PANAMA KINGS

SWEATING IN THE TRENCHES
AU investigates DIY touring with the people that have lived to tell the tale

AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR
The inside track on their phenomenal A Little Solidarity festival, and what it means for Northern Irish acts

CLASS OF 2009
We ask your favourite NI acts what they have in store for the coming year, including Cashier No.9, In Case Of Fire, Kowalski and many, many more

GREAT IN ’08
AU’s Top 50 albums of the year

2009: AN ACE ODYSSEY
The records that will rock your world next year

ROGER DEAN
Topographic oceans and gatefold sleeves

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History Lessons:
Sonic Youth – noise-rock revolutionaries

Flashback:
The impeachment of Bill Clinton: close, but no cigar

A To Z of Scandals:
Step this way for righteous indignation

Respect Your Shelf:
The connoisseur’s guide to the novels of Joe Lansdale

Classic Album:
Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses

Splice Up Your Life Christmas Special:
Darren Day Of The Dead and other failed pilots

Incoming: Howling Bells / Baïkonour / Titus Andronicus
5 To 1: Explorers / Jumper-wearing men
Ironic Iconic: Antoine de Caunes
The Last Word: Paul Donoghue of Glasvegas

REVIEWS
>ALBUMS: The Bronx / Glasvegas / Andrew Bird / Cat Power / Baïkonour / Vetiver / LaFaro / Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid / Jesse Malin / Amadou & Mariam / Burning Codes / Shearwater / Frank Turner

>LIVE: Mercury Rev / TV On The Radio / Future Of The Left / LaFaro / Death Cab For Cutie / Frightened Rabbit / Sonny J / Cashier No.9 / Built To Spill / Fight Like Apes / The Swell Season / Neon Neon / Metronomy

>UNSIGNED: Patiosounds / Me & The Neck / The Mill / Ten Gallon Hat & The Big Salute

SUBBACULTCHA
The best of 2008 and what’s to look forward to in Games, Books, Comic and Screen
Most Wanted: Gigs, films, games, arts, comics
Back Of The Net: The funniest YouTube videos
WeirdWideWeb: The darkest recesses of the internet
Story Of The Video: ‘Spanish Fly’ by Ten Kens
Get Your Clicks: Vinyl
In Pictures: Pics from Foals @ Mandela Hall, Belfast and the Dublin City Comic Con @ The Park Inn Hotel, Dublin

WORD UPS: The Bronx / Fight Like Apes / It Hugs Back / Republic of Loose / the ANTI campaign / Asobi Seksu / But wherefore art thou Bryan Ferry?