Electric Picnic had its humble beginnings in September 2004 as a one day festival in Stradbally, Co. Laois. In 2005, it expanded to a 2 day event, and went on to take the bold route of transforming to a 3 day festival by 2006. It’s hard to believe now, given the ludicrous volume of festivals taking place throughout Ireland over the summer, but at the time, a 3 day festival wasn’t all that common. On a personal level, at aged 21, being a bright eyed lad, still full of hope and wonder, myself and my 18 year old friend and festival companion wandered through the grounds of Stradbally in 2006 in absolute awe. Even before we’d seen a single act, the atmosphere washed over us like a warm, comforting blanket we never realised we’d always needed, and it hit us: So this is what a music festival should be like. Oxegen always had a great line up generally speaking, but sadly when the music stopped, there was literally fuck all else to do, other than skulling cans back in the campsite. This is where the Picnic succeeded spectacularly where Oxegen failed: EP isn’t just a music festival; it’s a music and arts festival. There’s always something to see and do. When the main acts are over or you’re at a loose end, you can pop to the forest for a rave, or to The Salty Dog stage (essentially a God damn pirate ship in the woods), or even head to Fossetts Circus, or the Body & Soul area (so popular it actually managed to get its own festival). Or even wander aimlessly through the grounds of Stradbally and simply breathe in the atmosphere. The festival is growing ever popular year on year with good reason. It seems it may be popular now more than ever, in fact. Campervan tickets sold out last September. Then, in late October 2015, promoters of the festival claimed it was already 50% sold out, before a single act had even been announced. Even this morning, the Sunday tickets sold out, once again before any acts were announced. People (myself included) clearly trust the promoters to give them a line up and a festival of an impeccably high standard, something which we’ve come to expect from them at this stage.
But enough preamble, let’s scrutinise the 28 acts announced thus far shall we? Here’s our guide to the line up for Electric Picnic 2016, with a Spotify playlist as well as info and ticket links included at the bottom of the page.
01. LCD Soundsystem
Who are they?
North American Scum: the musical project of James Murphy formed in New York in 2002.
Who do they sound like?
The Rapture, Hot Chip, !!!
02. Super Furry Animals
Who are they?
Legendary Welsh 5 piece psychedelic indie group, formed in 1993.
Who do they sound like?
Gruff Rhys, Primal Scream, Tame Impala (or possibly none of these; SFA are a law unto themselves!)
03. The Chemical Brothers
Who are they?
British electronic duo, formed in 1991.
Who do they sound like?
Fatboy Slim, Underworld, Basement Jaxx
04. Lana Del Rey
Who are they?
An American pop singer-songwriter, emerging in 2005 from New York.
Who do they sound like?
Marina and the Diamonds, Ellie Goulding, Birdy
05. New Order
Who are they?
An English electronic rock band, formed from the ashes of Joy Division in 1980.
Who do they sound like?
Depeche Mode, The The, Joy Division
06. Haim
Who are they?
Pop rock group formed in Los Angeles in 2007.
Who do they sound like?
Chvrches, Sky Ferreira, London Grammar
07. Years & Years
Who are they?
British electronic trio, formed in London in 2010.
Who do they sound like?
Jess Glynne, Rudimental, Robin Schulz
08. Todd Terje
Who are they?
A Norwegian electronic house artist, active since 1999.
Who do they sound like?
Prins Thomas, John Talabot, Tensnake
09. Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats
Who are they?
A folk-rock collective formed in Missouri in 2013.
Who do they sound like?
Houndsmouth, 40 Winks, Shakey Graves
10. The Avett Brothers
Who are they?
American folk-rock band formed in North Carolina in 2000.
Who do they sound like?
Josh Ritter, Blitzen Trapper, Old Crow Medicine Show
11. Gavin James
Who are they?
Irish singer-songwriter emerging in 2013.
Who do they sound like?
James Bay Keywest, Hozier
12. Wolf Alice
Who are they?
Alt-rock band from North London, formed in 2010.
Who do they sound like?
Swim Deep, Mini Mansions, Palma Violets
13. Animal Collective
Who are they?
American experimental pop group from Maryland, formed in 1999.
Who do they sound like?
Panda Bear, Dirty Projectors, Atlas Sound
14. Wild Beasts
Who are they?
Indie rock band formed in Kendal, England in 2002.
Who do they sound like?
These New Puritans, Tom Vek, Perfume Genius
15. Savages
Who are they?
London formed post-punk band, emerging in 2011.
Who do they sound like?
Bosnian Rainbows, DIIV, Mikal Cronin
16. Jack Garratt
Who are they?
British singer-songwriter active since 2005.
Who do they sound like?
Honne, Jarryd James, Oh Wonder
17. Glass Animals
Who are they?
English indie group formed in Oxford in 2012.
Who do they sound like?
Chet Faker, Purity Ring, FKA Twigs
18. Broken Social Scene
Who are they?
Canadian indie band, formed in 1999.
Who do they sound like?
Kevin Drew, Wolf Parade, Apostle of Hustle
19. Pantha Du Prince Presents The Triad
Who are they?
German electronic artist, active since 2002.
Who do they sound like?
DJ Koze, The Field, Moderat
20. Phosphorescent
Who are they?
The musical project of Matthew Houck, emerging from New York in 2001.
Who do they sound like?
Deer Tick, M. Ward, Sun Kil Moon
21. Ezra Furman
Who are they?
An American singer-songwriter from Chicago, active since 2006.
Who do they sound like?
Father John Misty, Willis Earl Beal, Gaz Coombes
22. Mount Kimbie
Who are they?
Electronic music duo formed in London in 2008.
Who do they sound like?
Burial, James Blake, SBTRKT
23. Daniel Avery
Who are they?
London based electronic musician.
Who do they sound like?
Daphni, DJ Koze, John Talabot
24. Blossoms
Who are they?
British indie-pop group from Stockport formed in 2013.
Who do they sound like?
Black Thistles, Fronteers, The Travis Waltons
25. Aurora
Who are they?
Norwegian singer-songwriter, active since 2012.
Who do they sound like?
Whales & This Lake, The Well, Louis York
26. Nao
Who are they?
British singer-songwriter from East London, active since 2014.
Who do they sound like?
Etta Bond, Lion Babe, Christian Rich
27. Girls Names
Who are they?
Post-punk band from Belfast Northern Ireland, emerging in 2009.
Who do they sound like?
Metz, Girl Band, No Joy
28. Meilyr Jones
Who are they?
Former frontman for Welsh psychedelic group Race Horses, active since 2005.
Who do they sound like?
Martha Ffion, The Moonlandingz, Gwenno
Spotify Playlist:
Links:
