A-list stars enjoy OXEGEN 2007

News Updated: 2007-07-07

REM frontman Michael Stipe, supermodel Helena Christensen, and actor Josh Hartnett are among the 80,000 music fans who have been enjoying a raft of world class acts on the first day of OXEGEN.

Also soaking up the festival vibe at The Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Weekend of the Year was actress Susan Sarandon and her partner Tim Robbins plus Stephen Rae.

On the stages the likes of Mika, Kings of Leon, Gossip, David Kitt, The View, Biffy Clyro and The Maccabees have been thrilling festival goers with energetic and memorable performances.

New York indie band The Bravery stormed the Green Room tent, playing a blistering live set before frontman Sam Endicott launched himself off the stage and into the crowd.

Enter Shikari singer Rou Reynolds also joined fans in the front few rows, throwing himself into the crowd several times during their Green Room stage set, the band also bounced on a trampoline on stage, much to the delight of the crowd.

On the Pet Sounds stage Ireland’s own David Kitt had stewards pull his younger brother out of the crowd and up onto the stage so they could perform a song together. The singer also declared “It’s great to be back in Ireland playing to all you crazy people.”

During their set on Stage 2 The Gossip played an upbeat cover version of George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’. Singer Beth Ditto also told how she was enjoying the OXEGEN festival vibe, she said: “This is my first year for festivals, you can really feel the energy of the crowd, that’s what I love the most”, and she revealed: “I didn’t even know what wellies were until we got here, we call them galoshes at home – but I know now!”

Scots indie rockers The View arrived by helicopter just minutes before they were due to appear, and encouraged fans to jump along with them during their Main Stage set, prompting a mass sing along with their hit single Same Jeans, while Avril Lavigne also drew thousands of fans to the Main Stage with her set that included a cover of the Blink 182 song ‘All the Small Things’.

Maximo Park singer Paul Smith said he was delighted to be playing OXEGEN for the third year in a row, he said: “The sun always seems to shine on Oxegen. We’ve had some really nice times here, it has a great atmosphere and the crowd are so warm, there’s a sort of sparkle about them, they really seem to appreciate the music, it’s great.”

Acts still to take to the stage this evening include Muse, Snow Patrol, Scissor Sisters, Interpol, Wu Tang Clan, Queens of the Stone Age and 29 piece band I’m From Barcelona.

Festival goers have also made a good job of enjoying many of the other attractions apart from the music at OXEGEN. The tented Sonas areas of the campsite where people can chill out and enjoy a range of food are proving immensely popular with hungry campers. The 24 hour restaurant, hot showers and convenience stores are also keeping the campers happy. Coke’s fun activities across the site are also keeping the party rolling. Their Giant Twister and Campsite Karaoke are proving a hit as it the ClashFinder which creates a personalised timetable of band preferences.

People have also been flocking to the MySpace Summer Daze Bus where bands including The Fratellis, The Horrors and The Maccabees have been treating a select bunch of festival goers to guerrilla gigs throughout the afternoon.

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