Music
01 Aug 26

All Together Now: Pulp Hit The Heights on Friday Night

The festival opened in Thursday, with fine performances from Zaska, David Keenan – and a blistering DJ set from Annie Mac

Pulp delivered an electrifying show to officially kick-off the headlining slots at All Together Now on Friday night. Frontman Jarvis Cocker is such a paradoxical star – and he was in magnetic, razor-sharp anti-star form on the night, prowling the stage with his trademark sprawling limbs, charismatic flair and theatrical wit.

Backed by lush string arrangements and tight, driving rhythms, the band seamlessly balanced dramatic gestures with pure festival euphoria. Deep cuts like 'This Is Hardcore' invoked a moody, cinematic tension, while undeniable anthems like 'Disco 2000' and 'Common People' sent the Waterford crowd into an ecstatic, field-wide singalong. It was a triumphant, career-spanning set that proved why Pulp remain one of the most vital live acts in modern music.

The festival got off their ground on Thursday, with Zaska on the Temporary Bandstand. An outstanding guitarist, Zaska and his band delivered a unique blend of neo-soul infused with indie jazz and a touch of funk.

Over in the atmospheric 'Hidden Sounds’ stage, All Things Eve, Tessio, and Niamh Bury provided an intimate, captivating contrast, bringing textured melodies and captivating stage presence that pulled early wanderers straight into the festival's artistic fold.

As twilight gave way to nightfall, the crowd gravitated toward the Arcadia 'Afterburner' stage. Known for its raw industrial steel, glowing lights, and burst of pyrotechnics, it provided a spellbinding backdrop for Dundalk singer-songwriter David Keenan.

Keenan’s set was nothing short of magnetic. The vivid contrast between his own raw poetic intensity and the mechanical, fire-spitting visual menace of the Afterburner, gave his soaring vocals and visceral storytelling extra edge, evoking total silence before lifting the crowd into a collective roar of approval. Hearing his often boisterous, and always heartfelt songs echo around the metal structure underscored why he remains one of Ireland's most distinct modern performers.

Tucked deep within the woods, The Circle Stage provided the ultimate soundtrack for early night-crawlers seeking groove-laden selections. Bull Horris raised the pulse with an infectious, bass-driven set that kept energy levels soaring beneath the illuminated canopy. Closing out the stage's Thursday line-up, Lúnasa delivered a magnetic, atmosphere-soaked DJ set – weaving rhythm and euphoria together to leave the woodland crowd buzzing long past midnight.

The night’s main crescendo belonged to festival royalty Annie Mac (pictured), who spearheaded the Thursday night shindig. Taking control of the decks, she unleashed a relentless stream of energetic house music, club anthems, and bass-heavy tracks that turned the Well Field Arena into a massive, unified dance floor.

Her enthusiasm was as palpable as the bassline, driving the energy straight through the midnight hour. It was a masterclass in pacing, balancing nostalgic bangers with cutting-edge electronic rhythms that ensured no one was left standing still.

Between local heroics, flame-lit acoustic brilliance, and world-class DJ sets, the weekend was officially underway in style.

But make no mistake: Pulp took it up another notch!