A momentous Good Friday, with pubs and venues across the country legally allowed to open their doors for the very first time on this day since 1927, saw the Dublin launch of K-FEST in Whelans on Wexford Street.
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K-FEST, a dynamic arts festival in its sixth year with an emphasis on emerging artists, uses unoccupied spaces in Killorglin, Co. Kerry, transforming vacant retail outlets, deserted buildings, and even domestic homes into curated bespoke pop-up galleries and venues.
Over the course of the June Bank Holiday weekend (1st to 4th June 2018), K-FEST hosts more than 60 events in addition to a gallery trail, including live music performances by dozens of bands and musicians, as well as spoken word, drama, comedy, short films, street entertainment, and activities for kids and families.
The entertainment on the night gave an indication of the eclectic nature of the festival’s line-up. Singer-songwriter Cathal Dowd, a Killorglin native, proudly proclaimed to be the first act to ever play Whelans on Good Friday. Interesting female, Dublin garage-punk duo Vulpynes took things up several notches bringing noise and attitude with their visceral, rousing set.
Multi-instrumentalist Roe was mesmerising with her guitar / synths / drum machine set up. Though softly spoken between songs, she has a deceptively powerful voice. Sleek Jyellowl gave an assured performance of R’n’B / rap that should appeal to younger crowds. Solo electronic artist Cinema closed out the launch superbly, varying between dreamy soundscapes and bouncier dance-driven tunes.
In between there were also spoken word performances from slam poets Andrej Kapor and Lewis Kenny, with both taking up MC duties over the course of the evening.
As well as the aforementioned acts, K-FEST features music from:
LE BOOM • Fangclub • Katie Laffan • Jonno Brien • Emma Langford • New Valley Wolves • Shookrah • Vernon Jane • Bongo Steve • Cheski • Ocelots • Alien She • Eve Belle
For further information on K-FEST visit the official website, or their Facebook page.
