UCD festival

Jonny Arson

is anyone going to any of the gigs?

is it selling? i don't know anyone going to any of them

Mushy

I'm going on Friday. Still tempted for Monday, but may be crucified if the line "I'm going to a gig tonight" comes up in my house. It is a bit pricey, dont think its selling well at all. Sure with it so close to exams, and this late in the semester, I'm not overly surprised.

Jonny Arson

Mushy wrote: »

I'm going on Friday. Still tempted for Monday, but may be crucified if the line "I'm going to a gig tonight" comes up in my house. It is a bit pricey, dont think its selling well at all. Sure with it so close to exams, and this late in the semester, I'm not overly surprised.

yeah that's what i was thinking, even if it was on two weeks ago i'd guess more people would be up for it and if you're going to individual gigs (aside from Dr. Lektroluv) it's too pricey.... €25 for Calvin Harris :eek:

if there are still tickets available i might go along to FLC on Monday for nostalgia purposes

Blut

I would've loved to go to both Calvin Harris and FLC but peak 21sts season + end of term messy drinking day coming up + 2 weeks before exams + loads of assignments due in this/next week....very sucky timing, shame they werent on a month ago or in Febuary.

Bubs101

It's not selling at all. I was working in the shop the night they were out and Quinvilan was around for practically the whole 5 hours wondering why there were tickets left. I've sold 1 in 2 weeks

Brimmy

Bubs101 wrote: »

It's not selling at all. I was working in the shop the night they were out and Quinvilan was around for practically the whole 5 hours wondering why there were tickets left. I've sold 1 in 2 weeks

Because they're far too expensive?

I mean Quinlavins doing a good job this year (better than the joke that was last year) but it's just too expensive on an individual basis and too close to exams.

That said I wouldn't mind seeing Jape.

MizzLolly

I'm in UCD and I haven't a clue what you're talkin' about??!! Yeah I reckon there probably have been posters put up and all but there's so much being advertised around campus now that I never stop to read them anymore! But yup that above suggestion seems the most likely reason. Too close to exams. Particularily if you're in second year English! Everything came at once so no fun for us for a while!

Brimmy

MizzLolly wrote: »

Particularily if you're in second year English!

Oh god... even when I TRY start an essay early I fail miserably, stupid Shakespeare!

(But it's been plastered left, right and centre and Quinlavin's been into some English lectures before they've started and its in the Observer too so eh.. look around a bit more? lol)

Lands Leaving

Who even is Dr Lektroluv? surely Jape are worthy of headlining a night

Alkers

Lands Leaving wrote: »

Who even is Dr Lektroluv? surely Jape are worthy of headlining a night

He's a pretty big Electro Dj. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG_uqHh5tp8&feature=related
Plays a lot of the festivals around Europe (I love Techno etc...) TCD Ents and UCD Ents got him for a joint gig in the TBMC last year, was a great night. I'd say he would have sold out the student bar if he wasn't playing tomorrow night in town for €15! Quinlivan keeping up the tradition of quality electro acts at a budget price!
Can't understand how Calvin and Harris is €25 when Felix Da Housecat was only €15, Justice were around €15 last year too, surely there both bigger names than Calvin and Harris? I would have gone to see them if they were around the €10-15 mark but I'm not paying €25 for them and I've no interest in the FLC.

panda100

Simona1986 wrote: »

Can't understand how Calvin and Harris is €25 when Felix Da Housecat was only €15, Justice were around €15 last year too, surely there both bigger names than Calvin and Harris? I would have gone to see them if they were around the €10-15 mark but I'm not paying €25 for them and I've no interest in the FLC.

uhh its Calvin Harris i.e one person not Calvin and Harris
I think the acts for the festival are pretty wicked.I used to love the FLC but alas I feel far too old to be going to gigs in the student bar now so wont be heading along.

If anyone does go to the student bar will they please ask Calvin If he'll marry me plese?? Its nice to have a bit of totty in UCD for once even if it is for one night only

Blut

Hes seeing a first year commerce girl at the moment actually(no, really!). I imagine a big reason the gigs are on now is fitting them into the gigging schedule of the acts, Quinlivan was probably aware having them so close to exams would be a problem...oh well!

ashyle

I'm going with a few mates to Calvin tomorro! Can't wait, they were amazing at that summer festival in july that i can't mention

Cannibal Ox

Dr. Lektroluv is great. I saw him at I Love Techno two weeks ago and I'd love to see him again but....I have four essays to finish by next Wednesday. I think the idea of a festival is good, but the timing is pretty crap.

ecoli

they messed up big time with this one the reason they havin the festival was cause they couldn get a string line up for the ucd ball so typical irish logic they drag a weak line up out over few days and up the price of tickets like ya can see calvin harris in town for that price nearly hopefully this will be a learnin curve for improvin next year

Red Alert

The line up is OK - it's certainly better than the rubbish we've been subjected to over the past few years. But timing wise it was silly, and college events are supposed to be cheaper than going into a gig in town.

Lands Leaving

Calvin Harris is expensive because he's flavour of the month and gets in the more casual fans who are more willing to pay. He's also awful! Felix Da Housecat on the other hand is brilliant, saw him live while workin at a festival and bored out of my mind (bloody wanted to kill myself when Tim deluxe was on. God he was bad) till Felix came on and blew me away, barely even heard of him before that so it was quite a pleasant surprise

jimi_t

Ah, the timing is the crushing thing here. A week or two earlier and it would have been great.

I reckon he's doing a good job this year overall, few venues - never mind colleges - would have the pull to get the likes of Felix Da Housecat. At least, compared to Holy last year, there's some mid-level gig on every Thursday - there's free gigs every week - and there's the odd big gig and the attempt to do something innovative.

The naysayers who are complaining about the prevalence of "bad techno nights" would do well to realise that there has only been 2 (or maybe 3 if you want to include the blackstrobe gig) techno/electro nights this semester. This is compared to (just off the top of my head) TFLG, Aslan, Paddy Casey, The Antarctic Monkeys, The Stone Roses experience, Republic of Loose, The Coronas, The Blizzards, Battle of the Bands...

MuddyDog

any1 hear whether the big calvin harris gig was any good/sold out etc etc?? wud've loved to have gone but had to go home

Mushy

MuddyDog wrote: »

any1 hear whether the big calvin harris gig was any good/sold out etc etc?? wud've loved to have gone but had to go home

Yeah, was good gig. WAYYYYYY to short though. The crushing was mental, kept falling over. Not that I fully mind, but it was unreal how much time I spent on that floor. I'm still in pain from it all. Too short for €25, but still a great laugh. Oh, the bar also closed at half 1.

ashyle

Yeah the bar was sposed to be open til 2.. it was good fun but half way through I got sick of being trampled on and left the crowd t stand at the back. Someone stood on my mate's face like!!

MuddyDog

sounds quality. did he play an acoustic version of girls?

Mushy

ashyle wrote: »

Yeah the bar was sposed to be open til 2.. it was good fun but half way through I got sick of being trampled on and left the crowd t stand at the back. Someone stood on my mate's face like!!

People stood on my face, arms, ribs and many other body parts. It was a nice crowd though, not violent, although I do think some people were fighting at the start, nearer the sound boards though.

MuddyDog wrote: »

sounds quality. did he play an acoustic version of girls?

Sounded like the usual version to me, couldnt notice any difference with any of his songs live and from cd.

mloc

Went to see Dr Lektroluv on thursday and also in Spy on friday. Wasn't a fan before hand (simply out of ignorance, didn't know much about him), but after interviewing him before the gig and seeing him perform I would definately consider myself a fan now.

It seemed that most tickets had sold for the gig but turned out at the end of the day was disappointing. Just about everyone who did go on Thursday seemed to have only good things to say, however. The gig on Friday in town was infact oversold and packed to the door, so it certainly wasn't the act that was the problem.

I guess with exams etc coming up the timing isn't great, but they are some very good acts and although a lot of the acts this year reflect Steve's personal tastes (house/electro), the quality of those acts is superb.

remus808

mloc wrote: »

although a lot of the acts this year reflect Steve's personal tastes (house/electro)

I'v heard this one too many times now... The majority of Ents gigs are pretty standard blandrock fare.. There's been max 3/4 of these electro gigs.. out of at least 20-25 acts...hardly excessive or biased... putting on electro acts is a great idea, simple as..

griffdaddy

it's also a lot cheaper, paying one or 2 dj's/electronic performers is cheaper than paying 4 or 5 band members, that's why you will NEVER see the Polyphonic Spree perform in the student bar.:p

mloc

karmabass wrote: »

I'v heard this one too many times now... The majority of Ents gigs are pretty standard blandrock fare.. There's been max 3/4 of these electro gigs.. out of at least 20-25 acts...hardly excessive or biased... putting on electro acts is a great idea, simple as..

The majority, maybe are blandrock. But the larger (e.g. more expensive) acts are generally electro. I'm not saying its bad. I like electro. But it is a point.

Alkers

mloc wrote: »

The majority, maybe are blandrock. But the larger (e.g. more expensive) acts are generally electro. I'm not saying its bad. I like electro. But it is a point.

The most expensive Electro Act we've had was Felix @ €15?

mloc

I'm not talking about expenses to the individual, im talking about hiring expense, stage fees etc.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying its a bad thing and it's totally understandable. I'm merely saying we've had a good bit more electro stuff this year, which is most likely due to Steve's tastes. If anything, its refreshing to see such big names in the genre playing in ucd.

Alkers

It's was half decent last year too, Justice, Erol Alkan, Lektroluv (TBMC joint event with TCD Ents), Jacques Lu Cont played the year before too.
I think it's because people are enjoying these events so much and keep going on about them that the non-electroheads get the impression that the SU bar is over-run with dance nights when in fact it's only a couple.

Bubs101

The problem is that when you look at the electro names like Justice, Lu Cont and Felix, the non techno acts don't stand up. Like how many times can somebody see the Blizzards?

panda100

Bubs101 wrote: »

The problem is that when you look at the electro names like Justice, Lu Cont and Felix, the non techno acts don't stand up. Like how many times can somebody see the Blizzards?

Ah you took the words right out of my mouth. The calibre of the dance/electro acts is phenomenal theres no doubt about that. You cant compare them to the likes of the home grown crap that has been inflicted on us in the student bar ,the coronas,the blizzards,aslan....
Kate Nash,Rufus Wainright,**** disco,Regina Spektor loadsa really good artists have played Ireland recently and wouldnt have anything like the international acclaim that Justice or that erol dude have. But people still want to see them.For the last two years ents has catered to only one musical taste,I hope this changes in the new year

Red Alert

The electro calibre we're getting is just better than the bland-rock (Aslan anyone?). Electro was neglected for a good few years with the 'beers and guitars' mentality so it's great to see it making a comeback.

ferdi

here is the proble:

nowadays, any rock acts who are at the same professional level as techno/dance acts who have played for ucd-ents (Justice, Felix, Lu Cont, Lektroluv) is sh1t. thats because they are probably emulation bollox acts such as bloc party, babyshambles, the kooks, editors, Maxïmo Park, Fratellis, The Faint, The Rapture etc etc....

ents are only catering to people who like electronic based music because they have no choice, the guitar based bands who are within their budget are just too crap. plus students like taking loadsa drugs and this fits in nicely wit da techno:)

jimi_t

panda100 wrote: »

Kate Nash,Rufus Wainright,**** disco,Regina Spektor loadsa really good artists have played Ireland recently and wouldnt have anything like the international acclaim that Justice or that erol dude have. But people still want to see them.For the last two years ents has catered to only one musical taste,I hope this changes in the new year

This is the problem with uninformed polemic.

To get ONE of these acts in (aside from the fact that some of them aren't under the company Ents do their dealing with) would blow the Ents budget for the entire year.

To say that Ents is only catering for one musical taste indicates your complete lack of knowledge in the area. Everyone from the Camembert Quartet upwards have been in. How many times have Director, Coronas, Blizzards, Republic of Loose played? Steve-o's band from Jackass was in last month, as was Calvin Harris (supported by Noise Control), Fun Loving criminals, open Mic night, comedians (including Dirty Sanchez), battle of the bands...

Bubs101

jimi_t wrote: »

To say that Ents is only catering for one musical taste indicates your complete lack of knowledge in the area. Everyone from the Camembert Quartet upwards have been in. How many times have Director, Coronas, Blizzards, Republic of Loose played? Steve-o's band from Jackass was in last month, as was Calvin Harris (supported by Noise Control), Fun Loving criminals, open Mic night, comedians (including Dirty Sanchez), battle of the bands...

Thats the problem. 4 terrible Irish bands constantly cater for people who like a certain type of music while Justice and Felix cater for those who like Techno. Hardly a fair deal although in fairness to Quinvilan the Fun Lovin Criminals were savage

panda100

jimi_t wrote: »

To get ONE of these acts in (aside from the fact that some of them aren't under the company Ents do their dealing with) would blow the Ents budget for the entire year.

To say that Ents is only catering for one musical taste indicates your complete lack of knowledge in the area. Everyone from the Camembert Quartet upwards have been in. How many times have Director, Coronas, Blizzards, Republic of Loose played?

Read my previous post.I agree with you the blizzards,coronas etc are constantly playing UCD......and they are quite frankly sh*te compared to the calibre of the dance acts. And in all fairness it can only go upwards from the Camembert quartet.That reaLly is scrapping the bottom of the Irish musIc scene.
AS suggestion perhaps that instead of paying for the Coronas,republic of loose etc to play for the twelth time in one year. They use that money to get a proper decnt indie/pop/rock act to play to rival the techno acts

jimi_t

panda100 wrote: »

Read my previous post.I agree with you the blizzards,coronas etc are constantly playing UCD......and they are quite frankly sh*te compared to the calibre of the dance acts. And in all fairness it can only go upwards from the Camembert quartet.That reaLly is scrapping the bottom of the Irish musIc scene.
AS suggestion perhaps that instead of paying for the Coronas,republic of loose etc to play for the twelth time in one year. They use that money to get a proper decnt indie/pop/rock act to play to rival the techno acts

And even though you quoted my post, you missed the most salient point;

Ents has a limited budget. Big name Techno is cheap, remotely succesful rock is not. Even if Ents decided to blow their years budget on getting one of the bands you mentioned in, the band/singer probably wouldn't even play. I don't think you realise how hard it is to get established musicians to play in... a student bar :rolleyes: Techno/Electro artists and DJs are used to playing small, intimate venues (and generally they get better fees due to fewer people).

(Take the Trinity Ball - They had CSS, every other band (arguably asides from Ash, but they're kind of passe) was relatively unknown. Then look at their techno lineup.)

Bubs101

jimi_t wrote: »

Ents has a limited budget. Big name Techno is cheap, remotely succesful rock is not. Even if Ents decided to blow their years budget on getting one of the bands you mentioned in, the band/singer probably wouldn't even play. I don't think you realise how hard it is to get established musicians to play in... a student bar :rolleyes: Techno/Electro artists and DJs are used to playing small, intimate venues (and generally they get better fees due to fewer people).

Actually, if you look at alot of the acts who tour the U.K., alot of their gigs outside of London are based in Student venues. For example, I know for a fact that Bright Eyes played the Wolverhampton university last year. Maybe if we weren't limited to one promoter we would have more luck

Mushy

Also, QOTSA are playing the Leeds University. Even though that example is way too extreme, as I dont think it has anything to do with the SU there. Nine Black Alps playing one aswell in February. Sure Biffy Clyro play countless tiny venues that'd be smaller/similar size than the SU bar in UCD. Out of all the acts that have played those non-electro nights, its horribly boring. Do they have to be Irish acts playing? Many groups play SU/university venues.

jimi_t

Then you're getting into the business of flying a band over, transport from the airport, putting them up for the night, feeding them... Thats the wonderful thing about the UK, population-wise they can support much bigger acts than us - ever wonder why there's such a huge discrepency in ticket prices between the same act in the UK and in ROI?

As for the comment about being 'limited' to one promoter, there's basically a monopoly in Ireland between the two major companies - both of which are absolute cowboys in the way they operate. If we weren't attached to a promoter then we would get no gigs at all. Its the lesser of two evils.

Mushy

Would you not just try grab them when they are over here doing dates anyway?

melekalikimaka

for thosde as fun lovin criminals












the rest are here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melekalikimaka/sets/72157603323032556/

Mr Minraise

I think that jimi t has missed the point completly. Why should you techno heads get all the amazing acts and us rockers get shag all. Its just not fair.
To say its down to funding is just wrong. All they have to do is charge more for the entry to bigger gigs like they did with the FLC.

ShagNastii

Great discussion here, got me thinking what ''big'' acts would/could you see playing UCD?

jimi_t

Mr Minraise wrote: »

I think that jimi t has missed the point completly. Why should you techno heads get all the amazing acts and us rockers get shag all.

Because techno is cheap, rock isn't. Don't like it? Go complain to the labels.

To say its down to funding is just wrong. All they have to do is charge more for the entry to bigger gigs like they did with the FLC.

Your logic is "just wrong" - think about the capacity of the student bar versus ticket price.