Galway's SugarBeat festival takes place at Tuam Stadium later this month, with the likes of The Stunning, Ryan Sheridan, Hometown, Amazing Apples, Big Generator, The Original Rudeboys and Interskalactic on the bill, alongside many more.
To celebrate the return of the festival on August 22nd and 23rd, we've compiled a list of 8 things you should really know about this year's SugarBeat.
Read on and prepare to be wowed...
1) This year is the second time that SugarBeat has been staged at Tuam Stadium in Co. Galway. Last year's inaugural event proved such a success - with the likes of Damien Dempsey, Mundy, Raglans and more helping to sell out the festival – that it was decided to return for round two in 2015.
2) If you're wondering where the name comes from – apart from being a clever pun – there is history to the 'sugar' part. Tuam was once home to a sugar factory dating back to the 1930s, which provided employment for a huge number of people in the area. It closed in 1987, but SugarBeat is a reminder of how the town has prospered in recent times. Tuam's most famous musical sons The Saw Doctors even made reference to the industry it in their song 'Sugartown'.
3) This year's headliners The Stunning (above) have a history with Galway, where they were mostly based during their original lifespan. Although the two Wall brothers, Steve and Joe, were raised largely in Dublin and later in Co. Clare, they also spent time living in The Claddagh – so their SugarBeat spot is a kind of homecoming.
4) For the pop-pickers in the audience, boyband Hometown will be appearing at this year's festival, too. The six-piece band were picked by Louis Walsh from over 2,000 young men who auditioned. What's more, there's a Tuam local amongst their ranks with Brendan Murray on board.
5) It's well-known that the other headliner, Ryan Sheridan, began his music career as a busker. But did you know that the Monaghan man was an Irish dancer before he turned to music? He toured the world as part of the Riverdance ensemble. True story.
6) Tuam reggae heroes Too Much For the White Man, who were active in the mid-late 1980s, are reforming especially for the festival. "SugarBeat was such a great buzz last year," said lead singer Mouse McHugh. "I had so many people asking me if we’d ever reform for a one off gig. Shane from SugarBeat asked me if we’d be interested in playing this year’s festival and there wasn’t a moment of hesitation. We can’t wait to play at Sugar Beat 2015.”
7) The Original Rudeboys have gone through a few name-changes over the last few years. First, they were known as The Original Rudeboys. Then they were officially known as O.R.B.. Now, they’re back to The Original Rudeboys again. If you're wondering where the Dublin trio got the name from in the first place, it was from a t-shirt that one of its members was wearing.
8) For the non-locals wondering how to get to Tuam Stadium? No problem. The festival has laid on a shuttle bus from Galway City to Tuam, which will depart from Monroe's Tavern at 12pm and 3pm on Saturday & Sunday, returning to the city 20 minutes after the final act each night.
Day tickets for SugarBeat 2015 are still on sale at €35 for Saturday (12.30pm - 10.30pm) and €30 for Sunday (12.30pm - 9.30pm). You can get 'em from Tickets.ie now.