MUSIC OF 2012

For Australian music fans, we’re in for a big 2012.

Despite reports of ticket sales down on concerts and festivals, there’s plenty of decent music out there – if you look hard enough.

It all kicks off with the tail end of the summer music festivals – Big Day Out is set to rock the country once again, along with the Future Music Festival, Falls, Field Day, Southbound Festival and the Laneway Festival.

We thought we'd pick our top five touring acts for next year - you can find out more about their tour dates by going to the Huddle (click on the act's title).

Honourable mentions go to the Kooks, Grouplove, Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, and Feist - all very worthy opponents and highly anticipated acts, but there can only be a top five...

#5: Gotye
Yes, he's been doing plenty of touring in 2011, but he's hitting the music festival circuit before jetting off for some overseas gigs, so it could be a while before you catch Wally de Backer and his amazing band live in Australia. Other than receiving kudos from the ARIAs, 'Somebody That You Used To Know' sitting at the top of the charts for weeks, and a stellar album launch this year, there's one more reason you should see Gotye perform: he's even better live.

#4: Givers

These five friends heil from Louisiana, USA, so you can be sure their sound will be something left of the middle. Their infectious tracks 'Up Up Up' and 'Meantime' have made it to Australia this year, and Givers will be here live in 2012, playing along side Portugal the Man. This will also be one of those intimate tours by a band before they get a big name, so it's definitely worth investing in a ticket.

#3: The Naked and Famous
This band of Kiwis have been playing indie rock since 2008, but it's only been this year that they've really made an impression in Australia. And what an impression it's been - 'Girls Like You', 'Young Blood' and 'Punching in a Dream' are just a selection of the addictive lineup from their album, 'Passive Me, Aggressive You'. With their big sounds, they're set to be a live performance not to miss.

#2: The Vaccines
These Brits have come a long way in 2011, and that’s set to continue next year with their visit to Australia. Hitting the Big Day Out circuit, and supporting Kasabian in their side shows, these guys deserve a side show of their own. This year has seen them release ‘If You Wanna’, ‘Norgaard’ and ‘Wetsuit’ to great success. After a stellar tour throughout tour last year, they will know how to get a crowd fired up when they hit our stages.

#1: Foster the People
Having sold out their BDO sideshows, Foster the People are set to be one of the hottest acts to reach Australia in 2012. Their latest album, ‘Torches’, is full of track after track of infectious, addictive songs that you’re guaranteed to be humming for days - including the tracks 'Call It What You Want', 'Helena Beat', 'Houdini', 'Don't Stop' (the brand new clip for which can be found on this page), and the twice-platinum single 'Pumped Up Kicks'. After their successful (and smaller) visit in 2011, the three guys from LA will have the crowd up on their feet and going crazy at both the sideshows and Big Day Out.