Knockanstockan-Crew-Cuts

It’s sold out, it’s nearly 100% built now, bands are en route and everyone is plotting and planning who they are going to check out over the weekend.

Behind the scenes so much hard work and volunteering goes into Knockanstockan, so we thought we would give the amazing hard workers at Knockanstockan a bit of a highlight and hear from them what they do, what they think is great about Knockanstockan.

So these are the people, helping to bring one of Irelands best small festivals to you. Read it in the care-free humour filled nature all the answers are written in.

Christina Coburn

What you do at KS: Help out with media stuff!!

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : Seeing the festival explode from a session with a few friends to an award winning festival with a firm date on the summer calendar!  To pick something that actually happened at the festival.. I think it was 2008 we bore the brunt of torrential storms, one of our stages literally blew away surreal moment watching the crew trying to hold a tent down and it taking flight across the Blessington night sky!  We ended up borrowing the Hari Krishnas tent, they were down making veggie food for the punters… pretty memorable moment!

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?: The Faerie Field, there’s nothing better than finishing a long shift rubbing shoulders with the medja then legging it down to the Faerie Field catching some chilled out vibes with a cocktail from one of the bars… BLISS!  I’m so glad the Faerie Field is still a fixture at the festival!

Band you think should be massive already (any year):  The Hot Sprockets obviously… they’re friends of mine so I’m a bit biased but only a bit… they’re great, you should see the crowd they get at KnockanStockan!

 Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup: Enemies, Mutefish, The Hot Sprockets!!

Joey Sauce (The Hot Sprockets)

What you do at KS: I play bass in The Hot Sprockets and I’ve ran my own Saucy Sundays Stage.

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : Headlining last year was a personal highlight for me. Feeling so much positive energy and being a part of it was really moving. I just love wandering around meeting people, enjoying independent music and feeling free. That’s really my favourite thing.

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?: The addition of the Fairie Field Stage was amazing. It’s just a lovely area and the atmosphere there is what Knockanstockan is all about for me. So much character to it!

Band you think should be massive already (any year): The Hassle Merchants

Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup: The Eskies,  Travis Oaks, Kicking Bird

Graham Sharpe (G Star)

What you do at KS:  I’d be the main music coordinate, checking in with the whole line up team and locking down the program for the weekend, and then loads of other mad stuff……you never just do one thing at KnockanStockan

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : I think, seeing all of our hopes and ambitions become a reality…..we’ve fought so hard to get where we are now but it really worked, it’s amazing seeing this beautiful army of musicians, artists, photographers, radio folk, bloggers, Djs, carpenters, music lovers (and the list could go on) all coming together to celebrate something that’s truly worthwhile. Over the last 7 years of KnockanStockan I’ve got to know some of the most amazing human beings you could ever meet!

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?:  Eh, my own band playing the first few years :) ah no i’d say most of the crew would say the Faerie Field stage and it’s my favourite too, it’s just the most perfect place to watch a gig ever!

Band you think should be massive already (any year):  Wow, loads…….well obviously The Sprockets and Raglans are doin’ incredibly well and we’ve had the likes of The Strypes, ASIWYFA, The Mighty Stef, Lisa O ‘Neill and The Young Folk play with us in the past, who again are all enjoying some well deserved success. Over the next year or so I think The Eskies, Liza Flume, New Secret Weapon and Wyvern Lingo are really gonna kick it up a notch…….and Hot Colossus, I literally can’t get enough of it…….and to be honest that’s all just from the top of my head and a couple of my personal favourites, there’s a serious line-up together this year and a hell of a lot of bands who are gonna do some wonderful things

Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup:  Ouch……if i get to see three i’ll be lucky, no rest for the wicked and all :)  OK this is a tough one, but if you’re putting a gun to my head i’m gonna go for Land Of The Giants, was one of the only sets i caught last year in the Bog Cottage…..unreal. Then i’m gonna say The Eskies, these boys are on of my favourite bands ever, they write and perform music in a way i have always aspired to as a musician myself, Ian Birmingham is quite possibly the best lyricist in the country right now……….and last but not least I’m gonna have to go for Hot Colossus, not even gonna bother describing it to you, just go and experience it for yourself!

Kev Karnage

What you do at KS: Point and shout.

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : 20 ft gate, 6 ft car.

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?: The community spirit / catholic vibe.

Band you think should be massive already (any year): Rocket Surgery and Sarah Red

Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup: New Secret Weapon, Sarah Red

Podge

What you do at KS: This is confusing.

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : Brian drinking mosquito repellent.

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?: South-Westerly.

Band you think should be massive already (any year): Lunatic Spoons

Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup: Sure, I don’t know any of them, I don’t even like festivals.

Phil Deadly

What you do at KS: Whatever I’m told!

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : Playing gigs at it.

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?: Hearing the very first bass boom when the PA’s are being line checked the day before.

Band you think should be massive already (any year): Sarah Red

Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup: Mescalito, Mongoose, Land of Giants

Ross McSharry

What you do at KS: Ministry of The Fence.

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : New Secret Weapon 2008.

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?: The Ball Pool.

Band you think should be massive already (any year): Count Tronado.

Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup: Overhead the Albatross, Marcas Carcas, The Bambir

Barry

What you do at KS: Get eaten alive.

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : Playing at it in 2011.

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?: Sitting around the table for dinner during the build.

Band you think should be massive already (any year): King Modo

Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup: The Barley Mob, King Modo, Sarah Red

Mitch

What you do at KS: Mozy around woodtown

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : Swimming

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?: The Crew

Band you think should be massive already (any year): The Barley Mob

Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup: As many as possible

Nick The Finesht

What you do at KS: What I’m told.

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : The Burlesque Show, and I just found out it’s not happening this year, so I’m off.

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?: I love a dance.

Band you think should be massive already (any year): U2

Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup: The ones that play the latest and the longest – see answer to question three!

Griffo

What you do at KS: Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha…

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : Dragging 2 and a half inch pipe through the darkest corner of the festival on my own with no help from anyone.

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?: The free range build and break.

Band you think should be massive already (any year): Meltybrains or, eh…Bitch Falcon.

Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup: Meltybrains, Bitch Falcon, Bagles

Jennifer Guerin

What you do at KS: Mill around  all the boring things, give out!

Favourite Knockanstockan happening over the years : Everyone coming together! Sopers dirt

Favourite addition / aspect over the years?: The Faerie field, the pigs, the manitou

Band you think should be massive already (any year): New Secret Weapon & Meltybrains?

Top 3 acts to see from this years lineup: New Secret Weapon, The Eskies, Sarah Red