Live Report: Longitude 2024 Saturday round up

Marlay Park in South Dublin plays host to yet another stacked edition of Longitude this weekend, and its opening day didn't disappoint, with revellers singing in the rain to a mouth-watering line up of high-profile, in vogue artists from Ireland and abroad.

Opening proceedings at the main stage is no mean feat, but rising Dublin superstar Jazzy was smiling wide and up for the challenge. Launching into her swiftly-swelling catalogue of hypnotic beats, the singer-DJ offered punters a pacy and infectiously electric show.

Last year, the 27-year-old graced the Heineken Stage last year for a pummelling DJ set, and yesterday's more vocal-orientated Main Stage performance confirmed the artist's irrefutable artistic versatility.  It was fitting step forward, following the success of singles like 'Giving Me' - the club banger which vaulted up the charts in the last year or so, which saw her become the first Irish Female Artist to hit #1 on the Spotify Ireland Top 50 Chart.

Jazzy at Longitude 2024. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Whilst the Main Stage was hopping, there was plenty happening a short walk across the bridge over at the Heineken Stage. A little bit of mud did little to deter attendees from being drawn to Dublin DJ duo NewEra's energetic set.

The pair were up to the task, as TikTok-star/boxer/producer Ben Williams and DJ and songwriter Karl Durkan exhibited their unwavering capacity to entertain during an hour of club-appropriate beats.

Mancunian deck maestro D.O.D kept the party going, never letting the audience catch its breath and sending tent revellers into a euphoric trance.

NEWERA at Longitude 2024. Copyright Miguel Ruiz

Returning to the main arena, it was time for one of the moment's most revered Irish DJs. Stepping up to the decks, blk. was all smiles as he launched into his second Longitude appearance following his debut last year.

Festival-goers basked in the intensity of his earth-shattering soundscapes, reaching fever pitch as the producer rallied the crowd with calls of "put your middle fingers up," the sea of hands more than willing to flip the bird with enthusiasm.

It was a rager — from the bouncing bass and the swelling synths to the spellbinding repetition and gestural liberation, a sheer masterclass in EDM.

blk. at Longitude, Dublin, 29 June 2024. Copyright Bailey Shropshire/hotpress.com

Following swiftly from the Tipperary man was another sensational Irish act in the form of Belters Only, who delivered their array of crowd-pleasing remixes and original tunes. Not only do the Dublin duo have the addicting patterns and baselines down a tee, but they also showcase an ability to weave in universally known vocal hooks into their sets which gets the crowd involved.

A bass-leaden mix of Run DMC's 'It's Tricky', a deeper, groovy mix of Modjo's timeless and infectious 'Lady' and  an epic rendition of ABBA's 'Gimme Gimme Gimme', were just some of the classics that the pair conjured up in their own distinct style.

Jazzy was also welcomed on to the stage, having gotten the party started earlier on in the day.  Staying on for an energetic couple of songs, the Dubliner performed 'Giving Me' for the second time that afternoon to the adoring masses.

Belter’s Only at Longitude, 29 June 2024. Copyright Bailey Shropshire/hotpress.com.

Joining the cache of homegrown talent were some world-renowned superstars, who closed off the evening.

First up was Becky Hill, fresh from releasing her sophomore LP Believe Me Now. The seasoned star pulled out all the stops, with backing singers and a fleshed out arrangement of horns and strings going a long way in adding a natural timbre to her dance-leaden pop hits.

After opening with the title track of the above mentioned album, she took a trip down memory lane with 2014's 'Gecko (Overdrive)', which was a sensation upon its release. It still holds up, the singer embellishing the electro bop with her powerful vocal fills and runs.

Hill strutted confidently across the stage as she offered one high energy hit after another. Things were taken down a notch with the string-swathed heartbreak number 'Outside Of Love', before it was turbo-charged with a 150 bpm outro for the heart-racing peak of the set.

A self-admitted and much appreciated step up from her 2022 appearance at the Heineken Stage, Hill was as gracious as she was entertaining, professing her gratefulness to the crowd as she said her goodbyes with her 2021 David Guetta collab 'Remember'.

Becky Hill at Longitude Festival, Dublin, 29 June 2024. Copyright Bailey Shropshire/hotpress.com

There was little time to waste, as palpable excitement pulsed across as the dusk fell upon Marlay Park in anticipation for the day's main event.

Decked in all white and arriving out to literal fireworks, top shelf driller Central Cee brought some hip-hop grit to a bill which was hitherto electronic-leaning. That doesn't mean he couldn't get people moving though. 'Little Bit Of This' got the ladies going, before Cench delved into the Dave co-op 'UK Rap'.

Central Cee at Longitude 2024. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

He’s been on a steep upward trajectory ever since hitting the scene in 2020, after the singles ‘Day In The Life’ and ‘Loading’ garnered a substantial buzz for the West Londoner – whose mother reportedly hails from Ireland.

His success is very much owed to his hustle, which he recounted during the lyrical 'Straight Back To It', before taking a moment to catch his breath and inform Longitude onlookers that their energy was exceeding his expectations.

'Commitment Issues' showed a more sincere, introspective side to the rapper, as did his Passenger remix 'LET GO'. Both tracks dimmed the hype a little, creating a nice ebb and flow to proceedings.

His two biggest tracks were saved for last. 'Sprinter' caused limbs to go flying. It was essentially a duet with the crowd, who spat back Dave's bars with fervour.

Then, the most anticipated moment of the day arrived, as the instantly recognisable electronic intro lick to 'Doja' rang across Rathfarnham. The crowd bellowed the song's viral opening question, as proceedings climaxed with a spectacularly extravagant fireworks display to match an explosive on-stage performance.

It was a fitting way to end a spectacular day of tunes, and showcased somewhat of a full-circle moment for the rapper - who's now headlining a festival alongside the very artist who inspired one of his biggest mainstream hits.

Roll on day 2.

Central Cee at Longitude 2024. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.