JANUARY

U2 tell the Dublin Docklands Development Authority that if a suitable replacement can be found nearby, they’ll consider quitting their Hanover Quay studio complex voluntarily.

“U2 have a great place to work at the moment that we’re completely happy with,” the band say. “We don’t want to move but if the DDDA can come up with something for us close by as part of their plans for this unique area we’d certainly be interested.”

U2 lodged an official complaint with An Bord Pleanala last year after being told that Hanover Quay was to be the subject of a compulsory purchase order.

Huey Morgan is set to expand his Dublin business empire with the opening of DiFontaine’s Pizzeria.

“It’s going to be in the middle of Dublin,” reveals the Fun Lovin’ Criminal. “We have the space, we’re trying to get the ovens right now. We want to make it proper, get a card game going on out the back. You have to have a back room in a pizza joint.”

Guinness confirm that this year’s Witnness festival is being brought forward to July 13 and 14.

“The new dates will ensure that fans who usually go on holiday over the August Bank Holiday won’t miss out on the summer’s best excuse to kick back and break loose,” says a spokesperson.

The word on the industry grapevine is that Oasis and The Prodigy will headline.
Enya makes history by becoming the first Irish artist to simultaneously chart three albums in the Japanese Top 30.

JJ72’s US stock continues to rise with the band heading out on a coast to coast tour this month with Stereophonics.

The winners of the 2001 Bacardi/hotpress ‘Plugged Band of the Year’ competition, Woodstar (pictured), sign a one-off EP deal with Parlophone.

FEBRUARY

RTE Radio 1 DJ Ronan Collins is involved in an extraordinary on-air slanging match with pop supremo Louis Walsh.
“Cop on willya! You’re a bad Terry Wogan,” shouts Louis. “You’re lucky to have a job as a DJ.”
Collins had been speaking on Joe Duffy’s Liveline show about the new single by Popstars band Six, a cover version of the 1975 hit ‘There’s A Whole Lot Of Loving Going On.’ Collins commented that he played the song, “reluctantly because it’s pretty bad. It’s lacking in creativity, imagination, any kind of musicianship and the singing is awful.”
The Corrs are confirmed as the best-selling group in Europe.
According to official IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) figures, the quartet shifted 14 million albums between 1996 and 2001, which is more than other big hitters like the Spice Girls, Oasis and U2.
The government department responsible for the Phoenix Park denies a News Of The World report that U2 will be playing there during the summer.
BellX-1 end months of conjecture by signing an international deal with Island Records.
Therapy? confirm that drummer Graham Hopkins has quit the band. “The split was entirely amicable and Andy, Michael and Martin wish him every success in his future endeavours,” reads an official communiqué.
Ozzy Osbourne announces that he’s bringing his Ozzfest to Punchestown Racecourse on May 26.
Liam Thompson quits as 2FM Head of Music to become Programme Controller at new Dublin youth station Spin FM.

MARCH

The 45th Grammies turn out to be another landmark night for the Irish music industry with U2 and Enya leaving Los Angeles’ Staples Center with five of the coveted awards.

After scooping ‘Best Rock Album’, ‘Best Group Rock Performance’, ‘Best Group Pop Performance’ and ‘Record Of The Year’, Bono jokes: “Being Irish, if you get eight
nominations and got no awards they wouldn’t let you back in the country. So it’s a public safety issue.” Enya, Nicky Ryan and Roma Ryan also receive an Oscar nomintion for their Lord Of The Rings composition, ‘May It Be’.

Meanwhile, there are mixed fortunes for Westlife at the Brit Awards. The night starts off well with the boys picking up ‘Best Pop Act’, but goes pear-shaped when Bryan McFadden has an altercation with members of So Solid Crew.

“Bryan got rather too drunk and tired and emotional,” says a Brits spokeswoman. “As So Solid Crew went past him, he started to throw water. They reacted by throwing a few
punches that didn’t land. A few glasses and bottles were thrown but security stepped in.”

Dublin’s Tivoli Theatre is set to re-open as a 1,200 capacity superclub. €3 million is being pumped into the operation which will create over 100 new jobs.

Following on from her recent studio outing with Massive Attack, Sinéad O’Connor records a song with Moby.

APRIL

Mani denies reports that he’s left Primal Scream, while admitting that he may have given that impression to his former Stone Roses colleague Ian Brown!

Talking this month to hotpress, Brown had insisted: “He’s just left Primal Scream. Am I sure? Absolutely, 100% certain. The last time I spoke to Mani he was sending two kids to dangle that Gillespie out the window.”

Asked to confirm the validity of this, Mani laughs and says, “Ian caught me in full rant! All the beef is sorted!”

So Solid Crew are controversially dropped from the Trinity Ball. While no one from the Students’ Union is available for comment, it’s understood that the college authorities are worried about the group’s reputation for attracting violence.

The nominations for the 2002 hotpress Irish Music Awards are announced with Ash, U2, The Corrs, David Kitt and Westlife among those who’ll be getting dickie-bowed up for the occasion. hotpress celebrating its 25th birthday adds extra spice to the event, which takes place in Belfast on April 25 and airs two days later on BBC1 Northern Ireland.

Paul Brady and Ronan Keating’s Nashville stock continues to rise with Brooks & Dunn’s cover of ‘The Long Goodbye’ making it to number one on the U.S. Hot Country Singles chart.

Having bid a none too fond farewell last year to DreamWorks, Ash sign a long-term American deal with Kinetic Records.

David Holmes, Johnny Moy, John Power and Silicone Soul are among the winners at the Smirnoff Dance Club Awards.

U2 producer Daniel Lanois confirms that the band are planning to release a second Greatest Hits before Christmas.

MAY

Ash, The Revs, U2, Cara Dillon, Radiohead, The Corrs, Suede, Westlife and The Frames are all in attendance as the Hot Press Awards make a triumphant return to Belfast.

“I remember seeing U2 in 1985 in Milton Keynes and being blown away, and aspiring to be like them, REM and Bowie,” gushes Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien. “This is a big fucking deal because Ireland is all about music, so to come here and be able to play is a great
privilege.”

Suede, meanwhile, use the beano to debut their first single since 1999, ‘Positivity’.
David Kitt is feeling suitably chuffed with himself after being invited by David Bowie to guest at Meltdown 2002.

Running throughout the latter part of June in London’s Royal Festival Hall, the line-up also features The Dandy Warhols, Coldplay, Suede, Supergrass, Asian Dub Foundation and Badly Drawn Boy.

“I didn’t realise I was doing it until a journalist told me during an interview,” Kittser reveals. “To have David Bowie not only know who you are but like your record, wow, that’s amazing.”

Bob Geldof’s €2.5 million Power FM consortium fails in its bid to secure the new South-Eastern radio licence. The nod is given instead to Beat 101, a joint venture involving U2 manager Paul McGuinness, Mean Fiddler supremo Vince Power and the existing WLR-FM.

Indigo Fury emerge victorious in the 2002 Bacardi/hotpress Plugged Band of the Year Grand Final. The Rory Lavelle-fronted Northerners get the nod from a panel of judges that includes Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, The Almighty’s Ricky Warwick, ex-Jimi Hendrix man Noel Redding, Today FM’s Brian Adams and some bloke called Niall Stokes.

JUNE

There’s disappointment for metal fans when Ozzy Osbourne dramatically pulls out of the inaugural Irish Ozzfest.

With the promoters only being informed of the situation at 6am on the day of the gig, the first most of them knew of the cancellation is when they arrive at Punchestown and hear the tannoy announcements.

Later in the day, MCD issue an official statement which says: “Following his show at Donnington Park yesterday, Ozzy became ill with a serious throat infection and has been ordered by doctors not to travel.”

Stereophonics (pictured) are unveiled as the Slane 2002 headliners.

“You look at the legends who’ve played Slane and think, ‘God, I’d love a bit of that!’” enthuses Kelly Jones. “Festival-wise, it’s one of the biggest deals around and we’re absolutely thrilled to be doing it.” Support is provided by The Charlatans, Nickelback, Doves and The Revs.

The Frames pay tribute to the late Mic Cristopher by including a cover of ‘Listen Girl’ on their Headlong EP.

“I was over in Mic’s flat finishing his album,” Glen Hansard divulges. “His sister, Mairin, was sitting with me and I said, ‘Let’s just do ‘Listen Girl’ because it’s a nice mellow tune. Let’s just record it,’ We kept it really simple – just a guitar and Mairin singing it with me. It’s something that wasn’t given a lot of thought, but then it never needed to be with Mic. It was always natural.”

Bellefire dismiss reports that they’re breaking up after being dropped by Virgin Records. The quartet found out that their services were no longer required courtesy of The Sun.

Witnness headliners The Prodigy face a radio ban in the UK because their new single, ‘Baby’s Got A Temper’, extols the virtues of “date rape” drug rohypnol.

JULY

A freak swimming-pool accident forces Travis into the cancellation of their Dublin Marlay Park gig.

The incident occurred shortly after the band had been on stage at the Belfort Festival in France.

Says a spokesperson: “While relaxing in the pool, drummer Neil Primrose struck his head and was knocked unconscious. Realising his predicament, other band and crew members dragged Neil from the pool and gave him assistance. He was taken by ambulance to the local hospital to receive treatment.”

Primrose undergoes emergency surgery but is later said to be “comfortable.”

The opening day of Witnness is plunged into chaos by ankle-deep mud. The Upstage, Dance and Rising areas all remain closed until 6pm which means wasted journeys to Fairyhouse for The Bluetones, Gemma Hayes, Hundred Reasons, The Parkinsons and Creative Controle.

The Frames cut short their European tour after violin player Colm Mac Con Iomaire suffers a collapsed lung.

“They were about to leave the UK for the Czech Republic when Colm was taken ill,” says their publicist. “The same thing happened during the spring when they were in the States. Colm made a speedy recovery then, and I’m sure he will do now.”

Bellefire sign a new international deal with East West Records.

The newly launched Irish dance magazine, Clubbingdotcom, closes with the loss of 20 jobs. The owners admit to “over-estimating the potential of what in reality is a niche market.”

Cork exiles Rubyhorse make their Late Night With Letterman debut.

AUGUST

An Oasis spokesperson says they “see no reason” why the band’s visit to Derry’s Prehan Playing Fields shouldn’t go ahead.

This follows a car crash in Indianapolis that left Noel Gallagher, guitarist Andy Bell and keyboard-player Jay Darlington requiring hospital treatment.

The trio were en route to a guitar shop when the taxi they were travelling in careered into another vehicle.

“It was absolutely nuts,” Darlington reveals after being treated for shock and bruising. “There was smoke in the car and the first thing we thought was, ‘Fuck, we have to get out. It could explode or something.’”

Gemma Hayes’ Night On My Side album makes the Mercury Music Prize shortlist.

“I’m totally taken aback,” she tells hotpress. “This has taken things to a whole new level. I’m playing a show tonight in Shepherd’s Bush which is totally sold-out, I’ve got journalists beating a path to my door and Jo Whiley has been playing it off the air.”

Van Morrison is at the centre of a legal wrangle after a show at The Crown pub in Everleigh, Wiltshire. Landlords Gary and Sarah Jane Marlow are seeking damages of £150,000stg.

100,000 pack into the Phoenix Park for the free O2 gig.

Roddy Doyle scotches rumours that he’s writing a musical based around the songs of U2. “There’s no truth whatsoever in it,” he maintains. “I wouldn’t think that U2’s music would lend itself to a musical. That’s a compliment, not a put-down – the songs aren’t straightforward, three-minute exercises.”

SEPTEMBER

Ash have a miraculous escape when their tour bus careers off the road in America.

“We were woken up, things were flying everywhere,” says Tim Wheeler. “I look up and there’s Charlotte lying in the middle of the aisle – bags everywhere – and then Rick sticks his head out from underneath her. It was pretty scary.”

Continues a spokesman: “The band were driving overnight from Seattle to Detroit for their final Area: 2 support with Moby and David Bowie. Their bus swerved to avoid a shredded tyre that flew off a truck they were overtaking and the driver only just managed to prevent the vehicle overturning.”

Andrea Corr is set to resume her acting career with a role in The Great Ceili War. Directed by Widows’ Peak and Hamburger Hill man John Irvin, the musical comedy starts shooting this month in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, and will take 10 weeks to complete.

U2 reveal that their Best Of 1990-2000 collection will include two new songs, ‘Electrical Storm’ and ‘The Hands That Built America’. The latter is earmarked for the upcoming Martin Scorsese epic, Gangs Of New York.

Phantom FM threaten legal action after the BCI green light the selling of Dublin’s Country 106.8FM to Today FM’s owners, Scottish Radio Holdings. The pirate believes the specialist music franchise should be re-advertised.

The organisers of the Lost In Leitrim dance festival refer the cancellation of the event to the independent Garda Complaints Board. “We don’t feel we got a proper hearing from the Gardai,” charges promoter Kilian Kiernan. “They made it clear from the start that they weren’t in favour and would do everything in their power to block it.”

OCTOBER

The PoD and the Mean Fiddler Organisation are proceeding with plans to open a branch of The Jazz Café in Dublin’s Fade Street.

Located on the site of the old Sausage Factory, the proposed venue will have: “An age profile of late 20s to mid 40s; a bar and restaurant overlooking the stage; and renowned soul, blues, jazz and world music artists performing.”

The Thrills sign to Virgin Records UK after a frenzied A&R battle involving up to a dozen labels. Says manager Alan Culivane: “679, Rough Trade, Polydor, Mercury… We had a load of offers from big and small labels alike, but decided to go with Virgin because the MD there is the guy who founded Source Records.”

Egypt’s first lady, Mrs. Barak, invites Sinéad O’Connor to perform at the inauguration ceremony for the Bibliotecha Alexandrina. Over a thousand VIPs will be in attendance, including 16 heads of state and royalty.

Irish country singer Luan Parle signs a management deal with Derek Mackillop, the UK industry heavyweight who also looks after Elton John and Mis-Teeq. MCD and Aiken Promotions are slugging it out to see who’ll host the Dublin leg of The Rolling Stones’ Licks world tour. There’s also talk of Mick and the boys squeezing a club show in at Vicar St.

NOVEMBER

Derek Bell, long-time harpist with The Chieftains, dies suddenly while in the US. He was 67.

Reads an official statement: “Following a recent concert in the US, Derek had remained behind for minor surgery and a number of routine health checks. He had just been given the all clear to return home, so his death has come as a great shock to us all.”

EMI/Virgin Records are blasted by some of Ireland’s leading music industry figures for releasing an album in association with Dublin pirate Phantom FM.

“I’m disappointed that EMI would seek to have an association with an illegal operator,” says Today FM Chief Executive Willie O’Reilly, while his FM104 counterpart Dermot Hanrahan professes to being, “Absolutely gobsmacked. You’ve no moral authority to deal with piracy (of records) if you support criminal broadcasters. I will check which artists have agreed to be associated with this.”

The competition between Irish festivals is set to reach unprecedented levels, with hotpress learning that the PoD and Mean Fiddler Organisation are planning to bring Reading 2003 here. With Witnness already trying to put their headline acts in place and Slane rumoured to be on the trail of the Rolling Stones, fans are in for quite a summer.

Following on from last year’s Moulin Rouge soundtrack, Bono joins Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer in writing a song for the new Jim Sheridan movie, In America. Vocal duties on the track – which Friday says is “written from a girl’s perspective” – are likely to be handled by Andrea Corr.

Prince follows his Point Theatre headliner with a secret late night jam in Spirit.

DECEMBER

Robbie Williams will play the biggest concert in the history of the state on August 9 2003 when he headlines Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

The first-day sale of 85,000 tickets constitutes a new Irish box-office record.

U2 agree a deal with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority whereby they’ll be given
penthouse studio facilities in the 60-meter tower that’s being built at Britain Quay.

The DDDA floated the idea during the summer after ruling that the band’s existing Hanover Quay complex would have to be demolished as part of a major docklands facelift.

Whilst acknowledging that, “The new Dublin is something I’m really excited about”, Bono says the band would prefer to stay where they are.

“It’s very hard to quantify or value what the studio we’ve been working in for the last years means to us,” he rues. “There isn’t really a price you can put on it.”

Turn are a man down after bassist Gavin Fox accepts an offer to join Scottish guitar merchants Idlewild.

MCD and the Mean Fiddler battle it out for the use of a festival site in Kells, County Meath. Denis Desmond’s mob want it for a country event, while Vince Power has it earmarked for Reading Ireland.

Mic Cristopher’s Skylarkin’ album receives its posthumous release.

Belfast’s failure to make the European City of Culture shortlist prompts an angry reaction from David Holmes. “I’m surprised, shocked and pissed off,” he fumes.