New acts give Westport Festival greater appeal
A family-friendly event which has captured the hearts of West of Ireland music fans over the past two years suddenly looks far more attractive for 2014 with the addition this week of over 30 Irish and international musicians to the line-up for the Westport Festival.
Irish music legends Sinéad O’Connor, The Divine Comedy and Kíla are among the acts who have been added to the bill for the festival which takes place at Westport House in the picturesque Co Mayo town on Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29.
International acts who have been confirmed for the two day festival of music and food include The Jim Jones Revue, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, and ska legends The Selecter, led by Pauline Black and Gaps Hendrickson.
Tribute acts include Bjorn Again and the Bootleg Beatles, while Tony Joe White, The Hot Sprockets, Alien Envoy and The Kilfenora Céilí Band add depth to the line-up for an event which only had headliners Kool and the Gang and Bryan Adams confirmed prior to this week.
Set on a stunning site, with a variety of food villages, music and comedy stages, the Westport Festival has been a critical success but has not received the same level of commercial success since its inception two years ago.
In total this year, over 70 artists and comedians will perform across five stages, including the courtyard venue for young, up-and-coming Irish artists which was successfully curated by Galway pub The Róisín Dubh for the first time last year.
Some of the Irish acts who will be given welcome exposure at the festival this year include Daithí, We Cut Corners, Enemies, Boyfights, My Fellow Sponges, and Elaine Mai, with further acts to be announced over the coming weeks and months.
Comedians already lined up include Ardal O’Hanlon, Terry Alderton, Foil Arms & Hog and Karl Spain.
Children under 12 will be admitted for free, when accompanied by an adult, and there will be free activities in the Pirate Adventure Park throughout the two days of the festival.
There will be on-site camping, just ten minutes from Westport town centre, with hot showers, wifi, picnic and washing-up areas.
• Day tickets cost €76 and weekend tickets will set you back €131, including the booking free. There are cheaper tickets available for teenagers and these can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.ie