On the record

JIM CARROLLon music

For the past couple of years, the On the Record blog has carried out an annual census to tally the festivals and one-off outdoor music shows that are held over the course of the Irish summer.

While by no means definitive, the census – compiled with the help of readers – does give a fairly comprehensive snapshot of the state of the festival nation.

At the time of writing, the census total is 109, a significant 45 per cent increase on last year’s final figure of 75. So the growth in the small-festival sector, which was apparent in the 2009 and 2010 round-ups, continues unabated.

There may have been fewer and fewer heritage acts and big stars playing one-off shows at venues such as the RDS and Malahide Castle this year, but there was a big increase in small festivals attracting crowds of 5,000 and under.

You’ve even now got an upper tier of established small festivals in the shape of Castlepalooza, Indiependence, Sea Sessions, Knockanstockan, Life, Glasgowbury, Vantastival, Temple House and Body Soul.

One trend to watch for in 2012 is an increase in the number of urban festivals on the back of this year’s well-attended Forbidden Fruit at Dublin’s Imma, and the continuing success of Belsonic in Belfast.

It will be interesting to see how the bigger promoters react to changes in the marketplace and the growing popularity of smaller, cheaper events.

For example, this year’s Oxegen attendance was noticeably down on previous years, despite the blockbuster array of acts. Radical changes are required, and many will watch closely to see what MCD do to try and reverse the trend.

Promoters will point out that many bigger acts were simply not touring in 2011, but it should also be remembered that there are now few guaranteed sell-out acts such as Take That and Kings of Leon. The game is changing again.

New Music

NIGHTBOX

Five Wicklow kids in Toronto who are showing a tasty ability to create indie-pop tracks with blissful grooves and merry bleeps. Debut EP produced by MSTRKRFT’s AL-P and Death From Above 1979’s Sebastien Grainger. They play Irish dates later this month. facebook.com/ nightboxband

THE RESCUE SHIPS

Melbourne duo (and musical directors for TV show Underbelly: Razor) Brian Campeau and Elana Stone unleash their new wayward-pop wares, and we're wowed by first tune On the Air. As found via Aussie radio station Triple J's Unearthed website. therescueships.com

SWORDS

Dublin-based trio cutting a dash with neatly clipped electro-pop tunes ( Chasm) and smart, elegant hooks ( Sunday). Playing the Ballyfermot Rock festival on August 21st. breakingtunes.com/swords

Now playing

Active Child You Are All I See(Vagrant) Glorious debut album from Pat Grossi, with choirboy falsettos and ethereal electronic ambience.

Lana Del Rey Video Games(Stranger) New York singer Lizzy Grant hits all the right notes with this smouldering, dreamy, magical debut single. As tipped by We Cut Corners.

The Middle East The Darkest Side(TME) The Australian band may be no more, but we'll have a great album, EP and tunes such as this enigmatic folk beauty to remember them by.

Foot Village Lovers With Iraqis(How To Fight) Thunderous post-apocalyptic sounds from the Californian drumming-and-shouting (or tribal noise rock, if you prefer) – ensemble.

CSLSX Keep on Shining(White) Lovely, shimmering Balearic sunrise disco groove from the mysterious Philly crew.