Strike a pose, there's nothing to it

Hooking up with the Sunday Independent LIFE Magazine, eBay.ie recently carried out a crowd sourced shoot to showcase the very best in Ireland’s emerging fashion Talent. Divided into four teams of two, the Stylists and Photographers were set the task of creating two separate looks with items bought solely from the site and the results are stunning. The shoot is due to appear in the Sunday Independent on August 15th, but we’ve got a sneak peek below to whet your appetite.

Pick for the Picnic

Showcase 2 churned out some serious talent last night @ Crawdaddy. Sounds of a System Breakdown will now join Goat Boy and the winner from the next 2 showcases to battle it out for that much coveted slot at Electric Picnic.

www.electricpicnic.ie | www.heinekenmusic.ie

Pick for the Picnic..

Well done to Goat Boy- the band selected from last night's 'Pick for the Picnic' showcase presented by Heineken Music, POD and Festival Republic. Goat Boy is now one step closer to nabbing a slot at Electric Picnic. 3 more showcase nights at Crawdaddy will churn out even more talent with the final decision being made on August 19th when the 4 bands battle it out for this much coveted slot.

www.electricpicnic.ie www.heinekenmusic.ie

Pick for the Picnic

Thursday Night + Bands that want to play at Electric Picnic = Pick for the Picnic. Presented by POD; Festival Republic and Heineken Music.

The Man with the Golden Vuvu (A Thinker in S Africa)

And so it was… Like Russell Brand the World Cup thrust itself into our lives and then left us stranded thirsty for more. On the pitch there was tears of heartbreak incurred by a Uruguayan hand of god, England lived up to expectation and in the end total football won with the Spanish armada coasting their way to victory over the ‘kung fu kings’ from Netherlands.

Everyone and their granny was trying to grab the headlines and first up was a bevy of Bavarian beauties with their ambush marketing, then we had Paul the German octopus bobbing around predicting winners in every game. Surprise surprise though the star of the show was Nike, who kept rolling with their Write the Future spot by creating an outdoor interactive display in down town Johannesburg - The massive display, almost half the size of a bleedin’ football pitch was projected onto the Life Centre and fans were challenged to predict the headlines for the following day's news …. Lovely stuff

All in all the tournament went down a storm, it is however a damn shame to think that no deserving African will see a penny but as a PR job, the 2010 World Cup looks like paying off in the intangible currency of image and reputation, the people rock and so do vuvuzelas as it happens….

You Spin Me Round, Right Round

A whole new meaning to video loop. Watch the video here.

Our Oxegen

Empire of the Son

And so Oxegen passes for another year and general consensus from everyone in the office who attended is that it was the best in years. While most of us were on official duty, the rest of the thinkers were partying it up in the rain and shine. Sure the weather was trying at some points but the acts made up for it. Highlights include; Hotchip,who had a trouble free show after they told us the power went on their show the night before, Goldfrapp (sparklier than ever ) Jay Z (who apparently had matching his and hers Uggs waiting for himself and the wife on site), Kele and ending the festival in style was Mumford and Sons (complete with a backline of international rugby players) who played to a capacity Heineken Green Spheres stage.

Other points of note were the two copies of PS I Love you in the artist area, not sure whose rider they were on and the banging set from Cian Healy on the Friday in the dance tent.

The only thing cooler that the music was the beer with the Heineken Cold Rooms chilling cans all weekend for happy campers and Heineken extra cold on tap in the Green Space. Check out the pics on the Heineken Music facebook here and a few snaps from side of stage we uploaded to twitter here.

Chewn of the Week - 'Ready for the Weekend'

Our TOTW song choice is very apt for the monster weekend party that is Oxegen! Mr. Harris shall be returning to Punchestown for seconds in the Heineken Green Spheres tent after perking everybody up on the Sunday last year. We’ll make sure to catch Tinie Tempah, Mumford & Sons, Vampire Weekend, Muse, Julian Casablancas and fingers crossed it won’t lash down on 70’s ledgebags Earth, Wind & Fire when they’ll be burning up the Main Stage on Sunday. Now where’s our wellies?