I am caught in two minds as I write this piece on Forfey 2014. Should I tell you? Should I just try and keep it all to myself?
Such is my desire to keep this beautiful little secret to a confined few; you should read the following in a hushed tone, as I don’t think I actually have it in me to keep it from you, you fine appreciative reader, you.
For those of you who haven’t been or haven’t heard, Forfey is the best thing. It just is. For a hundred heart-breaking reasons I only popped my Forfey cherry last year and I couldn’t any higher of a festival. Last year was the Year of the Deer, and it was the year that I luckily got to meet Rex, the much loved Forfey Farm Dog. Achingly though, it was Rex’s final festival appearance and so this year fittingly is the Year of Rex!!
Held near Lisnaskea in County Fermanagh, it has been announced that this year’s festival is to be held on the first weekend of August 2014, from the 1st to the 3rd. With the dates came the announcement of the first twelve acts to be confirmed to be playing the charm-filled sheds. So far it is looking well, the twelve alone would in fact probably warrant paying the ticket price never mind the promise of many more acts that are yet to be released, or the exhibitions, or the palates classes, or the BBQ’s or indeed the general uplifting atmosphere that cuddles you from the second you pull your tent from the boot of your car.
Here, have a taste:
More Than Conquerors return to Forfey following their sabbatical from last year’s festival. Huge riffs and lovely hair, they’re coming into their own and will be keen to invite you to join them along the way by way of mosh.
What does this mean for that insane thing you saw the same boys treat us to last year I hear you say? Don’t worry it’s fine. The transformation of Alan Duddy from loveable gent to screaming maniac is billed once again- Skeletons will be challenging the structure of their shed once again.
Not enough Moshing for you? I give you Hornets. LOUD. VERY LOUD. Taps aff and mosh, or else stand to the side and protect those you love the most…. or your drink. Still not enough of the old school heavy Rock? Have some Rupture Dogs, their passion filled high energy set will keep you on a nervy edge.
Boogie providers are present too. Recently snapped up by Kitsune, GO Wolf will give you a bop with their brand of electro-pop. You’ll be singing it for days, trust me. They’re catchy, oh so very catchy. You’ll also be able to shake it to Affleck who are debuting at the festival this year. Synths galore, glorious.
Folk? Yup, here too. The Emerald Armada will be flaunting their native folk songs in the expert ways we’ve come to expect. High tempo and happy stuff, the Armada will always be welcome on these shores. They’re sure to be a highlight of the weekend. Forfey also welcomes Dubliners Carriages with a unique blend, can we call it electronic-folk? It’s a kind of hazy blend, but you’ll like it, so you will.
Ram’s Pocket Radio is back on the bill. Multi-instrumentalist Peter McCauley will showcase his untarnished musical creations and invite you to come with him to that place he goes when he performs, where ever that is…
Mellowing down now we reach the singer/songwriting end of the first twelve. Joshua Burnside is back again this year. His strong sense of penmanship when song writing is backed up by the delicate craftsmanship of the sounds that accompany his words. Every sound and pause is precisely placed. Ciaran Lavery is present too, with the promise of an intense and moving set. The shed will quieten down for some storytelling from the second he steps on stage.
Last but not least is BeeMickSee. There’s not a lot to say really is there? Nothing, apart from that there’s not quite anything like him locally. He is guaranteed to get you going though.
Early-dawg tickets are soon to be released, so keep an eye out. The diversity and quality of the festival is already there for all to see. Forfey is a summer highlight; all you have to do is be there.
