Laois village to host musical extravaganza this weekend

More than 100 artists will entertain almost 10,000 revellers a night as the family-friendly Forest Fest returns to the village of Emo for its second year this Friday, July 21 to Sunday, July 23.

Organisers say Forest Fest 2023 will generate a “€1 million bonanza” for Emo and the music and arts festival is set to swell the town’s population 40 fold nightly.

More than 400 staff will be employed during the music and arts festival including 40 local teenagers, according to organisers. 

At the Forest Stage, the main acts include disco legends Sister Sledge, featuring Kathy Sledge, Co Down rockers Ash and indie giants Suede and James. 

Located next door, the Village Stage will host Joy Division icon Peter Hook’s latest venture, Peter Hook and the Light, Cork legends The Frank and Walters, and 90s stars Something Happens, among others.

The line-up at the nearby Perfect Day stage includes singer/songwriter Róisín O, Irish punks Trouble Pilgrims, and Smiths tribute act These Charming Men.

Folk favourite Sharon Shannon is Saturday’s headline act on the Fleadh stage, located at the opposite side of the site, and she will be joined by more than two dozen other acts, including the award-winning quintet Goitse and Galway-based The Raines.

Other big names include Bell X1, Paul Brady and Alabama 3-  a group who are probably best known for the theme song on the opening credits of US television series The Sopranos.  

Forest Fest 2023 is a family friendly festival and there will be plenty to keep the whole family entertained. There’s a Fun and Frolics Tent where performers from the Broken Theatre Circus will put on a big-top show for kids of all ages, while next door, the Port Art Collective will deliver a stunning array of children’s arts and entertainments under canvas.

Dedicated children’s entertainment also takes place each day in partnership with the Port Art Collective and Jane Murray’s Broken Theatre group.

As well as free entry for children under 12,  Portarlington Art Collective will hold arts and crafts lessons in a safe and secure environment for kids of all ages.

Youngsters will also get the chance to learn circus skills from members of the Broken Theatre group, who will be performing in the festival’s big top.

https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/arts---entertainment/1250439/top-ten-things-you-need-to-know-about-forest-fest-in-laois.html

Later in the evening, the circus tent is transformed into a vaudeville venue where the grown-ups can enjoy “creepy cabaret and burlesque acts from the Broken Theatre performers”.

Festival Promoter Philip Meagher is swapping the courtroom for a main stage after creating the weekend for revellers who have outgrown conventional music festivals.

“I genuinely wanted to create a local alternative to Electric Picnic and do it at a more intimate, indie level with the highest quality bands and a really good experience for an older audience,” he explained. 

“I was finding I couldn’t relate to other festivals for over 30s – they seemed like so much hassle, both getting into and getting out of them, even down to the food and toilet facilities.

“We were overseas in 2019 and I got working on a laptop on my dream of an alternative festival – having had good contacts from running other events –  and within three-four hours, I had a quarter of the line-up booked,” Philip said. 

“It is the easiest festival you will ever go to, the site is 16 acres but you can get from one stage to another in a few minutes,” he said. 

He’s delighted to be able to host the festival of his dreams and also to benefit the local community. 

“We would estimate that hotels, local shopping and retail will make in the region of €1 million within the immediate area, but towns such as Portlaoise, Monasterevin and Portarlington also do well,” he said.

Forest Fest is being staged at Emo GAA grounds, next door to OPW-run Emo Court.

The Line up on Friday, July 21: James, Nik Kershaw, The Proclaimers, Ash, Peter Hook and The Light, Allie Sherlock, Pogueology, Ares Redemption, Vendetta Love, Motion Sickness, The Outcast Crew, The Valves, Strength in Numbers, Dopamine, Walkeleles, Goitse, Eric de Buitléir, Blackie O’Connell and Cyril O’Donoghue, Miadhachlughain O’Donnell and Joe Campbell McArdle.

On Saturday, July 22: BellX1, Big Country, Jack Lukeman, Alabama 3, Frank & Walters, 49  and Main, Sharon Shannon, Kíla and Brass, The Undertones, Paddy Casey, Carrie Baxter, Buíoch, Bog Bodies, Robert Grace, Róisín O, In Tua Nua, N.O.A.H., Lavengro, Paranoid Visons, Barley Mob, Walk The Line, The Primitives, These Charming Men, Pastiche, Bone Machine, Trouble Pilgrims, Apollo Junction, Greenshine, Bicurious, Cardinal Sins, Eva Coyle Band, Alfi, Carlos Sweeney McCartin, The Raines, Music Generation Laois Trae Orchestra, Off Beats Bodhrán Club.

On Sunday, July 23: Suede, Gabrielle, Paul Brady, Suzanne Vega, The Riptide Movement, Something Happens, Hermitage Green, Dream Wife, Daoiri Farrell Trio, Sharron Shannon, Bronagh Gallagher and Band, Stockton’s Wing, Duke Special, Asha Ari, Bleach Lab, The Olllam, Stevie Appleby, Emer Dunne, The Lost Messiahs, Eimear Crehan, Two Time Polka, Spring Break, Suso Gospel Choir, Rattle and Hum, Flash.

Harry, Classic Beatles, Trad Hits, Caoivin, Cua, Darren Roche and Cillian Doheny, Splendid Isolation, Siobhán Buckley, Aoife Buckley & Tommy Fitzharris, The Grange Céilí Band and Set Dancing with Maureen Culliton, Roo Elizabeth and Band and The Jury.

Campervan and caravan tickets are sold out but for weekend/day passes and more information see https://forestfest.ie/