Forest Fest: Pop and rock heavy-hitters, hot new talent and some quirky curveballs!

All roads lead to the Emo Village in Laois from July 21-23 as Forest Fest returns following its triumphant debut last year when The Stunning, The 4Of Us and Something Happens were among the headlining turns.

Despite being brand new, the first Forest Fest had the feel of a much longer-established event with its unique buzz and sense of community evident the moment you arrived.

Building on the inaugural Forest Fest – and then some! – the 2023 line-up is a truly international one with James, Bell X1, Suede, Suzanne Vega, The Proclaimers, Gabrielle, Paul Brady, Peter Hook & The Light, Ash, Nik Kershaw, Alabama 3 and Big Country among the rock and pop heavy-hitters who’ll be performing on the stunning 12-acre woodland site, which is mere minutes from the M7 Dublin-Limerick motorway.

That’s just for starters, though, with returning heroes Something Happens, The Undertones, Jack Lukeman, Bronagh Gallagher, Frank & Walters, 49th & Main, Paddy Casey, The Riptide Movement, These Charming Men, Flash Harry and Paranoid Visions among the other acts on a bill that runs the full gamut from punk and bangin’ techno to Celtic Soul and award-winning tribute bands.

New this year is the Forest Fleadh, a veritable festival within a festival that includes Paul Brady, Sharon Shannon, Daoirí Farrell Trio, Stockton’s Wing, Kíla & Brass, Greenshine and The Ollam among its star folk and trad turns.

Don’t be surprised if informal seisiúns break out around the festival site, with some serious players making their way to the Midlands for the weekend.

Forest Fest is very much a family affair with children aged 12 and under able to attend free of charge when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.

A bespoke range of kids’ entertainment and activities is being curated by the award-winning Port Art Collective with a Junior Circus and Circus School, Jabba Jabba Jembe’s African Drum Circle and a range of novelty acts adding to the fun.

One of the joys of Forest Fest is that, while there’s plenty to explore and lots of nooks and crannies to get lost in, everywhere is within a five to ten minute walk, including the range of cosy camping, glamping, campervan and caravan accommodation options.

There are full bar services with Ballykilcavan and Wicklow Wolf taking care of the craft brewed beers and some serious mixology going on in the Cocktail & Prosecco Lounge.

In keeping with Forest Fest’s ‘leave no trace’ ethos, drinks will be sold in reusable beakers with other eco-aware measures in place throughout the site.

Add in a gourmet food court with over twenty vendors, and you’re in for a midsummer feast for all the senses!

Buy tickets at www.forestfest.ie

FOREST FEST AT A GLANCE

• Forest Fest is the creation of its founder and promoter, Philip Meagher, and is based in his idyllic home village of Emo in Co. Laois, which is about an hour from Dublin.
• Day Tickets are €85 and Weekend ones €190, both subject to a booking fee
• Before pitching up on the Emo estate, the Forest Fest Main Stage will be on active service at Glastonbury!
• Forest Fest was voted the Best Festival in the Midlands in 2022, which reflects both the quality of the entertainment and its high production values.
• Operating throughout the festival weekend, a regular shuttle bus will link the Forest Fest site with Portlaoise, Portarlington, Mountmellick and Killenard. Bus Éireann will also be running special services from Dublin and other parts of the country.

FOREST FEST LINE-UP

Friday July 21:
James
The Proclaimers
Ash
Nik Kershaw
Peter Hook & The Light
Allie Sherlock

Saturday July 22:
Bellx 1
Alabama 3
Big Country
The Undertones
Sharon Shannon
Dream Wife
Jack Lukeman
Kila & Brass
Paddy Casey
Frank and Walters
In Tua Nua
The Primitives
N.O.A.H
Bleach Lab
Barley Mob
Walk the Line
The Riptide Movement
49th & Main

Sunday July 23:
Suede
Paul Brady
Gabrielle
Suzanne Vega
Something Happens
Sharon Shannon
Hermitage Green
Bronagh Gallagher & Band

And many more including:
Apollo Junction
Carrie Baxter
Duke Special
Trouble Pilgrims
Pastiche
Robert Grace
Roisin O
The Lost Messiahs
Eimear
The Outcast Crew
Trouble Pilgrims
Paranoid Visions
Pogueology
Bone Machine
The Classic Beatles
These Charming Men
The Walkeleles
Flash Harry

The Forest Fleadh Stage:
The Very Best of Irish Folk & Trad
Paul Brady
Sharon Shannon
Daoiri Farrell Trio
Stocktons Wing
Kila & Brass
The Olliam
Greenshine
Two Time Polka
Emer Dunne
Carlos Sweeney
McCartan
The Raines
The Cardinal Sins
Blackie O Connell and Cyril O Donoghue
Buioch
Goitse
Trad Hits
Bog Bodies
Caoivin
Eva Coyle Band
Eric De Buitleir
Alfi

...and many more

Buy tickets at www.forestfest.ie