Lofty Reports: the annual Indiependence 2017 review

Indiependence 2017 review – it did not disappoint

The Lofty boys make their annual trip to Michelstown for Ireland’s continuously growing festival. As ever, they had a ball of a of time with Saturday summed up below in Lofty’s Indiependence 2017 review. 

It’s the August Bank Holiday weekend again and there’s only one place to be, Mitchelstown for Indiependence Music & Arts Festival. In it’s eighth year now it’s great to see the festival survive the recession years and provide a much needed musical boost for this part of Munster every August.

From it’s modest beginnings on the back of a trailer in the middle of the town square Indiependence has developed year on year into a festival which now attracts plenty of quality Irish and international talent, along with 8,000 avid festival goers.

Even though the fun kicked off on Friday night for a variety of reasons your correspondent doesn’t hit town till Saturday and after a bit of comedy it’s straight to The Big Top tent for our first band of the weekend Penrose, who’s mixture of musical swagger and polished harmonies are a fine way to get my Indiependence up and running properly.

Our first taste of the Main Stage sees Tiz McNamara in action and with full band accompaniment he satisfies all in attendance and clearly enjoys the experience. After some much needed refuelling it’s time to head in for our first look at the Beerhall stage and it is hopping courtesy of the Mandeville Beat Critics, another emerging raw hip hop collective who bring a whole pile of energy & enthusiasm to a stage that can be at times tricky to draw a crowd to.

Back on the Main Stage it’s time for Raglans who to me are a perfect festival band, I’ve seen them plenty of times in the past and again they do not disappoint. Front man Stephen Kelly is a charming presence and the sounds that Seán O’Brien gets out of his mandolin are hypnotic.

For anyone familiar with the next act on our hit list you will not be surprised to hear that they dial the volume up to 11, but Fangclub aren’t just about making a racket they are a tight trio who deliver a polished riff-heavy performance and are obviously on a high after the release of their debut album earlier in the week.

Next up is a Cork band who have had a stellar 2017 and who’s appearance at Indiependence is primed with expectation. Talos’ debut album ‘Wild Alee’ is one of the best releases by an Irish band this year and their live show is as equally stunning as that record, there is an inherent intensity to front man Eoin French which spreads to the rest of his bandmates as the set develops, delivering wave after wave of emotional resonance that is simply mesmeric. If you’re wondering what was the highlight of Indiependence 2017, there is no doubt it was Talos.

From Talos it’s a quick visit to the Main Stage which for the first time this Saturday is absolutely wedged for The Riptide Movement who have the sizeable crowd in full-on party mood. But there’s no time for partying when Overhead, the Albatross await. The last time I saw them in action it was in a confined space but here on The Big Top stage with their spell binding lights show it’s the real deal and they do not disappoint. It’s epic from start to finish (even in the quieter moments) and they leave all assembled breathless and elated.

While The Coronas are playing to a packed Main Stage it’s time for an energy boosting coffee & crepe which is well needed as All Tvvins bring Saturday night to a close with a bright pop-fuelled performance that is a perfect way to see out the day’s proceedings.

A fan of the Indiependence 2017 review? Check out the reviews from years 2015 and Saturday and Sunday of 2016.

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