Festival season is upon us and with a better summer promised this year, the gale force winds, deluging rain and sinking stages that made last years festival experiences more of an endurance than entertainment are long forgotten. Here is a selection of the best on offer over the coming weeks.
The big three
Glastonbury June 24-27
Glastonbury is sold-out but the high quality BBC coverage means you can enjoy the gig in your own front room, why not pitch a tent there, get yourself some buckfast and flagons of warm cider, keep the wellies on standby and put the unsuspecting pooch on a string and you will be getting into the Glaso experience in no time. On your screen expect extensive coverage of Gorillaz, Dizzee Rascal, Snoop Dogg, Vampire Weekend, Florence and the Machine, Willie Nelson, Muse and Stevie Wonder.
Oxygen, Punchestown July 8 – 11,
The daily line-up has been announced for Oxygen with weekend camping and day tickets still available there is still choice on how you can check out the strongest line-up of any festival in the country. If camping and partying with teenagers isn’t your thing, day tickets are available at e99 and with regular shuttle buses running from Dublin’s Parnell Square West, it is possible to dip in to proceedings at your own pace. The Friday line-up is particularly strong with Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, Jay-Z, Groove Armada, Goldfrapp, Tinie Tempah and Aeroplane. Check out the full line-up at http://2010.oxegen.ie/
Electric Picnic, Stradbally Sept 3-5
An eclectic line-up for the kidults and grown ups featuring Roxy Music, Imelda May, Eels, Modest Mouse, Gil Scott Heron with Mumford and Sons and Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem who are playing their final tour. Only weekend tickets are available prices starting at e240
Fly to the Sun
The Fib Heineken Festival, Benicassim July 15
Gorillaz, Ash, Alex Under and 2 Door Cinema Club are the latest names to be added to the Benicassim line-up. Based on the east coast of Spain and offering nine days of camping allows the attendees to enjoy a beach holiday as well as a music festival. Also on the bill are Kasabian, The Prodigy, Vampire Weekend and Lily Allen.
Ibiza Rocks, San Antonio, Ibiza July 20
For the last five years rock ‘n’ roll has become part of Ibiza clubbing culture with gigs running weekly this summer featuring Maximo Park, Dizzee Rascal, The Kooks, LCD Soundsystem, Florence and the Machine, Kele / Delphic and Pendulum The 5th Birthday party with The Prodigy, South Central & DJ Rob Da Bank happens on July 20.
The best of the rest
Live At The Marquee, Cork until July 9
Set in a big circus tent in Cork’s docklands, Aiken promotions have come up with a varied and exciting line-up featuring Westlife, The Cranberries, Deep Purple, Blondie and Snoop Dogg. With easy access from Limerick and it’s easy-going atmosphere, this series of gigs is well worth checking out on www.aikenpromotions.com. Chris Brown has had to cancel his appearance at the marquee after he was refused a visa application in the UK because of his recent assualt conviction. The Horslips have also postponed their gig due to flautist and keyboard player Jim Lockhart’s illness wich has put him out of gigging action until the autumn.
Bobfest Anglers Rest, Clonlara July 3
BobFest is a celebration of Bob Dylan’s music, an outdoor event with camping provided that will feature musicians playing and singing Bob’s songs as well as the screening of some Dylan-related visuals.
Plectrum Music Festival Killaloe, July 3
Now in it’s third year, Plectrum is a one day event for teenagers run by youngsters in the area. The line-up is This year’s line-up includes TKO, Make Damm Sure, Slow Motion Gettaway, Basement Harmonix, Bulbous Head, Indigo Rushe, Artful Rennegade, Hijacking Camels, Black Rose, Pre-Defined, Killed In Action, and Deep Fuel. Advertised as a strictly drug, alcohol and weapon free event which is always good news, the show happens in Smyth O’Briens GAA pitch.
Bob Dylan, at Thomond Park, Sunday, July 4
Legend Bob Dylan headlines this one day event with very strong support from David Gray, Alabama 3 & Seasick Steve
Festival of World Cultures,
Dun Laoghaire July 23
This is a real gem with the coastal town featuring many of the acts for free in this outstanding world music festival with Calypso Rose, Rokia Traoré, Chigaco’s Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Icelandic instrumental group Amiina, Lunasa, Cirrus, Tucan, Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, DJ Donal Dineen, Jah Wobble, Mr. Whippy Soundsystem, and more.
Indiependence July 31 – Aug 1
Mitchelstown’s two day music festival has expanded to accommodate four stages in a whole new site at Deer Farm, which should be mud-free if it rains because it’s situated in a limestone basin. Camping is onsite and close to the venue, White Lies, Alabama 3. Reverend and the Makers, Fred, O Emperor, Delorentos and God is an Astronaut, Fish Go Deep, Jape, Super Extra Bonus Party feature among many others.
Castle Palooza Charleville Castle, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. July 31
Beautiful location featuring Mercury Rev, Fionn Regan, Wave Machines, The Cast of Cheers, DJ Steve Reddy, DJ Scope, Yes Cadets with attendance limited to 3,000
CORK X SOUTHWEST Skibbereen, July 31
Martha Wainwright, Bonnie Prince Billy, The Frank and Walters, John Spillane, The Hothouse Flowers, Luka Bloom and Jinx Lennon play this one day 100% weatherproof all under canvas festival.
Bump Muzik Festival Anglers Rest, Clonlara July 24
A celebration of music with electronic acts/DJs such as Luka Baumann, Bearweasel & MICRONITE
Athea Trad Feile, Athea, Co. Limerick July 31
An annual festival of traditional music and street theatre including All Ireland Spoon Playing Competition
Scarriff Harbour Festival July 30 – Aug 1
Musical highlights include Mary Black, Aslan, traditional band Beoga an AC/DC tribute band and the Tulla Céilí Band.
