With one of their strongest line-ups yet, ticket sales for the INDIEPENDENCE Music and Arts Festival in Mitchelstown are up five times on what they were this time last year. Organiser Shane Dunne told The Avondhu this week that they would expect to sell out, as they had not reached these kind of ticket sales last year until around June.

On that note, he urged people to get their tickets early, as he said that they had to turn a lot of disappointed people away at the gate last year. He advised local people to put a deposit down in Mitchelstown Post Office and pay the tickets off bit by bit, because once they're gone, they're gone!

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Taking place from August 1-3 over the bank holiday weekend, the festival in Deer Farm promises some great acts, with the highlights for many being Public Enemy, Tom Odell, White Lies and Fun Lovin' Criminals. The festival was launched in The Franciscan Well in Cork last Thursday and from a sponsorship point of view, it is on a strong footing as Molson Canadian beer have committed to another three years.

The festival will also support some top class Irish acts with Delorentos, Damien Dempsey and a DJ set from David Holmes, alongside Leeside legends The Sultans of Ping and emerging stars like Lisa O'Neill, The Academic, We Cut Corners, Orla Gartland and Walking On Cars.

"It's probably our strongest one (line-up) yet," Shane said.

He added that last year's line-up was geared towards younger audiences, but this year, they are setting out for a slightly older audience. "We are definitely back to what we founded the whole thing on and we're really happy," Shane told The Avondhu.

He added that for him personally, he is most looking forward to Public Enemy and he said that it's great to get an act of such calibre in Mitchelstown, as they would have been regarded as changing the face of hip hop. While he said that Tom Odell can be seen as the new kid on the block in Indie pop. 

INDIE '14 will also welcome back festival favourites Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, while introducing one of the BBC’s Sounds of 2014, Chlöe Howl and London folktronica artist Fyfe. Also returning is the dance-tastic Bacardi Arena which will feature artists such as A-Skillz, Jacques Renault, Horse Meat Disco and a wealth of Irish talent to be announced.

Following the success of last year’s indoor arena (where even the Gardai had a dance!), The Biere Halle returns with its selection of bars and great live music over the three days. INDIE '14 will also bring back its Spoken Word and Comedy Stages along with the Hot Press Hot Spot and live broadcasts on site from Today FM.

There’s lots more to announce in the coming weeks, but in the meantime tickets are now on sale costing just €99 for weekend camping. Stay tuned to www.facebook.com/INDIEPENDENCEFEST for regular festival updates and ticket giveaways!

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