Following on from the success of last years inaugural festival, GazeFest returns with a line up that promises to be even bigger than last year! Ireland’s first and only shoegaze festival, bringing together bands from all over Ireland, Northern Ireland and this year, Scotland, to celebrate the sounds of hazy reverberated fuzz and dreamy melodies.
Taking its tag line from a Melody Maker coined phrase ‘The Scene That Celebrates Itself’, which referred to how shoegaze bands in early 90’s London avoided traditional rivalries but instead were often seen at each other’s gigs, sometimes playing in each other’s bands, and drinking together. This is at the heart of what GazeFest is about, bringing together like minded individuals, both bands and crowd, to celebrate some of the most exciting talent across the island. The festival will take place over two dates August 30th and August 31th.
The first date will take place in the iconic Grand Social in Dublin and see a smaller line up of Virgins, Affection to Rent and Skyless to begin the festivities. Virgins have been making waves this year following the release of their highly acclaimed debut album ‘nothing hurt and everything was beautiful’ which caused Hot Press to dub them ‘the most promising fuzz guitar band since MBV’. Virgins headline both dates of the festival following appearances at Stendhal Festival and the rest of the year that will see them play Other Voices Wales and tour the UK in November. Affection to Rent are one of the brightest emerging talents from Dublin, who made the longlist of Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent competition and play Ireland Music Week in October. Relative newcomers Skyless are building on the success of debut single ‘That I Want You’
The second date on August 31st is the main event being held in Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast and boasts a massive 9 band line running from 2pm-11pm. Accompanying headliners Virgins are Sign Crushes Motorist (Donegal) fresh of a US tour, Wynona Bleach who released new single Swim in the Bay on Fierce Panda. They will all be joined by Sunstinger (Scot), In Athens (Cork), Affection to Rent (Dublin), Madams Last Discovery (Belfast), Gush (Belfast) and Klyda (Belfast)
The Belfast date is 14+ giving young people the opportunity to be a part of and experience some of the most exciting talent Ireland has to offer.
Tickets for both shows are available now.
Belfast: Old Crows Promotions Presents: GAZEFEST Tickets, Sat, Aug 31, 2024 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite
Dublin: Old Crows Promotions Presents: GAZEFEST Tickets, Fri, Aug 30, 2024 at 8:00 PM | Eventbrite
