Forest fest have added 23 acts to next year’s line-up including the festivals third headliner with Manchester legends James joining Echo and The Bunnymen and Madness. Other notable acts joining the Laois festival include 2-tone ska veterans Bad Manners, New York jesters Fun Lovin’ Criminals, ex–The Jam musician Bruce Foxton, former Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell and influential UK outfit The Wedding Present.

Closer to home, Derry punks The Undertones, cult punk-pop outfit The Sultans of Ping and Kilkenny alt-metal band Kerbdog join the line-up alongside art-pop collective A House Is Dead, Jack L and The Minutes while indie-rock favourites Power of Dreams will play their first show together in 15 years.

Other acts joining the bill include King Kong Company, HamsandwicH, Cry Before Dawn, Aoife Destruction, indie-pop collective Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets and emerging indie-rock band Thanks Mom with Smiths tribute act These Charming Men and Queen tribute Qween, joined by the Dublin Gospel Choir

Read our 2024 interview with James’ leadsinger Tim Booth by clicking on the image below.

Early Bird tickets are on sale now at €210 for a weekend ticket, with single day ticket options available. Special family, adolescent and single parent family tickets are available. Children under 12 go free with a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Campervan, caravan and camping tickets sold separately. Tickets are available from forestfest.ie and are subject to booking fees.