Day two of Forest Fest 2025 – live gallery and review from Emo County Laois 26.07.2025

Emo, Co. Laois On Saturday, July 26th, Forest Fest hit its stride for Day Two with perfect festival weather, a lively crowd, and a staggering 54 performances spread across six vibrant stages. With temperatures holding steady at a comfortable 22°C and a light breeze drifting through the arenas, it was the kind of day where everything just clicked musically, atmospherically, and emotionally.

Things got underway promptly at noon, with both the Fleadh Stage and the Dance Tent kicking off simultaneously, setting the tone for what would be an action-packed day. Over on the Fleadh Stage, the day began with a rich traditional performance by Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra, giving early risers a warm and authentic start. The energy remained high throughout the day with strong performances from The Oars / Buile, and the legendary Mary Coughlan, who, along with Sharon Shannon, drew such large crowds that many were left listening from outside the tent. It was clear these performances resonated with fans of Irish roots music. The night closed on a high with the instrumental brilliance of Kán, capping off a stellar run on the Fleadh Stage.

Over the far side of the festival site, the Dance Tent took festival-goers in a completely different direction. The afternoon opened with Danny Kay Ibiza, whose set was made all the more memorable by David H on percussion and Lauren’s soaring saxophone lines. This stage maintained a pulsing energy thanks to a lineup that included Alan Prosser, Gee Moore, Mr C (of The Shamen), and DJ Pippi. Notably, Gee Moore returned for a late-night encore that kept the party alive.

Over on the Village Stage, indie and alternative rock reigned supreme. Standout performances included Dirty Blonde, Coach Party, and crowd-favourites Pillow Queens, whose tight set and infectious energy had fans singing along with every word. Grunge veterans Kerbdog, followed by Reef and Teenage Fanclub, gave the stage a nostalgic edge as night fell. But it was The Riptide Movement, taking to the stage at 1:10 AM, who brought the day to a climactic close, playing one of the latest and most energetic sets of the festival.

The Perfect Day Stage lived up to its name with an eclectic mix of acts. Kiera Dignam delivered an emotional performance early on, while Fake Friends and Apollo Junction kept things moving at pace. The undeniable highlight here was The Classic Beatles, who packed the stage area wall-to-wall with festival-goers of all ages belting out timeless hits. Later sets by Post-Party and Walk The Line rounded out the evening with indie anthems and good vibes.

But it was the Forest Stage the festival’s main hub where the magic truly happened. Things exploded to life with Thumper, whose frenetic energy ensured that anyone still half-asleep at midday quickly woke up. Following them, Aoife Destruction & The Nilz brought raw punk power, and then came a steady climb in intensity with Therapy?, Peter Hook & The Light, and The Strangers. Kula Shaker delivered a psychedelic masterclass, setting the stage for one of the day’s most touching moments, a surprise addition to the lineup saw Jack L and Motion Sickness appear unannounced to perform a heartfelt tribute to Dolores O’Riordan, covering three Cranberries classics. The emotional tribute captivated the audience, and even though their inclusion caused a 30-minute delay, nobody seemed to mind.
From there, things escalated with a rousing set by Manic Street Preachers, who brought anthemic energy and tight musicianship. Orbital closed the stage with a stunning visual and sonic performance that turned the forest into a giant, glowing dancefloor a fitting end to a day full of eclectic soundscapes and festival euphoria.

The sixth and final stage the exclusive VIP Stage hosted a more intimate set of performances. Most notably, The Legendary Drama Kings played their final ever show, with a surprise appearance by Aoife Destruction, who joined her father on stage in a touching family moment that blurred the lines between artist and audience.

Across the board, Day Two of Forest Fest 2025 delivered everything you could want from a summer music festival, incredible diversity, beautiful weather, high spirits, and unforgettable moments. Even the minor schedule shuffle on the main stage due to the surprise tribute set didn’t dampen the mood if anything, it added to the charm of the day.
With that being two days down and one more to go, it was safe to say Forest Fest continues to raise the bar as one of Ireland’s most beloved boutique music festivals.

Dylan Flynn and the Dead Poets photos: (The Village Stage)