Damien Rice rounds off what by anyone's standards has been an amazing year with a December 15 visit to Vicar St., Dublin. Tickets priced €25 are on sale now but, be warned, they're likely to shift faster than a pair of lovesick bunnies.

Not content with notching up his 80th week on the Irish chart, Damien Rice is still loitering with intent in the US Billboard 200 and the UK Top 75. Indeed, his cross-channel popularity is such that he's just confirmed a February 21 2004 headliner at the 4,000-capacity Brixton Academy. It's amazing what a Hot Press cover can do for you…