Five picks for Body and Soul

This weekend sees the Body and Soul festival take place at Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath - and we've picked out five of the best acts on show.

Body and Soul is a festival conjured up specifically to be different from the mainstream festivals of recent times. The organisers want festival goers to enjoy and experience an event, rather than just see a gig. They pride themselves on being sustainability conscious, without being too in your face and unique rather than boutique. It’s an independent festival which, they say, has a ‘heart-shaped mind and a cutting edge soul’.

If you’re into dancing underneath the stars, sparking conversations in hot tubs (steady on), acoustic sessions, toasting marshmallows on a bonfire, fire works, parties in the woods or having a cup of tea in the morning, then this is the festival for you. If you’d rather a can of Dutch with your breakfast, then the mainstream option is the way to go. And by breakfast I mean grease burger.

This year’s festival brings us a wide varied palette showcasing electro to folk and dubstep to Afro-Caribbean. With three main venues and a host of non-musical events, Body and Soul is certain to be a hit with festival goers.

Here is five of JOE’s top acts featured at this year’s event.

Yes Sir Boss

Yes Sir Boss rocked up in Bristol in 2008 armed with an undefinable style and unrivalled energy. They have since played Glastonbury, Bestival, Green Man and Shambala to rave reviews.

Described as a blend of cinematic rock, flecked with hints of roots music, the Bristol based sextet offer epic riffs.

Yes Sir Boss play Body and Soul’s new Latin stage named Casa Habana.

Lisa Hannigan

Lisa Hannigan is an Irish singer-songwriter who has worked with many famous names over the years including Damien Rice, Mic Christopher, Snow Patrol, The Frames and Bell X1.

Her early career saw her playing as part of Damien Rice’s band, most notably singing the lead vocals on 9 Crimes. In 2007 Lisa left the band in order to pursue a solo career and won a legion of new fans with her solo debut Sea Sew.

Lisa plays the main stage at 5.30pm on Saturday.

Holy Fuck

A rural barn in Ontario Canada may seem like a bit of an odd spot for a group of lads to get together to record an album but that’s exactly what Holy Fuck did when recording their latest offering, titled Latin, which the Irish Times described as maintaining "excitement and dark intent ... from start to finish".

For an inspiring electro bop-off check out Holy Fuck on the main stage at 10pm on Saturday.

Joris Voorn

Voorn's popularity exploded in 2009, when he released the Balance014 compilation. It managed to mix approximately 100 songs into one double CD.

His first production was not until 2002, when he released his Muted Trax EP. In 2003, His Lost Memories EP was another hit.

Joris is the final act on the Merkaba Electronic stage, playing at midnight on Sunday.

Guillaume & the Coutu Dumonts

Ever an energetic actor in the electronic music scene, Montreal based artist Guillaume Coutu Dumont is a regular on the collaborative project scene and performs regularly around the world. Described as a special blend of funk, house, techno, gospel, swing and afro-beat, this one will definitely be something different.

Guillaume & the Coutu Dumonts plays the Merkaba Electronic stage after midnight on Saturday.