All Together Now: After Dark

They come out at night. Picturesque as Curraghmore House and its grounds are by day, after dark it transforms, Psychadelic visuals are projected to cover all sides of the house, transforming the 18th century Palladian mansion into a beacon for ravers.

This riot of colour is soundtracked at the beginning by the afro-funk jams of Fehdah, who play the Belonging Bandstand, pracially on the front steps of the house.

Somewhat of a supergroup, members of Meltybrains, Danny G & the Major 7ths, and Tig Linn are brought together by Irish-Sierra Leonean Emma Garnett to mash together Wassoulou music from West Africa with modern pop sensibilities. The previously sleepy Lawns of Tranquillity are totally transformed, with few able to resist the funk - and it’s always beautiful to watch a group clearly have so much fun onstage.

Something Kind of Wonderful - what a great name for a stage. With the festival barely pushing eight hours old, it’s already more than justified its name, playing host to some great moments in front of packed, sweaty crowds for English hip-hop star Ghostpoet and sensual R&B queen Kehlani.

Despite their supporting cast, headliners Mogwai’s only connection to the hip-hop world is perhaps guitarist/pianist Barry Burns’ insistence on wearing his masssive jacket, zipped all the way up - man’s not hot, I suppose. Still, despite appearances it’s the Glasgow giants who bring the most joy to this stage tonight, opening with an absolute steamroller in ‘Mogwai Fear Satan’ - still a cornerstone of the post-rock pantheon, 21 years after its release.

What followed was 90 minutes of dynamic bliss, teasing buildups and crushing crescendos. The power of new material like ‘Old Poisons’ from last year’s release Every Country's Sun shows they’ve no intentions of slowing down any time soon. Masters at work.

Now we too are off into the night, lured by the flames of the Arcadia Afterburner. Up tomorrow, it’s Jape, Roisin Murphy and Underworld. It promises to be a belter!