Heading to Vantastival this weekend? We sure are!
If you’ve read our previous post on acts you need to see but still want more, then we have you covered. Our writers have picked out another selection of bands that will make you kick yourself afterwards if you miss them.
Then there’s the fact that the GoldenPlec team will be showcasing some of the most impressive talent within the Irish music community over the weekend. GoldenPlec will have our own GoldenPlec Unplugged Stage at Vantastibar where we will be hosting a bit of an acoustic hootenanny with the guys from The Spirit Store (see full lineup here).
Not only that, but we will also be hosting GoldenPlec AfterDark at the beautiful Vanhalla Stage – this involves GoldenPlec bringing you well into the night so bring your dancing shoes, a couple of tins and a bag of glow-sticks (see full lineup here).
THE BARLEY MOB
Saturday – Musicmaker Stage – 14.30
What to Expect:
The Barley Mob are pretty much the definition of a good fun festival band. The six piece folk/reggae group bring such an uplifting feelgood vibe to each show that it’s scarcely possible to witness one of their shows and leave without a smile on their face.
Set Highlight:
If you’ve never seen the Barley Mob you may be a little surprised when everybody who has drops to their knees during Everybody’s Music. Just go with it and we promise it’ll be fun.
What It Will Sound Like:
The Viking Project
Saturday – Vanhalla Stage – 19.45
What to Expect:
The Viking Project are a true folk act. So much so that the folk will probably explode from the PA and hit you right in the face, leaving you with a nosebleed full of soaring harmonies, slick guitar licks and many the harmonica shredding solos.
Set Highlight:
Coral Bay (oh, and the extensive showcase of hair on stage).
What It Will Sound Like:
King Kong Company
Saturday – Vanhalla Stage – 22.15
What to Expect:
Without beating around the bush too much, King Kong Company are simply one of the best live entities around on our tiny little shores. A must see at any festival, when we reviewed this group from Waterford at last year’s Electric Picnic, we ran out of superlatives to describe it. Finally summing up that “if this isn’t the most rowdy, rocking, rollicking, ruckus-raising party at the Picnic then this reviewer will be a monkey’s uncle.”
Set Highlight:
The whole bloody set – believe us!
What It Will Sound Like:
Travis Oaks
Saturday – Melomania – 20.30
What to Expect:
Travis Oaks sprung to our attention only recently after they entered a competition to win the support slot to The Hot Sprockets in The Button Factory for the lads’ album launch. After many entries, Travis Oaks were announced the winner and no wonder why – check out their entry below. With a management team of NuMu Productions behind them – the future looks bright for these young lads.
Set Highlight:
Hopefully Bad (Ass) Jim- The Hot Sprockets Cover.
Plus, they’re original stuff (although not released yet) is rather tasty – get down and see pure talent early on.
What It Will Sound Like:
THE VINCENT(S)
Saturday – Vanhalla Stage – 21.00
What to expect:
If you like your music dark, tribal and ribcage-shuddering then we suggest you get yourself along to this Cork outfit’s set at Vanhalla – no more fitting a setting. The vocals switch from pained howls to deep and dark intonations, while that pummelling rhythm section drives it ever-onward. There’s always a sense of chaos bubbling under the surface when The Vincent(s) tear it up; we wanna be around when it erupts.
Set highlight:
The swampy Celtic deliciousness of latest single Throne Song.
What it will sound like:
Race The Flux
Saturday – GoldenPlec Unplugged Stage – 22.00
Saturday – Musicmaker Grotto Stage – 00.00
What To Expect:
Race The Flux make a welcome return to Vantastival after impressing with a barnstorming performance last year. This time, they’ve got the wonderful mini amphitheater of the Musicmaker stage and a prime time late night Saturday slot. They’ll also be giving a rare special acoustic performance for GoldenPlec on Saturday too. Not to be missed.
Set Highlight:
Eleven.
What It Will Sound Like:
GIGABYTE
Saturday – Musicmaker Stage – 14.30
What to Expect:
A quirky folk/pop duo who combine duelling acoustic guitars with harmonic vocals, Gigabyte inject their shows with oodles of charm and a boisterous amount of good fun. If you think folk music is the reserve of middle aged men, a few songs from these guys may just change your mind.
Set Highlight:
Those harmonies.
What It Will Sound Like:
Fangclub
Friday – DFEi Music Vantastival Stage – 18.00
What To Expect:
There is usually a musical treat in store at each festival for those who arrive early. Last year at Vantastival it was The Statics, this year don’t miss out on Fangclub. A mix of unbridled, rampant guitars and urgent vocals that ensures that they will open the festival with a bang.
Set Highlight:
Bullet Head.
What It Will Sound Like:
Rufus Coates And The Blackened Trees
Saturday – Musicmaker Grotto Stage – 15.15
What To Expect:
The somber folk blues of Rufus Coates And The Blackened Trees installs all that is good from Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds but with added stunning vocals from Jess Smith and four part harmonies. Wonderfully atmospheric and full of impending dread, their music stands apart from everyone else at the festival.
Set Highlight:
Taken a Wander.
What It Will Sound Like:
New Valley Wolves
Sunday – Melomania Stage – 18.30
What To Expect:
If you like your steak bloody, your Yorkie bars extra thick and your rock music wild and loud, then duo New Valley Wolves are one band you don’t want to miss at Vantastival. Expect muscular blues rock riffs, pounding drums and no shortage of feral energy from billing in The Melomania stage.
Set Highlight:
Rabbit.
What It Will Sound Like:
Contributing writers: Bernerd O’Rourke, Justin McDaid, Frank Hughes & Anna Job