Body and Soul has staked its claim to a place among the country’s most important festivals. Located amidst the lush, rolling countryside of Westmeath’s Ballinlough Castle estate, the attention to detail is impressive. The woodland area resembles a later-day garden of earthly delights, dotted with minor stages, quirky art-installations, impromptu percussion performances and sundry oddities.
Torrential rain was an unwelcome visitor on the opening day, but the well-managed site coped admirably and muck was minimal. James Murphy did his bit to kick-start the post-deluge weekend party with a disco-heavy DJ set in the heaving Midnight Circus tent.
The psychedelic leanings of rockers Kurt Vile And The Violators enlivened Saturday evening’s main stage proceedings, but it was left to Nick Cave and his battle-hardened Bad Seeds to steal the day – which they did in style.
Their set spanned from early minor-hit ‘Tupelo’ to cuts from the uncompromising and minimalist new LP Push The Sky Away. Cave, in a dark suit, worked the audience like a seasoned snake-charmer, delivering a jaw-dropping performance that bristled with intensity.
Sunday happily brought calmer conditions and as evening approached, a perfect midsummer moon hung overhead. Reggae legends The Congos brought a bit of late afternoon harmony to the main stage area, followed by the well-received electro pop of the younger Knowles, and sister of Bayoncé, Solange, who’s another star in the making. John Lydon and PIL impressed, opening with a snarling rendition of ‘This Is Not A Love Song’, but the bulk of the under-40s crowd dispersed elsewhere.
The Midnight Circus temporarily mellowed to the sound of John Hopkin’s ambient electronica, leaving it to Michael Mayer’s techno bangers to bring the house down in the early hours.
Whether you’re interested in soaking in a tub, sampling the hippest electronica or meandering through an enchanted forest, Body & Soul turned it on. Hopefully you did too...