What Happened to "The Next U2"?

OU812 · 09-11-2013 01:56AM #1

When did Irish music decline? I'm not talking about the likes of traditional which is always moderately popular, but in the late 80s/early 90s, there was a huge Irish music scene, even if it was limited to Ireland.

Bands like:

Blink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpvIcnH0S-E

The 4 of us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJV7ACsBVDw

An Emotional Fish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jeg4mQMVGNg

The Stunning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvPv7nOQtZE

The 4 Of Us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP9cVgDiQYM

The Fat Lady Sings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlcSZotpAhE

Something Happens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUJJ1cc4Pto

The Cranberries

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6Kspj3OO0s

I could go on posting youtube videos, but the point would be the same. At some point (when?), Irish music seemed to die off for a while, almost totally. Venues closed & bands broke up. There's been a small resurgence in recent years mostly lead by the likes of:

The Script

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS9o1FAszdk

Damien Rice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YXVMCHG-Nk

Glen Hansard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mtXwtapX4

Ryan Sheridan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7Gpul2E3pE

All of the above have been very successful internationally & are leading the charge, but none (apart from maybe The Script), give off the vibe that they're going to be truly global (Make it in America & you're made for life) superstars.

Is it rose tinted glasses (or headphones)? Leaving aside the likes of U2 (who you either love or hate), Aslan (world famous in Finglas [I think they're fantastic also]), Jedward/Boyzone/Westlife (sorry, I don't care how successful you are, if you don't write them yourself & play the instruments, you don't count).

Hell there were even smaller support bands that were bubbling under like:

The Honey Thieves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-6AL1_PpAY

The Brilliant Trees

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE1S0-zpDEI

I think there should be a broadcasting regulation like canada where there's a requirement for 25% of music broadcast to be home sourced.

Freddy Smelly · 09-11-2013 01:57AM

louis walsh happened and the music industry died

NuckingFacker · 09-11-2013 01:59AM

Downloading music for free happened. That knocked A&R on it's ar5e and labels don't want to invest in anything except a "sure thing" like Boy-bands. Ones that will sell more merchandise than CDs. That tends to stunt the creative juices, the whole "not making a living" thing.

LETHAL LADY · 09-11-2013 01:59AM

Mic Christopher was a real talent, what a powerful voice. RIP.

Frosty McSnowballs · 09-11-2013 02:00AM

Boyzone ruined it for everyone

Skid X · 09-11-2013 02:02AM

Some great videos there.

There was a music circuit until the early 90s where the bands you mentioned could get experience playing live around the country, and make a few quid.

It mostly died out, I think the licencing laws were liberalised and people could drink later in regular pubs and nightclubs. DJ Culture took over and live music suffered badly.

Once the 'critical mass' of live venues went, it became more difficult for bands to make a living and build up a live following.

Lenin Skynard · 09-11-2013 02:03AM

Same for music the world over. There are very few good bands these days from any country. The Villagers are a very good current Irish band, I like everything I hear from them. They won't be successful though unless Louis Walsh takes over their management and burns their instruments in a fire.

FearDark · 09-11-2013 02:04AM

It's all boybands and X-Factor bollocks now. We used to be known world over for producing some of the greatest musicians ever! Right now our most famous musician is that rat faced weasel whatshisface in One Erection.

For shame.

Frosty McSnowballs · 09-11-2013 02:05AM

Too many clips keeps crashing my iPad....damn you OP!

What about Brendan Kilkenny?

Eathrin · 09-11-2013 02:06AM

Bell X1
The Coronas
Republic of Loose
Delorentos
Wallis Bird

Plenty of good modern Irish bands if you ask me.

Stojkovic · 09-11-2013 02:07AM

Why are people paying to see bands from the 80s and 90s ?

Because music since then is ****e !!!

Simple.

The Backwards Man · 09-11-2013 02:09AM

Buggles was right. Video did kill the radio star. And not just any video, this is where the rot started; MTV and yokes killed the music business.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1UZacLEUDs

SV · 09-11-2013 02:11AM

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Buggles was right. Video did kill the radio star. And not just any video, this is where the rot started; MTV and yokes killed the music business.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1UZacLEUDs

Ahh stop, that's a tune

HighClass · 09-11-2013 02:12AM

My Bloody Valentine put out one of the best albums this year. Other newer Irish bands that put out great stuff this year: Little Green Cars, The Strypes, Villagers, Girls Names, Come On Live Long. Lots of other good bands around as well!

pharmaton · 09-11-2013 02:16AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1mlPPU6Hns

OU812 · 09-11-2013 02:16AM

Haven't heard of any of those mentioned in Highclass's post apart from Villagers & didn't know they were Irish.

I'm currently listening to "Hinterland: Kissing the roof of heaven for the second time tonight"

Geomy · 09-11-2013 02:18AM

What about ASH and The Two Door Cinema Club ?

Howard Juneau · 09-11-2013 02:19AM

Eathrin wrote: »

Bell X1
The Coronas
Republic of Loose
Delorentos
Wallis Bird

Plenty of good modern Irish bands if you ask me.

Then why didn't you name any good ones?

Spanish Johnny · 09-11-2013 02:19AM

Do you mind if I ask what exactly is the question OP?

Are you asking what happened to the next U2 in terms of a similar band/sound/style?? Or are you talking in terms of success??

Geomy · 09-11-2013 02:20AM

What about ASH and The Two Door Cinema Club ?

OU812 · 09-11-2013 02:21AM

Time Machine time - http://members.tripod.com/~irish_pop/bands.html Warning link contains high levels of louis walsh inspired dross

Untouchable Peasant · 09-11-2013 02:27AM

LETHAL LADY wrote: »

Mic Christopher was a real talent, what a powerful voice. RIP.

He was indeed but what annoys me is that when Mic was alive people disliked him as much as they dislike Glen now. The Mary Janes and The Frames were never, and still aren't, appreciated anywhere near as much as they should be.

Amazing how people love you when your gone though.

Anyway, that's always the way things seem to be in this country.

I think Matthew Devereux from The Pale has one of the greatest talents to never reach the big stage. His voice is stunning. Here he is singing Mic's Listen Girl' with Glen at Mic's 10th anniversary gig in Vicar St.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcQIjkhSIZ0

OU812 · 09-11-2013 02:28AM

Spanish Johnny wrote: »

Do you mind if I ask what exactly is the question OP?

Are you asking what happened to the next U2 in terms of a similar band/sound/style?? Or are you talking in terms of success??

Success & the general decline of the industry.

Here's another:

The Would Be's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVEICZvdKwQ

Interslice · 09-11-2013 02:32AM

God is an astronaut, redneck manifesto...

Who would want to be the next U2? Lots of good songs but never a decent album. Everything in the last 20 years is rubbish commercial dribble.

Wompa1 · 09-11-2013 02:33AM

Irish radio doesn't do any justice to Irish musicians. These lads topped the 'folk' charts on iTunes in the US. Had a song featured in a tv show on American television. Was featured on Starbucks first compilation CD and make their living touring the states.

Meanwhile, they had one of their songs played on Today FM a handful of times.