So this Summer is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet for Music Festivals in Ireland. Be it the recently announced Oxegen and Electric Picnic line-ups, the newcomers Longitude or the small but reliable host of boutique festivals, it’s safe to say that there is something to suit all musical tastes (unless of course you are into heavy metal). If you missed my Irish Festivals update on Spin South West on Saturday do not fear. This blog will tell you everything you need to know as well as some things you don’t, about this summer’s musical offerings.

Oxegen

A previous jewel in Ireland’s festival crown, back by popular demand to a lackluster chorus of disapproving keystrokes as the nation mourns the death of ‘real music’. It seems that ‘Europe’s biggest Rock n Roll Weekend’ has forgotten itself during its year-long sabbatical  and renounced most if not all of its roots. This years line-up sees the likes of Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Snoop Whatever, Example and Chase & Status occupy the headline slot and show previous headliners (Coldplay, Foo Fighters, The National) how things are supposedly done. Early Bird Tickets start at 149.50euro. For more information visit  http://www.oxegen.ie

Electric Picnic

Despite earlier concerns over the festivals future it seems all but certain to go ahead now following Thursday’s Line up announcement. Some of this years heavy hitters include The Arctic Monkeys, Fat Boy Slim, Bjork, Ocean Colour Scene, Franz Ferdinand and Johnny Marr. With 2013 marking the 10th Anniversary of the beloved festival it’s fair to say that revellers expected something a bit more fitting i.e. David Bowie & Daft Punk. But it’s early days yet. If you are thinking of heading along to this years EP and have been in the past then be sure to check out the loyalty scheme over on their website http://www.electricpicnic.ie/holding.html

Go and see

• My Bloody Valentine
• Deep Valley
• Mick Flannery

Longitude

So this is the big ‘indie disco’ The Divine Comedy have been singing about. Longitude, the younger brother of the UK’s Latitude festival is all but set to make its Debut appearance this coming July. Formed after a musical breakup with the aforementioned Oxygen, Longitude took a host of indie and electro acts, left home and set up shop in Marlay Park. All the stops have been pulled out and a host of heavy hitting bands such as Phoenix, Foals, Vampire Weekend, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, Hot Chip and of course Kraftwerk have been recruited to mark the arrival of this new flagship Irish Festival. One thing worth mentioning is the lack of camping facilities. I’ve always seen these day festivals as a ‘cop out’. I mean it’s not a festival unless you’re camping on a mud made island in the middle of a rain water lagoon. Tickets are a reasonable 149.50. More details over on http://longitude.ie/

Go and see

• Funeral Suits
• The Cast of Cheers
• Tribes

The Year of the Small Festival

This year, without question, belongs to the small festivals. The larger music festivals, mentioned above,  seem to have pigeonholed themselves into distinct genres and are catering for a select fan base. But festivals are all about diversity (no not that dance group off the telly) finding new bands and ‘rocking out’ to genres you wouldn’t normally be caught dead with. And if you want this variety then you cannot look any further than the boutique festivals. Body and Soul seem to have put together a great festival with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Willy Mason, R.S.A.G and Wallis Bird to name a few. And with regard to Indiependence, where they lack in the headline department, with the likes of De La Soul, Fratellis and Bastille, they more than make up for it further down the line up. With bands like Windings, The Hot Sprockets, Le Galaxie and even Kodaline, Indiependence has positioned itself as a real front-runner for the August Bank Holiday. But watch this space, the ever solid Castlepalooza are yet to announce their line up, and you just know that they have something special up their sleeves.

Go and see

• Windings (Indiependence)
• The Hot Sprockets (Indiependence)
• The Strypes (Sea Sessions)