First act confirmed for Electric Picnic 2024 slot is a huge Laois ensemble

Finally the first act has been announced to perform at Electric Picnic 2024, and it's huge, quite literally.

The 40 strong Timahoe Male Voice Choir, who live only 5km up the road from the Cosby estate in Stradbally, have confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live that they are booked on the Hazelwood Stage, on Saturday, August 17.

It is the first confirmation by any act for what is Ireland's biggest music and arts festival, which may just settle the minds of ticketholders eagerly awaiting the line-up announcement.  The festival organisers had already confirmed to Laois Live that it is going ahead. 

Led by Laois professional singer Damien Bowe, the choir are busily rehearsing every week, splitting their base fairly between the two pubs in Timahoe village.

Timahoe Male Voice Choir in the St Patrick's Day parade in Portlaoise.

The local priest Fr David Vard, one of the youngest in Ireland, and administrator of Timahoe, Stradbally and Vicarstown parishes is among their members.

“The choir is going very strong, we will be singing in Electric Picnic," he said.

Also singing are former Laois GAA stars Padraig Clancy and Brendan Quigley, and former councillor James Daly.

Roghan Headen who is involved in Timahoe Heritage Centre and Timahoe's annual viking festival is on board too.

"We are all looking forward to it. We will make sure all are entertained. We're non biaised on the fans, we hope locals will come along but we hope visitors will leave with a positive attitude to Laois too," he said.

Publican Jim Ramsbottom is also on board.

Singing in St Peter & Paul's Church Portlaoise.

"It's more a social outlet, it's great for farmers, you don't have to be able to sing to be in this choir. It's the best idea in a long time here. But we have to learn 20 songs for Electric Picnic," he said.

Ahead of Electric Picnic, the choir will perform for the Embrace mass for farm accident victims, to be televised on RTÉ on June 30. They will also sing this April 28 at Portlaoise church as part of a Ukrainian choir event.

The choir only formed recently but had the honour of giving their first performance at St Michael's Church in Timahoe on Christmas Day, followed with performances on St Patrick's Day in Portlaoise, at Dromnín Nursing Home in Stradbally, and singing the national anthem at the recent Laois Leitrim game in O'Moore Park.

"We've barely played a gig but we have a loyal fanbase," joked Roghan.

Electric Picnic 2024 tickets are sold out. The festival takes place from August 16 to 18.