In the upcoming Forest Fest in the Co Laois village of Emo, music lovers can look forward to performances from iconic acts such as Sister Sledge, Suede, James, and Scottish duo The Proclaimers. This music and arts festival, which will take place from July 21-23, boasts an impressive lineup of nearly 100 artists and is expected to attract a nightly population of almost 10,000, increasing the town’s usual population by 40 times.
Organizer Philip Meagher, aged 54, describes the festival as catering to festival-goers who have outgrown traditional music events. With a background in running previous events, Meagher created Forest Fest to provide an alternative festival experience for an older audience. “I genuinely wanted to create a local alternative to Electric Picnic and do it at a more intimate, indie level with the highest quality bands and a really good experience for an older audience,” he explained.
Despite the challenges of juggling his legal career with organizing a weekend-long festival, Meagher made his dream a reality. The festival’s lineup includes renowned acts like Suzanne Vega, Peter Hook and the Light, Gabrielle, and Alabama 3, attracting a diverse range of global artists.
Forest Fest, which takes place at Emo GAA grounds next to Emo Court, also offers dedicated children’s entertainment in partnership with the Port Art Collective and Jane Murray’s Broken Theatre group. Additionally, this year’s festival features the Forest Fleadh, showcasing traditional and folk artists such as Paul Brady, Sharon Shannon, and Stockton’s Wing.
With over 400 staff employed, including 40 local teenagers, Forest Fest is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the area. Local hotels, shopping, and retail are projected to generate around one million euros within the immediate vicinity, benefiting not only Emo but nearby towns like Portlaoise, Monasterevin, and Portarlington.
For those interested in attending the festival, campervan and caravan tickets have already sold out. However, weekend and day passes are still available. Visit forestfest.ie for more information.
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