Vesperal salutations Tennent’s Vital fans. Edwin McFee, Belfast-based writer for the likes of Hot Press, Metal Hammer and NME here to give you the inside scoop on which Bangor-bound acts will be hotter than bikini-clad Celeb BB contestant Amy Childs at this year’s festival.

Now we all know that both headliners will deliver suitably heroic performances, so here’s a quick run-down on a handful of the other artists on the bill that are sure to get the party started in style:

Two Door Cinema Club
Hometown heroes, indie demi-gods and all-round stadium-shattering local legends in the making Two Door Cinema Club look set to have a career-defining moment when they play this Tuesday night on the main stage and after following their career from their inception I can unequivocally state that this show will be the moment that the trio emerge as one of NI’s biggest ever bands. Miss this at your peril.

The Knux
Added to the bill by Mr Marshall Mathers III himself, hip-hop’s current next big thing the Knux look likely to justify the wagging tongues this Wednesday afternoon, so make sure you head to Ward Park early if you want to catch the so-called “Nirvana of rap” before they take over the world.

Jimmy Eat World
Emo originators and bona fide rock behemoths Jimmy Eat World have justifiably earned a reputation for delivering a live show that is as solid as James Corden’s sofa and on Wednesday night they should bring the thunder like the Mighty Thor himself. Expect ‘Bleed American’ to provide a proper “festival moment.”

Ram’s Pocket Radio
This year Tennent’s Vital have once again provided a platform for up and coming NI (and ROI) bands and the bill for both days is a genre-splicing, sterling array of acts that will make waves over the months and years ahead. Aptly dubbed “The Next Stage,” I’m expecting the Wonder Villains, SertOne and Eatenbybears to win over the festival crowd, but for sheer outsider pop class the super-promising Ram’s Pocket Radio (who play on Tuesday) are the pick of the bunch and if all goes to plan they should be the next NI act to do a “Two Door.”


Right, that’s me off to dust down the wellies and buy some sun-cream. Hope everyone enjoys the next two days and I’ll see you down the front.