Rage Against the Machine where set to give a rare performance at Target Center in Minneapolis on Sept. 3, which not so coincidentally was the same week as the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. But the band arrived close to the 7 p.m. curfew time and without a proper permit, so police would not let them perform.

This, as you would expect, resulted in a few disgruntled fan in the crowd and a chant of "fuck you I won't do what you tell me" When it became clear they they where not going to be allowed play, the band walked into the crowd in front of the stage with megaphone and sang a cappella versions of its songs and then led the audience on a protest march

bow-bow-bow-bow-chikka-chikka-chikka

continue reading>>

So despite having a wretched year in 2006 and complete avoidance last year I found myself once again in the Irish answer to the Calcutta slums, that is Oxegen, for one reason and one reason only. Rage Against the Machine. Naturally a whole day can't be spent in complete anticipation of this awesome band so to pass the time other bands were viewed.

Click below for a belated account of stuff.



Arrive to what turns out to be far too bloody early and continue drinking until a state of almost complete inebriation is reached by the time the gates open (12.00). Decide that there's fuck all on of interest so wander to campsite red to find compadres that are unfortunate enough to have spent the weekend there. Turns out the campsite has changed not a jot since the last time I was there which is very much a bad thing. The smell of decay is in the air.




Onwards to first band time who luckily happen to be Does it offend you, yeah? I haven't been bigging up this band for a while for no reason at all. They are actually shit cool and they put on a great fucking show. Its a shame that a) "the company" have chosen to once again hold the Dance 'tent' in that big sweatbox of a warehouse and b) that the sun is splitting the sky outside and even in that dank place the bright light permeates, ruining the effects of the lightshow somewhat. The chaps do their best however and wisely keep their rocking stuff until last where the crowd have reached the peak of their (possibly drug-aided) frenzy.

Does it Offend You, Yeah? - Dawn of the Dead




Finding one with a loss of anything in the way of good stuff to watch its decided to have a curious gander at We Are Scientists. Luckily that we're far enough away that we can ignore them because of all the boring shite that I've seen at various festivals over the years this is certainly up there. Such a promising band that three years ago brought out a quirky little rock tune (The Great Escape) has now been reduced to samey boring muck. Raised slightly in estimation by ending the set with the aforementioned classic.

We Are Scientists - The Great Escape





Indie's bright shining new stars MGMT are being viewed for the third time in as many months by yours truly and are now at the stage where I'm starting to not give a fuck about them anymore. They come out with their silly little bandana's and seem completely underwhelmed by the rapturous reception that they receive. All songs are played well but with the degree of don't-give-a-fuckness that make you want to hit the cunts. At one point the crowd gets to the stage of excitement that people are hanging off the pillars supporting the tent. While this initially receives much cheering from the crowd the tables are quickly turned when it transpires that the band aren't allowed to play anymore unless people get the fuck down. One stupid bint ignores the hoots and hollers from the crowd and proceeds to climb all the way up to the top of the pillar and through the hole in the tent. Cheers luv. One less song for us to hear. Spa. With barely any time left to play the band come on and finish with their trio of known songs, Electric Feel, Time to Pretend and Kids. The last song being where my largest bone of contention lies with the band. That everytime they play this song its as if they are doing Karaoke. I fail to believe that its not possible to reproduce this song live as other bands have done better with less. I predict this song being dropped from the set before long if it can be helped as their discomfort with performing it clearly betrays that this may be their Bohemian Rhapsody or Teen spirit.

MGMT - Electric Feel





You don't need me to tell you that Fight Like Apes are rising up the scene quicker than one of my belches after downing a nasty pint and they do certainly know how to perform live, that much is certain. The between song banter is infectious and gives off the impression that they are very much at ease with playing live and songs are short enough not to overstay their welcome. To be watched.

Fight Like Apes - Lightsabre Cock-Sucking Blues





So finally the hour comes. One that I've been waiting for for 15 years. Rage Against the Fucking Machine. I don't think I can possibly describe how much I enjoyed this gig. Not quite as well as Nialler does in his review anyway but suffice to say that after it ended I had bruises all over me and the next morning all my joints were stiff. It was great to find a mosh pit that was not only huge but violent (in that good way) and untainted by the thugs and oafs that "the company" likes to hire as security.

Every possible song is cranked out and it all ends too bloody fast. A big "Fuck you" goes out to the guy who couldn't fix their sound, which kept cutting out every now and then but apart from that little glitch they made it worth taking the trip to Punchestown for what will hopefully be the last time.

Rage Against the Machine - Bulls On Parade (DJ Kue Remix)


Cheers to James Goulden at State.ie for unwittingly supplying me with photo's

continue reading>>

So after all the talk and the hoo-hah and the scumbags and the line-up announcements and the pictures of burning tents and the hating and the rain and the mud and more talk and hoo-hah, Oxegen has rolled around again, boasting what is probably the best line-up of all European festivals. Those of you who have been there before and have been to any other festival other than it too can attest that as far as things-to-do is concerned Oxegen is severely lacking but nobody can argue with the quality line-up showcasing some of the best that music is offering at the moment.

Most of you are already down there but its not too late and perhaps this post will show you what it is you're missing. In the read more we've picked what we think is the best of the weekend. Three categories of Acts that can't be missed, Acts worth checking out and Irish acts to see (this will not include the 4 way power-house of Irish mediocrity that is the Friday night line-up in the Green Room. Sawdoctors, Aslan, Mundy, Bell X1, Shudder).




Top 5 Acts That Can't Be Missed

1. Justice
Clashing with the Prodigy should prove no problem for the new saviours of Dance, who are sure to finish off Saturday night by getting the crowd grooving to their funky next-level-Daft-Punk sounds.

Justice - D.A.N.C.E.


2. Battles
How many times do we have to tell you to check this band out? Hopefully this should be the last.

Battles - Tij


3. Aphex Twin

Richard D James returns from wherever the hell he's been to wow us hell. Or scare the shit out of us if he wears one of the masks from the Come to Daddy video.

Aphex Twin - Window Licker



4. The Music
Vastly vastly underrated Dance-Rock band. Pissed no doubt at Kasabian stealing their style and doing a giant shit on it.

The Music - Getaway

5. Rage Against The Machine

The "Angriest band in the World"(TM) return to entice folks to crack some (hopfully scumbag) skulls in the mosh pit. Prepar to scream "Fuck" very very loudly.

Rage Against the Machine - Take the Power Back

Top 5 Acts Worth Checking Out


1. Holy Fuck

Canadian dancey types prove that they're not just a funny name.

Holy Fuck - Lovely Allen


2. Friendly Fires


More fans of the 80's. Uk Three-piece make frantic electro tuneage.

Friendly Fires - Lovesick


3. Jaguar Love
US Synth drive squawky types cause confusion as to gender of singer. Fans of Blood Brothers will be used to this. Awesome.

Jaguar Love - Highways of Gold



4. Yeasayer


Self-described as "Enya with bounce" but don't let that turn you off. I happen to love Enya so I'm already erect.

Yeasayer - Wait for the Summer


5. Does it Offend You Yeah?

Uk Dance types who can't decide exactly what style they want to be but are awesome at each one they try.

Does if Offend You Yeah? - We Are Rockstars



Top 5 Irish Acts To See
(this could easily have been a top 10)

1. Crayonsmith


Fresh from US tour dublin souls return for what will hopefully be gigs of awesomeness.

Crayonsmith -6Am Again



2. God is an Astronaut

With a live set thats never been captured completely on record, God is... are visually and sonically stunning.


God is an Astronaut - All is Violent, All is Bright



3. Dry County
Indie-electro darlings with the un-enviable challenge of playing at the same time as Rage Against the Machine which is a shame because this gig will be their last under this moniker apparently.


4. Halves

Dublin types throw up dreamy post-rock to help pill heads come down.

Halves - Medals



5. Fight Like Apes
Ireland's bright new shouty hopes take to Oxegen after two GLastonbury shows broadcast on BBC.


Fight Like Apes - Lend Me Your Face

continue reading>>

The initial lineup for the no-longer-Carling festival which takes place on August 22nd-24th in Reading & Leeds has been revealed.

And (as usual) it's rather interesting.

Highlights include Justice, Conor Oberst, and obviously Rage Against The Machine.

Tickets are on sale now at £145 for the weekend, and £62.50 each for day tickets (not including booking fee).

Full lineup (so far) after the jump...


Rage Against The Machine

Metallica

The Killers

Queens of The Stone Age

Foals

Justice

MGMT

Manic Street Preachers

The Cribs

Feeder

Tenacious D

Slipknot

Conor Oberst

Pendulum

Biffy Clyro

Serj Tankian

Dizzee Rascal

Taking Back Sunday

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly

Anti-Flag

Babyshambles (shudder)

The Fratellis

The Enemy

Bloc Party

The Raconteurs

Editors

Bullet For My Valentine

The Wombats

Vampire Weekend

We Are Scientists

Dirty Pretty Things

The Subways

Avenged Sevenfold

Dropkick Murphys

continue reading>>

Only non camping tickets left, folks- best get moving.

And yes, there are still single day tickets available, if you're only interested in going to see Rage.

continue reading>>

Damn it, why did I hope? Oxegen have today dealt an early sucker-punch to other Irish festivals.

Rage Against the Machine have been confirmed for the punchestown festival.

Crap.

Well I guess I've got to get a ticket now..

continue reading>>

REM have been confirmed as one of this year's Oxegen headliners, joining Kings of Leon, who were already added to the bill as the 'fans choice'.

In my opinion, this is good news, but not for obvious reasons.

With Oxegen's habit of nabbing artists from Electric Picnic (Arcade Fire, anyone?), I'm anxious for them to start booking as many acts that I'm not pushed on seeing as possible. Not that I don't like REM, but I've definitely cooled on them in the last couple of years (and ultimately, seen them live before).

This year with bands such as Rage Against The Machine doing the rounds the stakes are high. So kudos, Oxegen, you're playing right into our hands. Let the booking battle continue!

continue reading>>

Rage Against The Machine have been confirmed as headliners of next summers Pinkpop festival. The festival takes place on May 30, 31 and June 1 2008 in Landgraaf, Holland.

This will no doubt be good news for the myriad of Rage fans on this side of the world who couldn't make it over to last years reunion show at Coachella.

No word on tickets yet, I'll post any info as soon as it's available.

continue reading>>