“Because you’re playing a massive tent, there may be an act after you or before you. You need to win the crowd over for sure – but I like the challenge.,” DAIRE told Hot Press' Niamh Browne for the special Longitude issue. “You’re showcasing your skills for an audience who might not have heard of you before. Or they might only be there just to see what you’re like, so you can win a lot of new fans that way.”

Belfast DJ and producer Daire McGuigan - known by his stage name as DAIRE - certainly showcased his skills behind the decks during an electrifying performance under the Heineken Stage tent at Longitude Sunday, delivering one of the strongest sets of the weekend.

Daire at Longitude, 30 June 2024. Copyright Bailey Shropshire/hotpress.com

Xenon stobe lights coming from the tent drew crowds in like bat signals, coupled with the attraction of the bass-laden rhythm, until the venue was nearly filled to capacity.

DAIRE's slot was characterised by magnetic drum patterns, infectious melodies deftly woven through pummelling chord progressions. The result offered a distinctive soundscape both nostalgic in spirit, yet contemporary by design, with a setlist comprising a slew of favourite hit remixes, from Rihanna to Paraçek and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

DAIRE at Longitude, 30 June 2024. Copyright Bailey Shropshire/hotpress.com

The jockey has been making waves across the Irish dance scene with his high-octane productions that have garnered attention from the masses, on Soundcloud alone DAIRE has gained over 20 million streams across a multitude of releases. Such unstoppable anthems as 'Earth Move' and 'Put 'em High' translated immaculately from the streaming platform to the stage, the crowd imbibing every measure with fervor.

The festival goers reached a fever pitch on a remix of Rihanna's 'S&M,' interlaced with will.i.am's 'Scream & Shout (feat. Britney Spears)', belting every word and frantically jumping to the feel-it-in-your-chest bass. Elsewhere, propulsive samples of House of Pain's 'Jump Around' to 'I Feel The Earth Move' had everyone's hands outstretched to the ceiling.

It was an unforgettable performance from one of the most exciting DJs in Ireland at present. A wild non-stop flurry of banger after boisterous banger,  DAIRE is certainly a force to reckoned with.