Chili Peppers spice things up for Slane's sun-baked fans

Sunshine and superbands were the main attractions at Slane Castle on Saturday, when 80,000 rock fans made the trip to Co Meath to see US band Red Hot Chili Peppers beneath a red hot summer sun.

Slane 2003 was more like a day out in southern California than Meath, and the crowds dressed appropriately for the occasion - in as little as possible. Shorts, T-shirts and tiny bikini tops were proudly on display, along with sunburnt arms and ruddy cheeks. Many seemed to have ignored advice to drink plenty of water and use sunblock - beer was swilled, burns were endured, and hats were worn purely for decorative purposes.

For veterans of Slane's annual rock festival - now into its third decade of rock'n'roll decadence - the crowds this year must have looked younger than ever, and the facilities must have seemed like luxury compared to the old days.

This year's line-up was heavy with hard rockers such as Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age and Feeder, all of whom appeal to a younger rock fan, and although headliners the Red Hot Chili Peppers are now going for as long as Slane, they still have the appeal of relatively new kids on the block.

As usual, the older rockers and experienced social-climbers gathered at the VIP area in the castle grounds, while the young people swarmed into the main concert area.

A traffic plan had been put in place by the Garda, making for a better flow of traffic to and from the site, and reducing some of the long tailbacks which have dogged past Slane events.

"The crowds have been very well-behaved and our traffic management plan has resulted in free-flowing traffic to and from the site," said Supt Eamon Courtney.

When the Red Hot Chili Peppers finished their set at 10.30 p.m., however, punters still had to endure the traditional long tailback out of Slane. Some things never change.

Earlier in the day, US rock band Queens of the Stone Age performed one of their most popular songs, Feelgood Hit Of the Summer, whose lyrics went simply, "nicotine, Valium, Vicodin, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol ... cocaine".

During the day, there were 142 drug seizures. Eight arrests were made, six of which were for public-order offences, and two for drug offences. Gardaí reported that the event was peaceful, although the combination of alcohol and heat was too much for some concert-goers, who slept soundly in the afternoon sun while the crowds stepped over them.

Justin Green of promoters MCD said it was one of the best Slane concerts, combining good weather, good music, smooth organisation, minimal trouble and only minor offences.

The VIP area has been upgraded in the past couple of years. Inside the castle, punters had paid €400 for the privilege of hobnobbing with the über-media types from radio and television, and to meet Lord Mount Charles and his wife, Iona. The fee included a free bar for the entire day, a full banquet followed by a quickfire after-dinner speech by Dave Fanning, who has attended every Slane concert since the inaugural one in 1981, and grandstand seats to watch the concert. The ordinary VIPs got to enjoy al fresco dining on filled Italian baguettes, and they had to pay for their own beer.

An overcast sky shadowed the crowds as they made their way to the concert, but the clouds soon cleared and the music started beneath clear blue skies.

Queens of the Stone Age were easily the loudest band of the day, but Foo Fighters made a good effort at keeping the decibel level up.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers came on and set the twilight reeling, playing hits from their mega-selling albums, Californication and By The Way.

At one stage in the concert, bass player Flea sang the opening words to Amhrán na bhFiann, and the crowd eagerly finished the song in unison.

Nice to see that our youngsters still know their national anthem.