Denis Desmond’s bid to take-over the UK’s Academy Music Group of venues has run in to difficulties, with the Office of Fair Trading referring it to the Competition Commission.
MCD have responded to the furor surrounding the distribution of tickets for Arcade Fire’s Dublin shows by issuing their strongest condemnation yet of ticket touting.
The Mean Fiddler Music Group, which is chaired by MCD supremo Denis Desmond, has sold its name and six of its venues to the MAMA Group Plc for a figure believed to be £6 million.
Ireland’s biggest music promoter has enjoyed a range of successful summer gigs, and now it’s gearing up for the winter gig scene with new events planned for Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
The latest chapter of the Travis v Aslan saga: Travis were never told Aslan were offered the Marlay Park gig in the first place - and they are more than welcome on the bill, if "MCD can accommodate them"
The word on the music industry grapevine is that Vince Power is preparing to sell the majority of his stake in the Mean Fiddler organisation to a consortium comprising of American giant Clear Channel Entertainment and Irish promoters MCD who are existing shareholders.
The tabloids have been trying their darndest to guess who's headlining Slane 2003 (recent "scoops": Coldplay, The Rolling Stones) - but promoters MCD say they couldn't be further off
Hot Press' collective eagle eye (you know, There's No Escape, etc) has spotted an application for planning permission in the paper earlier this week - for a concert event at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney. What's the story? we asked MCD...
As MCD release a limited number of extra tickets for this year's festival, Hot Press.com are delighted to announce the return of the Hot Press Signing Tent.
The last minute cancellation by The Sugababes at Dublin's Olympia Theatre on Saturday night was due to 'illness' according to promoters MCD and NOT as alleged by the Daily Mirror by "an almighty catfight backstage".
MCD have spoken of being “devastated” by the cancellation of Prince’s Croke Park headliner, and confirmed that booking fees will be included in ticket refunds, which will be available from 9am on Friday June 13.
While there are moves afoot to crack down on ticket touts, auctioning concert tickets may be a way for promoters and artists to absorb the touts’ share of the spoils.
Was the recent court ruling by a district judge in Galway demanding compliance to a 45-minute dinner break in the city s nightclubs on the eve of the Heineken Weekender a coincidence, a well-thought-out publicity stunt by the local Gardam, or an attempt to crack down on Galway s dance scene? Richard Brophy examines a puzzling amendment to Ireland s licensing laws.
Annual article: Some of our most promising failures are not really doing enough to fulfil their ambitions. They must try harder next year, warns Jackie Hayden.
They may look after Lambchop’s pets and occasionally leg it from Crawdaddy to catch the last train home, but when not partaking in such hi-jinks, Dublin quartet Delorentos are busy trying to kick rock music another rung up the evolutionary ladder.
Will they or won't they? Rumours are rife as to whether the Cranberries are currently organising a landmark live show in their Limerick hometown - their first in years. The band, meanwhile, maintain a dignified silence
Calls for the media to “name and shame” touts is being supported by the Fine Gael T.D. behind the proposed ‘New Prohibition of Ticket Touts Bill’, former All-Ireland winning Kerry fooballer Jimmy Deenihan.
“Come up and see my snails sometime,” is hardly the best chat-up line ever coined, but an undaunted Jackie Hayden decides to brave all and call on Today FM jockette Ann-Marie Kelly.
A Private Members' Bill which aims to put ticket touts out of business will come before the Dail in September. Here we talk to some of the scalpers themselves, to get their reaction. By Peter Murphy.
Live on your TV and your wireless, 2TV will be broadcasting all summer long. JACKIE HAYDEN goes behind the scenes on the show that shakes up Sunday mornings.
The Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, has just promised “to streamline and modernise our liquor licensing laws”. Karla Healion asks if the government is correct in its approach to curbing problems associated with alcohol.
She's never been one to pull her punches but even by her standards, Mary Coughlan's latest album is a rollercoaster. Here, she talks about a life of love, loss, pain and redemption.
Will U2 play Phoenix Park or not? And what is the future of the rock festival as we have come to know and love it in Ireland? Special Report: STUART CLARK.
That was the original headline, back in November 1985, when Tony O'Donoghue - now best known as a presenter on RTE radio - spoke to Joe O'Herlihy (sound engineer with U2, we called him) about the torturous life of the roadie for the following year's Hot Press Yearbook. This is what went down . . .
Jackie hayden meetsjournalist turned PR guru, Tony O Brien and speaks to him about his rock n roll adventures with the likes of U2, Michael Stipe and Bruce Springsteen.
Having had his fill of Eurovision and being ripped-off on the Irish circuit, Louis Walsh went for broke with the boys who would be boyzone. Now he can afford to speak his mind. JOE JACKSON is all ears.
Having had his fill of Eurovision and being ripped-off on the Irish circuit, louis walsH went for broke with the boys who would be boyzone. Now he can afford to speak his mind. JOE JACKSON is all ears.
Even more than winning a Mercury Prize, you know you’ve made it when the disappearance of your woolly hat makes the news. with rave reviews for his album offset by damning criticism of his live shows.
NADINE O’REGAN talks to DAMON GOUGH about nerves, self-belief, and the birth of his daughter. Well-taken pictures: MYLES CLAFFEY
His career was almost over before it began. But hard work - and a surprise hit - have turned Edmund 'Mundy' Enright into one of Ireland's most widely adored stars. Here he reflects on some of the high points of what has been an amazing journey, during the course of which he has rubbed shoulders with some of the greats.
It should have been the biggest indoor rock n roll knees-up of the year but oasis three nights at The Point were as notable for what happened off stage as for what happened on it. Does Liam s partial no show spell the end for the dreadnoughts of Britpop or is it just the latest hiccup in a career that seems to thrive on adversity? Report: siobhAn LONG.
The Oxegen bill has just become even tastier with ten new acts being confirmed for Punchestown.
These are Razorlight, Elbow, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Pete Doherty, The Ting Tings, White Lies, Fight Like Apes, Jason Mraz, Pendulum and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
It’s a different world than it used to be! In this special extended birthday column, The Hog takes a necessarily selective – and typically colourful – look at the 30 most important influences on the process of change that has brought this country all the way from there to… well, where else but here?
Now as one of the most successful groups in the world with over 22 million albums sold, Il Divo have announced an additional Irish date on Sunday March 8, at the O2.
Recent Hot Press cover stars Snow Patrol have debuted at No.1 in the Irish album charts with their new album A Hundred Million Suns, in its first week of release.
...cos Feeder - of monster-huge 2003 single 'Just The Way I'm Feeling'
- have just been added to the bill for Slane. Tickets (pay attention now) go
on sale tomorrow morning at 8
MCD’s plans for a 17,500-seater venue in Dublin have stepped up a gear with their National Arena Consortium issuing a ‘Call For Expressions Of Interest’ in the national press.
...cos Feeder - of monster-huge 2003 single 'Just The Way I'm Feeling' - have just been added to the bill for Slane. Tickets (pay attention now) go on sale tomorrow morning at 8
...cos Feeder - of monster-huge 2003 single 'Just The Way I'm Feeling' - have just been added to the bill for Slane. Tickets (pay attention now) go on sale tomorrow morning at 8
Barbra Streisand sets what we’re pretty sure is a new Irish record by having a top ticket price of €551.75 for her debut performance here on July 14 in Castletown House, County Kildare.
DESPITE CERYS MATTHEWS going into rehab last week, the Witnness organisers remain confident that Catatonia will make it over for their Saturday night appearance on the More stage
Having recently bought stakes in the Mean Fiddler organisation, Denis Desmond will further extend his UK presence with an investment in Setanta Records
Ireland's ticket touting crisis has escalated into open battle, with all of the major promoters and Ticketmaster taking a firmer line than ever before on the practice.
As exclusively revealed last month in Hot Press magazine, Ian Brown, The Prodigy and The Streets will headline the inaugural Hi-Fi Ireland boutique festival on August 5 and 6.
Ireland’s premier Obnoxious Pop combo are promising to round off the year with a very special gig. Fight Like Apes will be bringing a wrestling ring into The Academy for a fight night of body-slamming, gut-grappling, seconds out, no holds barred electronic punk rock.
Hi-Fi promoter Brian Spollen has confirmed to Hot Press that under the terms of their licence agreement with the County Council, there will no live music at the Belvedere House, Mullingar site until 5pm on Sunday August 6.
As predicted first by hotpress.com over a month ago, Madonna has been confirmed as the headline artist for Slane 2004. The concert has been scheduled for Sunday, August 29, signalling a change in practice for the annual Slane Castle event, which has not taken place on a Sunday since Bob Dylan appeared there in 1984.
Ireland’s ticket touting crisis has escalated into open battle, with all of the major promoters and Ticketmaster taking a firmer line than ever before on the practice.
Having given the likes of The Blizzards, Editors and Sam Fogarino of Interpol writer’s cramp last year, we’re delighted to announce the return of the HP Signing Tent at Oxegen!
There was a large turn-out of luminaries of the entertainment industry for the funeral service of Brian Molloy, which took place today at Foxrock church. Molloy, who was the founder of Hawk Records and later Lunar Records, and also a partner in Westland Studios, died after a long battle with cancer.
Despite being denied a visa to enter the UK this week, Snoop Dogg has promised he’ll be in Dublin on March 31 and April 1 to perform in The Point alongside P. Diddy.
Breaking news: The mystery event shaping up at the Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney is suspected to be the new location of Creamfields. Read on for the latest word
A huge crowd turned out on Friday, Deceember 8, to pay their respects at the funeral of Suriya Moodliar, who died on Tuesday following an 18 month battle with cancer. Suriya was at the heart of operations with Interactive Music, a licensing and marketing company she set up with her husband Oliver Walsh.
Meath County Council have received a formal licence application from Slane promoters, with the date - confirmed as "the Lord's Day" - drawing protests from the local parish priest and tabloid media
The organisers of Oxegen '08 have revealed that the three day festival is now completely sold out. Plus, they've announced the day by day line-up so far...
'Tis the season, so it's Christmas gigs a-go-go with Woodstar, Josh'n'James, the Juice Machine and a Very Corpo Christmas Caper to say the least. Ho ho ho
Disappointment that Arcade Fire’s Olympia Theatre shows sold-out last week in 10 minutes turned to anger when fans discovered eBay immediately advertising tickets for as much as €250 each. 10 days later and that figure has risen to an even more staggering €350.
There’s bad news for Prince fans with His Royal Purpleness pulling his June 16 visit to Croke Park for what are described as “reasons beyond the control” of both himself and MCD.
After several months of will she/won't she speculation, MCD have announced that Madonna will definitely bring her Re:invention Greatest Hits World Tour to Slane Castle on Sunday August 29.
MCD say tht despite him cancelling a number of US media appearances last week due to ill health, they’re “confident” that Morrissey’s June 5 visit to Dublin Castle will still go ahead.
Have you got a ticket? The way things are looking, that's going to be the question of the year. U2 played Slane Castle as one of the support acts when Thin Lizzy topped the bill there in 1981. Since then they have gone on to become the biggest band in the world.
The college circuit has always been a lucrative one for touring acts, and a fine opportunity for students to check out the best in show, at a reasonable price.
Five years ago no-one would have believed it. But with dance music reaching new heights of popularity, Irish rock ’n’ roll is engaged in a desperate fight for its very survival. Reporting from both sides of the battle line: Stuart Clark
IF EVERYBODY s doing it, why can t we? It s not a bad question actually, though of course you can answer it in a dozen different ways especially where starting your own business, or becoming your own boss.
With the death of Kurt Cobain in April casting a shadow over the following months 1994 will hardly go down as one of the most joyous in Rock history. Your guide to a month-by-month account of the names and events of the past year. Stuart Clark.
