Indiependence 2010 - My top picks

This bank holiday weekend sees the return of Indiependence music festival in Mitchelstown, Cork, which has been growing in stature each year and is now probably the biggest of the 'smaller' music festivals here in Ireland. This years line up is particularly strong with the promoters pulling off a great coup in signing up festival favourites White Lies along with a very strong selection of great up and coming Irish bands. With a silent disco and a dedicated comedy tent as well as over 100 bands in total this promises to be a cracking weekend...now to slaughter a sheep as a sacrifice to the sun God in the hope of good weather!

Below is a quick run through of some my favourite acts appearing at Indie this year. Although part of the fun of a festival is to wander round and discover a little gem by yourself this should serve as a decent indication of at least some of the best acts to check out over the weekend.

The full line up and stage times are available here!

JAPE

Ah yes, the Jape man. Also the bassist in cult funk-instrumentalists The Redneck Manifesto, Richie Egan AKA Jape is among Ireland's most talented and exciting songwriters. Last year's Ritual was underpinned by catchy synths and thought provoking, philosophically charged lyrics and deservedly picked up the Choice Music Prize at the end of it all. Perhaps best known for Floating (even Jack White and The Raconteurs covered it donchyaknow...) and I Was A Man, the rest of Richie's set is of equally anthemic value and you can expect sing song a-plenty come Saturday night when he takes to the stage. Busy at work recording the follow up to Ritual, you can also expect the appearance of several exciting new songs including Hands Of Fire and Ocean Of Frequency. All together now..."Flo-o-o-o-o-ooooaating"

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SUPER EXTRA BONUS PARTY

Hailing from Kildare this mish mash of lads also won the Choice Music Prize in 2008 and despite undeserved criticism of their win, they responded with a magic follow up in the form of last years Night Horses LP. Having collaborated with a diverse range of acts including everyone from Heathers and RSAG to Canadian rapper Cadence Weapon these lads are the perfect example of a band who can’t be pigeon holed. Famed for their live show you can expect an exciting array of memorable indie-electronica beats which are among the most refreshingly original this island has produced in recent years.

THE FLAWS

Arriving on the scene in 2005, these lads from Monaghan ultimately lived up to the billing of their debut album ‘achieving vagueness’ as they failed to replicate the commercial success of their fellow bretheren Delorentos and The Blizzards. Such an occurrence may have been down to the lack of a certain pop factor but what you get in it’s place is a tremendous set of songs driven by a powerful voice and a knack for a belter of a chorus. Sixteen, Out Tonight, 1981 are all lung-bursting indie numbers with more depth than most who ply their trade within that realm and latest single I Don't Wanna Dance is an indication that they're still well worth a look.

O EMPEROR

Despite being one of the newest bands to make the list Cork natives O Emperor arrive in Mitchelstown as one of the most hyped Irish bands of the year. Lead single Po arrived as a hazy ode to a lost soul with positive inklings of early Radiohead, while Don’t Mind Me recalls dreamy 70's sunshine pop and these lads possess a polish and maturity beyond their tender years.







 

DELORENTOS

Rebounded from their split furore earlier in the year ( it has more on-off’s than Ross and Rachel) with You Can Make Sound and another host of vibrant numbers, most notably the title track and S.E.C.R.E.T. An excellent festival band, who always guarantee a great set.

THE RIPTIDE MOVEMENT

Despite being spotted playing Grafton Street on numerous occasions in recent times these lads are more than mere buskers and having put in some serious graft over the past year they are now reaping the rewards with their brand of extremely likeable rocking tracks.

YES CADETS

Hailing from Belfast this gang have been dominating my ears in recent weeks with a set of tracks which combine shouty vocals, catchy beats and a bundle of hooks. Top stuff altogether.

Introducing - Mountain Man

I literally just discovered this and it has made my night. A little bit of research informs me that Mountain Man are composed of three girls from Vermont, but that's not really important - what is important is the sound they make and this is a tremendously soothing and melodious slice of accapela folk. As with the best things in life this is simple and beautiful, and if you will excuse the lazy comparison, sounds close to an all female Fleet Foxes - which is never a bad thing.

Apparently, they play Crawdaddy tonight (July 2nd) also, well worth a look.