2FM to broadcast Eurosonic sets

The biggest live music event of its kind in the EU, the three-day bash features 1,798 acts from 29 different countries. It’ll be attended by 1,800 music industry professionals and 14,200 ticket-holders who’ve already ensured that all the gigs are sell-outs.
Add in the presence of MTV, Radio France, BBC Radio One, WDR, RTE and dozens of other major broadcasters, and it’s obvious why Eurosonic is such a major deal.
“It’s about airplay, print media coverage, managers and being seen by the 39 European festival bookers who’ll be in Groningen,” says 2FM Producer Ian Wilson. “A Swedish act called Money Brother made it on to twelve festival bills last year as a result of their participation. It’s the perfect showcase for bands who’ve got their live shit together, and want to play in countries where they presently mightn’t have much profile.”
Wilson believes that “in looking so slavishly to the UK and America, Irish acts overlook what’s on their doorstep. There’s an open-mindedness about music in Europe that’s really refreshing.”
Eurosonic certainly worked wonders in 2005 for Hal who, bolstered by the exposure it gave them, went on to win an EU Border Breakers Award.
“Live prowess aside, the reason we’re spending quite a lot of money sending The Chalets and The Radio to Groningen is that they’ve done all their groundwork and are in a position to exploit the opportunity. They’ll do 2FM and Ireland proud.”
In other Chalets news, the group will be supporting Kaiser Chiefs on their seven-date European tour, which commences in Barcelona, Spain, on February 24, before heading to France, Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and Norway.