Ballinlough Castle welcomes Body & Soul solstice gathering this June
In a time when bad, sad, doom, and gloom have become our daily mantra, we can essentially do one of two things. Continue to curse the darkness. Or light a light. The organisers of Body & Soul have chosen to do more than just light a light. They’ve decided to invite you to a special gathering to remind us all that there’s still so much in life to celebrate.
The Body & Soul Gathering is not a gig, it’s an experience. It’s about reminding ourselves of the great musicians, story tellers, performers, and artists that walk among us. It’s about reconnecting with our culture and each other. It’s about meeting with like minded people, progressive thinkers, healers, even a few kooky creatives. It’s about feeling alive, inspired, excited by life. It’s also about reminding ourselves what there’s no time like the present to have a bit of good old fashioned fun!
The Body & Soul gathering will take place across the labyrinth of stone-walled gardens and woodlands in the beautiful surrounds of Ballinlough Castle on June 19 and 20. It promises intimacy, with a capacity capped at 1,500 and camping available for the two day event.
The inspired Body & Soul programme will include live bands and electronic acts including one of the most original live acts in the world: pioneer of folktronica Kieran Hebden aka Four Tet; homegrown electronic hero Jape; founder of ambient legends The Orb and true electronic legend Dr Alex Paterson; mixing traditional Basque folk music with churning basslines and catchy vocals Crystal Fighters; the curious world of sound from Tunng; the new project from Rick Tomlinson, fully fledged rock group Voice of The Seven Thunders; London based producer and solo artist Gaudi with his elements of dub, electronica, and world music; and Kormac’s Big Band a 14-piece orchestra comprising of live turntables, samplers, drums, double bass, barbershop quartet, trumpet, clarinet, banjo, and live visuals. And more acts to be announced…
There will also be electronic acts, street theatre, acoustic jams, a healing area, a permaculture garden, a soul kids area, visual arts, workshops, hot tubs, late night cabarets, and a masquerade ball with a moonlit orchestra under the stars.
In keeping with the ancient tradition, the weekend will draw to an end with a fire ceremony in tribute to the festival theme: Phoenix Rising. Marking endings and new beginnings, death and new life and the continuous cycle of change. Festival goers can create their own lanterns in an "illuminati workshop tent" and participate in the closing ceremony.
Those of you who have joined us at Electric Picnic know what we're about. For those of you that haven't, we're a collective that focuses on inspired, edgy, boundary-stretching creativity. This is an independent festival with a heart-shaped mind and a cutting-edge soul.
Early bird tickets: €99 / weekend tickets: €109 / Sunday day tickets €55 / campervan tickets: €30. Tickets are on sale now.
For more information log on to www.bodyandsoul.ie
