After a exceptional Friday at All Together Now could Saturday live up to those high standards? Well, here’s our view on day two amongst the rolling hills of the breath-taking Curraghmore Estate.
Morgana
Morgana at All Together Now 2025. Photo by Owen Humphreys www.owen.ie
Getting the party started on the Lovely Days stage it’s Morgana ironically given that two of her best songs on the day are Party Killer which is upbeat perfection, and Nothing Kills the Party Like a Song, pulsating with heartfelt emotion especially when the sweeping synths kick in.
Sing-along Social
Not so much an act but more of a must-do ritual is the Sing-along Social, now migrated to the ATN Main Stage. Cheesy hits and loads of good-hearted juvenile fun in sun, it’s what every festival needs, even if I prefer it at the Bandstand stage.
Arooj Aftab
A completely different sensory experience awaits in the Something Kind of Wonderful stage with the wonderfully esoteric Arooj Aftab. The vibe is immediately laid back and breezy. Showcasing tracks from her current album ‘Night Rain’, her vocals are deeply spiritual and hypnotic, and the accompaniment is superbly polished. A late night slot and more intimate venue might have been a more appropriate setting for such a beguiling performer.
Biig Piig
Biig Piig at All Together Now 2025. Photo by Owen Humphreys www.owen.ie
A quick dash to catch Biig Piig at the Lovely Days stage is rewarded with the feelgood set of the festival so far. Bursting with boundless energy and positivity the Dublin pop star certainly enjoys every minute on stage, and it is truly infectious. Favourite Girl is wonderful swagger and of course Switch is absolute banger. A double whammy of It’s Feel Right and Kerosene bring a stellar set to a supreme close.
John Grant
The award for coolest entrance at All Together Now definitely goes to John Grant sliding on stage with purpose in his baseball cap, shades, and armed with the deadliest looking synth guitar he launches into the mesmeric All That Schooling for Nothing. The bass lines of Black Belt send shockwave tremors across the audience, whilst That’s a Bitch sees Grant cajoling them playfully while strutting the stage.
There’s a rallying call to “Fuck Trump” before he settles into the delicate Song for Laura Lou. After things get a little lost for a few tracks with the likes of Pale Green Ghost maybe overstaying it’s welcome. But Marz gets things back on track, and a deeply emotional Queen of Denmark is dedicated to Sinead O’Connor and Grant states “will always be so”, before we are treated to the magnificent GMF.
CMAT
CMAT at All Together Now 2025. Photo by Owen Humphreys. www.owen.ie
Friday night saw an epic crowd at Fontaines D.C. but amazingly it was dwarfed by the legions that descended on the ATN Main Stage much to shock of the wonderful CMAT. And what a show she and the “extremely sexy CMAT band” put on. Have Fun! gets things going and fantastically extended I Don’t Really Care For You sees a line dancing exhibition from the group. Too Wrecked to Care is countrified greatness, and after a warning of a potential wardrobe malfunction Whatever’s Inconvenient features a gloriously conducted sing-along.
Take a Sexy Picture of Me sends the crowd into ecstasy, and The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station is the ultimate powerhouse showstopper, she even offers to enter into peace talks with the TV chef. Next is crowd choreography time as everyone is encouraged to do the “Dunboyne Two-Step” not that they need much encouragement when I Wanna Be a Cowboy Baby unleashes the feelgood moment of All Together Now 2025.
The title track of her soon to be released new album ‘Euro-Country’ get’s its live debut, before Stay for Something brings what has been a absolutely uplifting evening of entertainment to a marvellous finale.
Gurriers
Gurriers at All Together Now 2025. Photo by Owen Humphreys. www.owen.ie
There’s no time to catch breath either as Gurriers are already in full belt over on the Lovely Days stage. Des Goblin amps up proceedings after which front man Dan Hoff demands a moshpit if not two! Dipping Out is gloriously animalist, and latest single is excellence personified. There’s a few new tracks thrown into the mix and they are devoured hungrily by the fervent following, a set that is full blown punk energy personified.
London Grammar
London Grammar at All Together Now 2025. Photo by Owen Humphreys www.owen.ie
After all the grind of Gurriers and the non-stop fun of CMAT main stage headliners are almost stately in their presentation, with Hannah Reid providing a ethereal presence throughout. Cross This Line is truly haunting, and the pipes and guitar combinations on Nightcall are majestic. There’s even a acoustic rendition of the reflective Faithless Bitch before we’re treated to a proper make your dreams come true moment when Gemma Cox from Dublin is invited on stage to share the vocals on the anthemic Strong which was a result of her posting a video on TikTok and she is more than worthy of her place on the stage.
Lose Your Head is an absolutely belting finale raised to heavenly heights when the synths and beats kick in.
