First there were rumours of it being moved to the Phoenix Park. Then there were rumours yesterday that it was taking a "hiatus". Now that "hiatus" has been confirmed.
MCD have confirmed Oxegen is taking 2012 off: "MCD promoters confirmed the festival will be taking a break next year similar to what is happening to the Glastonbury festival in the UK. Suspicions the festival would not be going ahead next year were increased when no pre-Christmas announcement was made about early bird tickets, as had been announced for its sister festival T-in-the-Park, which takes place in Scotland on the same weekend."
Oxegen has been giving it welly in Punchestown since 2004. Prior to that it was called Witness and was held in Fairyhouse. It used to be commonplace for all 80,000 tickets to be sold out within minutes of them going on sale, but since the recession and resulting emigration, much of it's audience can't afford to attend anymore.
The Irish Times continues: "Last year's event is believed to have attracted in the region of 58,000 fans, making it financially difficult for the festival to carry on. The announcement has become something of the worst kept secret in Irish music. It now remains to be seen if a succession of concerts in the Phoenix Park on the lines of the festivals in Victoria Park in London will be hosted in Dublin next summer."
The message on Oxegen.ie reads: "Oxegen, like Glastonbury (or the Meteor Awards...), is taking a year off in 2012 and it will be back in 2013. Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Keep Rockin' in 2012 and we'll see you in 2013. Your Oxegen team."
