Body & Soul ‘hit pause’ on festival

Body & Soul, one of Ireland’s longest-running independent festivals, held in Westmeath, will not take place this year, it has been has announced.

A statement by festival organisers issued last week said it was “hitting pause” on this year’s festival to allow it time to “think and dream bigger”.

In 2022, Body & Soul had halved its numbers after the Covid-19 pandemic and doubled its curatorial commitment, selling just 5,500 weekend tickets for a smaller but successful three-day event for which Róisín Murphy was among the headliners.

Last year’s major festival acts included Alison Goldfrapp, Moderat and Denise Chaila.

The festival has taken place traditionally at Ballinlough Castle in Clonmellon.

A statement from organisers said they were hitting pause "to give ourselves the space to dream and think bigger".

“What we know is that we’re on the cusp of something great, something bold and new, which we can’t wait to share with you all when it’s ready.

“So outwardly we go quiet for a short time, but behind the scenes, we’ll be busy reinventing ourselves, preparing to re-emerge in our new form.”