belfasttelegraph

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Pet Shop Boys to join Blur at Oxegen 09

Ireland's largest music festival added a raft of eclectic acts today to its growing line-up.

The Pet Shop Boys, Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction are on the bill for Oxegen 09, one of Europe's favourite rock and roll weekends.

Tickets for the three-day music festival - at Punchestown Racecourse in Naas, Co Kildare, from July 10 - go on sale tomorrow.

Promoter MCD has already announced an impressive line-up including Kings of Leon, Blur, Snow Patrol, Keane, Lily Allen and Bloc Party.

The Killers headline on the Sunday, taking to the stage after Razorlight, the Specials, Lady Gaga and the Ting Tings.

Oxegen veteran Pete Doherty, who performed in 2004 with the Libertines and in 2007 with Babyshambles, returns as a solo performer.

Irish band the Script are one of the main acts performing to tens of thousands of revellers on the opening day.

Frontman Danny O'Donoghue promised music fans a show to remember.

"I'm very, very nervous, I'm apprehensive, but I have to say it's going to be a fantastic night," said O'Donoghue.

"If last year is anything to go by, we're going to have one hell of a night.

"We're third from the top so it's a nice, nice slot. It's going to be dark, we're going to have a light show. It's going to be a special night."

The group played on the new band stage last year and admit they did not expect anybody to show up.

"The Kooks were on playing on the other stage and we were kind of thinking we're an Irish act, are they going to show up, will they even care, and we we walked out to a sea of people.

"They had tricolours flowing in the air and that really made us literally step our game up.

"To be playing on the main stage this year... I'm just imagining last year multiplied by 100. It's going to be crazy."

O'Donoghue, who was back in Dublin after a 17-date tour across Europe, plans to make the most of the weekend and catch some of his favourite acts.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Blur," he said.

"A lot of bands have been doing reunions - some I wanted to see back together and some that I didn't - and Blur is one of the ones I've just been dying to see."

Oxegen 08 attracted some of the biggest names on the festival circuit, including Rage Against The Machine and Kaiser Chiefs.

MCD's Justin Green said: "Nobody thought that we would be able to match last year's line-up, but I think that without a shadow of doubt, and from the phenomenal reaction of fans, that we have.

"We have the likes of Blur, the Killers, Kings of Leon, Snow Patrol and the Script, combined with Pet Shop Boys just announced, and acts like Squeeze and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

"There's something for everyone and I think fans are really looking forward to it."

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Gemini:

You never do anything in moderation. Attend every fun party, accept every juicy offer and try all the delectable treats spread before you. Avoid unpleasant people and activities like the plague. This should be a time of enjoyment. Leave your list of chores at home. You can always attend to these jobs at another time. If you have a chance to show your creative work to a publisher, manager or agent, go ahead. This is also a great opportunity to go on job interviews, auditions and first dates.More