KnockanStockan Festival

With KnockanStockan now in its fifth year, the Blessington Lakes of Wicklow have deservedly become known for a chilled atmosphere that offers something for everyone.
We spent the first half of the day enjoying the beautiful weather at the Sun Stage. First up were Attention Bébé, who kicked the day off in lively fashion with some very welcome ’80s and ’90s dance tunes including a stomping version of Technotronic’s ‘Pump Up The Jam’.
The only way to follow that was with some good old-fashoned country music, which Spirit Riders duly provided. Up next was the brilliantly-named Nursery Crimes, a band that combines one older guy, three kids and the surreal experience of hearing them belt out Rage Against The Machine’s ‘Killing In The Name’. Nothing like a five year-old kid screaming “Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me!” to make you appreciate how unique this festival is!
After a short but enjoyable trip over to the Faerie Field to check out the excellent African tribal drum and dance group Wassa Wassa, we took in the prog stylings of Rocket Surgery and stuck around for Lotus Eater at the Moon Stage. There’s good prog and bad prog, and this was most definitely good prog!
With the sun setting, it was time to hoof it back to the Sun Stage for The Candidates, who were just amazing. They should be supporting Prince! They had a full horn section on stage, saxophone player, percussion, the works. One of the funkiest bands I’ve ever seen, their rendition of James Brown’s ‘I Feel Good’ was the perfect way to close a fantastic weekend.