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Singular Artists are on fire with the curation of
this superb festival that showcases all that’s great about new music in 2025. WORDS David Carr raditional outdoor festivals can be a chore. You’re battling the elements, the facilities, the sky high ticket prices, the impossible hikes between stages. At Borderline 2.0 you’ll have a cosy roof (it is February), you can fairly easily get a drink of your choice, the 2-day pass is almost a giveaway and the stages are a short run up (or down) the stairs apart. In their review of the year, our sister music publication The Goo looked to last years’ Borderline Festival as the event of the year time and time again. Look at the acts, Lambrini Girls, Fat Dog, Maruja, Enola Gay. All have gone on to headline bigger venues and are the talk of the music industry. It may be a journalistic trope, but hand on heart, this year’s event promises to be one for the ages. This next wave of International and Irish acts are hugely exciting, occupying much of my top 10 must see acts this coming year. Let me give you a flavour of what’s available and who could be your next favourite band. Honeyglaze The South London trio are still riding the crest of the wave of their astounding second album Real Deal inspired by Evander Holyfield of all things. There’s a cool focus and confidence in what they’re doing and you can see the advancements they’ve made between albums. Creativity shines in vocal delivery, time signatures and song structure. This will mark their return to The Workman’s which they played in 2022 or maybe you got in early enough to see their set supporting Interpol in Trinity in 2023. In any case, they’re my number one pick for this event. Oft mentioned, there are parallels in the way singer Annouska Sokolow delivers some of her lines with that of Lily Fontaine and while English Teacher stole our hearts with their album and live performance, I’ve a feeling this could be… better. Opus Kink I’ve been hankering for a live performance by this Brighton ensemble for quite a while now. There is some conjecture as to whether their two major releases qualify as albums or EPs. Whatever your take I recommend you get on them as they’re excellent. Operating in a similar sphere to DEADLETTER and Maruja (and you know how well they go down in Dublin) they have all of the same vim and vigour with their sax infused funk/ punk. I can pretty much guarantee a sweaty good time. RLINE 2.0 21