Music fans are gasping for Oxegen

WITH Oxegen tickets going on sale yesterday, music fans will be scrambling for every available cent so they can afford a couple of days of rock ’n’ roll this July.

Now firmly established as Ireland’s premier music event, this year’s lineup boasts some of the biggest music names on the planet.

Top of the bunch is Grammy and BRIT award winning supergroup Coldplay joined by US stars The Strokes, Irish pop trio The Script, Deadmau5 and The National as the latest acts confirmed for the Punchestown extravaganza.

Other acts that had already been confirmed for Oxegen include Black Eyed Peas, Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys and Paolo Nutini.

With a 26-year history and one of the albums of the 1990s behind them, the legendary Primal Scream are also confirmed for this year’s festival in a good blend of old and new acts.

Former Oasis man Liam Gallagher’s new band Beady Eye make their Irish debut.

It’s also an Oxegen festival first for Coldplay. Used to packing out stadiums the world over, they are also headlining Glastonbury.

Following a long live break, The Strokes will bring their Stateside style to the musical centre of Ireland. Their 2001 debut album Is This it was widely regarded by music critics and fans as one of the best indie rock albums in a decade and their forthcoming fourth album Angels is the ultimate proof that the New York five-piece are still as strong as ever.

Festival director John Probyn said this year’s lineup was a feast of fan favourites with some of the biggest established and best breakthrough bands coming to Punchestown.

“We have pulled out all the stops to deliver this A-list lineup. Some of these bands won’t be back playing Ireland for quite some time, which is going to make their appearances all the more special.

“We have decided to announce it direct to the fans this year via the artists themselves at oxegen.ie. To be part of a festival that unites the fans and the bands in this way is unique,” he said.

Tickets are on sale now and cost €244.50 for a four-day camping ticket. All ticket prices are frozen at 2008 prices including day tickets which are available at €99.50 each.