Forest Fest Denies Rumoured Corporate Takeover Of Emo Festival.
Forest Fest, which held its fifth edition in Emo, Co Laois, last month, has been the subject of speculation and rumours that an international live entertainment company is now associated with the event. After four years at the Emo GAA grounds, the festival moved to a new larger greenfield site just outside the quiet and picturesque village. Higher prices, a national marketing campaign, increased capacity and crowds, and the introduction of live stadium acts led many original festival-goers to comment that the festival aimed at the 40-70 age demographic felt like a “Mini Electric Picnic” this year.
On-site, the introduction of new corporate brands and stages, slick merchandising, and several new food and beverage vendors fuelled the speculation that the festival is undergoing a creeping takeover by an international festival brand. In previous years, the festival worked predominantly with smaller local service providers, and those independent operators noted that this year they witnessed the introduction of several well-known food and beverage outlets associated with the corporate Festival circuit in Ireland. With an estimated capacity of 20,000 people this year, extra food and beverage outlets would have been expected.
Festival organiser Philip Meagher was quick to deny the online rumours, telling the blog that there was “absolutely no involvement whatsoever” with any corporate entertainment company and that the festival remains independently operated. A spokesperson for Forest Fest’s PR company Amplify stated, “Forest Fest has always been, and remains a proudly independently owned festival. No discussions or plans exist with any party that would change that.” We also asked the company at the centre of the rumours for comment, but they declined to respond.
Having been involved with the Festival for the past three years, I can testify to its independence and ownership in Emo GAA grounds. It was unique, indie and beautiful, made special by the people who attended. Forest Fest had the spirit of old Ibiza about it, where it was all about the music, unity and friendship. We made some lifelong friends and got the opportunity to bring a sunny slice of a Mediterranean island to Laois. This year we had Judge Jules, Alison Limerick, DJ Pippi, Da Hool, Jam El Mar, Cesar de Malero, Gee Moore and Bora Bora Music, Mr C, Farley and Hellar, and we were in talks with the late William Orbit and others. We even appeared in a Forest Fest promo video for this year’s festival before organisers decided to go with two Electric Picnic electronic stages instead: Casa Bacardi and Top Of The Crops.
Classic lifecycle of Irish Festivals.
For me personally, it was a rewarding experience right up to this year. I learnt a lot about the hard work, complicated logistics and behind-the-scenes operations of the Festival carnival, which resembles the club scene in Ibiza. However, when you publish stories that mainstream media won’t cover because they go against the corporate system that finances them, you get accustomed to death threats, legal action, intimidation, blackmail and being thrown under the bus.
For Ibiza Rewind, the lack of communication did not help the situation, and we were disappointed not to be there, as many people online were asking the organisers about our participation, which was not communicated at any time. However, I believe you have to respect the decision and move on. Learn from it and start again. Do not lie down and take it. Next month we head to Ibiza to celebrate an old-style Classic Ibiza weekend, celebrating the Manumission party, with sunset boat parties, curated hippy bars and venues, pool parties, iconic Ibiza clubs and legendary DJs.
Next year we will launch our own boutique Festival in the spirit of the original Forest Fest. Small and beautiful, Transfiguration will be a one-day livetronica event in Dublin featuring electronic bands and DJs. Its mission is to be all about the music, a spiritual and artistic exploration of darkness and light—a place where we can escape the corporate world for just one day. No glamping, tents or campervans just luxury hotel rooms and the freedom to enjoy a festival in comfort and style without the corporate crowds. I hope that you can join us on our journey.
None of this would have happened without Forest Fest. We will always be grateful for the opportunity that we were given. All that we have learnt will help us build our own dream. I am confident that Forest Fest will be a big success going forward, thanks to all the talent and hard work that goes on behind the scenes. The X Generation in Ireland deserves a festival to rival Electric Picnic, and I feel Forest Fest will rise to that challenge. I know there were issues with this year’s festival, but that snag list is commonplace with any new venue or location. The one thing that always impressed me about Forest Fest was its ability to learn from its mistakes each year and come back better and stronger the next year.
After this year’s success on a larger scale, the future is bright for the Festival, and it can establish itself as one of Ireland’s premier Festivals. I don’t think the new audience that visited this year will have any problem with the Festival growing and becoming mainstream. They will just enjoy the atmosphere and the music. A move inside the walls of Emo Court would really allow the festival to shine.
I have my own opinion on Forest Fest corporate takeover rumours, but due to the threat of legal action, my words have to be measured. I think all the speculation and rumour is best summed up in this comment posted on Forest Fest’s social media pages: “It’s the classic lifecycle of Irish Festivals: start with an authentic community-focused vision to win over a passionate audience, hit critical mass and then let corporate financial logic erode the very atmosphere that made it special in the first place”
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