Night and Day Festival

Damn, wish I’d seen this in time!

What a lovely experience it sounds like, thanks for sharing how lovely it was!

I would have given a limb (possible exaggeration) to see Villagers and John Grant last night, so I am very very sorry I didn't see @uncle ernie's post yesterday! 😥 I'm not too far away, but can't make today at all, line up has some very decent talent there

Great to see the energy to set up something like this in the west/northwest/Roscommon. Hope-giving!

I should have responded to this yesterday. Today you'll see me in blue leggings and a white shirt if you want to say hello.

Ah looks brilliant, El Director!

C'mon @Mucker46 where's yer report :)

Got a few minutes while waiting for my boys ahead of the Ireland match at the Aviva so a few introductory words to whet your appetite before the review of the festival tomorrow.

So a new festival to try out that appeared to be the opposite of EP in terms of size, timely announcements, drink options and age (over 20s) so was very keen to see how it was. Was impressed with the line up for such a small and new festival and music wise it hit a lot of targets for me. An early start with the 7:30 train, staying up the night before until 2:30 drinking wine with herself was probably not a great idea. That decision had me very worried I would sleep through the required change in Athlone but thankfully managed to stay awake and catch the 2nd train. There was a free shuttle bus from the station to the site so hopped on that knowing the B&B was supposedly close by. Driver told me exactly where it was and following a 4 minute walk I was at my accommodation for the weekend, must talk to brother in law in Portlaoise about new expected standards on closeness of bed to the festival. A big shout out to the landlady Rita who was a star for the weekend and who uttered two things in never thought I would hear together "I love line dancing and hate Garth Brooks". As it was too early for my room or the festival I headed in to Castlerea for the full Irish soakage base. Back then to the B&B for a 45 minute power nap before heading in to the festival. More to follow.......

Was there Saturday. If anyone does not know Clonalis estate it is huge area (700 acres) and absolutely perfect for music festival (if the ground in parts is a little bumpy). Located right at the end of Castlerea town so you can walk to Lidl if need be :)

The setup was very intimate despite the size of the estate in question and very well run for first time event. Saw Mary Wallopers, John Grant, Villagers and Paddy Denneny among others.

Few cons I felt. There wasn't really enough food vendors. The only place selling burgers ran out at 10pm. The Sol stage or third stage lay empty for long periods throughout the day, the token thing for buying alcohol was a bit silly and they probably needed few more toilets especially in main music area as queues especially after a big act finished were long.

But all in all a fun day out. Unfortunately wasn't able to make Sunday but hopefully next year can do both days

So as promised to @bodhrandude who I finally got to meet at EP this year here is my review of the inaugural night and day festival.

Saturday

Wanting to be there for the very start I headed in early and was a bit shocked at the gate when names were being checked off a list as nothing to scan tickets and wristbands were sticky ones that you put on yourself, so old school but made it seem like a good old festival from the off. I got a pint of bulmers with my pre- bought tokens into my pre bought reusable cup, it was the business of a cup as fit in my pocket when empty, and headed to catch the very first act ever to perform at Night and Day, a crown she will hold forever no matter what happens in the future. I felt for her as besides the stage manager and the sound guy I was the only person in the tent when she came on. However, enthusiastic strumming of her ukulele, or a very small guitar i am no expert, and a slowed down cover version of don't look back in anger drew people in and by the time she finished I had been joined by about 30 more and it was a decent start. While it probably cant be helped the tent support right in front middle of the stage was a bit annoying for me and I would say the acts also, only a small gripe. Keen to try out the local Black Donkey beer I headed to their tent, personally think their pitch was put too far out of the way however was always people there when i went fora pint. I was given a really interesting description of their beers and I settled on a Sheep Stealer, described by the brewer as "what a lager wants to be when it grows up". It was really tasty and that was the end of my token usage that day, they only accepted cash or card, how old fashioned. I then headed off to see Amy Montgomery for my first visit to the main stage. What a ball of energy she is. She sounded quite a bit different to what I had heard on Spotify. Was going to leave half way through to see Jester but as I left she started playing the songs from Spotify and roped me back in. She was class. Really liked the main tent and judging from the camera work there will be plenty for the series on TG4. Next up were Barefoot on carpet who were the winners of the song contest run by the festival. Having listened to them on Spotify I was really looking forward to seeing them live and they did not disappoint, I would highly recommend a listen. Caught a bit of AE Mak but she is not what she used to be which is a pity. Rossa Murray and the blowin winds were next and while keeping me interested didn't excite me too much. A bit of pulled beef in cornbread from the Latino Street food stall, very tasty, and chips with burger sauce from the imaginatively named Chips n Dips, soaked up some beer creating room for more Sheep Stealer. Though not a big fan went to see the Mary Wallopers as nothing else tickled my fancy. They got a good buzz going but not for me. Then two of my must sees Paddy Dennehy and John Grant. Had never heard of Paddy before he was announced for this festival but there is something about his voice and songs I love and he was brilliant live ( if anyone knows where i could get a copy of his CD (i am old school) please let me know. There was a great atmosphere in the tent and defo one of my highlights of the festival. John Grant I knew well but had never seen live and I was totally blown away by him. His voice is unreal and I reckon if he sang the yellow pages, remember them, I would be enthralled. My absolute highlight of the festival from a music perspective. Although not a Villagers fan I stayed around for them but they didn't do enough for me so my tiredness won out and I headed off to the B&B. One of the funniest stories happened just before Villagers as I got chatting to a girl in the pizza queue that was eating sorbet. Asked her how she was to which she replied a bit better now but was annoyed after having to queue for 20 minutes for cocktails. Having not known there were cocktails on sale I asked where and she pointed at the food truck. I said but that's an ice cream truck to which she responded "I know that now".

I had a thoroughly enjoyable first day and have to say that my fellow festival goers and all those working there were such a friendly, helpful and class crowd that the vibe all day really made it memorable.

Sunday

First up were Bury me with my money, the cocktail girl was the girlfriend of the lead singer, so caught up with her again. Apparently nice and all as the sorbet was its not an effective hangover cure. Was looking forward to the band and in particular the song Marmite however felt they were a bit flat and they didn't play Marmite. I was back on the Bulmer's, not because anything wrong with Sheep Stealer but had to spend my pre-purchased tokens and those given to me by @CoffeeImpala (a fellow EP boardsie who I have seen a lot of between EP And this). He had spares as he enjoyed the unofficial free-flow policy that included some 10.2% beer for breakfast on Sunday. On then to Arlene, while not my cup of tea she has great energy and huge potential in her genre. From here on in it was some really class music by well known Irish bands with a few newbies thrown in. To my mind most of the Sunday line up would grace any festival. Caught Soda Blonde live for my first time. What a voice she has and she commanded the stage. Some great sing alongs which was a great boost early in the day. Caught a bit of Patrick Stefan and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. At this point the Luna stage times were well out which resulted in some gaps and some unintended clashes. Next up Columbia Mills who I have seen 7 or 8 times and once again they did not disappoint. Was a smallish crowd and I noticed that the numbers were definitely down on Saturday's numbers. A quick burger from Feoil, really tasty, before Houseplants. Was a bit worried for this as I am a big BellX1 fan but they always disappoint me live so wondered would it be different for Paul Noonan under this band. It most certainly was, they were brilliant and had a very enthusiastic crowd singing along. Paul looked like he was genuinely loving it. Due to the Luna timetable issues my big clash of Houseplants and Maija Sofia was somewhat fixed and I caught the end of Maija which thankfully included The wife of Michael Cleary. Back to the main stage for Cathy Davey who I had consistently missed over the years until EP this year. I thought she was really good there but was even better at Night and Day. Her voice is so powerful yet soft and she put on a great gig. Caught a few songs from A Smyth and he was a lot better than I expected. Was very keen to see the Wood Burning Savages but the timing issues meant only got half of them as I headed back to see Orla Gartland. To be honest TWBS had too much political rhetoric between sings for my liking. I agreed with a lot of what was being said but not what I want at a music gig. As for Orla I first saw her a number of years ago at Kaleidoscope festival and while I thought she had a good voice and songs she lacked stage presence. This gig and her EP one showed that is no longer the case she is becoming a force on the stage. Another who looked like she was having a ball. Next up were Jealous of the Birds who don't really do it for me but as there was nothing else on the dry and warmth of a tent was a big lure I was pleasantly surprised by them and enjoyed their gig. A quick chicken burger, the last one from Feoil, big shout out to the man who ordered a double burger but changed to a single when realising only three burgers left and didnt want to hog them. Off then to the closing act The Zutons. Always thought they were a decent band without being a massive fan but given the opportunity to see them I was more than happy to go along. It was very clear at this stage the numbers had dropped dramatically and I would say a few hundred at most were around for a band that probably cost the organisers a lot of money. There was also a lot of chat during this, lots of drink on board people at this stage, which was a bit annoying but the band put on a great show and the finish of Valerie and You will you won't was epic.

My festival ended there and I have to say it was a brilliant weekend. At some stage I will do the good and things to improve lists but have written enough tonight.

Will I go again? If the music is to my liking most definitely and I really hope it continues.

Paddy Dennehy wasn't on my radar at all, but just gave him a listen this morning. Fantastic stuff.

This festival hit all the right notes for me, the line up was exceptional. Sunday was a stocked day.

I've only been to EP, Witness and Oxygen before, so this small festival was a breath of fresh air.

The plan is to double attendance for next year - slow and steady is a good call.

@Mucker46 I won't steal your authority on pros and cons!

P.S. Great to see people discovering Paddy Dennehy, he's class. He has a few gigs on Youtube worth watching.

Yeah, never came across him before Mucker mentioned him on here, really like the sound of him. His Facebook page is hinting at a sneaky gig upstairs in Whelan's to be announced soon. I'll keep my eye out for that.

EDIT: That's actually up on the Whelan's site now, just bagged myself a ticket, 11th of December.

Attended both days, very enjoyable weekend. Good to hear it will be on again next year.

New venue and from what I know of it will be good. New date better for me as not same month as EP, and hopefully warmer

Lough Key Forest Park is a nice spot. Have been there a few times. New date is the same weekend as Glastonbury.