New acts announced for Oxegen

A new bunch of artists have been added to the Oxegen festival bill today, including Bloc Party, The Bravery, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Super Furry Animals and The Tears.

Rodrigo y Gabriela's addition comes at the end of their 18-date sold out Irish tour, which culminated in three nights at the Dublin Olympia this weekend. As their profile rises higher and higher in Ireland and in Europe, the Mexican guitar duo will be returning to their homeland in June to record a new album - the fruits of which will be given an airing in Punchestown on Sunday, July 10.

As this year's darlings of the British music press, Bloc Party make their triumphant return to Ireland following a Whelan's headliner that had Hot Press' Phil Udell following superlative suit (See live review January, 2005). Their debut album Silent Alarm is sure to be well received in Punchestown when they play on Saturday, July 9.

Also playing on the Saturday bill are New York's hottest new export The Bravery, appearing before Irish audiences for the first time.

Ditto The Fears, who make their debut headlining Oxegen's New Band Stage on Saturday, but who are no strangers to the world, as former Suede members Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler. Their new album Here Comes The Tears is scheduled for release in June, and before that they’ll be playing Belfast's Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in May.

Super Furry Animals [pictured] will be headlining Oxegen's New Band Stage on Sunday, July 10 – a somewhat anomalous scheduling as this year sees the Welsh group release their seventh studio album. Ever the festival favourites, SFA are sure to bring a joyous end to the festival weekender.

Tickets for Oxegen - day tickets, weekend tickets and camping passes - are on sale now from the usual outlets nationwide.