Breathing Oxegen
StudentPunch's own Irish party monster gives her thoughts on Oxegen and offers you advice on surviving the weekend.
From around December time, I begin to count down the days until the line up of Ireland’s Biggest Festival is revealed. Previously known as ‘Witness’ from 2000-2004, Oxegen has grown over the years not only in its audience, the size of the festival and the line-up, but also in its popularity – voted as Best Major European Music Festival two years running. I have been the past two years and have no qualms about making a cameo this July also.
If you are a virgin to festivals, I suggest that you go whole hog for the true festival experience – camping is a must, as is staying for the entirety of the festival (that is the day before the music begins, and the day after it ends): if you’re going to do something, do it right! You most definitely need the warm-up day before the acts begin to get settled in and prepare your body for the endless days and sleepless nights of craic, booze and mind-blowing music!
My first experience of Oxegen was in 2009 and it was utterly fantastic, but I wasn’t as relaxed as I could have been as it was my first experience of a music festival and of being in such vast crowds – I sound like I don’t get out a lot, huh? Anyway, when I made my return there on the 7th of July 2010 I was relaxed and ready for whatever was going to come my way, including the temperamental weather. As Oxegen is located in Punchestown, Ireland you’re going to need factor 50 sun-cream and, if you are of the typical Irish/Scottish hair colour I suggest you don’t go, as the sun will be scorching for the entire weekend... Yeah, right. Expect torrential rain from the Thursday until the Sunday, when the weather will take a drastic turn and you’ll feel as if you’re on Mars. However, do not let this weather prediction put you off, as the rain never dampens the vibes at Oxegen. Although I must take this moment to thank the heavy downfall of rain on July 11th 2010, because if it weren’t for the rain I wouldn’t have stumbled in to the Dance Arena in a dazed and soaking state, (primarily to save my slice of Domino’s from harm) to find Chase and Status play one of the best sets my ears have ever heard.
NB. to those who have never attended a festival: the first protocol as you enter the events ground – purchase a timetable! Although you may think it’s a waste of money, you’ll be glad of it when you’re, well...not in the right frame of mind and you’re about two minutes away from missing one of the major acts. Have no preconceptions that the grounds are small, or that the stages are close together. Leave yourself enough time, or at least know the direction which you’re going to have to ‘leg it’ to see your next act. The scheduling clashes were fortunately only a slight blemish on an otherwise stupefying weekend.
The last two years have seen the most impressive line-ups to date, reaching out to fans of all musical tastes, and this year has thus far proven to be no exception. I am still awaiting a shock announcement, much to the same extent of the declaration that Jay-Z was playing in 2010 (I’m still in the recovery position. Although the most eagerly anticipated act of 2010 was undoubtedly Eminem, in my eyes Jay-Z blew him out of the puddles by a long shot. My mother always argues with me that the music-packed weekend is not worth the £220-ish (not including booze) that I blow on it, and some of you may think the same, but believe me I’d pay it twice over. Not only do you get to see some of your favourite artists perform in a fun-filled, electrifying environment, but you can discover a hidden love for artists you’d never have dreamt of listening to because it was outside your favoured genre.
The first official day of the festival 2010 was fancy dress themed and so, adorned with a questionable colour of body paint, exaggerated red lipstick and a homemade American flag dress, I left my tent as Beyonce in the ‘Telephone’ video. My sidekick was Lady Gaga and I’d fashioned her wig out of a Sandra D-bob and several Diet Coke cans, her make-up mirrored the Fame Monster’s to perfection and her attire was studded and only just about existent. Needless to say, her apparel received much appraisal from passers-by, who just thought that I had a dodgy fake tan. Our day began with Vampire Weekend and ended with the venerable hip-hopper, Jay-Z. This may sound completely ridiculous, but as I stood in the pouring rain, a few hundred metres from the man himself, he seemed to have a unanimous ability to make you feel like you knew him. He crammed about 30 of his hits in to 100 minutes and he was untouchable. Beyonce who? Jigga Man owned Friday night all on his own.
Saturday is always jam-packed so make sure you’re not hungover and that you’re on top form at 11am with a breakfast roll and a can of cider. I find that Saturday is the day that people begin to loosen up a bit more, when they really don’t care what goes down. This being said, you must beware, or indulge in the most feared – the mud fight! I did it on my first year at Oxegen along with two of my friends, and although I’m pretty certain that it wasn’t all mud, the drunken wrestling at Calvin Harris was well worth an MTV appearance! I then had to make the biggest decision of my life (I’m talking bigger than my Firm and Insurance for UCAS): I had to choose between a shower, or going to watch Katy Perry perform. Need you question which path I choose? A year later, older and more mature (debatable) I steered clear of the mud fights - after a harrowing experience in the communal showers the year before – and enjoyed the acts in a clean and hygienic form.
When I woke up on the Sunday morning, I could hardly breathe in the two man tent, not because there were four of us in it, but because the sun was beaming through. ‘RESULT’, I thought, the weather had finally picked up and we were off for our last day in Punchestown. First stop was We Are Scientists, and if it wasn’t good enough that the weather was beautiful, we got to stare at Keith Murray for an entire set. Things just seemed to get better and better, as we then got to bask in the sun and the beauty of Paolo Nutini and his sensuous voice – some may say that we were ‘Bi-Winning’! A must-see act, Paolo wins over the crowd in Ireland every year but especially so last year, when he called Ireland one of the seven wonders of the world. His performance epitomised the title of his 2009 album ‘Sunny Side Up’, notably during the finished song ‘Last Request’ when Paolo stopped singing and watched his fans sing his lyrics back to him, smiling from ear to ear. Many acts later, we made our way to see the much anticipated Eminem. After the controversy of his cancellation at Slane Castle in 2005, the rapper really had to redeem himself. Eminem played a remarkably full set, and on closing he gushed, "Thank you for the support you've given me over all the years and not giving up on me." A fantastic way to wrap up Oxegen 2010, Mr Marshall Mathers really proved to all haters that Slim Shady is back.
Oxegen really is an essential way to start the summer: with five star reviews on entertainment and value, it certainly should be on everyone’s to-do list! With acts quality enough to lure fans from across the water, Oxegen is undeniably impressive enough to rival its foreign competition. The festival offers a musical smorgasbord of entertainment, high-rising fairground rides, late night DJ booths and an all night party atmosphere right in the heart of the campsite, all for the price of an iPhone4. So go on, get on Ticketmaster and hit up the Emerald Isle for a breath of Oxegen.
Stick with StudentPunch for lots of festival banter and tips, fashion and gossip in the coming weeks.
Tickets are still on sale!
Caoilfhionn Maguire
