Declaration of Indiependence
Fight Like Apes are one of the acts bound for Mitchelstown this bank holiday.
Francis Jones, 10 Aug 2009
The bold claim that Indiependence is the “best value festival in the country” was issued by promoter Shane Dunne, the driving force behind the two-day music and arts extravaganza that takes place in Mitchelstown, Cork over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Previously a free festival, this year Indiependence is a ticketed event. However, Dunne is adamant that the €59, camping inclusive price, justifies the “best value” tag. What’s more, he feels that the transition from a free to paying bash was essential to ensure the festival’s continued growth.
“We’d run a free festival for three years and last year we had massive numbers, something like 10,000 on the final night,” Dunne reflects. “It had outgrown its status as a free gig. It was difficult to raise money and we had to make it more secure. The natural progression was to move it into a field [O’Connell Park] and put on a bigger line-up with multiple stages and make it a ticketed event.”
That “bigger line-up” boasts headliners Ocean Colour Scene and Super Furry Animals with a raft of the finest Irish talent – including MJEX, Director, The Blizzards and Delorentos – in support. Dunne describes the unique ambience (“a small town festival and a big arena atmosphere all mixed into one”), and ethos (“giving up-and-coming Irish bands a platform”) as being key to the festival’s success. Amongst the native talent are Fight Like Apes, a band returning to Mitchelstown for their third consecutive appearance.
“It’s absolutely brilliant,” is frontwoman MayKay’s verdict on Indiependence. “They’ve really stepped it up this year. I know so many people who’ve not gone to Oxegen or Electric Picnic and chosen Indiependence instead. You get a really good mix – that intimate atmosphere and it’s calm enough, but there’s still room for mayhem.”
MayKay’s endorsement of Indiependence is worth noting, as FLA are venerable festival veterans. This summer alone they’ve played an abundance of events, including the likes of Glastonbury (“something for everyone”) and Latitude (“absolutely gorgeous”). Their highlight, to date, though, was their turn at Oxegen.
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