Electric Picnic fever rising in Laois as countdown begins

The circus tents are going up, the signs are on the road, Electric Picnic has revved up in Stradbally again, with another 70,000 picknickers converging in Laois next week for the best and biggest music and arts festival in Ireland.

19 years since a little one day event was hosted at Cosby Hall, it has truly grown up into a beloved Laois favourite, welcomed warmly each year by Stradbally locals - don’t mention the pandemic - and attended by huge numbers of Laois people proud that the biggest party in Ireland is right on their doorsteps.

The recipe for success is an eclectic mix of new and classic music acts across 27 stages, not always known but always worth finding out about, backed by a bewilderingly fun mix of sideshows offering arts, comedy, chillout zones, raves, talks, workshops and good food choices.

With one ‘blurred’ headliner yet to be revealed, this year offers crowd pleasers The Killers, Billy Eilish, Fred Again, Paolo Nutini and Niall Horan. 

Others sure to satisfy the crowds include Belters Only, The Coronas, Rick Astley, Johnny Marr, King Kong Kompany, Jamie XX and many more.

Returning for year two is trad dancehall Our Lady of the Consumption featuring trad titan Liam Ó Maonlaí, a giant seisún stretching long into the night while the porter flows at the bar.

Also back for the second year is The Theatre bringing a bit of high art with Ballet Ireland, the Irish National Opera and performances of Waiting for Godot. 

Favourites rising again including The Salty Dog, Freetown, Trenchtown, Fishtown, Terminus, Trailer Park, Global Green eco village, Anachronica, Greencrafts and BerlinHaus. 

A brilliant comedy tent line-up is headlined by Aisling Bea, Foil, Arms & Hog and Russell Kane. 

The young musicians who will win Youthwork Laois' Electric Youth competition will be seen on the Irish Language stage, An Chollchoill at the Hazelwood Stage.

Another local performer sure to rouse the crowds, Portlaoise bass player Roisin Barrett will play with The Mary Wallopers, while Portlaoise band The Lost Messiahs will play in Mindfield.

Other Irish bands sure to draw a boisterous crowd are The Wolf Tones and The Sawdoctors, while picnic wouldn’t be the same without the nicest man in the business, Gavin James. 

New this year is Croí, described as “A harmonious hub of music, movement and meditative activities”, a chilled out area in the heart of the main arena featuring talented Irish musicians and bands, poetry with Imelda May, dance workshops, yoga, hot tubs and icy plunge pools, nighttime DJ sets, Drum & Bass, Deep House into the night.

Mindfield features CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan, Aisling Bea, I’m Grand Mam and Jenny Keane in the spoken word arena, and Irish language is in the spotlight with Oscar nominated director of An Cailín Ciúin Colm Bairéad on the Manifesto Stage.

The hugely popular Ah Hear! Podcast stage returns with the country’s most popular top ten podcasts with millions of weekly listeners between them, covering history, politics, sport, lifestyle, culture and comedy including: The Blindboy Podcast, Hold My Drink with Charleen and Ellie and many more.

Below: happy Laois campers at Electric Picnic 2022. Photo: Alf Harvey

If you are camping, the organisers advise you to buy a better quality tent with a minimum HH rating of 3000 and pitch it with the door facing away from the wind to avoid getting wet, and most importantly to pack it up and bring it home. Pack a raincoat, walking boots, a torch and a warm hoody and woolly hat for nighttime and keep spare clothes in a waterproof bag. Don’t forget your ID, ticket, phone, charger and bank card. Water stations will be on hand everywhere so bring a reusable water bottle. Where you park or pitch, drop a pin on your phone to find your way back.

To get around and ensure you don’t miss your favourite acts, rather than buy an expensive lanyard, download the free Electric Picnic 23 App for up to date stage times, updates on secret gigs and hidden venues, travel info and a real-time interactive map.

Martley’s busses will be running from Portlaoise train station to the festival every half hour starting Thursday at 12 noon to 10pm, returning on the half hour until 4am in the mornings, and 3.30pm on Monday, but they cost about €7 each way. 

Electric Picnic opens for campers on Thursday, August 31, so expect local traffic delays from that morning until Monday lunchtime, September 4, with Gardaí directing traffic. 

Some tickets for the sold-out festival can still be purchased safely by people selling them back online through Ticketmaster, but they go fast. The festival is for over 18s only, but up to two children under 12 are allowed free when accompanied by an adult at all times.