Rage Against The Machine rock Oxegen

Republic of Ireland | | 14 July 2008

Despite taking to the stage 15 minutes late and being dogged by sound issues during their 14-song set, the band conquered the Irish event.

Opening with 'Testify', the quartet then peppered their set with classic songs 'Bulls On Parade', 'Bombtrack' and 'Bullet In The Head'.

A rather sedated Zack De La Rocha kept banter to a minimum, instead allowing the band's music to do the talking performing 'Know Your Enemy', 'War Within A Breath' and 'Medusa'.

An epic version of 'Wake Up' roused the crowd before set closer 'Killing In The Name' left the crowd baying for more.

Rage Against The Machine played:

'Testify'
'Bulls On Parade'
'People Of The Sun'
'Bombtrack'
'Know Your Enemy'
'Bullet In The Head'
'Vietnow
'Guerrilla Radio'
'Medusa'
'Calm Like A Bomb'
'Sleep Now In the Fire'
'War Within A Breath'
'Wake Up'
'Killing In The Name'

Greeted by flocks of fans Ian Brown closed the Green Room Stage with an anthemic cut of 'F.E.A.R.' after ploughing through other solo efforts including 'Time Is My Everything', 'On Track' and 'Sister Rose'. He also covered The Stone Roses' 'Waterfall' and performed an accepella version of Rihanna's 'Umbrella'.

MGMT's short set was made even shorter in the Pet Sounds Arena as fans climbed the tent poles, forcing the band to leave the stage for ten minutes. Organisers used the PA to bring the climbers down and the band returned to perform 'Electric Feel', 'Time To Pretend' and 'Kids'.

Elsewhere Band Of Horses and Jack Penate both previewed new tracks, while Lightspeed Champion played a pollen-filled set  declaring: "The only way to beat [hayfever] is to get wasted. That's what my doctor said."

The Pogues performed their first Irish festival in 17 years, Glasvegas drew a big crowd on the Futures Stage and The Chemical Brothers headed up the O2 Stage. Check back for Oxegen reviews.

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