******

CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE!!

Christmas is coming and the music's getting good.... Yes, its time for the battle for Christmas Number One-- and this year the competition is BIG!! The main Irish Contenders are Westlife, with their Double A side , "I had a dream/ Seasons in the Sun " and its up against some fierce competition-- many of the new pop bands all have double A sides out for Christmas-S Club 7, Steps, and many more. They're also up against Cliff Richard (what's with the "Sir" ?? Can you imagine the Queen, - "Cliff, I knight you, in the name of crap music..."), and the hamster dance (God almighty, and I thought the Tellytubbies were bad!!)

Well, all will be revealed on Sunday 19th December in the UK Chart... and the Irish Christmas Chart will be , for the first time in many years actually broadcast on Christmas day, Dec25th. Best of Luck to all of Westlife!! The single is out now-- go and buy to support the guys!!

Congratulations is also Due to Westlife for winning the "Record of the Year" award with "Flying without wings " yesterday-- fair play to yez lads!!!

******

PANTOMINES!

Of course, Christmas also means Panto season , and this year as always, the main two pantos are being held in Dublin's Olympia Theatre, and the Gaiety Theatre. The Olympia's Pantomine , PUSS IN BOOTS, will mean the pairing up of Dustin the Turkey and Twink for the third year running, and this year the special guest band are one of Ireland's best up and coming groups. This band are AREA 4 - 4 extremely talented young guys (Ian, John, Roly and Mark) whose next single "Your Song" will be released on February 11th.

The pantomime runs from St. Stephen's Day, until February, but tickets are going well so why not book yours today?? You can buy tickets from Ticketmaster (01 4569569 ) or from the Ticketmaster website www.ticketmaster.ie

More Area 4 news... Last Wednesday (December 8th) I was in Dublin and went along to see Area 4 performing at a Christmas party for honoured Children, in Jury's hotel. I saw the brilliant performance of 3 of their songs, including the absolutely AMAZING, "Your Song" out on Feb.11th. , and who could forget the memorable triple peroformance of the Disney Club Dance???? (and Flap Flaps*, especially for Dustin!) If you'd like to see this (somehow I think the flap flaps will be edited) then Tune to the Disney Club Millenium special on Janurary 9th!!

(* Flap Flaps are something accociated with Dustin , Ireland's most talented turkey/vulture who is also a builder (yer only man) , and a number one singer, not to forget Tv celebrity, actor, and the only person in the whole country who never seems to be sued for the things no one else would dare to say. Anyway, a flap flap is when he jumps up and down making his wings flap. {you'd have to be there})

Read the full Area 4 news on area4.musicpage.com

**********

MILLENIUM!!!

Basically I think the millenium is going to be a complete Anti-climax, and I know Galway ihas very little organised, unless a night in the Town Hall listening to "Dy-diddly-aye " music (i.e Sean -Nós and traditional) is your scene.

I do believe Dublin is hosting an outdoor party with Westlife, the Corrs and many more, but I have little information on it! If anyone would like to let me know, email me on sineadnim@hotmail.com Thanks!

********

MTV AWARDS.

Yes, I do realise they were last month, but updates are better late than never I suppose!! To see all the winners, CLICK HERE!!

And to read the review of the Select MTV party (starring Westlife and Phats and Small ) and which was brilliant, CLICK HERE!!

******

Mytown!!!

CLICK HERE!!

Mytown are one of the Irish Pop groups which are seriously tipped for the big time. They have secured a $15 million deal with Universal Records in the States, the biggest to go to an unknown band, ever. The day after the MTV awards (Nov. 12th) I was lucky enough to be invited to go along to have an EXCLUSIVE listen to the brand new "Mytown" album, which you can read the review of RIGHT HERE! The album is absolutely fantastic, and will be available in Early 2000--so watch out for it!!

After this I was then invited out to watch the guys in Rehearsal, which I can honestly say was one of the most breathtaking performances I've ever seen. Read all about My day with Mytown right here!!

For all the info on Mytown , don't forget to check out the Mytown section of my website-- short cut to : http://mytown.musicpage.com here!

*********

CONCERTS>>>>>>

Coming up after Christmas, Boyzone have just added an 9th date to their list of concerts in the point... running from Jan. 3rd- 11th!! Buy your tickets now!!!

*********

Well that's it for December 1999-- I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas , I hope Santa is good to you and brings you all you want (be it a Barbie Doll, Number one singles, or a record deal) and Thank you so much for visiting the Irish Pop Online Website. It is immensely apppreciated!! Why not leave a message in the guestbook??

SIGN / VIEW THE GUESTBOOK

and Y 2 K permitting, I'll be back in the New Year with all the news and gossip on your favourite Irish Bands!!!

Thanks to everyone for all their kind words and support throughout the life of Irish Pop Online, especially to those people who have told their friends about the site, and those who seem to live in my guestbook!!

A HUGE thank you goes out to all the bands who have let me interview them, and spend time with them, and to all the managers and band members who have kept me up to date with news over the last year or so. (You know who you are). Lotsa love and Christmas Cheer,

Wishing you a safe and happy Millenium.....

Shadyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. :)