Forest Fest – 21 new acts to complete the line-up for the festival’s revered Forest Fleadh Stage

Ireland’s fastest growing independent music and arts festival, Forest Fest, returns to the picturesque village of Emo, Co. Laois this July 25th – 27th for its fourth edition with its most ambitious line-up yet. 

Today sees the announcement of 21 new acts to complete the line-up for the festival’s revered Forest Fleadh Stage, which hosts the very best of Irish folk and trad music, in keeping with Forest Fest’s commitment to support Irish music. 

Joining previously-announced Forest Fleadh Stage acts Mary Coughlan, Sharon Shannon, Frankie Gavin and De Dannan and Kevin Conneff and The Dublin Trio are 21 acts ranging from legendary performers like Stocktons Wing to some of the most lauded new folk and trad acts around like Beoga, Kan, Moxie, Niall McCabe, Hunger of the Skin – Brian Finnegan, Buille and Laura Jo. As always, Forest Fest is supporting emerging artists and the local music community, and the Forest Fleadh Stage will feature acts like Buíoch, Eva Coyle, Eric de Buitléir, The Oars, Madra Salach, Cua, Chris Comhaill, Cormac Looby, Sean Lyons and Eva Carroll, Meadbh Hayes and Alltacht. There’ll also be daytime entertainment for all ages provided by the local Laois community with Set Dancing with Maureen Culleton and Irish Dancing from local Emo school, Scoil Rince Ni Anglais, while Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra will set the tone for the Forest Fleadh Stage as the day begins.  

Forest Fest Founder, Phillip Meagher, says: 
“I’ve been thrilled by the success of the Forest Fleadh Stage over the last few years it has really become the ‘party central’ of the festival and I’m so looking forward to welcoming to Emo the very best that Ireland has to offer in traditional and folk music. I think we have curated a wonderful selection of bands this year and I absolutely love the vibrancy and raw emotion that this particular stage should generate throughout the weekend. Many of our guests come for the other stages and end up spending a lot of time immersed in the fantastic atmosphere of this particular tent; they come away with a great appreciation for the quality of the musicianship and talent of all of these bands.”

Today’s announcement adds 25 new acts to an already incredible range of international and Irish acts that will play across the weekend, including previously-announced: 
Manic Street Preachers, Franz Ferdinand, Travis, Orbital, The Stranglers, Tom Meighan, The Dandy Warhols, Bad Manners, Tony Hadley, Billy Bragg, Peter Hook & The Light, Reef, Kula Shaker, Therapy?, Teenage Fanclub, The Farm, Alabama 3, The Magic Numbers, Nick Lowe, Robert Finley, Pillow Queens, Hermitage Green, Something Happens, The Riptide Movement, Aoife Destruction and The Nilz,  Kerbdog, Live Forever Oasis and Dirty Blonde,, The 4 of Us, Sack, Jack L, Thumper, Andrew Strong, Kiera Dignam, Paddy Casey, Daft Punk Tribute, Qween, Ryan Sheridan, Cry Before Dawn and more (see Editor’s Notes section below for a day-by-day of all announced acts). 

TICKET OPTIONS

Weekend and Day tickets are now available for purchase. Given the festival’s growing popularity and limited capacity, early booking is highly recommended. 

VIP passes are on sale now, ensuring exclusive access to a themed VIP tent adorned with luxurious interiors, a dedicated bar serving premium drinks, live DJ performances, and posh flushing toilets. Additional perks include dedicated VIP parking, fast-track entry, waiter service, and chill zones with hammocks and plush seating.

For tickets please visit the official Forest Fest website at www.forestfest.ie.