Electric Picnic 2019 **Discussion Only // No Ticket Sales / Requests **

alastair

Great weekend.
Arrived Thursday and did the hazel wood comedy and DJ Mo Kelly at Salty dog, with cheesy smelling seaweed. Eco Camping ftw. Long treks the theme of the day

Friday: TCM, Drag at the cabaret tent, Billie Eilish, Jarvis, Ryan Vail and Elma Orkestra, Robot Rock in the village green, Transformer at SD. Bed.

Saturday: TBL8 Brass Band at Heineken (decent music there for a novelty!), Silverbacks, Nealo, Cooks but we’re Chefs, Maverick Sabre, Viagra Boys, Interskalactic, Pillow Queens, Echo and the Bunnymen, Kormac, legs gave out so bed.

Sunday: mooching about, Johnny Marr, Richard Ashcroft, Bodega, Jerry Fish/An Emotional Fish, Parquet Courts, Touts (tiny audience at SD), Bit of Kölsch (8000 teenagers under one roof make a mockery of the age-restricted tickets), and the legs give out again, so no Cathy Davey, KKC, Gaudi, Cynama for me. Treated to the best rave in the woods soundtrack of the weekend in the tent though.

More teenagers than usual, but also less messy than usual - as far as I experienced in any case. Loads of young ones down on the Thursday. I’ll concede that the arena extension benefits Salty Dog, and Freetown should become better with later acts in Teminus. Just painfully under-utilized this time out.

Biggest scam of the weekend - that ‘blind’ dog in My Lovely Ranch. She’s just a grifter, keeping her eyes closed intentionally for pets and attention. I saw her have a sneaky glance at a lad with some artisan doughnuts. That midget pony is a bull****ter too. Don’t be fooled people!

Seathrun66

Mucker46 wrote: »

On being overcharged at bars as far as i am aware it has never happened to me. In fact remember one year giving back money as got too much change. Really notice how poor at maths many of them are. Get totally confused if i give €21 for a €6 drink (notes easier to carry than lots of change)

Yeah, basic mental arithmetic is missing due to over-reliance on calculators. I’ve been over and undercharged in the past. Bar staff always nice, generally youngsters just happy to be there.

Kepler21

Spoke to a (much younger) work colleague today who was also at EP and who had a wonderful time. We agreed that Billie Eilish was brilliant. Me: "Who were your other highlights?" Her: "Well I normally just spend most of the time in Casa Bacardi and the Heineken stage".

Sigh.

andreac

tvercetti wrote: »

I caught about 10 minutes of it, they stopped letting people in shortly before he started eventhough it wasn't that busy. 1 out, 1 in system. He looked fairly nervous up there, didn't hang around long enough to critique!

I was there too. He got a good crowd and reception apart from the ole ole which was a bit annoying. I was there for Groove Armada as they told me they were there at 9 but it was obviously to get people there for Kevin's set first. It was def around 10.30 before they came on, but they were brilliant.

NoviGlitzko

Kepler21 wrote: »

Spoke to a (much younger) work colleague today who was also at EP and who had a wonderful time. We agreed that Billie Eilish was brilliant. Me: "Who were your other highlights?" Her: "Well I normally just spend most of the time in Casa Bacardi and the Heineken stage".

Sigh.

What's wrong with spending time in Casa Bacardi etc.? Each to their own.

Kepler21

NoviGlitzko wrote: »

What's wrong with spending time in Casa Bacardi etc.? Each to their own.

Very true.

Reggie noble

Tickets on sale this Saturday ?

fish_fingers

Stillill42 wrote: »

I can now reveal that the guy who bought Sports team a drink was none other than our very own Fish Fingers.

Yes indeed, 'twas me. The band were so bloody good, it seemed a little off to let them buy their own drink!
I ran over after the lead singer (obviously a sporty type :rolleyes:) and said you go and sing and I'll get these. I asked the barmaid what he ordered, 4 pints, found out after it was 2! Anyway, they seriously deserved a pint--incredible show.

I met StillIll42 on Saturday--good to meet you. Was a little embarrassed to plough in at TCM amongst the rest of you.
Thought the crowds were well separated until Sunday night. We were heading to King Kong Company, were waiting, decided to get food, came back and were "locked out".
Myself and the brother did our "good deed" by finding a young girl's phone after J Hus (yes, we did it bro/maaaan/dude). We used the "find my iphone"--found it discarded at the back of the tent, outside in long grass. She was wandering around with my brother's phone following the signal. My son told me yesterday that the found phone starts to vibrate when located??? Thrown away when caught???
We got very "engaged in the spirit of things" on Saturday, so things could be hazy, refresh to were hazy.
We were in Silk Road Tents in the Harvest Moon area. We had our own signposted entrance--never challenged to what we had--hence our haziness on Saturday.
Bands that I really enjoyed were Sports Team (!!!) , Serpentwithfeet, Working Men's Club, Just Mustard, Powpig (!!), Echo & the Bunnymen, The Strokes (I think), Heavy Lungs (!!) (I'd say that lead singer could identify everyone of us in a parade, the way he scoured us), Johnny Marr and the Streets (!!)
I thought Billie was good for the 15 minutes we caught--but delighted we got through the tsunami of young'uns to get to Sports Team.
Did the lake swimming on Saturday morning--but found it a bit odour'some (if I can describe it that way). Not sure whether that contributed to my decline on Sunday.
I was talking to a security lad after Working Men's Club, mentioning that they were very good. He brought me over to the lead singer. I told him that these things happen, not getting the big crowds (and that in my opinion, even though it was a great stage, it wasn't well advertised). However, I also told him (young fella) that you never try to piss off the 40 people that did come to see you by saying there's no-one f***ing here!. His father was there too. I don't think he'll do it again. Well, I hope he won't.
That's it for now!

Gaspode

What an amazing weekend, just trying to figure out who I saw and when. This is what I remember seeing anyway, I've lots of pics of acts on my phone and I had no idea who they were.
I wandered randomly a good bit and gave every act I came across at least 3 songs to win me over & make me stay - some did, some didn't.
Wasnt mad about the sound or general vibe around main stage at night & didn't spend too much time there.

Best EP for me so far, the lousy rain on Friday and the Sunday people arriving off their tits on drugs & drink the only downers. And having to leave early Sunday because of work on Monday

If you were at Foil Arms & Hog, I was the guy that they pulled out of the audience onto the stage, amazing buzz!

FRI
Roadhouse Doors - Salty dog
Harvest (Neil Young tribute) - Trailer Park
Niamh Keane - An pobail Gaelaige
Guna - Spike Island
Whistle - Spike Island (My own band - kinda had to go to that one!)
Hozier - Main Stage
International Teachers of Pop - Body & soul

SAT
Bootleg Beach Boys - Trailer Park
Riptide Movement - Main stage
Join me in the Pines - Jerry Fish
Jack O'Rourke - Jerry Fish
Crow black Chicken - Jerry fish (awesome as ever!)
San Patricio Mariachi Band - Jerry fish
Porcelain Doll - Salty dog
Foil Arms & Hog - Comedy tent
Thumper - Body & Soul (Also frickin awesome!)
Sack (I think) - Jerry fish
Echo & The Bunnymen (2 songs) - Electric Arena
Frank & Walters - Jerry fish
The Strokes - Main stage

SUN
Dublin Gospel Choir (what a start!) - Main stage
Wolff - Jerry Fish
Macushla - Spike Island
King Kong Company - Electric Arena
The Wha - Cosby Tent
Kevin McGahern - Comedy Tent
Fred Cooke - Comedy Tent
Johnny Marr - Electric Arena
Sing along social - Heineken live your music

Wooderson

ghostdancer wrote: »

EP these days doesn't hold a candle to Glastonbury.

Take away the many dreadful parts of EP these days (the overt corporate crap, the price gouging, the lack of free-flow, the ever-worsening crowd IMO), and Glastonbury still easily beats it.

Glasto beats everything tho. EP still a million miles better than that sham ATN.

jeditokingyoda

Wooderson wrote: »

Glasto beats everything tho. EP still a million miles better than that sham ATN.

Why do you call it a sham? Not trying to defend it or anything, I've never been. I'm considering going next year but I still need to be convinced as the lineup doesn't seem as strong as EP.

Wooderson

jeditokingyoda wrote: »

Why do you call it a sham? Not trying to defend it or anything, I've never been. I'm considering going next year but I still need to be convinced as the lineup doesn't seem as strong as EP.

I did Glasto, ATN and EP this year. ATN a distant 3rd.



Why i referred to it as a sham is obvious to anyone who reads these boards. They made so many basic and silly mistakes this year which ruined people's experience.


EP on the other hand - broadly speaking - an effortless enjoyment as per.

scruff monkey

sham : noun : a thing that is not what it is purported to be.

Think we can all agree that ATN purported to be a music festival, there was a music festival so not a sham.

They apparently had a lot of massive cockups, that would make them incompetent, but not a sham.

BullBlackNova

Wooderson wrote: »

I did Glasto, ATN and EP this year. ATN a distant 3rd.

Why i referred to it as a sham is obvious to anyone who reads these boards. They made so many basic and silly mistakes this year which ruined people's experience.

EP on the other hand - broadly speaking - an effortless enjoyment as per.

I think "sham" is over the top.

I had a very good weekend and so did an awful lot of other people - ATN is not without its issues, but it was far from a disaster either. The fact that the cheap tiers of tickets sold out so quickly after being released certainly suggests that plenty of people didn't have their weekend ruined.

If they can clean the toilets, the bins, increase the food and stagger the music better, they'll have fixed most of the problems right there.

The traffic is obviously a broader problem, as was their PR on the same, but surely the work with the gardaí and the local council will inform any necessary changes therein ahead of next year's festival.

ATN has some major advantages over EP - free flow booze, smaller crowds so it's easier to meet/find people. I also much preferred the ATN line up to the EP line up but, of course, that is totally subjective.

roll

endainoz wrote: »

I'm glad to report the mandolin came home from pink moon unharmed! Had a fantastic weekend and saw loads of who I wanted to see. Will do a bit of a more detailed post after a while to let it all sink in.

did you have a buddy with a tin whistle? if so I was camped beside ye!

Stillill42

jeditokingyoda wrote: »

Why do you call it a sham? Not trying to defend it or anything, I've never been. I'm considering going next year but I still need to be convinced as the lineup doesn't seem as strong as EP.

It's not a sham and I've had two great years there. Well one great, one middling. I've come away from this weekend though thinking how much more professionally run EP was. All the little things, stewarding, toilets, access, layout etc. I'm certainly holding fire on ATN this year, making them work a bit harder for my cash. I'll be splashing out on EP 2020 Saturday morning. I still find it hard to believe that I'm getting everything that I saw/ visited this weekend for 165 yoyos.

roll

Oh, and Mitski.

crystalbrite

Stillill42 wrote: »

It's not a sham and I've had two great years there. Well one great, one middling. I've come away from this weekend though thinking how much more professionally run EP was. All the little things, stewarding, toilets, access, layout etc. I'm certainly holding fire on ATN this year, making them work a bit harder for my cash. I'll be splashing out on EP 2020 Saturday morning. I still find it hard to believe that I'm getting everything that I saw/ visited this weekend for 165 yoyos.

Ya I agree. EP is more professionally run but it's had 10 years to sort out any issue and build it up slowly. Still glad to have ATN around to add some competition to the other festivals. Keep everyone on their game.

The public EP whatsapp group was a lot quieter than the ATN group. I guess a lot of the chatty people were in the private EP whatsapp.

Alkers

Wooderson wrote: »

I did Glasto, ATN and EP this year. ATN a distant 3rd.



Why i referred to it as a sham is obvious to anyone who reads these boards. They made so many basic and silly mistakes this year which ruined people's experience.


EP on the other hand - broadly speaking - an effortless enjoyment as per.

I did EP and Glasto as I couldn't make ATN with work but my crew did all three also. We drove to Glasto towing a trailer and it still took some of them longer to get to ATN, which is a complete farce. Especially when the festival is only 3 days, 1/3rd of it completely wasted.

EP is a nice middle ground for me, you get some of the madness of Glasto but it's not quite such an ordeal in terms of taking time off work, the travel and the amount of walking needed over the weekend.

Stillill42

crystalbrite wrote: »

Ya I agree. EP is more professionally run but it's had 10 years to sort out any issue and build it up slowly. Still glad to have ATN around to add some competition to the other festivals. Keep everyone on their game.

The public EP whatsapp group was a lot quieter than the ATN group. I guess a lot of the chatty people were in the private EP whatsapp.

You're dead right, competition good for everyone. Except the smaller festivals, maybe.

Regarding the Whatsapp group, I didn't join because I spent half an hour in the ATN one and I couldn't handle the volume of stuff. May I respectfully recommend the real life Boardsie meetup, which I found much more satisfying and provided me with all the info and chat I needed. The odd update on the actual thread is about all the phone action I can be doing with over the weekend.

alastair

I enjoyed ATN this year, had no traffic issues, and there’s nothing they could do about the weather, which was unfortunate. Poor toilet maintenance was a problem, but it’s not as if this has never happened at EP. Last year’s ATN was the best Irish festival that I’d been to since the early EP’s, and I’ll be back next year - i’ll be surprised if they haven’t upped their game.

This EP was a good year, but not without it’s own logistical cock-ups. And if Friday night’s rain had been during the daytime, you’d probably be hearing more complaints. I’ll be back next year too.

Granite Head

Finally getting my thoughts together on a great EP weekend. Confession to make - only been to one other EP and left early on the Sunday as could'nt hack the cold and wet of camping.

Because of a College reunion on Friday night only came down on Saturday. Left Dublin at 10.30 and was in Stradbally by 11.45 (Google maps sent me on back roads from Jn 13 Kildangan, Vicarstown, no EP signs and more importantly no traffic.) Picked up some cold cans in SV Stradbally then parked up in the back of Green carpark, downed a can while changing and getting organised. No queues for either wristband or arena entry so was inside at 1.15 - very happy with that. I got two pints and settled down on the grass in the main arena, looking up at the clear blue skies and the happy people around me I thought to myself life is indeed good.

Because I was solo I caught a lot of music as I was able to move from tent to tent as the mood took me.

Saturday:
The Riptide Movement (Nice background music for my pints)
Wild Youth (enjoyed this more than I expected)
Inhaler (Curious because of the Hewson connection, he is a good front man but the songs were a little meh!)
Charli XCX (This was my random act, popped in EA on the way to Maverick Sabre and stayed, surprisingly enjoyable)
Years & Years (I thought I saw Ollie in B&S Sunday night just wandering around with a minder - anyone else?)
Gerry Cinnamon (Just the end, not really my thing but the crowd was really up for him)
Christine & the Queens (Ok)
The Strokes (The band was tight but I thought Julian was a D@ck)
Maverick Sabre (Caught the beginning and end of this set but was underwhelmed, particularly the end)
Echo & the Bunnymen (played the hits I remembered, so happy but I thought the sound was bit muffled. Listening back to a video clip confirms the sound was poor)
Mango x Mathman (caught these twice (had'nt planned to see them in B&S) - great energy, great crowd interaction, my favourite act of Saturday)
Kelly-Anne Byrne
The Academic (Caught the two songs I knew at the end of the set so happy, big crowd in the JFCT for them)
The Frank & Walters ( Know I was there but can't remember much)
Just Mustard (caught the end of the set when I finally found the 3 Stage - missed Somebody's Child earlier in the day because I could'nt find this stage)
Otherkin (caught a small bit of the EA show and all of SD. Not familiar with them or their material but really enjoyed it. Is the dingy a regular part of their show or just the SD? Sad that they are disbanding)
The 2 Johnnies ( I randomly walked into Terminus, caught their last song (with Micky Harte?) Not my thing but drew a huge crowd. I am guessing its an "outside Dublin thing" akin to the Wagonwheel phenomenon (No disrespect I'm originally from the country).
Yankari (Saw them at ATN, probably my favourite act of that festival. Here I was a little underwhelmed possibly because of my energy levels and the small crowd in Trenchtown did'nt help)

Sunday:

Richard Ashcroft (I enjoyed this particularly the Verve songs)
Kodaline (caught the last few songs, I thought "Zombie" was a nice tribute to Delores. Huge crowd)
Florence & the Machine (left The Streets to catch her. When she was singing she was great but the gabbling and moralising between songs did my head in (along with the huge crowd) so I returned to The Streets - happy I did)
Fangcub (Great energy, first time seeing them but a little too early in the day for me)
King Kong Company (Great gig in EA, bringing on the 61 yr to say hello shows they're still down to earth despite their now huge following. Because of the same huge following they need to play in a larger arena but I am not sure would they lose some of the energy on the main stage. Caught most of the B&S gig after sneaking into the "locked down" B&S arena via the back of the toilets. Again a great gig but B&S main stage was dangerously full - probably the last time they'll play B&S because of H&S)
Johnny Marr (Along with KKC above my favourite gig of the day, despite the technical difficulties)
The Streets (Caught the beginning and second half of this - enjoyed)
Touts (smallish crowd in RW and the earlyish slot did'nt suit. Got the impression from the banter that they were on the Raz the night before so may account also for the low energy)
Le Boom (I have seen them a few times at festivals and they never disappoint. They seem to be "growing" into larger stages, very appreciative of the crowd and Aimee had a grin for the whole set)
Talos (Only caught a song or two)
All Tvvins ( Again only the first two songs)
Mitski ( I stayed for the first few songs, her overt disengagement and the "Pilates" from the table put me off but the songs were good I left for PC (below))
Parquet Courts (Enjoyed, lot of energy in the crowd - surfing & moshing)
The Pale (Caught a few songs including Butterfly so was happy)
Galway Street Club (Great energy to start the day)
State Lights (Great voice and enjoyed the Queen cover)
Bicurious (I have seen them before in the SD and the previous gig was more memorable - maybe it was just me)
Cathy Davey (Enjoyed but energy was flagging then)
David O'Doherty (Had'nt planned to see him (did'nt know who he was before the gig but recognised him from 8/10 Cats when he came on) but the timing (tired and needed a sit down) and location suited. Really enjoyed the gig and it was nice to experience something other than music)

Food by and large was good (albeit at festival prices) - honorable mention to Kinara and the Argentinian Barbeque

Only drinking Saturday as I drove home Sunday/Monday morning. Happy when I found the Lagunitas bar Saturday afternoon and Slane Whiskey for the evening.

I was generally there for live music but popped into the "Haunt" in B&S a few times - always good music and the "mirror" optical was fun when they could get participants. Also it was relatively warm inside at night.

I thought the crowd was less messy than at other festivals but I was'nt in any of the campsites (had a tent with me but decided to flog Saturday and sleep in the car). Other than the main arena after 10.00pm I thought the crowds were ok. Compared to other Irish festivals EP is a marathon but for breadth and variety of music there is no comparison. I will definitely be back just have to improve on the sleeping arrangements.

joe swanson

Been ten years since I was last at electric picnic. Was really looking forward to it. Delighted to see the strokes and Richard Ashcroft especially. Some real good music .

However lot of negatives for me.
It really has turned into an “oxegen” crowd. Large amount of absolute scumbags there off their trollies on drugs and whose sole intentions were to annoy others.

The increase in capacity has made a lot of areas uncomfortable and slightly claustrophobic and plans to increase capacity stink of money grabbing.

The age profile has dropped significantly. Mostly teenyboppers there.

Also the profiteering on drinks and food was bad. Drink was cheaper at slake surprisingly


That said I did enjoy it mostly but don’t think honk I’ll be back. I’m not exactly old , early 30s but just not my cup of tea anymore. Think I will look for alternative

Ferry.Man

First time at EP and well impressed with it. Had a ticket for last year but was unable to go so was looking forward to it for a long time! Found the thread very handy so sound for that!

Stayed in Janis Joplin young crowd there (including myself there) but no hassle or people slashing tents or anything like that around us(luckily) walking through Jimi Hendrix did seem a bit more messy alright!

Driving Monday morning was a pain though took us 3 hours to get out of the festival!

Made the mistake of missing a few acts for the craic and cans around the campsite but ill know for next year!

Half considering the campervan next year but do you know if you get the loyalty code discount for that ticket aswell?

Whats the vibe like compared to the regular camping? Was just thinking you can go meet your friends in the camp for a few cans and then head into the acts and at least you've a solid bed to come back to?

Rfrip

I’m never giving out bout the line up anymore
I missed loads of acts this year, I spent more time wandering around stumbling across stuff than going to acts I think?
Billie Eilish was cool!
James blake was brilliant, hardly anyone at him I thought, loads of space up the front. Neill Flynn in body and soul was brilliant.
Cannot believe I’m going to say this but one of my highlights were wild youth. Sun was shining, I’d had a good few beers, a few catchy songs and my little heart was full.
All plans to go see Christina and the queens but popped into sing along social on the way and couldn’t leave it. I don’t know what it is about it but it’s just pure joy.
Roisin Murphy was great, another one where the tent was half full. Saturday evening is a bit of a blur tbh, was at the strokes in body but mentally was somewhere else I feel. Was grand for kelly Anne Byrne then..she was brilliant
Sunday then I was rough. Could never really get going. Just shattered, was two very late nights Friday and Saturday night.

Negatives...I actually don’t have any tbh. Apart for the fact my body isn’t built for it. Really going to have to get fit for next year. Covered 56kms over the weekend. I wouldn’t drive that today for ya
Ep is for everyone which is what I love about it. I had the best moments in places trailer park, body and soul. It has its faults but they can be totally avoided.

I liked the fact you can move more freely to salty dog, we spent more time there than we ever have before. Didn’t get Freetown at all tbh, just seemed really sparse or something. Maybe we just didn’t hit it at the right times
Really missed mother djs closing Sunday night. Cynema is definitely up my street and if he comes to play near me I’d definitely go but I needed to hear a bit of toto to send me on my way home to finish the festival

Ok not sure if any of the above makes sense. Im still shattered. But that was my picnic and I loved it. The boards meet up pic is so lovely! Ye are a handsome bunch! Glad everyone here enjoyed it too....eagerly awaiting bodhrandudes review!

gauralordon

A very chilled picnic this year. Camped in Oscar Wilde again for the fourth year running. Perfect location but I do miss the horse jumps from the old Wilde campsite!

We made a real effort to keep our area nice and clean this year, left as little trace as possible (tidied every day, had bin bags tied up and left in a corner for bulldozers or clean up crew to grab as all bins were full).

Got to see loads of acts this year. My personal highlights were the new Freetown area (absolutely gorgeous food and decor, great place to chill before heading into the madness of the main stage and everything around it), Groove Armada and Berlinhaus.

Next year we’re hoping to do pink moon, harvest moon or Silk Road. Thankfully I have a week off this week before starting a new job next Monday because my body is still recovering! I honestly thought my tent was going to take flight during the wind and rain on Saturday morning, scariest thing ever!

Overall 10/10 again this year. Will be back again next year

List of who/what we saw:

Amelie Lens
Billie Eilish
Gerry Cinnamon
King Kong company
Kolsch
Mango X Mathman
Richard Ashcroft
The 1975
Years & Years
Berlinhaus
MØ
Groove armada

scruff monkey

joe swanson wrote: »

Been ten years since I was last at electric picnic. ....



The age profile has dropped significantly. Mostly teenyboppers there.

might I suggest that they've not gotten younger, you've gotten older.

Am 47 and I don't think the age profile has changed that much over the last few picnics, there's always kiddies but their concentration very much depends on the acts you go to.

There did seem to be an influx on the Sunday though which has been the norm for years now.

nc6000

scruff monkey wrote: »

There did seem to be an influx on the Sunday though which has been the norm for years now.

I noticed Sunday was a lot busier. Anyone know how many Sunday tickets are usually sold?

Stationmaster

First time going this year. Went with wife and 3 kids - 8, 6 & 4 - so my experience of the festival was somewhat different I'd imagine to most of ye! I was reluctant enough about going what with the weather warnings, kids ages, size of the place etc.

But I just want to say I thought it was ****in brilliant. I have not enjoyed a weekend as much I'd say since my wedding weekend. I was just blown away by the size of the place, the facilities on offer, the range of activities, not to mind the actual music and the amount of acts etc. Yea, there were some issues with guards sending us to wrong car park and stewards not knowing where certain places were etc but they were all small things and didn't take from the overall experience for us anyway.

The kids loved it, the wife loved it and we will be buying tickets Saturday for next year. Thanks to all on here who helped with bits of advice etc - it was very much appreciated.

endainoz

roll wrote:

did you have a buddy with a tin whistle? if so I was camped beside ye!

Yes indeed, that was us. Hopefully our group didn't annoy you too much! I was happy I brought it in the end alright, definitely need to learn more tunes though, repertoire is a bit small!