- Culture
- 10 Sep 19
Summer may be coming to and end, but Dundalk's Fuinneamh offers one last golden chance to keep the party going.
Festival season has not come to an end just yet! The fourth edition of Fuinneamh (formerly known as Lunasa) brings down the curtain from September 14 to 16. Its name translating to ‘spirit’ and ‘energy’ in Irish Gaelic, the event is a music and art camping festival with plenty on offer for electronic music amateurs.
Set in the breath-taking scenery of Bellurgan Park in Dundalk, County Louth, Fuinneamh is the last chance to properly hit the dancefloor under both the moon and the sunlight this year. For two days, dozens of acts will be spread over five areas – and a lot of effort have been put into making it visually mesmerizing.
The festival is definitely expanding – while it used to feature the best of what local acts have to offer, this year’s line-up is packed with international talents as well.
It's headlined by the acclaimed Italian duo 999999999 – meant to be pronounced ‘nine times nine’ to avoid looking slightly deranged. Expect a raging, unforgiving Techno Live set from these two who have conquered all the Dance hotspots in only a few years.
Founder of the record label Clergy, Manchester based DJ and producer Cleric will also perform a Live set of his trademark atmospheric-yet-raucous style. Waterford native Cailín - who has taken the Irish techno scene by storm - will also hit the decks. No doubt she’ll deliver a smashing series of headbangers which may well blow the tent top off.
Advertisement
If you haven’t discovered the new wave genre of Electronic Body Music yet – which combines elements of industrial music and synth punk with Dance music - make sure to check out Inhalt Der Nacht. The young Berliner is a gifted DJ and producer as well as the founder of the labels Modul and Lebendig. Already renowned in the electronic world, he is more ready and primed to blow your mind.
Global techno star Rebekah from Birmingham will also make temperatures soar at Fuinneamh. Her productions have long been raved about by the likes of Adam Beyer and Chris Liebing. Driven by this success, Rebekah launched her own label Decoy Records in 2012 and has grown to become one of the most in-demand DJs and producers out there.
Also be prepared for Randomer as the DJ and producer from UK is expected to deliver a cracking set of his usually banging techno. And Irish hard-hitter Myler will definitely get the dancefloor jumping with what he likes to call “filthy dirty techno.” Part of Belfast-based DSNT - an acclaimed hardcore techno label, booking agency and event producer on a steady rise across the whole of Ireland – the DJ has been on a steady rise to prominence lately.
Masterful Midland’s craft is also guaranteed to bring the house down with his honed bouncy beats - and so is deep house maestro Leon Vynehall. Hailing from Manchester and now Dublin-based NANCY is the latest big addition to an already very special line-up. A revered DJ and producer armed with over twelve years of experience; she vibrates with an obviously ardent passion for music.
“I'm really looking forward to playing Fuinneamh, I've heard so many incredible things about the festival,” she tells us. NANCY has the devoted particularity to always play Live sets – something which is very rare these days: “For me with Live performances, the connection with the crowd is just next level! You can interact with people and take them on a mad journey - there's no better feeling in my opinion.”
Not only does she create her own sound along the way, NANCY also uses her numerous productions as a base to build her Live sets on. “Being able to play a set of purely your own music productions and have people dancing to them is just the best,” she explains.
She has the freedom and skills to manipulate the music so much that possibilities become endless: “With Live if I want the breakdown to be an extra minute longer or if I want to randomly throw in a little curve ball just to keep it exciting, I can!” Often praised for her energy, she explains that it comes from her feeding off the crowd in what is a completely symbiotic relation.
Advertisement
While she has a set list in mind, NANCY refuses to stick to a plan, which would go against her whole vibe: “Depending on how I feel, I'll definitely change it up do a little on-the-fly playing, you know? During the last gig I did, I played my own live version of Prodigy's ‘No Good’ - I've never seen a crowd go that nuts. So yes, I'll have a few covers up my sleeve ready to whip them into a frenzy,” she concludes.
NANCY will perform at the Keep Her Lit stage in association with the Secret Society (While You Sleep We Dance) which has been instrumental in bringing in underground events in Dublin over the last few months.
For the groovers at Fuinneamh, Dublin-based George Feely will spread his infectious energy via his carefully handpicked selection of disco and funk-house tunes. Imaginarium, Peach and Setaoc Mass are also part of the long list of highly talented DJs in attendance. Hold on to your bucket hats because this is going to be a wild ride!
Along with this stellar House, Techno and Psy-Trance line-up, Fuinneamh will also feature bands, comedians, story-tellers and talks – a variety of acts which will make the event all the most magical. For good measure there’s also the Lotus Tribe Village. Dedicated to well-being, it will host a chill out space, yoga, meditation classes, sound healing, mindfulness lectures and environmental awareness talks for those who need to take a breather.
A very immersive environment coupled with an impressive bunch of top-quality artists –this festival guarantees for some very unique experience under the cosmos.
In conclusion: tagann an fuinneamh - come feel the energy!