Year with a buzz

Introduction:
Hong Kong's music scene regained its rhythm in 2005. Our Entertainment writers look at the acts and gigs that got us back into the groove.

Charlie Carter:
With the peerless Brian Jonestown Massacre's pullout rendering Rockit a damp squib, it was down to our homegrown Dickstock on Lamma to provide this year's festival highlight.

The one-night-only event has been held in the front garden of local photographer Richard Jones on and off since 1994 and this year's was the biggest yet with six local bands strutting their stuff before a crowd that had travelled from as far away as Britain and France.

Lamma bands dominated, with Garoupa and Battle of the Bands finalists Nude adding the funk and headliners, rollicking local favourites the Yung Shue Wankers, closing out with a bawdy set of folk and country howls. The Shocking Rocking Donkeys provided the glam with a set of alternative rockers that actually got the sozzled crowd frugging. Like all the best festivals, Dickstock is slightly shambolic, big on community spirit and an excuse to get drunk with a great crowd of people. And, in a city that places no value on the natural environment, it's nice to laze around on a lawn, have a drink and get down to some live music. Peace. Love. Music. Cheers, Richard.