Afternoon creeps into evening here at Curraghmore House and still the sun burns as bright, with all available patches of shade taken up by those seeking solace from the solar assault. At the Main Stage, many conserve their energy by resting on the ground before Jape

Speaking in this week’s Hot Press, Richie Egan of Jape promised that the band’s set at All Together Now - their first live outing in almost two years - would strike a fine balance between old hits and the new, more experimental material he’s been writing in his studio in Sweden.

That new material dominates the opening half of the set. Foreshadowed by single ‘Yeh’, released last week, it’s a thick soup of expansive, lush analogue synth goodness, and mostly instrumental apart from wordless vocals. It’s ambitious in scope but perhaps a little meandering to keep the crowd’s attention in such heat.

Thankfully they have a large back catalogue of bangers to delve into. ‘The Heart’s Desire’ gets an extended run out, turning this pop single into an enormous, LCD-like rave jam, and the funk groove of closer ‘I Was a Man’ ensures there’s not a single person left sitting down. No ‘Floating’ though, but sure you can’t have everything.

"It is fucking sick to be back in the homeland and get a reception like this!” The delight on Jess Smyth of Biig Piig’s face is clear to see as she draws a crowd to the Road to Nowhere stage that aren’t afraid to show their appreciation for her. Irish-born but brought up between Spain and London, Smyth is among kindred spirits here at All Together Now.

She discovered her relaxed neo-soul style by jumping on the mic at house parties, and that’s reflected the title of her debut EP, Big Fan of the Sesh Vol 1. The juxtaposition of her hazy, laidback vocals and razor-sharp beats means it’s a perfect set for an early evening chillout session.

It’s the perfect time to catch your breath - later on we won’t have the chance, as the likes of Roisin Murphy, Booka Shade and Underworld take to the stage.

Don’t forget to call into the Hot Press Acoustic Stage/Speakeasy tonight, where we’ll have performances from Basciville, Brigid Mae Power, Clare Sands, Mongoose, Newfoundland and OJO all night long!