Soul Fest: A handy guide to the best fringe fun and pop-ups to hit this weekend
Brought to you by Soul Fest Cork.
Cancel your beach plans.
If you were thinking of spending the last weekend of summer ’22 on the coast, we’re here to tell you that all the action will be happening in Cork City this Thursday through to Sunday.
Soul Fest, Ireland’s only soul music festival is returning this August 26th – 28th in association with Island’s Edge, with a jam-packed programme of soul, funk, food, drinks, and entertainment taking over City Hall and around 20 venues across the city.
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As well as headline concerts by Laoise Leahy and Chicago-born soul diva Karen Underwood, Cork will be alive with activity on almost every street (you can download a handy map here).
Here’s a few hot tips for the weekend:
Thirsty Thursday: Can’t wait ’til Friday? No probs. As a pre-opener to the Festival, a soul selection taster event will be held at the Poor Relation on Thursday evening, with some surprise guests getting everyone in the mood for the weekend ahead.
Catch the Soul Train: The Festival officially kicks off on Friday, August 26th with a live soul train grooving its way through the streets of Cork for all to enjoy.
Wet your whistle with a Brewery Tasting: With support from Cork Heritage Pub Trail, Saturday kicks off with a soulful brewery tasting tour at Rising Sons Brewery with an accompanying special soul food bites on offer at the local brewery – booking is required at soulfestcork.com.
Hit the Soul Fest Pub Trail: Over 20 venues are taking part in the Soul Fest Trail, promising groovy tunes, soulful food and drinks along with the very best that Cork has to offer. If you’re planning your route, details of all participating venues can be found on the soulfestcork.com website.
Head for the Cornmarket Street Block Party: On the Sunday of the Festival, Cornmarket Street will be jumping as a Block Party kicks off from 1pm. Although Festival organisers are keeping a lid on the full line-up for the day, Festival Director Sinéad Dunphy told us we can expect the very best of tunes from some incredible bands including The Art Crimes Band, Cosmic Funk, Quangodelic, The Papa Zitas and many more.
For more details on participating venues, and tickets for Cork City Hall concerts, visit soulfestcork.com or check out @soulfestcork across social media.
