New acts unveiled for Body and Soul Festival in Westmeath
Body & Soul has pulled the second of a string of surprises from its trademark sleeve, unveiling new Irish and international acts for this year’s line-up.
There will also be various artists who will be using the midsummer festival at Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath as their very own blank canvas.
The 2013 Body & Soul fesitival takes place in Ballinlough Castle from June 21-23.
Festival goers will be treated to something special as legendary reggae icons, The Congos, showcase their genre defining back catalogue. The Jamaican vocal group will bring their distinctive sound to Ballinlough with the promise of truly laid back vibes and Caribbean rhythms.
Their classic 1977 album 'Heart of the Congos' was recently described by BBC as “the best roots reggae album ever recorded” and their unique falsetto voices remain as strong as ever today.
UK two piece experimental electronic wizards, Fuck Buttons (interesting name to say the least), are also booked for their first Irish appearance in four years. Their sophomore effort, ‘Tarot Sport’, featured on the 2009 top ten album lists in the likes of Drowned in Sound, Mojo and NME.
Formed in Bristol in 2004, the duo is quickly becoming an international force to be reckoned with and tracks from their new album will be on debut in Ballinlough. Their music was featured in Danny Boyle's opening ceremony for the Olympics in London last year.
Irish acoustic trailblazer, Wallis Bird, will perform tracks from her eponymous third album, which received significant plaudits from both domestic and international music press.
The 2013 Choice Music Award Nominee’s unfailingly energetic performing style has gathered a cult following at home and abroad. Not to be missed.
Bird will be joined by Scandinavian Pop-Electro all-stars, Kate Boy, who are making their first ever Irish appearance. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, this Stockholm-based quartet creates ear-catching beats with a twist.
The group’s ‘Northern Lights’ EP has been catching the attention of international media, with Pitchfork recently interviewing the group for its ‘Rising’ section.
Forrests is Dublin duo Paul O’Reilly and Owen O’Mahony. Formed when their band Channel One went on hold, Forrests’ debut track, ‘Billions’, channelled Body&Soul alumni M83, with a sound that is destined to force increasingly large groups to move to their groove.
Maintaining its reputation as more than just a music festival, Body&Soul will also feature artists whose installations and bespoke creations will be housed in the beautiful setting of Ballinlough for the Summer Solstice weekend.