Posted on august 3, 2023
13 Irish acts you need to see at All Together Now 2023
Words by Michael Savage
All Together Now (ATN) returns to Curraghmore Estate in Co Waterford for its fourth instalment with a packed out selection of artists, entertainers, and vendors. Fans are eager to let loose, practically foaming at the mouth for any sort of party after a wet and windy July. The weather is looking to hold out for most of the time at the grounds so get your dancing shoes and ponchos ready. ATN have cast a wide net to appease different music heads but their electronic choices are top notch.
Generating plenty of electric buzz for us are the likes of James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem), Le Boom, Palms Trax, Skatebard, Todd Terje, Tourist, and Warmduscher but if you are feeling energised and wanting more then hot on our radar are Daniel Avery, Jamie XX, LB AKA LABAT, Luxe, Moktar, Overmono, Partiboi69, and Surusinghe.
An unmissable act, we can’t wait to see again is Daphni after he played in the short-lived venue Jam Park in Dublin in 2019. He is playing on Saturday night at 1am at the ‘Something Kind Of Wonderful’ stage. If you are too tired to stay up, you can catch his benevolent side as Caribou on Saturday at 10pm at the main stage. Even better, catch the live drummer of Caribou, Coy Haste, playing back to back with Dublin-based DJ Moving Still also on Saturday at 6pm at The Circle.
(Pictured: Daphni)
Coming down from the capital, we’ve got electronic goodness from different collectives like Skin and Blister (EMA and Mercorn), Club Comfort (Selky), and Sim Simma (Ben Bix). Hard hitting techno coming from vinyl only sets from Waterford’s own Cailín. If the energy is starting to deplete Saturday night at 12.15am and you can’t hack the techno, then vibe out to R&B and hip-hop from Bricknasty at The Circle. But if you’re desiring something new, scratch that itch with some GaelicDrill from Selló. A fusion of traditional Irish Culture with the modern drill sound.
To the west of the country is another Gaeilge promotor, Shampain, who is oozing with confidence after smashing the Big Top Tent at the Galway International Arts Festival this year. Expect a large Connacht presence with the YAWLAG collective making their mark at the Éalu Le Grá area with Burlie Mac leading the way with soulful House jams. If you're down by the Cambium Club on Friday at 8.30pm, don't miss label owner and Jungle aficionado Rob Rua!
(Pictured: Selló)
Northern Ireland is home of the AVA festival and has some top names ready to party this weekend. Belfast is bringing it’s best with the likes of Holly Lester commanding dancefloors, Jordan Nocturne supplying feel-good vibes akin to Gerd Janson, and Sally C showing off her distinct Electro and Techno flair alongside Spray. Coming from just over the border in Donegal, Pagan is ready to smash the Arcadia stage and have his audience primed for Partiboi69 afterwards.
Two to look out for coming from the Kingdom are Shee with his groovy production and DJ style, and New Jackson (David Kitt) with his more laid back relaxing style of electronica. Kitt will be directing the music at the Something Kind Of Wonderful stage on Friday at 8pm with his acoustic sounds too. One we won't miss in particular is CABAL co-founder, Sloucho, with his genre-bending hyper-pop and glitchy dub productions.
(Pictured: Sally C)
Check out the 13 artists not to be missed set times and sounds below:
1. Mercorn
Saturday 5.30pm at the AVA In The Woods stage 📍
2. Holly Lester
Saturday 7.30pm at the AVA In The Woods stage 📍
3. EMA
Saturday 11.30pm at the AVA In The Woods stage 📍
4. Sally C b2b Spray
Sunday 11pm at the AVA In The Woods stage 📍
5. Selky
Sunday night 12am at the The Cambium Club 📍
6. Sloucho
Friday 9pm at the Arcadia stage 📍
7. Pagan
Friday 10.30pm at the Arcadia stage 📍
8. Cailín
Sunday 10.30pm at the Arcadia stage 📍
9. Selló
Sunday 10pm at the Arcadia stage 📍
10. Shampain
Sunday night 1.30am at the Global Roots stage 📍
11. Shee
Friday night 12.15am at the Ping Pong Disco 📍
12. Jordan Nocturne
Saturday night 2am at the Ping Pong Disco 📍
13. New Jackson
Sunday night 2.15am at the Lovely Days stage 📍