The sun shines on park life as 47,000 enjoy traditional Electric Picnic

With a charmingly diverse line-up, quirky non-musical attractions and surprisingly balmy weather, this year’s Electric Picnic had something for everyone.

Avant-garde art instillations, cookery and poetry tents, and a bill that ran from pop stars Sam Smith and Florence and the Machine to alternative favourites Belle and Sebastian and Interpol were among the highlights awaiting the 47,000 descending on Stradbally, Co Laois.

As ever, though, the true magic of Electric Picnic had less to do with the music than a hard to define but instantly recognisable ambiance. Where else might a festival-goer enjoy a contemplative moment seated beside a grand piano that doubled as a waterfall? This was one of the many kooky features at the Body and Soul Arena, a proudly hippyish festival within a festival that spoke to Electric Picnic’s off-beat perspectives.