Photography: Luke Joyce

AVA Festival 2015 went above and beyond my expectations and was genuinely the best event I’ve been to all year, it was like 3 Boxing Nights rolled into one!  I feel so proud to say that I was a part of something so exciting that happened right here in Belfast. Hats off to the whole AVA Team and absolutely everyone involved, it was brilliant.

I was able to scoot down before everything really kicked off, and it was class to see the venue before it filled up.  I had never been to T13 before so wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was an amazing venue and I loved the fact that the skate ramps were still there from T13’s usual usage as a skate park.

As you can see below, the main stage looked even more impressive during Space Dimension Controller’s lazer show.

The Boiler Room stage was unreal, the crowd swarmed around the DJ’s playing in the centre; with the back drop of Belfast’s iconic Harland and Wolf.  I’ve never heard so many YEO’s, hollers and joyful bird-calls from a crowd in my life never mind on any other Boiler Room.

  The video below shows just a snippet of the atmosphere during Space Dimension Controller’s Boiler Room set, it makes me smile and gives me goosebumps to even watch it back.

Well done Belfastians :D, you’ve showed the world how to have the craic! It Goes to show that we aren’t a pretentious bunch with an old trance tune getting a reaction like that.

FESTIVAL STREET STYLE

Throughout the day I was on the look out for the best fashion offerings from the crowd, and I have to say every one looked amazing, the photos we took are just a small representation of how class you all looked!  (All festival street style photographs by Ruairi Drayne)

Photography: Ruairi Drayne

I’ll start things off with my own outfit from the festival (Oh haaay!) Featuring: Halterneck top from Bill & Mar, vintage windbreaker from local store Octopus’s Garden, shorts from Urban Outfitters, my Dad’s old leather bumbag :), and black Nike Huarache’s from Office.

One of my favourite shots of the day; Vintage windbreakers were a strong trend for girls’ festival style at AVA, worn loose and over-sized.  I love the print on Gloria’s jacket and the whole outfit is completely made by that amazing hair! Only you could pull that off gal.

Another great, vintage printed bomber here paired with a clashing printed shirt.  I love the loose styling of this outfit and the clashing prints work really well together.  The silver hair styled back and away from the face gives the look a crisp edge, beaut!

Again, loose, vintage sports styling prevails; the colour-blocked windbreaker is given an interesting and fresh feel when paired with a floaty skirt featuring an insane (but great!) print.  Black accessories continue the sporty feel but allow the focus to stay on the colour and print.

Another amazing jacket! Jesus ladies, where are you pulling these from!!!? 😀 I love this hat shape with the curved peak; I’ve seen this baseball hat shape trending recently as a backlash from snap-back hats.  Light blue mom jeans and cute pale grey trainers let the bright jacket do all the talking.

Lauren showing off her signature festival style here.  Loads of colour, sparkles and a bit of fancy-dress, made grungey with the addition of the vintage Dr. Martens – love!!

Mermaid hair 😀

What an attractive bunch, eh? I wish we had taken some shots of the girl on the right on her own too, her pastel outfit is fab, loving the Lazy oaf dress and desert boots.

All black, understated-cool girls provided a contrast to the brightly printed, vintage sportswear styling earlier in the post.  This multi-layered, laid back style looks great paired with long natural hair and THAT face, wow!

Yaaas girl strike that pose! All black everything and layered floaty shapes look class on this girl, bare legs give the look a sexy edge.

Continuing the all-black trend, Georgia’s look has a tom-boy sexy feel that is signature to her personal style.

Laid back and grungey! The little gems above Lauren’s eyebrows give this look a bit of festival sparkle.

Olivia’s pink hair and short fringe is on point! DR. Marten boots continue to trend for girl’s at AVA, which isn’t surprising really as they’re the perfect festival footwear.

The last look of day the day and one of the best- Dark blue double denim looks amazing set off with a tight white crop top, silver hair and a Stussy bucket hat.  Clean white trainers keep the outfit looking fresh and the jeans fit beautifully!

I leave you with a shot of me having loads of craic :D, I’d do it all again tomorrow.  Roll on AVA 2016.

Nuala

Photo credits: 1-4 Luke Joyce, 5-18 Ruairi Drayne.