MANIC STREET PREACHERS, THE CORONAS AND SIGMA UNVEILED AS FIRST HEADLINERS AT INDIEPENDENCE
2017
THERE might still be more than 230 days to go until Indiependence 2017, but excitement is already growing after organisers this week unveiled three top acts set to headline the Mitchelstown festival next August.
Now gearing up for its 12th outing, ‘Indie’ has grown from humble beginnings as a free event in the town square into one of Ireland’s top music and art festivals, due in no small a measure to the volume of top Irish and international acts that have played the Deer Park venue.
Organisers have once again signalled their intent to build on that reputation, with Welsh rockers Manic Street Preachers, Irish band The Coronas and UK drum and bass duo Sigma the first headline acts to be announced for the 2017 event.
Securing the ‘Manics, as they are known to their legions of devoted fans, is a major coup for Indie. Formed in 1986 the band has done it all – recording 12 albums, headlining festivals including Glastonbury and Reading and winning countless accolades including 11 NME awards, eight Q awards.
Having headlined Indie in 2014 The Coronas have gone on to become one of Ireland’s top acts, with their latest album ‘Long Way’ going platinum and a new LP due out in the New Year.
For the pasts decade Sigma (DJ’s Cam Edwards and Joe Lenzie), have been at the forefront of the drum and bass scene, with their debut album ‘Life’ selling more than 3 million copies and their videos getting half a billion hits on YouTube.
Indie co-founder and organiser Shane Dunne told The Corkman people can expect more acts of the same calibre to be announced over the coming months.
“It’s a good start alright and there’s plenty more where that came from,” he grinned.
“We’ve been trying to get the Manics for the past ten-years so it was fantastic to finally get them on board. The Coronas and Sigma speak for themselves.”
Shane said that he and the festival committee have been busy travelling around Ireland and Europe for the past few months seeing bands and negotiating deals to bring them to Mitchelstown.
“We have done deals for some very big names that will be announced over the coming weeks. As in previous years there will be a heavy accent on new Irish acts, so there is a lot to look forward to,” said Shane.
“Festivals favourites such as the silent disco, the Beer Hall Stage and the comedy/spoken word stage will also be back in 2017,” he promised.
While all of the ‘early-bird’ tickets sold out within 24-hours, music fans will be happy to hear that there has been no increase in tickets prices this year, with three-day camping passes costing €119.
“We built Indie through the recession with an ethos of giving people value for money. Things may be getting better, but we do not see that as a reason to increase tickets prices,” said Shane.
“When you compare Indie to other similar Irish festivals, you will see that tickets prices are a lot cheaper. We intend to keep it that way for as long as we can,” he pledged.
For future updates and ticket information visit www.indiependencefestival.com.