Laois locals had a blast at this year's Forest Fest Music and Arts Festival, with sunshine and smiles all around.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live was on the scene to bring the latest updates from the Emo festival.

Founder and organiser of the Festival, Mr Phillip Meagher, had his own highlights from this weekend.

"The festival went really, really well, I was delighted," he told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Pictured: Laois locals enjoy Forest Fest 2025. Photo: Leinster Express

"The atmosphere was great, and people really enjoyed it. I was delighted to welcome so many people from across the country, they loved Emo. The friendliness of locals in Emo, they welcomed attendees in with open arms. The quality of the music was something else too," he said. 

"Everything associated with the event went really well. People really appreciated the effort that went into Forest Fest, it made for a very special weekend," he said.

Mr Meagher shared that a personal favourite performance of his took place on the Village stage.

"Franz Ferdinand were absolutely amazing, and Manic Street Preachers were incredible," Mr Meagher said.

"Travis were fantastic on Sunday, Bad Manners were great fun and had everyone up on their feet. My real highlight was Robert Finley, a US blues legend who came over with his daughter and band, they played on the village stage."

While a weekend of fun, good music and sun was had, this year's festival did not go without controversy.

Festival organisers had controversially banned the use of gazebos and awnings within festival campsites, which was met with uproar from attendees.

Almost 100 negative comments were left beneath the announcement, by campers who were already on the way, or on the site. Following the backlash, organisers relaxed their ban announcement within hours, permitting awnings up to three metres, with no walls allowed.

"Our primary focus remains the safety and welfare and enjoyment of all our attendees," Mr Meagher had said at the time.

"Having consulted with all necessary agencies and our own safety consultants there can be no further relaxation of the above conditions. Have a wonderful weekend".

Mr Meagher explained to the Leinster Express that as an organiser, you 'constantly' keep an eye on the running of events.

"You are always making sure everything goes as smoothly as it can. While you're enjoying it, seeing the music and meeting people, you are still working, and can get called away at a moments notice," he said.

Allegations have circulated online suggesting that organisers had forbidden the waving of Palestinian flags during a set.

Forest Fest organisers have firmly refuted these claims, hailing them as 'categorically untrue'.

"Forest Fest is a community-focused festival that respects and supports artistic and political expression. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and uphold the rights of musicians and audiences to express themselves freely," they stated.

"At last night's Manic Street Preachers set, as is evidenced by photos taken from the stage, multiple Palestinian flags were visible and welcomed. We have never, and will never, censor our artists or audiences.

"In a time of global division and tragedy, we remain proud to be a space for love, community, and freedom of expression," organisers finished.

Mr Meagher claimed that attendees traveled 'from the UK and beyond' to attend Forest Fest, particularly to see Manic Street Preachers.

"Our demographic is 35-80, it was a more mature audience who appreciate the music and the venue," he said.

"It was a friendly, relaxed and chilled vibe, the Olympics of hugging and smiling. I have never seen so many people hugging before as I did this weekend," he said.

"A lot of new friendships were made, a lot of people couldn't get over the event and how well it was ran," he said.

Mr Meagher thanked local statutory agencies, the community and Emo GAA Club for their assistance in the running of the event.

"The event wouldn't have happened without them, particularly the fabulous members of Emo GAA club," he finished.

Pictured: Laois locals enjoy the second day of Forest Fest, 2025. Photo: Leinster Express

Music was played from five different stages at the festival; the Forest stage, the Village stage, the Perfect Day stage, the Fleadh stage, and the Ibiza Rewind / Bora Bora music tent.

Friday saw performances from Franz Ferdinand, The Dandy Warhols and Tom Meighan on the Forest stage, which drew massive crowds to their feet. On Saturday, crowds flocked to see Kula Shaker, Manic Street Preachers and Orbital on the main stage.

On Sunday, Laois locals said farewell to the weekend with performances from Nick Lowe, Travis and Tony Hadley.

The Fleadh stage was graced with many big performances throughout the weekend, including music from Sharon Shannon and Music Generation Laois' Trad Orchestra.

Local bands took to the Perfect Day stage, including alt rock bands Dopamine and Fizzy Orange.

The Village stage featured belters from singer-songwriter Ryan Sheridan, queer indie rock band Pillow Queens, and the popular Daft Punk tribute.

There was plenty of family fun for the little ones, with a circus skills workshop ran by Little Top Stars. Children had the opportunity to learn to juggle, spin plates, and balance like real circus performers. 

Another circus-themed experience was 'The Circus of Climate Horrors'. Created by researchers from Maynooth University’s ICARUS team, it brought climate change education to life through fun, interactive games and storytelling. Designed for kids and families, the circus was packed with curiosity, colour, and climate action. 

The School of Irish Archaeology held 'The Big Dig', involving the hands-on learning of how an excavation site would operate. Kids had the chance to explore a replica 'Viking house' and excavation site.

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