ELECTRIC PICNIC: Stage time revealed for big Laois choir

The Electric Picnic countdown is on for a huge and joyful Laois act this weekend.

Timahoe Male Choir with some 45 strong voices was the very first act to confirm they were playing Electric Picnic 2024, which is headlined this year by Kylie, Calvin Harris, Noah Kahn, Gerry Cinnamon, Raye and Kodaline.

Now they have confirmed when and where they will perform in the huge festival which is just 10km away from Timahoe, in Stradbally.

They will sing on the Hazelwood Stage at 2.30pm on Sunday, August 18, followed shortly after by another performance on Sunday afternoon in Trailer Park, member Roghan Headen told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"We had a pre-run performance in Timahoe last weekend and it was a great success. We are rehearsing a few times this week and on Sunday we'll all meet up after Mass, get the cup of coffee and breakfast in Timahoe Heritage Centre and then get on the bus over the bridge to Stradbally. We'll have a bit of a laugh, we are not booking Carnegie Hall but we don't sound too bad, a big thanks to Damien. Fair play to him, this is one of the greatest things around the place in years," Roghan said.

The choir which is led by professional band The Vows frontman Damien Bowe, have rehearsed a great set of songs to appeal to all, from George Ezra hits to Irish bangers like the N17.

They'll be easy to spot, all wearing their red choir t-shirts, and are ready to enjoy the rest of the festival once their stage appearances are done.

The choir which includes the parish priest and Laois GAA players, only formed recently but are having the time of their lives, as the Electric Picnic App description confirms.

"The Timahoe Male Choir, formed in November 2023, emerged from casual Sunday sing-alongs in Timahoe village, Co. Laois. Initially sparked by post-pint gatherings, the choir's potential was realized during a Christmas carol service. Now thriving with over 45 members aged 25 to 75 from diverse backgrounds, the choir has become a local sensation.

"Rehearsing alternately in the village's two pubs on Monday nights, the group combines musical practice with social camaraderie. Garnering over a million views on RTE's social media, they've been dubbed "the vocal equivalent of the men’s shed" for their community spirit. The choir’s upcoming performance at Electric Picnic promises a lively mix of classic tunes and fun, making it a must-see event. The Timahoe Male Choir stands as a testament to the power of community and the joy of music," they say.

Four young Laois acts have also won a spot on the Hazelwood stage to kick off their musical careers. 

Electric Picnic 2024 tickets are sold out. The festival takes place from August 16 to 18, with first campervan ticketholders arriving this Wednesday.