Located at Bee's Wing Farm in Emo, County Laois, Forest Fest has created a real buzz for itself in the years since its inception. One of the most loved festivals in Ireland, the 2026 event was held from 24 - 26 July, and featured Headliners Echo & the Bunnymen, James, and Madness.
Madness at Forest Fest 2026. Photo: Steve O'Connor
"It's a lot bigger than last year". This is the comment that we hear most when chatting to regular Forest Fest attendees. Winning the mantle of No. 1 Festival in Ireland in The Irish Times Critics’ Poll 2025, it's no surprise that it's outgrown last year's 12,000 capacity. This year, 16,000 people will walk through the gates every day, and although the increase in scale is palpable, it also means extra facilities, extra stages, and more music than ever before.
The main action takes place on the Forest Stage, with The Village Stage marquee the home of indie and punk action, and for the first time, dedicated Trad and Folk - The Fleadh Stage - and country - Kickin' Up Dust - stages for those with more rootsy tastes. If this wasn't enough, there's also areas for emerging artists, tribute acts, jazz, and more, meaning that there really is something for everyone at Forest Fest.
Friday [24 July] sees Forest Fest 2026 burst into life in spectacular fashion, with Belfast rock duo Dea Matrona, UK indie stalwarts The Wedding Present and former Jam bassist Bruce Foxton leading a stellar opening-day line-up. It's an irresistible start to a weekend packed with outstanding live music, setting the tone perfectly for everything Forest Fest has become known for: quality acts, great craic and an atmosphere that's hard to beat.
"This feels like a residency", declares Something Happens' vocalist Tom Dunne, and with the band making their fourth Forest Fest appearance in five years, it's hard to argue. The Village Tent is packed to the rafters as the Dublin favourites tear through a set of irresistible anthems, including 'Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello (Petrol)' and 'Parachute'. Live outings may be few and far between these days, but when Something Happens do take to the stage, they're always worth the wait.
Out in the main arena, The Charlatans are whipping the crowd into a frenzy, with the infectious atmosphere clearly rubbing off on frontman Tim Burgess. Beaming from ear to ear throughout the set, his smile never fades. "We love you!", he tells the audience before launching into a seductive 'You're So Pretty', and the feeling is unmistakably mutual as the crowd responds with an outpouring of affection.
The main action takes place on the Forest Stage, with The Village Stage marquee the home of indie and punk action, and for the first time, dedicated Trad and Folk - The Fleadh Stage - and country - Kickin' Up Dust - stages for those with more rootsy tastes. If this wasn't enough, there's also areas for emerging artists, tribute acts, jazz, and more, meaning that there really is something for everyone at Forest Fest.
Friday [24 July] sees Forest Fest 2026 burst into life in spectacular fashion, with Belfast rock duo Dea Matrona, UK indie stalwarts The Wedding Present and former Jam bassist Bruce Foxton leading a stellar opening-day line-up. It's an irresistible start to a weekend packed with outstanding live music, setting the tone perfectly for everything Forest Fest has become known for: quality acts, great craic and an atmosphere that's hard to beat.
"This feels like a residency", declares Something Happens' vocalist Tom Dunne, and with the band making their fourth Forest Fest appearance in five years, it's hard to argue. The Village Tent is packed to the rafters as the Dublin favourites tear through a set of irresistible anthems, including 'Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello (Petrol)' and 'Parachute'. Live outings may be few and far between these days, but when Something Happens do take to the stage, they're always worth the wait.
Out in the main arena, The Charlatans are whipping the crowd into a frenzy, with the infectious atmosphere clearly rubbing off on frontman Tim Burgess. Beaming from ear to ear throughout the set, his smile never fades. "We love you!", he tells the audience before launching into a seductive 'You're So Pretty', and the feeling is unmistakably mutual as the crowd responds with an outpouring of affection.
The Charlatans at Forest Fest 2026. Photo: Steve O'Connor
The Undertones meanwhile, receive a hero's welcome in the Village Tent. "You're terribly kind to a bunch of old men," laughs bassist Mickey Bradley as the Derry five-piece settle into their stride; "It's a bit of a racket, but it's our racket". By the time they tear into classics such as 'It's Going to Happen' and the immortal 'Teenage Kicks', the tent has become one giant singalong. The set overruns, but nobody is complaining. When you've got songs this good and an audience hanging on every word, the schedule can wait.
Back in the arena, Echo and the Bunnymen are closing out the evening, Their darkly gothic sounds offer a complete contrast to The Undertones upbeat set, but it's no less engaging. The however, band battle sound issues, and there's a strange creative tendency for the levels to dip to allow the audience to sing the choruses, which is simply baffling. 'The Killing Moon' still rocks however, even if front man Ian McCulloch is less than modest, introducing it as "the greatest song ever written".
Back in the main arena, Echo & the Bunnymen bring Friday night to a close. Their brooding, gothic sound provides a stark contrast to the euphoric punk-pop rush of The Undertones, but it's no less captivating. Unfortunately, persistent sound issues blunt the impact of the set, while an odd production decision to repeatedly drop the band low in the mix so the audience can sing the choruses proves more distracting than immersive.
Even so, there's no denying the power of the songs themselves. 'The Killing Moon' remains utterly spellbinding, prompting frontman Ian McCulloch to introduce it with characteristic swagger as "the greatest song ever written". Modest it isn't, it's hard to argue that it isn't one of the defining songs of the post-punk era. Despite the technical frustrations, the Liverpool legends still deliver a fittingly atmospheric finale to Forest Fest's opening day.
Back in the arena, Echo and the Bunnymen are closing out the evening, Their darkly gothic sounds offer a complete contrast to The Undertones upbeat set, but it's no less engaging. The however, band battle sound issues, and there's a strange creative tendency for the levels to dip to allow the audience to sing the choruses, which is simply baffling. 'The Killing Moon' still rocks however, even if front man Ian McCulloch is less than modest, introducing it as "the greatest song ever written".
Back in the main arena, Echo & the Bunnymen bring Friday night to a close. Their brooding, gothic sound provides a stark contrast to the euphoric punk-pop rush of The Undertones, but it's no less captivating. Unfortunately, persistent sound issues blunt the impact of the set, while an odd production decision to repeatedly drop the band low in the mix so the audience can sing the choruses proves more distracting than immersive.
Even so, there's no denying the power of the songs themselves. 'The Killing Moon' remains utterly spellbinding, prompting frontman Ian McCulloch to introduce it with characteristic swagger as "the greatest song ever written". Modest it isn't, it's hard to argue that it isn't one of the defining songs of the post-punk era. Despite the technical frustrations, the Liverpool legends still deliver a fittingly atmospheric finale to Forest Fest's opening day.
Echo and the Bunnymen at Forest Fest 2026. Photo: Brian Bastick.
Day two [Sat 25 July] may be grey and overcast in sharp contrast to Friday's glorious weather, but the Hoosiers sunshine sounds are doing their best to make up for it. They're the first act on the main stage and the immensely popular Frank and Walters indie sounds may offer a sharp contrast, but no less in terms of quality.
By the time Andrew Strong takes to the stage, Forest Fest is really beginning to hit its stride. The first thing that strikes you is that voice. Boy, can he still belt them out. It's hard to believe he was just 16 when he starred as the frontman of fictional Dublin soul outfit The Commitments, and more than three decades on, his powerhouse vocals have lost none of their grit, soul or sheer force.
Backed by a superb six-piece band, Strong serves up a thrilling mix of funk, blues and, naturally, the soul music that made his name. Every song is delivered with conviction, but it's a spine-tingling rendition of 'Try a Little Tenderness' that brings the set to its peak. Equal parts raw power and heartfelt restraint, it's a performance that reminds everyone why he remains one of Ireland's great soul voices.
Over in the Village tent, Hugh Cornwell is belting out the Stranglers catalogue along with tracks from his solo catalogue. "I've got ten Stranglers albums in the back catalogue, and I've got ten of my own solo records", he later tells us backstage, so it's fitting that he divides his set equally between the two. It's the former that goes down the best, with a filthy 'Nice 'n' Sleazy' and hypnotic 'Golden Brown' stealing the show.
Back in the main arena, The Fratellis remind everyone just how many hits they've had, as does Irish singer songwriter Paul Brady, whose stripped back band - featuring Brady himself backed only by guitar and piano - is perfect in the afternoon sun. Receiving a rapturous response, he gushes; "I love people that want to make a noise!"
By early evening, the arena is packed to capacity. Even the VIP area is standing room only and, for the only time all weekend, things feel a little cramped. The Coronas are clearly one of Ireland's most beloved live bands, with festivalgoers craning for a glimpse from every vantage point. Led by the ever-charismatic Danny O'Reilly, the Dublin indie heroes deliver an emotionally charged set that has the crowd singing every word back at them.
As darkness falls, Deacon Blue turn back the clock with a hit-packed performance tailor-made for Forest Fest's core audience. Drawing heavily from their 1989 chart-topping album 'When the World Knows Your Name', the Scottish sophisti-pop veterans give the crowd exactly what they've come for. 'Real Gone Kid', 'Fergus Sings the Blues' and 'Dignity' spark huge singalongs, proving that these songs have lost none of their emotional pull.
Over in the Village Tent, Cork heroes Sultans of Ping are unleashing their trademark chaos. Frontman Niall O'Flaherty remains a hilarious, unpredictable livewire, bouncing around the stage with infectious energy. By the time the band crash into the inevitable closer, 'Where's Me Jumper?', the tent is in complete bedlam.
It all sets the stage perfectly for headliners James, who don't so much burst into their set as gradually draw the audience in. "We changed the setlist so many times before we came on that I've got a different one to everybody else!" laughs a bewildered Tim Booth, setting the tone for a performance that feels loose, spontaneous and completely unforced. The early moments unfold at a measured pace, but the intensity builds steadily until a soaring 'Say Something' sees Booth perched atop the front barrier before hurling himself into the sea of fans for a crowd-surfing adventure.
Throughout the evening, Booth playfully insists they're "not the band who do 'Sit Down'", teasing the inevitable. When it finally arrives, the response is exactly as expected, with thousands of voices joining together in one of the weekend's biggest singalongs. By the time the band close with 'Laid', the arena is bouncing, bringing Saturday night to a joyous, euphoric conclusion.
By the time Andrew Strong takes to the stage, Forest Fest is really beginning to hit its stride. The first thing that strikes you is that voice. Boy, can he still belt them out. It's hard to believe he was just 16 when he starred as the frontman of fictional Dublin soul outfit The Commitments, and more than three decades on, his powerhouse vocals have lost none of their grit, soul or sheer force.
Backed by a superb six-piece band, Strong serves up a thrilling mix of funk, blues and, naturally, the soul music that made his name. Every song is delivered with conviction, but it's a spine-tingling rendition of 'Try a Little Tenderness' that brings the set to its peak. Equal parts raw power and heartfelt restraint, it's a performance that reminds everyone why he remains one of Ireland's great soul voices.
Over in the Village tent, Hugh Cornwell is belting out the Stranglers catalogue along with tracks from his solo catalogue. "I've got ten Stranglers albums in the back catalogue, and I've got ten of my own solo records", he later tells us backstage, so it's fitting that he divides his set equally between the two. It's the former that goes down the best, with a filthy 'Nice 'n' Sleazy' and hypnotic 'Golden Brown' stealing the show.
Back in the main arena, The Fratellis remind everyone just how many hits they've had, as does Irish singer songwriter Paul Brady, whose stripped back band - featuring Brady himself backed only by guitar and piano - is perfect in the afternoon sun. Receiving a rapturous response, he gushes; "I love people that want to make a noise!"
By early evening, the arena is packed to capacity. Even the VIP area is standing room only and, for the only time all weekend, things feel a little cramped. The Coronas are clearly one of Ireland's most beloved live bands, with festivalgoers craning for a glimpse from every vantage point. Led by the ever-charismatic Danny O'Reilly, the Dublin indie heroes deliver an emotionally charged set that has the crowd singing every word back at them.
As darkness falls, Deacon Blue turn back the clock with a hit-packed performance tailor-made for Forest Fest's core audience. Drawing heavily from their 1989 chart-topping album 'When the World Knows Your Name', the Scottish sophisti-pop veterans give the crowd exactly what they've come for. 'Real Gone Kid', 'Fergus Sings the Blues' and 'Dignity' spark huge singalongs, proving that these songs have lost none of their emotional pull.
Over in the Village Tent, Cork heroes Sultans of Ping are unleashing their trademark chaos. Frontman Niall O'Flaherty remains a hilarious, unpredictable livewire, bouncing around the stage with infectious energy. By the time the band crash into the inevitable closer, 'Where's Me Jumper?', the tent is in complete bedlam.
It all sets the stage perfectly for headliners James, who don't so much burst into their set as gradually draw the audience in. "We changed the setlist so many times before we came on that I've got a different one to everybody else!" laughs a bewildered Tim Booth, setting the tone for a performance that feels loose, spontaneous and completely unforced. The early moments unfold at a measured pace, but the intensity builds steadily until a soaring 'Say Something' sees Booth perched atop the front barrier before hurling himself into the sea of fans for a crowd-surfing adventure.
Throughout the evening, Booth playfully insists they're "not the band who do 'Sit Down'", teasing the inevitable. When it finally arrives, the response is exactly as expected, with thousands of voices joining together in one of the weekend's biggest singalongs. By the time the band close with 'Laid', the arena is bouncing, bringing Saturday night to a joyous, euphoric conclusion.
James at Forest Fest 2026. Photo: Steve O'Connor.
For the final day [Sun 26 July], organisers gently ease the weary faithful into proceedings with the uplifting harmonies of the Suso Gospel Choir. Later, the choir joins soul singer Jack Lukeman for a beautifully understated rendition of the Beatles' 'Here Comes the Sun', which flows seamlessly into Bowie's 'Memory of a Free Festival'. It's a perfectly judged pairing, maintaining the laid-back atmosphere while slowly building momentum for the final afternoon.
The breezy vibes continue with Feeder, whose sun-drenched set is perfectly pitched for a Sunday afternoon. "You know what, it's so good to be back in Ireland", enthuses Grant Nicholas as the band take to the stage. "We never do enough shows in Ireland", he later admits; "we keep saying to our agent that we'd love to play here more". The affection is clearly mutual. From the wistful 'Just the Way I'm Feeling' to the soaring 'Feeling a Moment', Feeder's more reflective material drifts effortlessly across the arena. It's with 'Buck Rogers' - dedicated to TV's Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick - though, that the mood shifts up a gear, sparking one of the biggest singalongs of the day.
Over in the Village tent, The Wonder Stuff are going down a storm. It's the band's first gig in Ireland in a decade, and it's clear that they've been missed. From the country strut of 'Golden Green' to folksy hit 'Welcome to the Cheap Seats' it's a joyous fun-filled return for the Stourbridge band.
The Booomtown Rats meanwhile are in full swing in the main arena. "This is the Pink Floyd part of the song. It goes on for fuckin' ages". quips Bob Gelfof as the band get self indulgent on '(She's Gonna) Do You In'. Celebrating fifty years together, they remain as boisterous as ever, however things get serious for a few minutes as the frontman explains how the story of 'I Don't Like Mondays' might have dulled, but its message still remains. "We can't feel those events that happened 45 years ago", he says; "tonight we're thinking of those exhausted women and their panicked children in Palestine, we're thinking of those brave men and women on the bloody fields of Ukraine, and while that's not a great thing to think about on an evening like this, it's what gives us the ability to sing these songs". Powerful stuff.
The Boomtown Rats, meanwhile, are in full flight on the main stage. "This is the Pink Floyd part of the song. It goes on for fuckin' ages," jokes Bob Geldof as the band indulge themselves during an extended workout of '(She's Gonna) Do You In'. Celebrating 50 years together, the Dublin veterans remain as sharp, boisterous and entertaining as ever. But the mood takes a more sombre turn before 'I Don't Like Mondays', as Geldof reminds the crowd that while the song's original story may now feel distant, the violence and human suffering that inspired it are far from confined to the past. Referencing the ongoing wars in Palestine and Ukraine, he reflects on the importance of remembering those caught up in conflict, lending the song a renewed sense of relevance. It's a powerful, thought-provoking moment that briefly silences the festival revelry before the music once again takes over.
Forest Fest is nearing its end, and the red fez hats in the crowd can only mean one thing; Camden's finest, Madness are in town. The band bring a sense of true celebration to proceedings, and front man Suggs, in particular seems to be revelling in it. The lovable Londoner gives shout outs to The Rats, makes references to the Mayo team's victory earlier today in the All Ireland football final, and secures the hearts of all by conceding; "Ireland, best country in the world i reckon, pretty much".
As Forest Fest edges towards its finale, the sea of red fez hats in the crowd can only mean one thing; Madness have arrived. The Camden legends turn the main arena into one giant street party, bringing an irresistible sense of celebration to the festival's closing hours. Frontman Suggs, in particular, is clearly loving every minute, chatting easily between songs as if entertaining old friends. He salutes The Boomtown Rats, congratulates Mayo on their All-Ireland football final victory earlier in the day, and wins over the audience completely with the heartfelt declaration; "Ireland... best country in the world, I reckon. Pretty much." With classics such as 'One Step Beyond', 'Baggy Trousers' and 'Our House' keeping the crowd dancing from start to finish, it's the perfect soundtrack to the final evening.
As the weekend draws to a close, there's still time for one last blast of energy in the Village Tent, where Kerbdog and Black Grape provide a suitably raucous farewell. Back in the main arena, Qween have the honour of bringing Forest Fest 2026 to its conclusion, delivering a hit-filled celebration of Freddie Mercury and Queen that has thousands singing along one final time.
And with that, it's done. From the first chords on Friday afternoon to the last chorus on Sunday night, it's obvious why Forest Fest has become one of Ireland's most cherished boutique festivals. It's not just the carefully curated line-up or the stellar performances that make it special, but the warm, welcoming atmosphere, the sense of community and the obvious passion that goes into it. Three days of great music, fun and unforgettable moments leave the faithful already looking forward to next summer.
Early Bird Pre-Sale tickets for Forest Fest 2027 go on sale on Friday 31 July. Click here for more info.
The breezy vibes continue with Feeder, whose sun-drenched set is perfectly pitched for a Sunday afternoon. "You know what, it's so good to be back in Ireland", enthuses Grant Nicholas as the band take to the stage. "We never do enough shows in Ireland", he later admits; "we keep saying to our agent that we'd love to play here more". The affection is clearly mutual. From the wistful 'Just the Way I'm Feeling' to the soaring 'Feeling a Moment', Feeder's more reflective material drifts effortlessly across the arena. It's with 'Buck Rogers' - dedicated to TV's Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick - though, that the mood shifts up a gear, sparking one of the biggest singalongs of the day.
Over in the Village tent, The Wonder Stuff are going down a storm. It's the band's first gig in Ireland in a decade, and it's clear that they've been missed. From the country strut of 'Golden Green' to folksy hit 'Welcome to the Cheap Seats' it's a joyous fun-filled return for the Stourbridge band.
The Booomtown Rats meanwhile are in full swing in the main arena. "This is the Pink Floyd part of the song. It goes on for fuckin' ages". quips Bob Gelfof as the band get self indulgent on '(She's Gonna) Do You In'. Celebrating fifty years together, they remain as boisterous as ever, however things get serious for a few minutes as the frontman explains how the story of 'I Don't Like Mondays' might have dulled, but its message still remains. "We can't feel those events that happened 45 years ago", he says; "tonight we're thinking of those exhausted women and their panicked children in Palestine, we're thinking of those brave men and women on the bloody fields of Ukraine, and while that's not a great thing to think about on an evening like this, it's what gives us the ability to sing these songs". Powerful stuff.
The Boomtown Rats, meanwhile, are in full flight on the main stage. "This is the Pink Floyd part of the song. It goes on for fuckin' ages," jokes Bob Geldof as the band indulge themselves during an extended workout of '(She's Gonna) Do You In'. Celebrating 50 years together, the Dublin veterans remain as sharp, boisterous and entertaining as ever. But the mood takes a more sombre turn before 'I Don't Like Mondays', as Geldof reminds the crowd that while the song's original story may now feel distant, the violence and human suffering that inspired it are far from confined to the past. Referencing the ongoing wars in Palestine and Ukraine, he reflects on the importance of remembering those caught up in conflict, lending the song a renewed sense of relevance. It's a powerful, thought-provoking moment that briefly silences the festival revelry before the music once again takes over.
Forest Fest is nearing its end, and the red fez hats in the crowd can only mean one thing; Camden's finest, Madness are in town. The band bring a sense of true celebration to proceedings, and front man Suggs, in particular seems to be revelling in it. The lovable Londoner gives shout outs to The Rats, makes references to the Mayo team's victory earlier today in the All Ireland football final, and secures the hearts of all by conceding; "Ireland, best country in the world i reckon, pretty much".
As Forest Fest edges towards its finale, the sea of red fez hats in the crowd can only mean one thing; Madness have arrived. The Camden legends turn the main arena into one giant street party, bringing an irresistible sense of celebration to the festival's closing hours. Frontman Suggs, in particular, is clearly loving every minute, chatting easily between songs as if entertaining old friends. He salutes The Boomtown Rats, congratulates Mayo on their All-Ireland football final victory earlier in the day, and wins over the audience completely with the heartfelt declaration; "Ireland... best country in the world, I reckon. Pretty much." With classics such as 'One Step Beyond', 'Baggy Trousers' and 'Our House' keeping the crowd dancing from start to finish, it's the perfect soundtrack to the final evening.
As the weekend draws to a close, there's still time for one last blast of energy in the Village Tent, where Kerbdog and Black Grape provide a suitably raucous farewell. Back in the main arena, Qween have the honour of bringing Forest Fest 2026 to its conclusion, delivering a hit-filled celebration of Freddie Mercury and Queen that has thousands singing along one final time.
And with that, it's done. From the first chords on Friday afternoon to the last chorus on Sunday night, it's obvious why Forest Fest has become one of Ireland's most cherished boutique festivals. It's not just the carefully curated line-up or the stellar performances that make it special, but the warm, welcoming atmosphere, the sense of community and the obvious passion that goes into it. Three days of great music, fun and unforgettable moments leave the faithful already looking forward to next summer.
Early Bird Pre-Sale tickets for Forest Fest 2027 go on sale on Friday 31 July. Click here for more info.