Beginners Guide to Electric Picnic 2016
Where: Stradbally Hall , CO.LAOIS, Ireland
When: 2-4th September
Highlights: A Festival Republic production, Lana Del Ray ,Yurks & Squrts, Empowering talks and an Irish 17th century countryside location.
Price: Seatwave sale & resale only
What’s it all about
This end of summer Irish delight is set to be sweeter than the mint in a Mojito. Keeping it green like the Irish do, the festival itself is taking place at Stradbally Hall, built in 1772 and surrounded by streams and stunning ancient countryside. Music, arts, comedy and a range of unique empowering performers all muddled into one joyful weekend. The beauty of EP is there really is so much more than just the tunes to keep you occupied unlike a lot of other festivals. You can enjoy comedians from the whole of Ireland in their famous comedy tent, the mindfield arena is another hot pick, allowing you to enjoy literacy readings, inspiring talks and empowering political debates. Who knows, you might find a whole new you this summer. Oh and don’t forget to look out for the circus, just watch out for the clowns…I hear that the reactions are hit and miss especially after a few glasses of rose.
Ticket’s
This boutique weekend part of alternative dance and indie music may not be that well known to you unless you’re from Ireland yourself. However before you read any further, the festival is in fact sold out. But there’s no need for the jaw dropping/mouth wide-open emoji as you can still grab yourself some tickets on ‘Seatwave’ their official ticket resale partner. It’s no surprise that the get in passes for this little goddess of an event has been snapped up given the fact the UK’s leading festival & event promoter ‘Festival Republic’ own majority of the shares. It's like choosing Cadburys when picking chocolate. Festival Republic are the hit party planners of festivals and Electric Picnic is their Irish baby.
Line-up
For most festival attendees the music line-up is of course the deal breaker, Electric Picnic have not let us down. Featuring America’s sweetie Lana del Ray followed by Years and Years to stop you keeping your eyes shut after a long day of partying. Other acts include lcd Soundystem, the Chemical Brothers, New Order and Jack Garratt!
Where to Kip/How to Get There
Most of you have no doubt already arranged your camping, but if your planning on getting a ticket later on seatwave or just fancy an upgrade EP offers its very own bespoke boutique camping village with hot showers, fancy toilets and around the clock security. Our favorite pick here at Licklist is of course the ‘Yurks and Squrts’. Choose from unfurnished options or push the boat out to one with double beds, fancy furniture, luxury fluffy towels and even a beauty salon to plug in those all important hair tools.
County Laois is around an hour and twenty away from the Dublin which isn’t bad going. There’s also some good news, parking is free! There’s a range of different sites for weekend ticket holders and day ticket holders + disble options for your convenience. Which is’nt a word often stuck by when it comes to festivals. EP however is one you can rely on. Who said never trust the Irish? You can also make use of they're partnership with Marathon coaches and get a return coach from Dublin for just twenty five euros on the day, or of course a bit cheaper if you get it priot. If you're catching the train then Portlaoise station is the one you need to look out for, there are shuttle buses on hand to take you to and from the festival site.
Still not sold
Back to that convenience word, a festival that looks after all your needs really is one that goes to the top of the list. The only thing you should concern yourself with is the weather forecast. EP has free water facilities around site as well as a number of cash point facilities dotted around the arena so you don’t have to walk miles to get the drinks fund. You can enjoy a mix of exotic and sure worth talking about food ranging from organic and vegan bites, traditional pie & mash and even Pakistani street food? Yep, instagram that. Last but not least, charity concierge will be there. They’re taking the festival seasons by storm this summer by the form of volunteers dressed as bellboys. Like Summers version of santa's little helpers, they will go and queue at the bar for you! All donations go towards a great cause. http://www.charity concierge.org/
So, if you fancy being part of a weekend of soul, theatre, comedy and well just that feeling of Summer rainbows and pure blissfulness then you have two options. Option one: Keep checking their Seatwave updates for ticket releases. Or option two follow their Twitter page for regular updates and possibly upcoming competitions. Not making any promises though. This ones in demand!
Licklist team