Coldplay and The Script join stellar line-up for Oxegen

Boasting a steller bill, all we need for Mother Nature to ensure the rain stays away, and we’re in for one of the best weekends in the festival’s history.

Joining headliners, the Foo Fighters, will be Coldplay, The Stokes, Arctic Monkeys, and the Black Eyed Peas.

They will appear at Oxegen alongside The Script, Deadmau5, and Brandon Flowers on a bill that also includes Primal Scream, Beady Eye and My Chemical Romance, and an ultra-impressive bill of ‘must see’ acts at Punchestown Racecourse across the weekend of July 8-10.

It’s an Oxegen festival first for Coldplay, who will delight their devoted army of fans with their renowned powerful performance at Punchestown.

This is a band who are well used to packing out stadiums the world over and are also headlining Glastonbury this year, but they will be in for a treat when they play to a packed main stage crowd and experience the unrivalled and electric atmosphere at Oxegen. Coldplay are set to deliver a spine-tingling show that will undoubtedly be a seminal musical moment of the summer.

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 alike as one of the best indie rock albums in a decade and their forthcoming fourth album ‘Angels’ is the ultimate proof that these NYC music and style icons are still as strong. Demand to see them live is even stronger - they lead the line-up for California’s Coachella festival this year.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for The Script, whose new No.1 album ‘Science & Faith’ and top five single ‘For The First Time’ has led to the announcement of a massive UK arena tour for 2011 and a highly anticipated set at Oxegen. The Script’s new album is the follow up to 2008’s 1.8 million selling self-titled, No.1, global smash of a debut. In their own words: “First and foremost we are a live band. We’re gonna give it everything, we just can’t wait!!”

Also from across the pond comes Deadmau5 - the 28-year-old Canadian-born electro house producer with a big difference. There’s the large cartoon mouse head costume of course, but there’s also the artist, the technical whizzkid, the Grammy Award nominee and the outstanding reputation for being the most forward thinking person in electronic music right now.

American supergroup The National have released some of the most important albums of modern times with huge hitters ‘Boxer’ and ‘Alligator’ making countless “album of the century” lists. Frontman Matt Berninger’s deep voice lends itself perfectly to raw, reflective lyrics, sending listeners on an epic journey with each track.

The phenomenal bill already includes rock gods Foo Fighters who are set to release their highly anticipated seventh studio album ‘Wasting Light’.

Frontman Dave Grohl recently revealed he wants to play it live at night in front of tens of thousands of people – “It’s a festival album because it f**king rocks!”

Grohl will do exactly that as the Foo Fighters put in yet another stadium calibre performance, debuting new material alongside anthems from their multi-platinum, multiple Grammy-winning catalogue, which includes the likes of The Pretender, Best of You, All My Life, Learn To Fly, Everlong and more.

This will be the final chance for Foo’s fans to see their music heroes live and loud in Ireland for a long time, so must not be missed.

Black Eyed Peas are back by huge public demand and will bring their spectacular stage show to Oxegen. The band have secured their reputation as one of the most popular, innovative and exciting live acts of the last decade and will arrive fresh from their all-conquering headline slot at the Wireless Festival in London. With

Also on the bill and top of festival fan’s wish lists for favourite festival acts are Arctic Monkeys. They released their debut album ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’ in 2006 and haven’t looked back since. In 2009 ‘Humbug’ became their 3rd consecutive Number 1 LP and Oxegen fans will be in for a treat when they debut songs from forthcoming 4th studio album. Arctic Monkeys are a band of the people, totally in tune with a new generation of live music lovers.

With two albums still in the top 40 in Ireland, Paolo Nutini’s return to Oxegen is also in much demand. The Scots troubadour now tops the bill at festivals all over the world.

It’s a ‘fans favourites’ feast of talent for 2011 – an overwhelming overload of the biggest established and best breakthrough bands, ONLY at Oxegen.

John Probyn, Festival Director, said: “I’m overwhelmed at the excitement from the bands who are playing Oxegen and very pleased to unveil the line up to the fans who helped us create it. We have pulled out all the stops to deliver this A List line-up. 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.

“With a line-up like this, I’m certain 2011 is going to be the most memorable Oxegen yet.”

The list of newly announced bands further proves that Oxegen is the must attend music event of 2011 and among the acts performing over the festival weekend will be: Swedish House Mafia, Brandon Flowers, Beady Eye, My Chemical Romance, Weezer, Pendulum, Plan B, Tinie Tempah, Primal Scream, Jessie J, Two Door Cinema Club, Bruno Mars, Chase and Status, Eels, Bright Eyes, Leftfield, Friendly Fires, Imelda May, Calvin Harris, Jimmy Eat World, Sven Vath, Hurts, Crystal Castles, Bloody Beetroots, Jenny and Johnny, House of Pain, Steve Aoki, The Vaccines, All Time Low, Noah and the Whale, Crookers, Fight Like Apes, Mona, The Naked and Famous, Ryan Sheridan, The Minutes, Bipolar Empire, Madisun.

Tickets are now on sale from Ticketmaster online and all usual outlets - full details of participating outlets are available on the festival website, oxegen.ie

And, more good news for fans, the genius recession busting deposit scheme is back for 2011, so all your pals can get involved in the music event of the year.

Simply pay a deposit up front, make another payment in April and the balance in June, full details can be found at oxegen.ie. It’s Oxegen’s way of making sure that no-one misses out on the very best line-up to hit Ireland.

All ticket prices are frozen at 2008 prices including Day Tickets which will be available immediately at €99.50 each.

For more information, visit www.oxegen.ie

by [email protected]