We review the status and future of direct searches for light dark matter. We
start by answering the question: `Whatever happened to the light dark matter
anomalies?' i.e. the fate of the potential dark matter signals observed by the
CoGeNT, CRESST-II, CDMS-Si and DAMA/LIBRA experiments. We discuss how the
excess events in the first two of these experiments have been explained by
previously underestimated backgrounds. For DAMA we summarise the progress and
future of mundane explanations for the annual modulation reported in its event
rate. Concerning the future of direct detection we focus on the irreducible
background from solar neutrinos. We explain broadly how it will affect future
searches and summarise efforts to mitigate its effects.Comment: Invited review article for the International Journal of Modern
Physics A. 20 pages, 3 figure
