Electric Picnic 2008
Friday 29th to Sunday 31st August 2008Stradbally Hall Estate, Stradbally, Co. Laois, Eire, Ireland
price: Euros 240
Next I head to the Body and Soul area that has a whole range of things happening. A lot of world music and interesting places to eat and drink. I'm particularly excited about seeing Laura Marling here tomorrow as I've been told by friends she's great live. Also I am told that the Body and Soul is the most popular festival hangout once the acts are over in the Main Arena I plan to party here tonight if I get the chance as everyone recommends it. Evening is upon me and I've got a busy schedule of acts to see. I'd had real good luck with acts clashing until tonight - two of the groups I really wanted to see later on play at the same time.
I could complain about having to purchase a 3euro eco-cup but that's just me being a tight ass and not particularly caring about the environment when I should... The organisers have really made an active attempt to make festival goers aware of the environment and climate change. I see their slogan dotted around the grounds. "The Climate is changing. Are you?" It hits home a little and I begin to feel pretty guilty for any rubbish I'd dropped over the weekend. Maybe these guys are getting through to me! This place is special. I think a happy go hippy mood best describes the overall atmosphere.
Anyway, back to the music. The headline act I choose to see tonight is DJ A-Trak on the Cosby stage. He's Kanye West's tour DJ but so much more in the electro/turntablist/Club DJ scene these days and I guess it's a mark of his success he's headlining after Santogold. This guy is amazing I've been a fan of him for a while and am lucky enough to get a chance to say hey backstage before he goes on.
Backstage isn't as cool as it sounds so like all good fans I run round to the crowd and barge my way up to the front of a semi filled tent and get my groove on. A-Trak delivers a great up beat set full of party rocking beats and some of his own stuff Highlight of the weekend so far for me. He really knows how to work a festival crowd and is not scared to drop something in a bit different. If you have the opportunity you have to get yourself to an A-Trak show. The atmosphere is sheer electric.
review by: Lonan O'Neill
photos by: Lonan O Neill / Matthew Boyle / Shane Boylan
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