Wild Roots intends to employ 'advanced Covid-19 health and safety procedures'

Many would say that only an optimist would count on large-scale gigs or festivals taking place next year - but we don't see any reason to not hope for the best.

The organisers of a new music festival in Sligo are taking the same line.

The first Wild Roots festival is scheduled to take place on the banks of Lough Gill in Co. Sligo on the May Bank Holiday weekend in 2021.

Kaiser Chiefs, Damien Dempsey, James Morrison and Booka Shade are on the line-up, alongside a host of other Irish names - including Soda Blonde, Jenny Greene, Paddy Casey, Aslan, King King Company and more.

There will also be a comedy element, with Blindboy, Owen Colgan and more leading the charge.

The three-day event will run from April 30th - May 2nd and as per the press release, "The festival will be the first of its kind in Ireland to employ advanced Covid-19 health & safety procedures and will represent a significant landmark in the reopening of the Live events sector. " Some of the protocol includes socially distanced zoned area camping and designated disinfectant points, as well as temperature checks and wristbands that allow contact-free payment at bars and food stalls.

There will also be an 'adventure' element to the festival programme which will see patrons have the chance to do everything from rock climbing and archery to kayak tours.

Tickets aren't on sale yet, but keep an eye on wildroots.ie for more info.

See below for the full line-up:

Kaiser Chiefs | Damien Dempsey | James Morrison | King Kong Company | Jenny Greene | Booka Shade | Soda Blonde | Daithi | The Sherlocks | Aslan | Blindboy | Mark Blair | Ryan McMullan | David Keenan | Paddy Casey | Roe | Rebekah Fitch | ModernLove | The Flavours |  Violet Skies | Big Society | Primary Colours | Black Bird & Crow | Gemma Dunleavy | The Odd Socks | Daft Punk Tribute | Dea Matrona | Clare Sands | The Bootleg Beach Boys | BRÍDÍN | Dublin Ukulele Collective | Dean Gurrie & Band | Gerald Ahern | Galway Street Club | Alexis Kings | The Twisted Sisters | John Garrity