Oxegen chiefs secure hot act to fire up fans
Tuesday, February 20, 2007

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/en...cle2287588.ece

They caused a frenzy when tickets for their forthcoming Dublin shows went on sale, and now Canadian band Arcade Fire are set to be the plum attraction at this year’s Oxegen music festival. The seven-piece, Montreal based band have been hailed as one of the world’s most exciting outfits.

Tickets have been changing hands for up to €300 for their Olympia shows on March 5 and 6, and a new album, Neon Bible, will be released on March 2.

Securing the band for Oxegen, which takes place in Punchestown Racecourse, Co Kildare, on July 7 and 8, is a coup for promoters MCD.

“The band actually requested playing Oxegen this year,” an MCD insider said yesterday. “It will be the only Irish festival they play in 2007.”

A bidding war between MCD and Aiken Promotions had ensued over the band’s shows in Dublin, with MCD and the Olympia winning out over Aiken’s Vicar Street.

It is thought that MCD also struck a deal with the group to play Oxegen.

The full official line up for Oxegen will be announced on February 28, but we reveal that acclaimed guitar bands – New York’s Interpol and London’s Bloc Party – will be among the 90 acts playing over the weekend.

Also included in the line-up will be Brazilian dance-pop outfit CSS and young English diva Amy Winehouse.

English trio Muse will headline one of the dates – to be finalised – and Ulster rockers Snow Patrol will headline the other. Contrary to online rumours, David Bowie – who pulled out of Oxegen three years ago due to illness – will not be playing the festival.

An official line-up announcement will be made at the end of the month and 80,000 weekend tickets will go on sale on March 2.

Bloc party, Arcade Fire and Interpol? I am so there.

130 Sterling that’s a little steep, hope Courtney plays it

Its not that dear. I think Muse and Razorlight might be playing too.

Muse and razorlight are confirmed along with...Snow Patrol, Daft Punk, Scissor Sisters, Kings of Leon, Tori Amos, Amy Winehouse, Babyshambles, Kooks, Goo Goo Dolls, CSS, My Chemical Romance, James Morrison, Fratellis and Klaxons.

Apart from mcr, goo goo dolls and that morrison ****, all in all it looks quite promising.

I think I'll make the trip, I did last year! Though I kind of want to see the Electric Picnic line up because the Oxegen attendees/campers are TOTAL ****S but vibes are much better at Electric. I hear the Who and Aerosmith are doing Marley Park this year in August, ooooooh, we are spoiled for choice this year on our little island, I dont know what to do?! Radiohead are supposed to be headlining Oxegen, I saw Arcade Fire live at Leeds and found it boring!

Who ever is complaining about price shut your pie hole! You dont know how good you got it. It will probably be around 200 euros for us, seeing that 175 was the early discount price last year.