Eclectic Picnic: Music fans in for a treat

THE music and events will tickle and tease you, promise promoters.

Dust down the dancing shoes and clean out those muddy tents as Electric Picnic is back this year with a phenomenal line up of headline acts which are sure to appeal to festival lovers.

This year’s three-day music and arts eclectic event in Stradbally, Co Laois, will feature retro-acts as well as more electric shows from newer acts.

After years of negotiations promoters POD have managed to persuade Leftfield, the 1990s electronica group who fused dub reggae, rock and dance, to headline the Picnic.

After a decade of hibernation, the British-duo will tour this summer and are sure to play out hits from their albums, including Leftism, to the 32,000 festival goers expected at Stradbally.

The trip hop group Massive Attack have been secured as a headline act and their audiovisual live show with an array of guest vocalists is also expected to light up the Picnic.

Art rock group Roxy Music, formed by Bryan Ferry, with their hits such as Let’s Stick Together are also one of the top acts lined up, making their first ever Irish festival appearance.

Festival booker Declan Forde of POD Promotions said: “We always try to have something for everyone and make it eclectic enough. Some of the acts are a little less known but on the days of the festival, end up putting in stand up performances.

“We’ve more things to announce in the coming weeks and months also.

“Leftfield, we’ve tried to book for years. We tried to get them to reform last year but it didn’t quite come off. This year’s going to be a proper live show with a full band and vocalists and a visual show so I think it’s better we waited for that.”

Other popular names for the boutique festival include the unique and experimental outfit LCD Soundsystem. The New York group who have achieved a cult following are expected to play tracks from their eagerly awaited third album.

Popular Irish artists have also been lined up for the Picnic, including the Frames with their first ever Irish show in three years as well as Dublin star Imelda May who is set to release an album on the week of the festival.

More raucous elements will come from the likes of Public Image Limited, led by ex-Sex Pistol lead vocalist John Lydon as well as the cult post-punk New York group Liquid Liquid.

Punters can expect an array of other events over the three days including the comedy stage and the Body & Soul area.

Tickets for the Electric Picnic weekend go on sale this Friday for €240.

- electricpicnic.ie