Electric Picnic 2009

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.

Back for its sixth year, and held a month later this year, on Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September at Stradbally Hall Estate, Co Laois - less than an hour from Dublin.

Orbital, The Flaming Lips, Basement Jaxx, Madness, MGMT, Fleet Foxes, Klaxons, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Bell X1, Chic, Seasick Steve, 2manydjs, Lisa Hannigan, Explosions In The Sky, ABC, Damien Dempsey, Alabama 3, Bat For Lashes, Zero 7, Erol Alkan, Roots Manuva, The Sugarhill Gang, Billy Bragg, Lykke Li, Imelda May, Echo And The Bunnymen, Magazine, Moderat, Simian Mobile Disco, Skream & Benga's Magnetic Man, Halfset, Chris Cunningham, Okkervil River, Magnolia Electric Co, The Low Anthem, Villagers, Tunng, Jape, The Whitest Boy Alive, Micachu And The Shapes, and The Walkmen are some of the acts who have been confirmed. For the line-up details, day and stage splits please click here.

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.

The comedy line-up includes Sean Hughes, Phil Nichol, Brendon Burns, Steve Frosts Impro All Stars with Andy Smart, Steve Steen, Richard Vranch and Ian Coppinger, Gavin Webster, Kevin Bridges, Joe Rooney, Eric Lalor and sketch group Dead Cat Bounce and the new and emerging talent under the stewardship of MCs for the weekend the outrageous I Dare Ya (RTÉ2) duo; Andrew Stanley & Damien Clarke.

The Electric Picnic offered a Family Ticket which will permit access for two adults and up to four children and a new specially 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 are priced at 240 euros for an adult weekend ticket. There are no single day tickets. Family Camping Tickets and Campervan Tickets are now sold out.
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To buy tickets, click here.

Electric Picnic is not just about the music with The Spoken Word area seeing the return of David McWilliams' Leviathan debates, poetry reading, Storytelling and Irish language. Lucent Dossier bring their Vaudeville Circus with their interactive Water Show - a 1960s Treehouse Jungle World complete with water stage, rope ladders, unique aerial apparatuses and wild eccentric characters!

Arcadia return this year with a unique space-aged 360 degree venue complete with robots and junk metal art installations, circus acts, trapeze performers, and fire spinners.

Thisispopbaby returns to Electric Picnic with Poptopia an installation metropolis, fantastical performance space and 72-hour palace of party, play and disorientation with over 120 artists. With gender illusion, blinding visions, sensory surprises and grotesque wit, bringing together the best of Irish drag artists. The programme includes The Heidi Konnt Suicide Pact Lunch, Le Gateau Chocolat, Marawa, andTransmission Panti with Pandora 'Panti' Bliss hosting a live TV chat show with guests, games, sketches and musical interludes. The Big Bang; Synthesised sensations Neosupervital, Bitches With Wolves and Veda come together to present a dazzling selection of future dance floor fillers.

Plus, Midnight Burlectro a high octane burlesque production for the clubbing audience, complete with a live band, a four-piece dance troupe and one killer set of lungs. Electro Bingo and drag variety show Trannymal Farm, and a late late night party with special guests including Jerry Bouthier (Kitsuné, Boombox and Ponystep Resident, long time collaborator with Vivienne Westwood), The Poptopian Bureau of Desire and Disorientation, along with a line-up of Ireland's club DJS.

The Salty Dog Saloon Stage, an old ship wreck, once a proud fishing vessel, comes alive once again deep in the woods of Stradbally Estate. Rum-fuelled sea shanties, rasping washed-up bluegrass folksters, Port-au-Prince Caribbean dread-heads, and gravelly maritime Rockabilly song-dogs find their home here.

The Greencrafts area is to expand this year to share practical skills and inspiration. The Southern Comfort Crawdaddy Stage promises Mardi Gras fever and adds a touch of New Orleans style. The Bacardi B Live Arena also makes a return showcasing the collaborative works of world class DJs, musicians, live vocalists and percussionists, and The Hot Press Chatroom offers festival goers a chance to get close to their favourite stars, with lively question and answer sessions.


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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