview of Young Blood, with a short introduction from Luke.

And a few words with Stuart and Luke at the IMRO gig last week.

Panama Kings will be featured on the Oh Yeah Sessions Compilation, which is being launched at 2pm in HMV on 21st April. Also supporting The Undertones in the Mandela Hall (30 years of Good Vibrations) on 25th April - and finally a gig at the Stiff Kitten alongside Six Star Hotel and Mojo Fury on the 30th April.

The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival has a pleasing habit of bringing some excellent acts in our direction each year - with Iron & Wine and Low being two of my recent favorites. Our wide grins shall continue, as A Hawk & A Hacksaw and Silver Jews are both part of this years festival lineup - alongside a whole host of comedy, theatre and arts.

A Hawk & A Hacksaw - In The River

Silver Jews - Suffering Jukebox

Given our modern age, you can buy your tickets from the 9th Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival website.