JULY
Traditionally, July would be all about the build up to and fall-out from the Oxegen festival in Co. Kildare. With the festival put on hiatus (we weren't surprised, having watched a curiously tiny gathering watch the likes of The Strokes and The National in 2011) our focus moved even more than before to Glasgowbury. Which was strangely apt, given 2012 was the year Glasgowbury really shifted out of the 'local music gathering' status and became something a little more mammoth. Therapy? and The Japanese Popstars were a collosal double headliner, while Psycatron, Space Dimension Controller and an outdoor DJ stage gave dance music full and proper recognition. This was no longer a community event, a 'Cheers' bar style get-together, but…just a really big deal. The footage of Glasgowbury we'd see all year on the tourist board telly campaign really did the Draperstown event justice - it was big league. A two-dayer seemed inevitable and so it'll come to pass in 2013.
Traditionally, July would be all about the build up to and fall-out from the Oxegen festival in Co. Kildare. With the festival put on hiatus (we weren't surprised, having watched a curiously tiny gathering watch the likes of The Strokes and The National in 2011) our focus moved even more than before to Glasgowbury. Which was strangely apt, given 2012 was the year Glasgowbury really shifted out of the 'local music gathering' status and became something a little more mammoth. Therapy? and The Japanese Popstars were a collosal double headliner, while Psycatron, Space Dimension Controller and an outdoor DJ stage gave dance music full and proper recognition. This was no longer a community event, a 'Cheers' bar style get-together, but…just a really big deal. The footage of Glasgowbury we'd see all year on the tourist board telly campaign really did the Draperstown event justice - it was big league. A two-dayer seemed inevitable and so it'll come to pass in 2013.
Then, just as we got our breath back…previews ofForfey, Stendhal andTanglewood at the end of the month….
AUGUST
For the second time in 2012, we looked back, celebrating the life and times ofOppenheimer, possibly the most played band in the 'modern era' of ATL. Reuniting Rocky O'Reilly (in our studio) and Shaun Robinson (in a New York studio) we talked about many, many good times and acknowledged how Oppenheimer were real trendsetters, touring relentlessly and doing the DIY thing before the likes of And So I Watch You From Afar or Fighting with Wire. We also hit form with our studio sessions - Trucker Diablo finding themselves in great fettle ahead of a main-stage stint at Vital opening for The Foo Fighters, whileSeven Summits waltzed in and nominated themselves as the most reliable performers in the country.
For the second time in 2012, we looked back, celebrating the life and times ofOppenheimer, possibly the most played band in the 'modern era' of ATL. Reuniting Rocky O'Reilly (in our studio) and Shaun Robinson (in a New York studio) we talked about many, many good times and acknowledged how Oppenheimer were real trendsetters, touring relentlessly and doing the DIY thing before the likes of And So I Watch You From Afar or Fighting with Wire. We also hit form with our studio sessions - Trucker Diablo finding themselves in great fettle ahead of a main-stage stint at Vital opening for The Foo Fighters, whileSeven Summits waltzed in and nominated themselves as the most reliable performers in the country.
SEPTEMBER
Arguably the busiest month of the year for us, September, as always, opened with a weekend in Stradbally, Co Laois. Given how ATL is pretty much 100% Irish music these days, we did briefly consider cutting back on our coverage of Electric Picnic, only for the festival to include more Northern Irish talent than ever in 2012 - A Plastic Rose, Wonder Villains, Gareth Dunlop, Cashier #9 and LaFaro all among a lovely mess of ATL-faves playing over the weekend. And what a weekend - a glorious festival that somehow manages to outdo itself year on year.
Soon after and we spent an entire show with Two Door Cinema Club- Sam, Alex and Kev in great form for a co-present, bigging up the likes of Kowalski and Not Squares as well as talking us through the making of our album of the year - the awesome 'Beacon'. For a band who always seemed a little on the outskirts of the 'scene' (simply because they became so big so fast), they presented themselves as a trio immensley proud of where they come from. Then it was off to Derry once again for a fiesty Fighting with Wire acousic session as Stephen McCauley stood in for a moonlighting Rigsy. It was all happening!
Arguably the busiest month of the year for us, September, as always, opened with a weekend in Stradbally, Co Laois. Given how ATL is pretty much 100% Irish music these days, we did briefly consider cutting back on our coverage of Electric Picnic, only for the festival to include more Northern Irish talent than ever in 2012 - A Plastic Rose, Wonder Villains, Gareth Dunlop, Cashier #9 and LaFaro all among a lovely mess of ATL-faves playing over the weekend. And what a weekend - a glorious festival that somehow manages to outdo itself year on year.
Soon after and we spent an entire show with Two Door Cinema Club- Sam, Alex and Kev in great form for a co-present, bigging up the likes of Kowalski and Not Squares as well as talking us through the making of our album of the year - the awesome 'Beacon'. For a band who always seemed a little on the outskirts of the 'scene' (simply because they became so big so fast), they presented themselves as a trio immensley proud of where they come from. Then it was off to Derry once again for a fiesty Fighting with Wire acousic session as Stephen McCauley stood in for a moonlighting Rigsy. It was all happening!
