Forget The Boss at Nowlan Park – the 16th Smithwick’s Kilkenny Rhythm Roots Festival is where it’s at this summer. From May 3rd-6th, a number of mostly international roots, alt.rock and Americana acts will play in more than 30 venues around the Marble City.

John Grant will return with a full band in tow, while singer-songwriter Matthew Houck (aka Phosphorescent) will play his only Irish date at the festival. Angel Olsen, Chuck Prophet, Dead Flamingoes, Ha Ha Tonka, Hurray for the Riff Raff, John

Murry, The Deep Dark Woods and Larry and His Flask are also among the initial batch of names, with more to come.

"Our audience know their music, but are willing to take a chance with acts that they may never have heard of before," said director John Cleere. "They love the buzz of seeing a new act in a small venue before they go on to bigger things."

See kilkennyroots.com