With streets closed off last weekend, Féile na Gréine blasted through Limerick city bringing with it Ireland’s finest in emerging and experimental music.
The entire volunteer-run not-for-profit Festival of the Sun took over venues, art spaces, and stretches of road over the three days in an explosion of community and togetherness made by the punters and curators.
This year saw a swath of some of Ireland’s best and brightest musical acts, such as Just Mustard, Sloucho, and Robocobra Quartet, descend onto the many venues included in the music trail as attendees enjoyed specially brewed Féile Pale Ale.
To get a sense of the weekend, we asked some of the lineup that played what made the three days at the homegrown grassroots festival in Limerick city so special for them.
Brawni
Brawni, known for his live modular performances in locations around the world, hit Crew on Saturday for a DJ set.
“Féile na Gréine was a wholesome experience that captures the heart of Limerick’s Music Scene.
The incredible vibes of Féile na Gréine rekindled my pride in Limerick’s vibrant music community. This event not only reinvigorates my passion for Irish music but also infuses hope into its very essence.
This year’s festival truly exceeded expectations, epitomized by the decision to transform Catherine Street into a block party-style stage. Amidst a sea of remarkable moments, one that stood out was Naive Ted’s electrifying performance outside the Commercial.
His set was a masterpiece of artistic expression. It’s a memory that will have a home in the hearts of our city, a testament to the transformative power of music, and a beautiful display of our community truly experiencing the best of what Limerick has to offer.”
Brawni
Laurence Kapinga
Laurence Kapinga, also known as Stranglelove as well as for his work with Dundalk duo Negro Impacto, knocked out some of his electronic sounds for the Catherine Street Party at the Commercial Bar on Saturday.
“What made Féile na Gréine special for me was the sense of freedom in each performance I witnessed, each interaction I had with people, and how people were expressing themselves in a shared space – it was really refreshing and motivating to see the power of community and beyond.
Some of my favourite acts were Robbie Stickland, Dreamcycles, Sloucho, of course Just Mustard (yup Dundalk), and the goat Naive Ted – way more I could mention but those are ones that I’d either seen for the first time live and/or left a great impression on my weekend.”
Laurence Kapinga
Méabh McKenna
Harpist and noise-maker Méabh McKenna played Sunday for the Nicholas Street Takeover at Treaty City Brewery.
“This was my first Feile and it definitely changed my understanding of what social and community infrastructure is capable of, and has given me hope for the survival of artists in Ireland. Numerous conversations with those attending and performing have confirmed that we felt spiritually and ideologically fed, excited, and genuinely deeply hopeful. That kind of celebration and closeness comes from being welcomed genuinely by a passionate and loving community holding together to weave something truly mad and wonderful.
The centred ethics of generosity, of unbridled love of music, and a conversation focused deeply on connecting and including community, gives the beating heart of Feile an intuitive truth that feels undeniably transformative and curative. There is a sense of relief and release in knowing that this is how it can be done, and the festival demonstrates a kind of creative justice that is undeniably inspiring and hopefully, contagious.”
Méabh McKenna
Julia Louise KnifeFist
Julia Louise KnifeFist brought their frenzied industrial rave noises to the stage at Pharmacia on Saturday night.
“Féile is such an incredible festival because it’s put together by some incredibly lovely people and the people who attend are equally as kind and loving. It feels especially unique that it’s located at different locations in the city. It’s really great way to move about the city and form a relationship with it.
Also performing was really something else. Pharmacia was rammed with a room full of people who were so generous with their energy that it was powerful.
The highlight for me was Sloucho outside of Crew. It was just a beautiful sight. There was something funny about the Féile na Gréine hoard squeezing their way into the man-made tape-outlined walkway and still managing to dance and feel the energy.”
Julia Louise KnifeFist
