The rock 'n' roll circus came to town this weekend, but the beast turned out to be tame. The Amazing Travelling Heineken Green Energy Extravaganza pitched its big, custom-designed tent in Cork and Galway and let loose a parade of popsters, rock monsters and deck-spinners , all performing in various venues during the bank holiday. Morcheeba, Ash, Ocean Colour Scene and The Water boys headlined at the big tents in Galway's Castlegar Sportsgrounds and Cork's Munster Showgrounds over four nights, while live bands played in the pubs of Cork, and DJs flexed their mixing muscles in Galway's hostelries. The man on the telly in the ringmaster's suit had promised to amaze and astound us, but while there were a few things worth tapping your feet to, there wasn't enough green energy around to make you jump out of your skin.
If it was a toss-up between Cork and Galway, it looked as though the city by the Lee was the place to be. Music fans in Cork had plenty of live bands and DJs to choose from, in such venues as Nancy Spain's, The Old Oak, The Lobby, the Bodega, Clancy's and Fred Zeppelins.
Among the acts on show in Cork were Picture House, The Four of us, Cafe Orchestra, Bagatelle, Boogie Nights and a whole crop of tribute bands such as Bee Gees, Experience, Robbie Williams Tribute and Material Girl. In contrast, Galway had a small pick 'n' mix of bands and DJs in venues like Fox's, The Quays, Fibbers and Roisin Dubh.
The highlight of the weekend's pub gigs was an appearance by American alt-rockers, the Pernice Brothers, whose jangly tunes and sublime melodies conjured up a summery feeling. Another highlight was acclaimed British hip-hop crew Mark B & Blade, who rocked the Savoy in Cork. Passers-by in Cork got to see the Heineken Green Energy Waterscreen on the River Lee, a 20-foot wall of water on which moving images were projected. Galway was denied a similar treat but we could console ourselves with reports that the wind in Cork played havoc with the special effects. The Gig Rig in Eyre Square was also cancelled, so a number of young bands had to put aside their dreams of being discovered. While Ash, Morcheeba, Ocean Colour Scene and The Waterboys delivered competent headline shows, there was no denying that numbers were down this year, with the tent in Castlegar looking half empty. Blame the foot-and-mouth, the Kilkenny Cat Laughs, or just the dreadful bank holiday traffic but the punters weren't coming out in force for this particular extravaganza and those who did come had to search hard for a festival atmosphere. Perhaps Heineken and promoters MCD could get together over a pint of lager and work out how to make next year's travelling circus a little more daring.
