2006 in Irish music

This is a summary of the year 2006 in the Irish music industry.

Summary

January

* January 4 saw the 20th anniversary of the death of Phil Lynott, lead vocalist of legendary Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/4/newsid_4041000/4041511.stm|title="1986: Thin Lizzy star dies"|date=2006-01-04|accessdate=2008-01-10|publisher=BBC]

February

* U2 dominated the Meteor Music Awards held on February 2, winning three awards; Best Irish Band, Best Irish Album (for How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb) and Best Live Performance (for their Croke Park gigs as part of their Vertigo Tour in 2005).
* February 20 saw the official announcement of the first acts that would perform at Oxegen 2006. These included The Who, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand and Kaiser Chiefs. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/0220/oxegen.html|title="The Who, Chili Peppers to headline OXEGEN 06"|date=2006-02-20|accessdate=2008-01-08|publisher=RTÉ]
* The first annual Choice Music Prize was awarded to Julie Feeney's album "13 Songs" at Vicar Street on February 28 2006. [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/0301/choicemusicprize.html]

March

* American singer-songwriter, Josh Ritter, popular with Irish audiences, collapsed whilst performing on stage at An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny on March 7. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/archive/2854184.html|title="Josh Ritter hospitalised at Letterkenny gig"|date=2006-03-08|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher="Hot Press" (subscription required)] Fears that he would be unable to complete his Irish tour proved unfounded and Ritter returned to finish his Letterkenny show on September 4, playing a second gig there the following night. [http://www.angrianan.com/archive2006.html] Later (Thursday September 6 2007), whilst appearing on Rick O'Shea's show on 2fm, he commented: "If there's one thing I've learned it's to not eat Chinese food in Letterkenny."

May

* On May 1, Snow Patrol's internationally anticipated fourth album "Eyes Open" was released. It spawned a number of hits including "Chasing Cars", which gained significant popularity in the United States after being featured on the popular medical drama "Grey's Anatomy". [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/archive/2895277.html|title="Snow Patrol wow audience at American Music Awards"|date=2006-11-22|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher="Hot Press" (subscription required)]
* On Friday May 26, it was confirmed by Slane Castle and music promoters MCD that no concert would take place at the venue this year as a suitable act could not be found. It was the first time since the mid-1990s that it has not taken place in consecutive years, with Eminem having pulled out in 2005. Lord Henry Mountcharles had targeted American rock group Green Day as his preferred headline act, but the Californian band were not touring in 2006. He had this to say: "There was no big band that could do it. The acts are not available." [http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2006/05/27/story4501.asp]

June

* On Friday June 9, Guns N' Roses made their first Irish appearance since May 1992, when they played the RDS Arena with support from Mötley Crüe. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/0222/gunsnroses.html|title="Guns N' Roses to play Dublin in June"|date=2006-02-22|accessdate=2008-01-26|publisher=RTÉ]

July

* Oxegen 2006 got under way on the weekend of Saturday July 8 and Sunday July 9 and, despite the dreadful weather on the Saturday, was memorable for hosting The Who's first Irish performance in 35 years, the Irish debut of Arctic Monkeys and James Brown's final Irish festival performance whilst alive. For the first time ever, the Sunday night headlining performance of Red Hot Chili Peppers was streamed live on the internet. [http://www.rte.ie/errorpages/404.html] [http://www.universallyspeaking.org/theforum/viewtopic.php?p=10944&sid=81218595ad4b0c9983770ed7d5d02b49]

August

* This was the month that saw the addition of a brand new festival to the Irish music spectrum. On Saturday August 5 and Sunday August 6 Hi:Fi Ireland took place in Belvedere House, near County Mullingar in Westmeath. It was headlined by Razorlight, The Streets, The Prodigy, Ian Brown, Mylo, Paul Oakenfold and Audio Bullys. [http://www.hififestival.ie/]
* On the same weekend, Indie-pendence 06 took place in New Square in Mitchelstown, County Cork. It was a two-day affair, headlined by The Proclaimers, The Sultans Of Ping FC and The Frank and Walters. Hybrasil also played at the festival. [http://www.imro.ie/newstastic//news.php?item=9379]
* August also saw a host of concerts staged in Dublin's Marlay Park as part of the second year of Bud Rising's summer shows; Radiohead, Snow Patrol, Morrissey, Daft Punk, Faithless with special guests Kasabian (Thursday August 17), [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/0407/faithless.html|title="Faithless for Marlay Park concert"|date=2006-04-07|accessdate=2008-04-13|publisher=RTÉ] The Dandy Warhols, The Magic Numbers and Beck were among the performees.

September

* On Friday September 1, the newly extended three-day Electric Picnic got under way in Stradbally, County Laois. The festival was as usual broadcast on RTÉ 2fm but for the first time ever it was also broadcast on RTÉ television, where a large part of the Saturday and Sunday schedule of RTÉ Two was taken up by the coverage, presented by Tom Dunne and Jenny Huston. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/0825/electricpicnic.html|title="RTÉ Two to broadcast Electric Picnic"|date=2006-08-25|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=RTÉ]

October

* The inaugural Heinken Green Synergy Festival took place from October 4 - 8 in various clubs, bars and venues in Dublin City Centre. Performing acts included The Sunshine Underground, Giveamanakick, Ghostface Killah, Messiah J & The Expert, as well as The Fall, Fujiya & Miyagi, The Congos and Nouvelle Vague.

November

* On Friday November 3, a group of largely Irish musical artists release an album The Cake Sale for the charity Oxfam and the Ireland Make Trade Fair campaign. They were formed by Brian Crosby of Bell X1, and other contributing artists included Crosby's bandmates Paul Noonan and David Geraghty, Glen Hansard of The Frames, Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan, Neil Hannon, Gemma Hayes and Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody.
* Just three days later, on Monday November 6, the U2/Green Day duet "The Saints Are Coming" was released. [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/0911/u2.html] [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/0915/u2.html] A music video for the song, directed by Chris Milk, was released on video site YouTube on Friday October 27, 2006. The music video showed the two bands playing at the Abbey Road Studio and at the Louisiana Superdome (though the footage from the live performance at the Superdome was overdubbed with the studio version of the song), intermixed with news footage of the displacement of residents after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The second half of the video showed an alternate history in which George W. Bush redeployed troops and vehicles from Iraq to New Orleans to help victims of the hurricane, with the military personnel fulfilling the titular role of the "saints." The video had more than two million views on YouTube five days after its initial upload. The single received a Grammy nomination for "Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group".
* On Friday November 17, U2's compilation album U218 Singles was released. The tracklisting had been announced on Friday November 3. [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/1103/u2.html] [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/1003/u2.html]

December

* On Saturday December 9, U2 played the final date of their Vertigo Tour in Honolulu, Hawaii. After the show, U2 manager Paul McGuinness announced that the band were planning to release their new album by late 2007. [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/1211/u2.html] [http://www.atu2.com/newalbum/]
* On Thursday December 21, Bell X1 announced that they would be playing Malahide Castle in Dublin on Saturday June 30 2007, and then Live at the Marquee in Cork on Sunday July 1 2007.
* On Saturday December 23, news broke that Bono was to receive an honorary British knighthood from Queen Elizabeth for his humanitarian work and contribution to music. He was eventually presented with the award by the British ambassador to Ireland on Thursday March 29 2007. [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/1223/bono.html]

Bands formed

* Fight Like Apes [http://www.hotpress.com/music/reviews/live/4287274.html]
* Scenes

Bands disbanded

* JJ72 "(June 22)"
* Turn

Bands reformed

* Blood or Whiskey
* Horslips
* The Stunning

Albums & EPs

A total of 180 Irish albums were released in 2006.

:"Below is a list of notable albums & EPs released by Irish artists in Ireland in 2006."
* "Aaagh!" - Republic of Loose "(April 7 2006)"
* "Eyes Open" - Snow Patrol "(May 9 2006)"
* "Victory for the Comic Muse" - The Divine Comedy "(June 19 2006)"
* "Tremors" - Humanzi (July 24 2006)
* "Not Fade Away" - David Kitt (August 18 2006)
* "Neosupervital" - Neosupervital (September 1 2006)
* "Boss Volenti" - Boss Volenti (September 8 2006)
* "The Cost" - The Frames (September 22 2006)
* "Songs from the Deep Forest" - Duke Special (October 2006)
* "We Thrive on Big Cities" - Director (October 6 2006) [http://entertainment.ie/album-review/Director---We-Thrive-On-Big-Cities/4735.htm]
* "The Art of Insincerity" - Royseven (October 20 2006)
* "Trouble Pilgrim" - The Radiators From Space (October 26 2006)
* "A Public Display of Affection" - The Blizzards (October 27 2006) [http://entertainment.ie/album-review/The-Blizzards---A-Public-Display-Of-Affection/4736.htm]
* "The Cake Sale" - The Cake Sale (November 3 2006)
* "9" - Damien Rice (November 3 2006)
* "U218 Singles" - U2 (November 17 2006)

Release date unknown
* "Adventures in Gramophone" - Duke Special (??? 2006)
* "A Moment of Stillness" - God Is an Astronaut (??? 2006) (EP)
* "In Towers and Clouds" - The Immediate (Summer 2006)
* "Now This I Have To Hear" - Messiah J and the Expert (??? 2006) [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/1101/messiahj.html]

Singles

:"Below is a list of notable singles released by Irish artists in Ireland in 2006."January - July
* "Long Time Coming" - Humanzi (February 13 2006)
* "Deeper Than Deep" - Boss Volenti (February __ 2006)
* "St. Christopher" - Ham Sandwich (February 20 2006) [http://www.hotpress.com/archive/2845025.html]
* "Flame" - Bell X1 (March 13 2006)
* "Trouble" - The Blizzards (2006)
* "Reconnect" - Director (April 24 2006)
* "You're All I Have" - Snow Patrol (April 24 2006)
* "The Rules" - Delorentos (May 2006)
* "Ain't No Use" - Boss Volenti (June 2006)
* "One is Fun" - The Aftermath (2006)
* "Diva Lady" - The Divine Comedy (June 12 2006)
* "Diet Pills & Magazines" - Humanzi (July 17 2006)
* "Chasing Cars" - Snow Patrol (July 24 2006)

August - December
* "Portrait" - Duke Special (August 7 2006)
* "To Die a Virgin" - The Divine Comedy (14 August 2006)
* "Say No More" - David Kitt (2006)
* "Miss Fantasia Preaches" - The Blizzards (August 18 2006)
* "Rocky Took A Lover" - Bell X1 (August 28 2006)
* "Falling Slowly/No More I Love Yous" - The Frames (September 1 2006)
* "Older" - Royseven (September 2006)
* "Come With a Friend" - Director (September 29 2006)
* "War of Words" - The Blizzards (October 13 2006)'
* "Last Night I Nearly Died (But I Woke Up Just in Time)" - Duke Special (October 16 2006)
* "Out On a Wire" - Humanzi (October 27 2006)
* "The People" - Travega (October 27 2006)
* "Words" - Ham Sandwich (November 2006)
* "The Saints Are Coming" - U2 (with Green Day) (November 6 2006)
* "Set the Fire to the Third Bar" - Snow Patrol (November 13 2006)
* "9 Crimes" - Damien Rice feat. Lisa Hannigan (November 27 2006)'
* "Tinsel and Marzipan" - Pugwash and Friends (December 8 2006)

Release date unknown
* "Undercover" - Gemma Hayes (??? 2006)
* "Something Outta Nothing" - Messiah J and the Expert (??? 2006)
* "When The Bull Gores The Matador" - Messiah J and the Expert (??? 2006)

Festivals

Oxegen 2006

* Oxegen 2006 took place at Punchestown Racecourse in County Kildare on Saturday July 8 and Sunday July 9. It was headlined by The Who, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand and Kaiser Chiefs.

Electric Picnic 2006

* Electric Picnic 2006 took place in Stradbally Estate, County Laois from Friday September 1 until Sunday September 3. It was headlined by Pet Shop Boys, Basement Jaxx, Massive Attack, Bloc Party, The Frames, Gary Numan and Damien Rice.

Hi:Fi Ireland

* took place in Belvedere House, near County Mullingar in Westmeath on Saturday August 5 and Sunday August 6. It was headlined by Razorlight, The Streets, The Prodigy, Ian Brown, Mylo, Paul Oakenfold and Audio Bullys. [http://www.hififestival.ie/]

Heineken Green Energy

The 11th Heineken Green Energy Festival at Dublin Castle was headlined by Snow Patrol who played on April 29. [http://corkuniversitypress.typepad.com/beautiful_day_40_years_of/2006/03/snow_patrol_hei.html] Richard Hawley also played that day. The 2006 event also saw Ian Brown and Republic of Loose on April 30 whilst Kaiser Chiefs and Graham Coxon finished off the festival on May 1. [http://travelguides.lastminute.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=74442] With many other acts playing around the city during the weekend as part of the "gig trail/fringe" (ie the other music venues around the city), Dublin once again became an international music centre for the duration of the festival. [http://entertainment.ie/festivals/display.asp?ID=339]

Garden Party 2006

* The Garden Party took place at Ballinlough Castle in Athboy, County Meath on Sunday June 4. Amongst the acts to play were The Orb, 2 Many DJs, Buck 65, Asian Dub Foundation and Neosupervital. [http://www.dublinks.com/index.cfm/loc/16/pt/0/spid/40FA05BF-BD74-5FF3-B6D9F942A0765E4B.htm]

Indie-pendence 06

* Indie-pendence 06 was a two-day affair taking place in New Square in Mitchelstown, County Cork on Saturday August 5 and Sunday August 6. It was headlined by The Proclaimers, The Sultans Of Ping FC and The Frank and Walters. Hybrasil also played at the festival. [http://www.imro.ie/newstastic//news.php?item=9379]

Bud Rising

Bud Rising Spring, Bud Rising Summer and Bud Rising Winter took place in 2006 and as ever both were spread across a vast variety of venues.

* Bud Rising Spring saw Razorlight performing the Olympia Theatre on April 17, with The Marshals in support. [http://www.themarshals.co.uk/go.php?object=news&mode=default&newsID=12] [http://hifipopcorn.blogspot.com/2006/04/bud-rising-preview_114476381996768444.html More here...]

* August saw a host of concerts staged in Dublin's Marlay Park as part of the second year of Bud Rising's Summer shows; Radiohead, Snow Patrol, Morrissey, Daft Punk, Faithless, Kasabian, The Dandy Warhols, The Magic Numbers and Beck were among the performees.
** Faithless played Marlay Park on Thursday August 17 with special guests Kasabian.

* Bud Rising Winter took place in Dublin and lasted for 7 days from Monday November 6 until Sunday November 12. Included in the festival line-up were the Irish debuts of Cansei de Ser Sexy (November 6 in The Village) and TV on the Radio (November 7 in Templebar Music Centre), and the event was also headlined by Primal Scream (November 11 in the Olympia Theatre), Brian Jonestown Massacre (November 12 in the Ambassador Theatre) and newcomers Tapes 'n Tapes. Playing on November 7 in The Village were The Spinto Band, while The Futureheads played the Ambassador and Gnarls Barkley in Vicar Street the following night.

Download Festival

* Download Festival Ireland hosted a two day event at the RDS Showgrounds in Dublin in 2006, headlined by metal acts Guns N' Roses and Metallica.

Live at the Marquee

* Live at the Marquee 2006 took place in the Cork Showgrounds between June and July. Headlining acts included Bob Dylan, Roger Waters, The Frames and Des Bishop.

Slane 2006

* Slane 2006 was cancelled after a failure to find a suitable headline act. It was the first time since the mid-1990s that it has not taken place in consecutive years, with Eminem having pulled out in 2005. Lord Henry Mountcharles had targeted American rock group Green Day as his preferred headline act, but the Californian band were not touring in 2006. Lord Henry had this to say: "There was no big band that could do it. The acts are not available." [http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2006/05/27/story4501.asp]

Music awards

2006 Meteor Awards

The 2006 Meteor Awards were held on February 2, 2006.

* Best Irish Male: Damien Dempsey
* Best Irish Female: Gemma Hayes
* Best Irish Band: U2
* Best Irish Album: "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" - U2
* Best Irish Single: "" -
* Best New Irish Act: Humanzi
* Best Irish Pop Act: Westlife
* Best Live Performance: U2 (Croke Park 2005)
* Best Irish DJ: Ray D'Arcy
* Hope For 2006: Laura Izibor
* Best Folk/Traditional: John Spillane
* Most Downloaded Irish Song: "" -
* Best International Male: Kanye West
* Best International Female: Gwen Stefani
* Best International band: Kaiser Chiefs
* Best International album: "Employment" - Kaiser Chiefs
* Industry Award: Bill Whelan
* Lifetime Achievement Award: The Pogues
* Humanitarian Award: Father Peter McVerry

Choice Music Prize

The Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year 2005 was awarded at Vicar Street to Julie Feeney for her album "13 Songs" on February 28 2006.

References

External links

News
* [http://www.hotpress.com/ Official "Hot Press" website] Festivals
* [http://www.oxegen.ie/ Official Oxegen website]
* [http://www.electricpicnic.ie/flash.html Official Electric Picnic website]
* [http://www.budrising.ie/ Official BudRising website]
* [http://www.heinekenmusic.ie/index1.php Official Green Energy website] Other
* [http://www.imro.ie/ Official IMRO website]
* [http://www.rte.ie/2fm/ Official 2fm website]
* [http://www.mcd.ie/home/splash.php3 Official MCD website]
* [http://www.aikenpromotions.com/ Official Aiken Promotions website]