Congratulations to Jacqui Wairepo who is the lucky winner of a double pass to La De Da this New Year's Eve. She picked Katchafire, Donovan Frankenreiter and Fat Freddy's Drop as 3 acts from the tasty lineup that she'd put on her must-see list.

And if you're feeling lucky, how about entering this week's competition to win a double pass to ONE DROP Matakana on Monday January 2? - featuring Fat Freddy's Drop, TrinityRoots and Cornerstone Roots. Read on for more info...

Plus don’t forget that nominations are open for the Taite Music Prize 2012, which will reward the best New Zealand album released in 2011. Know someone who's put out a great album this year? Tell them to enter - head here for more information.

International and Industry Action
Parachute Festival have just launched their 2012 phone app. And the official Coromandel Gold App is the perfect tool to keep you in the loop with everything happening at the event this New Year s Eve.

New release fanfare
Some new Dub Asylum business has been released: a new digi-EP called Stereo Freeze, out this Monday (Dec 19).  Six songs, some old, some new. Guests include Olly Harris (Kolab) and Chip Matthews (Open Souls). Lotsa melodica in there too.  Hallelujah Picassos retrospective Rewind The Hateman is out now too - and there's a brand new new video, for the song God Gave Us Boom Boom Washington. Over the past two decades, The Renderers have crafted half a dozen albums of intimate psychedelia infused with Southern-fried Americana and noise. A Rocket Into Nothing - crafted during the earthquakes that hit the band's hometown of Christchurch in 2011 - is another extraordinary display of Brian and Maryrose Crook's talent as songwriters and sound sculptors and shows The Renderers as an essential a piece of the diverse New Zealand indie rock puzzle - as much as they were on their first Flying Nun album Trail of Tears (1990). In the past five years Zionhill - hailing from Raglan - have perfected their effortlessly powerful fusion of rock and reggae, leaving audiences wanting more across Aotearoa. Inside Of You is the group's debut album and they're on tour. Keith Statham is an English-born NZ-based composer in his late 70s. His debut album Of Wine And Roses is a collection of chamber music pieces for string quartet and wind soloists -  it's beautiful, lyrical and very English. Craig Smith's third album Not Just For Kids features the APRA award winning children's song of the year (2008)  The Wonky Donkey, plus 9 more fun tracks the whole family will enjoy. This is a must have Children's album and would make a great Christmas gift.

On the live front
The Big Day Out timetable has been announced - here's the goss on when to catch your favourite IMNZ bands: Skate Stage: Ghost Wave 11.45am - 12.15pm, Beastwars 2.15 - 2.45pm, Cairo Knife Fight 3.30 - 4.00pm, I Am Giant 6.30 - 7.15pm; Converse Green Stage: The Wilberforces 10.30 - 11.00am; Boiler Room: David Dallas 12.15 - 1.00pm, Six60 3.15 - 4.00pm, P-Money 7.30 - 8.15pm. At the gateway to Queenstown, nestled in the Kawarau Gorge in Central Otago is The Winehouse. Every second Sunday from January 15th until the 1st of April sees one or two of New Zealand's best: Greg Johnson, Barry Saunders & Lindon Puffin, Jason Kerrison, Hollie Smith, Anika Moa and Julia Deans & Seth Haapu in The Summer Playground Series. This Saturday 17th December, Silo Sessions at Auckland's Silo Park presents The Spoilers of Utopia Brass Band with DJ Mr Music, Fritterhead & Bonahead, free from noon until 5pm. Freight Train Entertainment presents ALIVE 2012, a post-Easter concert featuring local Kiwi favorites Rapture Ruckus and American band P.O.D. This Friday 23 December is Fou Nature’s last live band gig for the year at the Republic Bar in Manukau. Their live performances are known for bringing energetic Pacific flavours and good vibes.

Around the World
A strong year for Michael Gudinski's Frontier Touring has seen them earn $19 million, according to the BRW Rich List (published by Australian business magazine BRW). Ranking the top 50 Australian entertainers, Michael Gudinksi/Frontier Touring raked in $19 million during the 2010/11 period to rank 4 on the list. It's a stark improvement from last year's $7 million, which saw them ranked 17th.
The top five in the list are:
1.. Global Creatures (Walking With Dinosaurs) - $62m
2. The Wiggles - $28.3m
3. Naomi Watts - $19.1m
4. Michael Gudinksi/Frontier Touring - $19m
5. Nicole Kidman - $18.6m
(Thanks to www.themusic.com.au)

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