ATN Recap: The Prodigy, Natasha Bedingfield, The National and more
Pictured at the ATN Festival. Photo: Joe Evans
During her set on Saturday, Natasha Bedingfield explained to the Curraghmore crowds that Ireland was the first country where she garnered a Number One hit record, for her song ‘Single’ which released 20 years ago.
She professed to the large ensemble from the Main Stage: “I’m feeling Sinead O’Connor out here. There are so many incredible music artists that come from here. I just want to say the Irish know what’s up before everyone else does. I released my very first single in Ireland first. That was my very first number one in the world, it was in Ireland. I just want to say thank you all, this country really means a lot to me. You put me on the map.”
Her riveting vocal performance was perhaps unmatched across the entire weekend, triumphantly executing her own iconic hits alongside a blend of recognizable pop anthems from Prince, The Weeknd and Coldplay, prompting a fantastic crowd reaction during an entirely sun-soaked set.
Dundalk band, The Mary Wallopers, overcame some early mic issues to present a boisterous and unruly performance. The group hammered out trad tunes, riling up the crowds with a considerable amount of politically driven content – the church, far right protests, immigration and class.
Excitement reached maximum capacity by the final tune, by which time the crowd broke into a raucous and energy infused push around.
Other highlights included The National, who returned to familiar territory at Curraghmore, having performed at the festival at previous chapters. Frontman, Matt Berninger made himself at one with the crowd, regularly walking from the stage to interact and create impromptu props from clothing handed to him from spectators.
The Wailers’ set on Sunday was a celebration of unity and the remembrance of an icon. The performance included all of Marley’s most popular tunes, with the crowd energized and engaged throughout. The seven members bowed at the front of the stage during the finale to a strong response.
As a constant drizzle descended, Future Islands took to the Main Stage, with frontman Samuel T Herring impressing with his dance moves despite explaining to the crowd how slippery the stage was.
The Prodigy closed the festival with an expected high tempo performance, matched with an impressive laser and strobe offering and lively performance from Maxim. There was a brief reference to former band member Keith Flint who died in 2019, when an outline of him donning his recognizable nineties hairstyle appeared on the big screens.
