AVA Belfast 2023: A raver's paradise on the Emerald Isle
Perhaps it’s because there are fewer music festivals in Northern Ireland than there are in the rest of the UK and Europe, but the Irish locals really go for it when AVA Belfast rolls around each year.
The festival has earned a reputation for being one of the funnest events on the annual dance music calendar, bringing scene legends and emerging talent together for a weekend of good vibes and sun (one person told me they’ve been going for seven years and it’s only rained once). But it’s not just a fortunate run of good weather that has made this weekender so respected with locals and jet-setters alike. With a focus on hi-spec audio and mouth watering fan-favourite line ups, the ever-expanding party is putting Belfast’s bustling music scene back on the map in a big way.
The festival’s more intimate stages provided some of the most memorable (or not) moments of the weekend. At Boiler Room’s Nomadic arena, London producer and selector Jossy Mitsu proved that a giant sound system whacked in a greenhouse-like structure was a recipe for success. As is typically the case with Boiler Room showcases, party-goers were granted 360 access around the decks, allowing her lively techno and bass cuts to take on a life of their own against the backdrop of Belfast’s rolling hills and the low-hanging evening sun. I.Jordan, Eliza Rose and DJ Boring all took individual turns at transforming the transparent stage into their stomping ground, whipping up some of the liveliest crowds of the weekend with a blend of techno, house, garage and everything in between.
At the Pumphouse - the festival’s new indoor stage for 2023 - Ben UFO did what he does best and put on a spectacular show. However, the Hessle Audio legend may have been better suited to the Main Stage given the sheer number of people who tried to cram into the tent to see his set.
As to be expected, the Main Stage also offered a wealth of highlights too. Peggy Gou, freshly signed to XL Records, orchestrated one of the largest crowds of the weekend into a frenzy with her vibrant, effervescent house selections. Just before that, and fresh off the back of smashing UK streaming records with ‘Sprinter’, UK rapper Central Cee performed his arsenal of viral hits like ‘Loading’ and ‘Doja’ to a sea of die-hard fans, who volleyed his bars right back towards the stage.
Traditionally geared towards electronic music lovers, AVA has broadened its horizons over the last few years and has welcomed a new influx of attendees to coincide with its increasingly eclectic line ups. You’d be forgiven for thinking that this may have diluted the experience for the hardcore dance-heads, but this simply wasn’t the case. In fact, the crowds at AVA were universally a delight to be around, irrespective of the stage, genre or artist performing. The sense that people were coming for a good time was palpable, and AVA delivered on these expectations and then some.
Even the potential fallbacks of hosting a festival in such an industrial area were carefully considered and alleviated before ravers arrived on site, making it a smooth experience for both staff and fun-seekers. Nestled against the industrial backdrop of Belfast’s historic Titanic Quarter, the concrete dockyards on which the festival sat meant that the heat from the sun was reflected straight back up onto the ravers. Friday and Saturday were both scorchers, but with dedicated water and sun cream stations dotted around the perimeter of the site, everyone was free to have a good time without worrying about the heat too much.
Delivering a thoughtfully-planned line up that represents the diversity of the UK music scene, the dance-fuelled weekender placed as much emphasis on local talent as it did big names. In fact, you could go as far as saying that home-grown Irish talent made up the beating heart of AVA this year. The Grasses arena, supported by BBC Radio Ulster, was the place to be if you wanted to see the immense array of talent Ireland has to offer, including popular Belfast club night and DJ duo Inside Moves. Despite clashing with Ben UFO, the pair amassed an impressively large and energetic crowd who wanted to celebrate everything that AVA is about - Irish dance culture at its very best.
There’s no doubt that AVA Belfast is one of the finest festivals for dance music that Ireland - and the rest of Europe for that matter - has to offer, and 2023 marked a triumphant return. According to some who have been attending the festival from its humble warehouse beginnings, the best one to date. Next year, the festival will celebrate 10 years since its inception - a special anniversary that is sure to raise the levels even more.
Keep an eye on AVA Belfast’s website for more information about their 10th anniversary plans next year.
