How many of our 50 albums of 2012 have you heard? Take our Facebook quiz to find out – then share your score with your friends

This week’s live reports feature Joey Bada$$, Christopher Owens and The Vaccines’ storming Ally Pally with support from Deap Vally, Diiv and Fucked Up.

So much talk about The Stone Roses in 2012 we’re in danger of forgetting Ian Brown’s solo career. Inside there’s an Ian Brown boxset up for grabs and a celebration of his finest moments.

The bands about to partake in the annual tradition of the NME Awards Tour have finally been announced. Read about how Django Django, Palma Violets, Miles Kane and Peace plan on handling the funtimes.

It’s part 2 of Sian Rowe’s epic adventure on the Rihanna plane for 7 days. Will she survive the life and schedule of a fully-fledged pop superstar?

“This is not meant to be a small thing. We gave up everything to do this.” Meet new Radar band The Family Rain, fighting for the right to be heard.

Paul Smith – he of bowler hat and jagged indie anthems fame – takes NME’s braincells quiz. Will all those onstage gymnastics have knocked some of his neurons out?

NME.COM blogs contain the opinions of the individual writer and not necessarily those of NME magazine or NME.COM.

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