Well, it’s finally here – the much-anticipated inaugural outing of Longitude Festival at Marlay Park. The three-day event will see a bucketful of international and domestic acts of all shapes, sounds and sizes ply their wares over the weekend. Whether you’re all set to plonk yourself in front of the main stage, cross the bridges to the smaller stages, or just ramble aimlessly in the hope of uncovering a new favourite band; the line-up is sure to deliver the goods. We’ve gathered together a few nuggets that we think will be worth a visit…

Jessie Ware

Friday – Heineken Live Project Stage – 8.0opm

In a year that saw Ms.Ware release her debut album ‘Devotion’ to wide and critical acclaim, it also seen Jessie venture into the unknown of mass live gigging. Many of whom who attended her show late last year will count it as a landmark show (her first live date on her album tour) and anyone who missed the gig will count it as the one show they regretted not catching. Many of the latter group will be in attendance this time around we’d imagine.

Matt Corby

Friday – Woodlands Stage – 5.15pm

The last two years have seen Matt Corby release three short EP’s and tour relentlessly across the globe. From parks around Australia, through Europe and even Whelans earlier in the year; this guy is a sight to behold as a live entity. A towering, handsome, Oz surfer mountain with a voice that so effortlessly prances from sweet to raw and powerful. Think Ben Howard, but far more Australian.

The Cast of Cheers

Friday – Main Stage – 2.15pm

If you’re wondering about what time to head in to Marley Park for the first day of the festival – let this answer any doubt. In what is a ludicrous or genius slot for the Swords jangly juggernaut that is The Cast of Cheers, the guys are no stranger to the big stage having thrilled in the vast cauldron of the O2 supporting Two Door Cinema Club. Support local, support Irish and kick the Longitude weekend into gear in style.

Funeral Suits

Saturday –  Woodlands Stage – 3.00pm

A great booking by the festival with a band who were one of the shining lights from the Irish pack when attending SXSW this year. Anyone who has attended a Funeral Suits gig in the past will have seen a high-octane show and when the guys make the step up to a major festival (regardless of the early slot), they will be sure to give it even more. Taken from their superb ‘Lily Of The Valley’ album, the spectacular new video and single We Only Attack Ourselves (below) will give you a good taster.

Wolf Alice

Saturday – Woodlands Stage – 5.00pm

Wolf Alice started off as a one woman project, until Ellie Roswell hooked up with her three colleagues to release 2012’s eponymous three track EP. This year has seen a couple of new singles from the North London quartet, the giddy and off-kilter pop of Bros and the slightly grungier Fluffy. It’s all just a bit ‘90’s sounding – okay, it’s more than just a bit – but what’s the harm? Nothin’ wrong with the ‘90s.

Japandroids

Sunday – Main Stage – 2.00pm

This Vancouver duo have visited these parts before, their most recent being an all out rockathon at The Workman’s Club. That gig came on the heels of their second album, ‘Celebration Rock’, and there’s no better way to describe Japandroids – this is anthemic, full steam ahead, go-for-it rock. These guys can rouse some serious noise for just two men – guitar and drums – and there will be riffs and rolls a-plenty. Live, it’s more of a competition between band and audience to see who is enjoying themselves more…let battle commence.

East India Youth

Sunday – Heineken Live Project Stage – 3.00pm

East India Youth is Bournemouth’s William Doyle. He released the ‘Hostel’ EP earlier this year to gushing praise, an inventive mix referencing an array of genres from electro through krautrock, psych to synth-pop, a world apart from the indie band background he pulled away from. The live show should certainly be interesting, With Doyle moving between voice, instrument, synth and screen to realise these songs.

London Grammar

Sunday – Heineken Live Project Stage – 5.30pm

This trio of young London upstarts are certainly one of the acts that have many people most intrigued over the weekend. Certainly one of the most hyped bands to be playing over the weekend, this great slot on Sunday afternoon will give the Irish audience their first glimpse of Hannah Reid, Dot Major and Dan Rothman in full flow. If their haunting and ethereal recorded tracks are anything to go by; this could be something special. Or will it be another case of the blogosphere hype gone bad? Only one way to find out…

Hot Chip

Sunday – Main Stage – 6.00pm

Ahh Hot Chip…we remember seeing them bring The Ambassador Theatre to its knees back in 2006. That venue has fallen by the wayside in gig terms, but not Hot Chip. No, they’ve been plugging away for thirteen years now and have probably seen many a venue come and go. They’re still good fun, though, aren’t they? We think so anyway, although every gig since that Ambassador one has been met with “not a patch on The Ambassador gig”. This probably won’t be as good as The Ambassador gig, but we’ll be there regardless…just in case.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Sunday – Main Stage – 7.30pm

When you have a frontwoman as charismatic as Karen O your band is already fighting a winning battle. Between her kinetic, throw-everything-at-it performances, Brian Chase’s disciplined yet still freak-out drumming and Nick Zinner’s edgy guitar lines theirs is a frenzied and fun live set. They’re four albums in at this stage – we’re expecting a ‘Mosquito’-heavy selection alongside the expected earlier YYY’s belters. Like this one…