Electric Picnic out of the way and now the big festival focus turns to what should be the last big hurrah of the summer, a festival that this year has been drenched in drama and up until recently could have disappeared for a year as Sony Ericsson decided the recession meant they wouldnt renew their sponsorship of the kilkee festival

Fortunately heads of MCD met with local business’s and a deal was struck that see’s this quality festival return for its 3rd tenure. Originally a joint project between Sony Ericsson and MCD, it now is a much different plan in a recession where local business’s and the town in general have banded together to help MCD with what it needs to make the festival happens, and at short notice it would appear both local business’s and MCD have pulled it out of the bag with a top lineup for each of the days of this unique music and surf festival.

The Festival boasts a range of other activities on the weekend along which include things like swimming in enclosed natural pools, diving at “new found out”, Kite Surfing lessons and rental (€45 for 1 hour intro), the Tivoli Cup (a racquets competition) which is a mix of squash and handball is held there too on the same weekend. Scuba diving on Kilkee beach for 30 euro pp or 50 per couple. Kayaking  for  15 euro per person and 10 euro per person.

Sailing at 20 euro per hour is available and you can also go dolphin watching.

Thats your non music options but lets face it, thats only half the festival, the rest of the festival is the big name acts playing there this coming weekend.

FRIDAY :: Gates 6pm

Joe Echo

Belfast born Ciaran Gribbins is Joe Echo who has had quite a good year musically with appearances at Oxegen, Glasgowbury and Indiependence, opening for James Morrison and The Script. He’s putting the finishing touches on his album and has had chart success with featuring on Paul Oakenfolds new remixes album which reached #1 in the charts and also co-wrote madonna’s new single “Celebration”, this act is one on the upward trail. As opening acts go its a quality start to open the festival.

Laura Izibor

Another top irish act on the bill, Meteor Music Awards hope for 2006 has just released her debut album “let the truth be told” in May of 2009, 3 years after her meteor award. Several of her tunes have been used in Advertisements and Movies and she has opened for Estelle, Maxwell, John Legend and Aretha Franklin (with whom she is compared).

If your a fan of soulful sound with influences from Aretha franlin, Nina Simone and Thin Lizzy than Izabor will definitely be quality listening.

The Blizzards

The Blizzards have had quite a year, Chart success’s with “Trust Me, Im a Doctor”, “The Reason”, “Postcards” and “Buy it, Sell it” and followed that up with appearances at Oxegen, headlingin Indiependence and playing Slane, The also supported The Kaiser Chiefs, Oasis, The Prodigy and Ac/Dc, for Niall Breslin and Co its been the year of all years.

Clearly on top form, if your up for some Indie-pop summer beats to close out your summer they most surely will be provided by the blizzards.

Doves

Doves are a pedigree indie-rock band who’s 4th studio album hit number 2 in the UK charts and #8 in the Irish Charts, Having Supported bands like Coldplay, Oasis and U2 their quality cant really be in question, Doves have never really been my kidn of band, thats just me, i dont doubt their ability, but its quite possible the Blizzards would have been a more fun Closer for friday night. However a top act and most worthy of their position.

SATURDAY :: Gates 5pm

Jerry Fish and the Mudbug club

Jerry fish is enjoying a renaissance of types in recent times, 4 years since his last album he comes out with “The Beautiful Untrue” which has had him gigging around including being at Electric Picnic only last weekend. Back to Before has enjoyed extensive radio play and Jerry Fish is a quality live act. Fantastic addition to the lineup, certain to get people in the mood.

The Hold Steady

i wont lie here, in a festival lineup there’s always bands you wont like, The hold steady are that for me this time around, ive given their album a thorough listen and im just not into them. Im sure it will be good live though as its a kind of rocky sound with a bit of piano thrown in, im sure there will be plenty bouncing along to a few of the songs, but personally they arnt for me.

Noah and the Whale

This is the kind of feel good act that festivals need from time to time that lift the mood, the humour and get your head nodding and foot tapping, Noah and the whale are kind of lumped at Folk-pop, a lot of their music is light hearted beats with darker lyrics but in general they produce some catchy tunes that people will enjoy. guarunteed to put you in a pleasant mood

Newton Faulkner

Another incredibly catchy singer songwriter who has had chart success and radio airplay with a good few singles released off his 2 albums, touring on his new album released in ’09 “Rebuilt by Humans” (Out next week) This is your chance to see his old stuff mixed with a healthy showing of his new material. He is also playing a show in The Academy Oct 9 touring that album so this is as good a chance to see this new material

The Saw Doctors

2008 Meteor Lifetime achievement winners with a career spanning 20 years have had hits and a cult following throughout the 2 decades and are world reknowned for their sparkling live performances. A Quality act to close out Saturday night.

SUNDAY :: Gates 5pm

Hallo I Love you

somewhat of an unknown quantity, Hallo i love you are a new enough band (Formed April 09) who have quickly risen to grab attention with their first gig was supporting Little Boots in May 09. This for me would represent an intrigueing watch and its odd to find a band in their first year supporting big acts and playing a festival.  with so little to go on i can merely point you towards their myspace http://www.myspace.com/halloiloveyou for a listen and a look at a youtube video or two.

Jazzlite

i unfortunately have zero information on this band, ive never heard them, cant find a myspace and the Cois Fharraige site holds no information on them. I would most definitely question their existance right now. The only fact i know is that they are a Jazz band so its not just a name, but after that, its luck of the draw, i hope for you all, they are brilliant

Lightning Seeds

Another band in the lineup that spans the 2 decade mark the lightning seeds are probably BEST known for the “3 Lions” single which hit number 1 in 98 for the france world cup.  Well they are back with their first album in ten years. The Album “Four Winds” came out in May 2009 and they are touring heavily promoting it with a slew of festival performances this year including this weekend at Cois Fharraige. I would expect a large array from the new album with a dip into the past for songs like “Life of Riley”, “Lucky You”, “Lifes too short” and “You Showed me”
Stereo Mcs

Back on the road again in late 2008 supporting Madness Stereo Mc’s are one of the rare dance acts at this festival but should slot in nicely to get everyone dancing on the night as the festival rolls towards a close. They are out on the road promoting “Double Bubble” their latest work which was released later 2008. no Doubt songs like “Black Gold” and Connected will have fans up and moving limbs like lunatics.

The Zutons

The Zutons are a band who need a bit of luck at the moment, at the end of 2008 they were dropped by their label because of a lack of CD sales. This is the band who brought us classic tunes like “You Will You Wont” and “Valerie”. Their new album “You can do anything” just didnt meet label expectations and The Zutons find themselves unsigned and having to rethink their musical approach. ive no doubt they will be fantastic as in previous encounters they have been great live and with any luck they will ignite a few new fans from this performance and get themselves back signed and making new music.

Overall

I wish i had the free time to be down at this festival this weekend, its got some quality acts, a lot of whom ive not got to see live yet, Particularlly the Lightning Seeds and Doves i would love to sink my teeth into at a festival like this.

If you have the time and means, head down to Kilkee this weekend, with so many other options alongside the music its not all about the music so you can have a fantastic weekend with a massive amount of variety.

Winner!

Some Youtube Video’s to whet your appetite

Stero MC’s  – Connected

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRAt0V_MJBM

The Zutons – You Will You Wont

Lightning Seeds – Lucky You

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqlE1nE-0Tk

The Saw Doctors – N17

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlRhzRsAHQw

Noah and the Whale – 5 years time

The Blizzards – Trust me im a Doctor

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F5VlW1QfjE