All Together Now returns with a bang
Headline act Fontaines DC on the All Together Now Main Stage, Friday night, August 1, 2025.
Once again, Waterford News and Star made the trek from the city to the lovely environs of Curraghmore Estate for All Together Now 2025.
The weather was kind to us as we set up shop at the campsite and made our way into the festival.
Tucked within the woods was The Cambrium Club, where Irish-Columbian couple Cumbia & the Gang played a sparkling set. The Waterford-based act spun records and had the crowd bopping away with their Afro-Caribbean rhythms and tropical psychedelia. It was the perfect way to spend an hour in the sunshine-dappled woods.
Nearby at Global Roots, Dundalk band Negro Impacto performed a gorgeous set of soulful music. Lead singer Chi Chi took a moment towards the end of the set to shout out a little girl in the front row for being ‘the best dancer I’ve ever seen!’. The audience started cheering the wee girl’s name, it was the kind of lovely interaction you’re bound to see all over the festival.
In the Main Arena, anticipation was building for British indie band Wet Leg. The guys are hot off the release of their critically acclaimed second album ‘moisturizer’.
The crowd were rollicking throughout, screaming the lyrics of songs like ‘Wet Dream’, ‘Angelica’ and ‘Catch These Fists’. The show ended with their monster breakthrough song ‘Chaise Longue’, a perfect finish for the sharp, solid set. Lead singer Rhian Teasdale gave a shout out for the next act Fontaines DC.
Fontaines DC came on stage to thunderous eruptions from the audience. The Dublin band have taken over the world in the last year, releasing their lauded album ‘Romance’ and playing on the biggest stages all over the world. All over ATN, you could see thousands of people wearing their Boh’s jerseys. The audience roared through songs ‘The Boys in the Better Land’, 'A Hero's Death' and 'Big'.
During their show, they displayed messages about the crisis in Palestine with the banner 'Israel is Committing Genocide. Use Your Voice'. Between songs, lead singer Grian Chattan said 'F**k the far-right' to huge applause. The biggest reaction came with their closing song 'Starburster' - hearing thousands of people screaming out the 'gasp' in the song's chorus was electrifying. The whole show was like a homecoming for the world-beating band.
The night finished with Leftfield playing at the Some Kind of Wonderful tent. The space was packed out with people dancing like their very soul depended on it. it was a magnificent display from the veteran dance act.
