Electric Picnic 2016 // **Discussion Only / NO Ticket Sales / Requests** //

I was with a different crew of people this year. Less into their music and more into just drifting around, so I was forced to be less adventurous and didn't visit any of the literary, alternative stuff. But I heard plenty of good music and managed to break away at various points to meet my house and techno requirements.

The mix of people has become very strange. Young families strolling around, often accompanied by older parents and grandparents, alongside people absolutely smashed on pills and powders.

Something that will stay with me was the expression of a young boy near the Circus, trying to make sense of the contorted face, arms and body of some poor chap that was really struggling with whatever he'd taken. Perhaps the kid thought there was something wrong with him, in terms of a mental disorder or whatever. Ultimately I don't know what he thought but it struck me as being quite sad for the child, and possibly unfair on him.

My only major issue is with the preponderance of little bars and mini-stages pumping out the same type of house music. Unless you're up toward the front half of the main stage, or in one of the tents, the only thing you'll hear is the constant clashing of various kick drums. It sounds awful.

A related issue is the layout. The Electric Arena, Rankin's Wood, Cosby and the Little Big Tent are all in a row and very close to each other. And of course there's a number of the aforementioned vendors dotted along that route, along with Jerry Fish, so it's a constant soundclash. I hate to talk about 'back in the day' but I used to love relaxing right outside a tent at Witnness or the first EPs. Having a beer and chatting to mates but having an ear on whoever was playing inside. That's not possible anymore, at least along that stretch.

Anyway, I had a great time. EP is still a very good festival. It's not one of the best anymore. There was a time when it was my favourite in Europe, with the possible exception of Sonar, which admittedly is a very different type of experience. But that day is over. The only thing that they've kept is the name, and of course there's little pockets of creative mad-hatters that inject some of the old flavour here and there. But like Witnness, Oxegen and Garden Party, the vibe has been changed by promoters looking to make more money and/or by people that cannot handle alcohol and drugs.

I'll always return because I live so close. I'd be mad not to. But like this year, my festival quota will be met at oversees festivals and EP will be used to bring the summer to a close.

So well done to everyone for making it a good weekend, and thanks to the rain and wind for renewing an age-old rivalry that on some level I quite enjoy.

sadie06 wrote: »

Pickpocket you seem like the person to ask for a recommendation of a truly family friendly festival in Europe.

I'm not. I don't have kids and the majority of festivals I attend are dedicated electronic festivals and absolutely not suitable for children.

However if you've ever been to a festival in Europe, particularly Spain or France, you'll know that the attitude to alcohol and drugs is totally different. Hell, even Amsterdam, of all places, can be quite composed when compared to the Irish crowd at EP.

So I'm sorry I can't be of more help. But I suspect that if a European festival is marketed as 'family friendly' that claim would have a lot more substance. That's not to knock EPs efforts in that regard because I know young families that have been very complimentary of EPs efforts over the years.

However (and correct me if I'm wrong), 'family friendly' shouldn't just mean a quieter campsite and a shorter walk. It should focus on how appropriate it is for children. That's for every parent to decide. As I said, I don't have children, but as an uncle that plays a big role in the lives of my nieces and nephews, I have issues with how EP is being marketed as family friendly when the festival has been pushed to its current size, and given our attitude toward alcohol and drugs.

But please correct me. I'd love to hear from some parents detailing their most recent experience.

scruff monkey wrote: »

Found it really funny last night that a bunch of utter knuckle draggers beered out of their tiny little minds were repeating a chant of "waaaaan maaare choooon" over and over again at the tops of their voices and they looked like they'ed do well in a one on one with a gorilla, as soon as Miss Lana started singing, they knew every word.

File those alongside the legion of spoiled brats to the 'roysh' of the stage for LCD Soundsystem, aggressively pushing their way to the front to see a band they'd never heard of 2 weeks ago.

scruff monkey wrote: »

We were kinda worried that these would kick off and not in a good way, but they were transfixed by her (totally out of their gourds but grand once they had her)

Well not everyone with a working-class accent is a knuckle-dragging scumbag with a tiny mind.

Indeed, not everyone with a so-called posh accent is a spoiled brat.

But class is very much alive in Ireland and not even the love and positivity of a soggy Laois forest can make us leave it at home.

I've just realised that LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy has performed at the last three EPs. He played a DJ set in 2014 and then Despacio last year.

Can anyone think of another artist of his stature that's played three or more back to back EPs?

scruff monkey wrote: »

Well if you have one, then don't project it on to me.

Alright bud.