Max HeyraudEvery day we’re edging closer and closer to one of our favourite weekends of the year, Life Festival which takes place this May. This week we’re going to be taking a closer looking at the heart of the festival, the local acts.
We’re a mere six weeks from one of the most anticipated weeks in the Irish festival calendar. Life festival marks the beginning of a new era for Irish festivals post covid. The anticipation is growing and we’ve got loud sound systems and campsite cans on the horizon.
Today we take a look at some of our favourite mixes from some of the local acts who will grace Belvedere House from May 27th to 29th. We couldn’t include everyone but these are some acts that stood out to us.
Aero
The young techno selector has been rising through the techno ranks in recent years. Regularly playing in Index and gigging around the country. Aero’s productions have notably received support from Slam, Klangkuenstler, Shlomo, Jay Clarke & more. Aero will play B2B with Sam Greenwood at Life Festival this year. Check out his signature style of hard hitting grooves for the Fever Recordings Podcast Series.
Efa O’Neill
Efa O’Neill is widely regarded as one of the most skilled and varied selectors in Ireland. Efa’s eclectic taste has landed her regular slots at clubs and festivals all over the country, as well as sets on NTS, Rinse, Balamii & Redlight Radio. Efa is known for running through electro, house, down tempo, jungle, techno and everything in between. Check her out showcasing her varied DJ style for Boiler Room debut.
IMNOTYOURMATE
The Belfast based hard dance specialist has has a mental few months of gigs in recent months. From playing all over the country as well as a recent appearance at one of London’s most respected hard techno parties, Jaded. IMNOTYOURMATE was one of the stand out acts at AVA festival and `punters are still talking about the carnage he caused to this day at the notorious Belfast festival. IMNOTYOURMATE plays B2B with Taint at this years Life Festival. Check out his slamming mix for Jaded London below.
Maedbh O’Connor
Life festival regular Maedbh O’Connor is known for her slick DJ skills and pounding track selection, that has been rocking Irish crowds for many years. The Limerick native has been on the rise in recent times with appearances at Boxed Off, Sionna Festival and regular shows at Dolans Warehouse and Pharmacia in Limerick. Check her out below smashing out heavy artillery in her mix for Prospekt.
Midweek
One of the most exciting duo’s in the country, Midweek return to Life Festival this year for what should be a genre defying thriller of a set. The duo comprised of Chaz Moloney & David Sheeran have been smashing it individually around the country, but they have been making serious waves as a duo. Highlights include receiving support from Bicep as well being recently announced for AVA Festival. Check them out banging out some grooves for the DIE livestream.
Ricky Chong
Sligo native Ricky Chong has had an extremely busy gigging schedule post lockown. Ricky has been supplying the disco grooves up and down the country, and notably playing Index Dublin on numerous occasions. Ricky’s love niche disco, house and funk records has made him a favourite amongst punters who are looking to get down to some funky rhythms. Checking Ricky funking like no other for his Reboot Selecta Series podcast.
Riot Code
The masked Derry duo Riot Code have risen to the top of Irish techno scene within the course of a year and their output has been absolutely non stop. Their atmospheric yet hard hitting productions take us on an unpredictable journey of old school and fast paced mayhem. The duo find the perfect medium between break-beat, electro and techno to deliver blistering sets and hard hitting productions which have received support from Paula Temple, VTSS, Avalon Emerson and more. Check out their fast paced trip for Junction 2’s mix series below.
Sam Greenwood
The Techno & Cans boss man is one of the most respected DJs and promoters on isle of Ireland. The Welsh born but based in Ireland, Sam has dedicated his time in Ireland to promoting Irish talent at every chance he could, while also holding down some incredibly impressive sets along the way. Sam has shared the stage with techno titans; Clouds, Altern 8, I Hate Models and many many more. Check out his mix of techno from the golden era for Four Four Magazine below.
Síofra
Síofra has been on a roll of gigs and mixes as of late. Featuring heavily in venues such as Tengu & Wigwam as well as debuting in Index. Síofra has appeared on Dylan Forbes’s Balamii show, Efa O’Neills DDR show, as well as guest mixes on Soulseekers Allowance and Fuaim. Síofra’s approach to dance music see’s a euphoric yet dance floorv heavy trip through her collection of music, playing prog heavy sounds. Check out her bouncy and somewhat tongue and cheek mix for Fuaim.
Taint
Research resident and Dublin techno mainstay Taint has been holding it down at Life Festival for many years. Taint has a stack of previous gigs at respected club nights and festivals, sharing the stage with Blawan, Shlomo, SPFDJ, Etapp Kyle, Remco Beekwilder & many more. Taint has an extensive knowledge for techno and is known for his razor sharp skills on the decks. Taint will be playing B2B with Imnotyourmate at this years Life Festival. Check out his mix of driving techno for Four Four Magazine below.
We look forward to checking out some of the talent Ireland has to offer at this years Life Festival, as Life has always been a celebration of Irish dance music and this year will be no different. Six weeks till the party starts, hold your hats this is going to be one for the books.
You can purchase tickets to Life Festival HERE.