Pictures: Electric Picnic festival prepares to open its doors

Tue, 29 Aug, 2023 - 16:34

Naomi Clarke, PA Entertainment Reporter

Organisers are putting the final touches in place to the Electric Picnic site ahead of the country's largest music and arts festival reopening its doors.

The three-day festival, which kicks off in Stradbally, Laois on Friday, will see US singer Billie Eilish, British producer Fred Again.. and Las Vegas rockers The Killers headline the main stage.

The Academic performing during the Electric Picnic festival preview day at Stradbally. Picture: PA

Ahead of the festivities, organisers offered a sneak preview at the Stradbally Estate as it prepared to welcome in thousands of festival-goers.

The main stage, which features a rainbow toned banner, has been erected with additional touches currently being made to the supporting structures.

Mullingar-based indie rock band The Academic also took the stage for a trial run as they performed three songs for the press on Tuesday.

The group, who went to number one in the country with their 2018 debut Tales From The Backseat and 2023’s Sitting Pretty, were also announced as a surprise addition to the festival line-up on the media day.

The Wagon Wobblers during the Electric Picnic festival preview day.

Disco act The Wagon Wobblers also delivered a routine dressed as clowns by their minibus which has been converted to be a colourful, disco stage.

Meanwhile, comedians Kiera Julia Ryan and Megan O’Malley entertained the media while dressed as nuns.

The sold-out festival will also see performances by former One Direction star Niall Horan, Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini and Irish rock band The Script over the weekend.

This year the ArtLot area, which will host the alternative music and immersive art experiences across the festival weekend, will feature a new stage.

Kiera Julia Ryan (left) and Megan O'Malley during the Electric Picnic festival preview day. Picture: PA

The festival has also added a new section named Croi, which means heart in Irish, which will be a “harmonious hub of wellness, somatic movement and conscious connection” in the day and at night it will transform into gathering spot with a fire put and music.