Live: Oxegen 2010 Hot Press Signing Tent

The first batch of acts for the Hot Press signing tent at Oxegen 2010 have been announced. Expect more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Lineup so far:
Wild Beasts
Villagers
Ash
Cathy Davey
Delorentos

Some great names there so far, and there's sure to be more.

Watch Wild Beasts 'Assembly':

Live: Oxegen 2010 Heineken Green Spheres Lineup

The daily breakdowns for the Oxegen 2010 Lineup have been announced for yet another stage (still no sign of the main stage breakdowns though).

This time it's the Heineken Green Spheres stage, which features some magnificent acts over the three day weekend. Friday night is headlined by David Guetta, but no doubt Ellie Goulding will pull in a big crowd. Delorentos are the best of Irish on the stage on the festival's first day.

Saturday night's festivities are headlined by Calvin Harris, with Hot Chip, Gossip, and La Roux all on before him. The highlight for me, however, has to be Cathy Davey, who recently topped the Irish album charts with The Nameless.

Sunday night is the big one for many people. The last act to play the Heineken Green Spheres stage this year will be folk-of-the-moment Mumford and Sons. Ocean Colour Scene will bring some classic rock, and there's something for everyone with the contrast of Jamie T and Diana Vickers.


FRIDAY JULY 9
DAVID GUETTA
GOLDFRAPP
EMPIRE OF THE SUN
ELLIE GOULDING
THE CORAL
DELORENTOS
KASSIDY
GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT

SATURDAY JULY 10
CALVIN HARRIS
HOT CHIP
GOSSIP
LA ROUX
CATHY DAVEY
WALLIS BIRD
TBC
PANAMA KINGS

SUNDAY JULY 11
MUMFORD & SONS
OCEAN COLOUR SCENE
JAMIE T
THE COURTEENERS
WE ARE SCIENTISTS
KATE NASH
DIANA VICKERS
GENERAL FIASCO

Live: Cathy Davey, JVMcM at Electric Picnic 2010

Thanks to Jim Carroll's On the Record for the heads up with this one. A lot of new names have been added to the Electric Picnic 2010 lineup, including two fantastic Irish acts: Cathy Davey (who topped the charts just two weeks ago with The Nameless) and upcoming sensation James Vincent McMorrow. There was also other local and international acts announced, with Foals a must-see on the bill.

New additions to the lineup:
Foals
Dam-Funk
Cathy Davey
These New Puritans
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Beardyman
Archie Bronson Outfit
Philip Selway
James Vincent McMorrow
And So I Watch You From Afar
Goodtime John
UNKLE
The Mighty Stef

Album Review: Cathy Davey - The Nameless

Cathy Davey - The Nameless

After being knocked off her one-week perch at number 1 in the Irish charts, Cathy Davey could not have asked to have been supplanted by anyone closer to home. Conor J O'Brien did not only record Villagers' Becoming a Jackal recently, he also was involved in the entirety of Cathy Davey's third album The Nameless. Oh and it's still #2 this week. Not a bad 1-2, right?

Davey's third record may well be her best yet. It takes everything that made Something Ilk and Tales of Silversleeve great and turned them up a notch. Her singing is as bewitching as ever, and her and O'Brien's music is first-rate throughout.

Opening song and title track 'The Nameless' is a captivating tune, showing off her powerful vocals, especially during the splendid closing section. It's like wrapping yourself in the warmest of blankets and blocking everything else out.

There's much to enjoy here, 'Army of Tears' with Neil Hannon is led by wonderful strings until it leaps into a wonderful chorus. Symphonic brilliance. The press release calls the tune the best ever Eurovision song not to appear at the Eurovision, but I feel that belittles it. It's so much better. 'In He Comes', 'Bad Weather', and 'Wild Rum' are equally beautiful, the first is a particular standout in the Kate Bush mould.

Single 'Little Red' showcases her talents further, and highlights how her move away from a major label has actually helped rather than hindered her career. It has given her the time to record something as mystifyingly beautiful as this.

The album is masterfully arranged, a tremendous job has gone into the album, from everyone involved. But the star of the show remains that gorgeous voice. There isn't many better instruments in Ireland. Glorious, and yet another reason why 2010 is proving to be the best year ever for Irish music.

Setlist: Cathy Davey, Dolan's, 16th May 2010

Thanks to Keith at IndieLimerick for the setlist, he has a good few videos from the gig here.

Setlist:
Dog
Collector
Reuben
No Heart
In He Comes
Little
Blue
Clean & Messy
Habit
Nameless
Rubbish
Lay Your Hand
Army
Wild Rum
Mr.Kill
Moving
---
Bad Weather
I Want You Back (Micheal Jackson Cover)
Sing For You Supper

Watch:

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: Drop Haiti's Debt at Vicar Street

There's a fine amount of benefit gigs happening around the country, but this one is definitely worth mentioning. Cathy Davey, Julie Feeney, Villagers, The Chapters, The Chakras, and more will be playing Vicar Street for the Drop Haiti's Debt campaign on Thursday 11th of February. Tickets cost €20 and are on sale now.

Today, Haiti still owes some US$890 million, much of it to global financial institutions, and is due to make millions in debt payments in the coming year alone. As a result Trocaire has started the Drop Haiti's Debt campaign. All money from this concert will be going towards that.

Ciara Gaynor, Trócaire’s head of campaigns said ‘It will take decades for Haiti to recover from the earthquake. The country must not be faced with the additional massive burden of debt repayments. Any emergency earthquake assistance must be in the form of grants, not loans, which will only increase Haiti’s debt burden in the long run. The people of Haiti have suffered for too long. Please join the call for debt relief, and help Haiti on the long road to recovery from this devastating disaster. Please support the campaign on www.trocaire.org and join the ‘Drop Haiti’s Debt’ group on Facebook”.

Watch The Chapters - 'Your Voice' live in 2006:

Live: Cathy Davey at Tripod

Yet another winter gig. Tonnes of them. Luckily my new house is on the nightlink bus routes!

Cathy Davey will play Dublin's Tripod on December 22nd.

Tickets cost €24.50 and €28, and go on sale this Wednesday (October 1st - it's October already. My God!)

Check out her MySpace here:
www.myspace.com/cathydavey

Watch 'Cold Man's Nightmare':