Indiependence 2017: 10 acts to see

Now in its 12th year, Indiependence is a well-established fixture of the Irish live scene and a big part of why the August bank holiday is one of the most important weekends of the year for Irish music fans. There’s so much going on all over the country but these acts are among those that guarantee that the safest bet is to cheese it to Mitchelstown.

Talos

Indiependence have a long history of supporting the best of Cork’s musical talent and it’s no different this year as Talos have been given a coveted late slot in the IMRO Big Top. Eoin French captured plenty of minds and hearts with debut album Wild Alee and songs like ‘Tethered Bones’ sound even bigger in their six-piece live setup - watch out for the Sigur Rós style bowed guitar.

Le Boom

Dublin live favourites Le Boom have only been gigging for a year but every time they showcase ‘What We Do’ we’re blown away by their pure energy. They went down a storm at Forbidden Fruit and bagged themselves slots at Truck Festival and Latitude in the UK. Watching percussionist Aimiee Mallon jump herself into a frenzy is worth the admission every time - catch them now before they go supersonic.

Super Silly

The latest in the line of acts coming out of the talent factory that is the Word Up Collective, Super Silly’s live shows range from BBNG-esque jazzy R&B to jump-around hip-hop. They made a mockery of an early set time at Forbidden Fruit and they’re set to do so again at Indie - single ‘Dubai’ will kickstart a great weekend for many.

Fangclub

Irish rock’s worst-kept secret, the Fangclub train looks primed to steamroller all opposition this year. Indiependence will be their first gig after the release of their self-titled debut, and they’re bound to be in partying mode. Deer Farm will be lucky to withstand the riffs that earned them support slots with Twin Atlantic and The Pixies.

Overhead, The Albatross

Fans of the Dublin quintet are a patient sort - they had to be, as debut album Learning To Growl took four years to make. It all paid off though as the instrumentalists bagged themselves a massive headline date at Vicar Street as well as a Choice Prize nomination. The IMRO Big Top will barely contain songs like ‘Paroxysm’.

All Tvvins

Fresh from a massive headline set in Longitude’s gargantuan Heineken Stage, All Tvvins and their bag of hits surely can’t be too far off headlining the likes of Independence outright. This year they’re on last in the IMRO Big Top, and fans will flock to see the energetic presence of guitar wizard Lar Kaye as much as the hooks on ‘Darkest Ocean’ and ‘Thank You’.

BARQ

BARQ were challenged with an opening slot on the Main Stage at Longitude this year and their self-described “aggro-soul” sound didn’t feel out of place for a second on such a big platform. A big part of their presence is the stunning vocals of Hot Press cover star Jess Kavanagh - with her, they won’t be playing stages as intimate as the Beer Hall for long.

Wild Beasts

Wild Beasts were always the antithesis of their name - the fey indie boys from the Lake District, their intelligent songwriting making them perennial Mercury Prize candidates. Until they ripped up their rulebook last year, that is, with the funked-up, stripped-back heaviness of Boy King. This newer, more aggressive sound will warm the Main Stage crowd up perfectly before the Manics on Sunday.

Columbia Mills

Named after the Grand Canal Docks venue that was the scene for many a 90s rave, Columbia Mills take some influence from that era and marry it to an introspective indie moodiness. The Bray lads have one of the most underrated singles of the past few years in ‘Never Gonna Look At You The Same’ and if they keep putting out tunes of that quality this won’t be their last main stage slot.

Manic Street Preachers

Indiependence began as a small, one-day festival in Mitchelstown town square in 2006, headlined by jumper-searchers Sultans of Ping. If you’d told anyone in attendance that in 11 years’ time the festival would be booking Glastonbury headlining, stadium filling Welsh icons the Manic Street Preachers, you’d probably have been laughed out of it - but it’s testament to the fine work that the Indie team have put in over the years. James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and co need no introduction - don’t miss Indiependence’s biggest ever headline set.