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Irish Times
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Forest Fest 2025: stars align to send feelgood festival fans home happy
Jack L v Kerry v Donegal was always going to be a tough gig. As he took to the stage and his image also filled three giant screens, the All-Ireland football final on the two flanking the stage shrank to one corner so the fans watching the last 20 minutes huddled closer, rivalling those keen to see the Athy troubadour strut his stuff. It wasn't Donegal's day but Jack Lukeman more than held his own, aided by the Suso Gospel choir. Otherwise, it was all about the music at Forest Fest in the picturesque village of Emo in Co Laois , now in its fourth year and as established a part of the festival calendar as Electric Picnic up the road in Stradbally. Saturday was the biggest day in terms of crowds and star acts, but a magical performance from The Magic Numbers, building from melodic pop to ever more muscular rock, sent those watching home on a high, giving a satisfying sense of the best wine having been saved till last. Elsewhere, Qween on the main stage and in particular The Complete Stone Roses on the Fleadh stage also delivered blistering, crowd-pleasing sets. READ MORE Nick Lowe had set the bar high early with a solo set that proved once again what a fantastic songwriter he is. 'I was advised to keep things up tempo as it's a festival,' he said, 'but with just an acoustic guitar there has to be light and shade.' Caravaggio would have been jealous of the result. Franz Ferdinand at Forest Fest. Photograph: Brian Bastick Franz Ferdinand at Forest Fest. Photograph: Brian Bastick Tony Hadley is still looking good but the former Spandau Ballet sounds now like a cocktail singer, whereas Billy Bragg's music has matured and his politics are as relevant as ever. 'Sunday night is the perfect festival slot,' he told the crowd. Friday night, they were saving themselves; Saturday night they're too drunk; whereas last night they had lost all inhibitions. He told a funny story about meeting a woman in Boulder, Colorado before a gig, who asked the name of his band. When he told her, she said, there used to be a singer in the 1980s called Billy Bragg. It's a good yarn, and it captures a truth that festival founder Philip Meagher has capitalised on. Many great acts from the 1980s and 1990s are still around and appeal to a key demographic. There are some great up-and-coming acts as part of the mix, such as Pillow Queens and The Oars – but the core ingredients are proven, tried and tested. Travis at Forest Fest. Photograph: Brian Bastick A thrilling set from Manic Street Preachers on Saturday night was a huge highlight. Singer James Dean Bradfield led the Welsh band through a string of great songs, kicking off with Motorcycle Emptiness, in front of a capacity crowd. The Manics have had their share of misfortunes, most notably the loss of Richey Edwards, but the set is dedicated to another late colleague and their producer is standing in for their keyboard player who is ill. Perhaps this gives songs such as A Design for Life and You Stole the Sun from My Heart an edge others lack. They close with If You Tolerate This Your Children Will be Next, as three Palestinian flags are waved near the front of the crowd. 'This is the sound of Laois I've been looking forward to hearing,' says Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos, fresh from Glastonbury, as their hit song Do you Want To is met with a roar of approval on a sunny Friday evening. Kapranos, as limber as a flamenco dancer, delivers a hit-filled set as shining as his black satin bomber jacket: Take Me Out, Hooked, Michael, Walk Away and This Fire were standouts. Tom Meighan at Forest Fest. Photograph: Brian Bastick If Franz Ferdinand are top-of the range glossy, The Dandy Warhols, who followed, are prestige matt, with fewer pyrotechnics but a set including hits Bohemian Like You and We Used to Be Friends that slowly builds to deliver a captivating soundscape, complemented by a powerful visual display on the screens behind. Something Happens had got the ball rolling earlier, Tom Dunne offering some sound advice: 'did you all take your medication before coming out today?' Other Friday highlights included Alabama 3's rendition of Woke up this Morning, the singers dressed like Pearly King and Queen, as a fan shinned her way up and swung from a pole in the Village Stage tent. A feature of the festival is its plethora of brilliant covers bands. Friday night closed with Live Forever Oasis, Daft Punk Tribute and Thin as Lizzy on three stages, while Walk the Line (Johnny Cash) and Qween closed on other nights. No complaints as they delivered some of the most crowd-pleasing sets. Standouts included Pogueology, The Classic Beatles, Neil Young tribute Harvest and superb Smiths act These Charming Men, who have graduated from the third to second stage and deserve a main stage slot next year. Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want. Peter Hook made a welcome return to the festival, and delivered a solid set, this time focused more on his time with New Order than Joy Division. He too was pleased with the crowd. 'You've made an old man very happy,' he said, responding to the adulation that greeted a strong finish featuring True Faith, Temptation, Blue Monday and Love Will Tear Us Apart. Sharon Shannon at Forest Fest. Photograph: Brian Bastick Earlier, Larne rockers had dedicated Die Laughing to the late Ozzy Osbourne. The Stranglers were rather downbeat, apart from Always the Sun, Peaches and the brilliant Golden Brown. It was curious to go from that song of heroin addiction to another delivered by an irrepressible Mary Coughlan, The Ice Cream Man (inspired by an Irish Times story she reads in a Galway pub, she said). Rather miscast on the Fleadh stage, she packed it out with songs as dark and sparkling as her runners. The Susu choir joined her on stage for a beautiful rendition of I Would Rather Go Blind, which she first heard aged 15 when stepping out with 'future president' Catherine Connolly 's brother. Her rousing rendition of Ride On is the best I've heard. The sound quality throughout was exceptional and overall the organisation was impeccable, but the stage timings irritatingly went half an hour awry on Saturday afternoon. Kula Shaker. Photograph: Brian Bastick This is a feelgood festival, attracting young and old and sending them home happy. The bands too. Teenage Fanclub singer Raymond McGinley can't help smiling as he delivers a joyous set, with Sparky's Dream and What You Do to Me standouts. The Riptide Movement, headlining the second stage on Saturday night, caught the mood with the glorious closer All Works Out. 'Tomorrow's a new day.' Here's to next year.
The Independent
08-04-2025
- The Independent
10 of the best things to do in Cornwall, from surfing to seafood feasts
There's a reason why Cornwall continues to attract travellers from the UK and beyond. This idyllic county on the rugged southwest tip of England is home to some of the world's best beaches, delicious food, a renowned surf scene and a relaxed pace of life. Around 600,000 people call Cornwall home, a figure that triples during peak summer seasons. If you planning to visit this year, consider doing so out of the peak summer season. You'll avoid the overcrowding that affects the region, creating a more pleasant experience for you and for local people. But who can blame you for wanting to go? When it comes down to unadulterated natural beauty, Cornwall is indisputably a thief of hearts. Poor weather? No bother. Check out our expert guide to the best things to do in Cornwall on a rainy day, as approved by families. Here are the best things to do in Cornwall. Hit the trails Cornwall is home to a diverse range of walking trails and routes for all abilities, from coastline to lush forest and wild moorland, whether you're seeking a multi-day trek or a gentle stroll. There's no disputing the popularity of the South West Coast Path, which winds its way around the headline on this 300-mile plus section, but there's plenty more places to uncover. An excellent day walk along north Cornwall's dramatic shoreline begins at Porthcothan, running 7.2km to Mawgan Porth and taking in the Bedruthan Steps, while a dog-friendly 5.8km walk between Perranporth and St Agnes takes in the region's tin mining heritage and golden sandy beaches. Elsewhere, the picturesque Golitha Falls trail is flat, green and secluded and clocks in at just 1.6km. Take in a show at the Minack Theatre Built in the 1930s by Rowena Cade, Cornwall's Minack Theatre is arguably the UK's most famous – and certainly the most unique. Inspired by Greek amphitheatres, this outdoor theatre is carved into the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with stellar views of the surrounding coastline. Staging over 200 live performances each year, including plays, musicals, opera, music and children's events, thousands of people flock to this theatre situated just miles from Land's End. The 2025 season includes performances by artists such as BC Camplight, The Magic Numbers, Seth Lakeman, opera, Shakespeare and much more besides. Booking in advance is, predictably, essential. Eat a pasty Embrace that most Cornish of culinary traditions: eat a pasty. According to the Cornish Pasty Association, a genuine Cornish pasty must only contain roughly diced or minced beef, sliced or diced potato, swede, onion and seasoning to taste. The pastry must be savoury, shortcrust, puff or rough puff and must be crimped into a 'D' shape. That said, there are now infinite variations on the classic – and the pleasure lies in sampling all of them. Some of the best places to sample a Cornish pasty include Philps of Hayle, Chough Bakery in Padstow, Sarah's Pasty Shop in Looe and Gear Farm in St Martin-in-Meneage. Run, don't walk – and wear your loosest-fitting trousers. Surf Cornwall's Fistral Beach is an important part of the UK's surf scene, with golden sands and consistent wild Atlantic swells. As well as being the location for all the UK's biggest surf competitions – from Boardmasters Surf Championships to the English National Surfing Competition – it's also home to waves for all abilities. Hone your technique with tips from the team at Fistral Beach Surf School. Perranporth Beach is also a good spot for beginners – try Perranporth Surf School for lessons – while Watergate Bay is ideal for those with some experience under their belt. And if you'd rather spectate, head to the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth for Surf!, a major new exhibition exploring the history and cultural impact of surfing in Cornwall. Head to the moor Habitually overlooked by Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor is an ideal destination for a day out – or longer. Explore ancient sites, such as Hurlers Stone Circles (one of the best examples of ceremonial standing stones in the South West) and King Arthur's Hall, a megalithic enclosure consisting of 56 stones that is believed to date back to the Neolithic period. Hike to Cornwall's highest point, Brown Willy, which stands at 420m and is believed by some to be a sacred site – or simply sit and soak up the views and, if you're lucky, spot one of around 1,000 ponies that reside here. Don't leave without a drink at Jamaica Inn, the public house made famous by Daphne du Maurier's 1936 book of the same name. Embrace your artistic side in St Ives The quality of light in St Ives has attracted artists to St Ives since the beginning of the 19th century, with the extension of the railway to west Cornwall in 1877 contributing to the town's development as an artistic hub. Today, Tate St Ives showcases modern art inspired by Cornwall's landscape and history, while the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden preserves the 20th-century sculptor Barbara Hepworth's studio and garden where she lived and worked for 26 years. It's also home to the largest collection of her work. Smaller galleries to browse and even pick up your own art include the Penwith Gallery, Porthminster Gallery, Anima Mundi and Art Space. Feast on seafood For a county with the UK's longest coastline, clocking in at an impressive 1,086km, it's no surprise that it's also one of the best places to enjoy the ocean's bounty. And with so many eating establishments to choose from – from Michelin starred dining rooms, to relaxed beach huts – visitors are truly spoiled for choice. The Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar in Penzance serves small plates of sublime seafood, Porthminster Cafe is great for sustainable dishes with an Asian and Mediterranean influence, while Greg and Lou's Fish and Chips in Redruth was one of just two takeaways in the county to win in the prestigious 2025 Fry Awards. And if you're ready to blow the budget, head to Nathan Outlaw's New Road in Port Isaac for a tasting menu you won't forget in a hurry. Hit the beach With some of the best coastline in the UK (and beyond), beaches are what Cornwall does best, so it makes sense to spend some time getting acquainted with them. While your activities – or lack of – will largely be dependent on the weather, there's plenty to engage and inspire, whether it's exploring rock pools, hunting for fossils, watersports, building sandcastles (you're never too old) or simply getting horizontal and catching some rays, it's all here. Don't forget to consult the tide timetable before you go anywhere – that secluded cove you spotted yesterday could be a churning sea today. Get on your bike While the Camel Trail – a 29km traffic-free route on a disused railway line – is undoubtedly one of Cornwall's most popular cycling trails, there are kilometres of cycle paths to explore throughout the county. The Penrose Estate and Loe Pool loop is an easy option for beginners or families with both paved and woodland routes, while the 12km Goss Moor multi-use trail is mostly flat and takes you on a tour of this nature reserve, complete with waterways, marshes and a host of rare flora and fauna. Fancy something more challenging? Consider the Cornish Way – a 288km cycle route which forms part of the National Cycle Network running from Land's End to Bude. Give something back Plastic pollution is a major problem on Cornish beaches. Lend a hand for an hour or two and help locals with one of the regular beach cleans that take place around the coast. Beach Guardian runs regular cleans – find out more here. You can also find out more about local cleans by clicking on the Cornwall Wildlife Trust local pages here.
