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Slane Festival

Coordinates: 53°42′35″N 6°33′34″W / 53.709836°N 6.559376°W / 53.709836; -6.559376
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Slane Festival
GenreRock
Dates28 May 2011
Location(s)Slane Castle, Slane, County Meath, Ireland
Years active1981 - present

Slane Concert (often referred as just Slane) is a concert held most years since 1981 in Slane Castle in Slane village, County Meath, in Ireland. Slane lies between Navan and Drogheda, about 45 km northwest of Dublin. Concerts typically occur on a Saturday in August, from noon to 22:00. However, the most recent edition of the event saw Oasis play the castle on 20 June 2009, and Kings of Leon are to play on 28 May 2011.

The sloping grounds of Slane Castle form a natural amphitheatre which is useful for the concert.[1] Attendance is usually around 80,000 - 100,000. One of the boundaries of the venue is the River Boyne. Several people have died while trying to swim the river to gain free access to the concert, including one during R.E.M.'s concert in 1995. The age of admission to the Slane Concert was changed in 2006 from 18 years old and over to 16 years old because of a lot of complaints for much families.

Aiken Promotions invited artists such as The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie and Queen to perform at the event in the 1980s.[2] 2001 was the only occasion in which the concert was held twice in one year, with both concerts being headlined by U2.[3] The 2005 concert was controversially cancelled after headliner Eminem pulled out after entering drug rehabilitation.

Bands who have appeared more than once

The Rolling Stones and U2 are the only bands to have headlined the Slane event more than once, other than U2 playing twice in one year. Several other acts have supported a headliner and returned as a headliner themselves. These are included in the table below.

Act Years
Oasis (1995, 2009)
Red Hot Chili Peppers (2001, 2003)
Robbie Williams (1998, 1999)
Stereophonics (1999, 2002)
U2 (1981, 1983, 2001 X2)

Some acts have appeared more than once but never as a headline act. These are included in the table below.

Act Years
Big Country (1983, 1987)
James (1993, 1998)
Dara (2000, 20011)
Moby (2000, 20011)
The Charlatans (2002, 2007)

1. The second of two concerts that occurred in this year.

List of Slane lineups

1980s

The first Slane Concert was held in 1981 and for seven consecutive years until 1987 a concert occurred without fail. The seven concerts of the 1980s were headlined respectively by Thin Lizzy, The Rolling Stones, U2, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Queen and David Bowie. In 1983 for the third Slane Concert, which was headlined for the first time by U2, Slane Castle was refused permission to hold a concert, so the "Slane Concert" was held in the Phoenix Park Racecourse in Dublin, the only occasion it has been held outside Slane. U2 appeared at Slane in 1981 and 1983, whilst in 1984 Bono took to the stage to do a duet with Bob Dylan during his encore. This marked the last appearance by a member of U2 on the Slane stage until their unique double-headliner in 2001. Thus Bono has appeared at Slane on a total of five occasions, three of these being in the first four concerts.

1981

Headliner

1982

Headliner

1983

Headliner

1984

Headliner

3. These made special guest appearances during Dylan's encores.

1985

Headliner

During "The River" footage of the nearby River Boyne was shown on video screens; the footage was retained for the rest of Springsteen's tour.[5] Elvis Costello and members of Spandau Ballet and U2 were Lord Henry's guests who availed of smoked salmon and champagne on the day.[5]

1986

Headliner

1987

Headliner

1990s

After a five year absence, still the longest since the event began in 1981, Slane Concert returned in 1992. The five concerts of the 1990s were headlined respectively by Guns N' Roses, Neil Young, R.E.M., The Verve and Robbie Williams. The 1995 concert, headlined by R.E.M., was notable for the death of one individual who attempted to swim the nearby River Boyne to reach the concert area. The same concert marked the debut of Oasis on the Slane stage; they returned in 2009 to headline the event. The 1998 event was headlined by The Verve, their last appearance in Ireland until Oxegen 2008; in 1998 the band appeared alongside special guests Manic Street Preachers and also Robbie Williams who would return the following year to headline. Stereophonics played support in 1999 only to return to headline in 2002. The 1990s saw no performances by any members of U2, the only decade thus far in which this has been the case.

1992

Headliner

1993

Headliner

1995

In 1995, R.E.M. were supported by Oasis, who were touring their album (What's the Story) Morning Glory? and would return to headline the event in 2009.[6] One fan threw a rock at the stage as the band prepared to play "Roll with It".[6] This action provoked a shower of expletives from Liam Gallagher: "If you don't like it, go fucking hang yourself".[6] In 2009, this performance was described as being by "a lairy mob with attitude and half a dozen memorable songs to their credit".[7]

Headliner

1998

Headliner

1999

Headliner

2000s

The eight concerts of the 2000s were headlined respectively by Bryan Adams, U2 (twice), Stereophonics, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna, The Rolling Stones and Oasis. This decade marked the arrival of a new innovation for Slane - two concerts in the same year in 2001. Both were headlined by U2 and both featured an entirely different set of support acts that encompassed the Slane debuts of Coldplay, Nelly Furtado, Ash, Kelis, The Walls and JJ72 whilst offering returns to Moby and Dara. Red Hot Chili Peppers also appeared for the first time and would return to headline the 2003 event. 2005 was to have been another original and unique event, centred instead of on rock music around the rap genre, only for Eminem to cancel unexpectedly after the event's announcement and selling out. MCD sought legal damages in the High Court.[9] The resultant two year break in 2005 and 2006 saw Slane return with headliners The Rolling Stones, only the second artist after U2 to headline the event in two different years, and marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of their first appearance. Lord Henry Mountcharles' delay in the picking of suitable acts led to there being no event in 2008;[10] however Oasis secured the headlining berth for the final concert of Slane's third decade with support from The Prodigy, Kasabian, Glasvegas and The Blizzards.

2000

Headliner

2001

U2's headlining appearance sold out in 45 minutes.[1] The first concert occurred the week after Bono's father died.[1]

1st Concert

25 August 2001:

Headliner

2nd concert

1 September 2001:

Headliner

2002

Headliner

2003

Headliner

2004

The 2004 Madonna concert at Slane was compared to a football match by one manager, Johnny McDonnell.[11] The Irish Times selected "This is the big time, it's like Madonna coming to Slane" as one of its quotes of that year.[12]

Headliner

2006

In preparation for their third studio album, Celtic Woman performed at Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland, on 23 and 24 August 2006, with this show airing on PBS during December 2006. The studio album, titled Celtic Woman: A New Journey, was released on 30 January 2007. As with their debut, the live performance was released on DVD simultaneously. This album immediately hit the Billboard 200 at #4[11] and the Billboard World Music chart at #1,[12] moving their previous two releases down a notch and securing the top three positions on that chart for the group.

2007

The Rolling Stones played to what was later described as being "a mostly middle-aged crowd who were content to stand back, shielded from the rain in their wax jackets, and let the concert wash over them".[13]

Headliner

2009

Oasis were joined by family members, including their mother Peggy, for the show.[13] They began their performance with "Rock 'n' Roll Star" and finished with "Wonderwall", "Don't Look Back in Anger", "Champagne Supernova" and "I Am the Walrus".[14] Liam Gallagher shouted at the fans: "Slane Castle, you've been fucking biblical".[13] Several celebrities attended the concert, including footballers Gary Kelly, Stephen Ireland and John O'Shea and solicitor Gerald Kean.[13]

10 people were detained on public order offences throughout the day of the concert, including two people who were arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.[15] MCD asked fans to report any issues after complaints regarding transport facilities, prompting Aidan Coughlan writing in the Irish Independent to ponder "whether gigs in Slane are really worth it any more".[14][16] Coughlan described the band's performance as "ordinary yet enjoyable".[14] Fiach Kelly, writing in the same publication, reported on the "yoof element" where "you could be forgiven for thinking you had arrived at a rather large teenage disco".[13]

Headliner

2010s

2010

Lord Henry said in a column in the February 12, 2010 edition of the Evening Herald that Slane 2010 would take place in August and that it would involve an "international artist" but that he was still organising the event with Denis Desmond.[22]

Speaking on RTÉ Radio on the 3 April 2010, Lord Henry stated there would not be a concert at Slane in 2010.[23]

2011

It was announced on 29 October 2010 that Kings of Leon would headline in 2011, with tickets going on sale on 5 November and completely selling out in 40 mins[24]

Future

Red Hot Chili Peppers member Chad Smith has stated that he "wouldn't mind doing Slane again" saying the band "had an awesome time last time".[25]

Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong has spoken to Hot Press of his admiration for U2's shows at Slane and, in relation to his band performing there in 2010, commented: "It's something that's being looked at".[26] However, the rumour, a recurring one in recent years, was dismissed for 2010 when the band opted to play a show in Marlay Park instead.[27][28]

Lord Henry has vowed on radio that he will secure AC/DC to perform at the venue in the future in response to repeated calls by fans for this to happen.[23]

DVD and video

Controversies

Mountcharles insists that the venue be played by rock bands and will not not allow so-called manufactured bands such as Westlife or Boyzone to play at his castle grounds. Westlife and Boyzone manager Louis Walsh maintains that Westlife have no interest in playing at Slane, saying a Croke Park gig would be a "dream come true" for his band and that it would be "a far better venue than a field in Meath".[29]

The 2004 concert attracted protests from the people of Slane, as it was to be held on a Sunday. The inhabitants were fearful of repeats of the civil unrest that had occurred the previous time a concert had been held on a Sunday, Bob Dylan in 1984. This was due to concert-goers arriving the day before, Saturday, and consuming large amounts of alcohol before attending the Sunday concert. The matter was resolved by postponing the start of the concert and having a notably smaller lineup than other years.[citation needed] Jim Kerr of Simple Minds was allegedly once given a ride home from Slane on the back of Bono's Harley-Davidson.[30]

The public going through the gates at Slane for The Rolling Stones concert in 2007.

In 2009, Dublin Bus did not provide enough transport for those who purchased a return ticket. and there was no Garda presence where the buses were located. The concert ended between 10.30 and 11pm yet thousands did not get a seat on an empty bus until 3am.[31] Lord Henry expects improvements for 2010.[32]

References

  1. ^ a b c U2 and Slane Castle gear up for 20-year reunion. RTÉ.
  2. ^ "Jim Aiken dies at his home in Belfast". Hot Press. 2007-02-28. Retrieved 2009-04-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Irish Examiner
  4. ^ a b c d e "Rainy days & festivals". Irish Independent. 10 July 2004.
  5. ^ a b Marsh, David. "Bruce Springsteen: two hearts : the definitive biography, 1972-2003", p. 558.
  6. ^ a b c "Oasis Play Slane Castle Tomorrow!". 'entertainment.ie. 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  7. ^ "Review of the week: Oasis/The Prodigy * * *". Irish Independent. 2009-06-26. Retrieved 2009-07-02. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Pierre Perrone (2000-04-16). "The infinite shades of Gray". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-09-26. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Concert promoter seeks €1.5m over Eminem pull-out". Irish Independent. 2006-12-05. Retrieved 2008-12-26. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ "Slane 2008 cancelled". Phantom FM. 2008-04-10. Retrieved 2008-04-11. [dead link]
  11. ^ "Planet Football". The Irish Times Alternative link here. 2004-08-08. Retrieved 2009-07-17. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "Quotes of the year". The Irish Times Alternative link here. 2004-12-12. Retrieved 2009-07-17. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ a b c d e "Castle rocks in throwback to a 1990s teenage disco". Irish Independent. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ a b c "Veteran rockers fail to leave comfort zone". Irish Independent. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Oasis rock 80,000 at Slane". The Irish Times. 2009-06-21. Retrieved 2009-06-21. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ "MCD respond to Slane criticism". Hot Press. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ a b c d e "Slane support line-up confirmed". Hot Press. 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2009-05-06. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ a b c d e "Slane stage times announced". Hot Press. 2009-06-16. Retrieved 2009-06-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ a b c d e "Etc". The Irish Times. 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-06-19. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ "The Prodigy added to Slane line-up". Hot Press. 2008-10-21. Retrieved 2008-10-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Oasisinet
  22. ^ Lord Henry Mountcharles (February 12, 2010). "Celebrity Diary: Lord Henry Mountcharles". Evening Herald. Retrieved February 12, 2010. At the moment, I'm putting a concert together with Denis for this August. It will be an international artist, but I have a reputation for being very secretive. Unless I'm convinced that the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed, I'm not saying anything, and that's been my policy for 30 years. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ a b No concert at Slane Castle this year. RTÉ.
  24. ^ Kings of Leon confirmed for Slane. The Irish Times. Richie Kavanagh is rumoured to be taking to the stage at 6 in the evening to warm up the crowd before Big Tom and the Mainliners rock out to really liven up the atmosphere. The main support act has been confirmed to be none other than John Doolan - a midlands Joe Dolan- tribute act.
  25. ^ "We'll be Red Hot at Slane again, vow Chili Peppers". Evening Herald. 2009-06-26. Retrieved 2009-07-03. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ "Green Day for Slane?". Hot Press. 2009-10-07. Retrieved 2009-10-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ "Green Day to play Marlay Park, June 2010". Hot Press. 2009-12-15. Retrieved 2009-12-18. The announcement should definitively end speculation that the band will play Slane, which has been rumoured for a number of years now. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ Kevin Doyle (2009-12-15). "Green Day return to play summer Marlay Park gig". Evening Herald. Retrieved 2009-12-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ "Westlife plan concert at Croke Park". RTÉ Mobile. 2002-08-20. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
  30. ^ Friday Night 80s (Brian McCaul). Today FM. 14 November 2008.
  31. ^ Carr, Aoife. "Crowds at Oasis show critical of transport". The Irish Times. Monday, June 22, 2009.
  32. ^ "Lord Henry's response to this year's Slane concert". Hot Press. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-03. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

Template:Notable Concerts

53°42′35″N 6°33′34″W / 53.709836°N 6.559376°W / 53.709836; -6.559376

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