Forest Fest fires up this weekend in Laois with The Human League, The Cult and many more

All roads lead to Emo this weekend for the third annual Forest Fest music and arts festival.

The impressive line up has a big 80s and 90s flavour, including The Cult, The Human League, The Divine Comedy, Stereo MC's, Ocean Colour Scene, Dexy's, Ash, The Stunning, Something Happens, EMF, Paul Brady, Tony Hadley from Spandeau Ballet, The Undertones, Bad Manners, King Kong Kompany, The Frank & Walters, Jack Lukeman, The Wedding Present, Dance DJ Jenny Greene and Glasvegas.

The Forest Fleadh lineup reads like a who's who of Irish performers, with Sharon Shannon, Eleanor McEvoy, Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny, Stockton's Wing, Buíoch, Pauric O'Meara & Band, Huartan, Niall McCabe and tons more playing across the three nights.

The Sharon Shannon Big Band, accompanied by an illustrious lineup of special guests including Mundy, Imelda May, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Camille O’ Sullivan, and former Pogue Cait O’Riordan, is set to deliver a captivating tribute to the late Shane MacGowan as part of their Finale on the the Village Stage at Forestfest on Sunday.

There are plenty of Laois acts getting stage time too, including Pogueology, The Jury, Ares Redemption, Motion Sickness, The Valves and Strength in Numbers, and Music Generation Laois Harpers.

Portarlington Art Collective is bringing a whole wave of chilled entertainment, from early morning yoga in the campsite to spinning records late into the night. "Expect the unexpected," they promise.

During the day in The Forest Edge they will host art, drawing, craft and tech workshops for children by local artists, Celtic Con Midlands Comic Con and Port Coder DoJo. There will be a children’s sensory tent with a chance to make artwork.

In The Forest Sounds tent, Port Sounds will host storytelling, spoken word, up and coming bands and appearances from performers playing the main Festival stages, with informal Open Mic sessions on Saturday and Sunday.  DJs will be spinning vinyl between acts all day and into the night.
The area will see live street art with ADW and friends, demonstrations and exhibits from PAC artists, writers and makers. 

All is complimented by family entertainment, circus and street theatre, award-winning street food, drumming workshops, maker area, craft beers, cocktail bar, and a fun fair. 

Forest Fest, promoted by Laois solicitor Philip Meagher, has a capacity of 5,000 with many thousands expected to park up in campervans and tents. It runs from Friday to Sunday, July 19 to 21.

There will be buses running from Portarlington, Portlaoise and Mountmellick.

Day Tickets are still available for Friday and Sunday, with a very limited few weekend tickets, and some for the glamping option. Children under 12 go free if they are with an adult with a weekend pass.