Music, sport and fashion collide as jersey trend sweeps summer festivals

Irish Independent

4 days ago

'Up United,' shouted one camper, as he spotted a classic 1990s football top on a stranger who was making their way through the campsite.
With Dublin band Fontaines DC taking to the stage on Friday night, the 'uniform' was clearly jersey or bust – the band have collaborated with League of Ireland club Bohemians in the past.
Dublin native Dan Cashell, who was sporting a Bohs away kit released last year, said: 'Football clubs have touched the cultural zeitgeist of social issues.
'As someone who has a lot of jerseys in my collection, it's exciting to put one on in a fashionable way, but there's an element of showcasing your roots too.'
Katie Murphy from Dublin wore a niche Texan 7-a-side jersey. 'It's acceptable to wear football jerseys, no matter where you're coming from or who you are,' she said.
'It's such a collective experience. I don't even think it's a Fontaines thing. It was a thing before, but they have boosted it. It's a Bohemians thing I think, a clever way for football clubs to showcase a community.'
Bohs jerseys have also recently become synonymous with the pro-Palestine movement. Belfast rap group Kneecap have been vocal on the issue and their manager Daniel Lambert is also chief operating of Bohs.
​'I love seeing old football kits,' Mr Cashell said. 'There is something really nice about a niche jersey that creates immediate familiarity. For a club like Bohemians, regardless of the intention, every one supports a club that a decade ago was on the verge of bankruptcy.
'Jerseys can represent both a cool item to wear at a festival but also an important social cause. The jerseys look great.'
Spotting the trend, All Together Now 2025 has partnered with Umbro to bring out two editions of a commemorative jersey.
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Even Jameson, a sponsor of the weekend, has bought into the buzz, releasing a range of rugby jerseys for the event. 'Jameson are attempting to connect with a moment in fashion, but they are missing out on the social and community aspect,' Mr Cashell said, before admitting he would still like to get his hands on one.
For festival-goers who didn't go for a jersey, the Claddagh emblem was another ubiquitous sight, seen on everything from fingers to T-shirts. It seems the traditional Celtic revival is in full swing in Curraghmore, a nod to the strong Irish line-up on offer over the weekend.
Fans are enjoying the picturesque venue, where the main stage is placed at the base of a natural amphitheatre. Organisers welcomed the biggest Irish acts around, including Fontaines DC, CMAT and Bicep.
The campsite opened on Thursday evening, a first for the Waterford festival which previously opened the gates on Friday morning. By the time the weekend officially started, the party was in full swing. With the rain staying away for the early stages of the festival, it was set to be one to remember.