Live Report: Forbidden Fruit, Saturday & Sunday

Saturday

Hip hop was the flavour of the day on Saturday at Forbidden Fruit, as Kilmainham played host to a top-class selection of international rappers - including highlight sets from Dublin's very own Soft Boy Records.

Drawing an impressive crowd into the darkness of the Undergrowth tent, Kojaque once again proved why he's considered one of the most exciting talents to emerge in the capital city in recent memory. The Cabra rapper gave fans a taste of some brand new material, while also playing all the crowd pleasers from his Choice-nominated Deli Daydreams.

Fellow Soft Boy Luka Palm fought off stiff competition later on in the afternoon, with a stage time that partially over-lapped with headliner Skepta. Joined by Kean Kavanagh and Kojaque, Luka kicked off with his breakout track 'Pink Lady'. He also brought plenty of hometown pride to the set by inviting fellow Shankill rapper Bobby Basil onstage for an incendiary performance.

The forever unpredictable Earl Sweatshirt brought his lowkey energy to the Original Stage, meanwhile, with a set that drew heavily from his latest album, 2018's Some Rap Songs. The Odd Future alumnus memorably cancelled his performance last minute at 2018's Forbidden Fruit, and with a modest crowd in attendance, he struggled to redeem himself this time round.

Dressed in an orange polo shirt and jeans, you could easily have mistaken Danny Brown for someone's dad as he took to the Original Stage with minimalist stage set up. One of the most unique voices in modern hip hop, Danny didn't disappoint, as he launched into a sweeping selection of his top hits. His set also boasted one of the most intense moshpits of the festival so far - which spiralled increasingly out of control with fan favourites likes 'Really Doe' and 'Ain't It Funny'.

Capping off the night, Skepta, cemented his legendary status once again with an unforgettable set at the Original Stage. The gig landed the day after the release of his brand new album Ignorance Is Bliss - the follow up to 2016's critically acclaimed Konnichiwa. Fighting off a clashing stage time with Jon Hopkins, the grime star nonetheless drew a big, adoring crowd.

Sunday

Overcoming the Women's Mini-Marathon diversions, the crowds returned to Kilmainham in one piece on Sunday, to unexpectedly tropical weather. It was somewhat busier than Saturday, and spirits remained high as the crowd revelled in plenty of house, techno and disco.

Galway's Daithi (pictured), a firm favourite on the festival circuit, offered up a fun-filled set. His 'Mary Keane's Introduction', featuring a spoken word recording of his 90-year-old grandmother, was as gorgeous as ever, while he continued to push at the boundaries of fiddle-playing with his unique electronic approach.

Ross From Friends, a British DJ outfit led by Felix Clary Weatherall, then took to the stage, with a set featuring hits from their 2018 debut, Family Portrait. Drawing from a broad range of musical influences, Ross From Friends electrified the tent - with particularly impressive work from guitar and pedal man Jed Hampson

Headliner Mura Masa was definitely the one to watch on Sunday night, as he and his host of guests took to the Original Stage just as the sky began to darken. The Guernsey-born producer, also known as Alex Crossan, kept his own crowd interaction minimal, instead letting vocalist/hype woman Fliss build up the energy of the audience. In a move that will definitely go down in Forbidden Fruit folklore, Mura Masa brought Slowthai onstage to perform their collaborative single, 'Doorman', off the English rapper's acclaimed new album, Nothing Great About Britain.

With Fontaines DC, Pillow Queens, Saint Sister, Elbow, Spirtualized and much more to come on Monday, Forbidden Fruit has set the bar high.