The Boss kicks off summer of song

AS US rock star Bruce Springsteen kicked off the summer festival season last night, revellers were warned they must not drive if they are drunk, hungover or sleep-deprived.

Springsteen is the first in a series of outdoor concerts, including Oxegen and the Electric Picnic, which will attract hundreds of thousands of music fans.

Alcohol awareness group, Meas (Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society), yesterday launched its 16-page pocket-sized Festival Survival Guide.

Meas chief executive Fionnuala Sheehan said: “I am concerned about people driving home after events at which they may have been consuming alcohol or had very little sleep.

“I encourage people to use public transport to and from the festivals where possible, or to designate a non-drinking driver.”

The Festival Survival Guide contains advice and tips to make sure fans have a positive music festival experience.

Meas’s summer alcohol awareness campaign, which will run until September, will include large outdoor and commuter posters as well as radio adverts.

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will draw up to 120,000 people to three gigs at the RDS this weekend.

Big names like Leonard Cohen, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Lou Reed, Paul Simon and Tom Waits are also due here in the coming months.

* The Meas Festival Survival Guide is available free to download from drinkaware.ie/festivals or 01-6114811 or email [e-mail] with your name and address.