Each year there are a lot of festivals, each year there are only so many one can attend. At goldenplec we try to span our team to as many as we humanly can to get them all covered for you people and there are always a few high on the list we look to sort early.
Castlepalooza is one of those festivals, it’s a refreshing take on festival life compared to the other must see festivals in that its not in a field persay. It’s on the grounds of Charleville Castle and having been last year i hope to get to attend for many more years to come.
It’s a small festival, but it’s small for a reason, they limit the attendance (3,000 people) and don’t span it out too much or try to put on too much, there is enough for everyone and entertainment around the place, but your never far away from your tent or shelter or a decent toilet (castlepalooza is one of the better for these).
Castlepalooza opens her doors at 10AM on Saturday 31st July 2010
Here is a couple of acts we reckon are worth taking a look at over the course of the weekend.
SATURDAY
Readers Wives
Dublin Based indie pop rock band Readers wives have apparently been together since 2005 but its really the last year that they have established themselves as an act you really want to keep an eye on. They signed to 360 Records in London and have been touring in Europe too, you can’t go far wrong with a visit to this.
/ www.readerswivesband.com
Attention Bebe
I say these guys at the Trinity ball last year and i thought they were awesome, so fun, they bang out some mashup’s and 90’s song’s and really put a smile on your face. They did a cover of Boom, Shake the Room on the Ray Foley show earlier in the year which Ray himself provided some vocals on, it was excellent radio. The stage will barely accomodate them but with so much on stage you certainly will be highly entertained. Their myspace may be awful and impossible to read but on stage they are nothing but engaging and entertaining.
Cast of Cheers
Swords upstarts who released their debut album Chariot for free through Bandcamp and it turned out to be the best thing they ever did, it let their music speak for themselves, rave reviews across the web with the blogosphere and music sites and print media all giving them a big thumbs up that has taken them all over the country.
Hailed for their live performances, you MUST at least give these a chance, if your at the Palooza, give them a viewing.
www.myspace.com/thecastofcheers
Adebisi Shank
Wexford based Adebisi Shank are an enigma, i can see some people not liking it, but i have to say i really do like them. They are fast, they are loud, the are energetic and most importantly its entertaining. Recently played Twisted Pepper and our reviewer felt they were one of Ireland best live bands around. If that isn’t praise worthy of directing you to see these guys i don’t know what is.
Fionn Regan
One of those irrepressibly talented singer songwriter types, Fionn Regan has long been compared to Bob Dylan but whilst there are similarities he is his own and he lets his music and talent do the talking. His latest album The Shadow of an Empire is a cracker and he will be literally un-missable this weekend.
SUNDAY
Le Galaxie
Another Dublin band, another great live band, Its big beat, pounding techno with samples and synths, It’s Electro with Guitars and last year they were one of the bands of Castlepalooza. Don’t miss them this time.
www.myspace.com/lemusicgalaxie
James Vincent McMorrow
JVM is indie-pop with a folk twist and is slowly amassing a decent following, and deservedly so. His debut work, Early in the Morning came out in February of 2010 and is well worth checking out. If something a bit more relaxed after something energetic like Le Galaxie suits you. James will surely sooth you with some dulcet tones.
www.jamesvmcmorrow.com / www.myspace.com/jamesvmcmorrow
The Lowly Knights
These guys i havn’t seen live, so i really am hoping that my suggestion of them based on what ive streamed stands up. They have received glowing reviews from other online media including the awesome AU Magazine and BBC Live Review. It’s folk pop and acappella and some songs are slow and purposeful and others are upbeat and fun. If your after something a little different. These could be good viewing, and let me know what the live show is like.
www.myspace.com/lowlyknights / www.helowlyknights.com
Cashier No. 9
These guys describe their music as Psycho Flamenco Pop, if that isnt a title to sell someone with i don’t know what is. Like the Lowly Knights they also hail from Belfast and have had a great year so far including Oxegen and Glastonbury. Again a band i was supposed to see live but havn’t (i blame my laptop at oxegen) so i’m hoping this recommendation translates from the good music ive heard onto the live stage.
Tu-Ki
DJ Tu-Ki are Hip Hop Electronica, it’s scratching and mixing with battling and dancing thrown in for good measure. We reckon this will be a fun way to end the weekend. Maybe it’s not everybody’s thing but we like to try different things at festivals because it costs nothing extra to give someone different a try.
Bar Pricing
* Lager Can (500ml) €3
* Kopparberg Cider (500ml) €4
* Draught Pint – Lager/ Stout €5
* Short & mixer €5
* Cocktails from €5
* Shot €5
* Wine €4
* Off license Can (500ml) 6 for €15 (€2.50 each), 24 for €60
Map of Festival Site – (Click to enlarge)
Castlepalooza 2010 Lineup
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