It's a simple fact that, as us humans deal in definite blocks of time with little or no bleed from one to the other, at the end of every year there's going to be an onslaught of musical predictions and tips from every Tom, Dick and Debby. That's just the way we work.

This has now extended to a festival, put together by HMV (those music and entertainment selling people) and MAMA, who I've never heard of but I'm sure are pretty big things around here. The festival's called The Next Big Thing, and sets out to 'find' just exactly that.

It'll take place across various HMV/MAMA owned venues in London Town - which includes the Borderline, The Garage and Heaven as well as a few others - from February 5 - 14, so fairly soon into the new DECADE.

OK. I'm guessing that, so far, you may not be massively enticed by this particular prospect. A quick butcher's at the line-up may very well change your mind, though. Confirmed so far are:

The Soft Pack
Tinie Tempah
Jesca Hoop
Lissie
Cate Le Bon
Hamel
Leddra Chapman
Hadouken!
Unicorn Kid
Slow Club
The Low Anthem
The Wave Pictures
Paloma Faith
Ian King
Example
Cosmo Jarvis
The Miserable Rich
Plastiscines
Chew Lips
Alex Gardner
First Aid Kit
Jersey Budd
Band Of Skulls
Polly Mackey & The Pleasure Principles
Joshua Radin

Tickets go/are on sale TODAY at/from 9AM from various sources, but you can get them here, as well as at HMV Tickets Kiosks and on this number 0844 209 0330.

Here's what Feargal Sharkey had to say about it all:

“I think this is a fantastic initiative from HMV and MAMA Group. The music industry continues to evolve and embrace all manner of exciting changes, but it will always, and should always, be rooted in discovery and investment in the careers of new artists, composers and musicians. Next Big Thing acknowledges this and offers a great platform for a new generation to play some of London’s best live music venues.”