Summer 2017 is set to be an unforgettable festival extravaganza. It’s time to dust off your sunnies, buy some hunzo shorts in Penneys and grab a few Tesco cans. As festival season approaches more and more events are revealing their line-ups. Here is a look at what to expect.
Life Festival / 26-28 May / Belvedere House and Gardens / €149
Always the most anticipated festival for those with a love of electro and house music. So far the line-up announcements have been incredible, including acts like Nina Kraviz, Eats Everything, Duke Dumont, Rudimental, DJ EZ and Gorgon City. Definitely not one to miss!
Forbidden Fruit Festival / 3-5 June / IMMA- Royal Hospital Kilmainham / €59.50+
A festival that takes place on the grounds of a modern Art museum, Forbidden Fruit combines music, art and food to create a fantastic 3-day event. An impressive line-up has been announced, with acts like Snakehips, Jax Jones, Aphex Twin, Flying Lotus and The Staves playing across the weekend. However the cherry on the cake is the Monday headliner, Bon Iver.
The 1975 / 17 June / Malahide Castle / €49.50
Ok I know, this one isn’t technically a festival. BUT… The 1975’s indie tunes, in the beautiful Malahide Castle grounds, on a hot June Summer’s day, with an ice cold drink and your mates singing by your side, you can’t deny it will have some pretty great festival vibes. And who wouldn’t want to see Matty Healy with his shirt off?
Body and Soul / 23-25 June / Ballinough Castle / €135+
A unique festival experience, Body and Soul focuses on atmosphere and culture. With performances of music, spoken word, theatre and ‘holistic escapes’, it is more like an arts retreat than a festival. Acts include Metronomy, Lambchop, Vitalic, Kelly-Anne Byrne and King Kong Company. Whether you’re going to “find yourself” or just to experience something different, you’re in for a treat.
Sea Sessions / 23-25 June / Bundoran / €49.50+ It’s one of the smaller Irish festivals but it still has a lot to offer. Sea sessions is known for its fantastic line-up, and this year proves no different. The event roped in some impressive headliners: Sigma, The Coronas and Primal Scream. All Tvvins, Little Hours, Foy Vance and Kormac along with others will play across the weekend. If music combined with sun, sea and surfing appeals to you then Sea Sessions is your Festival.
The Summer Series at Trinity College / 6-11 July / €44.05+
MCD announced that they would be holding a 6-day summer series in Trinity College this year. This got major attention and excitement. When they announced the six acts, minds were blown. The acts are: Gregory Porter, James Vincent McMorrow, Bell X1, Pixies, Two Door Cinema Club and Alt-J. They are all separate concerts on separate days, but MCD sure did pull out all the stops in securing once-off gigs from acts who could be festival headliners. Trinity is known for its lovely grounds, and if July weather prevails then Summer vibes will make these performances something special.
Longitude / 14-16 July / Marlay Park / €69.50+
Opinions about Longitude line-ups always vary, but it is still one of the most popular festivals in Ireland. Only some of this year’s line-up has been revealed. Headliners include Stormzy, Mumford and Sons, The Weeknd, Skepta, Jack Garratt and Picture This. Across the weekend there are some major acts playing too; Catfish and The Bottlemen, Dua Lipa, Mac Miller, Kaleo, Glass Animals and Milky Chance. With more acts to be announced, Longitude 2017 is expected to be a weekend to remember.
Vital Festival / 26 August / Boucher Road Playing Fields Belfast / €50.80 approx
The line-up for Vital festival was announced last week and it is phenomenal. Tiesto, Clean Bandit, Robin Shulz, Sigala and Disciples will all be there in Belfast to give you a one day festival that will have you dancing and singing like crazy. You simply cannot miss this one.
Electric Picnic / 1-3 September / Stradbally / SOLD OUT
Electric Picnic, the number 1 Irish festival, is sold out as usual. The problem with EP is that tickets sell out before any acts are even announced. The 2017 line-up is extremely disappointing compared to previous years. The XX, A Tribe Called Quest and Duran Duran are the Headliners (like what?). There are obviously some good acts, such as London Grammar, Annie Mac, Father John Misty and Rag’n’Bone Man. Maybe the next round of announcements will prove to be better, but EP 2017 will not go down in history.
These are just some of the top festivals in Ireland, but there are plenty more. Live at the Marquee, Iveagh Gardens, Indiependence, Metropolis, Castlepalooza and Groove Festival are also ones that will fulfil your festival needs. So go soak up the sun, enjoy the music, and make amazing memories.
Emer Handly