Hip-Hopxegen

The official launch of Oxegen 2010 in Dublin during the week was exciting. Despite the fact that I kept up to date via Twitter, Google and word of mouth from a desk in Belfast, I was still a little caught up in the anticipation of it all.

It was an especially important launch as far as I was concerned. Last year's event (despite being my first Punchestown experience, and an excellent one at that) seemed to feel a little like Groundhog Day to the committed masses. As Kings of Leon mechanically ground out a tired set in the rain, many thousands cast their mind forward to next year... and the thought of parting with a three figure sum just to do it all again.

Post festival-hangover, it was obvious that something had to change.



I'm not sure that there is a stylistic canyon much wider than Kings of Leon to Eminem. But before eager thumbs could attack Blackberrys and iPhones, the second headliner was confirmed.



Jay-Z? Headlining a ROCK FESTIVAL?! This is an outra...wait...

The Jigga-man came, saw and conquered Glastonbury in the face of a tight jeaned shitstorm in 2008. For Oxegen to set him AND Eminem on top of the pile this year is nothing short of genius. If you need to have this explained to you, there's a handy little [X] button at the top right hand side of the page. Keep going, there you go.

The usual comfort-zone list of indie, electro, folk and rock is already there in abundance (and will be added to on March 8th), so there is little doubt that this year's festival will draw in the crowds. But hopefully with acts like the Black Eyed Peas taking to the main stage, it'll hit the headlines as one of the most memorable and diverse rainymuddydrunkenfarmerfieldweekenders in recent years.

We can only hope.

Baby Steps

It's been a great (if not ridiculously busy) month. I spent last week working at the Sunday Life in Belfast, getting some great advice from Associate Editor David O'Dornan, and working on a few small features and news articles.

I also had the chance to interview the fantastic Ciaran Gribbin (a.k.a Joe Echo) about writing and recording the soundtrack for the new U2 bio-pic 'Killing Bono'. I finished the article on Tuesday, after developing a mild addiction to his debut single 'The Heart That Knows Desire'. I can't believe I missed him at Oxegen last year.



The Life are running it as a page lead this weekend, so I'll post it here once I get a copy.

The day before that I had a chat with Cormac Neeson from The Answer about spending almost a year on the road with AC/DC. I asked him if it beat the hell out of a 9-5 office job. He laughed and said "Awk, It depends on what you're into..."



Bastard.

Jealousy aside, he's another good lad who is deserving of his success. He gave me loads worth writing about, so I'm currently working on getting it down on paper (or screen) in the next week or so and scoping out who it would interest.

In addition to all of that there's another decent interview in the pipeline, I'm in contact with a really good freelance music writer, Dropkick Murphys, Dan Le Sac, The Rabble and Pendulum are Belfast-bound and I got my hands on a whole bunch of new records that I'd love to review.

I just don't know when I'll get the chance.

Stay in touch,
Joel