Forbidden Fruit 2013 lineupFestival season is well and truly alive and kicking now with Vantastival already through the doors and The Camden Crawl rocking its way around Dublin. Now we’re on to Dublin’s urban boutique music festival. Forbidden Fruit kick starts Saturday in IMMA once again and there are several top acts worth checking out over the weekend. This year it’s scaled back to a two day event so you can enjoy your bank holiday Monday recovering.

So who do we recommend you catch down at Forbidden Fruit 2013? Here’s our ten picks and a playlist of some of them to get the juices flowing and a few not on our list worth a listen.

If you need the stage times. Check out Forbidden Fruit 2013 page.


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Trinity Orchestra play Queen

Stalwart additions to so many Irish festivals these days and always putting on a unique show. They’ve given Pink Floyd a good working over and now Queen will get the Trinity Orchestra treatment. Head down early and check this out.

Saturday – Original Stage – 2:30pm

Ghost Estates

If the Trinity Orchestra isn’t your thing are an exciting indie rock act with a haunting allure. We caught them at Lisboa Festival this year and they put on a fantastic show, so much so the Portuguese bought and were clinging to their newly purchased Ghost Estates record with a tight grip reserved for a loved one. These guys are definitely worth checking out.

Saturday – The Lighthouse Stage – 2:30pm 

Fight Like Apes

What can we say about Fight Like Apes that we haven’t said before? We pick them out as one to watch almost every festival and they never – to this point at least – disappoint. The main stage might be a bit alien to a band more used to more intimate venues, but we fancy their chances of stepping up to it. After securing the funding for their new album recently too, they should be riding the crest of a wave.

Saturday – Original Stage – 3:50pm

Daithí

Daithí has been on many Goldenplec Top 10’s and we have no doubt he will regularly continue to feature. Particularly if his latest track ‘Chameleon Life’ is anything to go by. He’s established himself as a must see at any festival and if you’re down early on Saturday, head down to the Undergrowth Stage.

Saturday – Undergrowth Stage – 3:20pm

The Hot Sprockets

The have returned with a bang with new track Soul Brother , regular radio play, sold out shows, touring the UK and signed up for so many festivals this season. Why? Because they are a fantastic live proposition. Grab your dinner then go dance!

Saturday – Lighthouse Stage – 7:30pm

Neon Neon

This cross Atlantic producer duo have been making waves lately and Boom Bip and Gruff Rhys will be dropping their electronic stylings on Forbidden Fruit festival this weekend. Full of influence from 80’s new wave, Neon Neon’s warm dance music has been received to critical acclaim worldwide, for both their releases and live shows.

Saturday – Undergrowth Stage – 8:15pm

Le Galaxie

Since the release of their debut album in 2011, Le Galaxie have proven themselves time and time again as a force to be reckoned with on the Irish music scene. Known internationally now for their pounding techno rhythms, astounding guitar lines, and incredibly textured cyber-synth parts, this is an unmissable act for the weekend without a doubt.

Saturday – The Lighthouse Stage – 9:55pm

Primal Scream

The Scottish rock giants are riding a massive second wave of interest and are back in Dublin for Forbidden Fruit 2013. We caught them playing in the Grand Social for Arthurs Day and they completely blew us away. You’ll be screaming the words along with Bobby and company late into the Sunday hours.

Sunday – Original Stage – 9.30pm

Daughter

For any fans of pure and simple beautiful music, this is a band to catch. Soaring melodies, gentle guitar lines and wonderful stories through the medium of song are woven together to create the sound and atmosphere created by this band. And after the guaranteed good times of Saturday night, there could be no better way to unwind of a Sunday. Absolutely unmissable.

Sunday – Original Stage – 4:30pm

Everything Everything

Formed in Manchester – isn’t everyone – in 2007 it really took Everything Everything until this year to make the impact their music deserved. ‘Man Alive’, their 2010 album, never made a huge impression but this year’s ‘Arc’ fronted by the bizarrely brilliant Cough Cough finally made people sit up and take notice. Following their set out show in Whelan’s in February (our Vanessa loved it) Kilmainham on a sunny Sunday should be the perfect place to catch them.

Sunday – Original Stage – 6:00pm