Review of Vantastival in Dunany, Co. Louth, Apr 29 – May 1st 2011
Review by Joey Kavanagh
Photos: Kate Turner
The two big staples of the Irish music festival calendar are obviously Oxegen and Electric Picnic but, in recent years, a host of smaller festivals have sprung up across the country. Tending to attract a more ‘mature’ audience than the bigger festivals, these are tailored to those who fancy a less frantic pace.
One of these fledgling festivals is Vantastival, which takes place in the remote surrounds of Dunany in County Louth. Now in its second year, Vantastival is Ireland’s first festival aimed at campervan, motorhome and motor scooter enthusiasts. There’s even a special area of the campsite dedicated to classic Volkswagen campervans, which serves as an exhibition of sorts. Thankfully, to Goldenplec’s relief, tents are permitted to.
Granted, there’s no time of year when you can bank on Irish weather being festival-friendly, but the organisers of Vantastival certainly took a bit of a gamble by scheduling their festival on the May bank holiday weekend.
Thankfully, their daring paid off and the only danger the weather presented over the weekend was the risk of pasty Irish skin sizzling and burning in the scorching heat. I made it down on Friday evening just as the sun was setting, pitched my tent and managed to catch the tail-end of a set by Donal Dineen and Congolese guitarist Niwel Tsumbu.
Saturday’s schedule is a bit busier, with acts spread across three stages. Those feeling a bit groggy after the night before are jolted awake by Dundalk metal act, Insanity, who get proceedings underway.
Next up is African drumming troupe Wassa Wassa, who have people busting a move at the Main Stage with their energetic set. Adding to the eclectic mix of acts are Fox E and the Good Hands, whose combination of rap covers and original bluesy numbers hit the spot over on the Music Maker stage.
Waterford man The Casanova Wave plays a set of sprightly electronica later in the afternoon, sporting a fetching t-shirt, before The Amazing Few follow up a Music Maker set with a special show aimed at younger reveller over in the kids’ arena.
Another festival-goer mentions that he has Sounds of System Breakdown booked to play at his wedding, so I figure a little investigation is warranted. The electro-indie outfit succeed in attracting one of the biggest crowds of the weekend so far.
They’re followed by The Cast of Cheers, whose boisterous set proves one of the high-points of the weekend. Playing from their acclaimed debut album, Chariot, and their forthcoming sophomore release, the band deliver a thrilling performance that entirely justifies the hype that surrounds them.
I manage to catch a snippet of Reverand JM’s Panic Worship, whose brand deliver vaguely macabre brand of alternative country makes me wish I’d seen their entire set, before checking out Dublin duo We Cut Corners and finishing up the night with Belfast crooner Duke Special.
One of the great things about Vantastival is its BYOB policy. The giddiness on site hits its peak on Saturday night but, unlike some festivals, never spills over into unruly mayhem. The Vantastival crowd have clearly come to enjoy themselves, rather than spend the weekend in an alcohol-induced stupor.
Sunday sees me shaking of my hangover with the Wassa Wassa drum workshop, before checking out a campervan-based culinary contest. Dublin upstarts Bipolar Empire play their second festival of the weekend, raising the roof of the Main Stage with their infectious pop-rock ditties.
The Barley Mob’s reggae set coincides with some of the most glorious sunshine we’ve seen all weekend. Despite the weather, The Hot Sprockets succeed in drawing a decent crowd into the tent with their throwback rock’n’roll.
At this stage, it’s almost time for me to dismantle my tent and bid farewell to the site. Before I do, I managed to catch the opening few numbers in affable singer-songwriter Wallis Bird’s set. Ever the show-woman, Wallis capitalises on the prevalent good humour and wins over the crowd early on.
It may not boast a line-up of chart conquering international stars, but Vantastival is a slickly-run festival with an eclectic mix of performers that’s bound to cater to most tastes and I’ve every intention of returning next year. In the meantime, I just need to start saving up for my campervan.