Eurosonic 2012 is fast approaching and, with Ireland chosen as the focus country, plenty of the island's finest acts will be limbering up and preparing to show the Dutch town of Groningen, and the assembled music industry, what they've got. First up we have Wicklow's God Is An Astronaut. The post-rockers released their fifth studio album Age Of The Fifth Sun last year. RTE 2fm will be sponsoring their trip.

Also Eurosonic-bound is Ram's Pocket Radio from Lisburn. The alter ego of Peter McCauley, Ram's was selected by BBC Radio 1.