The revered music and arts festival, Electric Picnic, is poised to make its grand return to Stradbally Hall in Co Laois. Scheduled to take place from August 16th-18th, here are some of the key highlights to look out for:
First on our list is pop diva Kylie Minogue. Time magazine has honoured her as a significant global influence, and her numerous chart-topping hits confirm her major impact in popular music. After nearly six years, she’s returning to the stage in Ireland, fresh off her six-month residency at the Venetian in Las Vegas that attracted sell-out crowds. Given her large discography full of irresistible beats, it’s no wonder that people will flock to the main arena of Electric Picnic on the last day to witness her performance. The only concern is whether there will be enough space to dance amidst the anticipated crowd.
Next on the line-up is CMAT, the exceptional talent from Dunboyne. She’s had quite a journey since her last appearance at Electric Picnic, gracing the compact Rankin’s Wood Stage. That was back in 2022 when she dropped her debut album “If My Wife Knew I’d Be Dead”. However, her sophomore album, “Crazymad, for Me”, released just last year, has sent her career skyrocketing. This includes flattering attention from the New York Times, a nomination for the distinguished Ivor Novello award, and a recent shortlisting for the 2024 Mercury Prize for the best album. Following her recent outdoor gig at Fairview Park in Dublin, which was a sell-out, she can expect to draw larger crowds at Electric Picnic this year, necessitating a much bigger stage.
Don’t forgetting to check out Northern Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap!
Una Mullally, my fellow worker, was provoking thought last year, querying whether there is a more discussed Irish band currently. This was in response to the Northern Irish trio’s performance at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre, half a year before their debut album and biopic were released. The expectations were already high about their highly anticipated delivery. It’s expected that merchandise such as Buckfast and Tricolour balaclavas will quickly sell out as Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Provaí take centre stage to deliver their unique style of hip hop, punk and rave. At their recent Galway International Arts Festival performance, they matched the greatness of other festival performers, with audiences enthusiastically singing along to the chorus of Cearta like it was second nature to them.
Robert Sheehan and Dylan Moran
Electric Picnic has been the venue for countless intriguing dialogues, this year’s discussion between Robert Sheehan and Dylan Moran on the Manifesto stage is expected to be a standout. Sheehan not only excels in his renowned stage and screen performances, he is also the sole Love/Hate cast member to have penned a book on inner peace, his recently released Playing Dead: How Meditation Brought Me Back to Life. Conversely, Dylan Moran, a rebellious comedian, favours indirect and winding conversations. In this engaging exchange, both will have microphones and face each other. As for the outcome, who can tell? But it will be an occasion not to miss.
Mary Coughlan
Mary Coughlan, after over four decades steeped in the music industry, retains her commitment and engagement. Her rich experience and profound understanding of her craft not only permeates her songs but also her performances. For those in search of passionate, audacious ballads at twilight, join Coughlan in the Croí zone and observe, hear, and learn from renditions of classic hits such as Mama Just Wants to Barrelhouse All Night Long and Seduced, among others.
Three Castles Burning is a live podcast that will be featured at the Electric Picnic, hosted by historian Donal Fallon. Fallon’s guest this year will be Brian Warfield from the Irish folk group, the Wolfe Tones. The discourse at the Ah, Hear! stage promises to explore a range of subjects including the 1960s folk-ballad upsurge, recent disputes with Joe Duffy of RTÉ and the controversial Celtic Symphony.
Not even a year has passed since the somewhat undiscovered comedian, actor, and director Peter McGann shared a short skit on X about a man leaving a voice message for a radio programme. Starting with humour and ending on a poignant note, this amusing yet melancholic sketch became a viral success, receiving accolades from personalities such as Chris O’Dowd. McGann, along with a host of fellow Irish comedians and UK jesters like Russell Howard and Maisie Adam, will be gracing the Comedy Stage at this year’s event.
The Salty Dog stage coordinators firmly state that sticking to one’s tents or camper vans amounts to foolishness. With a powerful entertainer like Mik Pyro, it’s hard to oppose this viewpoint. Known for his unyielding individuality, this former leader of the Republic of Loose radiates blues, soul, and rock. Fortune may favour us with renditions from his previous year’s first solo collection, Exit Pyro, an intense emotional exploration accompanied by the delight of individual recovery, all underpinned by ardent, robust melodies that justify parting from your accommodations.
Welcome to the Theatre of Food, where the McKenna dynasty reigns supreme! This stage is brought to life by the event enterprise Foodhaus Productions, managed by Samuel McKenna, and his influential gastronomic parents, John and Sally McKenna, along with food critic Aoife Carrigy. What this implies, fundamentally, is a weekend crammed with celebrity chefs (such as JP McMahon, Aishling Moore, Kevin Thornton, and Kwanghi Chan), podcasts (including The Long and Short of It, and Beer Ladies), a cocktail-wine food-hop challenge (Kick off with Kinara Kitchen and Whelehans Wines), and all the info you’d prefer know about beers and crisps (Ali Dunworth showdown).
Emmet Kirwan, an acclaimed writer and actor, bewitches listeners with monologues. His ability can be understood just by tuning into his shorts Just Saying and Heartbreak, both propelled by Dave Tynan. Kirwan’s rehearsals for the Dublin Old School rerun (set to carry out on September 4th and 5th at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin) could yield snippets from the play, as well as advancements on new work. Regardless, your attendance is solicited at the Manifesto stage.
Fangclub
Most of us have a soft spot for precise rock or metal jams that blow our minds, don’t we? Not too long ago, following a period of reflection and realignment, Irish band Fangclub from Co Dublin made a triumphant return with a five-track EP titled All Good. They’d previously made waves in the Irish rock scene with their potential-laden albums – 2017’s Fangclub and 2019’s Vulture Culture, showing they could stand tall against industry heavyweights. The latest tracks emphasise the awe-inspiring potential of combining enthralling guitar rifts and compelling melodies. Not any highbrow stuff, neither rocket science nor brain surgery, but simply a brilliant band delivering magnetic songs. Festival-goers can catch them in the Fish Town zone.
The art and performance arena of Electric Picnic, known as ArtLot, is the brainchild of Dublin group Glow Depot. They’re making it a decade at the festival with contributions from Dublin mural artist Kevin Bohan, renowned globally for his tribal and psychedelic creations, and new sculptures presented by Rosaleen Dunne based in Drogheda. There’s also Carl Hickey from Clondalkin with pieces typically inspired by smartphone-captured videos of his surroundings, and Rachel Maloney, a textile artist from Limerick who brings aerial jellyfish shelf in the scene. As night matches on, the beat kicks in with various DJs alongside Fancy Dan (a self-proclaimed “busker with grand ideas”), pop-rock vocalist Kellie Lewis and the emo/hard-core group Bees & Sawdust. Beware though, when night fully settles in, it’s time for UV painting parties!
The time slots for the performances are not set in stone as yet, and the line-up could see some changes leading up to the festival, set to run from Friday to Sunday, 16th to 18th August.