Manic Street Preachers and Le Boom Turn On The Style At Indiependence

Yesterday I reported that Indiependence had dealt well with the occasional squalls and how the threat of mud had been more or less nullified. Naturally, fate felt tempted – and sent what was nothing less than a monsoon Mitchelstown’s way on Sunday afternoon. It proved too much for some and prompted a mini-exodus of ill-prepared campers. I owe them an apology – sorry I cut your weekend short!

As it transpired, the more experienced, well-prepared, or simply foolhardy folks, who braved the inclement conditions, were richly rewarded.

The world of music isn't always fair. We Cut Corners are primary school teachers by trade, when really they should have the opportunity to give lessons in razor-sharp songwriting on stages across the world. Sometimes a two-piece set-up like theirs can force a band to rely on shock-and-awe, and speedy playing, to keep the crowd engaged – but this is a seasoned confident band. They know that, with John Duignan's crooning vocals to the fore, they'll never have to resort to such crude measures. Closer 'Go Easy’ was a highlight.

The Word Up Collective production line of talent shows no sign of slowing down. Here, they were repped on the intimate Spoken Word stage by Kildare trio Tebi Rex. Frontmen Matt O’Baoill and Max Zanga have charisma by the bucketload and an ability to control a crowd, to an extent that belies their youth. If they keep putting out tracks like 'Icarus’ they'll have no problem establishing themselves at the forefront of Irish hip-hop.

“I think this is the biggest tent we've ever played,” grinned Le Boom frontman Chris Leech during their set on the IMRO Big Top. The dance-pop duo have only been playing together for a year, but already one of the safest bets you can place, in Irish music right now, is that Le Boom will go down a storm on a festival bill. That's what happened here, yet again. Songs like ‘What We Do’, performed with unique passion and energy by Aimie Mallon, is an irresistible prospect and there's a point in all their sets when the tantalising realisation comes: this duo have so much more in them still. Don't take your eye off them.

So good were Le Boom that I missed Manic Street Preachers opener 'Motorcycle Emptiness’. Not to worry! Wales’ finest played a set dense with hits. Even without Nicky Wire, sidelined due to family matters, the band were in fine form and clearly relish being able to play songs as good as 'Your Love Alone Is Not Enough’ and 'If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next’ every night. Not every band could get away with playing their biggest hit acoustically – but James Dean Bradfield still has one of the finest voices in rock and was more than able to carry 'The Masses Against The Classes’. Throw in a shoutout to Alan Quinlan – “one of the best cheats I've ever seen” – and only the most ardent of Richey Edwards fans could have left frowning about the lack of Holy Bible tracks.

It was a hell of a way to bring a fine weekend to a close...