Hot on the heels of collecting the ‘Best Festival’ accolade at the Midlands Hospitality Awards, Forest Fest have wasted no time in staking their claim to holding onto the title for 2023. “Off the back of winning the Best Festival plaudits we really want to live up to that standard and expectation and to step up to the mark with Forest Fest2,” explained the festival founder and promoter, Philip Meagher.
“To that end I think our first line-up reveal speaks for itself, and that’s just a fraction and a flavour of what’s to come in terms of international headliners, the best Irish talent and the pick of emerging acts and artists, that’s the Forest Fest formula. It’s eclectic, it’s exciting, it’s entertaining and fun. “We remain an indie boutique festival, with a cosy, comfortable atmosphere, a convenient scale, and family-friendly with limited numbers. We don’t believe that bigger is necessarily better, but we do believe in getting better and always looking for ways to refine, hone and improve the Forest Fest experience.
“Lots of festival fans have already committed to Forest Fest for the weekend and the weekend remains the best way to come and enjoy this summer celebration of music, arts and socialise in such a wonderful ambiance and setting. However, that’s not possible for a variety of reasons for everyone and therefore the day-ticket is in keeping with our ethos of accessibility, affordability and the ultimate flexibility for our valued fans and supporters Essentially, you can transfer or upgrade all the tickets at any time without incurring any extra fees or charges,” explained Philip.
As for the line-up reveal, the indie pop anthems are going to ring out around the forest canopy of Emo village next July, accompanied no doubt by jubilant sing-along fans, as the strains of the new Forest Fleadh - essentially a festival within a festival - a virtual who’s who of Irish folk & trad, combined with the energy of the best emerging new acts breaking onto the scene. The initial Forest Fest line-up reveal for next July features Suede, Ash, Big Country, Bronagh Gallagher & Band, Carrie Baxter, Frank and Walters, Gabrielle, Hermitage Green, Jack Lukeman, Nik Kershaw, N.O.A.H, Pastiche, Something Happens, Sharon Shannon, The Primitives, The Proclaimers, The Riptide Movement, The Undertones, and Walk The Line, with further headliners and numerous other acts yet to be announced.
Campervan and caravan camping at Forest Fest for July are completely sold out; general camping/glamping still available but will also sell out shortly.
Current Line Up
JAMES BELL X 1 SUEDE SUZANNE VEGA THE PROCLAIMERS GABRIELLE PAUL BRADY PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT ASH
NIK KERSHAW ALABAMA3 BIG COUNTRY THE UNDERTONES SHARON SHANNON DAOIRÍ FARRELL TRIO STOCKTON’S WING KÍLA & BRASS JACK LUKEMAN SOMETHING HAPPENS FRANK AND WALTERS HERMITAGE GREEN BRONAGH GALLAGHER & BAND RÓISÍN O PADDY CASEY THE RIPTIDE MOVEMENT CARRIE BAXTER DREAM WIFE 49TH & MAIN LAVENGRO THE PRIMITIVES PASTICHE ALLIE SHERLOCK ROBERT GRACE DUKE SPECIAL THE BARLEY MOB BLEACH LAB IN TUA NUA PARANOID VISIONS SUSO GOSPEL CHOIR EIMEAR TROUBLE PILGRIMS APOLLO JUNCTION THE OUTCAST CREW THE LOST MESSIAHS N.O.A.H DOPAMINE BONE MACHINE POGUEOLOGY THE CLASSIC BEATLES THESE CHARMING MEN THE WALKELELES FLASH HARRY WALK THE LINE PEARLY WHITES RATTLE AND HUM