MISNEACH
To be sure, to be sure… for all that attended, yes we are definitely sure! The Misneach Festival, at the Sydney Domain on Paddy’s Day eve, organized by Frontier Touring, was truly the best festival experience ever. Misneach, meaning "courage" in Irish, aimed to bring the vibrant spirit of Ireland to Australia and abroad, highlighting its rich musical heritage and culture. Dermot Kennedy's performance was the highlight, showcasing his soulful voice and deep emotional connection with the audience. The festival celebrated Irish culture, offering a diverse lineup that kept energy levels high throughout the event. Frontier Touring’s flawless organization ensured seamless transitions and top-notch sound quality. The vibrant atmosphere and stunning setting within Sydney’s Domain made it an unforgettable experience. Misneach Festival was a triumph, that will leave a lasting impression on music lovers for life, well maybe till 2026 if Misneach returns.
Kicking off under a blistering hot sun, oppressive heat and humidity, steadily rising in global popularity, hip-hop artist Fynch electrified the crowd with an impressive opening performance, igniting excitement early on in the day. His dedicated fans, who had gathered at 12:00 PM to kick off the epic Misneach festival, clearly appreciated Fynch’s gangster hip-hop energy, which he showcased at the peak of his set with a rendition of ‘Too Much Doe’. Fynch definitely delivered the head start that was needed at all great festivals.
The pace after the opening act soon accelerated with a rise that mirrored the sweltering weather. The pop-punk sound of The Cliffords, a five-piece band from Cork, resonated throughout the venue, exuding an alienating intensity. The vocal brilliance of singer Iona Lynch captivated the audience with her remarkable vocal range from start to finish. A set highlight was a surprise, as Gavin Hawkins a talented bassist also amazingly doubles as a trumpeter belting a spectacular performance of ‘My Favourite Monster’. Songs from the Cliffords like ‘Bitter Sweet’ elicited enthusiastic applause and singing from the crowd.
Winding down the pace a few beats per minute, Solo artist Suzanne O’Neil proudly sharing she was from Ennis, Ireland, offered a soothing acoustic set, interspersed with moments of humour. She quipped about the discomfort of her trumpet in the heat before improvising by harmonising with her voice. O’Neil’s set created a tranquil ambience amidst the festivities, particularly evident in her mesmerising rendition of ‘You Are.’. The slower set was a welcome opportunity to keep still and bring the body temperature down a few degrees.
Sorcha Richardson continued on the build of the day maintaining a calmer spirit with the party-seeking Irish, delivering a performance that entertained the crowd with her more popular Irish tunes. Regardless of the weather conditions, the unwavering determination to embrace the festive spirit was palpable as the crowd sang along to many fan favourites including ‘Smiling Like an Idiot’.
With cheers and screams of the band name Amble echoing across the grounds, the classic Irish musicians took the stage, performing traditional Irish melodies that transformed the audience’s enthusiasm into a palpable force. Their powerful riffs in ‘Mary’s Pub’ rallied a united chorus from the crowd. The ensuing exuberance reached its peak with comical antics when a lead singer attempted to discard his cardigan and took his shirt as well by mistake. This prompted roaring cheers followed by boos as he pulled his shirt back on.
Meg Mac then commenced her set with ‘I’m Not Coming Back’, an electrifying rendition of soul-infused R&B beats that enticed festival-goers away from the long food truck lines and down the barriers to witness her performance. Her family’s presence in the crowd and her sister by her side added a personal touch that enhanced her captivating and powerful performance of ‘Give Me My Name Back’, This song beautifully touched on reclaiming one’s identity and speaking out.
By mid-afternoon, Misneach was literally warming up all around both on stages and under the intensely burning sun. Managing survival in the hot and humid conditions, Irish patrons flocked to seek respite under the limited pockets of shade available. Hundreds clambered under the shade of the massive Moreton Bay or Port Jackson Fig Trees that are substantial specimens and integral to the area’s historic character wherever they could be found. For many others, the fervour for music prevailed over the heat, equally captivated as those who found the water misters that provided moments of refreshing relief. It was as hot as it ever gets in festivals down under.
“best festival i have ever been too ..it was insane ”
As an alternative to the main stage area, the smaller set-up at ‘Doss House’ offered more shade within intimate soundscapes. Amongst the many local favourites of the packed in crowd, Ross and Cam charmed the audience with their traditional Irish tunes. Huge roars later could be heard from just about every corner of the Domain for nearly the entire set of Maria Shankey. An undeniable crowd rapport compelled encore chants of “Laisdoonvarna” after “Lisdoonvarna”, clearly establishing Shaney as a crowd favourite of the Misneach event.
Misneach was an epic event that would not possible without the support of hundreds of staff and volunteers. All are heroes of the day and a hugely noteworthy presence must be afforded to foundational efforts from Sophie, Rebecca and the team at the Red Frog’s Australia Foundation. Their gracious offerings of water, sunscreen, spirited engagement, and of course the copious supply of red frogs certainly kept up the sugar levels of many during the event.
As if the day’s temperature was not hot enough already The Scratch hit the main stage. A huge upbeat change to the Misneach event, The Scratch with their high-octane spirits, electrified the stage with their heavy metal set. The crowd headbanged and moshed to breakneck rhythms, with the drummer’s unique box setup creating a visual spectacle as his hands furiously beat it in the air. The Scratch played fan favourites while bodies swirled in synchronised chaos during the electrifying wall of death.
As the heat of the day began to simmer down due to a slow creeping cloud cover, the Misneach Festival was electrified by the performance of Kneecap, a duo of rappers and DJ Provai. Their transfixing beats and interactive energy captivated the crowd, transforming Misneach into a dynamic and rhythmic commotion. DJ Provai’s energetic demeanour, as he leapt from the stage and into the crowd for a crowd surf, added to the excitement. Kneecap’s mastery of hip-hop was evident in their performance, leaving the audience spellbound. This wildly energetic set was responsible for the craziest crowd and mosh pit antics of the day.
In contrast to the wild previous set, Matt Corby’s indie rock stylings provided a calming respite amidst the massively building crowd and lively atmosphere of the Misneach festival. Corby’s soothing grace and emotional connection to his songs created a serene ambience amidst the bustling grounds. Corby’s set offered a listening experience as well as an emotional connection to his music, leaving the audience in awe.
With the darkness of night falling to allow the brilliant lighting and stage design to come alive, The Frames maintained the lively and energetic atmosphere with their classic rock flair. Their crowd favourite ‘God Bless Mum’ punctuated the dusk with invigorating and layered rhythms, echoing through the night. Time now for the main event. Hardly a person remined anywhere in the Domain to clamber as close to the stage front as possible or anywhere with a line of sight for the headline of the Misneach Festival day.
With an emotionally provocative and surreal video intro to his entrance on stage, Dermot Kennedy concluded the festival with a heartfelt performance that left the audience spellbound. His commanding vocals and visually stunning backdrops made ‘Power Over Me’ an anthem of connection. A debut of new melodies, notably ‘Let Me In,’ showcased the richness of his emotive reach. Kennedy’s set captivated the audience, immersing them in his incredible presence on stage.
The Misneach Festival triumphantly blended music, merriment, and community spirit into an unforgettable St. Patrick’s experience. A testament to Irish fervour, warmth transcended the boundaries of music, transporting fans beyond the scorching heat into a vibrant border crossing of sound and soul.
A massive thanks to Misneach and Frontier Touring for one of the best festivals ever in Sydney for many many years. We hope to see you again in 2026.
Photo Gallery MISNEACH Festival
Review by Jasmine Blanch
Photos by @yourmusicpix for @musicfestvalsaustralia
