Forest Fest Festival – day one live gallery and review from Bee’s Wing Farm Emo Village, County Laois 24.07.2026

Forest Fest celebrated a major milestone last Friday (27.07.2026) as the beloved independent festival opened the gates for its fifth edition in an impressive new home at Bee’s Wing Farm in Emo Village, County Laois. With more space, bigger ambitions and an expanded site boasting six stages, the move marked an exciting new chapter for one of Ireland’s fastest growing boutique ? music festivals.

As with any festival settling into a brand new venue, there were a handful of minor teething issues throughout the opening day. Credit must go to the organisers and volunteer team, who responded quickly to feedback and worked tirelessly behind the scenes throughout the whole weekend to iron out any glitches as they arose. It was all part of the natural growing pains that come with such a significant step forward, and it never dampened the overwhelmingly positive atmosphere.

Mother Nature also played her part, delivering dry conditions and comfortable temperatures that allowed festival goers to fully embrace everything Forest Fest had to offer. From the moment the gates opened, there was a genuine buzz around the site as thousands explored the expanded layout, sampled the wide variety of food and drink offerings, and drifted between the festival’s six stages.

Friday’s line up was nothing short of outstanding. Indie legends The Wedding Present delivered a characteristically powerful set, while Something Happens reminded everyone why they remain one of Ireland’s most cherished live acts. The Charlatans brought a wave of nostalgia mixed with timeless anthems, as Bruce Foxton thrilled fans with classics from his illustrious career.

The Undertones proved their songs have lost none of their youthful energy, Echo & the Bunnymen produced one of the day’s standout performances with a set full of atmosphere and classic hits, while Ned’s Atomic Dustbin injected raw energy into proceedings. Goldblade ensured there was no shortage of punk spirit, and they were just a handful of the many acts that kept music flowing across the site from afternoon until late into the night.

If Friday was anything to go by, Forest Fest’s bold move to Bee’s Wing Farm has laid the foundations for an exciting future. Bigger, bolder and still retaining the welcoming community spirit that has made it such a favourite, day one was a resounding success and left festival goers eagerly anticipating what the rest of the weekend had in store.

The Wedding Present photos & set-list:

Set-list:
My Favourite Dress
Loveslave
You Should Always Keep in Touch With Your Friends
Crawl
Deer Caught in the Headlights
Dalliance
Dare
Suck
A Million Miles
Flying Saucer
Corduroy
Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft
Brassneck
Kennedy

Something Hapens photos:

The Charlatans photos & set-list:

Set-list:
We Are Love
North Country Boy
Weirdo
Then
Here Comes a Soul Saver
Toothache
One to Another
Deeper and Deeper
Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over
You’re So Pretty – We’re So Pretty
The Only One I Know
Sproston Green

The Undertones photos:

Echo & the Bunnymen photos & set-list:

Set-list:
Going Up
All That Jazz
Heads Will Roll
Crocodiles
The Cutter
Flowers
Over the Wall
Seven Seas
Rescue
All My Colours (Zimbo)
Nothing Lasts Forever
Nothing Lasts Forever / Walk on the Wild Side (Lou Reed cover)
Bedbugs and Ballyhoo
Villiers Terrace / Roadhouse Blues (The Doors cover)
Bring On the Dancing Horses
The Killing Moon
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Lips Like Sugar

Neds Atomic Dustbin photos & set-list:

Set-list:
Aim
Until You Find Out
Not Sleeping Around
You Don’t Want to Do That
Less Than Useful
Legoland
A Leg-End in His Own Boots
Cut Up
Happy
Throwing Things
Grey Cell Green
Intact
Kill tour
Selfish

Goldblade photos:

Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic