Irish Magazine reports a 2nd hand rumour that NEW ORDER will play a festival in ATHLONE (IRE) this very summer. Cross those fingers people!

Athlone is a town in the exact (more or less) centre of Ireland. According to a friend of mine from the area, a local venture capitalist is building a huge arena in the town – based on Birmingham’s NEC model.

Dublin based “Village” magazine has a page dedicated to rounding up stories reported in the Irish Local Press. This weeks issue contains a story from the Athlone voice (below). Note, it could be a local promoter talking himself up to the local press, and the key word is “rumoured” – but I think the arena/developer angle coupled to the fact that NewOrder are playing Brazil give this story some plausibility.

“up to 100000 people will converge on Westmeath this summer where 2 of the largest music festivals outside Dublin will be held over 4 days – generating an estimated €7million for the county’s economy. The 2 concerts are called !Midlands! And !Hi-fi! Midlands will feature country music acts such as Van Morrison and Kenny Rogers, while hi-fi will feature a range of pop and dance acts which is RUMOURED to include the Pet Shop Boys, the Black Eyed Peas, the Strokes, New Order – and Gorillaz”

Athlone is (for the most part) in the county of Westmeath. I wouldn’t hang on to the story just yet, but it seems promising anyhow.

...........................

The website of Village Magazine isn't comprehensive, but if you live in Ireland - its a good one to pick up. The issue I refer to is the newest - with Frank Dunlops fire-ass on the cover.

Athlone is a fairly standard town. Noel Browne - a true Irish hero was born there some decades ago. New Order link: Anton Corbjin shot U2 outside a castle near Athlone for the cover of "the unforgettable fire". Don't know how I remember that. Its a 2 hour train or Car-ride from Dublin.

This is the only site I could find for the Athlone Voice. Shite.

A google search for "hi-fi festival" and the like gave no worthy results. Watch that space.

Would rather go to Brazil to be honest!

Uncle Liam wrote: Would rather go to Brazil to be honest!

I’m wary of taking the bait Liam – hoping that I’m not the only one who sees the utter pointlessness of shouting on threads/blogs/etc at this stage, but here I go:

You know I'm no nationalist & often criticise aspects of my city/country - but you've got a pretty hefty chip on your shoulder over Ireland. Athlone is no great shakes, but I’ve been in Birmingham – not that I’d go round shouting my mouth off about it. There isn’t a place in the world that cant be criticised.

At times, you seem like a hyper critical Maoist with a little reactionary white book tucked under your arm – at other times you lack any critical capacity whatsoever. The only common thread in your opinions (and that’s all they are – being totally lacking in analysis) is the amount of shit you can talk. Try a little circumspection.

/./././

To everybody else: I won’t be returning to this thread or this site until I have or need some more NewOrder info. Its just some info on a gig that I found in a magazine that most of you wont be able to find. I hope it is useful, and I hope to meet some more of you at some gigs.

Considering i simply said I would rather go to Brazil, i think thats a little uncalled for. But, you are entitled to your opinion.

And i'm glad you are so touched my my blog. Thats what its there for!

Your reputation goes before you, Liam.

If its any consolation I think I'd rather go to Brazil, too. But like your moonwalking - it ain't gonna happen.

Reputation? Moi?

Be good to see.

***INTERNET SHOCK NEWS*** Brazil preferred to Athlone!

Actually I'm delighted to hear Brazil preferred over Athlone.

That improves my chance of a ticket

Thanks, Jonathan Cork

P.S. I will keep an eye out here for any news about this.

I have a cousin who has done a bit of promotion in the midlands (he brought Beach Boys & Don McClean to Hyde park 2 years ago) - i'll give him a call on monday & see if he has any inside info.

Well it appears half the rumour is true.

The folk/country gig was advertised in a national newpaper here yesterday (The Sunday World).

They have a website up also:

http://www.midlandsmusicfestival.ie

This is JonnyMac reporting for NewOrderOnline, Cork.

More on this: There was a feature about it on Newstalk. The people behind the (great) Electric Picnic are doing it, so it should be a cut above Oxegen.

Liam: Don’t be so presumptuous. I have little enough time as it is – without bothering to read whatever godforsaken opinion passes for your entire contribution to society. Licking the trans Siberian railroad on a midwinter night seems more appealing.

I thought you werent posting anymore?

until he had any more info he said....

i'd prefer to go to brazil too, warmer climes, have never been there etc etc but irelands a lot more realistic as a destination for me this year.

Sad to see this isn't happening.

The Village may have got things quite crossed, because the festival in Athlone is country, but the festival in nearby Mullingar is an Irish version of Hi:Fi, subject to licence.

And this is the one that one that the Daily Star apparently claimined New Order would be co-headlining with the Pet Shop Boys. Only got told that third-hand, wouldn't read that rag ever, but anyway...

http://www.hotpress.com/music/news/2852890.html might cover it but its not free anymore.

New Order would be co-headlining with the Pet Shop Boys.

Not the Fuckin P............... nah I won't go there

Woo-Hoo! Maybe they'll do an electronic number together.

Not long then. obviously.

this was reported in the star liam....

hibster wrote: this was reported in the star liam....

Now now, the Star here is a bit better than the UK one

OK I lied. Its not.

not so many blank lines next time OK?

I spluttered coffee awfully close to my monitor there LOL

And hey! guess what! The star got their festivals backwards. Wonderful journalistic integrity, as always.