2023-08-05 TribFest

I have no proof of this, and my memory is not great, but I believe my first conversation about TribFest went a little something like this:

DM: Hey, are you coming to TribFest this year?

MJ: Ehhh... If I can make it, I will. Do you want me to bring the camera?

DM: Ah yeah, that'd be great!

And that's how I ended up in Maynooth last weekend in the rain, watching 1800 people sing along to Jolene!

Who played MJ, who played? I hear you ask... Well, on Day One of the TribFest, we got to see:

Oasis, George Michael, Elvis, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Michael Jackson and ABBA.

Day Two of TribFest brought us:

ELO, Rod Stewart, Joe Dolan, Ed Sheeran, Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Queen.

Hold on a second, half of those acts are dead!!! Well yes, yes you are right. I lied a little bit, these weren't the actual acts I mentioned, but some of Irelands finest tribute acts!

I honestly didn't know what to expect, but when the first act up, Oasis, had the audience singing along to every song, I knew we were in for a good weekend. There was something quite fantastic about having almost 2000 people under a canvas awning just intent on having a good time. No hassles, no arguments, no fights, just folk partying. It was very refreshing! Oh and MC for the weekend was the fantastic Brian Hurley!

The rain tried it's best to ruin things over the weekend, but thanks to that massive awning and the work of the volunteers, what could have been a complete mud fest turned into nothing more than a reason to wear some boots.

I was going to try pick out highlights of the festival, but honestly, I enjoyed all the acts. If I really had to choose though, it's hard to look past the Queen / Qween set. They are a phenomenal live act and, if you're in the Kildare area, you can catch them at Naas Wild Food Festival on Friday, 8th September.

Now for some photos and videos. First up, Day One: