The Cure, Sigur Ros, & Elbow for Electric Picnic

The Cure, Sigur Ros, and Elbow lead the first acts announced for Ireland's Electric Picnic.

Also confirmed are Grizzly Bear, Orbital, Christy Moore, The Roots, Hot Chip, Glen Hansard, The xx, Metronomy, The Horrors, Azealia Banks, Roots Manuva, Bell X1, Staff Benda Bilili, Milagres, and Ed Sheeran.

Other acts announced are Alabama Shakes, Cranes, Little Roy, John Digweed, Land Lovers, Baxter Dury, Jonathan Wilson, Solar Bears, Fatoumata Diawara, Willis Earl Beal, and Lanterns on the Lake.

Electric Picnic returns for its ninth year from Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd September at Stradbally Hall Estate, Co Laois - less than an hour from Dublin.

Melvin Benn, of organisers Festival Republic said, "I always look forward to the weekend in Stradbally. We had great feedback last year which we will build on for 2012. Roll on aug 31st."

John Reynolds, of POD added, I'm really looking forward to this year's festival, particularly having The Cure on the lineup, a band we've been trying to get on the bill for 7 years."

Ireland's complete music and arts festival 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. 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.

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 from 9am tomorrow, click here.

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