Manic quality added to Oxegen line-up

WELSH ROCK veterans Manic Street Preachers, The Kooks, Bell X1 and MGMT are among more than 30 new acts who have been added to the bill of Oxegen.

The Manics, as they are known, have seen their profile return to the heights of the late 1990s when they were one of the biggest bands in the world with politically-charged anthems like A Design for Life, Kevin Carter and If You Tolerate This . . . Your Children Will Be Next.

Last year’s album Send Away The Tigers was a bestseller and they were given an NME Godlike Genius award.

The Kooks sold out a concert at Dublin Castle on Monday and their new release Konk has topped the British album charts.

Bell X1 will be playing their first Irish gig this year after a successful US tour, including sellout shows in New York and San Francisco and a St Patrick’s Day appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Eighties stalwarts Echo and the Bunnyman and The Stranglers will also be making an appearance at Oxegen, as will former Housemartins and Beautiful South singer Paul Heaton.

Other acts added to the bill include Cat Power, Feeder, MGMT, Powderfinger, Groove Armada, Paddy Casey, Declan O’Rourke and British Sea Power.

Oxegen, which will be held at Punchestown racecourse in Co Kildare from July 11th to 13th, has already sold out. Kings of Leon, REM, The Verve and Rage Against The Machine are among headline acts already confirmed.

Meanwhile, Radiohead, who play Malahide Castle on June 6th and 7th, want fans to travel there by public transport. The band have been active in promoting awareness of climate change.