Facebook Slider

Vantastival 2016 - Day 2

  • Published in Live

The camping fields are noticeably more full this morning and Vantastival attracts a lot of local day visitors so Saturday is shaping up to be a good one. The sun continues to favour us with its presence and there is a roaring trade in breakfast rolls. The Volkswagen main stage kicks off in hard rocking style with Accidents In The Workplace. Their hypnotic lead singer is like a Gothic Stevie Nicks with bright red hair, a florescent crucifix, and shimmering butterfly wings handing from her outstretched arms. And we finally catch up with Nix Moon for an interview. They are as much fun off-stage as they are on it.

Dublin hip hop fusion group Just Mikey bring a slick show with a distinctively Dublin flavour (flava?). Their sound is a mash up of Donaghmede troubadour Damien Dempsey and Macklemore & Lewis. It's structured rapping with a full-band pop rock backing and roof-raising choruses, if there were a roof over the Goldenplec stage. Raising the tree canopy doesn't have the same ring to it. Next up it's Northern Ireland's' The Bonnevilles, who'll be familiar to regular readers. It's hard to resist comparing the drummer and guitarist /vocalist duo to The Black Keys or The White Stripes but my brain is no longer functioning sufficiently to reach beyond such obviousness. But the Bonnevilles aren't some two dimensional imitators. When he's not cranking out the searing leads and crunchy power chords, singer Andrew McGibbon Jr. can emote like an old-fashioned, soulful, blues singer. They have brought their own crowd too. I lose count of the number of Bonnevilles t-shirts.

We've just been told that a burst water main in Drogheda means that the water is going to run out. There's not a cloud in the sky. There will be some parched throats come Sunday morning and the queue for the drinking water tap stretches quickly. Thankfully the anticipated water shortage doesn't occur. Fox E. And The Good Hands bring some welcome soul to the scorching afternoon as the crowd at the main stage spread out around the tent to make the most of the sunshine. Mutefish are already legends around here. Their busking sessions attract hundreds, so it's a real treat to catch a fully electrified set from them. And electrifying it is. Their set is a non-stop dance party that noticeably shakes the heaving tent. They incorporate musical instruments and styles from all round the world and amalgamate them with electronica, Celtic rock, and folk music, to astonishing effect. Their Bollywood version of the Knight Rider theme tune is a notable highlight.

This year's featured artist is Badly Drawn Boy and there's a real air of anticipation in and around the main stage as The Hour Of Bewilderbeest approaches. Damon Gough comes out for a line check then disappears as the crowd starts to build. He gets a massive reception when he re-emerges. Woolly hat in place, he plays a verse of 'What A Wonderful World' before segueing into 'Too Many Miracles' and the packed tent is enraptured. It's hard to say what makes this wee festival so good. Badly Drawn Boy is the only non-native act this year. Last year it was Goldie Lookin' Chain. The guest stars are hand-picked to appeal to the parents of young families, and so are the events around the music. People come back every year. Many of the same bands come back every year. There are nearly as many children as there are adults in attendance. The new location has been a big hit and the breadth and depth of the local talent on show is very special. Whatever it is, it'll have us coming back to see what next year's Vantastival holds.

Read more...

Vantastival 2016 - Day 1

  • Published in Live

It's day one of Vantastival and we have arrived in the midst of a mini heatwave. It's into the twenties and the pale Irish heads on display threaten to combust like matchheads. With the tent successfully pitched it's time to explore. We give the climbing wall a half hearted try, then the go-karts, the ring toss, and the space hoppers. It's ice cream weather and we mill through a couple of cones before they melt. It's a proper family-oriented festival. The kids are made to feel welcome everywhere. The bands are starting in a few hours but in the meantime, the Firestone bar is pumping out reggae and the deckchairs that are made of tyre rubber are surprisingly comfortable. Although it's easier to get into them than it is to get up again.

Drogheda-based We Eat Electric Light kick things off in the shade of the woods with some mellow electronica. The duo mix beats and synths with atmospheric guitars while they trade vocal duties. Dundalk youngsters Just Mustard have just released their first EP and bring the rock to the rechristened Volkswagen main stage. Nix Moon are the quintessential festival band; baggy trousers, flowing hair and beards, and a dedicated bongo player. Edie Brickell And The New Bohemians would be proud of their grooving and harmonising. They play an excellent set and really get the crowd moving. They're playing another show at the Firestone stage later so I may have to go to that for another hit.

Back at the Firestone, Saint Sister manage to enchant the whole room armed only with a harp, a Korg, and a loopstation. The duo bring an inventive spirit to what could have been generic mellow folk tunes. Then Nix Moon are back for their second set in as many hours. This time around I'm no longer surprised at how good they are but the songs sound even better as they become more familiar. The smaller venue quickly fills up with cavorting bodies and many are left outside having to enjoy the audio version of the show. The weather is so good that no one complains.

As twilight descends on Beaulieu House, darker forces rise. Drogheda's Black Svan are a ferociously heavy metal band with accessible tunes. They've toured Europe with Fozzy and Stuck Mojo. The main stage lights and smoke machines go into overdrive as they blast through the songs from their debut album 16 Minutes. As the adrenaline rush of Black Svan fades, it's time to retire for the night. Worn out but exhilarated. Bring on day two. But first, sleep!

Read more...
Subscribe to this RSS feed