Music fans swarm to this one
A fresh new youth music festival is coming to Cork this month aimed at giving Leeside’s young musical talent a much needed outlet while reinforcing the local youth scene.
Swarmfest 2025 takes place on 27 June at the Kino Events House on Washington Street, Cork city, from 2-8pm.
Organised and run entirely by passionate young people out of their own pocket, the festival strives to be as much a social event as it is a musical one, as head organiser Raymond Doherty, 16, explains.
“I started Swarmfest as I noticed younger musicians had very few places in the city to play, share their vision, and meet other people. As a 16 year old myself, I see this as demotivating young musicians and young people who want a music scene. The youth social scene takes a hit because of this. Young people who have no place to go and nothing to do, will turn to social drinking, sneaking into bars, or just not socialising,” said Raymond.
The inaugural Swarmfest lineup features seven talented local youth acts: Random Animals, Big Sky, Pinwheel, Waterworks, Blue Wire, Magazine Cowboy, and Orlaith.
The festival’s 8pm finish time means that all ages are welcome to come and stay for the whole event.
“I wanted it to be like this because young people have very few places to listen to and experience music,” explained Raymond.
“I myself have really struggled to find places to play. The only real place in Cork that accommodates youth gigs is the YMCA, and they are brilliant, but there's always a want to be playing bigger, proper gigs.
"The aim of Swarmfest is to make a self-sustaining youth music ecosystem, essentially, and maybe show venues that these sorts of events can be successful, so they should give the younger people a chance,” he added.
All going well, Raymonds says he hopes to make Swarmfest a biannual event with another one hopefully coming before the year is out.
Tickets are available from ventbrite.ie at €10 plus a booking free, or can be picked up physically at Bunker Vinyl, Camden Place, for €10.