With final preparations in place for Friday, yesterday we took a trip down to Stradbally to check out the Electric Picnic site to check out what this year has to offer. Firstly, fans of the festival will be pleased to know that although there are some minor changes to the site the Electric Picnic we all know and love remains largely the same.
The biggest change is in the area around the main stage; those of us not quite as festival fit as we were in our teens will be delighted to know there are now several seating stands around the sound desk area. To accommodate the seating the main stage has been moved to a slightly different angle. (This is what we were told, to be honest it was hard to see a difference but we’re taking the organisers word for it.)
Two new stages have been added to the site, one down by last year’s new addition the Trailer Park. Jerry Fish’s Electric Side Show looks set to be the place to be to see acts a little off the beaten track, expect extended jam sessions and hula hoopers. If you were at Longitude the tent may look familiar as it bears an uncanny resemblance to the The Dirty Old Town Speakeasy, nothing wrong with a bit of recycling. The other new addition comes in the shape of the Earthship Stage in the always fantastic Body & Soul area. An art installation last year, this year it comes with an enclosure and great line up.
One thing that sets Electric Picnic apart from every other Irish festival is of course the fantastic selection of food and it looks like the crowds will be spoiled for choice once again this year with cuisines from across the globe to suit any palette. (While we didn’t spot the Pieminister stall thankfully it has been confirmed to us by Pieminister themselves on Twitter they will be present, it wouldn’t be the same without them really would it?) With a Theatre Of Food located near the Mindfield area hosting tasting sessions and a Speed Dating Wine Tasting, it may well be possible to not see a single band all weekend and just eat/drink but still have a fantastic time.
Melvin Benn of Festival Republic has delivered fans with the good news that an agreement has been signed for Electric Picnic to take place for the next ten years. Huzzah! He also has attributed the selling out of the event to the lower ticket prices for early birds and for those who have attended before, with such a fantastic response could this loyalty scheme be something that stays in place next year? We certainly hope so.
Electric Picnic Site tour Photo Gallery
