Oxegen 2009: Heineken Green Spheres Preview

Posted on 9th Jul 09 by Jonathan Keane | 1

The Heineken Green Spheres Stage at this year’s Oxegen presents a rather mixed bag of acts. On Friday, some truly exiting acts like Mogwai and God Is An Astronaut as well as some new, young acts will take to the stage, along with veteran headliners 2 Many DJs. Saturday gets off somewhat of a dodgy start but picks up with acts like Regina Spektor and Pet Shop Boys, while Sunday, unfortunately kicks off in a similar fashion as Saturday, but may produce some moments that could be worth seeing.

FRIDAY:

Dirty Epics:

Wicklow natives Dirty Epics bring their alt rock to Oxegen. The four guys are part of the new crop of solid bands being produced on this fair isle of late and they’ll be one of the bands to get the ball rolling on Friday afternoon.

God Is An Astronaut:

Ireland has been producing some top tier instrumental bands of late. But God Is An Astronaut were one of the first. Be at the Heineken Green Spheres stage to witness GIAA deliver their huge post rock styling because they may just blow you away! [Special guest appearance by Gaz from Butterfly Explosion too - Ed]

Dreadzone:

Dreadzone are an interesting mixed bag of sounds melding reggae, dance and techo along with folk influences. Over 15 years and 5 albums into their career the much experience sextet will more than likely set off the Heineken Green Spheres stage this Friday.

Fight Like Apes:

Another fine Irish act rearing their heads at Oxegen this year is Fight Like Apes. The four piece has toured with the likes of Kasabian and The Prodigy much to their delight. Now, the band brings their synth and keyboard laden rock to Punchestown again.

Mogwai:

Hot off the heels of three sold out nights in The Academy instrumental pioneers Mogwai look set to astound at this years’ festival. It’s difficult to put Mogwai’s music into words: suffice to say it’s an experience that is only furthered by the release of last year’s solid album, The Hawk Is Howling. It will no doubt be interesting to see how Mogwai operate in a festival setting.

Republic Of Loose:

Republic Of Loose will provide a chance to bust out some moves with the likes of The Steady Song to lead in an aul’ sing song. Their show will be an amiable one most likely, which is a good thing.

2 Many DJs:

Influential electro outfit 2 Many DJs will headline the Heineken Green Spheres stage on Friday. The duo of David and Stephen Dewaele have steadily built a strong following throughout the years and there’s no doubt that anyone who’s anyone will be out to catch their set.

SATURDAY:

Gary Go:

English pop singer Gary Go will open things on Saturday. With only one album in his repertoire (self titled, released in May) and not much acclaim being thrown his direction it’s hard to see this performance gathering a big crowd.

Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club:

The same can be more or less said for these guys. There’s no fault to them, but when you have the likes of The Gaslight Anthem clashing it won’t do them many favours.

Daniel Merriweather:

The first couple of acts on stage for Heineken Green Spheres for Saturday leave a lot to be desired I think it’s fair to say. Aussie, Merriweater, will deliver his R&B tinged material with gusto, but will that many people care?

The Saturdays:

It’s appropriate that they are playing Saturday, I guess! The Saturdays girls will bring a change from the usual rock and indie here. But truth be told they fit this bill about as much as Sugababes did last year.

Regina Spektor:

Now here’s the first real act for this stage on Saturday! Spektor has been active for ten years but has recently been getting some much deserved acclaim and respect. Her latest album Far was released last month to glowing responses from the likes of Rolling Stone; let’s hope her performance this weekend will mirror this.

Pete Doherty

I think it would be best to put a ban on me even mentioning Pete Doherty. I don’t like him, for obvious reasons and won’t entertain any arguments like “lyrical genius” or “true icon”. If you feel that way then you don’t need any other reason to go see him.

TV On The Radio

After last year’s hugely successful Dear Science album TV On The Radio have been enjoying the spoils of war. Now, at Oxegen we can assume that their roll will continue.

Pet Shop Boys

If for some reason you’re not seeing you’re not seeing Kings Of Leon or Nick Cave at this time then you’ve no excuse for not checking out Pet Shop Boys’ headlining slot. It’ll be a good time vibe that’s for damn sure! I can hear the masses singing Always On My Mind now.

SUNDAY:

Iglu And Hartly:

Electronics and rock collide again in an unmoving fashion with regards to Iglu And Hartly. Again, it’s hard to see this show being anything special.

Noisettes:

Part of me is bewildered; Noisettes have enjoyed quite some success lately. It’s right that they’re playing this time of the day, but they should be at least on the O2 Stage. Regardless, Don’t Upset The Rhythm will unite a strong crowd and it should be a solid show.

That Petrol Emotion:

Reunited last year after a 14 year absence, rock outfit That Petrol Emotion should keep the fun and frolics rolling throughout Sunday afternoon. Expect all the staples in their back catalogue like Keen, Swamp and Abandon.

Friendly Fires:

Another young and up and coming band are Friendly Fires. Their self titled debut album was lapped up by the likes of NME, which I suppose is a good thing if you’re in their shoes!

Foals:

Again, it depends on what you’re in to. Foals, to me anyway, are rather dull and boring but hey they must be doing something right to be on this bill!

Jason Mraz:

Jason Mraz will up the ante though. His mix of different styles (rock, reggae, hip hop to name a few) is genuinely interesting and absolutely worthy of your attention!

Glasvegas:

Oxegen was kind to Glasvegas last year. This year the band play second last on this stage and will undoubtedly draw in a reasonable crowd regardless of the main and second stage acts. The Glaswegians’ star has risen hugely in the last year and the expectations will be high for their set.

Manic Street Preachers:

Back again to conquer! Manic Street Preachers headlined this very stage last year (entitled the Green Room then) and did so rather successfully. History has a habit of repeating itself, does it? Well, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t on Sunday night.

Tags: 2 many djs, daniel merriweather, Dirty Epics, dreadzone, fight like apes, foals, friendly fires, gary go, glasvegas, god is an astronaut, heineken green spheres, iglu and hartly, jason mraz, jerry fish and the mudbug club, manic street preachers, mogwai, noisettes, oxegen, oxegen 2009, pet shop boys, pete doherty, regina spektor, Republic of Loose, that petrol emotion, the saturdays, TV on the radio