Here are our top recommendations on who to catch if you’re headed down to Ballinlough Castle this year. Stage times are here.
1.
IAMDDB
Manchester rapper IAMDDB will be bringing her seductive blend of hip-hop, trap and jazz to the Midnight Circus on Friday night. Off the back of Swervvvvv.5, her fifth release in three years, IAMDDB has been gaining momentum with her constantly evolving and developing sound and her distinctly engaging personality. With a recent support slot for Lauryn Hill under her belt, IAMDDB is sure to be a highlight of the weekend and a great early opportunity to see an artist on the way up.
2.
SOAK
Bridie Monds-Watson is easily among the nation’s finest musicians. Having made the very brave decision to take a hiatus following the commercial and critical success of her debut LP, Soak returned this year with an album boasting an updated and expanded sound. Grim Town is a considered project, showcasing the artist’s songwriting and lyrical prowess throughout. She plays the mainstage on Sunday.
3.
Oshun
Hip-hop duo Oshun’s experimental blend of rap, soul, electronic and other world weirdness is set to light up Saturday at the Midnight Circus. Their 2018 debut album bittersweet vol. 2 is a smorgasbord of influences and sounds and Oshun’s energy and eclecticism is a perfect match for the magic of Body & Soul and is guaranteed to get the festival dancing.
4.
The Blaze
Parisian duo The Blaze are only fully realised when seen in a live setting. The pair’s cinematic and melodic take on dance music is an ideal candidate for compelling visual accompaniment. The real thing does not disappoint. Proper headliner material. Sunday night.
5.
Coely
Over the past few years, Antwerp based rapper Coely has built up a steady collection of heavy hitting singles combining soulful influences with a polished US hip-hop approach. Tracks such as the euphoric 2017 cut Celebrate have earned her fans in high places with Coely filling support slots alongside the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and De La Soul. Coely will be headlining the Midnight Circus on Saturday night for what will be an anthemic and inspiring show.
6.
Kate Tempest
British spoken-word artist and musician Kate Tempest‘s music demands your attention. It’s a striking feature of her music, a visceral quality that makes you admit self-truths you’ve tried hard to ignore. Her new LP The Book Of Traps And Lessons tackles post-Brexit England through the lens of inner turmoil. It is a sincerely great album, sometimes tender and sometimes vicious. She plays the Main Stage on Sunday.
7.
Dream Wife
London-based trio Dream Wife’s music could be categorised as pop-punk, but it tends to be gritty and aggressive enough to fall more so into the latter of those two genres. Their 2018 debut is frank, raw and full of that potent chemistry only new bands with everything to prove can boast. They play the Midnight Circus on Sunday night.
8.
Confidence Man
Australian electro-pop duo Confidence Man were among the most lauded and most discussed new arrivals to the music scene back in 2018 when they dropped their debut LP Confident Music For Confident People. Introverts, be not turned away! There’s an easy likability to the group’s music, which is far more inviting than their name might indicate. Catch them at the Midnight Circus on Saturday night.
9.
Lowlek
Cork’s Lowlek return to Body & Soul with their compelling take on alternative rock. Bringing together a host of influences from psych rock to lo-fi, the band put on a consistently exciting live show brimming with fun and intrigue and always leaning into the theatrical. Their recent single ‘Sink In’ shows a more polished side to the act with soulful influences coming together with their brand of vaudeville melancholia. Catch Lowlek at the Orchard Lounge on Saturday.
10.
Vic Crezée
Dutch DJ and producer Vic Crezée is among Body & Soul’s oddball selections. Crezée’s studio material is a mad blend of disco, Euro rave and Dutch lyricism. Considering the festival’s stellar reputation for picking up and platforming the best in leftfield music, heading to Crezée’s set on on Saturday at the Hennessy Sound Lounge.
