There s an enthusiastic mood in the north again with masses of new bands revving up for attention. Last year, we saw the likes of Snow Patrol, Asterix, co.uk, Cuckoo, Calibre, Colin Reid and Manor making some kind of impression abroad. Those levels will surely be surpassed in 99. Happily, the music is coming from all sorts of places: from Newry and Dungannon, south Down and the north-west triangle. In Belfast, there s a wealth of instigators who are making it happen, including Bill Guinney at Laverys, Stereo(type) and Fast Fude at Morrisons, the hardcore nights at Giros and the evolving Sector One at the Limelight. Here then, is a subjective guide to the most interesting acts who may shake your soul before the year is done.
ARIADNE
An all-girl act from Dungannon. Early days yet, but they try to make a virtue out of their lack of muso application. Lots of front, seemingly fuelled by the stomping ethos of riot grrrl. The music is edgy and smart, a more contemporary take on the old Throwing Muses thing. Ariadne are already polarising the local indie scene, just like a decent band should.
TURA ARTURA
From Belfast, by way of Zimbabwe and South Africa. He has recently worked with top DJs Iain McCready and Chris Caul. Expect free-wheeling spiels with trip-hoppy textures, not unlike Massive Attack. He also likes a bit of contemporary dance and dressing up in renegade tribal gear. Confident and outgoing, Tura needs to develop his own individuality. If so, he could do well.
BASIC
An electronic duo, from Belfast and Sligo, set to release their first record on U2 s Kitchen label. Have played a few vibrant shows in the Clarence Hotel basement of late. Formerly known as Geiger, BASIC have absorbed some of the ethnic elements of the likes of Afro-Celt Sound System and Transglobal Underground, but their vibe is more subliminal than the aforementioned acts. Flute-looping a speciality.

NEIL BROGAN
We don t know much about the ever-mysterious Neil Brogan other than the fact that he s from Bangor and he won last year s demo contest on Radio Ulster s Across The Line, narrowly, heading off Throat. Neil s sole track (just the one so far) is a bit springy and strange like Beck, with some pining vocals in a Vic Chestnutt sort of a groove. Great talent or absolute pants; we re wary of making a firm prediction just yet.

DESERT HEARTS
Much loved by the discerning indie heads. Essentially a duo, but former members of Tunic have been known to contribute to the scheme. Reminiscent of The Pixies (circa Gigantic ) and maybe a bit like Talking Heads in the early days. Recently induced havoc at a Belfast gig by staging a poker school while a recording of their work played in the background. Additional fun beckons.

FINE AMERICAN BLEND
From the north-west triangle, FAB combine turntables, guitars and bumpy funk effects to considerable effect. They were the star turn on last year s compilation CD, Third Alternative with their all-grooving track, Method . High marks for creativity, and for making their idea feasible. Live gigs have been well received.

FUEL
Vigorous rock and roll that s not afraid to namecheck AC/DC and Three Colours Red. Guitars to the max plus sweaty, stubbled faces and choruses that go bam-a-lam. If you don t know what we re talking about by now, then you never will, you wuss.

GO COMMANDO
Brand new act fronted by Tanya Melotte, formerly with Tunic. Has recently been trying out a cellist, but also promises to make some noise. It s gonna be soulful, she says, not as in funky, but all the songs have heart. Some of the other Tunic veterans, Mark, Johnathon and Brian are also preparing to unleash a new project, OLYMPIC LIFTS, which will revisit elements of the old style, but also threaten to mess with the possibilities of drum and bass and rap.

HONEY
The only act in this section that s not afraid to be pop. Girl act Honey were formed at the instigation of DJ and local personality Maurice Jay, plus his studio-owning mate, Gary Aitken. A bit of soul, some nice tunes with fancy harmonies and a songwriting imput from Paddy, the Tinman vocalist. They ve released one low key single, have interested distributors in Japan and Europe and are showing some writing capacity of their own.

LIMA
Audrey and Neal once played with Scheer, the south Derry act that released one album on the 4AD label. This new venture was previewed on the Schism Records showcase, For The Love Of . Much more dance-orientated than the old Scheer form, and the tuneful end of things is already well fixed up.

LOWEND
Scabby-assed punk energy from Doagh. Big fans of The Jesus Lizard and a bit uproarious in a Girls Against Boys kind of a way. Singer Jamie cavorts like Nick Cave with a hellhound on his tail. Jeremy flicks his quiff and lashes out excellent guitar lines. Your grandmother wouldn t care for them.

NINEBAR
During his time with Portadown act Joyrider, singer Phil Woolsey articulated some of the spit and spleen of the Ulster experience. His new act, Ninebar, is in the early stages, but promises a few rhythmic adventures like Beck and Fun Lovin Criminals. Those who admired the way he confronted bigotry will be heartened to know that songs such as Hub Of The North will sustain this tradition. Currently working with the guys from Kismet.

PAYOLA
Belfast-based act with an untamed affection for the spirit of rock and roll. Singer Phil cites the Manics and prime-time Thin Lizzy as two steady influences, and you can hear the bloozey inflections of Reef and the party-hearty vision of Terrorvision in there as well. Watch out for a Payola release on the revamped Good Vibrations label sometime in the spring.

ROO
This Belfast-based act seemed ready to bust through 18 months ago, but were thwarted by the music biz recession. Undeterred, they released the lovely Bridget EP off their own bat and have come back with a stronger set than ever; weird-funky, occasionally discordant, invariably a bit good.
THE THIRTY ONES
The mod fraternity in Ulster is fairly healthy, represented by the likes of THE CINNAMON FIRM and THE DREGS. You could argue that The Thirty Ones are edging ahead, thanks to a couple of decent EPs and the adept use of some turntable action, putting some Skint-like value in the mix. The involvement of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook (he produced the last record) hasn t done any harm.

THROAT
Pummeling rock music from Larne. Wisely, they refrain from invoking the Therapy connection (rumour has it that Michael McKeegan used to babysit for a few of them). They are admired by the hardcore crew and possess a good ear for the tune, even if they use it sparingly. A couple of tremendous songs and they ll be off.