Forest Fest - 2026 - Emo - Co. Laois

scruff monkey · 29-01-2026 11:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124191367#Comment_124191367

Nah, caravans are not much cop for the old dogging, windows too small and too high up, terrible visibility.

Volvo 960 estate be yer only man, nice large windows and a sizeable boot too! The one last year had a bonnet like a painters radio by sunday morning.

Any hoo, hopefully they sort the shower situation out this year, separate blokes and ladies and open past 12, **** all use closing at midday at a festival, the **** they think we are?

mojesius · 30-01-2026 11:06AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124190527#Comment_124190527

This will also be my first time at FF. Really excited about the line up and delighted Paul Brady was added! My husband is a massive James fan and there are a load of acts we haven't seen but have always wanted to.

I was at the first 5 ATNs, it became a bit repetitive and the recent lineups weren't as appealing to me. Saw some great acts there though over the years! Haven't been to EP in years either. Can't handle the big crowds anymore and my hip bones can't handle the 40k daily steps anymore. :D

Macy0161 · 30-01-2026 11:17AM

Thanks everyone for the answers. Starting to get the vibe confirmed. EP line up especially mid evening mid tier as well as headliners have got so bad , I looking looking for a new home. So I'll give a go.

It's a different vibe to EP imo. You're not going to stumble upon some completely random act like you can wandering around EP. It's really only the Fleadh stage you might see something unexpectedly good. And then, have we mentioned the feckin camping chairs, feckin everywhere?!

sydthebeat · 30-01-2026 11:26AM

There's simply no comparison with EP.

this is a tiny festival when you compare the two. It's much more similar to 'groove' when it was going

blowitupref · 30-01-2026 12:01PM

Bad Manners was to play at Forest fest 2026 but not anymore.

Statement from Bad Manners:

Due to illness and some recommendations from doctors, we have had to take the decision to take some time off of touring for a while. We are Sorry to let down fans and promoters and we thank everyone for their understanding but in this situation, Health must come first….Bad Manners

Peterd66 · 30-01-2026 03:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124192035#Comment_124192035

Understand completely, not looking for same again as EP. But re late night, I went to Vantastival at the other end of the scale a few times and it had "late night" activities (that didn't involve a Volvo 940 estate/painters radio !!!), dance tent and ceili tent till 03.00/04.00

rubick · 30-01-2026 03:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124192655#Comment_124192655

Would largely depend on what the FF license agreement is. Proximity to residential areas is another.

Macy0161 · 30-01-2026 03:46PM

FF needs a bunker - then I'm all in!

Ash.J.Williams · 30-01-2026 03:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124079359#Comment_124079359

Orbital manics therapy and Peter hook are **** amazing live acts

scruff monkey · 30-01-2026 04:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124192655#Comment_124192655

tbh, the site started clearing quickly when the last act was on. There was some activity in the campsites with folks having tent beers but it's not the same as EP (the age factor might be an issue too).

The new site might be better for hanging round later esp if there's not a 2km walk back to the leaba.

budgemook · 01-02-2026 02:19PM

Hi, does anyone know when early bird tickets are available until?

Tomred123 · 06-02-2026 12:51PM

Hey I saw last year people had promo codes from say local rugby club etc..does anyone know if this is happening this year ,thanks

artanevilla · 06-02-2026 01:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124192018#Comment_124192018

The only thing you'll stumble upon is the ground, from falling over said chairs.

Penfailed · 06-02-2026 11:19PM

They're really going to have to police the camping chairs this year. They said they'd do it last year but it was worse than ever.

rubick · 10-02-2026 09:32AM

Maybe they could put some actual seating in with the new site. Is it true that punters were bringing picnic tables in? If you're at that point like, just go to a bar.

scruff monkey · 10-02-2026 10:48AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124222409#Comment_124222409

don't remember seeing tables but with the number of festival trollys people had, would have been easy to get one in.

sydthebeat · 10-02-2026 11:30AM

Yeah there's an easy fix to this which they probably couldn't do on the gaa fields.

You organize fixed seating within the festival grounds and you don't let anyone in with a camping chair. Problem solved.

The issue with previous years was there was very little area for seating, especially around the lower level tents.

Hopefully this year the sure will be spread out a lot more allowing for much more "fixed" seating

scruff monkey · 10-02-2026 11:34AM

fixed seating is not going to solve this and tbh would probably remove part of the audience for the festival, the chair nonces want a big family picnic weekend out.

They can have that but someone needs to bite the bullet and understand that telling people "no" and "fcuk off" are acceptable forms of customer service when they're taking the piss and not staying behind a certain line with their camping accessories.

Stillill42 · 10-02-2026 03:03PM

Yeah, not sure there's an easy fix. There's a bunch of people going from the start who view it as a village fete sort of job, a community event where that sort of extended alcoholic family picnic is fair enough. And they're local and they supported it from day one and they were a very important part of getting the festival up and running. In their book, we're probably the assholes, down from Dublin or wherever, looking to listen to music and what have you. Something has to give though. Hopefully the new site gives people a chance to stretch out a bit away from the actual stages.

budgemook · 10-02-2026 10:57PM

Chairs are allowed by the organisers and are part of the festival. Get over it or go to some other festival.

Penfailed · 10-02-2026 11:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124224917#Comment_124224917

The organisers have realised that they're a hazard and tried to put rules in place last year regarding the chairs, but didn't enforce them. They have said that it will be enforced this year. I go to loads of festivals and they all have things that I can (and will) complain about. Camping chair díckheads are my Forest Fest bugbear...but I'll still be going.

rubick · 11-02-2026 09:07AM

Aye it's all great until someone falls arse-over-tit and breaks a leg because you're 'allowed' to bring camping chairs, FF gets sued then that's the end of Forest Fest. And I guess people with mobility issues that can't access parts of the site because of lines of chairs don't count because some walloper insists upon bringing in six chairs for them and their mates because they are the main f*cking characters.

piggysiren · 11-02-2026 09:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124224917#Comment_124224917

They are allowed up to a certain designated and marked point which people regularly cross so no, they are not 'allowed' or 'part of the festival' at that point, not to mention the other poinrs mentioned here about accessibility and a general consideration for others around you

budgemook · 11-02-2026 10:00AM

It's all well and good complaining about something you don't like at a festival but this thread is like 50% moaning about chairs and some of it quite aggressive tbh.

(Disclaimer - I did not bring a chair to Forest Fest)

scruff monkey · 11-02-2026 10:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124225561#Comment_124225561

"50% moaning", aw diddums… you're new here aintcha?

budgemook · 11-02-2026 10:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124225629#Comment_124225629

😀 ah sure look, people need to get their aggression out somewhere I suppose. Why not an Internet forum.

Fanirish · 11-02-2026 10:54AM

forest festival have announced that if you wish to bring a camping chair you have to buy a €500 ticket for it.

artanevilla · 11-02-2026 11:00AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124224917#Comment_124224917

The chairs are allowed and part of it, but the behavior of the people using them is not.

Coz · 11-02-2026 02:06PM

They just need to police it. I distinctly remember 4 wans sitting in chairs with prosecco and nibbles in what should have been the 3rd row of The Undertones. They didn't last long once McLoone got going but I got pogo'd into them by the old school punks at least 6 times.

Everyone around them telling them it wasn't safe and people were going to get hurt. They didn't give too hoots, until they spilled their booze and that's when they left

Stillill42 · 11-02-2026 04:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124226348#Comment_124226348

Yeah, multiple situations like that last year.

Forest Fest - 2026 - Emo - Co. Laois

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