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.
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, Pillow Queens, Hermitage Green, Something Happens, The Riptide Movement, Aoife Destruction and The Nilz, Kerbdog, Live Forever Oasis and Dirty Blonde.
Today’s announcement adds to the line up an incredible new range of international and Irish acts that will play across the weekend, including the genre blending, rebellious Alabama 3, harmony-rich quartet The Magic Numbers, legendary UK rocker and producer Nick Lowe, soul icon Robert Finley, timeless story-tellers The 4 of Us, Ireland’s First Lady of jazz Mary Coughlan, accordion virtuoso Sharon Shannon, Dublin rockers Sack, theatrical festival favourite Jack Lukeman, the high-energy, distortion-fueled Thumper, soulful vocalist and legendary leader of The Commitments Andrew Strong, singer Kiera Dignam, heartfelt Dublin singer-songwriter Paddy Casey, the electrifying Daft Punk Tribute, renowned Queen tribute act Qween, rousing Ryan Sheridan, emotive, 80s-infused rockers Cry Before Dawn, RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards winners The Olllam and more (see Editor’s Notes section below for a day-by-day of all announced acts).
This is the fourth edition of Forest Fest, an entirely independent festival set against the forest skyline in the spectacular parklands of Emo Court.
The brainchild of Laois native and practicing solicitor Phillip Meagher, Forest Fest is more than just a music festival—it’s a show of genuine community spirit. Deliberately prioritising atmosphere and experience over commerciality, the festival transforms the small village of Emo, Co. Laois—home to just 200 residents—into a compact and idyllic festival hub with a capacity of 12,000. Across four stages, world-renowned artists perform alongside local favourites, creating a lineup that is both global in scope and deeply supportive of the Irish music scene. The entire village embraces the festival, with businesses, volunteers, and residents playing a role in shaping its unique character. Forest Fest supports local businesses, with Abbeyleix-based company Pitched Perfect providing glamping solutions and Wicklow Wolf (Newtownmountkennedy, Wicklow) and Ballykilcavan Brewing Co. (Stradbally, Laois) quenching punters’ thirst with their independently brewed beverages.
Sustainability and protecting the beauty of the local environment that hosts Forest Fest is incredibly important to the festival. Teaming up with Native Events, Forest Fest is expanding its Smart Waste Management initiative after a successful collaboration with EMO GAA last year, which transformed litter picking into a positive festival experience. This year, the focus extends to salvaging and repurposing valuable waste materials, setting sustainability goals, and enhancing audience engagement. Initiatives include striking crew uniforms made from upcycled festival camping gear and an onsite waste segregation hub to educate attendees on waste separation and sustainability.
Founder of Forest Fest, Phillip Meagher, says: “I’m really thrilled by the growth and evolution of the festival over the last three years and the enthusiastic support that we have received from all sections of the music-loving public. Our event is focused on providing the very best in long-established legendary domestic and international acts while also giving an opportunity to the very best emerging and local talent.
We are primarily focused on a more mature, music-loving, fun-loving audience, and we are committed to providing a very comfortable and convenient experience, with free parking and a strictly limited number, ensuring a boutique feeling throughout the weekend. All facilities are within a short walking distance.
We offer the best of international and domestic artists, with food and drink options that include all the usual brands, plus local and craft beers, a whiskey corner, and a cocktail bar. We create a relaxed, fun party atmosphere and, as people have commented, it’s like being at the biggest family barbecue you will ever attend—with the difference being that the likes of Manic Street Preachers, Franz Ferdinand, and Travis drop by with their guitars to provide the entertainment!
Every detail has been carefully considered and curated to deliver an unforgettable weekend of world-class music, great company, and an unbeatable atmosphere.”
This is the fourth round of line-up announcements for Forest Fest 2025, with even more acts to be announced before July.
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.
Day-by-Day Announced Line-up
Friday, 25th July: Franz Ferdinand, The Dandy Warhols, Tom Meighan (ex-Kasabian), The Farm, Alabama 3, Something Happens, The 4 of Us, Cry Before Dawn, Harvest, Daft Punk Tribute, Live Forever (Oasis tribute), Madra Salach
Saturday, 26th July: Manic Street Preachers (exclusive Irish summer 2025 performance), Orbital, The Stranglers, Kula Shaker, Peter Hook & The Light, Therapy?, Pillow Queens, Aoife Destruction & The Nilz, Thumper, Teenage Fanclub, Reef, Kerbdog, Mary Coughlan, Sharon Shannon, The Olllam, Coach Party, Dirty Blonde, The Riptide Movement, Kevin Coneff Dublin Trio, Kiera Dignam
Sunday, 27th July: Travis, Billy Bragg, Tony Hadley (ex-Spandau Ballet), The Magic Numbers, Bad Manners, Nick Lowe, Robert Finley, Qween (Queen tribute), Jack L, Paddy Casey, Sack, Hermitage Green, Andrew Strong, Ryan Sheridan, Frankie Gavin and De Dannan, Bingo Loco