On a day that offered up a formidable list of strong male personalities, we should start things off right now by saying that Kelela killed it.
Taking to the Lighthouse Stage before tea time, the LA star in ascension was met with a sparse crowd but within minutes she'd attracted a huge and enthusiastic audience who lapped up her rhythmically sophisticated, completely soulful alternative R&B and threw big love her way. Her first time in Ireland, she seemed taken aback by the massive reaction and deemed us "sweet" but really it was no more than she deserved. Aaliyah and Cassie are names that constantly crop up when people are spreading the good word about Kelela but there's nothing derivative going on here - she has a sound that's all her own. 'Guns & Synths' was a highlight and that title is a handy encapsulation of her sound - bullet shots-as-percussion ring out as her celestial voice rises above it all. A hypnotic performance from someone who should be a major force for years to come.
If that was the moment Saturday properly ignited, we'd gotten off to a laid back but wholly pleasant start. The sun making a welcome appearance, Book Brass Band eased us into Day 2 with covers of everything from 'Cry Me A River' to 'Smooth Criminal'. It is true that their original work doesn't entirely hold up, and the less time they give to vocals the better, but they've become the go-to afternoon festival act in Ireland for good reason.
Rusangano Family raised the tempo significantly on the Live Live Stage. It's still a little strange seeing an Irish rap act that are not only not cringey in the slightest, but genuinely possess the ability to be world beaters. A superb set from the trio.
As we headed into the evening, for this writer at least, it was still all about the hip-hop. Joey Bada$$ stopped by the HP Speakeasy and was half-jokingly dismissive of the acts bookending his set on the main stage, but really, does it get much better than Earl Sweatshirt, Joey and then the legendary Wu Tang Clan?
As it happened, maybe it wasn't the perfect setting for Earl. The Odd Future talent brought a slow-paced, doomy and bass-heavy set that didn't quite capture the masses' imagination. It would have made for an intense and intensely enjoyable experience in a club, you feel, but something was lost in the festival air. Probably sensing that himself, the final quarter properly ratcheted up the energy and rhythm, reminding us why he's one of the most potent forces in the rap game right now.
Joey Bada$$ picked up sublimely from there and turned in one of the performances of the weekend. Unlike Earl, he immediately sized up the situation and attacked the mic in a way he doesn't on record. He may be tiring of those '90s rap comparisons, but there were plenty of times where he fit the 'Wu Tang warm-up' slot perfeclty.
Speaking of which, the real deal then showed up to remind us of the immortal qualities of the likes of 'CREAM' and 'Bring Da Ruckus'. They were in diminished numbers for sure (it might not matter to the casual observer, but for this RZA obsessive his absence due to filming commitments was a proper disappointment) but the back catalogue always sees them in good stead. The 'Ws' flying high and proud in the air said it all. An awesome and memorable Forbidden Fruit on Saturday was a wrap.