Sunday had arrived and despite my energy levels running on fumes and electrolyte packets while harbouring a hankering for a greasy breakfast before work, I set off into the festival grounds for the third and final day of Beyond the Pale 2026. Today’s lineup was a healthy mix of homegrown and international talent and somehow our luck continued and the weather was holding strong. It wasn’t quite the heatwave-esque weather we’d been blessed with in the two days previous but my already sunswept head was thankful for the reprieve from the strong rays.
I headed first to catch Madra Salach who after only starting their festival career in this very field last year when they performed on the Bulmers stage [RIP-loved that stage and admittedly wasn’t a fan of its replacement] were now billed to play the Main Stage arena. This relatively new band has amassed quite a loyal following already many of whom had pushed past the Sunday scaries to be at the barricade for their performance. I will never not be impressed by these lads who bring such a rich and unique depth to both their covers and original tracks.
In passing the Selective Memory tent, a melodic sequence echoing out the tent entrance caught my attention and I managed to get the last few minutes of the Corner Boys set.
As I’ve said previously I wouldn’t have much knowledge of DJS as I’m definitely more into bands than electronic music.
However, I did catch some of Dove Ellis’ set in Selective Memory before I headed back to main stage, and I really enjoyed what I heard of their set. I took a few mins rest to enjoy the atmosphere to the sounds of Horace Andy and the Dublin Asante Band who put on a great show for the transfixed group of fans gathered around the stage enjoying the sun’s rays.
Galway band NewDad were then next on my list, and having spent five years in Galway myself, I was well aware of this group and how popular they were and for good reason. Their set was brilliant and was great to finally see them live.
When the lineup for this festival was announced last year, a name jumped out at me straight away that prompted my request to work this festival. That name was Of Monsters and Men. The Icelandic group who took the world over with their debut 2012 single ‘Little Talks’ which personally has a nostalgic chokehold over me that has stood the test of time. I hadn’t quite realised prior to this performance how deep the nostalgia ran through for others too because when the band played the opening notes, the entire arena burst into rapturous applause with friends and couples alike hanging out of each other belting out every word of the track, to the amusement of the band themselves who may not have realised how popular their track had been in Ireland. This was one of the few performances of the weekend, I actually stopped and enjoyed in its entirety. They played all their notable tracks and it was definitely a bucket list moment as both a fan and a photographer to have been there for.
The penultimate main stage performance of the festival was American musician Father John Misty who closed out the night in a great fashion. I personally would have liked to have seen the order of these two performances switched to close out the night on the Main Stage with the huge energy from Of Monsters and Men, but either way it was a very enjoyable end to a great weekend. Before I headed out offsite for the final time,
I stopped by the Outpost Stage to catch the opening of Overhead the Albatross’ set. I had been recommended seeing them by colleagues over the weekend and I can see why. Their energy was insane for a 12am set and while I admittedly was too tired to stay for the entire set, safe to say they set up their audience with enough energy to see them through to the next morning.
Overall, this is a festival with exceptional vibes and is one I will always look forward to returning to with my camera.
Madra Salach photos:
Corner Boys photos:
Dove Ellis photos:
Horace Andy and the Dublin Asante Band photos:
NewDad photos:
Of Monsters and Men photos:
Father John Misty photos:
Overhead the Albatross photos:
Photos & Words – Lisa Hamilton @lisahamiltonphotography