It’s the end of July so that must mean the little jewel in the crown of Irish festivals, Knockanstockan, is back. All roads lead to Blessington and this year GoldenPlec are super excited to be hosting the hugely atmospheric Faerie Field stage. Knockanstockan is always loaded full of emerging and established Irish talent and this year is no different. With such a hugely impressive line up (stage times here) it can be difficult to decide who to see. So to help you on your way, here are GoldenPlec’s top picks for who to watch over the weekend.
We’ll be giving a bit of a lowdown on our stage over at the Faerie Fields stage separate but here’s 10 acts scattered around the brilliance of Knockanstockan for you to definitely check out.
LAND LOVERS
Saturday 4:30 PM, Grabber’s Cottage
What to Expect : Shifting between Popical Island supergroups Skelocrats and Land Lovers, Padraig Cooney is a busy man. It’s his latter band who are getting his full attention at the moment. Land Lovers are purveyors of finely distilled indie pop rock, with two impressive albums under their belt. Work is commencing on their third. In the meantime, remind yourself just how good they are by catching their set at Knockanstockan.
Set Highlight : A set full of sharp witty lyrics matched with sunny pop hooks
What It Will Sound Like:
ELASTIC SLEEP
Saturday 1:30 PM, Circus Tent
What to Expect: Cork’s Elastic Sleep combine the ying of Murieann Levis dreamy vocals to the yang of Chris Somers menacing tone. Much more than simply a revival of shoegaze, Elastic Sleep are equally adapt at providing contrasts of light to dark. It makes their live shows all the more unpredictable and easily one of the must watch acts of the weekend.
Set Highlight : The beautiful shimmering cover of You Only Live Twice
What It Will Sound Like:
THE ALTERED HOURS
Friday 8:30 PM, Grabbers Cottege
What to Expect: The Altered Hours made GoldenPlec’s top 10 EP’s of 2013 with Sweet Jelly Roll. It was no fluke as 2014 has already shown with the superb new single Dig Early. Throw in a rising reputation as a formidable live band and a highly anticipated album and you’ve got a recipe for why they are so highly regarded.
Set Highlight : Sweet Jelly Roll
What It Will Sound Like:
PUNCH FACE CHAMPIONS
Saturday 5:30 PM, Circus Tent
What to Expect: They made quite an impact at last year’s edition of Knockanstockan, and there is no excuse to miss them this year. PFC (all post rock groups need to be abbreviated) are all about sharp and sudden changes that leave you guessing where the songs are about to explode to. Expect ear drums to be blown.
Set Highlight : The bustling edginess of XI
What It Will Sound Like:
OTHERKIN
Saturday 2:30 PM, Circus Tent
What to Expect: Otherkin recently released the ‘On A High’ EP to rave reviews. It could easily have been called On A Roll due to the rapid speed with which Otherkin are gathering acclaim. Armed with a host of great tunes, expect Otherkin to reach new heights at Knockanstockan
Set Highlight : Anything from the ‘On A High’ EP
What It Will Sound Like:
THE SHAKER HYMN
Friday 4:30 PM, Grabbers Cottage
What to Expect: There is always a gem of an act to catch at the start of every festival. Despite the early time on a Friday, you ought to really make the effort to see Cork lads, The Shaker Hymn . Their debut album Rascal’s Antique is sparkling album of 90’s influenced indie rock, with glorious choruses to melt for.
Set Highlight : Those glorious anthemic choruses
What It Will Sound Like:
OVERHEAD, THE ALBATROSS
Saturday 11:30 PM, Circus Tent
What to Expect: Already established as one of the premier live acts in the country, festival and Knockanstockan favourites Overhead, The Albatross, patiently build their sweeping epic constellations of post rock. They’ve been teasing new songs slowly to fans for some time, but with the foreplay almost over and the album about to drop, expect Overhead, The Albatross to put on a show stopping performance.
Set Highlight : Bass player and human dynamo,Joe Panama, propelling the band through their set
What It Will Sound Like:
KICKING BIRD
6:3p PM Saturday, Faerie Field
What to Expect : Though Kicking Bird have yet to release a debut EP or album (their debut is due this year), it’s certainly nothing to do with a lack of quality songs. They’ve been quietly building up a dedicated following over the past few years. The Meath acoustic folksters bundle warm harmonies and charm into a neatly wrapped package that is perfectly suited to summer festivals.
Set Highlight : The intertwining vocals of Shannen Byrne and Míchéal Smith
What It Will Sound Like:
O EMPEROR
Saturday 2:30 PM, Grabbers Cottage
What to Expect: Long regarded as one of the best bands in the country, O Emperor are the best 70’s band to not have not actually have been present in that era. Two highly acclaimed albums down the road, they’ve garnered a reputation for polished live shows. It all appears so consummately easy for the Waterford lads.
Set Highlight : Fan favourite Don Quixote has never lost it’s sheen
What It Will Sound Like:
THE VINCENT(S)
Friday 7:30 PM, Grabbers Cottage
What to Expect: It’s exciting times for Cork lads, The Vincent(s). An already busy year with impressive festival shows has got even better with the news that they’ve just signed up Courtney Taylor (The Dandy Warhols) to help produce their next release. They are on a serious upward trajectory and sure to put in a performance to show why at Knockanstockan.
Set Highlight : Being fully brought to your senses by Throne Song