It’s been a pretty amazing year for music around the UK, and following on from my top 10 of 2007, here is my top 10 of 2008.

10 – Viva Stereo – Roar Lion Roar
You’ve probably not heard much about this Scottish collective. However, their third album was a surprise favourite for me – anthemic, accessible, slightly My Bloody Valentine and yet still so gorgeous.

Read more about Viva Stereo here.

Favourite: Knee High Boots.

9 – Sigur Rós – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
As ever, an amazing collection from the Icelandic group. More pop than previous albums, their songs sound all the more amazing. I caught them live at Hydro Connect Festival in Scotland, where they preceded Franz Ferdinand and blew them out of the water. As the sun went down, they soundtracked the festival for us, showing their sense of humour and making beautiful music that had more than a few grown men in tears.

Favourite: Inní mér syngur vitleysingur

8 – Ra Ra Riot – The Rhumb Line
Dark in places, Ra Ra Riot come from the same school of musical geekiness as Vampire Weekend, but with a bit more serious and a bit less money. Dark in places, the group are still recovering from the death of their drummer in summer 2007, which shows on tracks like “Winter ‘05″.

Favourite: Dying is Fine

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Current indie scenesters Vampire Weekend have announced a full UK tour in October.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, 18th July, at 9am.

Monday 20th October – Birmingham Academy
Tuesday 21st October – Manchester Academy
Wednesday 22nd October – Sheffield Academy
Friday 24th and Saturday 25th October – London Forum
Tuesday 28th October – Newcastle Academy
Wednesday 29th October – Glasgow Barrowlands
Thursday 30th October – Liverpool Academy
Friday 31st October – Bristol Academy

Hopefully the first of a regular series of posts, Monday Movies aims to bring you a handful of recent music videos along with a blast from the past… enjoy!

Below: Hot Chip: One Pure Thought

Below: Vampire Weekend: Oxford Comma

Below: Stars: Bitches in Tokyo

Below: The Libertines: Don’t look back into the sun

New Yorkers Vampire Weekend have announced a string of dates for May ahead of going off on the festival circuit.

Tickets go on sale on Friday (29th February) at 9am.

Thursday 1st May – Bristol Bierkeller
Friday 2nd May – Birmingham Carling Academy 2
Saturday 3rd May – Edinburgh Liquid Rooms
Sunday 4th May – Glasgow Oran Mor
Tuesday 6th May – Newcastle Northumbria University
Wednesday 7th May – Leeds Cockpit
Thursday 8th May – Manchester University
Monday 12th May – Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
Tuesday 13th May – London Electric Ballroom

New Yorkers Vampire Weekend have announced their own NME show at ULU, and five new UK tour dates.

Tickets reportedly go on sale tomorrow, Tuesday 29th January.

Thursday 21st February – London ULU (Shockwaves NME Awards Show)
Friday 22nd February – Wolverhampton Civic
Saturday 23rd February – Oxford Academy
Sunday 24th February – Brighton Audio
Wednesday 27th February – Manchester Academy 2
Thursday 28th February – Glasgow Classic Grand