Forest Fest is excited to announce 35 new acts to the already stacked line-up for the independent music and arts festival that is fast becoming one of Ireland’s favourites, taking place in the picturesque village of Emo, Co. Laois this July 25th – 27th.
For its fourth edition, which features its most ambitious line-up yet, Forest Fest welcomes a tranche of new acts to complete their live music line-up across the festival’s four stages: Main Stage, Village Stage, Forest Fleadh Stage and the Perfect Day Stage, which showcases some of the most exciting new acts from Ireland and beyond.
Today’s announcement features another stellar selection of top tribute acts, including Pogueology, The Classic Beatles, The Complete Stone Roses, Rattle & Hum, These Charming Men, Seattle Grunge Experience and Walk The Line, plus a special performance from renowned music ensemble Glasshouse, presenting the songs of The Velvet Underground. Rock’n’roll’s favourite magician, The Magic Mod, will be on hand to stun crowds with his skills.
Also joining the weekend lineup are some of the most exciting emerging artists in Ireland, such as The Deadlians, Shark School, Basht., the drive., Post-Party, Fizzy Orange, Grooveline, Fake Friends and The Luna Boys as well as some of the USA and UK’s most exciting and up-and-coming groups: Intercom Heights, The Youth Play, The Manatees, Dutch Criminal Record and Apollo Junction.
They’ll be joined by a host of standout local bands, including Risky Business, The Coathanger Solution, The Jobseekerz, The Jury, Motion Sickness, Southern Freud, Dopamine, Strength in Numbers, Houston Death Ray and THX MOM.
Today also sees the addition of legendary Irish singer-songwriter Freddie White to the Forest Fleadh Stage. In the VIP Area, Aoife Destruction will be joining her dad, the legend that is Pat Ward who is 77 years young and performing his final show with The Legendary Drama Kings for a night of 60s classics.
Forest Fest Founder, Phillip Meagher, says: “I’m incredibly thrilled with this latest reveal. The addition of some of the finest tribute acts in the country to the existing line-up guarantees that this is definitely going to be the greatest party in the country this coming summer.
“We have also found a really exciting group of the very best up-and-coming acts from all over Ireland and the UK. I know that they are particularly delighted to be on the bill and are counting down the days to what will be for some of them their first big festival experience, and I’m delighted to give them that opportunity.
“The local bands announced are always the closest to my own heart as I grew up with many of them (or their mums and dads!!). They never fail to provide huge performances and I’m delighted to have them back performing at Forest Fest.”
Today’s announcement adds 33 new acts to an already incredible range of international and Irish acts that will play across the weekend, including previously-announced: Manic Street Preachers, Franz Ferdinand, Travis, Orbital, The Stranglers, Tom Meighan, The Dandy Warhols, Bad Manners, Tony Hadley, Billy Bragg, Peter Hook & The Light, Reef, Kula Shaker, Therapy?, Teenage Fanclub, The Farm, Alabama 3, The Magic Numbers, Nick Lowe, Robert Finley, Pillow Queens, Hermitage Green, Something Happens, The Riptide Movement, Aoife Destruction and The Nilz, Kerbdog, Live Forever Oasis, Dirty Blonde, The 4 of Us, Sack, Jack L, Thumper, Andrew Strong, Kiera Dignam, Paddy Casey, Daft Punk Tribute, Qween, Ryan Sheridan, Mary Coughlan, Sharon Shannon, Beoga, Kan, Moxie, Niall McCabe and more (see Editor’s Notes section below for a day-by-day of all announced acts).
This is the fourth edition of Forest Fest, an entirely independent festival set against the forest skyline in the spectacular parklands of Emo Court.
The brainchild of Laois native and practicing solicitor Phillip Meagher, Forest Fest is more than just a music festival—it’s a show of genuine community spirit. Deliberately prioritising atmosphere and experience over commerciality, the festival transforms the small village of Emo, Co. Laois—home to just 200 residents—into a compact and idyllic festival hub with a capacity of 12,000. Across four stages, world-renowned artists perform alongside local favourites, creating a lineup that is both global in scope and deeply supportive of the Irish music scene. The entire village embraces the festival, with businesses, volunteers, and residents playing a role in shaping its unique character. Forest Fest supports local businesses, with Abbeyleix-based company Pitched Perfect providing glamping solutions and Wicklow Wolf (Newtownmountkennedy, Wicklow) and Ballykilcavan Brewing Co. (Stradbally, Laois) quenching punters’ thirst with their independently brewed beverages.
Sustainability and protecting the beauty of the local environment that hosts Forest Fest is incredibly important to the festival. Native Events is expanding its Smart Waste Management initiative after a successful collaboration with EMO GAA last year, which transformed litter picking into a positive festival experience. This year, the focus extends to salvaging and repurposing valuable waste materials, setting sustainability goals, and enhancing audience engagement. Initiatives include striking crew uniforms made from upcycled festival camping gear and an onsite waste segregation hub to educate attendees on waste separation and sustainability.
This is the fifth round of line-up announcements for Forest Fest 2025, with even more acts to be announced before July.
TICKET OPTIONS
Weekend and Day tickets are now available for purchase. Given the festival’s growing popularity and limited capacity, early booking is highly recommended.
VIP passes are on sale now, ensuring exclusive access to a themed VIP tent adorned with luxurious interiors, a dedicated bar serving premium drinks, live DJ performances, and posh flushing toilets. Additional perks include dedicated VIP parking, fast-track entry, waiter service, and chill zones with hammocks and plush seating.
For tickets please visit the official Forest Fest website at www.forestfest.ie.
ACCOMODATION
Forest Fest is committed to providing a comfortable, premium festival experience for all attendees, with a range of ticket and accommodation options including glamping options ranging from 2-person pods to 8-person units, with amenities such as a pamper parlour, phone charging stations and access to hot showers.
Ireland has experienced a ‘campervan boom’ in recent years, with more people embracing the freedom and flexibility of van life for festivals, staycations, and outdoor adventures. Forest Fest more than adequately caters for this, with campervan and caravan parking passes available, as well as plenty of space for tent camping.
Local hotels in Portlaoise, Kildare, Tullamore and Abbeyleix will be serviced by regular bus shuttles to and from the venue.
GETTING THERE
Getting to Forest Fest couldn’t be easier. Only an hour’s drive from Dublin, the festival site is only 5km from the M7, Exit 15; just follow the signs for Emo and Mountmellick. Complimentary parking is provided, with a comprehensive shuttle bus service connecting nearby towns and hotels to the festival grounds, facilitating easy and safe travel for all guests.
There are regular hourly train services to Portlaoise and Portarlington rail stations and the festival will also be served by local taxi and shuttle bus services.
Day return buses to Forest Fest will run from Dublin, Tullamore (via Mountmellick) Portarlington, Kilkenny (via Durrow, Abbeyleix), Portlaoise (usual stops), and Cashel (via Horse and Jockey, Thurles, Urlingford, Cullahill, Durrow, Abbeyleix).
CATERING
A diverse selection of artisan and street food stalls, including vegetarian and vegan options, will be available. A full bar service, complemented by wine, Prosecco, and craft beer offerings, ensures attendees are well-catered for throughout the weekend.
Nestled in the heart of Ireland, Forest Fest has rapidly gained a reputation as a must-attend event, blending top-tier musical performances with a warm, community-centric atmosphere. Recognised as the Best Festival at the Midlands Hospitality Awards 2023, it continues to set the standard for boutique, independent festivals nationwide.