Laois goes ‘Electric’ this weekend
Electric Picnic 2019 Awaits…..
Buggies at the ready ……….it is time to give you a sneak preview of what awaits this year’s Picnickers at Electric Picnic 2019. Allow us to spin a tale of intrigue, of fantasy and make-believe as we lead you through a world not yet discovered, where you will encounter something unexpected at every turn and every corner.
Freetown is brand new to the festival, a city of sorts located beyond Salty Dog and Trenchtown, with all manner of life clinging to its sides, from German nihilism to Brazilian dwelling-houses, a Cajun bayou to a ne’er do wells’ shanty town, a cabaret hall to the hidden alleyways of a Mexican pueblo. Anchored by the enormous Terminus structure, the pulsating sounds of the finest DJs will fill the murky air with the throb of the bass and the beat of your soul. This cathedral of electronic music boasts one of the most outstanding sound systems and lighting rigs to have been experienced in the history of Electric Picnic. Big. Loud. Breath-taking.
Jenny Rowden, West Cork helping out at the Electric Picnic Reccie Day, Tuesday 27 August 2019.
Photo: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee
On the outskirts of Freetown you will happen upon Spike Island, a soupy marshland with a swamp hut. Today Eric de Buitléir and the Spike Island Howlers’ will entertain you with some bluesy folk but be prepared for seisiúns of slip-jigs, or creole field-hollers, Delta blues chants, beardy men playing paradiddle on a piccolo snare over the weekend!
As you delve deeper into Freetown Providencia looms – a vibrant and labyrinthine communidad bursting with Latino daily life. With everything from Brazilian barbershops to Mexican tequilerias, Argentine barbeque and bodega, street hawkers under a mountain of footballs, sounds of salsa, samba and mariachi. Wind your way amongst the hustle and bustle of a chaotic streetscape, discovering hidden rooms down its alleys and happening upon all manner of pandemonium… just don’t touch the electric wires!
The Salty Dog stage at the Electric Picnic Reccie Day, Tuesday 27 August 2019.
Photo: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee
Welcome to The Cabaret a brand new venue in Freetown at Electric Picnic, bursting at the sides with drag, magic, burlesque and comedy, we will be stopping off for a shimmy with The Dirty Circus who will be headlining the tent all weekend.
Cabaret dancers from the Dirty Circus at the Electric Picnic Reccie Day, Tuesday 27 August 2019.
Photo: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee
Being a Picnicker is thirsty work! There are numerous water points situated across the festival site, we visit one of these so you can get refreshed and revived en route, armed with your new Electric Picnic branded water bottle. This year we are encouraging all Picnickers to think sustainably and pack a sturdy water bottle to re-use and re-fill at our water points.
Under the canopy of the ancient trees of the Stradbally Estate forest we weave our now familiar way to Trailer Park for some unusual fun. Who Let The Dads Out is one of the myriad weird and wonderful caravans which populate Trailer Park.
Mark Smith, Tullamore serving up the coffee at the Electric Picnic Reccie Day, Tuesday 27 August 2019.
Photo: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee
A fun zone for dads (and their families), where it’s hip to be square and cool to be uncool. Look away now as dads across the country step up to strut their stuff in our Air Guitareoke and Daddy Dancing competitions. Or show everyone how it’s done in a unique One-Handed Stroller Race and an IKEA flat-pack time challenge. Enjoy fabulous music from your hosts, Risky Business and a host of other bands and guests. Or just chill out to specially curated DJ sets, lovingly put together for all you recycled teenagers. Make sure not to miss DJ sets especially for the girls, Club Tropicana and Cheese to Please, custom made for all the dancing queens!
Who let the Dads out…Clive Hannon, Mark Maguire and Dave McLoughlin from Risky Business at the Electric Picnic Reccie Day, Tuesday 27 August 2019.
Photo: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee
We always like a bit of a challenge at our reccie, this year is no exception as we visit The AIB Tap House. Avoid ATM queues this weekend, as we introduce contactless payment to Electric Picnic. Use your card to gain entry, sit back and relax on the day beds, or try your luck at some fun games like Giant Jenga and Limbo – prizes for everyone! If you fancy some refreshment tap your card for ice-cream for the tidy sum of one cent!
And of course no trip would be complete without a visit to the main arena. Experience what it’s like to headline Electric Picnic, walk across the mainstage which will soon host some of the world’s most iconic performers including The Strokes, Florence + the Machine, Hozier, The 1975 and Billie Eilish……. On stage today is rising Irish star Aimée performing her hit singles ‘Don’t Bother’ and ‘Break Me’ showcasing what best in new Irish talent.
Sculptor Sarah Goyvaerts with her piece Meadhbh at the Electric Picnic Reccie Day, Tuesday 27 August 2019.
Photo: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee
Aimée will herald the arrival of our Festival Director Melvin Benn to centre stage to share his thoughts and vision for Electric Picnic now and in the future.
And after all your hard work it’s time for a treat, as we invite you to enter the sumptuous surrounds of The Banquet, guaranteed to tantalise your taste-buds. Having made its debut last year, The Banquet, the finest* Dining experience at Electric Picnic is back with a brand new menu curated by Michelin Star Chef Derry Clarke and Mark Moriarty of the Michelin starred Greenhouse restaurant. There are very limited tickets left for this five course sumptuous dining experience, tickets are priced at €120 and all funds raised go to Pieta House and Temple St Children’s hospital.
Only three more sleeps to go……..