As much a blessing as it it is a curse (priorities, man), not one, not two but three of the country’s finest summer festivals take place this weekend. Speckled across the country, in some of the most scenic surroundings imaginable, Forfey, Indiependence and Castlepalooza all have something unique to offer, their respective aural and visual showcases, bolstered by goodwill and a light ale or two, certain to make the most of the abnormally glorious weather we’ve been enjoying right across Ireland lately. Here’s a brief rundown of the festivals in question, as well as a couple of unmissable standalone gigs for good measure.
The Jesus and Mary Chain – Vicar Street, Dublin; Thursday, July 31
Announced just last week, Scottish noise-pop pioneers The Jesus and Mary Chain (pictured) will play a “secret” Dublin show at Vicar Street on Thursday. Having been rehearsing for their forthcoming Psychocandy tour in the city recently, the band will play the landmark album – which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year – in full. Tickets are on sale now and are priced at €30.
Forfey Festival – Forfey Farm, County Fermanagh; Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August, 3
The wonderfully intimate and unaffected Forfey Festival returns to Forfey Farm near Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh at the weekend. As ever, homegrown folk and acoustic acts make up the majority of this year’s line-up, but there is also a wide range of electronic and rock artists – everyone from Hornets to Affleck – performing across the festival’s three days. Tickets are priced at £45. Watch our live session with Affleck below.
Indiependence Festival – Mitchelstown, County Cork; Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August 3
Now in its ninth year, annual Cork festival Indiependence will host a first-rate line-up, featuring Public Enemy, White Lies, Tom Odell and Fun Lovin’ Criminals. Some of the very best up-and-coming Irish acts – The Altered Hours, Hozier, We Cut Corners, Damien Dempsey, Delorentos, The Minutes, TVVINS amongst others – will also perform the festival, taking place at Deer Farm, Mitchelstown. Ticket are still available to purchase here. Watch the video for ‘Dig Early’ by The Altered Hours below.
Oh Volcano, Different Ghosts, Serotonin & Matthew Duly – Voodoo, Belfast; Saturday, August 2
Electronic popmakers Oh Volcano – formed from ex-members of General Fiasco – play Belfast’s Voodoo on Saturday night in their debut headline show. To date, they’ve played with Malibu Shark Attack at their album launches and have remained thoroughly tight-lipped apart from the free single ‘Oceans’. Support comes from Different Ghosts, alt. rock five piece Serotonin and singer-songwriter/member of Sons of Encouragement Matthew Duly – the latter two having been just selected for the Oh Yeah Centre’s Scratch My Progress programme.
Admission is £5 and doors open at 9pm. Watch the video for ‘Oceans’ by Oh Volcano.
Castlepalooza – Charleville Castle, Tullamore; Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August 3
A highly-anticipated yearly fixture at the breathtaking Charleville Castle in Tullamore, Castlepalooza 2014 will also take place this weekend. Super Furry Animals’ main man Gruff Rhys, indie-pop duo Summer Camp and Franco-Swiss DJ Gilles Peterson top the bill this year, with several Irish acts including Hurdles, We Cut Corners, The Clameens, Affleck, Ships and TVVINS also featuring in this year’s line-up. Buy tickets and check out full line-up for the festival over at Castlepalooza’s official website and check out a live version of ‘Book’ by TVVINS below.
