Coke Studio unveils their Longitude Festival line-up

Making an appearance at both the fast approaching Longitude Festival and the renowned Electric Picnic in September, Coca Cola's Coke Studio promises to kick off the summer with an eclectic and innovative line-up of local artist collaborations, new tracks, and festival partnerships "across Ireland and beyond."

Teaming up with GAY TIMES, Coca-Cola has promoted the likes of local acts such as Celaviedmai, Keanan, Lleo, and Callum Crighton to make 'Breakthrough,' a campaign shining light on unsigned LGBTQ+ musicians.

Each artist has their own unique voice. Celaviedmai is a phenomenal hip-hop and rap artist  from Galway who incorporates English, French, and Irish alike in her lyrics. Her music also honours her Ivorian roots, while the rapper Keanan is an "up-and-coming" LGBTQ+ singer.

Lleo uses their voice in powerful ways too, disclosing their experiences as someone who is bipolar to destigmatize and talk about mental health. On the flipside, the London-based DJ Callum Crighton is making a name for himself worldwide.

Some of these artists will make an appearance at Longitude - Keanan will even be the first act to take the Coke Studio stage on Saturday, July 1st, starting at 2:00PM.

Following him, Frank Jez will perform until 4:30PM, followed by James Kavanagh and Billy Bunzari. Afterwards, Dave Treacy will play from 5:15PM until 7:00PM, followed by Elle L. DJ Wax will finish the first night of Longitude off, ending his set with a predetermined time of 10:30PM.

As for Sunday, R3D's House will be Coke Studio's first act of the day, followed by Why Axis, Celaviedmai, and Mona Lxsa. Afterwards, at 6:30PM Maria Lawlor is scheduled for two hours and then Dara Quilty will close out the night.

The line-up announcement comes a few weeks after Coke Studio dropped its first original track. Written by Jon Batiste and featuring J.I.D., NewJeans, Cat Burns, and Camilo, 'Be Who You Are (Real Magic)' takes place in a record store that comes to life with animation and music, encouraging people to be true to themselves.

"Because only when we are true to ourselves, we can fully connect with others and create Real Magic moments."

Other "collision" tracks with artists like Imagine Dragons and Sam Smith can be expected throughout the summer.

Additionally, Coca-Cola isn't just endeavouring to encourage the careers of local musicians. Partnering with the likes of DesignOpp, the two companies have embarked on a mission to uplift Irish design artists, having a select few reinvent the design of the Coca-Cola Contour bottle for Longitude and Electric Picnic.

Longitude will see the author and illustrator Ashwin Chacko's designs come to life. A few months later, Electric Picnic will get its own designs from the minds of the Nigerian-Irish multidisciplinary designer and co-founder of DesignOpp Grace Enemaku and the Dublin-based graphic designer Gabrielle Joyce.

On top of working with DesignOpp, the company will also be promoting Coca-Cola Zero sugar at both festivals through complimentary samples. Hoping to raise proceeds for Irish Youth Foundation, there will be two recycling units at the festivals which will be set up for people to dispose of their cans at afterwards.

If you didn't get a chance to purchase a ticket to either festival, don't worry. Leading up to both festivals, Coke Studio ambassadors like James Kavanagh, Charleen Murphy, and India Sasha will have chances to win tickets on their Instagrams.

Find more information about Coke Studio, here: