Rick O’Shea – 2FM

1. COLDPLAY – I know it’s desperately unfashionable but they were the first gig I went to see in the 02 and they’re still the only band I’ve seen actually “fill” the space and use it properly. Oh, and they gave us beach balls.

2. THE NATIONAL – Again, saw them a couple of years back in The Olympia, they were just hypnotic.

3. BRUNO MARS – My guilty pleasure even if only so I can sing Billionaire at the top of my voice and actually toss him a Grenade to see what happens…

4. WEEZER – Again, for the singing of the songs I know. Many of them.

5. FIGHT LIKE APES – The only band in recent years that have actually deafened me with a gig. Good enough?

Rick O’Shea, Presenter,
Weekdays 2 to 4.30pm
RTE 2FM

Charlotte Flood – Phantom 105.2

OXEGEN ARTISTS TO SEE AND WHY:

FOOS
Obviously one of the best rock bands of the past decade. I first saw Foo Fighters in 2007, at a festival and the atmosphere was off the hook. You can’t fault the Grohl!

FIGHT LIKE APES
Amazing band live, the energy, the songs, the madness of the band all together you can not miss! Only got in to them when I first moved over, but if you want a band with, short, snappy and loud songs….May-Kay and the lads are exactly who you need to go and see.

PRIMAL SCREAM
Having never seen Primal Scream, I was very jealous when my friends went to see them do their Screamadelica tour last year in London. So, now I am delighted to get to see them perform the whole album. To hear Loaded live, in a field surrounded by thousands of others will be brilliant!

LEFTFIELD
Leftfield are one of the best live bands I have seen in the past year – always knew their music was amazing but when ‘Open Up’ kicks in live you can’t stop your feet from dancing!!!

THE NATIONAL
‘High Violet’ was on of my most favourite albums of last year. These won’t be your dancey type of band, but if you want a band with amazing songs, great lyrics and beautiful melodies, The National would be my ones not to miss!

John Meagher – Irish Independent

Primal Scream – hearing them perform Screamadelica in its entirety should be very special indeed

The National – this band is incapable of delivering a bad performance

Weezer – power-pop practitioners don’t come much better

Arctic Monkeys – can the band rediscover the form that made them such an exciting prospect five years ago?

Plan B – he was superb in the Olympia a couple of months ago

Connor Phillips – Cool FM

ELIZA DOOLITTLE – A songstress that has gone from strength to strength since her Oxegen performance last year. Her hypnotizing brown eyes and her quirky style makes her a very popular choice for this year. I was lucky enough to interview her at the festival last year and would be intrigued to see how she would cope with the Oxegen crowd with 12 more months of hits behind her!

PAOLO NUTINI – Almost like David Gray with his relationship with Ireland, a son of Ireland even though he doesn’t own the passport! Nutini’s most recent sound brings a very raw ‘bluesy’ vibe to Oxegen this year and his ability to ‘wow’ a huge crowd has made him a festival regular. From serving Fish and Chips in Paisley to selling out tours – expect his performance to be one of the big highlights this year!

SLASH – The reason they invented the word ‘Legend’ (or the reason they invented hairspray, you pick!). He will fill the void left by former Oxegen legends like James Brown where festival goers dropped everything they were doing to take a look. Whether he brings with him the glory of his Guns n’ Roses days or the showmanship displayed with Velvet Revolver, Slash is going to stir up massive interest. I would definitely pack the tent up early and make your way to Slash’s stage to make sure you get a view!

SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA – When I first heard this dance music trio were collaborating I wasn’t sure if it was going to work, but how wrong was I!? After the world famous ‘One (My Name)’ and the smash ‘Miami to Ibiza’, they have exploded onto the music scene and it’s going to get bigger! If you have a few minutes have a look for The Swedish House Mafia Movie online called ‘Take One’. The movie was filmed over the course of 2 years, 253 gigs and 15 countries. The clips in this will get Oxegen goers buzzing about what to expect. (earplugs may help!). Axwell, Angello and Ingrosso together are Epic!

HOUSE OF PAIN – After breaking up in 1996, some thought House of Pain were just a distant musical memory. Their strong Irish connections will be a big enough draw for the Punchestown concert goers not to mention the amazing response they will get to the opening four bars of their most famous piece of musical history – Jump Around. They have a reputation as an extraordinary energetic live band and I don’t think the Oxegen crowd will need much encouragement to get behind our Irish American brothers.

Dan Fahey – VirtualFestivals.com Editor

Aside from a few stalwarts (Kanye, Mos Def, Weezy), the quality of US hip hop has been patchy at best in recent years, so thank Tupac and Biggie for OFWGKTA. The LA collective have taken the music media by its headphones and choked it with the chord. Their production is impeccable, their lyrics dark, and they’re creating a hyperbolic scare-storm we haven’t seen since punk.

With Conor Oberst preparing to shut the guitar case on his rootsy Bright Eyes moniker, for many this will be the last opportunity to see one of the most prolific, and poetic, songwriters of recent years. He’s bound to dust off a few classics to as he shares his LP swansong in its full genteel glory.

Remember the stink kicked up when Jay-Z was booked for his first UK festival? It was worse than paddling in a portable toilet. He bog-brushed criticism aside with a triumphantly memorable show and we’re about to see the same happen with Beyonce. What’s not to love? She’s got the hits and the dance moves and that’s before we even get to the costume changes. This could be a show that eclipses the headliners.

The Strokes are another band on the Oxegen bill that have headline pedigree without actually taking a top slot. After edging towards ‘Chinese Democracy’-territory with a five-year wait for a new album, the group have morphed their sound to incorporate more 80s-influenced indie, which bloomed spectacularly at Coachella a few weeks ago. Plus they’re still the coolest 30-somethings around.

What is lined up as an unforgettable Oxegen, it’s fitting that Primal Scream will play their timeless album ‘Screamadelica’ in full. A masterpiece that fuses gospel, dance, baggy beat and dub, the dogmatic group will blend hard work with Scottish charisma to give the record the justice it deserves.

Paul McLoone – Today FM

5. THE STROKES. Although I have to be honest and confess that the comeback album, “Angles” left me about as moved as a geometry lesson, I’m still curious to see how the newer songs come over live. It can sometimes offer a surprise, though I expect the band’s legendary on – stage “charisma” will still get on my tits after about five songs. Hope one of them’s “Hard To Explain”.

4. ARCTIC MONKEYS. A much – anticipated return to the fray from a band who are still managing the rare feat of remaining interesting after their third album. Alex Turner is a songwriter of undeniable talent, and the Monkeys’ steady growth into their big stadium shoes has been a joy to behold. My advice? Suck It And See…

3. IMELDA MAY. A born performer with the songs to back it up, it’s been a massive year or two for the impossible – to – dislike Liberties siren. What I’m convinced will be a storming set will be an apt way to cap it all off. Those who have observed her rise know that there simply isn’t a stage big enough for Imelda, as she will prove yet again, I have no doubt!

2. BEYONCE. Okay, not my usual thing musically, but the sheer quality of some of Miss Knowles’ biggest anthems can be denied only by the most tedious and tiresome of musical snobs. And there can be no getting round the fact that Beyonce’s addition to the bill has sexed this year’s party up immeasurably. This set will be mental.

1. THE MINUTES. Not the biggest band on the bill by any stretch of the imagination. But how many great, now – massive bands did we first see in those smaller stages all down the years; the “I was there!” factor is part and parcel of the Oxegen experience. Who says we can’t be saying it about an Irish band?

Callum McAdam of Bipolar Empire

PRIMAL SCREAM I just can’t wait to see them. They have such great arrangements and always keep the groove going… proper music to let yourself go to, and dance around carelessly, in the rain or sun! Perfect for Oxegen!

THE STROKES were at the first Oxegen I went to. I remember it was horrible out, and I was right at the front and got to high five Julian as he ran through the crowd. He grabbed an Irish flag in the rain and started jumping around the stage singing. Epic gig – I can’t wait to see what happens this time!

THE NATIONAL are one of my favourite bans at the moment. I saw them at Electric Picnic last year and I was just blown away. They have such a powerful ambience about their sound, and they really capture and seduce their audiences. I’m sure they will be just as amazing again, if not even better.

MANIC STREET PREACHERS are always a great live band, so many great hits, and great for a good sing along. I’ve seen them before and I was just stuck in the muck, not just because of how amazing the Manics are, but because my wellies were too big and the muck was too deep so I had to stay put for the whole gig without running to see someone else… because I was literally sinking! Thank God that happened because the gig was immense!

WEEZER of course has to be my fifth. I’ve missed out on so many chances to see them before, and this time I will definitely be front and centre! The geekiest looking band but the coolest tunes! Another great band for a good sing along, and maybe even break out the dance moves!

Dara Quilty – Spin 103.8

All Time Low.
Glorious dirty humored pop-rock. All Time Low are always fun to watch.
They’re set is filled with catchy head rocking guitar pop songs and plenty
of dick jokes in between. They’re playing on Friday so a good way to start
the festival with a smile on your face. Check out their live DVD ‘Straight
to DVD’ so you know what you’re in for.

Weezer.
I have never seen Weezer live before so they are certainly on my list this
year. One of those bands I have listened too since I was young but never got
a concert ticket. They have their anthems, ‘Buddy Holly’, ‘Island in the
Sun’ & the more recent ‘Pork & Beans’ but are also incredible song writers.
Rivers Kuomo, lead singer also sang on the hit single ‘Magic’ with B.o.B
this year.

Bruno Mars.
I saw him this year in the Olympia & was more than impressed. I thought it
would be a kind of boyband set up with dancing etc… It was far from it. Full
live band accompanied by pitch perfect harmonies. Definitely worth watching,
particularly if you plan on hooking up at Oxegen this year, all the ladies
will be at this set!

Royseven.
We should be lovers. Go and see Royseven play this year. They have worked
very hard & finally had a smash hit on Irish radio this year with We Should
Be Lovers, Killer & Dance. Paul Walsh they’re lead singer is also, probably
the nicest guy you’ll meet, we had him co-hosting the Zoo Crew during the
year.

Ke$ha.
Infections pop created by the lord of the radio Dr. Luke. She’s dirty & I
fancy her. This will be loud & you will be dancing.

Paul Walsh – Royseven

Royseven are leading a new wave of Irish talent set to hit Oxegen this summer. The bands single ‘We Should Be Lovers’ has been one of the most played songs on Irish radio this year and the follow-up ’Dance’ is released next month.
We caught up with Paul Walsh, the Dublin band’s lead singer, to give us his Top Five Must See Artists for Oxegen 2011.
Only problem was, Paul couldn’t whittle his choices down to just 5…
“It’s hard to pick just five so I may exceed the quota a little. We’re playing on the Sunday and we’re actually in Germany for a show on the Saturday, however, if I was there for the entire weekend, here’s who I’d go and see….

Friday:
Tinie Tempah- I’m only recently converted to his music, but I love it and he seems like the sort of bloke you’d like to hang out with too!
Calvin Harris- We were on before them last time we played Oxegen so I’d like to hear what they’re up to these days.
The Script- I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never seen them live, so I need to address that oversight and watch their set!

Saturday:
Beady Eye- Just for the rubber necking, cos I’m really not sure what to expect live.
Two Door Cinema Club- What a success story, another big Irish band I’ve never seen live but would love to.
Airborne Toxic Event- I’ve missed them in the Academy a few times but heard amazing things, so I’d defo go and see them.

Sunday:
The National-’Nuff said.
Bright Eyes- I listened to a few songs on youtube and really like the music but I’m not sold on it yet, so I’d like to see it live to make up my mind.
Crystal Castles-Getting such great reviews and publicity at the moment so I’m going to go and see what it’s all about.

Sorry for going over! It’s impossible to whittle it down. As I’m just there on the Sunday, I think I’ll be running around like a mad man between stages trying to see as much as possible and lending support to the other Irish acts/friends on that day like Bipolar Empire and Fight Like Apes. It’s going to be a long day, and a longer night!”

Colm Hayes – 2FM

5. The Eels. Clever, quirky indie pop rock. One listen to Susan’s House should convince you.

4. Fun Lovin Criminals. Dripping with Funk and NYC attitude. They are the reals gangsters of the groove.If they ever made The Sopranos into a musical thse guys would be the leads characters.

3. Plan B. It’s east London R&B wiv real attitude. I like musical attitude. You might have guessed.

2. Paolo Nutini. In a pop filled world of X-factor monsters and music for profit only; Paolo is a breath of fresh air and an inspiration for budding songwriters. His music is so catchey and the lyrics pure poetry.

1. Beyonce. When will we ever see Jay Z’s missus in a big field in Kildare again. What wellies will she wear? Will she go crazy on stage, Will all the single ladies go cray/ And If I were a boy.I definitely would…………….

Dan Hegarty – RTE 2FM

Deadmau5
I’ve never managed to see Deadmau5 live before which is a mortal sin! This is definitely going to be one of the highlights of Oxegen 2011 – miss this set at your peril!

Primal Scream (Screamadelica)
‘Screamadelica’ is a classic album, and getting to see them play it live is going to be amazing! It’s hard to believe that it’s 20 years old, but it still sounds brilliant.

The Minutes
They’re one of the best Irish bands around at the moment, and I’m loving their debut album ‘Marcata’, so they’re a definite for me. They’ve improved massively over the years, and I think a lot of people are going to be astonished at how good they are.

Crystal Castles
Never an act that you should miss when you have a chance to see them. They’re blistering live, so you might want to bring along some soft French cheese to stick in your ears just in case!

Slash
You have to don’t you! Guns N Roses and Velvet Revolver are guilty pleasures, and he’s been a guest on my show twice – what a gentleman. Don’t discount his solo or Snake Pit material either – RAWK!

Nikki Hayes – SPIN 1038

Nikki’s top 5 must-sees at Oxegen are:

5) Bruno Mars – have seen him play intimate gigs but the lazy song + Oxegen sunshine will just be epic

4) Deadmaus – gonna bring the party to the roof or the stars as it may be

3) House of Pain – The retroness is gonna bring back mega vintage smileage

2) My Chemical Romance – Last time I saw them at Oxegen they made that year for me especially when they played Welcome to the black parade – I think they’re still so underrated as a live act – looking forward to their Oxegen performance this year

1) Paolo Nutini – has to be the ultimate for me this year… I know that when I see him play Oxegen will have landed for me – Pencil full of lead will send me into Oxegen overdrive