If you’re heading to Longitude this weekend, support the homegrown talent. You won’t regret it.
Longitude 2019 is just around the corner, and it looks like it’s going to be a good one.
Some of the biggest names in music will be performing in Marlay Park throughout the weekend, and thousands of ticket-holders have their fingers crossed that the weather holds up.
Last year’s Longitude festival had a wealth of Irish talent performing and this year is no different.
Granted, there is a noticeable decrease in the amount of Irish female acts, but there’s still an awful lot to look forward to.
Here are just seven of the Irish acts performing this weekend that you won’t want to miss.
Versatile
Let’s get the big guns out of the way early…
Last year we wrote about Versatile being a sort of “one to watch” type of act, but at this point, they’ve become a “one you can’t miss”.
They clashed with international superstar Post Malone at 2018’s festival, yet arguably drew a bigger crowd and almost certainly put on a better show.
Their live performances are not for the faint-hearted, nor are their songs in general, but as the Dublin rap duo continue on their path towards being amongst the most influential rap artists Ireland has ever produced, the opportunity to see them live becomes more and more difficult to turn up.
Stars in the making.
Clip via OUTBURST PAL
Biig Piig
Where to start?
Born in Cork and then later raised in Spain, Waterford and Kerry before moving to London aged 14, she describes herself as being from “all over the shop”. We don’t disagree.
And her music reflects her cultured background. Dabbling in Billie Eilish-style vocals, effortless rapping and occasional Spanish, her chilled live performance will be a welcome break from some of the livelier goings on of the weekend.
Her track ‘Perdida’, from the album Big Fan of the Sesh, has well over two million views on YouTube, and we can definitely see why.
We’d put money on this being your safest bet at a “I saw her before she blew up” act of the weekend.
Clip via MMMusic & Coffee
Wild Youth
Slightly different to a lot of the acts performing at Longitude, Wild Youth aren’t a rap group, or a hip-hop band by any means, but we’d be amazed if you haven’t heard any of their songs before.
One of Ireland’s hotter up-and-coming bands, their songs ‘Making Me Dance’ and ‘Can’t Move On’ have been played on radio stations around the country non-stop for the past 12 months.
With incredible vocals and a really cool sound, the band usually put on a great show and it will be a little bit different to what you can expect from the majority of acts at the festival.
Clip via Wild Youth
Kneecap
We think Kneecap top our list of Irish acts you HAVE to go and see at this year’s festival.
If you’re not familiar with the band, they are a Belfast rap duo who rap almost entirely as Gaeilge. They are really good, and really controversial.
Their biggest claim to fame so far is appearing on BBC News, following an incident which saw them chanting anti-British slogans and lyrics at a Belfast bar where Prince William had spoken 24 hours previously.
The incident happened at the Empire bar in south Belfast and was criticised by the DUP.
That’s right. Criticised by the DUP.
Their response?
But don’t be fooled, they aren’t just a “shock value” type of act either. The music is brilliant and the lyrics are really clever. One line from their song ‘C.E.A.R.T.A’, which is about their hatred of police and taking drugs and partying, reads: “Brisim achan riail, seachas focan caol le caol”.
Any Gaelgoir among us will really appreciate that.
If you do go though, be ready for the most almighty mosh pit of the weekend. You’ve been warned.
JyellowL
One of the more exciting rappers coming out of Ireland, JyellowL is a unique rapper with a unique sound.
Currently studying politics at UCD, he may not have the CV of your typical rapper, but he does have the skill set.
Preaching the lessons taught him by his Jamaican grandmother on “how to be himself in a world that wants to force you down one particular path”, both his music and his message are positive.
Check him out.
Clip via JyellowL Official
Nealo
He may not be one of the better known acts on the Longitude lineup, but Nealo is certainly one of the most interesting people on the card.
He spent seven years training to be a lawyer before deciding to walk dogs for a living instead. As you do.
But he’s not on this list because of his interesting backstory – he also makes really nice music. With an unapologetically Dublin sound, he raps about life, relationships and pints. What more are you looking for?
Clip via Nealo – Topic
Chasing Abbey
Similar to Wild Youth, we’re almost 100% sure you’ve heard these lads on the radio at some point over the past couple of years.
The three-piece band are definitely in keeping with the theme of the festival, and have achieved a higher level of mainstream success than other Irish acts on the card, selling out Dublin’s Olympia Theatre in the past.
So as you might imagine, they know just how to rock a crowd.
Clip via Chasing Abbey
Tickets have officially sold out for the festival, but as always, there are still a number for each of the different days available through some outlets.
Longitude Festival kicks off on Friday 5 July until Sunday 7 July. More information about the festival, including stage times, can be found here.
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