Max HeyraudWe take a trip down memory lane and revisit seven unforgettable scenes from Beyond The Pale. We reminisce on legendary closing sets, sun-soaked house marathons, emotional Irish performances, and more as we prepare for Beyond The Pale 2024, which will take place on June 21st and 23rd.
We are getting closer to Beyond The Pale, one of the year’s standout festivals. The annual Wicklow Music and Arts Festival is on a roll after receiving high praise in both 2022 and 2023. The festival is a weekend-long event that includes late-night dancing, daytime activities, and more, as well as an impressive lineup.
Beyond The Pale’s high-profile 2024 roster includes Mercury Prize contender Jungle, Grammy-nominated xx frontwoman Romy, electronic and indie crossover outfit Soulwax, techno pioneer Richie Hawtin, and hip-hop legend, The Sugar Hill Gang. Other additions to the roster include French house boss, Folamour, Los Angeles’ nu-disco band Poolside, UK producer James Holden’s Band, German electro queen Helena Hauff, and others.
We look at 7 unforgettable Beyond The Pale moments from the past, with plans to create more in June.
Orbital Closing The Main Stage in 2022
In 2022, Orbital closed out the inaugural Beyond The Pale festival. The Hartnoll brothers performed a mix of new and old music, with highlights including the iconic tunes ‘Halcyon And On And On’, ‘Chime’, and ‘Belfast’. We got goosebumps simply thinking about it.
Sofia Kourtesis Providing a Masterclass on The Big Romance Stage in 2023
Sofia Kourtesis was the talk of the campsite at last year’s Beyond The Pale. Kourtesis, a relatively new name to many, made her mark by zipping through a jarring array of bass-heavy tunes ranging from churning dubstep tools to shiny garage cuts, up-front techno stuff, and more.
For Those I Love’s Emotionally Charged Performance at The Selective Memory Tent in 2023
The performance by For Those I Love at The Selective Memory Tent in 2023 was the stuff of fantasies. One of Ireland’s most inspiring live performers left it all at the tent. From gut-wrenchingly delicate moments to rave-drenched anthems, the Dubliner’s act left the audience stunned, bewildered, and enveloped in adoration by the end.
Ben UFO Destroying The Big Romance Stage in 2022
Rinse FM resident, Hessle Audio label boss, and world-class selector, Ben UFO, delivered a cocktail of dance floor destroyers that included slippery tribal grooves, hardcore grinders, funked-up techno, and everything else. The UK don was appropriately placed on the Big Romance stage, which resembled a UFO, and Ben led dancers on a journey around the galaxy. Simply impeccable.
Soichi Terada’s Infectious House Set at The Big Romance Stage in 2023
Soichi Terada is one of the most likeable names in house music; the Japanese DJ and producer’s contagious smile and rhythm captivated the Beyond The Pale crowd on Friday, 2023. The hour-long set was filled with melody-driven tracks from elated arpeggio trickles to smokey diminished chords, dubby rollers, and more. Terada’s stage presence exuded positive energy, and his records matched perfectly.
Mr Scruffs Marathon Set at The Big Romance Stage in 2022
One of 2022’s highlights was the incomparable Mr Scruff, who stepped to the stage at The Big Romance for a massive four-hour set that led dancers on a journey through his large and cavernous record collection. From jazz to breaks to disco to techno this was a lesson in music.
Leftfield Closing Out The Main Stage on Saturday Night in 2023
Leftfield signed off Beyond The Pale 2023, delivering a joyful and powerful live performance from the main stage. The band remained as forward-thinking and energetic as ever, instilling life and energy in the crowd for the last minutes of the event; while wellies skated over puddles of muck, by the end, every single dancer’s hand had been raised.
You can purchase tickets to Beyond The Pale here.