All Together Now: Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew send festival-goers home smiling
The kids are alright: The Kabin Crew and the Lisdoonvarna Crew from Cork and Clare delivered the performance of the weekend on the final day of All Together Now at Curraghmore House in Waterford.
Last year, All Together Now took place in the days following the death of Sinéad O’Connor and saw numerous acts performing cover songs in tribute to her.
A year on, it feels like one of the dominant themes of the fifth edition of the festival, which took place on Curraghmore Estate, Co Waterford, over the August bank holiday weekend, is bands speaking out against Israel’s war on Gaza.
The US RnB star Yaya Bey, during her set on Friday, takes a minute after her first song to shout out Palestine, Congo, Sudan, and anywhere else where war is going on. Death to the imperial ruler, she declares.
Aoife McElwain, the head honcho behind the karaoke-en-masse Sing Along Social, during a joyous main stage performance in the sunshine, has ‘Dreams’ by the Cranberries playing behind her and floating watermelon-slice props around her, one of the symbols of the people in Gaza.
McElwain proclaims “free Palestine” to a chorus of cheers, “trans rights are women’s rights” to more applause, and says everybody has the right to make their own dreams come true.
Dundalk trio The Mary Wallopers have become known for their rollicking, rousing trad singalongs, and while we do get those during their triumphant Saturday evening set, it is the ‘quiet’ three songs in the middle that leave the biggest impression, singers Seán McKenna, who precedes one song by also shouting “free Palestine!”, and Andrew and Charles Hendy each taking the spotlight.
There’s a lot of problems in the world but foreigners aren’t the problem, people on the dole aren’t the problem, says McKenna.
The Mary Wallopers, who have had a busy summer of gigs, including a triumphant showing at Glastonbury, also found time to take part in rallies in Dundalk against the far right. Charles Hendy’s version of the Dubliners’ ‘Building Up and Tearing England Down’, feels especially poignant.
Alongside all this, Palestinian flags and keffiyehs are found throughout the colourful crowd.
Meanwhile, over at the Grub Circus food tent, “this is my role in life,” says Rory O’Connell as Darina Allen smashes an eggshell in his hand, on her way to making her own mayonnaise in less than five minutes.
They’re onstage, alongside pastry chef JR Ryall, to celebrate 60 years of Ballymaloe House.
“She would give you her undivided attention,” Ryan says of Ballymaloe matriarch Myrtle Allen’s teaching. “And there’s not many people you can say that about.”
Curated by food editor Joe McNamee, Grub Circus is a mishmash of talks featuring bakers, horticulturists, and ceramicists, focusing on various aspects of food and sustainability; indeed, some focused on Palestine too. But what a delightful lighthearted moment as cake is brought out and the tent sings happy birthday to Darina, who turned 76 two days earlier.
And while the festival played home to some seasoned names like The Prodigy, The National, Future Islands, and Natasha Bedingfield, the performance of the weekend goes to some of the youngest attendees at ATN.
‘The Spark’ has propelled the Kabin Crew from Knocknaheeny in Cork and the Lisdoonvarna Crew to international acclaim.
They played for over an hour at the Belonging Bandstand and their self-penned songs about self-belief and pride of place leaves everyone beaming and believing that the next generation will be alright.
