Oxegen 2005
Encyclopedia
Oxegen 2005 was the second Oxegen
festival to take place, following the dissolution of its predecessor Witnness
in 2004. It took place on the weekend of Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July at Punchestown Racecourse
near Naas
in County Kildare
, Ireland
.
70,000 attended the festival, with 60,000 camping for the weekend. The headliners were Foo Fighters
on the Sunday and Green Day
on the Saturday.
, as well as Ian Brown
, The Prodigy
, The Frames
, Keane, and The Killers were some of the first acts to be announced for the festival. Also playing were Saturday night headliners Green Day
, New Order
, Queens of the Stone Age
, James Brown
, Feeder
, Kasabian, Nine Black Alps
, The Departure
, Razorlight
, LCD Soundsystem
, Echo & the Bunnymen
, The La's
, The Revs
, Snoop Dogg
and The Futureheads
are some of the acts that performed at the festival.
Kaiser Chiefs
made their Oxegen debut as the third act on the Main Stage on the Saturday, a feat they would surpass on the Sunday of the following year when they were third headliners. They later went on to become second headliners on the Sunday of the 2008 festival. Other bands to make their Oxegen debut included Bloc Party
, The Bravery
and Rodrigo y Gabriela
. Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke
received a cold reception from the crowd after saying that it was great to be "back in the UK
" before trying to back out of it by saying that he meant "familiar territory".
Audioslave
played on the Main Stage on the Sunday of Oxegen 2005, their only Irish festival performance before their split in 2007. They performed much of their own material and also previous songs by Soundgarden
("Spoonman
" and "Black Hole Sun
") and Rage Against the Machine
("Killing in the Name
"). The band minus Chris Cornell
went on to headline Oxegen 2008
with Zack de la Rocha
as the reformed Rage Against the Machine
, with "Killing in the Name" performed in its original style. .
The scheduled appearance of Bright Eyes in the Green Room on the Saturday was cancelled at the last minute; they were replaced on the bill by Irish band 66e who were asked to step in on that same afternoon. Bright Eyes did however later go on to make an appearance on the Pet Sounds Stage on the Sunday of the 2007 festival
. Ian Brown
headlined the Green Room on the Saturday of Oxegen 2005 before going on to repeat this on the Sunday of Oxegen 2008. Flogging Molly
performed in the Green Room on the Saturday of Oxegen 2005 before oddly going on to perform on the New Band Stage on the Sunday of Oxegen 2008.
The Magic Numbers
, Future Kings of Spain
, The Go! Team
, Humanzi
, Director
and The Blizzards
were amongst the bands that performed on the New Band Stage. Also appearing on that stage was Smashing Pumpkins
drummer Jimmy Chamberlin
. Editors
too performed on the New Band Stage, making the first of what, as of 2008, was four consecutive appearances on four different stages at Oxegen. They performed on the NME Stage in 2006, the Green Room in 2007 and the Main Stage in 2008.
operated a shuttle service to Punchestown from Parnell Square West with buses departing every 20 minutes.
for some revellers.
, drug enforcement officers, sniffer dogs and security officers policed the grounds.
There was no serious trouble with less than 100 arrests for drug offences, generally for possession of cannabis
.
poll of 10,000 people. It was placed below Glastonbury
, Reading, Live 8
and V Festival. Oxegen headliners Foo Fighters
were also voted best band in the same poll.
* denotes cancelled performance
Oxegen
Oxegen is an annual music festival in Ireland held since 2004, sponsored by Heineken. As of 2007, 2008, 2009, the festival has been cited as Ireland's biggest music festival. And by 2009, the festival is cited as the greenest festival, being a 100% carbon neutral event in Ireland. It was previously...
festival to take place, following the dissolution of its predecessor Witnness
Witnness
Witnness was an Irish music festival, sponsored by Guinness, which ran for four consecutive summers from 2000 to 2003. Originally it was held at Fairyhouse Racecourse in County Meath, but it was moved to Punchestown Racecourse in County Kildare for its final year...
in 2004. It took place on the weekend of Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July at Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown Racecourse is located in the parish of Eadestown, between the R410 and R411 regional roads near Naas, County Kildare, in Ireland. It is home of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland....
near Naas
Naas
Naas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
in County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
70,000 attended the festival, with 60,000 camping for the weekend. The headliners were Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
on the Sunday and Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
on the Saturday.
Tickets
A limited number of tickets went on sale in December 2004 at a discount price and quickly sold out, the main bulk of tickets went on sale on Friday 18 February, costing €150 for the weekend with a camping pass, €125 for the weekend without a camping pass and €67 for a day pass for either day. The tickets sold out in record time on 3 June, six weeks prior to the event. Promoter Denis Desmond was chuffed:"For Oxegen to sell out so far in advance in its short history is an incredible achievement. It goes to show that the event has already established itself as one of the most important events in the Irish music calendar."
Performances
There were five stages on which over eighty acts performed during the course of the two-day event. Sunday night headliners Foo FightersFoo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
, as well as Ian Brown
Ian Brown
Ian George Brown is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band The Stone Roses, which broke up in 1996 but are confirmed to reunite in 2012. Since the break-up of the Stone Roses he has pursued a solo career...
, The Prodigy
The Prodigy
The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s...
, The Frames
The Frames
The Frames are an Irish band based in Dublin. Founded in 1990 by Glen Hansard, the band has been influential in the Dublin rock music scene. The group has released six albums...
, Keane, and The Killers were some of the first acts to be announced for the festival. Also playing were Saturday night headliners Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
, New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
, Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
, James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
, Feeder
Feeder
-Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage...
, Kasabian, Nine Black Alps
Nine Black Alps
Nine Black Alps are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester, named after a line in The Couriers by Sylvia Plath and fronted by Sam Forrest.-Career:...
, The Departure
The Departure
The Departure was an English rock band from Northampton, formed in October 2003. Their debut album, Dirty Words, was released 13 June 2005 by Parlophone. A second album, Inventions, was expected to be released in early 2008, but was not...
, Razorlight
Razorlight
Razorlight are a UK based indie rock band formed in 2002. They are primarily known in the UK, having topped the charts with the 2006 single "America" and its parent self-titled album, their second...
, LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem was a prominent American dance-punk band from New York City. It was fronted by American singer-songwriter and producer James Murphy, co-founder of record label DFA Records...
, Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
, The La's
The La's
The La's were an English rock band from Liverpool, originally active from the mid-1980s to early 1990s. Fronted by singer, songwriter and guitarist Lee Mavers, the group is most famous for their hit single "There She Goes". The band was formed by Mike Badger in 1984 and Mavers joined soon after...
, The Revs
The Revs
The Revs were an indie rock band from Kilcar, Donegal, Ireland. The group consists of three childhood friends: Rory Gallagher on bass guitar and vocals, John McIntyre and Michael O' Donnell...
, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
and The Futureheads
The Futureheads
The Futureheads are an English post-punk band from Sunderland. consisting of Ross Millard , Barry Hyde and David "Jaff" Craig...
are some of the acts that performed at the festival.
Kaiser Chiefs
Kaiser Chiefs are an English indie rock band from Leeds who formed in 1996. They were named after the South African football club Kaizer Chiefs....
made their Oxegen debut as the third act on the Main Stage on the Saturday, a feat they would surpass on the Sunday of the following year when they were third headliners. They later went on to become second headliners on the Sunday of the 2008 festival. Other bands to make their Oxegen debut included Bloc Party
Bloc Party
Bloc Party are a British Indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke , Russell Lissack , Gordon Moakes , and Matt Tong...
, The Bravery
The Bravery
The Bravery is an American rock band from New York City that consists of Sam Endicott , Michael Zakarin , John Conway , Mike Hindert , and Anthony Burulcich...
and Rodrigo y Gabriela
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Rodrigo y Gabriela , also known as "El Rodri y La Gabi", are a Mexican musical duo who specialize in playing fast, rhythmic acoustic guitars...
. Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke
Kele Okereke
Kelechukwu "Kele" Rowland Okereke is a British musician, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the indie rock band Bloc Party.-Early life:...
received a cold reception from the crowd after saying that it was great to be "back in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
" before trying to back out of it by saying that he meant "familiar territory".
Audioslave
Audioslave
Audioslave was an American rock supergroup that formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001. It consisted of former Soundgarden lead singer/rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell and the former instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine: Tom Morello , Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk...
played on the Main Stage on the Sunday of Oxegen 2005, their only Irish festival performance before their split in 2007. They performed much of their own material and also previous songs by Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
("Spoonman
Spoonman
"Spoonman" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden. Written by frontman Chris Cornell, "Spoonman" was released on February 15, 1994 as the first single from the band's fourth studio album, Superunknown . "Spoonman" is often credited as one of the songs that launched Soundgarden's career...
" and "Black Hole Sun
Black Hole Sun
"Black Hole Sun" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden. Written by frontman Chris finneran, "Black Hole Sun" was released in 1994 as the third single from the band's fourth studio album Superunknown . It is arguably the band's most recognizable and most popular song, and remains a well...
") and Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
("Killing in the Name
Killing in the Name
"Killing in the Name" is a song by American rap metal band Rage Against the Machine, featured on their self-titled debut album, and was released as the lead single from the album in November 1992...
"). The band minus Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell is an American rock musician best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Soundgarden and as the former lead vocalist for Audioslave. He is also known for his numerous solo works and soundtrack contributions since 1998...
went on to headline Oxegen 2008
Oxegen 2008
Oxegen '08 was the fifth Oxegen festival to take place, following the dissolution of its predecessor Witnness in 2004. It took place on the weekend of Friday 11 July, Saturday 12 July and Sunday 13 July at Punchestown Racecourse near Naas in County Kildare, Ireland. For the first time the festival...
with Zack de la Rocha
Zack de la Rocha
Zacarías Manuel "Zack" de la Rocha is an American rapper, musician, poet, and activist best known as the vocalist and lyricist of Rage Against the Machine.-Early life and childhood:...
as the reformed Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
, with "Killing in the Name" performed in its original style. .
The scheduled appearance of Bright Eyes in the Green Room on the Saturday was cancelled at the last minute; they were replaced on the bill by Irish band 66e who were asked to step in on that same afternoon. Bright Eyes did however later go on to make an appearance on the Pet Sounds Stage on the Sunday of the 2007 festival
Oxegen 2007
Oxegen '07 was the fourth Oxegen festival to take place, following the dissolution of its predecessor Witnness in 2004. It took place on the weekend of Saturday, 7 July and Sunday, 8 July at Punchestown Racecourse near Naas in County Kildare, Ireland. The festival was headlined by Muse and Snow...
. Ian Brown
Ian Brown
Ian George Brown is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band The Stone Roses, which broke up in 1996 but are confirmed to reunite in 2012. Since the break-up of the Stone Roses he has pursued a solo career...
headlined the Green Room on the Saturday of Oxegen 2005 before going on to repeat this on the Sunday of Oxegen 2008. Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly is a seven-piece Irish-descendant band from Los Angeles, California, that is currently signed to their own record label, Borstal Beat Records.-Early years:...
performed in the Green Room on the Saturday of Oxegen 2005 before oddly going on to perform on the New Band Stage on the Sunday of Oxegen 2008.
The Magic Numbers
The Magic Numbers
The Magic Numbers are an English pop rock band comprising two pairs of brothers and sisters from Greenford. The group was formed in 2002, releasing their critically acclaimed debut album titled The Magic Numbers on 13 June 2005...
, Future Kings of Spain
Future Kings of Spain
Future Kings of Spain were an Irish rock band, from Dublin.Future Kings of Spain on 28 September 2007 released their second album Nervousystem. Recorded in London and Malta with producer Ian Grimble , it was released in Ireland on the band's own label, What’s The Kim? and entered the Irish Albums...
, The Go! Team
The Go! Team
The Go! Team are a six-piece band from Brighton, England. They combine indie rock and garage rock with a mixture of blaxploitation and Bollywood soundtracks, double dutch chants, old school hip hop and distorted guitars similar to the style of Sonic Youth. Their songs are a mix of live...
, Humanzi
Humanzi (band)
- Album & singles :Humanzi released their debut album ‘Tremors’ on Fiction/SFR July 24, 2006. It features the singles ‘Fix The Cracks’ and ‘Diet Pills and Magazines'...
, Director
Director (band)
Director are an award-winning Irish art rock quartet from Malahide in County Dublin. The band's members are Michael Moloney , Eoin Aherne , Shea Lawlor and Rowan Averill ....
and The Blizzards
The Blizzards
The Blizzards are an Irish band from Mullingar in County Westmeath. They were formed by Niall Breslin in late 2004, and also feature Dec Murphy , Justin Ryan, Anthony Doran and Aidan Lynch...
were amongst the bands that performed on the New Band Stage. Also appearing on that stage was Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
drummer Jimmy Chamberlin
Jimmy Chamberlin
Jimmy Chamberlin is an American drummer, songwriter, and producer. He is best known as the former drummer for the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. After a drug-related incident with touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin in 1996, Chamberlin was fired from the band and joined The Last...
. Editors
Editors
Editors are a British indie rock band based in Birmingham, who formed in 2002. Previously known as Pilot, The Pride and Snowfield, the band consists of Tom Smith , Chris Urbanowicz , Russell Leetch and Ed Lay .Editors have so far released two platinum studio...
too performed on the New Band Stage, making the first of what, as of 2008, was four consecutive appearances on four different stages at Oxegen. They performed on the NME Stage in 2006, the Green Room in 2007 and the Main Stage in 2008.
Transport
Dublin BusDublin Bus
Dublin Bus is a public transport operator in Ireland. It operates an extensive bus network of 172 radial, cross-city and peripheral routes and 18 night routes in the city of Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area. The company, established in 1987, is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann which is...
operated a shuttle service to Punchestown from Parnell Square West with buses departing every 20 minutes.
Health
The Order of Malta had 70 personnel and ambulance crews on site to deal with any problems in the arena over the weekend, while Civil Defence provided over 120 personnel and emergency vehicles for the campsite. However, the hot weather on Sunday did result in a dose of severe sunstrokeHyperthermia
Hyperthermia is an elevated body temperature due to failed thermoregulation. Hyperthermia occurs when the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate...
for some revellers.
Crime
Dozens of gardaíGarda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
, drug enforcement officers, sniffer dogs and security officers policed the grounds.
There was no serious trouble with less than 100 arrests for drug offences, generally for possession of cannabis
Cannabis
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a...
.
Awards
Oxegen was voted fifth best British or Irish music festival of 2005 in an NMENME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
poll of 10,000 people. It was placed below Glastonbury
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
, Reading, Live 8
Live 8
Live 8 was a string of benefit concerts that took place on 2 July 2005, in the G8 states and in South Africa. They were timed to precede the G8 Conference and summit held at the Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Scotland from 6–8 July 2005; they also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Live Aid...
and V Festival. Oxegen headliners Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
were also voted best band in the same poll.
2005 Line-up
The main acts that played the festival:http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/lineups.php?FestID=902 http://www.xfm.co.uk/article.asp?id=20331| Saturday 9 July Oxegen Stage
Ticket Stage
Green Room
New Band Stage
Dance Stage
|
  Oxegen Stage
Ticket Stage
Green Room
New Band Stage
Dance Stage
|
* denotes cancelled performance
External links
- Official Oxegen Website
- MCD, Oxegen's Promoters
- MCD Photos (includes photos of the festival)
- Jimmy Eat World/Green Day/ABBA Tribute controversy