Arthur's Day

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For further details on Arthur himself, see Arthur Guinness.
Arthur's Day
Guinness 250 Anniversary 1759-2009.jpg
To Arthur!
Location(s) Dublin, Ireland
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Lagos, Nigeria
New York, United States
Yaoundé, Cameroon
Years active 3
Date(s) 24 September 2009,
23 September 2010,
22 September 2011

Arthur's Day refers to a series of music events which were first organised in 2009 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Guinness brewing company by its owner Diageo plc.

Those events took place internationally in the cities of Dublin, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, New York and Yaoundé on 23 September 2009. The event was broadcast internationally on Sky TV, ITV2 and DirecTV.[1] €6 million has been pledged to the Arthur Guinness Fund.[1] The celebration has been endorsed by several high-profile names, such as rock star-turned political activist Bob Geldof, director and screenwriter Guy Ritchie, footballer and Guinness football ambassador for Africa Michael Essien and British celebrities such as Peter Crouch, Sophie Dahl.[2]

Guinness drinkers are expected to raise a glass to the memory of Arthur Guinness at 17:59 (5:59pm), a reference to 1759, the year the Guinness Brewery was established..[3][4] An 82c stamp of an Arthur Guinness portrait was also released by An Post to commemorate the anniversary.[5]

Arthur's Day 2010 took place on 23 September.

Contents

[edit] 2009

[edit] Dublin

The Dublin shows occurred in four major venues—The Academy, Tripod, Vicar Street and Whelan's—, 28 public houses and a specially established venue called Hop Store 13 at St. James's Gate Brewery.[6] The events saw several high-profile acts performing in smaller locations than usual with the likes of Tom Jones playing in a small Dublin pub. Admission prices referencing the well-known Guinness numbers, €9.99 and €17.59.[6] The line-ups were confirmed on 24 July 2009.[7] The events at Hop Store 13 will be hosted by Cat Deeley and Ronan Keating, whilst Colin Murray, Michelle Doherty and Michelle de Swarte will present from the other four major venues in the city.[8][9]

The Academy[1] Tripod[1] Vicar Street[1] Whelan's[1]

The Dublin events was headlined by Estelle, Tom Jones, Kasabian and Sugababes.[9] Tom Jones was one of the acts to play Hop Store 13 before being taken to a secret location elsewhere in the city to perform again.[10][11] Other acts include The Blizzards, The Chakras, The Chapters, Concerto For Constantine, The Coronas, Jamie Cullum, Dirty Epics, The Enemy, Mick Flannery, General Fiasco, David Gray, Calvin Harris, Richard Hawley, The High Kings, Hoarsebox, David Holmes, The Infomatics, Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club, David Kitt, The Kooks, The Magic Numbers, Roots Manuva, Imelda May, Fiona Melady, Mystery Jets, Noah and the Whale, Noise Control, Paolo Nutini, OK Go, Oppenheimer, Razorlight, Fionn Regan, Republic of Loose, Reverend and The Makers, Sharon Shannon, Soul II Soul, The Undertones, White Belt Yellow Tag and The Wombats.[8][9][12][13]

[edit] Belfast

Celebrations were led in Belfast by Paul and Michael at Cutter's, The Botanic Inn and The House.

[edit] Kuala Lumpur

The Black Eyed Peas headlined the Arthur's Day events in Sunway Lagoon in Kuala Lumpur.[8][14][15] The Malaysian government had initially forbidden Muslims to attend as it contradicts sharia law due to the organiser promoting alcohol, a beverage which Muslims are not allowed to drink. Non-Muslims in Malaysia were allowed to attend if they wish.[14][15] Contrary to previous regulations, anyone above the age of 18 years can now participate.

[edit] Galway

In 2010, an outdoor Arthur's Day gig took place at Folan Quay, Galway Harbour. Acts that performed on the day included Imelda May, Newton Faulkner, Empire Saints, Sharon Shannon, The Magic Numbers, David Gray.[16]

[edit] Lagos

Sean Paul headlined the Arthur's Day events in Lagos.[8]

[edit] 2010

On 3 June 2010, Arthur's Day 2010 was confirmed and the following acts were announced: Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini, José González, Royseven, The View, We Have Band, MILK, Broken Records, Mick Flannery, The Rags, John Spillane, Jay Sean, The Hoosiers, Slow Club, The Maccabees, The Magic Numbers, Sharon Shannon, The High Kings, The Chapters, The Dirty 9s, Heathers and Dirty Epics.[17] Applications from musical acts were requested.[18] Events will occur in Cork, Dublin and Galway on 23 September. On July 28 it was confirmed via The Victims Official website that Brandon Flowers would also be playing in support of his solo album, Flamingo.

St. James's Gate Vicar Street Olympia Theatre The Academy The Village

[edit] Kuala Lumpur

The Guinness Arthur's Day 2010 was held on September 24, 2010 (GMT/UTC +8) at Surf Beach @ Sunway Lagoon and featured performances by Flo Rida, Sean Kingston, Colby O'Donis, Mizz Nina, Pop Shuvit, Thaitanium , Melissa Indot and DJ Fuzz.

[edit] 2011

[19]

St. James's Gate Olympia Theatre Vicar Street The Academy Ulster Hall Big Top, Limerick The Savoy, Cork

[edit] Kuala Lumpur

The Arthur's Day celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia kicked off on September 23, 2011 (GMT/UTC +8). The event held at Speed City @ Selangor Turf Club was attended by an estimated crowd of 10,000 and featured performances by Taio Cruz, Mizz Nina, Soler, Dragon Red, Prema Yin, Joe Flizzow, Take-T (Japan) and Dandee (Thailand).


[edit] Criticism

Many in Ireland refuse to celebrate Arthur's Day, believing that it is a cynical ploy by a corporation headquartered in London, England to make money off of an originally Irish product. The day has been accused of being a promotion of a product simply to create an environment whereby more Guinness is sold on a particular day solely to increase profits, without understanding or caring about the sense of nostalgia and meaning behind the "Black Stuff" they promote. In fact, Arthur's Day has been held on a Thursday since its inception, making a mockery of the original date.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Mark Coughlan (8 September 2009). "GUINNESS Announces Further Details for Arthur's Day Global Celebrations". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS186320+08-Sep-2009+PRN20090908. Retrieved 12 September 2009. 
  2. ^ "Celebrated by celebrities—People around the world are raising their glasses to wish Guinness a happy 250th birthday on Arthur’s Day". The Sun (Malaysia). 18 August 2009. http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=38200. Retrieved 18 September 2009. 
  3. ^ Roddy L'Estrange (12 August 2009). "Beaumont pint would make Arthur turn in his grave". The Irish Times. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0812/1224252419950.html. Retrieved 12 September 2009. "There were ads on, one of which he’d seen before. It was for “Arthur’s Day” to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the 9,000-year lease at the St James’ Gate Brewery by Arthur Guinness. The day picked out by the Guinness marketing people was Thursday 24 September when, at precisely 17.59, the intention was for Guinness drinkers everywhere to raise a glass of the black stuff and toast the memory of the great man." 
  4. ^ "Growing up in the shadow of Arthur G". Evening Herald. 22 September 2009. http://www.herald.ie/opinion/growing-up-in-the-shadow-of-arthur-g-1892970.html. Retrieved 22 September 2009. 
  5. ^ Mark Coughlan (28 August 2009). "Stamp of approval for Arthur Guinness". The Irish Times. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0828/1224253402209.html. Retrieved 12 September 2009. "The 82c stamp, featuring an 18th-century portrait of Arthur Guinness by an unknown artist, covers airmail letter postage to any part of the world. [...] “It’s a fitting tribute from An Post to dedicate a stamp to mark our 250th anniversary.”" 
  6. ^ a b "Catch Tom Jones in your local". The Irish Times. 17 July 2009. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/0717/1224250811255.html. Retrieved 12 September 2009. "Gigs will be split between four main venues in Dublin (The Academy, Vicar Street, Tripod and Whelan’s) as well as 28 other pubs around the city and a special venue, Hop Store 13, at the Guinness Brewery at St James’s Gate. Tickets are on sale from Ticketmaster from next Tuesday, and are €9.99 and €17.59." 
  7. ^ "Arthur's Day line-ups". The Irish Times. 24 July 2009. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/0724/1224251197793.html. Retrieved 12 September 2009. 
  8. ^ a b c d "Acts for Guinness birthday bash". The Irish Times. 11 September 2009. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/0911/1224254253841.html. Retrieved 12 September 2009. "Ronan Keating and Cat Deeley hosted the main event in Dublin, at the invite- only Hopstore 13 venue at St. James’s Gate. The four studio venues (Whelan’s, Tripod, the Academy and Vicar St) hosted by the BBC’s Colin Murray, Phantom FM’s Michelle Doherty and TV presenter Michelle de Swarte. At the same time, Sean Paul played in Lagos, Nigeria, and Black Eyed Peas headlined a show in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia." 
  9. ^ a b c "More additions to Arthur's Day bill". Hot Press. 8 September 2009. http://www.hotpress.com/archive/5805670.html. Retrieved 12 September 2009. 
  10. ^ "It's not unusual to be loved by all". The Irish Times. 29 August 2009. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2009/0829/1224253451948.html. Retrieved 12 September 2009. "Jones will be arriving in Dublin on 24 September (aka Arthur’s Day) for two special shows in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Guinness. While he and other acts performed at Hop Store 13 during the day and evening, he also, at an unspecified time, was whisked off to a city-centre pub for a 30-minute, sweaty, in-your-face, eyeball-to-eyeball gig. So – a Tom Jones gig. In a Dublin pub. Belting out the likes of Delilah, Thunderball, What’s New Pussycat? and It’s Not Unusual. We can already envisage the roof of that particular Dublin pub being blown off by sheer force of personality and audience reaction." 
  11. ^ "Tom Jones to play Guinness brewery". RTÉ. 14 August 2009. http://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/0814/arthursday.html. Retrieved 12 September 2009. 
  12. ^ "Guinness announce Arthur's Day line-up". Hot Press. 15 July 2009. http://www.hotpress.com/archive/5689862.html. Retrieved 12 September 2009. 
  13. ^ "Guinness Announce Arthurs Day Line Up, Entertainment.ie Chat to Noah and The Whale". entertainment.ie. 16 July 2009. http://entertainment.ie/music/music-news-article.asp?NewsID=28836. Retrieved 12 September 2009. 
  14. ^ a b "Guinness's sharia hitch". The Irish Times. 4 September 2009. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/0904/1224253804084.html. Retrieved 12 September 2009. "The Malaysian leg of the Arthur's Day celebration hit a snag earlier this week, when it was revealed that the government banned Muslims from attending." 
  15. ^ a b "Muslims banned from Guinness gig". Irish Independent. 28 August 2009. http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/muslims-banned-from-guinness-gig-1872224.html. Retrieved 12 September 2009. 
  16. ^ http://www.guinness.com/en-ie/arthursday/listing.html
  17. ^ "Guinness Arthur’s Day 2010 Line-Up Confirmed". Hot Press. 3 June 2010. http://www.hotpress.com/Snow%20Patrol/news/Guinness-Arthurs-Day-2010-LineUp-Confirmed/6538047.html. Retrieved 3 June 2010. 
  18. ^ "Race to play Arthur's Day hots up". Hot Press. 28 June 2010. http://www.hotpress.com/Guinness%20Our%20Thursdays/news/Race-to-play-Arthurs-Day-hots-up/6654136.html. Retrieved 28 June 2010. 
  19. ^ "Galaxy of stars ready to shine as capital celebrates Arthur's Day". Irish Independent. 21 September 2011. http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/galaxy-of-stars-ready-to-shine-as-capital-celebrates-arthurs-day-2884127.html. Retrieved 22 September 2011. 

[edit] External links

Hot Press photos - 2010: 1, 2

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