This August Bank Holiday weekend the place to be is Curraghmore Estate in Co. Waterford as All Together Now makes its long-awaited return to the Irish festival calendar. Prior to the pandemic All Together Now had established itself as the Irish music festival to be at, with a vibe which harkened back to the early days of Electric Picnic.

This year’s event promises a smorgasbord of fantastic music and endless amounts of eclectic experiences for all to enjoy. Given the range of musical offerings available across the weekend we have selected five acts from each day which we suggest that you definitely check out.

Dry Cleaning at The Button Factory, Dublin 15.2.2022 Copyright Colm Kelly

Friday

Bound to get the early revellers revelling over in the Jameson J Circle is the The X Collective who’s energetic blend of Irish soul, hip-hop and jazz is a perfect way to get your weekend underway.

Later on there’s a quality double-double bill that will need to negotiated, over on the Some Kind of Wonderful stage you have the Dry Cleaning who are set to thrill with their mix of spoken-word vocals and post-punk riffs, they are followed by newly Mercury Prize short-listed Self Esteem an act whose set is certainly one of the most anticipated of the festival, and if live reviews from elsewhere are to be believed, is sure to impress.

The other pairing that will require some quick-footedness between stages are Irish pair MELTS and HousePlants who play the Road to Nowhere stage, the former are guaranteed to deliver a sonic whirligig, whilst the latter bedecked in their sharp suits will surely have the masses boppin’ the night away.

Saturday

A treat for Saturday afternoon on the Road to Nowhere stage is provided by Sinead O’Brien whose debut album Time Bend and Bower has been getting much deserved plaudits from all corners, a unique performer who is sure to entrance.

It’s fantastic to see that Soda Blonde are gracing the ATN Main Stage for an early evening slot, they are a phenomenally polished live act and born for the biggest of stages. A short hop back to the Road to Nowhere stage for shame is a must, their last appearance in Ireland had the Tivoli at its sweatiest and noisiest best – expect a record amount of audience incursions by frontman Charlie Steen.

Of course there can be no doubt the ultimate highlight of the weekend will be Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Cave is a mesmeric performer for the ages as was witnessed by any one who saw him in Kilmainham in 2018, he and the Band Seeds are sure to wrangle every emotion from those lucky enough to be in attendance.

And if your emotional well has anything left after that then The Well stage is one to head to and sample the wares of Cork’s art-punks Pretty Happy.

Sunday

A lady who certainly has the potential for being the most talked about act of the festival is CMAT, who’s winning personality and devilishly catchy songs are perfect for the afternoon sing-along that is certain to break out at the ATN Main Stage.

It was fantastic to see the unexpected collaboration between Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler emerging earlier this year, and even more delightful to see them garner a place on the Mercury Prize shortlist. They take their songs of heart-breaking beauty to the Something Kind of Wonderful stage on early Sunday evening.

Over in the Jameson J Circle there is a real treat as Murli & Elaine Mai are set to unveil a brand new collaboration, Elaine also plays the Belong Bandstand later in the night, whilst Murli will be joining the Narolane crew for a DJ set.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are a band that might not be overly familiar to everyone but with their epic jams and whigouts are sure to put on a show and half in Waterford.

Our final recommendation is for a band who count a triumphant Knockenstockan headline performance on their CV, they are THUMPER who kick off a gargantuan tour of Europe with their appearance at All Together Now, with their powerful two drum setup and huge sound they are guaranteed to have the The Well stage audience shaken and stirred in all of the best ways.

That’s just a flavour of what’s on offer at All Together Now, but there’s that and a whole lot more on offer in Curraghmore, on a weekend that promises three wonderful days of music and revelry.