Forbidden Fruit kicked off day one yesterday, drawing thousands to the IMMA grounds.

Making my way to the RTÉ Rising Stage, I first watched the talented ESSIRAY perform. As soon as her backing track began, the Dublin-based singer immediately started dancing, tracing the melody by bending her arms and moving her hips to the contours of the music.

"Are you ready?" she asked the crowd. "Let's fucking go!"

Otherwise known as Rachel Murphy, the artist kicked off her set with the 2023 single 'Floating Up'. The song, paired with a fast and dynamic beat, captures the dazy feeling of falling in love. Dressed in a dark blue dress and grey fuzzy boots, Murphy oozed a clear sense of confidence. She often smiled as she sang, lost in her musical soundscape.

"If you came here for a fucking party, let's go!" she exclaimed, before transitioning into the 2024 track, 'No Romeo'.

Murphy was supported by a bassist, guitarist and synth player, adding a layered effect to her indie-pop sound. She'd occasionally drop to the floor, kneeling down and lifting her head to release a strong belt of vocals into the mic. Hopping around stage, her sassy energy was infectious, as audience members squealed in approval.

ESSIRAY at Forbidden Fruit. Copyright Curtis DeSmith.

Up next on the Main Stage, Bricknasty blended experimental jazz and hip-hop with neo-soul, drawing a vast crowd. Festival-goers danced along to the four-piece, with Louis Younge's performance on saxophone quickly stealing the limelight.

Fatboy's velvet voice complimented the instrumentals beautifully, urging the audience to chant along with the booming drums. Hurling quick lyrics into the mic, Fatboy also shredded on the guitar, shaking frantically with movement. The band would frequently draw back before revving up again, as if to confirm the control they had over the audience.

They continued with 'Gas' off their 2024 album XONGZ አስቀያሚ ጡብ. This groovy track, though short, nearly swept me off my feet.

"We could slow it down," sang Fatboy, as the tempo gradually increased.

"Hey, free KNEECAP right now, this minute!" he hollered. "There should be no terrorism charge for that fella!" The crowd screamed in support.

Bricknasty at Forbidden Fruit. Copyright Curtis DeSmith.

Up on the Undergrowth Stage, Sam Austins was nothing if not captivating. His genre-bending sound incorporated R&B with alternative-pop, his high energy style making his performance larger-than-life. He kicked off his set with the 2025 single 'Smoke Break'. Fans howled along as Austins screamed into the microphone, lost in a sea of electronic wildness.

"Dublin, what is good, baby?" he asked. "We're gonna have an amazing time at Forbidden Fruit!"

Donning a pair of dark sunglasses and a pink headscarf, the Detroit singer prowled across stage with purpose. Yellow lights bathed the audience, who danced in submission.

"Can we turn it up a bit? Can we turn up the noise a little bit?" he shouted. "You see, I made a project called Boy Toy, and this is called 'Sweet Tooth'."

The 2023 track addressed the complexities of wanting someone who's bad for you, a theme amplified by Austins' wailing vocals and the contribution of the live bassist. The artist eventually hopped off the stage, opting to stand on the barricade dividing him from the audience.

The undeniable highlight of his set was his 2024 single 'Seasons'. A dreamy track, filled with synth and electronic elements, that ruminates on the passage of time, it was a bit special.

Sam Austins at Forbidden Fruit. Copyright Curtis DeSmith.

Making my way back to the Main Stage, large crowds had formed, in anticipation, for Caribou – alternatively known as Dan Snaith. The live band included drums, guitar, bass and a dynamic soundboard. I was instantly impressed with the heart-thumping beat from the 2024 track 'Volume' off his album Honey. It blended expertly into 'Climbing' off the same album, with Snaith's silky vocals adding an additional element to the song.

"Thank you so much, how you doing everybody?" he asked. "I'm amazing, thank you!"

Minimalist visuals turned from ordinary into extraordinary, with geometric patterns dancing on screen. Snaith's elaborate beats sent the crowd, clearly lost in the music, into a frenzy.

"We'll be back soon, have a great night!" he shouted before leaving the stage.

Caribou at Forbidden Fruit. Copyright Curtis DeSmith.

The final act, Jamie xx, took the Main Stage at half-nine. Also known as James Smith, the London-based DJ attracted a packed audience. Black and white shots of the crowd were displayed on screen, with many women being lifted into the air on pairs of mostly male shoulders. Shining disco balls reflected light back into the audience, moving infectiously to Smith's hypnotic beats.

'Gosh', off his 2015 album In Colour, further enticed the crowd, featuring heavy bass and an intoxicating groove, encapsulating everything Jamie xx represents.

Jamie xx at Forbidden Fruit. Copyright Curtis DeSmith.

With loads of killer acts and even more lined up for day two, Forbidden Fruit remains one of Dublin's hottest festivals.