Once upon a time, there were over two dozen relevant trade publications, but not any more. However, those that remain  are of a consistently high standard.

•BILLBOARD is the weekly bible of the American music industry, with a fine international section. They also publish the Billboard Directories, essential tools for songwriters.

•MUSIC WEEK is the top UK music Industry trade publication, and they also publish the Music Week Directory of music listings.

And of course, be it U2, the Cranberries or the Corrs, you read about them first in •HOT PRESS Ireland's top music publication.

•NME (or the New Musical Express, as we ageing hippies still insist on calling it!), is a fine UK-based music newspaper.

•ROLLING STONE is an American legend in its own lifetime (they've even had a hit song written about them!).

•MAKING MUSIC is a free give-away UK paper, that could put many paid-for publications to shame.

•IN MUSIC & MEDIA is Australia's leading music industry trade publication.