News, bits and pieces - return from holidays

Apologies for the lack of updates on the site, unavoidable due to my being in Southern Spain, although we did let you loyal readers know that Lisa Hannigan is coming back to Limerick in August, see post below.

Anyway, a few other bits and pieces for you here, including additions to the Oxegen line-up and more. Back with a longer post later.

See pic above for one of the additions to Oxegen we are getting excited about, electro-fun band Passion Pit, of which we are currently listening to their debut album Manners. They play the Hot Press New Bands stage along with:

LITTLE BOOTS, THE MACCABEES, SPINNERETTE, THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT, THE TWANG, HOWLING BELLS, PATRICK WOLF, THE HOURS, WALLIS BIRD, DINOSAUR PILE-UP, HOCKEY, CAMERA OBSCURA, MUMFORD & SONS.

Confusingly, there is also an IMRO NEW SOUNDS STAGE at the Punchestown monolith festival, on which David Kitt, Director and Villagers will perform, the latter which we are pretty excited about. Not sure how David Kitt would feel about being described as "new sounds", but his latest album, the Nightsaver, is absolutely cracking, go get it now. Also playing are:

Heathers, The Joy Formidable, The Flaws, Yes Cadets, Cashier No.9, The Mighty Stef, Ruth Anne Cunningham, General Fiasco, And So I Watch You From Afar, Concerto For Constantine, Dark Room Notes Blood Or Whiskey, The Chakras and many more.

In other news, Sheffield rascals the Arctic Monkeys have announced that they are to release their as yet untitled third album on Friday August 21. The album was prodcued by Josh Homme in the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles and James Ford in Brooklyn apparently, and the track listing is as follows:

1. My Propeller

2. Crying Lightning

3. Dangerous Animals

4. Secret Door

5. Potion Approaching

6. Fire And The Thud

7. Cornerstone

8. Dance Little Liar

9. Pretty Visitors

10. The Jeweller’s Hands

Loads of dates announced (including the Reading and Leeds Festivals), but no Irish ones as of yet. Stay tuned.

Here at home, The Duckworth Lewis Method are to release their self-titled debut album - one devoted to their love of cricket. This amusing project is the brainchild of Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy) and Thomas Walsh (Pugwash) - Lewis and Duckworth respectively - who have combined to produce an album telling of their love for cricket.

Mastered in Abbey Road Studios, all the songs are either "loosely or tightly connected to the beautiful game of cricket," we are told, and are "wonderfully crafted pop songs for cricket lovers and non-lovers equally to enjoy".

‘The Coin Toss’, ‘The Age Of Revolution’, ‘Jiggery Pokery’, ‘The Nightwatchman', ‘Test Match Special’ and ‘The Sweet Spot’ are just some of the track names.

Featuring guest appearances from Phil Jupitus, Alexander Armstrong and Matt Berry - and Cathy Davey - this intriguing project gets a release on July 3.