You’ll find the following bunch of folks heading to Stradbally, Co Laois for Electric Picnic 2012 between August 31 and September 2:
Patti Smith
Richard Hawley
Crystal Castles
SBTRKT
Grandaddy
Squarepusher
The Maccabees
Gavin Friday
Van Dyke Parks
Michael Kiwanuka
The Jezabels
Dublin Gospel Choir
Eagle and the Worm
In Tua Nua
Here’s the first set of runners and riders for this year’s Electric Picnic, which takes place at its usual digs in the middle of Stradbally, Co Laois from Friday August 31 to Sunday September 2:
The Cure (as predicted by OTR)
Sigur Ros
Elbow
Ed Sheeran (told youse)
Grizzly Bear
Orbital
Christy Moore (he’s back)
The Roots (awesome – saves us a trip to Sonar to see them)
Glen Hansard
The xx (predicted that one too)
Metronomy (yes!)
The Horrors (oh yes!)
Azealia Banks (she’ll hopefully play for more than 20 minutes this time)
Roots Manuva
Bell X1
John Digweed
Staff Benda Bilili (wow!)
Milagers
Alabama Shakes (damn right)
Cranes
Little Roy
Hot Chip
Land Lovers (go Land Lovers!)
Baxter Dury
Jonathan Wilson (oh yes! Hopefully this will mean even more people will check out his amazing “Gentle Spirit” album)
Solar Bears
Fatoumata Diawara
Willis Earl Beal (check him out pronto)
Lanterns on the Lake
As usual, there will be tons of more acts added to the bill before the gates open at the end of August.
UPDATE: we obviously meant to say “there will be tons of more acts added to the bill before the end of the day”. As noted below, site now lists The Killers, Bat For Lashes and Tindersticks.
Tickets: weekend tickets are €230 and Sunday day tickets are €99.50 (both plus TM trimmings) and go on sale tomorrow. You can also pay for tickets via installments on the EP HP plan. Anyone giving out about early bird tickets selling out conveniently just before the main batch of tickets go on sale should remember that (a) they’re called “early bird tickets” for a reason and (b) they went on sale last November.
Right, I’m now standing well back and letting youse have your say. Go!
While we wait for Oxegen to announce something (anything – venue, dates, line-up and ticket prices are still TBC as MCD scratch their hoops), the Electric Picnic are already out of the traps with dates and early bird ticket details.
EP 2012 will be held in Stradbally from August 31 to September 2. Loyalty Bird tickets for those who bought tickets for EP 2011 go on sale on November 16 at €175 a pop (plus TM fees). Early Bird tickets go on sale on November 25 at €190 each (plus TM add-ons). The 2012 line-up and general weekend and Sunday ticket details will be announced in early March 2012. Full information here.
(Thanks to OTR reader Ciaran for the heads-up)
Leaving aside this bad experience and occasional squalls and sheets of rain, it was a very good weekend in Stradbally. As we can see the recollections already in the bag by us and you, the eighth Electric Picnic – and the fifth for the Daily Ticket crew in the shed – will be remembered for some great musical peformances from both headliners and acts down the card. It will also be recalled with a lick of the lips for some great pies and pizzas as well as champion grub from Rathmullan House and Saba, as food continues to make its presence felt on the Picnic menu. And it will be remembered by many for after-hours’ shenanigans or Roald Dahl workshops, depending on which end of age-scale dominated your entourage.
But the eighth Picnic was also inevitably about change. Eventually, everything changes, even the audience who attend an Irish music and arts festival which was once as odd as two left feet with its boutique branding and is now an accepted part of the Irish entertainment establishment. There were many comments heard over the weekend about the changing nature of the Picnic audience, that it’s now attracting a different crowd to the one who was here in 2004 and 2005, that it seems to have picked up a post-Oxegen crowd.
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This blog post was written in the Gramphone Disco at the crack of dawn, a first for me and them. We’ve done the Picnic. We’ve survived the Picnic. The fat lady has sung (and the old dame was as out of tune as Toots).
You’ll find ALL the reviews from Lauren Murphy, Conor Pope, Una Mullally, Elaine Buckley and myself from the weekend’s gigs here. You’ll find Brenda Fitzsimons’ fabulous photos here. You’ll find our news reports, features and colour pieces here as well. There is also a pointyheaded piece to come from me about the Electric Picnic present and future, but that will probably be tomorrow on the blog.
So, over to you. The floor is yours and you know what is required. Your views of Electric Picnic 2011: the good, the bad and the downright ugly. Now, if you’ll excuse me, they’re playing our tune…
UPDATE: I’ll also add any post-Picnic gig announcements here as they’re made, though I don’t expect, from talking to bookers and agents over the weekend, that there will be as many in previous years.
The only two so far are the return of Foster the People who play Academy, Dublin on November 28 (tickets €19 plus TM charges on sale from Thursday) and John Talabot, who is at the Twisted Pepper, Dublin on October 22 (tickets a tenner). As numptie here missed James Chance on Saturday night due to shed duties, he will give a packet of chocolate biscuits (unopened) to any promoter who brings him in.
Per James D below, Gavin Friday playing Dublin’s Olympia on November 29.
It’s Sunday morning and we’re still at it. We’ve produced two superb editions of The Daily Ticket from our blue tin-can office (we would like to deny that (a) it’s one of the containers from the second series of The Wire or (b) that it was previously used by US forces in Guantanamo Bay). We’ve eaten many (many) pies. We’ve seen many (many) bands. But we’re still going.
You’ll find ALL the reviews from Lauren Murphy, Conor Pope, Una Mullally, Elaine Buckley and myself for Friday and Saturday here. You’ll find Brenda Fitzsimons’ fabulous phtoos here.
Some highlights from me so far: Flying Lotus last night was on some other extra-terrestrial space level entirely, a set of tunes which expanded my mind by at least 13 per cent. The Jezebels’ Irish debut was a bit of a wow and you could safely predict they’ll be playing much bigger tents and stages within a year. Arcade Fire’s return to their Irish spiritual home was a bit of a goosebumps’ moment as they opened with “Wake Up” and never the pace slacken for the entire set.
Tieranniesaur are fast becoming a big live treat, with a show which is getting more and more funkier with every passing gig. John Grant was mesmerising, a set which was full of confidence and grand songs of immense eloquence. The Trinity Orchestra doing Daft Punk’s “Discovery” was a great old blast, putting new oomph into the French duo’s masterpiece (just a pity they didn’t all don motorbike helmets a la the Punk).
But the number one hit, the act I’m so glad I saw, was Santigold. Now, that was a show. Everything about it was superb, from the way in which Santi White and her band boogied with those solid gold classics from her debut to her backing dancers/vocalists swinging hammers during “LES Artises” (hopefully Tipp will swing their hurleys as well today). A funky, feel-good, fantastic show – and the new songs, from the forthcoming 2012 album, sounded marvellous too.
We’re all over the Electric Picnic, people.
If you’re in Stradbally this weekend, look out for The Daily Ticket which will be published on Saturday and Sunday morning and distributed from 10am on the campsites and in the main arena. Start your day with the Daily Ticket and marvel at what can be produced in a bright blue shed.
There will be full online coverage of EP11 here. This is where you’ll find the reviews of the weekend’s action shortly after it happens from our crack team of writers who are in Co Laois for the next few days. If you missed the paper’s deadly EP supplement on Wednesday, you can now read the interviews with Aracde Fire, Lykke Li, Interpol and others, Conor Pope’s food guide and everything else on the site right now.
We’ll also be adding video to the Irish Times’ Youtube channel over the weekend so keep an eye on that for some bits and pieces.
As always, I’ll be updating OTR over the weekend with some choice words and smart alec comments so stay tuned. If you’re on Twitter, so am I – plus keep an eye on The Ticket’s account as well.
The essential EP11 tunes in the OTR office this week. Please feel free to add your own selections below.
Moths “Blisters” (Self release)
The more we hear from Newbridge teen Jack Colleran, the more impressed we are. Superbly pitched electronic beats with oodles of heart and soul. (Body & Soul, Sunday)
The Unthanks “Here’s the Tender Coming” (EMI)
Rachel and Becky Unthank and their band fire up the room (or main stage) with salty Geordie accents and fantastic, rich folk blues. (Main stage, Sunday)
Black Devil Disco Club “Disco Club EP” (Rephlex)
Deep, classic spooky Italo disco and electro from the peerless Bernard Fevre. (Body & Soul, Saturday)
Arcade Fire “Funeral” (Rough Trade)
Because we’re hoping that their return to Stradbally will be every bit as good as that amazing 2005 show. (Main stage, Saturday)
Shit Robot “From the Cradle to the Rave” (DFA)
The finest in infectious house, techno, disco and electro from the Marcus Lambkin one-man show. (Little Big Tent, Friday)
Our bijou, well-appointed home for the next few days.
No doubt you’ve already got our own lists together of the acts you intend to see in Stradbally this weekend but, sure, there’s always room for a few more. Leaving aside the headliners which you’ve probably already made up your mind about (we hear a few strops were thrown by some agents to ensure their acts weren’t playing at the same time as Arcade Fire), here’s a list of 10 acts which we recommend you catch at Electric Picnic 2011 as you scurry around those 600 acres. Your recommendations welcome too (but please don’t plug your own band as that’s kind of sad and undignified).
Moths (Sunday, Body & Soul main stage, 2pm & Love Letter stage, 10.45pm)
Catch Moths because: the 18 year old whipper-snapper from Newbridge is already making 23rd century beats which have many swooning with delight.
Tieranniesaur (Saturday, Body & Soul main stage, 6.15pm)
Catch Tieranniesaur because: the oddball funk which the Annie Tierney-led monster mob make is music to make you beam with delight.
The Jezabels (Saturday, Cosby Stage, 9.15pm)
Catch The Jezabels because: the Australian band are set to be one of the big Sound of 2012 acts and it’s always good to be able to see an act like that before anyone else.
Flying Lotus (Saturday, Little Big Tent, 12.45)
Catch Flying Lotus because: there’s no live show like a FlyLo live show (and Irish audiences have been waiting years to see him)
Little Green Cars (Friday, Electric Arena, 4.45pm)
Catch Little Green Cars because: they have tons of tunes as fantastic as “The John Wayne” and they’re one of a lively selection of Irish acts playing Stradbally this year (props to the Picnic for the amount of homegrown bookings – you wouldn’t get that at Oxegen)
James Chance & Les Contortions (Saturday, Cosby Stage, 10.15pm)
Catch James Chance because: it’s James blooming Chance, innit, a New York No Wave legend who has always had brilliant bands to play his jerky, infectious sounds.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (Friday, Cosby Stage, 11pm & Salty Dog Stage, 12.45)
Catch Edward Sharpe and his band because: well, you won’t really have a choice because there’s so many of them and they may well march en masse through the crowd to get from the Cosby stage to the Salty Dog for their second gig of the night.
Black Devil Disco Club (Saturday, Body & Soul main stage, midnight)
Catch Black Devil Disco Club because: Bernard Fevre’s spooky electro and Italo disco will show you many, many other ways to mess around with synths (and because he might well have a word with the Chemical Brothers for sampling his “Earthmessage” for their “Surrender” album)
John Talabot (Saturday, Earth Ship, 11pm)
Catch John Talabot because: the Barcelona-based producer has been behind so many fantastic deep, mesmerising house cuts over the last while.
Redinho (Sunday, Love Letter, midnight)
Catch Redinho: because: the English producer has been making some kick-ass tough tunes which are sure to get you moving (and because HudMo said so).
Yes, you’re right, it’s Electric Picnic week all week here at OTR.
Tomorrow (Wednesday), there will be a special Electric Picnic supplement published with The Irish Times. Hear why it’s taken Arcade Fire so long to get back to Stradbally after their legendary 2005 show. Lykke Li talks about why being a touring musician is not as glamorous as she imagined (contains reference to electric kettle). Interpol tell all about their formative festival experiences. Zach Condon of Beirut claims he’s no longer a dictator when it comes to band affairs. Conor Pope does the Electric Picnic taste taste, from Pieminister to Rathmullan House. Plus 3epkano, uilleann piper Paddy Keenan, Leviathan, readers’ favourites from Electric Picnics past, stage times, site map and much, much more.
For the fifth year in a row (hey, we should have called it the Drive for Five but, then again, look what happened with that one last year), The Daily Ticket will be published at the Electric Picnic on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Containing reviews, previews, features, news updates, line-up changes, funny bits and tons more, the Daily Ticket will be your essential guide to the Picnic’s gigs and happenings and the only daily mag produced in a shed in the middle of a big field in Co Laois.
The supplement will be available on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10am. You can pick up your free copy from our distribution staff who will be covering the campsites and main arena.
For those of you who won’t be in Stradbally next weekend, all reviews will be published online and there will also be regular updates on this blog.
Here are the full line-ups and times for all four stages in the Body & Soul universe at Electric Picnic 2011. It’s nearly time, innit.
Friday
Main Stage
16:00 – JukeBox Gypsy
17:00 – The Barley Mob
18:00 – The Gorgeous Colours
19:00 – Intinn
20:10 – Grew
21:30 – Solar Bears
23:00 – Donal Dineen’s Parish Presents
Love Letter
18:00 – Boy Lights Fire
19:00 – Cocophone
20:00 – Soil Creep
21:00 – Tin Charm
22:00 – Magic Pockets
23:00 – TR One
00:00 – Toby Kaar
01:15 – Angkorwat
Earth Ship
19:30 – JukeBox Gypsy
20:45 – Electric Penguins
21:30 – Nightflight DJs
00:00 – Daithí
01:00 – Alle Farben
The Peace Pagoda
16:00 – Ambient Soundscapes
18:00 – Los Putas
19:00 – Twin Headed Wolf
20:00 – EleventyFour
21:00 – The Orchids
22:00 – Mixile
00:00 – Aidan Kavanagh
02:00 – Ambient Soundscapes
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Look what fell off the back of a lorry driving through Dublin 3 taking the city’s senior hurling team home after Sunday in Croker: it’s the freaking full line-up for the various Body & Soul stages at this year’s Electric Picnic!
John Talabot (oh yes! Huge fan of his productions and remixes)
Austra
Tieranniesaur (OTR’s favourite Irish band right now)
Ghostpoet
Black Devil Disco Club
Brandt Brauer Frick (superb at Eurosonic earlier this year)
Moths
Redinho (hell yeah! Recently tipped for the top by HudMo)
James Vincent McMorrow (another gig in a busy summer for JVMcM)
Elaine Mai
Solar Bears
Paddy Keenan (ex Bothy Band)
Halves
Gorgeous Colours
Donal Dineen’s Parish
Grew
Barley Mob
Dying Seconds
James Walsh
Katie Kim
CW Stoneking
Jon Hicks
Goodtime
Henrietta Game
Disconauts
Patrick Kelleher & His Cold Dead Hands
Bearbones
Boy Lights Fire
Catscars
Cocophone
Deviant
Torann Drummers
Rocket Number Nine
Angkorwat
Earthship
Eleventyfour
Freezer Room
Paul Melia
Raw Chocolate
Rollers/Sparkers
The Great Lakes Mystery
The Low Sea
Magic Pockets
Favourite Sons
Moon
Tin Charm
Toy Soldier
Tr One
Visionair
You Can Call Me Frances
Daithi
Chequerboard
The Amazing Few
Andy Barlow (Lamb)
Alle Farben
Si Schroeder
The Calvanists
Toby Kaar
Nightflight DJs
Kate Tempest
Spilly Walker
Plus DJs Stevie G, Fiasco, Chuck (Belfast’s HomeSpun Soundsystem), Dr Herringbone Dread and Will Softly (Ruaille Buaille) DJ-ing in the crow’s nest over the main stage between acts.
This year’s Electric Picnic is just around the corner, but we want you, the OTR readers, to rewind your mind and remember top Picnic moments from years past for an upcoming feature. It could be the performance of a headliner like Beastie Boys, LCD Soundsystem, Bjork, Sigur Ros, Sex Pistols, New Order, Kraftwerk, Flaming Lips, Leftfield, Elbow, My Bloody Valentine or Massive Attack. It could be an act who were near the bottom of the bill but who stormed the festival like Janelle Monae last year. It could have been one of those surprise hits like Chic or Grace Jones. It could have been someone or something who impressed you in the small hours or afternoon in the Body & Soul universe, Hell, it could have been Mumford & Sons or James Blunt. And how many of you were in the big tent when Arcade Fire played in 2005 (the gig which Irish indie music’s equivalent of those who claim to have been in the GPO in 1916)? We’re also looking for electric non-music moments, from arty stuff to debates to readings to those random moments which the Electric Picnic always seems to provide. Get picking.
Even more new names for the Electric Picnic:
The Jezabels (YES!)
The Vaccines
Jape (hearing great things about Richie’s new album)
And So I Watch You From Afar
Cry Before Dawn
Oh Land (YES!)
Gordon Gano & the Ryans
Shouting at Planes
Nightbox (we’ve been playing their new single “Pyramid” on The Far Side a lot and only realised they were from Wicklow last week)
Esben & the Witch
James Chance & les Contortions (wow, the No Wave dude comes to Co Laois)
The Minutes
Somadrone
Dakota 66
Bitches With Wolves
The details: Electric Picnic takes place at Stradbally, Co Laois from September 2 to 5. Weekend tickets are €240 and Sunday tickets are €99.50. Prices do not include Ticketmaster fees. Day-by-day breakdown here.
Acts playing the Little Big Tent at this year’s Electric Picnic:
Factory Floor (HELL YEAH! The best live band I’ve seen in the last 12 months finally make it to Ireland. Don’t miss ‘em)
Jacques Lu Cont (first gig anywhere in the world in around five years, apparently)
Tensnake (we like the Irish-directed video for “Something About You”)
Shit Robot
Crazy P
Andrew Weatherall
Zinc
The 2 Bears (like this tune loads)
Star Slinger (two thumbs up)
Rainbow Arabia
Onra
Kormac
Dave Devalera
Tu-Ki
LRB & Matador
Trainwreck DJs
Toby Kaar
Gretta Gunn
Lazertom & the Blast Crew
The skinny: Electric Picnic takes place at Stradbally, Co Laois from September 2 to 5. Weekend tickets are €240 and Sunday tickets are €99.50. Prices do not include Ticketmaster fees. Day-by-day breakdown here.
So, who’s going to Stradbally?
The latest additions to the bill for the Electric Picnic are:
Underworld
Foster the People (yes!)
Everything Everything (they got a Mercury nod yesterday and a map of the road to Stradbally today)
Bob Geldof (right…)
M. Ward (if he’s not bringing Zooey with him for a She & Him gig, we’re not interested)
Niki & The Dove (we’re there)
Sharon Corr (we’re not there)
Donal Dineen’s Parish
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Rubberbandits
Ghost Estates
I Am Kloot
Republic of Loose
The Black Angels
Electric Picnic takes place at Stradbally, Co Laois from September 2 to 5. Weekend tickets are €240 and Sunday tickets are €99.50, though the organisers have yet to release a day-by-day breakdown. Prices do not include Ticketmaster fees.
Latest batch of acts heading to Stradbally for Electric Picnic:
The Rapture (new tune is HOT!)
Warpaint
James Blake (he was really good at Primavera and that album is one of the best of the year)
James Vincent McMorrow (JVMcM playing all the right shows this summer)
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes (saw them a few years ago at SXSW and they were brilliant)
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
The Unthanks (excellent news as I missed their Dublin show a few months ago)
John Grant
Gemma Hayes
The Japanese Popstars
The Lost Brothers
Funeral Suits (very impressive at the Great Escape in Brighton a few weeks ago)
So, who’s going?
