Thousands celebrate at Mayo youth music festival Amplified

OVER 3,000 young people from across Ireland lit up Knockmore GAA grounds on Saturday night for Foróige Amplified 2025 - Ireland’s biggest outdoor music festival created by young people, for young people.

The high-energy, alcohol-free event brought together young people from every corner of the country for a night of connection, creativity, and celebration.

Entirely youth-led and powered by hundreds of Foróige volunteers, Amplified is quickly becoming a staple of the Irish summer festival calendar.

This year’s main stage lineup kept the energy sky-high all night, with performances in order of appearance from DJ La, DJ Avocado, iRadio’s Steven Cooper, iRadio’s Sharron Lynskey, SPIN’s Marty Guilfoyle, DJ Ois Bosh, and a show-stopping closing set by rising duo sensation New Era (Ben Williams and Karl Durkan).

“It was honestly one of the best nights of my life. The energy was unreal - thousands of people dancing, laughing, just enjoying the moment. It felt like we were part of something bigger, something we actually helped create,” Dara (17), Knockmore Foróige member, explained.

“Amplified is something special. It’s not just a gig - it’s a place where we all feel like we belong,” said Andrenna, a member of the volunteer organising team. “To help plan it and then see thousands of people enjoying every second… it’s so rewarding.”

Beyond the music, the festival featured a silent disco, carnival rides, chill-out spaces, games, and food stalls - all designed with safety, fun, and inclusion in mind.

“This is what youth empowerment looks like,” said Sean Campbell, CEO of Foróige. “Our young people didn’t just show up - they owned the stage, the planning, and the experience.

“It was safe, vibrant, and unforgettable. A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers who made it all happen, not just this year but every year.”