Body & Soul Best Bits

We’ve been looking forward to BodyandSoul like we’d look forward to sinking into a hot bath – the comfort, the warmth, the treat! Last year the festival was bigger than ever and yet it never lost its magical and whimsical essence. We look forward to more Dionysian frolics and beats this year; here are some of our highlights.

James Murphy

Since pulling off the coup of a century by retiring LCD Soundsystem when they were at the peak of their game, James Murphy has not looked back. One of the more iconic artists of our time, his electronic music fuses a wide range of musical genres into his signature and masterful sound. This is the performance to not miss on Friday night- perfect to let yourself fall into the festival groove.

Nicolas Jaar?We had the good fortune to see him last year at Liss Ard Festival and smart money is on him to be one of B&S’s most memorable acts. A product of Brooklyn’s electro label Wolf&Lamb, Jaar has since developed his own identity and music into something of an earthier entity. Space is Only Noise was one of the stand out albums of the past year, with his self-termed blue-wave minimal and soulful beats earning him critical acclaim. Ideal for a midsummer night.

Wonderlust?The best of the ‘morning after? activities is the Wonderlust stage, where one can collapse on bean-bags in the sunshine and be entertained for hours at a time with absolute minimal effort. Be prepared to be muddled and amazed by the wonderful artists, talkers, musicians, movers and shakers they’ve lined up for us this year. LCTD (LeCool Totally Dublin) will be hosting a talk entitled Flash Forward, while the girls from The Trailblazery will toy with the theme of ?curiosity?. Worth mentioning are Jennifer Evans, Si Schroeder, Spilly Walker and Lisa O?Neill- all set to impress with their unique and diverse musical voices.

Solange

Being lil sis to Queen B is no easy task, but damn does Solange do it with grace and rhythm! We adore. Keep it together til Sunday as Solange takes the main stage with her poppy disco electro sound. She’s set to put on a good show; keep your best festival frocks and bling for this one!

Mmoths

Who says wisdom comes with age? This young DJ (ahem DOB 1993) seems to know it all already. Mmoths (nee Jack Colleran) is primed to be one of our next great musical exports since signing with LA label SQE Music and performing at SXSW in 2012. We’re all-out Irish mammy about him – so proud! His ambient multi-layered sound has spine-chilling reverberations that are set to get you to that special festival place. See him now so you can say you saw him before he made it big!

Soul Kids?Is where half the heart of the festival is to be found. Inside the Rose Garden, fit to bursting with all the creativity, colour and imagination of the Body & Soul team, it is a wonder to behold for adults and children alike. Face painting, yoga, drumming workshops, games, clowns etc will keep the ickle ones entertained while you enjoy one of the quieter and more beautiful corners of the Ballinlough estate. One of the magical elements of the festival has always been the presence of urchins running around in unlikely outfits, faces painted, giant headphones in place. It lends Body&Soul its unique quality and reputation for being a good festival for children.

Other Highlights

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – do they need an introduction?

Shrine – the inspirational building of communal catharsis

Reckless In Love – this is the glistening corner in the woods where you can lose yourself far into the night. One of our absolute favourites from previous years.

Charles Bradley

Kurt Vile

@Roxeenna