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[[Image:Electricpicnicmap2007.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Map of 2007 Electric Picnic]]
[[Image:Electricpicnicmap2007.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Map of 2007 Electric Picnic]]


Besides the music other attractions included an inflatable church offering mock weddings, luxury tents, massage chambers, a fairground and [[silent disco]]. [[Acii Disco DJs]] began the festival on the Friday at 12 p.m. in the Bodytonic Tent. The Sunday night was brought to a close by [[Primal Scream]].
Besides the music other attractions included an inflatable church offering mock weddings, luxury tents, massage chambers, a fairground and [[silent disco]]. [[Acii Disco DJs]] began the festival on the Friday at 12 p.m. in the Bodytonic Tent. Amongst others to take to the stage on Friday were [[Björk]], [[Hot Chip]], [[Scott Matthews]], [[Manic Street Preachers]] and [[Oppenheimer (band)|Oppenheimer]] whilst the unnamed band responsible for [[The Good, the Bad and the Queen]] headlined the Electric Arena tent. [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2007/0901/1188336568781.html] The Sunday night was brought to a close by [[Primal Scream]].


The festival was however marred by the death of a 23 year-old fan. [http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0902/picnic.html] The incident occurred as [[The Chemical Brothers]] came to a climax at 2 a.m. early on the Sunday morning. Organiser John Reynolds extended his sympathies and said: ''"A young man took ill at the festival, was treated at the medical centre, removed to [[Port Laoise]] Hospital and was later pronounced dead."'' [[Garda Síochána|Gardaí]] said they were not treating the death as suspicious. [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/ireland/article2921963.ece] [http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0903/laois.html]
The festival was however marred by the death of a 23 year-old fan. [http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0902/picnic.html] The incident occurred as [[The Chemical Brothers]] came to a climax at 2 a.m. early on the Sunday morning. Organiser John Reynolds extended his sympathies and said: ''"A young man took ill at the festival, was treated at the medical centre, removed to [[Port Laoise]] Hospital and was later pronounced dead."'' [[Garda Síochána|Gardaí]] said they were not treating the death as suspicious. [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/ireland/article2921963.ece] [http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0903/laois.html]

Revision as of 19:13, 3 September 2007

Electric Picnic
File:Electricpicnic07.jpg
GenreIndie/alternative, dance
DatesFirst weekend of September
Location(s)Stradbally Hall, Stradbally, County Laois, Ireland
Years active2004 - present
Websitewww.electricpicnic.ie

Electric Picnic is an annual music festival which has been staged since 2004 in Stradbally Hall, Stradbally, County Laois in the Republic of Ireland. Electric Picnic differs from other festivals in Ireland in that the music choice is more electric (including "greats" from previous generations as well as lesser known up-and-coming acts), there is also more emphasis on high quality extras (food and living arrangements) and a generally more positive and relaxed atmosphere. The eclectic line-up has earned the festival a more alternative reputation than other Irish festivals.

Electric Picnic began as a one-day event in 2004, but grew to a weekend-long festival within a year, and became a three day affair in 2006. It is organised by Pod concerts and Aiken promotions. It is rapidly gaining ground on Oxegen as the most popular Irish music festival with the 2006 festival selling out in quicker time than any other year.

The festival also incorporates other attractions such as a 24-hour cinema tent, the Body and Soul arena (offering an ambient lounge with beanbags, massages and tarot card readings), the International Comedy Tent (curated by Des Bishop) and a silent disco.

The festival is broadcast live on the 2fm's website, presented by DJs Dan Hegarty, Damien McCaul and Cormac Battle. Despite publicity surrounding the festival making it quite obvious that Electric Picnic is held in County Laois, many international acts (!!! for example) still insist on lazily and patronisingly refering to the venue as "Dublin" much to the irritation of many Irish music fans.

2004 festival

The following are some of the headline acts from the 2004 festival:

2005 festival

File:Electric-picnic 2005.jpg
2005 logo

The 2005 festival took place on Saturday September 3 and Sunday September 4. It will best be remembered for Arcade Fire's performance which came before their launch into the mainstream. Headlining acts included Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Kraftwerk, The Flaming Lips, Röyksopp, Mercury Rev and The Human League.

2006 festival

File:Electric Picnic.jpg
2006 logo

In 2006 the festival gained momentum, with all 30,000 tickets selling out more than 7 weeks in advance. The event took place on the weekend of September 1 - September 3 2006. Artists who performed included Sparks, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Basement Jaxx, Rufus Wainwright, Bloc Party, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gary Numan, Francois Kevorkian, Groove Armada, Damien Rice and The Frames.

The Comedy Tent this year featured PJ Gallagher, Des Bishop, Neil Delamere, and Eric Lawlor.

2007 festival

File:Electricpicnic07.jpg
Electric Picnic 2007 logo

Electric Picnic 2007 was once again a three day event and ran from 31 August until 2 September. The festival maintained its current size of 32,500 festival goers and kept all the same elements plus some new additions. "Early-bird" tickets for the 2007 festival went on sale between Monday 11 December 2006, and Saturday 24 February 2007, costing €199, taking into account the VAT that must now be paid on all outdoor events. Full price tickets have been for sale since Tuesday April 3 at a price of €220.[1] The first acts were officially announced on Monday April 2.

File:Electricpicnicmap2007.jpg
Map of 2007 Electric Picnic

Besides the music other attractions included an inflatable church offering mock weddings, luxury tents, massage chambers, a fairground and silent disco. Acii Disco DJs began the festival on the Friday at 12 p.m. in the Bodytonic Tent. Amongst others to take to the stage on Friday were Björk, Hot Chip, Scott Matthews, Manic Street Preachers and Oppenheimer whilst the unnamed band responsible for The Good, the Bad and the Queen headlined the Electric Arena tent. [1] The Sunday night was brought to a close by Primal Scream.

The festival was however marred by the death of a 23 year-old fan. [2] The incident occurred as The Chemical Brothers came to a climax at 2 a.m. early on the Sunday morning. Organiser John Reynolds extended his sympathies and said: "A young man took ill at the festival, was treated at the medical centre, removed to Port Laoise Hospital and was later pronounced dead." Gardaí said they were not treating the death as suspicious. [3] [4]

A number of high profile VIPs were spotted at the festival in 2007. These included TV chef Rachel Allen, The Afternoon Show presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, as well as model Glenda Gilson and TV presenters Joe O'Shea and Ryan Tubridy. Actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers looked "scruffy and tired" as he paraded around the VIP enclosure sipping Red Bull and smoking Camel cigarettes "at quite a rate" instead of alcohol just four months after checking into a US alcohol addiction clinic. Green Party TDs Trevor Sargent and Eamon Ryan were also photographed at the event. [2]


Officially Confirmed Acts:

References