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The reason for the conclusion of everything positive is explored, discussing the review of All Together Now.

Reflective musings on the highs and lows experienced at All Together Now 2025, the music festival staged across the vast expanse of Curraghmore Estate in Portlaw, Co. Waterford, after three straight days of sleeping on the ground by festival-goer Sarah Finnan.

End of the Festival: Critique of All Together Now
End of the Festival: Critique of All Together Now

The reason for the conclusion of everything positive is explored, discussing the review of All Together Now.

All Together Now, Ireland's beloved music festival, returned in 2025 with a bang, attracting a record-breaking 30,000-strong crowd - the biggest in its six-year history. The event, held at the picturesque Curraghmore Estate, was characterised by a relaxed vibe and a sense of unity among attendees.

The festival's lineup was diverse and high-profile, featuring Fontaines D.C., CMAT, and many more. Six years after their first show, Fontaines D.C. returned to All Together Now, one of the biggest and best bands in the world. Other standout acts included Wet Leg, Seun Kuti, Martin Luke Brown, Buena Vista All Stars, and BIIRD.

Tang helmed a culinary experience, with all proceeds going to supporting food relief in Palestine. The festival's commitment to sustainability was evident in several initiatives, such as banning single-use plastic bottles and encouraging carpooling. Free refillable water stations were available across the festival grounds, reducing plastic waste and ensuring attendees stayed hydrated.

All on-site staff, crew, contractors, and volunteers employed Leave No Trace practices, ensuring the festival's impact on the environment was minimal. The site felt more congested, with the nightly pilgrimage from the main stage to the campsite being slow-moving and treacherous. However, the festival managed the increased attendance effectively, expanding its scale significantly to maintain a vibrant atmosphere while supporting Irish talent.

All Together Now 2025 managed to incorporate sustainability through a collaboration with The Great Oven, commissioning two community ovens that will be donated post-festival to supportive causes including a community kitchen in Bohemians Football Club and the West Bank in Palestine, fostering cultural exchange and community benefit beyond the event itself.

The Jameson Connects Circle Stage was a hub for up-and-coming artists, drawing a huge crowd for both their musical offerings and extracurricular activities alike. Seanchoíche and The Great Oven Disco Cantina held storytelling sessions, adding a unique cultural element to the festival.

Complimentary bus travel for volunteers was provided by Expressway, and Le Boom was the secret Sunday act, closing out a weekend of incredible performances. Nelly Furtado brought a setlist dripping in nostalgia on Sunday night.

Despite the high standard of food on offer, prices were also high, with two falafel wraps costing €32. Facilities at the festival, particularly toilets, felt the strain of increased footfall. Nevertheless, the festival director expressed pride in the community-oriented and cultural aspects, indicating efforts to ensure facilities adequately served both the crowd size and program diversity.

A photograph was shared on Twitter expressing gratitude to the band members of Fontaines D.C. for their return to All Together Now. CMAT delivered an impassioned speech about the knock-on effects of the 2008 financial crash before playing her new single "Euro Country" live for the first time. The Big Blue Bus provided a BBQ plate on Saturday, while Bites By Kwangi offered fried vegetable dumplings on Sunday evening.

All Together Now 2025 was a testament to the power of music, community, and sustainability. With its expanded scale, diverse lineup, and tangible legacy projects, the festival continues to evolve and grow, providing an unforgettable experience for attendees while making a positive impact on the world.

After the successful return of All Together Now music festival in 2025, attendees found solace and enjoyment not only during the concerts but also back home. The festival's influence extended to their lifestyle and home-and-garden as they adopted eco-friendly practices, encouraged by the festival's commitment to sustainability.

Furthermore, the festival's collaboration with The Great Oven resulted in the donation of two community ovens to supportive causes, inspiring festival-goers to continue fostering cultural exchange and community benefit within their own communities.

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