Jim Carrollon music
A prediction for 2009? Expect to see less and less single-artist outdoor shows on the summer gigging schedule.
While you might think this has something to do with the weather or the recession (or both), the real reason for this change will be down to The 02, the new name for the Point in Dublin.
Since that venue closed last summer and got the builders in, Irish promoters have had to find other venues for their bigger shows.
These replacement venues have been both imaginative (last winter's erection of large marquees in Dublin 8 by MCD, Aiken Promotions and POD Concerts) and horrific (the RDS indoor arena is a shed better suited to showcasing new agricultural equipment than live music).
It's safe to say, then, that the arrival of a venue such as The 02 in Dublin will be warmly welcomed by the Big Three promoters.
For a start, it means that there will finally be another Irish venue on a par with Belfast's excellent Odyssey, which will allow arena acts to play more than one Irish show on their tour.
But many shows which are currently held outdoors may also end up in Dublin's docklands.
While there will always be acts such as Bruce Springsteen, where demand warrants an outdoor venue (as well as the likes Metallica who will be touring with a full outdoor production set-up), there are also many shows which promoters will be happy to see going indoors.
The availability of a venue with a capacity of up to 13,000 means promoters will be able to avail of reduced venue and production costs when it comes to these shows.
With The 02, there will be no need to rent a few acres of land and build a stage every time Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Lenny Kravitz or Leonard Cohen comes to town.
The venue will also ensure plenty of repeat visits from acts who would normally only get to fit in an Irish show every few years. Of course, depending on the act, this might not be such a good thing.
Fancy a free-for-all at Farmleigh?
When Taoiseach Brian Cowen is looking for a bed for the night in the capital, he lodges at the Farmleigh estate in the Phoenix Park. The rest of us get a chance to enjoy Lord Iveagh's stately pile when the Farmleigh Affair returns for its third outing over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The free two-day event from the Improvised Music Company will feature Justin Adams (a regular collaborator with Robert Plant and Tinariwen) with Gambian ritti maestro Juldeh Camara, the Mornington Singers, Grada, Iarla
Ó Lionáird, Grupo Fantasma, Lo Còr De La Plana and many more. Tickets are available from today at www.farmleighaffair.comand are limited to four per person (and that goes for the Taoiseach too).
We've two recommendations today for those seeking some fresh new music for the weekend.
Take a download chance
Music blogger MP3Hugger has put together Indiecater, a 10-track compilation from a bunch of artists he thinks deserve more exposure. They include Burning Codes, Beaten Awake, Empty Rooms and Michael Knight. Download the compilation for €4.50 at www.indiecater.com
Back in 2004, Jimmy Behan's Days Are What We LiveIn album was one of the Irish highlights of that year. His brand new five-track EP, In the Sudden Distance, is now available as a free download from www.zymogen.net.
ETC
• Musos seeking a dig-out for recording or performance projects should check out Music Network's funding schemes, details of which were announced this week. More info at musicnetwork.ie
• New York Punk-funk pioneers Liquid Liquid play Dublin's Tripod on October 5th. Domino has just released Slip in and Out of Phenomenon, a fantastic set of their greatest grooves.
• From the you-couldn't- make-it-up department: Eighties boyband Bros are hatching plans to reform.
• Tickets go on sale today for US house kingpin Danny Tenaglias date at Dublin's Tripod on September 19th
Quote:
"Noel Gallagher was one of the biggest detractors, so I figured that was a cool way to start the show."
- Jay-Z explains why he opened his Glastonbury set withWonderwall
