Spotlight on Irish bands at Glastonbury and Marquee

SOME of Ireland’s favourite musical performers wowed audiences at home and overseas as the summer concert festival continued over the weekend.

The events were supplemented by last night’s performance of rock legends AC/DC at the Punchestown racecourse last night, where thousands who missed the Australian band’s Dublin performance last April got a chance to experience their Black Ice tour show.

Christy Moore made another appearance at the Live at the Marquee concert series in Cork’s showgrounds on Saturday night.

The folk legend was followed into the tented venue by the heroes of a slightly younger generation, when Boyzone took the stage to a crowd of screaming fans.

Legendary American folk-rock trio, Crosby, Stills & Nash play tonight at Live at the Marquee in Cork, a venue rocked by their sometimes collaborator Neil Young last summer. Tickets are still available for the show, which follows CSN’s appearance at the Glastonbury Festival in England on Saturday.

One of the country’s oldest céilí bands spoke of their delight at playing at Glastonbury over the weekend.

The Clare-based Kilfenora Céilí Band, which is marking a century in existence this year, headlined the acoustic stage on Saturday night and were joined by two other Irish acts, Lúnasa and Lisa Hannigan.

“It was a great honour to play amongst professional musicians including Bruce Springsteen,” said band leader and retired schoolteacher John Lynch.

After last night’s AC/DC show, the Punchestown venue is now ready for preparations for Ireland’s own Glastonbury.

Oxegen ’09 kicks off at the Co Kildare racecourse on Friday week, with Blur, Kings of Leon, Snow Patrol and The Killers among the headline acts over the three days of musical festivities.