All Together Now: The Boomtown Rats steal the show on Sunday

As the sun set on the final day of All Together Now 2025, there was much for festival-goers to ponder – not least the enormously impressive showing of Irish artists of every age, genre and kind across the weekend.

One of the day’s most heartening highlights came early on the Lovely Day stage, where 18 year old Muireann Bradley confirmed her status as a proper star in the making. The Donegal-born singer, songwriter and blues guitar wizard is already turning heads internationally with her soulful take on Americana and the blues, via her interpretations of songs like ‘Candy Man' and ’Shake Sugaree’. Here, she was in captivating form, beguiling an appreciative crowd with a polished and emotionally resonant set. Her voice has a depth that's well beyond her years, and her guitar-playing is superb. The set’s closing number – can that really be her first original song? – offered a moment of genuine magic.

It was fascinating to think that the next Irish act on my must-see list also started out steeped in the blues. Over on the ‘Something Kind of Wonderful’ stage, The Boomtown Rats were getting ready to celebrate 50 years on the road. There was a huge surge of anticipation and excitement with a packed tent and a huge crowd outside straining for a glimpse of Bob Geldof and co, and desperate to see the band in live action. It was the only real logistical hiccup of the weekend.

Those who made it inside were rewarded with a powerful and passionate set that reaffirmed The Rats’ vital place in rock history. With fire in his belly and sharp tongue intact, Geldof well and truly rolled back the years as he personally delivered a marvellous performance, full of vim and vigour.

With a back catalogue that includes classics like ‘Like Clockwork’. ‘(I Never Loved) Eva Braun’, ‘Joey’s On The Street Again' 'Rat Trap' and 'I Don’t Like Mondays’ to draw on – not to mention '(She's Gonna) Do You In' from their eponymous debut album – there’s no shortage of great raw material. And, behind him, the band were in flying form. As a unit, the Rats delivered here with relentless energy and purpose, their sound raw and alive, as if their very lives depended on it.

Geldof used the crimes at the heart of ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ to talk about the sickening horrors that we are seeing everyday in Gaza. And also the madness of the nightly Russian attacks on Ukraine. At one point, aware of just how good we have it in contrast, Geldof raised his arms and declared, “All Together Now! How fucking great to be alive in this tent right here right now.” It was a line that perfectly captured the ecstatic, communal energy surging through the space. It was a performance that deserved the festival’s biggest platform, but even in this overstuffed tent, The Boomtown Rats made their mark brilliantly.

The same stage continued to deliver, with punk-rap duo Bob Vylan unleashing a furious and politically charged set that had the crowd bouncing and shouting back with conviction. Their blend of aggression and authenticity resonated deeply in the packed-out tent, reminding everyone that punk is alive and evolving.

Soon afterwards, English Teacher took to the stage, bringing a moodier, more introspective energy. Their poetic lyrics and tight musicianship were equally vital in an atmospheric set, front-woman Lily Fontaine (pictured) delivering her vocals with haunting precision. The band’s growing reputation was only strengthened by this performance.

And then, to close the weekend in style, Nelly Furtado returned to Irish soil with a headlining performance on the Main Stage that was equal parts nostalgia trip and celebration. With the late summer sun dipping behind the trees, she delivered hit after hit: Promiscuous, Say It Right, Maneater, and of course, I’m Like a Bird, each met with roars of recognition. Her charisma and command of the stage were undeniable, and the set felt like a joyful exhale at the end of a weekend of excellent music.

Nelly Furtado at All Together Now on August 3rd, 2025. Copyright Trevor McGrath/ hotpress.com

As the final notes of Nelly Furtado’s set drifted into the warm night air, the crowd lingered in the afterglow, reluctant to let go of the magic. Sunday had woven together generations of artists and sounds, from fresh-faced promise to seasoned legends, and the atmosphere was one of shared joy and contentment. With sunshine in the sky all weekend and music in the air, All Together Now closed out with the kind of positive feeling you carry with you long after the last song fades.