Day one of the country’s national big weekend out, Electric Picnic got the ball rolling Friday afternoon. As the festival continues to grow, so too does the site and the never-ending list of attractions. However, in keeping with tradition, Friday’s bill is a lot quieter than the following two nights. There’s still plenty to see and do though, mainly the hundreds of art installations scattered across the site, from trick mirrors and flowers frames, to spray painted pianos. There may have been a band or two on show as well.
RichardRichard
Probably one of the most engaging sets of Friday evening, Dundalk tearaways RichardRichard tore chunks out of the Trailer Park stage as the night kicked off. Admittedly, with all the lights and noise of the frantic surroundings, the scene is extremely busy but a lot of fun. The band know how to perform gritty guitar rock that is, in its own right, eclectic and danceable. Putting fire under feet for undisputed highlight Faces, for such newbies, RichardRichard that shows growth, confidence, yet remains a relentless thrill ride.
Gangs
Dublin rock ‘n’ roll outfit Gangs had a field day on the Salty Dog stage as the sun set on day one of Electric Picnic. Vocally, they sound like they could be a part of a very mediocre boy band. It’s the wildly ambitious riffs that do all the talking here, oozing confidence. There’s a certain prowess to every performance they give – the likes of Back To School excelling in a live setting. Crumbs In The Bed, however, is less unique and bold, becoming a unimaginative blend of basic chords and rushed vocals.
The Coronas
They just seem to pop up everywhere, don’t they? It’s been all go for The Coronas the last two years, so capping it off on the Main Stage at Electric Picnic seems appropriate. Their newer material gets a lot of love from the crowd – pop/rock rager Get Loose and snappy single Just Like That in particular. Danny O’Reilly roars out the now infamous San Diego song midway through the set, with the odd cúpla focal thrown in – typical of their live performances. The set is a lot of fun and completely inoffensive, but considering how long they’ve been at it now, they should probably be doing a bit more than that.
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James comes to the Electric Arena wearing his, eh, evening jacket – as brightly coloured as the band’s late set was. One Big Holiday is a joyous romp of sun-drenched strings. Compound Fracture sounds as youthful as ever with airy keys and playful vocals. Their ability to engage with listeners and develope their sound with every album really shines through during this performance. It is not an incredibly retrospective set (they did just release a new album this year), but they manage to strike a fairly harmonious balance.
Belle & Sebastian
Scottish rock legends Belle & Sebastian enveloped the Electric Arena late Friday evening. Dog On Wheels gets a new lease of life – louder, and more abrasive, yet lyrically, it remains sweet. The band are in fine form, taking all the time in the world to chat between songs and admire the front-row fans. They are sprightly and consistent in delivery, from older bops The Boy With The Arab Strap to newer tracks such as The Party Line. The full bodied melodies are as strong as they were nearly 19 years ago when they first started out, and their stage presence is unrivaled. Between that, and their uncensored enthusiasm for the festival and the crowd whom they invited on stage, nobody will have left disappointed.
LA Priest
A self-indulgent instrumental intro could have sent this 3am show downhill pretty quickly, had it not been for the brash charm of the Welsh producer (who looks more streets of Montmartre than hills of Montgomeryshire) and the generally joyful aura that emanated (along with other things) from the Body & Soul Main Stage. Fantastic early takes of Lady’s In Trouble With The Law and Oino preluded a limp stage-dive that was supported by eager fans at the front.
