God is an Astronaut and Cathy Davey will headline this year’s Vantastival at Bellurgan Park in Co. Louth.  Cathy Davey has recently returned after a break from touring to complete a three-gig residency at Whelans on Wexford Street and she will take to Vantastival’s Main Stage on Saturday 5th May.  Cathy is a Meteor Award winner and one of Ireland’s finest musicians, and her third album, The Nameless, was nominated for the Choice Music Prize in 2011.  Hailing from Glen of the Downs, 4-piece God is an Astronaut is one of the world’s biggest instrumental bands.  With several sold out European tours and 6 albums behind them, 2012 will see the re-release of their entire back catalogue with all albums re-mastered. God is an Astronaut will close the festival with a bang on Sunday 6th May, the raw power and intensity of their live performance sure to captivate the crowd.

Other acts on this year’s bill include Ham Sandwich, Frankie Gavin & DeDannan, Le Galaxie, Rarely Seen Above Ground and rising stars The Original Rudeboys, whose debut album is due for release at the end of March. A host of unsigned Irish acts will also take to the stage over the May bank holiday weekend with further additions to the bill including Donegal folksters The Henry Girls, exciting young Dublin traditional outfit The Bonny Men, rockers Legion of Ape and Ka tet, and Swiss DJ Shane Tobler.

The Vantastival launch party will take place at D-Light Studios in Dublin on Saturday 10th March and will feature performances from Raglans, Swords and Ghost Estates.

See www.vantastival.com for more details.