Scene and Heard
Funny that. The abiding memory for many of us who were in the crowd is Ian Brown’s dismal vocals. Meanwhile, record company representative PPI (Phonographic Performance Ireland) has released its list of most played songs on Irish radio in 2011. ‘Price Tag’ by Jessie J, right, tops the chart, followed by Maroon 5’s ‘Moves like Jagger’ and ‘Rolling in the Deep’ by Adele. The highest Irish song was ‘If Ever You Come Back’ by the Script. In Britain, the equivalent organisation, the BPI, has reported that album sales in the UK fell by almost seven million in the first half of 2012, in comparison to the same period last year. Adele still dominates those sales, followed by Emeli Sande and Lana Del Rey. Plan B has told the Sun newspaper that his failure to make an impact in the US is down to him being “too white for the black radio stations and too black for white radio stations”.
GIG WISE: After last night’s Stone Roses concert at the Phoenix Park, there are two more biggies to come at the Dublin venue, and promoters MCD have advised concert-goers to dress for inclement weather. The field is expected to be muddy and there’s also a good chance of rain. Swedish House Mafia headline a concert there tomorrow, with Tinie Tempah, Snoop Dogg and Calvin Harris also on the bill. Sunday sees Snow Patrol and Florence & the Machine take to the Phoenix Park stage. The Olympia was always going to be too small a venue for Nicky Minaj, and while the American star’s gig there on August 21 is already sold out, she has announced an appearance at the O2 for Nov 5. Wu Tang Clan caused quite a stir with their surprisingly good gigs in Ireland last year, and a number of members of the group — Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Masta Killa and GZA — are at the Button Factory in Dublin on Sunday Jul 15, to perform a mixture of solo material and Clan classics. The same venue hosts Jamaican rhythm kings Sly and Robbie tomorrow. In Cork, Wallis Bird has announced a gig at the Half Moon for Oct 18, with American folkies Megafaun playing the venue on Dec 4. Alabama 3 do an acoustic set at Cyprus Avenue next Thursday, with Nouvelle Vague returning there on Jul 20.
CLUB LIFE: Prohibition at the Half Moon in Cork tomorrow promises all sorts of 1920s-themed high jinks, with punters urged to dress in the style of the period. At the Pavilion tonight Manchester dance legend A Guy Called Gerald takes to the decks. Most famous for Voodoo Ray, we’re not sure what route he’ll take in Cork, but we hear he has been playing recent sets of classic dance sounds. The Twisted Pepper in Dublin tonight has George Fitzgerald (Hot Flush).
FILM TIPS: Films from Sunday at Triskel Christchurch in Cork include Ken Loach’s much lauded The Angel’s Share, a lighthearted tale of a young Scottish man’s redemption; and Woody Allen, a documentary on the once-funny New York filmmaker, left. The Briery Gap in Macroom, Co Cork, continues its summer season with The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Wednesday, followed by Little Shop of Horrors on Jul 18.
KINSALE ARTS: Kinsale Arts Festival begins tomorrow and the line-up of theatre, art, etc, should ensure a busy week. The music strand seems to be lacking the big names of previous years, but highlights could include Rarely Seen Above Ground next Friday.
