Another Festival's a KnockanStockan!

KnockanStockan, a local festival that has grown in reputation over the years, is back for its eighth instalment in Lacken, Co. Wicklow this July.

Is anyone tiring of festival season yet? If so just think that this guy went to three festivals a week for a year … Or just recall having bugger-all to do each November and carry on.

KnockanStockan is a three day, open air, independent music and arts festival held annually beside the picturesque Blessington Lakes in Lacken, Co. Wicklow. This festival is non-profit making, the crew all work on voluntary basis and promise that any profits are reinvested for the following year. In 2012 KnockanStockan took the title for Best Family Festival, Festival Social Responsibility Award and the Best Line Up.

KnockanStockan prides itself on its independent stance and diversity, which is evident in the line up, the majority of which are smaller underground musicians and artists. The organisers are promising a huge range of bands and lesser known talent for the festival, including: O Emperor, White Chalk, In their Thousands, Booka Brass Band, I Draw Slow, The Hot Sprockets, Bagels, The Eskies, Conor Linnie, and Enemies. As well as folk, trad, rap, soul, jazz, contemporary, classical, and dance music you can expect installations and performance art along their art trail.

The festival has a few new stages this year: Grabbers Cottage, which takes its name from a local landmark in Ballyknockan, and the Gypsy Rollover, for late night frolics. The Circus Tent will be hosted by Dimestore Records.

You can BYOB (no glass), and the organisers operate a ‘leave no trace‘ green policy aiming to reduce their impact on the land and to find sustainable solutions in all areas of the festival. The handiest way to get to KnockanStockan is to get the special bus from Dublin’s Kildare Street (€15 return) or if you can make it to Blessington there will be shuttle buses running to the festival site.

KnockanStockan Festival takes place 25th and 26th, July 2014. Tickets are priced at just €75 for 2 days camping. You can also follow the festival on Facebook and Twitter.