Live: Oxegen Hot Press Academy Tent Lineup

There may be just three weeks to go to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa (of which Matthew Upson won't be attending), but there's just seven weeks to go to the biggest musical festival of the year, Oxegen 2010.

Many people complained about the lack of Irish acts when the initial lineup was announced, but the announcement of the full lineup for the Hot Press Academy Stage should surely rectify that. As well as great foreign imports such as Julian Casablancas (of the Strokes), Laura Marling, Yeasayer and Kele Okereke (him from Bloc Party), there's plenty of homegrown artists due to appear. The highlights for me will be Conor O'Brien's Villagers, Cathy Davey, Wallis Bird, and O Emperor. Oh and I forgot to mention, old frogthroat-skeleton hands herself is playing, that's right Diana Vickers will be there!

Lineup:
JULIAN CASABLANCAS
ASH
CATHY DAVEY
WE ARE SCIENTISTS
KELE OKEREKE
VILLAGERS
BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB
YEASAYER
LAURA MARLING
THE HIGH KINGS
WALLIS BIRD
FRIGHTENED RABBIT
MYSTERY JETS
3OH!3
SHED SEVEN
DIANA VICKERS
O EMPEROR
LISSIE
JOE ECHO
THE MIDDLE EAST
EXAMPLE
HURTS
MAYER HAWTHORNE
CHAPEL CLUB
DAISY DARES YOU

While you're at it, check out the brand new Oxegen website here:
www.oxegen.ie

Watch O Emperor 'Don't Mind Me':

Live: O Emperor in Whelan's

A little late to be mentioning this, but not too late, as O Emperor play a headline gig in Whelan's tomorrow night. It was the gig of the week on 98FM's Totally Irish, and rightfully so. It should be a fantastic night. Support comes from the Gorgeous Colours, as well as Walter Mitty and the Realists.

If you have nothing else planned (i.e. if you're not staying in to watch the UK Election Results), then pop down to Whelan's around 8ish. Tickets are €15, and are on sale now.

Watch O Emperor on BalconyTV:

Links: 98 FM Interview

Anyone who was listening to John Barker's Totally Irish on Dublin's 98FM would have heard yours truly talking about O Emperor, I am Not Lefthanded, free music, as well as upcoming gigs. I promised to post links to all the free music (as well as the other stuff I covered), so here it is:

O Emperor - Reverie EP
Review

I Am Not Lefthanded
New Album/Donate



FREE MUSIC...

Cast of Cheers - Chariot - debut album of Bloc Party style rock from the Dublin band, made available for free, were due to play the Best of IMRO Showcase Tour last night, but pulled out due to concerns over the IMRO Licence, as “a show of solidarity in support of blogs, upcoming artists and artist-led labels.”
Download

Holy Roman Army - Desecrations EP - excellent collection of five covers from the Carlow duo. Their version of Bon Iver's 'Skinny Love' is a standout.
Download

Fight Like Apes - Live at Eurosonic - represented Ireland at the 2008 Eurosonic Festival, this year's representatives were And So I Watch You From Afar, Imelda May, Delorentos and Villagers.
Download

Bill Coleman - Black and Red EP, Black and Green EP, Black and Blue EP, but you can also download his older material, like his excellent 2007 album I Tear My Own Walls Down.
Download

Sacred Animals - Sacred Animals EP - Thanks to Peter at 2UIBestow for pointing me in the direction of the wonderful three song EP from up and coming Sacred Animals as well as the fact that Declan de Barra is offering up his past catalogue for free.
Download

Declan de Barra - Song of a Thousand Birds his debut, he's working on a new album, A Fire to Scare the Sun, at the moment. de Barra also represented Ireland at last year's Eurosonic Festival.
Download

Album Review: O Emperor - Reverie EP

What's that bit in 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay' that everybody loves? Yeah, the whistling. Whistle that one anywhere, and it's bound to get another few joining in for the chorus. It's almost like imagining yourself sitting high on a girder overlooking New York City in the 20s with your hod on your back.

The opening track ('Don't Mind Me') of O Emperor's debut EP Reverie has a similar moment when the whistling kicks in. It's instantly embracing, and lets you know you're on to a winner. O Emperor have release this little four track EP, but all the songs are winners.

They are radio-friendly to the extreme, but never cheesy. These five Waterford guys know how to craft melody and great hooks. 'Ghost of My Heart' is a floaty, almost ethereal tune, but tones it down before it gets a chance to go out of control. It's much more varied and introspective than many songs you hear on radio, but at the same time, wouldn't appear out of place in a Top 40 Countdown.

They played the New Band Stage at Oxegen last year, and are destined for bigger things. 'Devil Don't Dance' has a Spanish flair, which will enchant listeners outside of Ireland. 'It Only Comes to Pass' has a totally different feel to the other tunes, much more gritty and acoustic. It's a great song, and one that fits in perfectly with the Irish singer-songwriter mode many of us are used to.

Immediately impressive, O Emperor have created an astonishing debut, and one which will stay on record players long after the summer ends.

Live: Haiti Aid Stage Times

Haiti Aid Dublin 2010 takes place in Whelan's tonight, and unlike many other gigs, it begins at 8 sharp. There's a fantastic line-up, so if you haven't snapped up a ticket yet, you should do so now.

Stage times:
10:15 - 11.00 - Ham Sandwich
9:30 - 10:00 - O Emperor
8:45 - 9:15 - Butterfly Explosion
8:00 - 8:30 - The Holy Roman Army
(with Michelle Doherty MC)

More info:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000732571790&ref=nf#!/event.php?eid=258554429454&index=1

Live: Haiti Aid Dublin 2010

Wednesday 3rd of February is the date for Haiti Aid Dublin, a music marathon taking place in Whelan's and the Village. Tickets are €20 with proceeds going towards the Irish Red Cross's work in Haiti.

The event will be hosted by Michelle Doherty and features a marvellous line-up. In all, 14 acts will be performing, including Ham Sandwich, O’ Emperor, The Chapters, Patrick Kelleher and his Cold Dead Hands, The Holy Roman Army, Sleep Thieves, and Butterfly Explosion.

More info:
http://www.mycharity.ie/event/haiti_aid_dublin_2010/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000732571790

Setlist: O Emperor, Dolan's, 17 January 2010

The always-excellent IndieLimerick has posted up a lovely review of O Emperor's latest gig at Dolan's Warehouse in Limerick. They're a band that a lot is expected of in the next twelve months, so expect to hear their name a lot around these parts.

Setlist:
Small Town, Local Hero
December
All Worked Out
Ghost of my Heart
Don't Mind Me
To The Sea
Don Quixote
Po
Epic One
Some Small Matter
The Fat Lady Sings

Read the review here.

Watch 'Small Town, Local Hero':

Live: Alessi's Ark Irish Tour

Alessi's Ark is set to play an extensive UK & Irish Tour, starting in Cork and ending with a support slot for Laura Marling in Dublin and on her UK Tour. Her debut album, Notes From The Treehouse was produced by the splendid Mike Mogis and came out last year. Alessi Laurent-Marke promises to have some new material out this year. Perhaps an EP or a few singles. Nothing definite yet.

Irish Dates:
13th January @ Cyprus Avenue, Cork (with Sons of Noel and Adrian and O Emperor)
14th January @ Roisin Dubh, Galway (with Sons of Noel and Adrian and O Emperor)
15th January @ Electric Avenue, Waterford (with Sons of Noel and Adrian and O Emperor)
16th January @ Whelans, Dublin (with Sons of Noel and Adrian and O Emperor)
17th January @ Dolans, Limerick (with Sons of Noel and Adrian and O Emperor)

More info:
www.myspace.com/alessisark

Watch 'The Horse' live at SXSW: