Knockanstockan: One of the most unique festivals you'll ever visit

I am ashamed to admit that as a blow-in from the West, I had never heard of The Knockanstockan Festival. With little or no expectations, I made the journey to the Blessington Lakes.

Nestled in the heart of The Wicklow Mountains, the festival's setting is enough to have you coming back for more.

The festival seemed determined to shock the crowd from start to finish. Opening Friday night, with the beloved alternative rock band Ash as surprise guests, the festival set itself up to beat all previous Knockanstockans.

Saturday, kept up the ambitious tone set by 'Ash'. Although, the lovely Aine Cahill, who recently wowed audiences with her BBC aired Glastonbury set, was a no-show, the rest of the line-up were up to the challenge.

The close proximity between the two main venues: The Burrow and The Faerie Field, made it possible to float between upcoming acts Aik J and Naoise Roo. Aik J was one of the coolest acts, with hip hop tunes such as 'Suite Life', combined with his stage presence making him one of the fan favourites.

Next, we ran to the magic Faerie Field to catch the silky and dulcet tones of Naoise Roo. She wooed crowds with her energy, velvet vibrato and razzle dazzle with songs like Uh Oh showing her incredible range from bluesy to delicate melodies.

Then we had the rock and roll guitars of Alright You Restless stirring the crowd into a dancing frenzy, followed by the ethereal Farah Elle, whose demure, pixie meet Audrey Hepburn persona, won the crowd over. Working her inner Freddie Mercury with plucky, Queen-like piano and ethnic music influences, the distinctive singer stood out as an act to watch out for with songs like 'Silk'.

Hot on her heels was the indomitable Lisa O'Neill drawing a full crowd with her powerful ballads. Almost in a Joan Baez style, her 'Pothole in the Sky' stood out as one of the best songs of the day.

Then back to The Burrow to catch the second half of the brilliant Raglans whose 'Digging Holes' was impressive. We were spoilt for choice in the evening with heavyweights, The Hot Sprockets and a sensationally good Overhead The Albatross, who won the night for their dazzling light show alone.

After such an explosive Saturday line up, I feared that Sunday had too much to live up to.

I was proven wrong, as the festival ended in style with solid performances from Attention Bebe, the pitch perfect melodies of Elephant and the moshing antics of No Monster Club. The fledgling group, Grand, were an unexpected delight setting the Animal Barn venue alight with a Jazz set to equal the best of the genre.
Their searing trumpet crescendos, smooth jazz vocals, and plucky double bass were undeniable, taking their audience into an ecstatic hootenanny.

Crossing the muddy bridge to the Burrow, the crowd was then soothed by the soulful voice of Ciaran Lavery, only to be jolted awake again by a louder than life Paddy Dennehy and The Red Herring on stellar form performing tunes such as 'You Know What I'm Talking About' and their own surprising rendition of Britney Spears' 'Toxic'.

However, the highlight of the evening and one of the highlights of the festival, had to be the wonderfully unique, genre-bending, carnivalesque, and exuberant special guest, Jerry Fish.

He is a legend in his own right, and the crowds couldn't get enough of the consummate performer. I will never get over the shock of seeing him catapult himself off the stage into the thick of the audience to make sure everyone was dancing and having a good time.

It was truly a memorable performance and he delighted the audience with classics such as 'Hole In The Boat' and 'True Friends'. Then the superb Booka Brass Band, brought what was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the summer to an end, with fan favourites such as 'Make That Do Noise'.

Knockanstockan will be taking a break for a year, but I'm already looking forward to Knockanstockan 2018.