Sounds of summer

FOR some people, the idea of being one of thousands of campers packed like sardines for three days in a mucky field — and even muckier clothes — sounds like hell.

Sat, 28 May, 2011 - 01:00

Kerrie Kennedy

For the rest of us it spells the real start of the summer: music festival season.

The popularity of music festivals in this country has exploded over the past decade, with the “biggies” of the summer festival scene — Oxegen and Electric Picnic — consistently drawing huge crowds, year after year.

Then again, with Oxegen and Electric Picnic 2011 boasting performances by chart-topping artists from Beyonce and the Foo Fighters to Pulp and the Chemical Brothers, it’s easy to see why.

Unfortunately, big acts cost big bucks, and those of us who want to see Arctic Monkeys and Coldplay at Oxegen this year will have to dig deep to cover the €224.50 price tag for a three-day pass with camping.

Electric Picnic revellers will feel even more of a pinch when they hand over €240 to purchase a ticket to see their favourite acts over the course of three days.

The good news is that independent festivals have been cropping up all over the country in recent years like music is going out of style. Small in numbers but big on effort, these music and arts festivals offer an intimacy and atmosphere that the bigger ones just can’t match, usually for less than €100 a ticket.

Vantastival, which kicked off the festival season at the start of May, saw more than 2,000 people descend on Co Louth for a celebration of campervan culture and music. While the line up — which included stellar performances by Duke Special and Alabama 3 — doesn’t match Oxegen in the international star stakes, festival-goers were treated to three days of chilled out family-friendly fun for just €85.

“The appeal of Vantastival is that it is much less hectic and messy than the larger festivals,” says Vantastival director Louise Tangney.

“You can park up your campervan, set up tents for the kids, and sit out on deck chairs with a barbeque listening to music and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Most small festival organisers are in it for the love of the event and the music, which comes across in the vibe created. The crew and everyone on site tend to be much friendlier and the musicians are generally wandering amongst the crowd, often camped alongside the punters.”

Ending May with a bang is Life Festival, which kicked off yesterday in the stunning Belvedere House Gardens, Co Westmeath. This gem of a festival has grown from being a small intimate three-day party with a handful of stages in 2006 to joining in the top 10 small festivals in The European Festival Awards 2010.

From techno to reggae, folk and trad, Life brings various music styles together to ensure everyone’s taste is attended to.

The secret of the festival’s success is its positive atmosphere says Life director Fernando Martin.

“Life Festival is made by the people, for the people. People appreciate the positive atmosphere and smiling faces. They appreciate the idea of having an intimate gathering where they can meet old friends as easy as making new friends. There is no fear of losing your companions, and the festival-goers interact more with the event, allowing everyone to be a part of the experience.”

If Life sounds like the makings of a good weekend, fear not, you can still pick up a Sunday ticket for €75 — the cost of a good night out on the town.

For Corkonians who fancy getting out and about a bit closer to home, Skibbereen’s Cork X Southwest and Mitchelstown’s Indiependence are not to be missed.

For less than €100 per ticket, punk-rock fans can see Patti Smith and Echo & the Bunnymen among a host of other acts at Cork X Southwest in June, and in July, catch performances by bands including Ash, The Coronas and Editors at Indiependence.

Also taking place at the end of July is Castlepalooza in Tullamore Co Offaly, which promises three days of great music, merriment and memories for a very recession- friendly €89.

For electronic music fans, Bump! Musik festival on July 23 and 24 will see some exceptional Irish and international underground talent perform in the idyllic Co Clare countryside for a weekend truly left of the mainstream festivals.

If July seems too long to wait, the Temple House Festival in Ballinacarrow Co Sligo and the Forbidden Fruit festival at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, have half of June covered.

Finally, those who just can’t justify paying the (spicy) Electric Picnic ticket price can get a little taste of what it’s like at the truly unique Body & Soul Festival at Ballinlough Castle, Co Westmeath from June 18-19.

Now while there is no time of year when you can bank on Irish weather being festival-friendly, if good vibes, cheap tickets, a friendly atmosphere and semi-warm beer sounds like the makings of a good weekend, then any of these will have you covered. Just don’t forget your wellies.

FESTIVALS

*Life Festival Until May 29

www.life-festival.com

*Cork X Southwest Music & Arts Festival June 4-5

www.corkxsw.com

* Cold Pro Surf and Music Festival June 4-5

www.coldpro.org

* Temple House Festival June 10-12

www.templehousefestival.com

* Body & Soul Festival June 18-19

www.bodyandsoul.ie

* BUMP! Muzik Festival July 23- 24