Electric Picnic festival may have capacity of 47,000 this year

The Electric Picnic festival capacity could be increased to 47,000, its promoter has said.

Promoter Melvin Benn of Festival Republic said he is looking to increase the capacity from 42,000 last year to 47,000 this year.

If successful, it will mark an expansion of almost 50 per cent since the 2013 event when the capacity was 32,000.

Mr Benn said the extra 10,000 festival-goers last year did not have a detrimental effect on the ambience of what is traditionally thought of as a boutique festival.

Florence and the Machine and the dance act Underworld have been confirmed as two of the headliners. The third headline act has yet to be announced.

The first 36 acts were announced on Wednesday morning. They include Manic Street Preachers, Róisín Murphy, Tame Impala, Hot Chip, Belle & Sebastian and Chvrches.

Prices for the festival, which takes place at Stradbally Hall, Co Laois, from September 4th to 6th are priced the same as last year from €154.50 if you can prove you have been to three or more picnics to €194.50 if you have never been before.

Mr Benn said pre-sales for this year’s festival are “very strong” and those who had bought early-bird tickets before the line-up was announced were “well in the five figures”.

“This is Ireland’s festival now. It has a huge amount of interest from more and more people. I’m convinced we will sell out. It is very well-priced,” he said.