Over the years Vantastival has gained a deserved reputation as one of Ireland’s most unique independent music festivals. Now in its ninth year, the vantastic three-day festival makes a welcome return to Beaulieu House and Gardens this June bank holiday weekend. Camper-vanners and enthusiastic music fans alike are invited to set up camp by the banks of the Boyne, where tent-campers are expected to make up approximately half of those camping on site at this year’s relaxed, super-friendly event.
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Since its inception, Vantastival has established a solid reputation for its diverse, high quality line-ups showcasing the very best of Irish music. This year is no exception, and festival-goers can once again look forward to a terrific and eclectic musical extravaganza, with the 2018 bill including an exciting line-up of over 80 up-and-coming Irish acts, supported by IMRO.
Vantastival headliners Le Galaxie bring their bracing brand of thundering electro to the Volkswagen Main Stage on Saturday 2nd June, while 90’s Irish rock icons The Stunning will be literally brewing up a storm on the Sunday night. Other musical highlights include an entrancing blend of genre-bending Afro-soul courtesy of Loah, while multi-instrumentalist RSAG performs with a bespoke virtual band against a visual background featuring an array of hypnotic, silhouette imagery. Lovers of explosive trad are also in for a treat in the form of The Bonny Men, while the packed three-day programme includes Dublin rockers The Hot Sprockets, Choice Music Prize nominee Marlene Enright, and critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Marc O’Reilly, amongst others.
Firestone Live also returns this year with a total of 25 unsigned acts performing at the Firestone Music Station, a unique structure with a 1930s Route 66 gas station aesthetic, complete with quirky tyre furniture custom-made for the occasion.
Beyond the music, there are a wealth of other attractions to keep everyone entertained, including a range of interactive art installations, standup comedy, festival traders, veggie street theatre, workshops, a food-themed treasure hunt and a host of children’s activities.
This year’s brewing partner is O’Brother Brewing, the brainchild of passionate Bray brewing brothers Barry, Brian and Paddy O’Neill and all bar drinks will be served in special Vantastival branded reusable eco cups, available for a small deposit that can be recouped on return.
Indeed, the environment is very much to the fore at Vantastival this year. An active can recycling campaign will be run throughout the weekend under the auspices of Every Can Counts. Also taking place are a number of “Tree Pot and Adopt” workshops, where participants can learn about basic botany, Irish tree-lore and upcycling with opportunities to pot and take home Irish woodland saplings in pots made from recycled waste. Meanwhile Young Friends of the Earth Ireland brings its “Chew on This” roadshow to Vantastival with an emphasis on sustainable food production, local community gardens, growing food in small spaces and everything you ever wanted to know about how to make a (seed) bomb!
Two fun weekend festival competitions also worth catching include the very popular Volkswagen Campervan Cook-off, while the Dogs in Distress charity expects stiff competition amongst pooches competing in the ‘Best Rescue (male and female)’ and ‘Dog the judges would most like to take home’ categories.
Vantastival 2018 takes place from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd June at Beaulieu House & Gardens, Drogheda, “powered by” Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. 3-day, 2-day and single day tickets are on sale now from www.vantastival.com and Eventbrite.ie. Check out the full line up on www.vantastival.com/line-up-2018.
Image Credits: Keith Currams and Joshua Byrne
