Electric Picnic 2012

Ireland's complete music and arts festival that offers an array of fine music, theatre, comedy, holistic health and art. Musically it's a more eclectic mix of artists than the other Irish mainstream events.

Pod and Festival Republic present Electric Picnic back for its ninth year, and held from Friday 31 August to Sunday 2nd September at Stradbally Hall Estate, Co Laois - less than an hour from Dublin.

Line-up

The latest additions are Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Liam O'Flynn and Paddy Glackin aka LAPD, Paul Buchanan, When Saints Go Machine, Junior Boys, Breton, RocketNumberNine, Jesse Boykins III, DENA, The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock, Zemi 17, Mmoths, Laura Sheeran, TR-One, Orchestra of Spheres, Dark Dark Dark, SertOne, Young Wonder, Kodaline, New Jackson, Ham Sandwich, February&Mars, Lewis Floyd Henry, Viperflo, and Romare.

They join The Cure, The Killers, Tindersticks, Sigur Ros, Elbow, Grizzly Bear, Orbital, The Killers, Bat For Lashes, Christy Moore, The Roots, Hot Chip, Glen Hansard, The xx, Metronomy, The Horrors, Roots Manuva, Bell X1, Staff Benda Bilili, Milagres, Ed Sheeran, Alabama Shakes, Cranes, Little Roy, John Digweed, Land Lovers, Baxter Dury, The Vaccines, Explosions In The Sky, Dexys, Ben Howard, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Antlers, Nell Bryden, Bellowhead, Paul Buchanan, Patrick Watson, Wild Beasts, Grimes, The Staves, Donal Lunny & Andy Irvine, Liam O'Flynn & Paddy Glackin, Villagers, Wallis Bird, Jonathan Wilson, Solar Bears, Fatoumata Diawara, Willis Earl Beal, Lanterns on the Lake, Patti Smith & her band, Richard Hawley, Crystal Castles, SBTRKT, Grandaddy, Squarepusher, The Maccabees, Gavin Friday, Van Dyke Parks, Michael Kiwanuka, The Jezabels, The Dublin Gospel Choir, Eagle and the Worm, and In Tua Nua.

On site

As well as loads of comedy, spoken world, a range of stages, lots of site art and many areas to explore with plenty of catering options and all the normal facilities you'd expect at a festival, and an an emphasis on eco-friendly initiatives.

Body&Soul return this year with its trademark fantasy trimmings, bespoke stages and hideaway corners. The Mindfield Area also returns political and economic debate, hosted by David McWilliams; History Ireland Hedge School; Irish and international writers on the Arts Council Literary Stage, curated by Dermot Bolger; cutting edge theatre; mind-blowing experiments and talks in the Science Gallery's inflatable tent; cúpla focail leis An Puball Gaeilge; big uplifting words and beats on the Word Stage, hosted by Marty Mulligan; and much much more to be announced.

The Global Green brings together a wide community of cultural creatives, activists, artists, social entrepreneurs and civil society organisations. Blending the themes of creativity and collaboration and showcasing good ideas for the future.

In the woods in Stradbally, the Salty Dog Stage, will also make a return, as will the Comedy Tent, the Jamaican flavoured Trenchtown, Fossets Circus, and the Theatre Of Food incorporating several elements including the food demos in the NEFF kitchen, wine tastings, gastro-competitions, panel discussions, pop up dining, as well as Bridgestone Guide Awards and the Farmers Market which features a host of local producers, fresh local produce, cakes and treats, crafts and much more.

Now embracing all of the Walled Gardens, Soul Kids provides a magical space with an abundance of creativity, fun, imagination and a fabulously flabbergasting assortment of workshops & entertainment for kids.

Family Campsite

The Electric Picnic offers a Family Ticket which will permit access for two adults and up to four children to the designated Family Campsite. Families can also download a small booklet outlining children's activities and programmes as well as useful information on family camping, baby changing facilities, showers, toilets, etc. The "Children's Festival" will have its own area and reception for babies, toddlers and children up to 12. It will be programmed with all sorts of creative workshops, kids yoga, chill out space for parents, and games.

Tickets

Tickets are priced at 230 euros for an adult weekend or family weekend ticket. Sunday tickets are priced at 99.50 euros and Campervan tickets are priced at 60 euros.

To buy tickets, click here.

On site

The festival will also feature Comedy & Spoken Word, Arts & Theatrics, the Arcadia area, Fosset's Circus, Art Trail, the Body & Soul area, Global Green & Greencrafts, the Eco Picnic, and Amnesty Ireland.

Public transport

Bus Eireann will be operating a bus service to Stradbally from Dublin, Cork, and Galway. Tickets can be booked on buseireann.ie. CoachestoConcerts.co.uk will operate a service from Belfast to the festival. Shuttle buses will operate between Portlaoise train station to Electric Picnic for those wishing to take the train.

More info

For detailed information about various aspects of the festival see the Electric Picnic Information (includes detailed info on camping, travel, food & drink, and more).

There'll be more information here when available.

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