Forbidden Fruit announces first acts for 2019

The 9th instalment of Dublin’s city centre multi-stage music and arts festival, Bulmers Forbidden Fruit Festival, will return to the gorgeous grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Here's the first fourteen artists:

Saturday, June 1 headliners:

Skepta
Danny Brown

Sunday, June 2

Mura Masa

Monday, June 3

Elbow
First Aid Kit

Across The Weekend

Jon Hopkins . Paul Kalkbrenner
Maribou State (Live). Mall Grab . Daniel Avery
Polo & Pan (Live) . Homeshake
Ross From Friends (Live) . Saint Sister

FORBIDDEN FRUIT 2019 TICKETS:

Tickets go on sale at 9AM Thursday December 13th via www.ticketmaster.ie and usual outlets.

Three-Day Weekend (Sat, Sun & Mon)

Tier 1 - €159.00

Tier 2 - €169.00

INSTALMENT PLAN AVAILABLE

Two-Day Weekend (Sat & Sun Only)

Tier 1 - €109.00

Tier 2 - €119.00 (Until Jan 1st)

Tier 3 - €129.00 (On sale Jan 1st)

INSTALMENT PLAN AVAILABLE

Saturday Ticket (Sat Only)

Tier 1 - €59.50

Tier 2 - €64.50 (Until Jan 1st)

Tier 3 - €69.50 (On sale Jan 1st)

Sunday Ticket (Sun Only)

Tier 1 - €59.50

Tier 2 - €64.50 (Until Jan 1st)

Tier 3 - €69.50 (On sale Jan 1st)

Monday Ticket (Mon Only)

Tier 1 - €59.50

Tier 2 - €64.50 (Until Jan 1st)

Tier 3 - €67.50 (On sale Jan 1st)

Over three decades the lifelong friends that are the members of ELBOW have created one of the most remarkable stories in British contemporary music. Formed in Bury in the 90’s, elbow’s history now encompasses seven studio albums, a long list of awards and a place in the roll call of great British bands. Their most recent albums, ‘The Take Off and Landing of Everything’ (2014) and most recent ‘Little Fictions’ (2017) both debuted at Number One in the UK album charts and the band’s touring schedule has seen them play to ever increasing audiences across the world including first-time forays to the likes of Mexico, where their debut in the country was greeted by an audience of 80,000 at Corona Capital 2017. The band’s two Glastonbury Pyramid Sunset Slots are regarded by critics as amongst the finest moments in the festival’s long history. We are thrilled to have this incredible band headlining the Monday of Forbidden Fruit 2019. Having always had such a fierce legion of Irish fans - this is sure to be a very special show, hopefully with some fan favourites in the mix with the likes of ‘Lippy Kids’, ‘One Day Like This’ and ‘Mirrorball’.

We’re super excited to announce that one of the hottest rising stars of the grime world, the hugely talented SKEPTA will be joining us next year. The Guardian voted his track “Shut Down“ Track of the Year 2015. Skepta shook off the decadence that plagued grime’s lean years with this infectious triumph of self-rediscovery, in a year that saw the rapper love bombed by Kanye West and Drake. His record ‘Praise The Lord (Da Shine)’ with ASAP Rocky received certified gold status this year and he has just recently performed at the Sydney Opera House. Since emerging as a producer and MC in 2004, Skepta has become one of the most significant British artists in music today. The Mercury Prize winner and BRIT Award nominee has built a diverse audience through both recordings and live performances, and his enduring influence is felt throughout contemporary culture.

Next up it’s the turn of MURA MASA, the stage name of British producer Alex Crossan. He’s been picked up by BBC Radio 1 with tracks such as ‘Lotus Eater’ and his ‘Lovesick’ single reached number 1 on the UK & USA Spotify viral charts. Crossan has been making waves in a short period. Last year he headlined the debut All Together Now and having collaborated with Christine & The Queens, Damon Albarn, ASAP Rocky, it’s been quite the year for Crossan so keep a watchful eye for more things to come!

Swedish sibling duo FIRST AID KIT will play on the on the Bank Holiday Monday of Forbidden Fruit. Klara and Johanna Söderberg’s recently released fourth album Ruins is a beautiful showcase for their sweet harmonies, but with a grittier and more mature classic folk-rock sound. Following their breakthrough album Stay Gold (2014) and previous releases The Big Black And The Blue (2010) and The Lion's Roar (2012). The difference is that this time they've lived. Here is First Aid Kit as you've never heard them before. Following a stellar performance and seriously impressing Irish crowds at the inaugural All Together Now - this is a welcome return for the folk-pop sisters. In September of this year, they released a new EP titled ‘Tender Offerings’ so we can expect to hear some brand new live tracks.

JON HOPKINS has been an elusive character, known to most as an expert producer, Ivor Novello-nominated composer of film scores, remixer and long-term collaborator of Brian Eno and Coldplay. Yet, as Hopkins freely admits, the fact that his solo albums to date have been rather overshadowed by his work with others has meant that he’s been able to quietly develop his own identity, style and sound. We are delighted to welcome him to this year’s festival for a very rare DJ set. Earlier this year, he released ‘Singularity’, his first studio album in five years. Receiving high praise from the music press, this will be the first time Irish fans will get to experience his current show which he has just toured the world with - this is sure to be a must-see set!

Detroit rapper DANNY BROWN will once again take to the Forbidden Fruit stage following his highly anticipated, crowd-pleasing set at Forbidden Fruit in 2017. His fourth studio album ‘Atrocity Exhibition’ was among one of the highly praised hip-hop projects in 2016. Atrocity Exhibition is heralded as one of the freshest and boldest-sounding rap albums in recent years, inspired by the work of Talking Heads and Joy Division that nonetheless sounds like nothing else. Along with contributions from producers like Evian Christ, Petite Noir, Black Milk and The Alchemist.

Newer to the scene, but not to be underestimated, 24-year-old Jordon Alexander aka MALL GRAB is breaking all kinds of moulds on his rapid rise to recognition on the world stage. Expect original house and techno material from this energetic newcomer. Fresh from a fully sold out 8 show Irish tour it’s clear to see that Irish audiences have their finger on the pulse!

MARIBOU STATE are English live electronic group, headed up by Chris Davids and Liam Ivory. Since 2011, the pair have steadily built a glowing international reputation via a string of well-loved EPs and a fistful of remixes (including Kelis, Fatboy Slim and Lana Del Rey). Radio heavyweights like Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens, Annie Mac, B. Traits, Pete Tong and Gilles Peterson amongst others, have been quick to support with praise from the electronic press flowing thick and fast, too. Playing the ‘Something Kind of Wonderful’ stage at this year’s All Together Now with their sonic landscapes and now with their second studio album ‘Kingdoms In Colour’ under their belt, this is one act you should make sure to catch!

Berliner PAUL KALKBRENNER is a unique international talent. With eight studio albums under his belt and more than 2.3 million Facebook fans, he is one of techno’s biggest superstars. Most famous for his platinum-selling track Sky & Sand which sold over 200,000 copies - Kalkbrenner is renowned for his live shows. Released in May of this year, ‘Parts Of Life’ is the eighth LP from the German producer and the first since 2015's 7, his major label debut. It was inspired in part by his 2016 mixtape trilogy Back To The Future, through which he highlighted the late '80s and early '90s dance tunes he once collected as a teenager in Berlin.

DANIEL AVERY released his full studio album ‘Song For Alpha’ back in April. To coincide with the release of his second long player, Avery has unveiled immersive album visuals from London design studio Flat-e, who have crafted stunning digitally manipulated videos for each track on the record. Having previously shared their videos for album stand-outs ‘Slow Fade’ and ‘Projector’, Avery commented, “The thing I admire about Flat-e is that they recognise the beauty in mystery. The worlds they create are enveloping.”

Making their Irish debut the French duo POLO & PAN, “Polocorp” (Paul Armand-Delille) and “Peter Pan” (Alexandre Grynszpan) brings us an illuminating and colorful pop. Funky and booty shaking. After their hit “Canopée” Polo & Pan recorded their first album Caravelle.

From Montreal, HOMESHAKE will perform at Forbidden Fruit for the first time. Previously a guitarist with Mac DeMarco's touring band this is the solo project from Peter Sagar. Combining elements of yacht rock and synth-pop sounds he brings his endearing and charismatic charms to the stage. His third album 'Fresh Air' has similar electro-R&B sounds to his previous two albums ‘In The Shower’ and ‘Midnight Snack’. Expect laid back vibes, soulful vocals and plenty of personality from Sagar.

British producer ROSS FROM FRIENDS aka Felix Clary Weatherall will join us for next years Forbidden Fruit outing. His debut album ‘Family Portrait’ is out now on Flying Lotus’s label. Growing up listening to his Dad’s taste in music from 80’s dance and disco and inspired by those synthesisers and drum machines, Weatherall has been making music in various forms from a young age, both in bands and solo. With extensive European and international tour dates, an ever growing fanbase and his rapid popularity, it’s clear to see his continued rise looks set.

Catch the beautiful 'atmosfolk' of Irish duo SAINT SISTER as they bring their soulful vocal harmonies, dreamy synth and electro-acoustic harp to the Forbidden Fruit stage for the first time. With the release of their debut album ‘Shape of Silence’ earlier this year, along with extensive touring and collaborations with fellow Irish acts such as Jafaris and Kormac - their sound has matured and developed, further cementing the fact that this duo are ones to watch.