There has been speculation as to whether this recession (smerression, though it's really starting to become a pain in the t*ts) would affect this summer's ridiculous festival prices, and whether expensive weekenders like Oxegen and Electric Picnic will be the massive sellouts of previous years while everyone's is button down mode.
Well, Oxegen promoters MCD have gone one step to easing the minds of festival fans by freezing Oxegen ticket prices. This year's festival will cost a mere 224.50euro, the same as in 2008, while early bird ticket holders who shelled out their cash back in December, will be entitled to a 20euro refund. Probably the most effective part of MCD's recession busting new methods is a flexible payment scheme whereby buyers can pay a 120euro deposit to secure a ticket and pay the balance before April 30th.
With the newly reformed Blur at the top of the line up alongside Kings of Leon, Snow Patrol and The Killers, the line up should be enough to fill Punchestown Racecourse come July. Still, this move should do a little to speed up the sale of tickets when they go on general release at 8am on March 6th. Anyone who registers at Oxegen.ie before 6pm this Sunday February 22nd will gain access to exclusive pre-sale tickets from Wednesday February 25th.