Forest Fest 2026 has announced 32 new additions to its already impressive lineup, with the Co.Laois festival set to take place at Emo this July 24th - 26th. The new acts span decades and genres, from punk legends to rising Irish talent, and join headliners Echo & The Bunnymen, James, and Madness.
Among the highlights of the new additions are cult British icons The Chameleons and Jesus Jones, whose anthems remain as powerful as ever, alongside the soulful brilliance of Andrew Strong and the mellow, critically acclaimed David Kitt. American rock powerhouse Black Pistol Fire will also make their Forest Fest debut, as will the incomparable Camille O'Sullivan and blues legend Don Baker.
Festival Director Philip Meagher says: "We are already thrilled with the lineup we have so far - and with our new additions we're adding another layer of quality to what is already a great offering. We wanted to ensure that the weekend of FF2026 is going to be the greatest party in Ireland this year, with real quality across the board — from legends of the 80s and 90s such as The Chameleons and Jesus Jones, to the most exciting new bands presently plying the scene such as Dopamine, Byro, Cúr and Sadhbh Keane — all really young acts who we are really excited to give a chance to and let the public see them in a big festival environment. We know they're going to step up to that challenge."
He continued: "We have everything in between legends and up-and-coming acts too, such as blues maestro Don Baker, the amazing King of Soul Andrew Strong, the mellow smoothness of David Kitt, and the American rock powerhouse that is Black Pistol Fire — who I'm really looking forward to seeing. They're one of the most amazing live acts in the world at the moment and I can't wait to see them plugging into our sound system at Forest Fest."
The new lineup also delivers on the tribute act front, with a stellar selection including Walk The Line, The Classic Beatles, Harvest with Hearts of Gold Choir, The Complete Stone Roses, the Seattle Grunge Experience, Thin Az Lizzy, Rattle & Hum, Partick Monkeys and more. Headlining the tribute bill is the one and only Björn Again, the world-famous ABBA spectacular who are set to close out Friday night in spectacular style. "You only have to look at their performance at the Isle of Wight festival recently to see what a good vibe they generate," says Meagher. "They're sure to close off Friday night with the biggest sing-along that Ireland has seen in a very long time."
Adding to the party atmosphere will be the much-loved BoolaBoom, familiar to festival-goers across the country, along with the high-energy Circus Ponies and QueenBees — all guaranteed to get the crowd moving and keep the good times rolling across the festival site.
On the emerging talent front, Forest Fest is giving some of the most exciting new acts on the Irish scene their moment in the spotlight, with Byro, Cúr, Sadhbh Keane, How I Became A Wave, Def Nettle and Driven Snow all making their Forest Fest debuts.
Local favourites Dopamine, Motion Sickness and Strength In Numbers, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, also return - reflecting the festival’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local music scene — a thread that runs through the heart of everything Forest Fest does. Joining them are The Bionic Rats, Columbia Mills and The Luna Boys, two acts who have been earning their stripes on the Irish live circuit for years and who are sure to deliver.
For ticketing and further information, visit forestfest.ie.
Festival Director Philip Meagher says: "We are already thrilled with the lineup we have so far - and with our new additions we're adding another layer of quality to what is already a great offering. We wanted to ensure that the weekend of FF2026 is going to be the greatest party in Ireland this year, with real quality across the board — from legends of the 80s and 90s such as The Chameleons and Jesus Jones, to the most exciting new bands presently plying the scene such as Dopamine, Byro, Cúr and Sadhbh Keane — all really young acts who we are really excited to give a chance to and let the public see them in a big festival environment. We know they're going to step up to that challenge."
He continued: "We have everything in between legends and up-and-coming acts too, such as blues maestro Don Baker, the amazing King of Soul Andrew Strong, the mellow smoothness of David Kitt, and the American rock powerhouse that is Black Pistol Fire — who I'm really looking forward to seeing. They're one of the most amazing live acts in the world at the moment and I can't wait to see them plugging into our sound system at Forest Fest."
The new lineup also delivers on the tribute act front, with a stellar selection including Walk The Line, The Classic Beatles, Harvest with Hearts of Gold Choir, The Complete Stone Roses, the Seattle Grunge Experience, Thin Az Lizzy, Rattle & Hum, Partick Monkeys and more. Headlining the tribute bill is the one and only Björn Again, the world-famous ABBA spectacular who are set to close out Friday night in spectacular style. "You only have to look at their performance at the Isle of Wight festival recently to see what a good vibe they generate," says Meagher. "They're sure to close off Friday night with the biggest sing-along that Ireland has seen in a very long time."
Adding to the party atmosphere will be the much-loved BoolaBoom, familiar to festival-goers across the country, along with the high-energy Circus Ponies and QueenBees — all guaranteed to get the crowd moving and keep the good times rolling across the festival site.
On the emerging talent front, Forest Fest is giving some of the most exciting new acts on the Irish scene their moment in the spotlight, with Byro, Cúr, Sadhbh Keane, How I Became A Wave, Def Nettle and Driven Snow all making their Forest Fest debuts.
Local favourites Dopamine, Motion Sickness and Strength In Numbers, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, also return - reflecting the festival’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local music scene — a thread that runs through the heart of everything Forest Fest does. Joining them are The Bionic Rats, Columbia Mills and The Luna Boys, two acts who have been earning their stripes on the Irish live circuit for years and who are sure to deliver.
For ticketing and further information, visit forestfest.ie.
