Headlining the main stage at a major festival is all part of a day's toil for Florence and the Machine's Florence Welch.

Pop priestess Grace Jones, dance veterans Underworld, and student disco icons Belle and Sebastian were among the highlights as the Electric Picnic music festival began at Stradbally, Co Laois, Friday night.

From movies to music, food to fashion, our critics pick the best on offer this autumn.

Britpop legends Blur are the latest act confirmed as the headliners for the Electric Picnic music festival.

Florence and the Machine, Underworld, Manic Street Preachers, and Roisin Murphy are to headline this year’s Electric Picnic music festival.

THE scramble to anoint the break-out artists of 2014 has begun early. From pouting art-rockers to heartfelt folk musicians, the list of potential stars is eclectic.

Murphy’s Stout have announced that New York’s Guards, Cork troubadour John Spillane, Fred frontman Joe O’Leary and newcomers Elastic Sleep will join headliner MGMT and Irish legends The Stunning for the upcoming Little Big Weekend.

Florence And The Machine are working on some new material.

Florence Welch will perform with The Rolling Stones tomorrow.

CULTURE NIGHT: Yes, Culture Night is upon us once again, and we couldn’t begin to list the gazillion events that are taking place nationwide, other than to say that if you’ve ever complained about the price of things in this country, tonight is the night to make the most of some of the free stuff. Check out www.culturenightcork.ie or www.culturenight.ie

Legendary soul singer Stevie Wonder will be the closing act today of the last major UK music festival of the year.

Thousands of revellers have put on their fancy dress as the sun shines down on the Bestival music event.

Florence Welch cries all the time while she is touring.

Florence and the Machine have pulled out of the Benicassim Festival 2012.

The sale of a charity shop cape made for Florence and the Machine by a young West Cork designer is set to attract further international interest.

Singer Florence Welch has revealed that she has a “girl crush” on rapper MIA.

Kylie Minogue has celebrated her 25th year in pop music – and her birthday - with an Outstanding Contribution gong.

Just because US indie act Grouplove met in a commune in Greece doesn’t mean they’re flower children, says Ed Power

Pulp are to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust next month.

Florence and the Machine have announced a string of US tour dates.

A man has been deported to the US after being arrested close to the home of singer Kate Bush in England.

Radiohead, The Black Keys and Dr Dre with Snoop Dogg will headline the Coachella music festival in California.

London/Wexford artist Maverick Sabre is among three acts shortlisted for the critics’ choice title at the Brit Awards.

U2 frontman Bono gave Florence Welch advice on how to perform in high heels.

Florence Welch is planning her own fashion line, it has emerged.

Florence And The Machine are to start record their album in "April or May".

Rapper Tinie Tempah, soul star Plan B and folk-rock act Mumford And Sons will be hoping for glory tonight at the UK's biggest music bash, the Brit Awards.

Lady Gaga came into the Grammys hidden in an egg but she hatched a winner – she captured three trophies by mid-evening, including best pop vocal album for The Fame Monster.

FROM filmmaking to fashion design and from sport to modelling, they are the hottest talents of the next generation, and some of our greatest hopes for the future.

Susan Boyle will take on Lady Gaga and Katy Perry in a bid to bag a Grammy.

Eminem’s “Recovery” was made complete as the Recording Academy nominated the resurgent rapper for 10 awards, including the biggest prizes: album, song, and record of the year.

A FIRST-YEAR fashion student from Co Donegal beat off stiff competition to make the top five in a worldwide competition to design a dress for Florence Welch of hit band, Florence and the Machine.

REFORMED Take That made their first public appearance yesterday since Robbie Williams rejoined as the group collected a prize for their years of success at the Q Awards.

Robbie Williams hinted that Take That might be back for good as the recently reformed group picked up a prize at the Q Awards today.

Florence Welch is heading back to the studio in October.

NO one is naive enough to attend an outdoor festival in Ireland without raingear.

Gardaí say there was little trouble last night at the Oxegen music festival in Punchestown.

THE finishing touches are being put to one of Europe’s favourite rock ‘n’ roll weekends with promises of continued sunshine for tens of thousands of eager music fans.

GANGSTA rapper Snoop Dogg put Glastonbury Festival’s hippie reputation behind it once and for all yesterday with an aggressive, foul-mouthed performance which delighted revellers on the opening day of the festival.

Glastonbury Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary today – and revellers are reaching for the sun block rather than the traditional wellies.

The music begins at the 40th Glastonbury Festival today with revellers arriving in their thousands - hopeful that the forecast of a sunny and warm weekend will be spot-on.

Tens of thousands of music fans are heading to the Isle of Wight this weekend for the first of the summer's music festivals being headlined by former Beatle Paul McCartney.

Chart stars Florence And The Machine lead the field for music awards bash the Mojo Hall Of Fame this year after being shortlisted for four gongs, it was announced today.

LEGENDARY soul singer Stevie Wonder has joined an increasingly impressive list of performers at this year’s Glastonbury Festival in England.