The end of summer for many young people in Ireland culminates in the nation’s biggest festival by far; Electric Picnic. Although two weeks earlier than usual, the festival took place in Stradbally for the 20th year in a row this weekend. Despite it being the 20th anniversary there was little specific fanfare; in fact this was rarely mentioned across the three days, however there was still plenty to make the weekend feel unique and special and only a handful of issues to hamper the experience. From showstoppers on the main stage, to a DJ dressed as Jesus blessing his audience in Trenchtown, Electric Picnic had plenty to offer. So here is a short rundown of my own experience at Electric Picnic 2024.
Perhaps what was most notable about the weekend was the shift in how the line-up looked in comparison to other years. Electric Picnic has often prided itself on a varied line-up containing a vast array of acts across multiple genres all travelling to Stradbally from across the world. This year’s line-up was aptly recognised in one statement from “Mo Chara” (one third of the rap trio Kneecap) during their set in the Electric Arena on the Saturday night. He beamed across the stage and on top of a speaker to boast to the crowd “Ladies and Gentlemen you will never see a more Irish line-up at EP again”. The pride he took in saying this was mirrored in chants and hollers from the crowd; he was right. Though the main headliners were global headliners such as Gerry Cinnamon or Kylie Minogue (with Irish band Kodaline having snuck on there), it felt impossible to miss shining examples of Irish talent at any point across the weekend. Whether it be bigger acts like the aforementioned Kneecap or Dunboyne based singer CMAT blowing up the Electric Arena, Irish mainstays like The Wolfe Tones or Jazzy dominating the main stage, or even smaller acts such as The Scratch, Le Boom or Burlios. Everywhere I went it felt as though an Irish act was showing off something new and exciting. By the end of the weekend it was clear that every bit of eccentricity and excitement that came from Electric Picnic had come from the Irish, whether they be performers or audience.
Spreading the craic as a performer was an easier job than doing it as an audience member, however, as they were blessed with not having the misfortune of finding your friends first. For me it was halfway through the first day when my service dropped, for others it was on the second, but I did not meet a single person who had service for all three days. This made it next to impossible to contact anyone to meet up even when just on the campsites never mind in the busy main arena. This led to many people using old-fashioned sayings like “meet me at the big tree at 3:00”. This was also made incredibly difficult as yet again Electric Picnic was plagued by massive crowds that were being funneled in all the wrong ways. This was indicative by the continued decision to have just one main bar and one set of toilets both placed on the right-hand side of the stage leading to massive amounts of crowds gathered to one side of the main stage. At every turn in the arena it felt like there were huge amounts of people left filling into tighter and tighter areas to walk through. I can’t help but feel like the arena needs a massive redesign in its layout, particularly around the main stage, as the current one often leaves you wandering through a sea of crowds for what can feel like hours.
Overcrowding wasn’t just an issue in the main arena this year as space amongst the campsites was scarce by around midday on the Friday. I met a number of people who had found it incredibly difficult to find space to set up their tents for the weekend. It is hard to tell if this was due to people bringing bigger tents that take up too much space or if Electric Picnic had oversold early bird tickets for people to come set up on the Thursday (I reckon the latter is more accurate) but either way the cramped nature of the campsites was hard to ignore. Many people were forced to set up their tents right on top of walkways, next to food trucks and coffee vans and I pitied one particular group who were forced to set up camp right on top of a bathroom (which at Electric Picnic are all too commonly known for leaking). I was lucky to be set up at a campsite far away from any bathrooms but it was all too obvious to me that, had this not been the case, my morale and enthusiasm towards “the festival experience” would have been abysmal.
While in the camps the decorum and atmosphere was a tad depressing, inside the arena it was a colourful collage of different themes and designs. The decoration of the main arena went a long way into creating an atmosphere that I hadn’t noticed at any other festival before. Areas like Salty Dog or Trailer Park managed to combine spectacular set design with thematic decorating to breathe massive amounts of character into the music and events that took place. This is similar to areas such as Brutopolis or Trenchtown which are bigger on scale and are filled with secret corridors and back alleys each with different bands or events taking place void of being on any sort of schedule. This isn’t just a testament to the people who designed and built these areas but to the people who operate them; all decked out in fabulous costumes and unwilling to break character at any point. I was massively impressed by the man dressed as a USSR agent in a fake security booth who would exit and demand to see identification if you banged on the glass, and subsequently gave me and a friend a unique stamp when we produced identification and referred to him as comrade. This all builds on the atmosphere; placing you right there in the moment and not letting you leave. It gives you an experience that is completely unique and unforgettable.
This is when Electric Picnic is at its best when it gives you these small moments that feel so special and lets you relish in them. It excels at what festivals really should be about, a break from reality. A chance to live in something extraordinary far removed from anything available, and at times acceptable, in everyday life. Although you may lose your friends or be camped out by the bathrooms, many would chalk this up to what a festival is about. People can make these exceptions at Electric Picnic because it is so accomplished at quickly turning your head towards something extraordinary. Whether it be booming and astounding performances, monumental set design or simply just the chance to meet a bizarre and eccentric cast of characters (performers or not). Electric Picnic will always end up being a weekend entirely removed from any other weekend you could possibly experience in your life.
