Electric Picnic, Day 2 review: Lola Young surprise appearance, and Gorillaz impress
Lola Young made a surprise appearance at Electric Picnic on Saturday. (Photo by Kieran Frost/Redferns)
Day two of Electric Picnic saw revellers embracing the rain and giving it ‘wellies’ at the main stage during Saturday evening’s headline performances.
After a mostly dry day on Friday and despite the odd thunderstorm and downpour of rain, spirits were high on Saturday all over the site.
From a surprise performance from Lola Young to CMAT’s infectious energy, here are some of the biggest talking points from day two at EP 2026.
She hadn't been on the official roster, but festival organisers announced on Saturday that Lola Young, known for her viral hit would take to the main stage that afternoon.
Large crowds gathered by 3.45pm to see the singer deliver an upbeat performance, playing her international smash, as well as other hit
Young and her single were nominated for the 2026 Grammy Awards' Best New Artist and Best Pop Solo Performance, winning the Best Pop Solo Performance award, an accolade she is more than deserving of with her presence and energy radiating from the stage.
She also won the 2026 BRIT Award for British Breakthrough Artist and, to top off an impressive year of successful ventures, can now add playing to a packed main arena in Stradbally.
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CMAT brought her infectious energy and personality to the main stage on Saturday night, playing to a huge crowd that spanned the whole main stage area.
Rumours had been rife earlier in the weekend that the Meath woman wouldn't make it Stradbally as illness had forced the cancellation of a gig in Paris. Thankfully, she'd recovered in time.
Looking out onto the sea of festival-goers, CMAT took in the moment before kicking off what would become a historic performance for the Dunboyne Diana.
Kicking off her set with a tribute to the late Dolly Parton, CMAT sang a rendition of One reveller in crowd could be heard saying: “CMAT is our Dolly Parton”.
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She also sang popular hits and a song which had CMAT getting quite emotional.
Taking breaks during her set to interact with the crowd, CMAT spoke about how Electric Picnic was the first festival she ever attended and that it felt surreal to be playing the main stage to such a large crowd.
“It got me so hooked on the idea that I decided I was going to go to every festival for the rest of my life as my job,” she beamed.
The set also marked exactly one year since the release of her album which she paid homage to with her outfit choice – a two-piece set designed with the album cover artwork.
She also took the time to introduce her "very sexy band" and interacted with Mise from the crowd, who was covered head-to-toe in CMAT merch, before performing and finished her set with joining the revellers by entering the crowd.
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By the time Louth-based folk group The Mary Wallopers took to the stage earlier in the evening, people had accepted their fate – even jackets with a high thread count were being put to the test as the rain pelted down.
Attracting a younger crowd to the main stage on Saturday afternoon, the band played tunes such as and and had people chanting ‘cod liver oil and the orange juice’ during their performance of their song of the same name.
Their upbeat folk tunes had people up on shoulders, dancing and swinging each other around. It was when the crushed tree bark used to cover the ground toward the front of the main stage started being thrown in the air that those of us who chose to stay back from the chaos were glad.
Cork folk in the crowd were beaming when they got a shout-out from Charles Hendy. “Cork is the real capital, and as someone from Dublin, that says a lot,” he said before the lads played
City Stages ft Tinie Tempah brought an infectious energy to the main stage on Saturday, kicking off the string of headline gigs and setting people up for the day of good music and good vibes ahead.
Hits such as had people busting out some moves, and brought us millennials back to the days of dancing at the local nightclub after one too many Jager bombs and until our four-inch wedge heels gave out.
Three’s City Stages initiative says it takes grassroots artists from busking spots to national stages through live performances in top venues and career-making support slots internationally.
Some of the artists chosen to perform alongside Tinie Tempah included Tipperary-born vocalist Mimi Lane (MIMI) and Kildare-based rapper Youngiz.
For the second night in a row at Electric Picnic, a big international DJ attracted huge crowds, too big for the venue they were playing.
English DJ and producer Duke Dumont played the Electric Arena on Saturday night to huge crowds that spilled outside the tented venue.
Security staff had to stop people from making their way to the area following CMAT’s main stage set, due to crowd safety concerns.
On Friday night, American house DJ Armand van Helden had to cancel his set when too many people had gathered at the Smirnoff Stage.
Saturday night headliners Gorillaz did not disappoint. Their set celebrated many cultures and music genres and influences and also included big hits including and and the throw-back everyone was anticipating – .
Damon Albarn made his opinions on the war in Gaza clear to the EP crowd by wearing a Keffiyeh on his head. Then he draped it around his shoulders for some of the set, having previously come out in support of the Palestinian people.
A day of nostalgia, some of the greatest hits, inspiring newcomers, and human connection brought to the perfect end.
