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After the headliners have played, after the techno tent has shut and even some time after the rave in the carpark has died down, all is not lost, there’s still more fun to be had at Irish festivals…back in the campsite.

When there’s five thousand people crammed into one area, lost in a sea of navy and red ‘tenty’ coloured tents (with the odd camouflage pop-up thrown in for comic effect every now and again), one can’t help but overhear some fascinating and sweetly optimistic drunken Irish conversations. There’s something about being in a tent which makes every conversation sound like its happening two feet away from you when in reality it’s actually happening about a mile down from where you are, past the manky toilets and well into the boutique camping area. Amidst the screams of ‘Best laugh ever,’ ‘F.M.L,’ and ‘Dacent kid/sham/boy’ (region permitting), the odd gem of drunken banter allows itself to filter through to whatever bit of eardrum you have left.

A group of people in a tent nearby us at a festival recently decided that they were all going to write a book, a ‘rule book’ for how to deal with those awkward moments in life. A twenty minute conversation follows where they discuss various awkward moments such as: ‘Waving mistakenly at a stranger on the street because you think it’s someone else’ or ‘Seeing someone you kinda know walking towards you in the distance, you’ve both seen each other, but it’s too early to wave without looking a little too overoptimistic and eager.’ My favourite had to be ‘when you’ve already said “what?” three times and still have no idea what the person said, so you just agree.’

What a pointlessly brilliant thing to be talking about at five o clock in the morning, in a field full of tents, in a County a little bit away from your own.

Other conversations around include random chants of ‘My Sharona’(please, please, find a new song to sing), ‘Arooooooga’, something about a giraffe wearing a saddle and mentions of a band called ‘G.I. Camp David??’.

So whatever festival you’re heading to this Summer be it Oxygen, Knockenstocken, Castlepalooza, NPLD, Sea Sessions, Body and Soul, El Picnic whatever you’re into, enjoy your festival, pray your tent doesn’t get robbed and keep up with the Irish optimism and witty banter.  

If you didn’t get a chance to go to Dolan’s Pub in Limerick last night then you missed on hell of a showcase that was happening. Some of Irelands finest bands played great sets with the night kicking off with Limericks own Dead Red Light. The grunge influenced trio are relatively new to the scene but have done so many gigs in the last year it’s hard to believe they haven’t been around longer. They just released a single in April of this year, so make sure to check them out. Next on the bill was the ever fantastic O-Emperor, who always impress us gals. With the album Hither Thither coming out last year they hit all the festival circuits and toured non-stop. They will playing at Electric Picnic again this year and are a band not to miss. Heathers were up next who hit the ground running with the release of their album Here, Not There, with one of their songs being the backing track of an Irish Tourism ad. Heathers have filled out their sound with new members, adding to the sound of their acoustic vibe. This has definitely beefed out the sound making them propel their songs to a larger audience. To end the night was the ever great Adebisi Shank, who’s live show is always something not to be missed. They are a band who have been making a name for themselves for a few years now and they will be hitting a venue and festival near you soon. If you like your instrumental these guys deliver and then some! 

Overall the night was a great success showcasing bands who are all very different from each other. FMC did a great job of bringing together bands that are making a name for themselves in their own respect. 

Watch this space for the upcoming interview that Ali did with Vinnie from Adebisi Shank. 

Ali & Olivia 

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