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.
