Boybands followed a winning formula: infectious choruses, coordinated outfits, and just enough emotional vulnerability to make fans swoon. But behind the polish was real heart. These acts gave voice to a generation navigating love, identity, and growing up in a world that was changing fast.

Ireland played a vibrant role in the boyband boom, Dublin was at the heart of it. Who could forget Boyzone’s hilariously awkward debut on The Late Late Show in 1993, where they danced nervously in denim and vests, earning more laughs than screams, but still launching a pop juggernaut. And then there were the Westlife auditions at The Pod nightclub in 1998 where queues snaked around Harcourt Street, packed with hopefuls in bootcut jeans, sleeveless tops, and frosted tips, all chasing the dream.

I was part of boyband Mankind, formed by Louis Walsh from hopefuls who didn’t make it into Six, the winners of the Irish Popstars TV programme. We may not have won the show, but we found our own path. Our debut single Put Your Hand Up! reached No. 2 in the Irish charts in 2002.

Back then, Dublin’s nightlife was buzzing. Celebrities, pop stars, and hopefuls alike flocked to Renards and Lillies Bordello, velvet ropes, red carpet, and the scent of ambition in the air.

The boyband era may have faded from the charts, and the hairstyles changed, but for those of us who lived it, the boyband buzz still lives rent free in our hearts.

Written by Simon Murphy.

Join Simon for The Red Eye, each Tuesday morning from 5am to 7am on Freedom FM

Read the Freedom FM flashback column each week in these newspapers 

The decade was the birth of the Celtic Tiger which brought investment, confidence, and energy to Dublin’s streets.

For the first time disposable income rose, and with it, demand for entertainment, Music venues, clubs, and bars flourished.

Alongside Brit Pop, Ireland embraced the global rave and electronic movement.

Clubs like The Kitchen (co-founded by U2), POD, and The Temple of Sound became legendary.

DJs such as Johnny Moy and Francois Pappin spun house, techno, and trance to packed dancefloors.

The Irish dance scene fused international beats with local spirit, creating euphoric nights that drew crowds from across Europe.

As well as the club scene Dublin’s live music scene thrived. Whelan’s, The Olympia, The Mean Fiddler and more hosted Irish acts like The Frames, The Cranberries, and Aslan, alongside international stars.

Busking on Grafton Street became a rite of passage—Damien Rice and Glen Hansard among its alumni.

Festivals like Féile and Witnness brought thousands together in celebration of sound.

A once rundown part of the south city centre was reborn as Dublin’s cultural quarter.
Temple Bar became a buzzing maze of pubs, galleries, and music venues.

Tourists flocked to its cobbled streets for trad sessions, singalongs, black beer and late-night revelry.

At the same time, led by Microsoft, American tech companies choose not to follow the historical business trend of investing in the UK choosing Dublin to base their European headquarters.

By the end of the ’90s, Dublin had become a city where tradition met innovation—where fiddles and synths shared the stage, and every night promised a story.

As a result Ireland’s musical heartbeat pulsed louder than ever, inviting the world to dance along.

Written by Feargal Skoff.

Feargal hosts The Night Cruise on Monday morning from 1am to 3am, as well as Monday and Tuesday evening from 11pm to 1am.

Read the Freedom FM flashback column each week in these newspapers 

Orbital, with their iconic headlamp stage presence, became pioneers of intelligent dance music (IDM), blending cinematic textures with hypnotic rhythms. Tracks like “Halcyon + On + On” weren’t just club anthems—they were emotional journeys. Meanwhile, Future Sound of London pushed boundaries with albums like Lifeforms, layering organic samples and ambient drones into sprawling sonic ecosystems.

The Orb and The KLF took chillout to surreal heights. The Orb’s Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld was a psychedelic voyage through dub, ambient, and space-age weirdness, while The KLF’s Chill Out remains a cult classic—a concept album that mimics a late-night drive across the American South, complete with train whistles and Elvis echoes.

Sabres of Paradise, led by Andrew Weatherall, infused dub and techno with a gritty, post-industrial edge. Their work laid the groundwork for the downtempo and trip-hop movements that followed. And then came The Chemical Brothers, who straddled the line between big beat chaos and ambient bliss—“Star Guitar” and “The Private Psychedelic Reel” were proof that electronica could be both euphoric and meditative.

These artists weren’t just making music—they were building worlds. Whether you were coming down from a night out or tuning in for a headphone escape, 90s chillout and electronica offered refuge, revelation, and rhythm. Today, their influence echoes through playlists, festivals, and late-night radio, reminding us that sometimes the most powerful beats are the ones that whisper.

Written by Ralph McGarry.

Read the Freedom FM flashback column each week in these newspapers 

In rural Ireland, especially, it wasn’t unusual to see cars like the Fiat Punto and the Opel Kadett, sometimes worn down but still managing the rocky boreens and unpredictable weather. The Peugeot 205 was a favourite, easily handling the narrow streets and unpredictable country lanes. These cars, modest in size and stature, were part of everyday life, parking outside corner shops, ferrying families to Sunday Mass, or packed with kids on a road trip to the seaside.

The 1990s were also marked by the rise of Japanese imports. Affordable and reliable, cars like the Nissan Micra and Honda Civic began making their mark on the roads, often brought over second-hand from the UK. For many families, it was their first taste of power steering and air conditioning, small luxuries that felt like big upgrades.

For the car enthusiast, however, the 90s was about nostalgia for the old workhorses. The Volkswagen Beetle and the Ford Cortina, relics of earlier decades, still held a certain status, lovingly maintained by those who prized character over convenience. On Irish roads, these old gems shared space with tractors and on the odd occasion a horse and cart, reminders that the island's relationship with the road was always about more than just getting from A to B. It was about community, tradition, and a little bit of personal flair.

Join Ralph McGarry each Sunday morning between 6am and 8am for Drift, a beautiful mix of chilled beats for a Sunday morning.

Kids today have everything with just the press of a button! Back then, if you wanted music, you had to work for it! Nowadays, we’re just yelling at Alexa to play the next Cranberries track like she’s a misbehaving teenager. Back in my day, I was Alexa—rewinding tapes by hand, fighting with CD players, and trying not to scratch the ONE, Steps - Steptacular album I saved up months for!

The point being, we look back and hear songs that make us go ‘oh yes, I remember where I was when I heard that’, the sounds instantly bringing us back in time. Recently we had news of Oasis returning to the stage. For those of us there the first time around, the memories were vivid.

I view Freedom FM as a tap. Coming out of that tap is the finest, freshest, nostalgia there for you to lap up. All of us at the station relish getting back on the FM band where we can have fun on air bringing you back to the longest summers, to your first love, and to times when music was better. And it was better!!!

Join Mike O’Brien and Nicki Manley Mondays and Tuesdays from 8am for Freedom FM Breakfast.

'Read the Freedom FM flashback column each week in these newspapers'

The crisps section, just below the counter was always a good starting point. Meanies, with their tangy pickled onion punch, were a top choice, while Wheelies and Burger Bites offered their own satisfying crunch. Most importantly, you could get them for 10p, leaving you loads of cash to play with. These crisps were packed with flavour and made even the shortest walk home from school feel special.

No snack trip would be complete without a fizzy drink, and Cadet Cola was the budget-friendly, sugary kick every kid loved. Paired with a salty snack, it hit the spot every time.

For the hot summer days (i.e, that one sunny afternoon in August!), ice creams were a must. The Wibbly Wobbly Wonder, was the stuff of legend. An intoxicating mix of ice cream, chocolate and jelly, you were really living the dream to have the cash for one of these. Fat Frogs were a middle of the road choice, with a juicy flavour and a green colour that probably had our parents very concerned. And Freaky Foot, well, that may have sparked off interests that we didn’t know we had until much later!

When it came to sweets, the variety was endless. The Push Pop was a lollipop you could save for later—though most of us never did. It was also full of 90s attitude, with it’s catchphrase, “Don’t Push Me, Push A Push Pop.” I can almost see my baseball cap turning backwards, a sure sign of a Bart Simpson-esque 90’s rascal! For chocolate lovers, Taz Bars and Freddos were a delicious bargain. Small change could easily get you a handful of Blackjacks, Postman Pat Sweets, or Wham Bars, perfect for munching during a trip to the cinema.

These snacks weren’t just food—they were a part of life, a highlight of growing up in Ireland during the 90s and 00s, giving us memories as sweet as the treats themselves.

Join Stephen Daly on ‘Drivetime’ between 3pm and 6pm every Monday and Tuesday.

One of the UK's most iconic bands will now return to the stage, following reports that the rift between the Gallagher brothers, who have toured separately in recent years, has eased.

The tour will conclude with two shows at Croke Park on August 16 and 17 next year. Tickets for the 14-date tour will go on sale this Saturday, August 31st, at 8 a.m. Irish time via Ticketmaster.

"This is it, it's happening," the band announced this morning, sharing a video montage of their history as they unveiled the upcoming 'Oasis Live '25' tour.

“This is it, this is happening”
Tickets on sale this Saturday 31st August (🇮🇪8AM IST / 🇬🇧9AM BST)
Dates:
Cardiff Principality Stadium - 4th/5th July
Manchester Heaton Park - 11th/12th/19th/20th July
London Wembley Stadium - 25th/26th July & 2nd/3rd August
Edinburgh Scottish Gas… pic.twitter.com/5hRQ3sJihb

— Oasis (@oasis) August 27, 2024

In 2023, Liam disclosed the need for hip joint replacement surgery due to arthritis linked to a longstanding thyroid issue. Consequently, he underwent a major hip operation. In 2017, Liam Gallagher received a diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland. Alongside this, he also grapples with the skin condition psoriasis.

"It's time to undo it all now and get back to reality. All that stuff that you thought was cool in the early days... it's time to get healthy."

His commitment to his health journey has led him to significantly reduce alcohol intake, abstain from drug use, and adopt a routine of waking up at 4am every day. Wishing Liam all the best on his journey.

Sharing the news on social media, the legendary Irish band has also included additional tour dates for the Glasgow Bandstand at Kelvingrove Park and the Amsterdam Paradiso Club this summer.

At Chateau Marmont in Beverly Hills, the 46-year-old rapper showcased his latest appearance, bearing a striking resemblance to the James Bond villain Jaws from "The Spy Who Loved Me" and "Moonraker." Kanye enjoyed the company of his wife, Bianca, during the outing, and comedian Chris Rock, who joined the couple at the hotel, appeared nonchalant about Kanye's unique dentures, purportedly crafted by the rapper himself.

On his Instagram Story, he shared glimpses of his transformed appearance and openly acknowledged being influenced by the Bond villain Jaws. Kanye posted a snapshot revealing his new teeth, showcasing only the lower part of his face as he opened his mouth to display the titanium dentures.

The movie centers on Oliver Quick, portrayed by Keoghan, navigating his challenges fitting in at Oxford University. His story takes a turn when he develops a connection with aristocrat Felix Catton, played by Jacob Elordi.

Felix extends an invitation to Oliver to spend an unforgettable summer at his family's estate, Saltburn. The movie concludes with a scene of Oliver dancing naked through a field after he has dismantled the Catton family and claimed ownership of their entire estate.

In a recent interview, Bextor expressed, "Reading it on paper as a concept is quite different. I mean, Barry really gave it his all. And it's like, the entire song!"

She further commented, "Whenever your music is used, you receive a brief synopsis. This synopsis detailed how the character would be dancing, but I didn't have much context. I've got a rather quirky sense of humor, so I thought I have to see how this unfolds. I didn't fully comprehend its role in the film until I watched it during the screening, but I absolutely adored it... I find it incredibly clever, funny, and astute for a film."

The film garnered a significant following during the Christmas holidays, although some viewers have admitted feeling 'traumatized' by certain steamy moments. Writer and director Emerald Fennell stepped forward to alleviate fans' concerns, acknowledging that many were left 'scarred' by the bathtub scene, and discussed her choice to conclude the movie with Keoghan's naked dance.

Saltburn can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

            Jill was right to suspect that the drowned man washed ashore on the beach was foul play, but attending a romantic date with the dead man’s son seemed a strange direction for her to steer the investigation. The introduction of the son’s cousin halfway through dinner was only going to complicate matters. It was too much a mystery for an eight year-old to try figure out. I was glad when my Dad walked in.

            The heavily sellotaped remote control was lifted from the armchair and Baywatch was no longer. I was transported back into the more comfortable surrounds of snooker, general knowledge and the slapstick duo of Jim Davidson and John Virgo. To think someone successfully pitched that idea to the BBC. I settled in to listen to my Dad answer each question loudly with what’s best described as a ‘mixed’ success rate – then tell me he would’ve made that pot whenever a professional missed.

            The half-hour flies in, and after Liz from Sheffield bags herself a table-top dishwasher courtesy of a delightful Dennis Taylor pot on the pink, we’re off to Crinkly Bottom. But my sisters, fresh from their baths and backed by Mam are now all in the room - and there’s a clash. We asked the five people in the room what programme they’d like to watch and the survey said: it’s Les Denis and Family Fortunes. The first attempt of the channel switch fails and after a gentle smack of the back of the remote control, second times a charm.

            The amount of ‘eejits’ in the world never ceases to amaze my Dad as he scoffs at some of the answers. His to nobody-in-particular outbursts are met with shut-up-I-can’t-hear-what-they’re-sayings from Mam, and another half hour flies by with more entertainment in the sitting room than on the TV.

            Who in their right mind would stay in the same hotel as Jessica Fletcher? but that’s where we find ourselves now. We leave the TV for the kitchen and in the same time it’s taken us to eat fried eggs, beans and chips, Angela Lansbury has successfully solved another murder.

            With unanimous backing from the family, next up is ‘Stars in Their Eyes.’ We all take a stab at who Brendan, the primary school teacher from Kent, is going to be. ‘Whitney Houston’ my Dad bellows, chuckling at his own guess. He was wrong. It was Leo Sayer, and though I wasn’t familiar with his work, my Mam swore he was as good as the real thing.

            It’s the danger zone now – bedtime. I sink into the sofa between my Dad and one of my sisters trying to become invincible. If I do it right, don’t move or breath, they’ll forget about me and I’ll be able to stay up forever. The Brian Conley Show starts and I begin to relax. No one will want to put me to bed mid-programme.

            A major slip up. At a Larry the Loafer sketch I garner everyone’s attention when I laugh uncontrollably. My eyes lock with Dads. It’s over. Then he ruffles my hair, grins and grabs me in hug allowing my head to rest on his chest for the rest of the programme.

            Oh how I miss Saturday Night TV in the 90’s!

This special tour, dedicated to Harding, commemorates her legacy two years after her passing due to breast cancer. Although rumors hinted at new music accompanying the tour, the band clarified that it will exclusively showcase Girls Aloud's iconic hits, such as "The Promise," "Love Machine," and "Biology."

Cheryl expressed their initial contemplation of celebrating the band's 20-year milestone years ago. However, when Sarah fell ill, their priorities shifted. Her passing, a year before the anniversary, felt too recent to commemorate. Now, Cheryl believes it's the appropriate moment to honor Sarah, the band, and the remarkable journey they've had together over the past 21 years.

In a teaser video shared on X (formerly Twitter), each member is seen in a car amid traffic, while a medley of their popular songs plays. They eventually converge under a drive-in cinema screen featuring clips from their past tours, expressing their excitement to reunite with fans for singing and dancing.

Announcing our #TheGirlsAloudShow arena tour next May/June 2024. A celebration of Sarah, our music & our incredible fans. On sale Fri 1 Dec, Presale Weds 29 Nov. Signup: https://t.co/OHwTxCq7Iy. We can’t wait to sing & dance with you again -Cheryl, Kimberley, Nadine & Nicola 📣 pic.twitter.com/4ceHwEw50m

— Girls Aloud (@GirlsAloud) November 22, 2023

Scheduled for May to June next year, the tour will kick off in Dublin and stop in cities like Manchester, London, Cardiff, Glasgow, and Liverpool. Fans eagerly welcomed the news on X, expressing their elation and disbelief at the long-awaited reunion.

Girls Aloud initially rose to fame in the early 2000s through ITV's Popstars: The Rivals and went on to become the most successful girl group of the noughties, selling over five million albums in the UK. Notably, their song "Sound Of The Underground" topped the 2002 Christmas chart, and "The Promise" earned them a Brit Award for Best Single.

After a hiatus from 2009 to 2012 and subsequent disbandment in 2013, they briefly reunited for a 10-year anniversary tour in 2012. Last year, the group reconvened for a charity gala supporting breast cancer research in honor of Sarah Harding, raising over £1 million for related charities.

Pre-sale tickets for the 2024 tour will be available starting November 29 at 9 am, followed by general sales on December 1 at 9 am.

Bringing acid house and rave culture to the city with a thumping reverberating bass, young people from both sides of the track, from all communities left their suspicion and fear at the door and entered a place where music was the shared religion.

Back in August 1990, the electronic music duo, Orbital played at Sugar Sweet and in homage to the city and the incredibly warm reception they received at the club, they named their seminal track, ‘Belfast’.

The 1990s were a period of cultural awakening and a turning point for social life in Belfast; at that time a city battered, paranoid but fiercely resilient. Dance music and the club culture played its part in bringing people together from both sides of the peace walls and inspired the future generations of musicians, producers and DJs, creating a vibrant electronic music scene in the city that thrives to this day.

Join Lucy Carroll as she broadcasts from Belfast each Sunday morning at 5am for ‘Early Bird’ – an eclectic mix of soul, funk, and dance music from the 90s and 00s.

‘Read the Freedom FM Flashback column each week in these newspapers….’

My name is Mike O’ Brien and I am approaching my mid-40s. I have a teenager who listens to pop music on these new noisy radio stations that have popped up in recent years. Very little of the new stuff does anything for my taste buds. An exception would be Dua Lupa. I know what you are going to say…… I can hear you say it. My wife who is about the same age has more knowledge of new music than I. She’s more down with the kids apparently. She said the exact same thing as you were going to say above. Old music, as it is seen now a days, is stuff like Ann Lee ‘2 Times’, Coolio ‘Gangstas Paradise’ to name but two. I had Freedom FM on during the week. ‘The boy’ heard Prodigy ‘No Good’.  He was a little impressed. He then played me a top ten single, the name of which escapes me now. It did nothing for me. Is it down the fact that music is and can be down to what you were doing in life when you heard it first? Is it a snapshot of being younger and more free? Surely there is an element of that at play. I bet you could think of three or four songs that bring you back to a long hot summer, an ex, or even a holiday you had with your mates. Go on have a think… I will wait…. We all have them.

There is a new song now which is a remix of Boney M’s ‘Rasputin’; is this not the proof needed? Us presenters at Freedom FM have a WhatsApp group. It is a constant stream of music talk, and my opinion is always the same. The group tells me the same thing as my wife and what you were thinking at the start of this article. Yes …. I am turning in to a middle-aged man!! Still though… Old music is better.

Join Mike O’Brien for ‘Breakfast’ every Monday and Tuesday between 8am and 10am on Freedom FM.

‘Read the Freedom FM Flashback column each week in these newspapers….’

This time of year means getting our Aran jumpers out in every colour (big thanks to the Aunties and Grannies for those!), re-watching Gilmore Girls for the fifth time, putting on You've Got Mail with the queen of 90s Autumn herself Meg Ryan (don't you just love New York in the Fall?), and trying out all the different types of hot chocolates (because yes there is more than one these days).

One thing we have always loved in Ireland is our walks, whether it’s a ramble with friends, a morning run, or a stroll to unwind, there's something about taking a walk and watching all those gorgeous autumnal colours around you. No matter what age you are, we all still love the sound of the crunchy leaves under our feet - the only thing to top it off is the perfect nostalgic playlist, and who did it better than the 90s/00s? There is a comfort like no other when you hear The Cranberries with ‘Dreams’, Sixpence None The Richer with ‘Kiss Me’ or The Las with ‘There She Goes’ that just feels like a familiar hug you can't get enough of. That's what we're here for at Freedom FM.

They say when we listen to nostalgic music our minds recall the sound stored in our memory, but it will also conjure the other sensory memories that have been attached to it. It has the capacity to transport us to a certain time. So get the DVD player back out, find your copy of Practical Magic and put Savage Garden on- Ireland and Autumn are a match made in heaven, and at Freedom FM we can help you with that seven days a week.

By Sorcha Herlihy

Join Sorcha for ‘Weekday Brunch’ every Friday between 10am and 1pm, as well as ‘The Red Eye’ Saturday mornings from 6am to 8am on Freedom FM.

‘Read the Freedom FM Flashback column each week in these newspapers….’

A beautiful blonde boards a train on a rainy, foggy night, and takes a window seat. As it slowly departs with her hand pressed against the glass, her tall, dark and handsome love-interest walks alongside on the platform until the train gathers speed and the platform ends. The two destined to never see each other again - or at least for another fifteen minutes of screen time. Well, in this story I’m the beautiful blonde (work with me here); the love interest is the 90’s, and the train is time.

Sitting on the train looking out at the platform I’m right smack in the middle of the 90’s. Countless faces gather closely and smile back at me, wishing me well on my travels; they look like a bespoke Sgt. Pepper album cover. I spot Georgie Burgess holding a shears – which in hindsight makes no sense at all. I’m oblivious to what’s ahead as the train jolts to life and ever so slowly begins its journey into the noughties. It’s not a problem at first. I’m still young, and I can still see everyone and everything so clearly. In fact, as we gently move forward, I now get a better view of the entire platform. The Italia ‘90 squad are waving from an open top bus towards the back. Is that Sean Hughes in a bathtub with a yellow rubber duck? Man, I’d forgotten about that show.

But like time, from a seemingly stationary position the train gathers momentum at a ferocious pace and before I can catch a breath the platform quickly sinks behind the fog. I panic a little. The platform had lay before me like a giant ‘Where’s Wally?’ picture, and now I wonder if I grasped it all. Did I soak it all in or where there memories in there that I may never recall again? The train speeds forward regardless. This differs from Hollywood. It can’t go back. It can never go back.

I settle into my seat feeling somewhat melancholic. I glance out the window and observe the new landscape. My nostalgic-clock tells me we left the platform five minutes ago, but when I tap my phone screen I see we’ve been travelling a half hour. Is it really thirty-three years since the start of that decade?

Looking at the phone, my attention moves swiftly to the wallpaper picture of my two perfect kids smiling up at me. I smirk back a little cynically  – they’ll view the 90’s in the same way I viewed the 60’s: may as well have been the Roman empire. Ancient times. I wasn’t around for either, so what’s the difference. Two more taps of my phone and my earbuds come to life with the closing lines of Donna Lewis’ ‘I love you always forever’. My heart swells a little and my smirk shifts to a genuine smile and grows broader. Another memory comes forth from the platform fog, a young Anna Chlumsky inconsolable after hearing Macauley Culkin died from bee stings. As a nod to Anna, I judge it appropriate to stop smiling now.

Next up, the opening chords of The Lighthouse Family, ‘Lifted’. And my spirits are lifted. I know I can’t go back, and stranger still, none of us on the train know how long is left on the journey. Some will get off at the next stop, the lucky ones will get to travel a little further down the tracks. As Freedom FM continues to play, the songs of my youth envelope me like a comfort blanket and help me tease out some more of those memories from back on the platform. I anticipate what song will come next, and with it, what memory will step out from the fog.

And I’m OK with continuing the journey.  

“Like many people during the extended lockdowns I found I had more time on my hands than I wanted”, said Sean Power, the main driver behind the station. “I suggested to Paul Kavanagh and Ralph McGarry we set up an online station for a bit of fun. We got more friends involved, and before we knew it we had over a dozen presenters playing music and presenting programmes from their home studios”.

“I work in the broadcast technology sector and was familiar with home studio set ups so I was able to facilitate presenters broadcast from studios in their own homes. Since then we’ve grown that number to 40 presenters who produce shows from as far afield as Vancouver, and New York, as well as closer to home in Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Louth, Galway, Tipperary, Cavan and Cork”.

“Whilst we started off as a Lockdown project during Covid, things have changed and we’ve had to build a brand new studio to allow presenters who no longer wanted to broadcast from home to present their shows from a proper radio studio,” said Sean.

The success of the online station, and growth in the number of presenters encouraged the trio to consider applying for a 30 day temporary FM radio licence from Coimisiún na Meán.  The station switches on its eight transmitters on Saturday 30^th September and will broadcast until 29^th October to listeners in Dublin City and County, Galway, Limerick and Cork cities, as well as to counties Wexford, Wicklow, Kildare and north County Cork. The station will remain online during that time too.

Freedom FM will be reliving the 90s and noughties with a mixture of Pop, R‘nB, Dance and Rock music as well as specialist music shows around the clock during it’s time on air and will broadcast on 105.2FM in Dublin, and on different frequencies in the other broadcast areas.

Nelly Furtado spilled the beans, announcing her collaboration with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. This revelation brought immense joy to fans who still hold a special place for their 2007 chart-topper "Give It To Me."

The talented vocalist behind "I'm Like a Bird," now 44 years of age, disclosed that over the past year, Justin and Timbaland have been dedicatedly working together in the studio. Reflecting on a recent conversation, Nelly shared, "We rediscovered that connection. A sincere sense of healing transpired among the three of us - Timbaland, JT, and myself. With our individual journeys encompassing highs and lows in our extensive careers, collaborating on this upcoming song feels exceptionally authentic to me. It's akin to witnessing a small-scale miracle."

"Tim messaged me like, 'Hey, I've got this track for you, it's got a dance vibe, and it's meant for a trio,' and I replied, 'You mean with JT?' He confirmed, 'Exactly.'

"Tim and JT had already been immersed in music for about a year, independently of me. They had an idea and wanted me to infuse my touch into it, so they could draw inspiration from that.

"We collaborated and created it together. The energy it exudes is undeniably positive. Personally, the lyrics and everything about it resonate deeply with my current state."

Nelly playfully hinted at the exciting news last month by showcasing Timbaland and Justin on her Instagram Story.

The photos depicted the two maestros making the most of their time in a recording studio, suggesting something big was in the works.

Can't wait to see what they come up with!

The family of the singer expressed profound sorrow as they announced the passing of their beloved Sinéad. They shared that her family and friends are devastated and have asked for privacy during this challenging period.

The highly-regarded Dublin artist had an impressive career, having released 10 studio albums. One of her most renowned songs, "Nothing Compares 2 U," written by the musician Prince, received global acclaim and was honored as the number one world single in 1990 by the Billboard Music Awards. This iconic ballad reached the top of charts worldwide and earned her three Grammy nominations. The accompanying music video, directed by English filmmaker John Maybury, consisted mostly of a close-up of O’Connor’s face as she sung the lyrics and became as famous as her recording of the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-EF60neguk

In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine named O'Connor "Artist of the Year" in recognition of the tremendous success of her song. Recently, she was honored with the inaugural "Classic Irish Album" award at the RTÉ Choice Music Awards.

Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor was born in Glenageary, Co Dublin, in December 1966, and her early life was marked by hardships. Raised as one of five children, she courageously spoke about enduring physical abuse from her mother, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 1985. At the tender age of 15, due to shoplifting and truancy issues, she was placed under care. However, it was during this period that her exceptional musical talents were discovered. In 1987, she released her debut album, "The Lion And The Cobra," which received widespread acclaim from critics.

In 1990, O'Connor made a significant statement by declaring her refusal to go on stage in New Jersey if the performance of the Star-Spangled Banner took place. Throughout her career, she was vocal about the child abuse scandal within the Catholic Church, and this advocacy brought her considerable attention. In 1992, she made headlines once again during her appearance as a guest on Saturday Night Live when she tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II, making a bold and controversial statement on the show. Later on, O'Connor pursued a path in religion and was ordained as a priest by a bishop affiliated with an independent Catholic group. She expressed her desire to be addressed as Mother Bernadette Mary.

Throughout her career, the singer-songwriter didn't shy away from voicing her opinions and criticisms about other celebrities. She publicly attacked stars like Madonna and Prince. In 2013, she wrote an open letter on her website to Miley Cyrus, advising the young star to avoid falling victim to sexual exploitation in the music industry.

Sinéad O'Connor's life and career have been marked by various controversial and outspoken moments that have kept her in the public eye over the years. In August 2017, O'Connor deeply concerned her fans when she uploaded a tearful video to Facebook. In the video, she candidly expressed her struggles with mental health issues, revealing that she was feeling "suicidal" at the time. This emotional revelation raised widespread concern for her well-being and brought attention to the importance of addressing mental health challenges openly and compassionately.

In January 2022, a heartbreaking tragedy struck Sinéad O'Connor's family when her 17-year-old son, Shane, was found dead. He had been reported missing two days prior to the devastating discovery. The loss of her son undoubtedly brought immeasurable sorrow to O'Connor and her loved ones, and it was a deeply difficult time for them.

May She Rest In Peace.

Mark was formerly a member of the band MyTown along with Danny O' Donoghue before joining The Script. The trio, alongside drummer Glen Power, have achieved great success in the music industry, selling millions of albums and receiving multiple nominations and awards, including two Brit nominations, three Meteor Ireland Music Awards, and two World Music Awards and were due to support Pink! on her upcoming European tour, starting in Bolton on June 7. The family and group have requested privacy during this tragic time. 

Mark is survived by his Wife Reena and 3 children.

Denim. Guys and gals were encouraged to wear everything denim, and at once. Shirts, jeans, miniskirts, dresses, bags, even trainers and hats in denim. I even had a pair of denim kitten heels! The only item we may have got away with was our socks and thank the lord for that!  Guys, remember those baggies, stonewashed or indigo, and just low enough to show a hint of boxer? For the gals, we wore embroidered jeans or a pair with studs and/or jewels on the back pockets and with as low a waist as possible. We may have draped a belly chain to complete the look. Tight with a flared bootleg that was just long enough to reveal an extremely pointy-toe shoe, with either a stiletto or kitten heel. We can all thank those shoes for our bunions now ladies. Should have stayed in our UGG boots.

Enter UGGS. This craze hit us in the early 00s. They were highly desirable as all the top celebrities wore them in every paparazzi shot. There was no other logical reason why we loved these so much, but oh, that slipper comfort. Buy calf length and roll them down to expose that inner fur. Wear with Boho dresses - thanks to Kate Moss and Sienna Miller, or simply with a denim miniskirt or jeans. To really capture that Britney, Christina, and WAG look, throw them on with a Juicy Couture Velour tracksuit. Preferably in pink or aqua. The word juicy bedazzled across your butt proved its authenticity. Might I add, this tracksuit and boot look was pricey.

Logo maniacs were everywhere.  Massive designer logos splashed across everything as materialism took it’s hold during ‘the boom’. Of course, this was not possible for many of us teens or poor students, so we hit Penneys instead for their take on capturing these looks. Especially the accessories, for they had simply the best chokers and butterfly clips in every colour.

Cargo pants – yes, are back. Not much we can say about those really.

Trucker Caps. You can thank Justin Timberlake, Ashton Kutcher, Rihanna, Lindsay Lohan and pretty much ever R’n’B artist for these. Men and women embraced them. They had to have some logo, usually garage related, or a motto splashed on them. It was their robustness and mesh back that made them distinctly different to a mere baseball cap.

By the mid-to-late 00s these trends died off as recession hit. Fast fashion sadly took over and has adversely affected our planet. New trends have emerged over a twenty-year period and yet - Y2K is here.

During the 90s, the VHS was at the height of its popularity. There were no quick access menus for fast instant play. You had to rewind the tape and wait - if not kindly left at the start by its previous viewer. This could take minutes, so best close your eyes or walk away for fear of seeing the movie playing backwards. If your VCR had not been visited by a cleaning tape in a while you may have had to face your rental getting munched by the player, and a nice hefty fine for its replacement.

Then DVDs finally arrived much to our amazement. Toshiba released the first DVD player in 1996. Enter menus, instant play, and Dolby Digital Sound capability. Blockbusters then bought over Extra-Vision in Ireland in that very same year and their stores popped up everywhere. The excitement when you were handed some money and allowed to pop into your nearest store was palpable. Maybe splash out and rent two movies over a 2-or 3-night period. Portable DVD players then came in and became mainstream by the early ‘00s.

It didn’t take long until Sony introduced Blu-ray players and Blu-ray discs in the year 2000. It was around the mid ‘00s when they really took off when more affordable. These kept rental stores in the game for a bit longer and we were blown away by how real the movie looked! Soon, everyone wanted to trade in their DVD players for Blu-ray ones. Next thing, everyone was out purchasing home cinema surround speaker systems and large screen tellies. It was now all about creating that home cinema theatre experience.

It was a similar transition for sound as it was for vision. We moved from cassette tapes to CDs in or around the same time. The Disc-Man replaced your average tape Walkman and this newfound ability to select your favourite track and play it instantly was extraordinary. CD burners swiftly followed, and our home-made mixtapes were replaced by mix CDs.

The first MP3 player came out in 1997 but was overlooked in the beginning. After years of transporting your bulky cassette tapes and CDs around with you everywhere, you were now able to have thousands of your favourite songs with you in the one place. However, people had spent years and a lot of money in building up their music collections in physical form and were not prepared to simply stop using them.

It was really by 2004 that MP3 music file technology took off when Apple released the first iPod Mini. This was an iconic Apple moment in terms of future tech. These players were cute, tiny and easy to use from the get-go. Every single kid and adult wanted one and they came in an array of colours. These became embedded in the heart of Millennials everywhere. It was Apple’s iPods that set the table for the iPhone and advancement of smart phone technology.

The 00’s became the decade for the eradication of cumbersome technology. Thanks to the development of smart devices and apps, we now rely on the likes of Spotify playlists for music, and streaming platforms such as YouTube and Netflix for viewing pleasure.

You can’t help but wonder, what’s next?

By Jennifer Larke

Join Aidan Power as he broadcasts live from Crew Brewing in Limerick City playing the best music from the 90s and noughties.

So if you are in the neighbourhood, come along to Crew Brewing Company - microbrewery and pub - located at 35 Thomas St in Limerick City centre for some great tunes and and some great company.

Or simply tune in online, or on your local FM frequency.

There was no pause, record or rewind button to press on your TV. If you really had to miss your favourite show that evening, your options were limited. You either had to wait for the post season re-runs, or record over someone else’s show on one of those TDK VHS tapes stashed in your TV cabinet creating a full scale war in the house.

The theme tune to Baywatch starts and now we’re in for it. Montage after montage of lifeguards with impeccable fit physiques in tight red swimwear, running in slow mo, up and down Santa Monica beach. Yet, this was serious lifeguarding at its best. Shark attacks, earthquakes, speedboat collisions, someone stranded at sea clinging to a buoy during a storm after ignoring all weather warnings. No one ever seemed to fall into difficulty in the water due to mere cramping for swimming too soon after eating their lunch. Then again, no one ever seemed to eat.

Now you’re geared up for Gladiators. Wolf, Jet, Rhino and Hunter are ready to take on the general public. How you longed to be in that audience waving a giant foam finger or holding a handmade sign cheering on your favourite teacher or policeman. Then watching in horror, as they’re smashed off pedestals into nets below while Queen’s ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ is blaring. We had Ulrika Johnson and John Fashanu presenting while John Anderson was the referee who took no prisoners. “Gladiators, ready! Contenders, ready!” Oh, we were ready.

Blind Date – now this was a dating show. Step aside Love Island. Cilla Black, always perfecting her hip move to that final beat, assuring us we were in for a “lorra lorra laughs”. Indeed we were. We got to witness one person firing questions over at three perspective men or women they could not see. All balancing themselves on high stools while reciting lame, innuendo laden jokes as answers. Then, it was time for “Our Graham” to give us a quick reminder of the line up before the ultimate decision was made. Oh when that screen pulled back, we would lean forward examining their facial expressions as they first laid eyes upon each other. Were they pleased, or possibly scanning the set for the nearest fire escape?! All would be revealed next week on how they got on during their free holiday. Another great reason not to miss the next episode!

Yes, Saturday night viewing was a blast. No streaming devices meant we were living on a one episode per week ration. No multiple television sets under the one roof meant we watched these shows together, as a family. I don’t think many of us could relinquish the power of watching what we want, when we want now. I don’t think I could. Yet, I’ll always long for those days.

For more memories of the 90s and noughties, read Jen’s column in this week’s Northside People and South People Newspapers.

Join Aidan Power as he broadcasts live from Inchicore in Dublin 8 playing the best music from the 90s and noughties.

Come along to Rascals HQ,   Brewery, Pizza Restaurant and Bar, Goldenbridge Estate, Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8

For some tunes, beer, and pizza, or simply tune in online or on your local FM frequency.

It didn’t take long in hitting the TV news and instantly we had Liam’s bushy unibrow and Damon’s cheeky chappy grin placed head-to-head on the cover of every newspaper and magazine. Soon, sides were taken. Were you residing in the Blur camp or the Oasis one? Of course, this meant so much more than which was the better song. Both songs, while pop catchy, were certainly not either of the band's finest work at that point. Thanks to the press, this fast became a battle of the social classes in Britain. We had the rough, working-class Northerners versus the university-educated, well-spoken Southerners.

Very soon it became apparent that this was not just a PR stunt to boost record sales. As the release date loomed, their animosity grew towards each other. In an interview with The Observer when Noel was drawn out on the subject at the time, he commented he would like to see Damon Albarn and Alex James “catch aids and die”, a remark he had to publicly apologise for and distance himself from. We even had images of Liam, squaring up to Damon during music and charity events.

In the week running up to the release date, it was featured on the BBC and ITV’s main 10 o’clock news as a headline story. We were all watching and waiting, ready with our cash in hand to purchase just one of those singles, either on cassette or CD, in our local music store.

The moment came, both singles were released for sale and the result came in on Sunday the 13th of August 1995. We were all glued to Top of the Pops on our boxes. In keeping with the Britpop theme, they had Pulps front man, Jarvis Cocker, as one of its presenters. The top ten countdown was on. 5, 4, 3 and in at number 2 was… Oasis. Jarvis then announced Blur as the victors while welcoming them on stage. They went on and performed their new UK number one single while Alex wore an Oasis t-shirt. It was later revealed that Country House had outsold Roll With it by over 58,000 copies.

Now, more than a quarter of a century later, that animosity has been replaced by mutual respect. Liam tweets encouraging messages and Noel has even joined Blur on stage to perform a duet of Blur’s Tender at a charity event in London in 2013.

Unless you lived it, it’s impossible to grasp that urgency and pleasure in owning your own music. Albums and singles that would sell out on the same day or week of release and then having to wait for new stock to arrive. Knowing, as you watched your favourite song bounce up and down the charts, you had something to do with that, and feeling proud of the fact. We will never live to see the likes of ‘The Battle of Britpop’ again.

For more memories of the 90s and noughties, read Jen’s column in this week’s Northside People and South People Newspapers.