The Nialler9 guide to Irish Music Festivals in 2019
Photo: Scott Salt for Electric Picnic.
Festival season is already in motion.
Maybe you caught Skepta headlining Forbidden Fruit, made the pilgrimage down to Sherkin Island for Open Ear or threw shapes during Kerri Chandlers set at Life Festival. Plenty have already begun their summer of music. Considering the size of the country, Irish festival goers are absolutely spoilt for choice. We have giants like Electric Picnic (almost a right of passage at this stage) and All Together Now, more intimate options like Another Love Story and day festivals like Beatyard and Longitude for those who can’t stand camping.
2019 is offering more nuance than ever in terms of festivals. New family-friendly Festival Republic Kaleidoscope means parents don’t have to miss out, Mother & MCD’s joint venture Love Sensation ensures there’s strong LGBTQ+ representation too.
There’s an ideal festival out there for everyone, it’s just a matter of navigating through the myriad of options to find what suits you best. That’s exactly why we’ve put together this Irish music festival guide for summer 2019. Happy hunting.
June
Irish Independent Park Concerts
Where, When & How Much?
Irish Independent Park, Cork. Runs from June 20th-26th. Tickets priced from €49-€60+.
Lineup Highlights
Hozier, George Ezra & Noel Gallagher.
The Vibe
A series of outdoor stadium gigs in the sunshine (hopefully). A straight-up indie/rock vibe including Hozier, George Ezra and Noel Gallagher. The wonderful Lauryn Hill is the outlier. Head on over to Ticketmaster for tickets.
Body & Soul
Where, When & How Much?
Ballinlough Castle, Westmeath. June 21st-23rd. Tickets priced at €209+.
Lineup Highlights
Modeselektor, The Blaze, Kate Tempest.
The Vibe
Ireland’s summer solstice vibe. A medium sized festival that boasts a more leftfield lineup. A home for the electronica and world music most festivals wouldn’t be brave enough to put on. Very friendly crowd. Tons of effort put into art installations and atmosphere. Tickets on sale here.
Sea Sessions
Where, When & How Much?
Bundoran, Donegal. June 21st -23rd. Weekend tickets sold out, day tickets from €54+.
Lineup Highlights
Sigrid, Dermot Kennedy, Le Boom
The Vibe
Surfs up, so are a ton of the party enthusiastic public from around the nation – all converging up North. Sigrid, Dermot Kennedy, Le Boom and many more will be providing the weekend’s entertainment. This one’s totally sold out.
Celtronic
Where, When & How Much?
City of Derry, June 26th to 29th
Lineup Highlights
Move D, Axel Boman, KiNK & Krystal Klear
The Vibe
The 19th year of the Derry electronic and dance music festival is bringing in some heavy hitters like Move D, Axel Boman, KiN, Or:la, Krystal Klear and many more. The festivals’ lineups have been getting more ambitious in recent years and its offerings clearly fill a hole for dance music in the Northern Irish city.
Kaleidoscope
Where, When & How Much?
Russborough, Blessington, Co. Wicklow. June 28th-30th. Weekend tickets at €125+.
Lineup Highlights
Bell X1, Tom Odell, Imelda May
The Vibe
Festival republic’s new family-friendly festival aims to create a weekend camping experience for the whole family. It’s the first year the festival has taken place, so it’s hard to say exactly what it’ll be like. Performances from Bell X1, Tom Odell, Imelda May & loads more throughout the weekend. Head over here for tickets.
Higher Vision
Where, When & How Much?
Navan Racecourse, Co. Meath. 29th June. €70+.
Lineup Highlights
Jeff Mills, Kink, Brame & Hamo.
The Vibe
One day totally independent dance festival in the Midlands. This is a ravers delight. Should have a massive appeal to those who like the dance vibe off Life but enjoy slightly nicer amenities. The lineup is for real this year with performances from Jeff Mills, Brame & Hamo, Quinton Campbell & loads more all due. Boiler Room will be there too for their debut ROI feature. Tickets on sale here.
Mother Pride Block Party
Where, When & How Much?
The National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks. June 29th. Totally sold out.
Lineup Highlights
MO, Daithí & Kelly-Anne Byrne.
The Vibe
This year’s Pride marks 50 years since the Stonewall riots – a seminal event in the struggle for gay rights in America. To mark this and Pride generally, Mother has arranged a mega one day part in Colin’s Barracks. Danish pop artist MO is on headline duties, Daithí, Pillow Queens and so many more will also be performing. This is absolutely the place to be if you’re celebrating Pride in Dublin this year. Good luck getting a ticket though!
July
Trinity Summer Series
Where, When & How Much?
Trinity College, Dublin. July. Varies on Act.
Lineup Highlights
Vampire Weekend, New Order.
The Vibe
A clever idea for repurposing largely unused space during the summer, the Trinity summer series hosts a series of standalone gigs on what I think are the cricket pitches. The lineup tends to be eclectic enough while focusing on throwback or indie rock acts. The crowd’s come from all ages and walks of life, depends on the act performing. Vampire Weekend, Paul Weller & New Order all gearing up to play this year. Tickets on sale through Ticketmaster.
Iveagh Gardens Gigs
Where, When & How Much?
The Iveagh Gardens, Dublin. July 4th – 20th. Varies On Act.
Lineup Highlights
Tash Sultana, Idles, Villagers, Mac Demarco.
The Vibe
There’s probably not a better spot for an outdoor gig in the capital, especially if the sun is shining. The Iveagh Gardens summer lineups have become a bit of a summer hallmark for many. This year’s lineup of standalone performances features Tash Sultana plus 80s heroes Hall & Oates along with hometown hero Villagers and the raucous Idles and 90s pop/rockers Garbage. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster.
Longitude
Where, When & How Much?
Marley Park, Co. Dubin. July 5-7th. Totally Sold Out.
Lineup Highlights
ASAP Rocky, Brockhampton, Chance The Rapper, Vince Staples & Denzel Curry.
The Vibe
Longitude’s reputation precedes it. It was among the first festival’s I went to without parental supervision and this is still probably true of many of its ticket holders. The lineup is a hip-hop head’s dream this year, with performances from Denzel Curry, Brockhampton, ASAP Rocky and so, so many more. Leave your inhibitions behind and go party for the weekend.
Forever Young
Where, When & How Much?
Palmerstown House, Kildare. July 5-7th. Weekend tickets at €175+.
Lineup Highlights
The Human League, Kim Wilde, Jimmy Somerville
The Vibe
Every force generates an equal or opposite force, thus the humorously named Forever Young festival takes place on the same weekend as Longitude. This camping festival is aimed at a generation who grew up with acts like The Human League, Bonnie Tyler, Leee John of Imagination and Hothouse Flowers – who are all billed to perform. Tickets on sale here.
Galway International Arts Festival
Where, When & How Much?
Galway city, July 15-28th
Lineup Highlights
Villagers & John Grant, Orbital, Bell X1
The Vibe
Music is but one aspect of this proper arts festival but it’s the one time of the year that Galway gets an outdoor Big Top vibe in the city that can attract big names along with the indoor gigs at Roisin Dubh and more. This year’s music lineup includes Villagers & John Grant, The Coronas, Two Door Cinema Club, Macy Gray, Tinariwen, Orbital, Boys Noize, Bell X1, The Academic and a RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra: Tribute to John Williams.
Knockanstockan
Where, When & How Much?
Blessington Lakes, Co. Wicklow. 19-21st July. €155 for the weekend.
Lineup Highlights
Zaska, The Bonk, Natalya O’Flaherty
The Vibe
Near and dear to the hearts of many a festival goer. Knockanstockan is a boutique festival with a strong emphasis on new and emerging Irish acts. Recent years have helped the festival shake the preconception of being a strict guitar-lead affair, though you’ll still hear plenty of it throughout the weekend. This year’s lineup features pretty much all the hottest new Irish acts out there right now and a lot we featured here recently including Wastefellow, Acid Granny, Tribal Dance, Arvo Party, Kean Kavanagh, Nealo, Luka Palm and Zapho. Tickets on sale here.
August
Indiependence
Where, When & How Much?
Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. 2-5th August. Weekend tickets at €150.
Lineup Highlights
All Tvvins, Lewis Capaldi, Le Boom
The Vibe
Cork’s patron outdoor music festival. Independence is a long-serving weekend offering of the best in indie, rock and pop music. Bastille, Gavin James and Catfish & The Bottlemen are on headline duties this time around. Tickets on sale now here.
All Together Now
Where, When & How Much?
Curraghmore House, Portlaw. August 2-4th. Quite sold out I’m afraid.
Lineup Highlights
The National, Jon Hopkins, Loyle Carner
The Vibe
POD’s answer to Electric Picnic enjoyed a sun-soaked cracking first year in 2018. While the numbers aren’t quite as big their big competitor, ATN more than makes up for it a more considered curation and emphasis on visual and audio presentation. Obviously, it was a hit, as it’s totally sold out this year around despite increasing capacity. The National, Hot Chip and Fontaines D.C. are all set to play with many more.
Beatyard
Where, When & How Much?
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. August 3-4th. Day tickets at €59+.
Lineup Highlights
Marc Rebillet, Jungle, Todd Terje
The Vibe
This seaside day festival offers an exceptional alternative to the plethora of camping festivals happening across the August bank holiday weekend. A family-friendly mix of young and old will congregate this year to see the likes of Jungle, Marc Rebille, Groove Armada, Leon Vynehall, a Mount Kimbie DJ set and Grandmaster Flash. Tickets on sale here.
Another Love Story
Where, When & How Much?
Killyon Manor, Meath. 15-17th August. €204 for a weekend ticket.
Lineup Highlights
Redneck Manifesto, AE Mak, Kean Kavanagh.
The Vibe
Nialler’s favourite Irish festival. The cosy set up at Another Love Story is ideal for those looking to enjoy a friendly atmosphere, a really sound crowd and some great tunes that run the gamut of genres and also feature talks, workshops, swims and a Love Olympics. This year’s lineup includes The Redneck Manifesto, Maria Somerville & many more. Tickets available here.
Stendhal
Where, When & How Much?
Ballymully Cottage Farm, Limavady. 15-17th August. £150 for a weekend ticket.
Lineup Highlights
Basement Jaxx (DJ set), David Keenan, Talos
The Vibe
Rocking a similar independent vibe to Knockanstockan, Stendhal thrives on its mix of emerging and upcoming music from across the borders. So you get an eclectic mix of music from folkie David Keenan to pop-punk from the brilliant Cherym, down to indie-pop of Roe, folk harmonies of Lost Brothers, the ambient pop of Talos, Dubliner Damien Dempsey local rapper Jordan Adetunji, the beautiful emotion of Kitt Philippa, Cavan trad-folk Lisa O’Neill and many many more.
Love Sensation
Where, When & How Much?
Kilmainham, Dublin. 17-18th August. €116+ for the weekend.
Lineup Highlights
Lilly Allen, Gossip, Kelis.
The Vibe
Mother has teamed up with Festival Republic to host this massive two-day LGBTQ+ friendly festival in Kilmainham. This is the first year the festival will be running and currently boasts Lilly Allen, Clean Bandit, Gossip and lots more on its inaugural lineup.
Belfast Vital
Where, When & How Much?
Boucher Road, Belfast. 19-24th August. Depends on the gig.
Lineup Highlights
Foo Fighters.
The Vibe
A series of day concerts and parties make up NI’s biggest music festival. The crowd will vary on the gig. Foo Fighters, Muse and Martin Garrix are all lined up to play this year. Tickets on sale here.
Electric Picnic
Where, When & How Much?
Stradbally, Laois. August 30th- September 1st. 100% sold out.
Lineup Highlights
Billie Eillish, Hozier, Parquet Courts, Charli XCX.
The Vibe
Ireland’s biggest festival is a landmark occasion every year. For some, it’s too big. For others, it’s too young. Nonsense, Electric Picnic continues to offer the best lineups (thinking about international acts here) and the best opportunity to party for three days and nights with literally everyone you know in one spot. If that doesn’t appeal to you, fret not. Picnic offers a huge range of alternatives for those who enjoy eating well and catching plenty of sleep. These include comedy, theatre, spoken word and panel discussions. Hozier, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX & so many more will be playing.
September
Sounds From A Safe Harbour
Where, When & How Much?
Cork. 12-15th September. Varies on the gig.
Lineup Highlights
Feist, Efterklang, Damien Rice.
The Vibe
SFASH returns for the third year to Cork for a weekend of carefully curated music and once-off collaborative performances. The Dessner brothers, Justin Vernon and many more are involved in organising in under their PEOPLE banner and this year’s lineup boasts Feist, Damien Rice, Efterklang, Sam Amidon, Grandbrothers and many more to be revealed soon. Tickets on sale here.
Clonakilty International Guitar Festival
Where, When & How Much?
Cork. 16-22nd September. Individual shows
Lineup Highlights
Jambanai, Blindboy
The Vibe
Clonakilty hosts acts with a loose guitar connection in the West Cork town features South Korean rock group Jambinai who use traditional Korean instruments for their unique sound along with country/folk, punk, rock acts or traditional groups from Russian throat singers Alash Ensemble to Zulu folk music group Qadasi & Maqhinga or Irish jazz-leaning guitarist and songwriter Síomha.
Tipp Classical
Where, When & How Much?
Semple Stadium, Thurles. 20-21st September. €159+.
Lineup Highlights
Shane McGowan, The Stunning.
The Vibe
The return of the Tipp Classical, one of Ireland’s original festivals, promises to be a nostalgia-fuelled weekend for audiences new and old (but mainly old). The lineup boasts Horslips, Shane McGowan, The Stunning and loads more. Tickets on sale here.
