There's no room for democracy in The Mars Volta, the band's lead guitarist and songwriter Omar Rodriguez-Lopez tells LAURA MCQUILLAN of NZPA ahead of the band's return to The Big Day Out.

BIG DAY OUT publishes its 2010 Auckland timetable today so eager fans can spend the next three weeks plotting their day at Mt Smart Stadium Friday 15 January.

There is no surprise to see the mainstage line-up headlined by Muse, with Groove Armada headlining the Boiler Room stage.

This January, New Zealand blues fans will be treated to a unique double bill as cult American acoustic blues artist Charlie Parr appears in Auckland on Saturday January 30th with globetrotting UK / NZ blues band Storehouse, at Auckland's Wine Cellar.

December 24th 2009 - ‘Under The Mountain’ is a beloved 'kidult' book written by Maurice Gee and was made into an also beloved 8 part mini series in New Zealand back in 1981.

Merry Christmas Everybody! I was very fortunate to see three brilliant bands at Save on Foods Memorial Centre Victoria, Vancouver BC. Here is my review of the gig.

Wellington, Dec 24 NZPA - Ten years after cutting ties with New Zealand record label Flying Nun, founder Roger Shepherd is back in charge.

Shepherd told The Press he had regained label ownership from Warner Music after "18 fraught months of legal hoo-ha".

The top 20 singles and albums for the week ended December 20, supplied by the Recording Industry Association, with last week's position in brackets.

SINGLES:

1 (1) Black Box - Stan Walker

2 (3) Bad Romance - Lady Gaga

3 (2) Whatcha Say - Jason DeRulo

Wellington, Dec 24 NZPA - Entertainment listings from NZPA.

(Previous standings shown in brackets)

FILMS

Top 10 films for the week ended December 9, supplied by the Motion Picture Distributors' Association.

1 (1) Twilight Saga: New Moon

December 22nd 2009 - When a top director hasn’t made a film in 12 years, there will always be a level of hype surrounding their return to the director’s chair.

By Tamar McKewen of NZPA

Wellington, Dec 23 NZPA - "Apologies for being so tardy on our arrival", announces Neil Fallon. The front man for Maryland rock group Clutch is excited about finally connecting with New Zealand fans.