Festivals you may not know

TenPicnics

End of the Road got a 5 star review in the Guardian yesterday. With apologies for the long quote, regulars on the EP thread will probably understand why it's worth quoting the last paragraph:

It’s refreshing to experience a festival that, almost 20 years into its existence, still seems ready to evolve and not just be content recycling the same old stuff, yet retains a real sense of identity and personality. In this climate, that is something to be cherished and celebrated. We are awash with identikit events sponsored by the same companies, bringing the same lifeless vibe offered up as extortionate “experiences” packages, while huge companies own and control an enormous chunk of the entire festival (and ticketing) market. By contrast, this level of thoughtful, nuanced, and frequently surprising curation is a sincere pleasure, one reciprocated by artists and audience alike.

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122577043#Comment_122577043

I was at it last year, just switched to Green Man this year because the dates suited better. It's an outstanding festival, totally agree with everything written there. Both it and GM are the antithesis of where EP is headed and the embodiment of everything that used to be good about it.

TenPicnics

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122577319#Comment_122577319

I remember your previous review/reviews, sounds wonderful and exactly what I'd enjoy. One of these years am going to make it over for that or GM, time to start working on persuading one or two pals to make the trip over.

The Nal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122577043#Comment_122577043

Yes just back. My 6th. Got early birds this morning for next year.

Its a really great festival.

Choochtown

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122578132#Comment_122578132

That Garden stage looks like a very special place and the line up this year looked fantastic.

The dates never seem to suit me but I WILL get there 1 year.

Electric Nitwit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122578878#Comment_122578878

I went years back so this may not be true now, but they had a croquet pitch (is it called a pitch?!) the other side of the hedge from the garden stage. Playing croquet in the sun with a drink in hand while peeking over the hedge at the stage listening to whoever was on was very cool 🤣

Stillill42

Tickets for Green Man 2025 out next Saturday. New ticket provider, Ticketline last year was a bit of a mess by all accounts. Sold out the last few years on day one so hope I get sorted.

The Nal

Always tempted by Green Man but for somewhere so close as the crow flies its a pain in the arse to get to

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122638991#Comment_122638991

That's what I'd always thought too but it worked out really well for me this year on the coach. Granted I was going prepitched but still. Absolutely hassle free.

The Nal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122639048#Comment_122639048

How did you get there?

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122639051#Comment_122639051

Flew to Bristol the Thursday morning, quick uber into the coach station, coach to the site, about an hour and a half, in the tent by 11.15. Now if there were any delays it would complicate it a bit but there was a later National Express too and loads of trains if there had been any hiccups.

scruff monkey

defo gonna try green man in 2026, family stuff next aug makes it a nono.

CorkClaire82

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122638262#Comment_122638262

Shush, don't tell people and we'll have more chance of getting tickets Saturday! I'm joking, but I am nervous this year of getting tickets, I know they always come about but I'd rather be sorted this time next week.

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122645692#Comment_122645692

Fair point Claire. I'll have to rework that review, give it a more negative write up. What a shithole, eh? Never again.😉

Stillill42

Green Man ticket in the bag. Woohoo! Sold out in a flash, I was lucky. Hope any other Boardsies on the hunt were successful.

The Nal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122662431#Comment_122662431

Was tempted but have EOTR tix and theyre similar ish lineups. May look at GM 26.

Granite Head

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122662431#Comment_122662431

Well done! Not so lucky, looked to be sold out minute 1.

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122663225#Comment_122663225

Yeah, apparently if you hung in there for a bit tickets were popping up later as they were released from baskets. But certainly went like a flash.

Granite Head

I didn't hang around as everything was showing "sold out". Just gone in there now and the bike options are now back available. I bikepack but not sure I could still make it work.

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122663280#Comment_122663280

Ah fair enough. There will 100% be loads up on resale in the couple of weeks before it's on. That's how I got mine last year.

CorkClaire82

We managed to get tickets too, it was pretty seamless compared to previous years. As Stillill mentions, there'll definitely be tickets floating around coming up on the weekend itself.

Choochtown

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122662431#Comment_122662431

Yeah we got ours. Was at Under the Drum festival so had to get someone to purchase on my behalf but all sorted. 😊

Stillill42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122687332#Comment_122687332

Never heard of Under the Drum. New?

Choochtown

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122570784#Comment_122570784

Was indeed very cold for camping but we were well prepared!

Other than the low temperatures the festival was superb. Lovely location beside a lake and with it being a new festival the small numbers meant that the whole vibe was very friendly and unhurried.

It's actually a wedding venue owned by the Reade family and the festival seemed to be run entirely by the family members. 1 did the bookings, 1 did the advertising, 1 organised the campsite etc etc. We were even greeted and welcomed into the small campsite by 1 of them on Saturday morning. The attention to detail even stretched to Sunday morning: When the expected food van doing breakfast didn't show up, the family got together to cook breakfast for those of us who were still there and pass it out the window into the courtyard where covered seating had been set up for the weekend!!

What else? Campfires, loads of outdoor seats (with some under cover), local craft beer (really lovely stuff £5 a pint), good environmental policies re. recycling/ reusable cups with good washing before refilling, very few queues if any for either bars or toilets.

The music? 2 stages. 1 in a barn and 1 by the lake. Only a short walk in between and no overlaps or clashes. When the act in the barn finished, the act in the field by the lake would start 5 mins later. (There was a small late night dj tent for after the live acts had finished but we didn't go to that) The barn stage was beside the courtyard with bars/ food stalls merch tables etc. The sound quality was excellent throughout if maybe a little too loud earlier in the day in the barn. Standout performer for me was Joshua Burnside who closed the festival down by the lake on Saturday night. A simply awesome performance with just himself and 2 other band members. Honorable mentions to Arborist and Oh Boland who both played on the barn stage and were also excellent. Very very few gig talkers as well. Makes such a difference if punters are there primarily for the music. There was also arty stuff and activities (silversmithery, falconry, poetry) but we were too busy at the gigs to even poke our heads in to these tents. No kids between 12-18 allowed. There were a few younger kids with their parents but there were no activities for them. Definitely an adults-only festival.

Overall a very enjoyable festival. I'd definitely return if they decide to give it another spin next year.

Choochtown

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122687391#Comment_122687391

New festival just North of Belfast. I'd highly recommend it.

Hank Five

Primavera Sound Porto 2025

Fanirish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122812873#Comment_122812873

very solid line up and good set up

Hank Five

Great value too

dinneenp

Have been to Primavera Porto a few times and love it.

Great Cue tickets, sting lineup, stage layout fantastic, easy to get around, plenty of grass areas for chilling out.

sh89000

Would Anyone recommend nos alive lisbon? Went to meo kalorama this year and thought lisbon was a savage spot. Have hotel reserved for Nos alive next year depending on line up