On the Record

JIM CARROLLon music

The year may be winding down, but the plotting and planning for next summer’s Irish music festivals is in full swing.

Earlybird tickets are already on sale for a rake of events, including the Electric Picnic, Castlepalooza, Body Soul and the Sea Sessions, and line-ups should be confirmed early in 2012.

There are, though, some elephants in the room.

The first is Oxegen. With no confirmation about dates or venues for next year’s event, and we’re still waiting patiently for promoters MCD to respond to our tweeted query a few weeks ago, but there is little doubt there will be some class of Oxegen-like camping festival in 2012.

Oxegen may not be as good or as popular as it once was, but there are always a couple of thousand kids each year eager to pop their festival cherry. To add grist to the mill, a number of UK agents have indicated they’ve received queries from bookers about acts for such a festival.

Another elephant in the room is Ireland’s involvement in Euro 2012. If the team have a good run, this will have an effect on gigs and events in June, with people leaving ticket purchases later and later.

The third elephant in the room is the one wearing a pair of flares and a floppy hat. It’s surprising that there has been no word yet about an Irish show for The Stone Roses. While there have been plenty of rumours and hearsay about Slane and the Phoenix Park, a confirmed venue and date remains elusive.

Add in the slump in live ticket sales and you’ve the makings of another interesting year.

NEW MUSIC

REN HARVIEU

Dusty Springfield springs to mind when you hear this 21-year-old with a powerful voice and noir-ish pop-soul tunes. Collaborations with Johnny Marr, James Allen (Glasvegas) and Ed Harcourt, as well as a berth on the BBC Sound Of 2012 long-list, bode well for future prospects. Renharvieu.com

ZULU WINTER

Never Leave, the bright, perfectly pitched tune (and debut single on the ace Double Denim label) from this London-based five piece, has been tickling our ears for weeks. Expect plenty of buzz about them in 2012 if they continue to write infectious such tunes and if their debut album for Pias is up to scratch. Zuluwinter.blogspot.com

COOLRUNNINGS

Psych-pop with oodles of hypnotic grooves from the Knoxville, Tennessee, band, who range in number depending on the time of year from four to eight (including Royal Bangs dude Brandon Biondo). Check out recent tunes like Chorusand Rusk.Coolrunnings.bandcamp.com

NOW PLAYING

Jim-E Stack Come Between(Good Years) New Orleans producer comes up trumps with this golden, exuberant new-school house nugget.

Django Django Default(Because) Longtime OTR faves prepare for the release of their debut album in late January with another off-kilter winner.

Frank Ocean Nostalgia, Ultra(Self release) One of the best releases of 2011, with the Odd Future-aligned r'n'b crooner hitting all the right notes on an album of deep, soulful hits.

Kassem Mosse Workshop 12(Workshop) Dramatic, abstract, moody, weirdbeard techno from the new German kingpin of these wild frontiers.

Kate Rusby While Mortals Sleep(Pure) Bells, snow, angels and mince pies: the festive sounds of south Yorkshire.