With a capacity of 15,000, All Together Now (ATN) is the new festival kid on the block. What isn't new about it is the event promoter, John Reynolds, who founded Electric Picnic in 2004 (and then exited in 2014, with a settled legal action against Festival Republic Dublin), and who has clearly seen a gap in the medium-capacity festival market that ATN looks set to fill.
Indeed, there have been rumblings for a few years now that Electric Picnic no longer has the same spirit or sense of special occasion anymore, particularly since it increased its capacity from 30,000 in 2006 to 52,000 this year, and notably since it broadened its booking remit to appeal to a much wider and younger audience.
As a strictly over-21s event, ATN is a clear throwback to what made people love the Picnic in the first place. With boutique festival add-ons such as Lawns of Tranquility (a “unique wellness area” according to the festival website), Food & Feast (from Farmers Markets to curated events, from meeting well-known chefs to interactive talks), Arcadia Afterburner (an immersive 360-degree flaming-fire installation), and All Curious Minds (more than 50 speakers drawn from poets, writers, podcasters, journalists, rappers, and musicians, curated by Linda Devlin), the festival seems to have its inaugural bows neatly tied.
And then there's the music: EP-familiar acts such as Underworld, Mura Masa, Fleet Foxes, Róisín Murphy, Mogwai, Chaka Khan, Villagers, First Aid Kit, Groove Armada, Nils Frahm, Ghostpoet, Saint Sister, and Thundercat (as well as a gathering of achingly good left-of-centre acts and internationally acclaimed DJs we don't have room to list) are testament to the kind of vibe Reynolds wants here. It helps that he has located the event at Waterford's Curraghmore Castle Estate, which is as splendid a setting for a festival of this size as you can imagine. Let the games commence!
Are tickets still available?
Yes – but only for Family Camping and General Camping. Tickets for Campervan, Family Campervan, Boutique Camping are sold out. Tickets from €179.50 available on ticketmaster.ie.
What will the weather be like?
According to the weekend weather forecasts, Friday will have highs of 23 degrees Celsius (with variable clouds, light showers), Saturday: 22 degrees (occasional clouds). Sunday: 22 degrees (occasional clouds). This is Ireland, however, and so you are recommended to dress appropriately. In the case of rain, be advised that umbrellas are not allowed into the festival site.
What time does everything kick off?
- Friday: noon. Last ticket entry: midnight.
- Saturday: 10am. Last ticket entry: 8pm.
- Sunday: 10am. Last ticket entry: 6pm.
Who's playing the main stages and at what time?
There are two main stages: the ATN and Something Kind of Wonderful. Here's the line-up over the three days:
Fri, Aug 3rd
ATN STAGE
- 22:30-00:00 Chaka Khan
- 20:45-21:45 The Go! Team
- 19:00-20:00 Booka Brass
SOMETHING KIND OF WONDERFUL
- 23:00-00:30 Mogwai
- 21:15-22:15 Kelela
- 19:30-20:30 Ghostpoet
- 17:45-18:45 Oscar Jerome
Sat, Aug 4th
ATN STAGE
- 23:15-00:30 Underworld
- 21:15-22:30 Mura Masa
- 19:45-20:45 Róisín Murphy
- 18:00-19:00 Mashrou' Leila
- 16:30-17:30 Jape
- 15:00-16:00 The Bootleg Beatles
- 13:30-14:30 Trinity Orchestra Performing David Bowie
- 12:00-13:00 High Hopes Choir Waterford
SOMETHING KIND OF WONDERFUL
- 01:00-03:00 Groove Armada (DJ Set)
- 23:15-00:30 Booka Shade
- 21:30-22:30 Yasiin Bey
- 20:00-21:00 Maribou State Live
- 18:15-19:15 Hercules & Love Affair
- 16:45-17:45 J Colleran
- 15:00-16:00 Mount Alaska
Sun, Aug 5th
ATN STAGE
- 22:30-00:00 Fleet Foxes
- 20:45-21:45 First Aid Kit
- 19:00-20:00 Villagers
- 17:00-18:30 New Power Generation
- 15:15-16:30 Jimmy Cliff
- 13:30-14:30 This Is The Kit
- 12:00-13:00 London African Gospel Choir Presents Graceland
SOMETHING KIND OF WONDERFUL
- 23:15-00:15 Nils Frahm
- 21:15-22:15 David August Live
- 19:30-20:30 Thundercat
- 17:45-18:45 Talos
- 16:15-17:15 Saint Sister
- 14:30-15:30 Cloud Castle Lake
We're going, so how do we get there?
There are three car routes – Blue, Red, Orange.
BLUE (General Traffic/General Camping Route)
- From the north and east: take the M9 to Waterford, and then the N24 Limerick Road to Fiddtown. Take the left turn and cross over the bridge. At the T-junction, turn right onto the R680 and continue to travel north. Take a left turn onto the R676 and follow this. Take another left turn onto the R677 and follow on to the entrance at Ballyquinn Gate.
- From the west: Take the N24 through Carrick-on-Suir and on to Fiddtown. Take a right turn, cross over the bridge and turn right onto the R680. From here, use the same route as described above from the north and east.
- From Cork and southwest: Take the N25 to Lennybrien and then take the left turn onto the R676. Continue north on the R676 to Crehana, and then turn right onto the R677. Follow on to the entrance at Ballyquinn Gate.
RED (Family Camping, Family Campervan, Campervans General, Boutique Camping, Tangerine Fields, VIP Guests)
- From the north & east: Take the M9 to Waterford, and take the N25 Cork Road. Travel to Kilmacthomas, and then turn north onto the R677. Travel along the R677 and enter the estate via Kelly's Gate.
- From the west: Take the N24 through Carrick-on-Suir towards Waterford. Take the N25 Cork Road, travel to Kilmacthomas, and turn north onto the R677. Travel along the R677, and enter the estate via Kelly's Gate.
- From Cork and southwest: Take the N25 Cork Road and travel to Kilmacthomas, via McGrath's Cross Junction. Turn North onto the R677. Travel along the R677 and enter the estate via Kelly's Gate.
ORANGE (Drop Off/Pick Up, Private Coaches, Cars & Taxis)
- From the north and east: Take the M9 to Waterford, and take the N25 Cork Road. Travel to Carroll's Cross, Ballyshunnock, and then turn north onto the L4022. Travel past Coolfin Cottages into Portlaw, and follow directional signage to Tannery Site, from where there will be a shuttle service to the event site.
- From the west: Take the N24 through Carrick-on-Suir towards Waterford. Take the N25 Cork Road. Travel to Carroll's Cross, Ballyshunnock, and turn north onto the L4022. Travel past Coolfin Cottages into Portlaw and follow directional signage to Tannery Site, from where there will be a shuttle service to the event site.
- From Cork and southwest: Take the N25 through Kilmacthomas. Take the N25 Cork Road. Travel to Carroll's Cross, Ballyshunnock, and turn north onto the L4022. Travel past Coolfin Cottages into Portlaw and follow directional signage to Tannery Site, from where there will be a shuttle service to the Event Site.
What about trains?
Trains services will be operating as normal to Waterford Plunkett. Please visit www.irishrail.ie. Routes serviced by Irish Rail: Dublin to Waterford including Cork, Tralee, Ennis, Galway to Limerick Junction with onward connection to Waterford Plunkett. Please note for connecting to the festival site, Bus Éireann will provide a shuttle service from their Waterford Bus Terminal.
And by bus , taxi or by bike?
- Bus Éireann from Dublin: Bus Éireann 4 service will be operating their normal service from Dublin to Waterford. Please note weekend and bank holiday timetables will be in use. Dublin to Waterford: https://goo.gl/mhveQR
- Bus Éireann from Cork: Bus Éireann 40 Cork to Wexford service, dropping off in Waterford, will be operating as normal over the festival weekend. Please note weekend and bank holiday timetables will be in use. Cork to Waterford: https://goo.gl/iBJFUQ
- JJ Kavanagh: JJ Kavanagh Buses have 13 services per day from Dublin City Centre (Ulster Bank, George's Quay) to Waterford City. For more information on timetables: https://goo.gl/Zbrt4
- Portlaw Shuttle Bus: the festival will be providing a shuttle bus service to and from the Tannery Site in Portlaw to the main festival entrance throughout the weekend.
- Waterford City shuttle bus: Bus Éireann will be running a shuttle bus to and from Waterford City direct to the festival site throughout the weekend. Times and ticket information: https://goo.gl/cM8mrW
- Taxi services Portlaw: Local taxi services will be serving Portlaw throughout the weekend.
- By bike: There will be a bike lockup facility on site.
Are there any age and/or ticket restrictions?
Yes. General admission is over 21 years of age. ID will be required. Children aged 12 or below must be accompanied by a paying adult. There is a maximum limit of two 12-and-under children per adult. Persons aged 13-20 years old will not be permitted into the festival site. Weekend tickets allow entry to the campsite from Friday, August 3rd to Monday, August 6th, as well as access to the arena across the weekend. Unlimited re-entry is allowed provided you have exchanged your ticket for a wristband on initial entry. Wristbands will be examined at the discretion of the security staff across the weekend. Those that have been tampered with, or have been removed, will be confiscated, and you will not be allowed re-enter the festival site.
What’s the lowdown on camping?
- Family camping: Family weekend tickets allow access into the designated Family Campsite. This ticket allows entry for one adult and up to two children under the age of 12. Children aged 12 years and under must be pre-registered prior to the event. Adults without children will not be allowed access to the family campsite. There will be ID checks on entry, so if you think your child looks older than 12 you are strongly advised to bring a form of ID for them. The family campsite will have toilets, showers, and various food stalls.
- Campervan: The campervan campsite opens from 9am Friday, August 3rd to noon Monday, August 6th. Campervan campsite tickets are available through ticketmaster.ie as an additional add-on to your weekend festival ticket. While campervans/caravans will require a specific campervan/caravan ticket, each person staying in the campervan/caravan must have a weekend camping ticket to gain access to the campervan/caravan site. On arrival, your campervan/caravan ticket will be scanned, and you will receive a pass for your vehicle. Campervans/caravans must have a door that provides access to the living accommodation. The vehicle must be in a decent livable condition with a fitted bed, with cooking and washing facilities. These are to be permanent fixtures. Water and electricity will not be available for individual units.
Campervan/caravan areas – what is and isn't allowed?Campervans/caravans can only park in the designated campervan/caravan site and not in the general car parks. Tents and/or gazebos cannot be erected in the campervan/caravan site. Generators are not permitted. Gas cylinders, and BBQs are not allowed.
I don't have to camp, do I?
No. You can come and go to and from the festival site, regardless of camping.
Will there be public car parking available, and do we have to pay for it?
Car parks open from 10am on Friday, August 3rd. They will close at 1pm on Monday, August 6th. All parking is free. Sleeping is not permitted in any vehicles in the car parks. There is no roadside parking allowed in any area. Tow trucks will be used to remove any roadside parking. Please follow the signs and any direction given by An Garda Síochána.
What is the search policy?
According to the promoter website, "stringent searches will be conducted" as a condition of entry. Anyone found carrying illicit items will have them confiscated, and may be removed from the site.
What am I not allowed to bring into the festival site?
Animals (other than registered guide or hearing dogs). Alcohol (over and above your personal allowance). Items that may reasonably be considered for use as an offensive weapon. Gas cylinders. Megaphones. Petrol generators. Liquefied petroleum gas. BBQs. Gazebos. Drones. Cameras with detachable lens or professional recording equipment. Chinese or sky lanterns. Deckchairs, or any form of garden furniture. Fireworks and flares. High-powered torches. Lasers, laser pens. Flagpoles. Glass (except for small make-up items and perfume/aftershave). Plastic bottles. Illegal substances and/or illegal merchandise of any description. Legal 'highs'. Umbrellas. Selfie sticks. Nitrous Oxide. Smoke canisters/bombs. Aerosol/spray or gas canisters. Unauthorised professional film or video equipment. Hi-vis clothing.
Can alcohol be brought into the festival site?
Yes. Each person with a weekend camping ticket only is allowed to bring for personal consumption 48 cans, or 1 litre of spirits, or 1.5 litre of wine. These can be brought into the campsite and main arena. Alcohol can be brought onto the site at the time of first entry only. There is no re-entry with alcohol once you have exchanged your ticket for a wristband.
For safety reasons, glass bottles are not allowed into either the camping or festival site. Alcohol within your limit must be decanted into reusable containers. Any glass items, except for small make-up items and perfume/aftershave will not be permitted into the campsite or festival site. Glass can be decanted into stainless steel bottles or re-usable plastic bottles. In line with All Together Now’s suitability statement, no plastic – including bottles - will be sold on site. You can bring soft drinks, albeit in cans only. Water is for sale throughout the site in 100 per cent recyclable and 100 per cent refillable cartons. There will also be numerous water refilling stations.
What about food?
Yes, but in keeping with the character of the event, there will be a very broad range of stalls and pop-ups producing high quality food that caters for every taste.
Is there secure storage onsite?
Festival lockers and storage boxes can be booked at https://bit.ly/2KNgvzH at a cost of €22.50. Giglocker opens from noon Friday, August 3rd to noon on Monday, August 6th, and is open on a 24-hours throughout the weekend.
Tell me there are phone charging stations...
Yes. There are phone-charging stations on site. Keep an eye out for signage.
... and showers...
Showers are available in the general campsite, family camping, and campervan/caravan campsite. There are many toilet facilities located around the festival site.
... and ATMs?
Yes – keep an eye out for the signposts. In order to avoid delays, however, you are advised to have cash with you.
If I need festivals essentials can I get them over the weekend?
Yes. There is a supermarket on site.
Will there be trained medical staff on duty at the venue?
Yes. First Aid point will be clearly signposted.
Is there a designated area for wheelchair users at these concerts?
Yes, but Disabled Access applications are no longer being accepted. If you have not already booked, and plan to attend the festival, email access@alltogethernow.ie – the organisers state on their website that late requests will be accommodated "where possible."
Purpose-built viewing platforms are available at the three main music stages, although access for use of the platforms must have been applied for in advance. Once advance access has been permitted, you can bring one other person to join you. Access onto all platforms is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Disabled Access parking is in the same field as the campsite, and is close to the arena area. Accessible Taxi information is available locally – contact Rapid Cabs by phone (051-858585) or email info@rapidcabs.com.
The promoters advise that the festival is situated on a woodland, green-field site that in places can be difficult to navigate. It is recommended to bear this in mind and to “come prepared with everything you might require for your time on site.”
Where can we get the latest updates for the shows?
