The Academic to play Kaleidoscope festival
Westmeath indie rockers The Academic are playing Ireland's biggest family music festival Kaleidoscope next month.
Kaleidoscope returns to Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow from June 28 to 30 with its biggest programme of events of all ages. Global music stars The Kooks and The Waterboys headline alongside homegrown talent Lyra, Dec Pierce’s Block Rockin Beats and King Kong Company, and will be joined by 100s of family shows, activities and surprises over the 3 memory-making days and nights for kids and all the older festival-goers in their lives to enjoy together.
Hailing from Rochfortbridge, The Academic formed in 2013 while still in school and within a year, they were opening for alt-rock cult heroes The Pixies. By 2015, their debut single 'Different' propelled them to become one of Ireland's most talked-about bands, earning them a slot at British Summer Time in Hyde Park alongside major acts like The Strokes and Beck.
Their debut album, ‘Tales From the Backseat’, dropped in January 2018, immediately hitting number one on the Irish albums chart. That summer, they played a headline show for 5,000 fans at Dublin's Iveagh Gardens with their festival presence also expanding globally. On July 10, 2020, they released the EP "Acting My Age," produced by Kaiser Chiefs’ Nick Hodgson, followed by the announcement of a UK headline tour in April 2021.
With 20,000 attendees expected at this June’s Kaleidoscope, the full weekend music line-up also features Irish indie rock band The Academic, soul singer and songwriter Tolü Makay, breakthrough star Ryan Mack alongside Somebody’s Child, Isaac Butler, Bobbi Arlo, Fia Moon, The Kilo 1977, Dave Lofts & Sand, Saibh Skelly, Queen Bees, Tadhg, The Killéirs, DJ Will Softly, Corner Boy, Anamoe Drive and Kaleidoscope favourites, the Dublin Gospel Choir and Jerry Fish.
Dublin based TikTok sensations The KK Sisters will also make a much-anticipated special appearance at the family camping festival.
Headlining alongside its mega music line-up are Kaleidoscope’s family activities and shows for fans young and older to enjoy. Blessington’s Russborough House will be transformed into the ultimate summer family staycation, with three laughter-filled days of over 100 interactive performances, entertaining live shows and activities for all ages. Expect hands-on science experiments, jaw-dropping feats of circus, mesmerising magic shows, feel good family sports and wellness, children’s storytelling and creative writing, arts and crafts, energetic dance and theatre workshops, baby raves and toddler playtime, funfair rides, sensory areas and activities, a festival of food and so much more unmissable fun for all ages.
Speaking with great excitement of this summer’s Kaleidoscope, Festival Director Brian McDermott said: “With over 20,000 attendees expected at our 4th festival this June, we are proud to announce that this year’s line-up is our biggest yet at Kaleidoscope. Created for families, we have designed the festival to make it as family-friendly as possible including spacious campsites, car parking located beside campsites, campsite quiet time curfew, baby-changing and care areas, family cooking area and sensory and quiet zones."