SHEEP IN Lacken, Co Wicklow are in for a shock this weekend – their fields have been taken over by more than 100 bands for the Knockanstockan Festival.
Two campsites – one set aside for families – filled up early yesterday evening as The Deadly Mechanism warmed up by the shores of the Blessington Lakes.
Up to 3,000 people are expected to fill the large field to listen to Irish bands including Bipolar Empire, Enemies, I Draw Slow and Zealots. The festival ethos puts everyone on the same level, so there are no headliners, and the technicolour poster gives each act equal billing.
Speaking in a white double-decker bus acting as the “green room”, festival co-founder Graham Sharpe said: “It’s about the music first and foremost.That’s what we pride ourselves on really. All of the [staff] people here give up their time for free, to work at the festival.”
Although none of the acts get paid either, 600 bands applied. “We were born for Knockanstockan really,” said Ian Bermingham, from Jack and the Band. He had joined Sandra Bell and Adam Steele to form the band because they had such a great time as fans at last year’s festival.
Festivalgoers are a mixture of laidback hippy-types and diehard music fans. Children and dogs also wander between the tents.
Stephen Dwyer (29) said: “They really look after the bands, they fill up the festival to capacity and you can see that.” Shell Gleeson (28) said: “It’s all about the bands here – it’s not a money-making deal.” Students from Dublin’s NCAD supplied artwork, curated by Daisy Gaffney.
“Pop-up” stalls such as the Argentine Grill, Market Burger and Big Blue Bus keep campers’ bellies filled, while the Dice Bar is ready for anyone who didn’t follow the bring-your-own-booze rule.
A key part of this year’s festival is the Faerie Field. This area will host the Ha-penny Flea Market – travelling from Dublin – on Saturday morning, while Traditional Celtic Crafts will give children’s classes.
HerbBis Ireland are holding classes in natural medicine using plants from the fields. The Secret Book and Record Store are also here, along with an Essential Camping stall.
Co-founder Peter Keogh said the recession could make things difficult for new bands. It was “integral for new bands to develop to be exposed to thousands of people. We’re in for a good party here anyhow.” As Stefan Galt got ready to kick off in the striped Circus Tent, Sharpe said: “I wouldn’t miss this for Christmas.”
Tickets are available online at www.knockanstockan.ie/tickets, at the Sweeney Mongrel on Dame Street, Dublin, and through Ticket Group at XtraVision outlets.
Weekend tickets are €75, with day tickets for Saturday and Sunday still available at €35. Family tickets are €175.
Give me sunshine weather to improve
THE WEATHER is due to get better at the tail end of a cold and soggy July.
The forecast for today is to be dry and sunny everywhere except in the southwest which will see cloud and drizzle. Temperatures will be 18-20 degrees. Sunday will be cloudier but dry with temperatures up to 22 degrees.
Next week is to be “reasonably good”, according to Met Éireann. “It is going to be a mix of sunshine and cloudy periods.”
Temperatures will be a maximum of 18-21 degrees.
Country gripped by festival fever
THERE ARE laughs aplenty this weekend as the Vodafone Comedy Festival continues in Dublin.
David O’Doherty, Maeve Higgins, Jason Byrne and PJ Gallagher are among the 65 Irish and international comedians who will be entertaining crowds at the Iveagh Gardens in the coming days.
Elsewhere in the capital, Temple Bar celebrates 20 years in the Made In Temple Bar Festival, with We Cut Corners, the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra and Ryan Sheridan performing tomorrow.
Also in Temple Bar, a series of family concerts is on at The Ark, with Julie Feeney singing at 2pm and 4pm today and tomorrow.
A number of concerts are taking place at Marlay Park in Rathfarnham, with the Villagers and Beach House headlining tonight and Joanna Newsom topping the bill tomorrow night with guests Bert Jansch and James Vincent McMorrow.
Peter Pancontinues at the Grand Canal Theatre this weekend, while the reformed Engine Alley perform at Whelans.
The Galway Arts Festival continues with hip-hop legends De La Soul teaming up with the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble in the Big Top this evening.
The Killarney Summerfest gets under way today, while the Earagail Arts Festival in Donegal continues as does the Bray Summerfest in Co Wicklow.
Cashier No 9 and Foy Vance are among the acts at the Glasgowbury Music Festival in Draperstown, Co Derry, this weekend, while Lisa Hannigan and James Vincent McMorrow will be performing at the Mitchelstown Cave in Co Tipperary tonight.
Politics, poetry and prison life are all on the agenda at Boyle Arts Festival, which continues for 10 days, with contributions from, Brian Keenan, Michael D Higgins, and Colm Tóibín among others. CHARLIE TAYLOR and MARESE McDONAGH