Electric Picnic 2024 **No Ticket Sales / Requests** - Waiting in line, terrible time, over familiar

Before I move over full time to the 25 thread here is my review of EP 24.

As you know I felt the line up was weaker this year than most other years especially the mid tier, I recognise the headliners are generally not for me at this stage, but I had a list of bands happy to see with a pint in my hand and a short list of must sees.

On the train down got chatting to a girl from Donegal who told me that her friends had gone down the night before and that their drink had been robbed. They knew who did it but when they went to his tent neither he nor the drink was there so they unpegged his tent and hid it. So glad my brother in law lives in Portlaoise and i dont have to camp.

FRIDAY

My weekend started at Salty with Peer Pressure, a bunch of bare chested lads with loud guitars that looked like they were having the time of their lives. Met @darzog and @CoffeeImpala which added to the feel good factor (our paths would cross many times over the next few days). On then to Trailer Park for Dubh Lee who I saw a few years ago at night and day. She has a lovely voice and some very nice tunes however she was covering the RHCPs Californication album and while ok would have preferred her own stuff. Ran into @Kepler21 @desk tidy and @rubick so good to see a few of the boardsies still hanging in there. Caught a few tunes from Roisin El Cherif in Croi, nice voice, before the official start with TCM on Salty. I thought they were really good with a great crowd. The new singer has really grown into the role and I think he is better than his predecessor. @Navan Man01 recognised my t-shirt and introduced himself, another sound lad. Back to TP for Lost Apollo who I thought were very impressive, she has a great voice with some very enjoyable tunes. Trenchtown for the Bionic Rats next who were not as good as last year. Went to the bar by the main stage to catch a bit of SEB, caught Murder on the Dance Floor and Like a Prayer (was right to have on my playlist). She seemed like a bit of fun and the crowd were up for it. Then to the first of my 3 must sees on Friday, Newdad. Thought they were excellent, good crowd and the bonus of a Just Like Heaven cover. Caught a bit of Fangclub who sounded good before a bit of Mik Pyro. Not a fan of Republic of Loose so didn't go to see him last year but @Seathrun66 had talked him up so toddled along. Had a full band with him and he was really good so made a note to catch him fully on Saturday. May Kay joined him for a song, is there anyone she hasn't collaborated with at this stage? Then too my second must see Faithless. Was wondering what they would be like without Maxi and have to say I thought they were great and had the crowd in their hands for the full set. Really nice touch having Maxis image and voice for some songs, my gig of the weekend. Went to Kelly Anne Byrne but after Faithless she just wasn't doing it for me. Finished up with Melts, my last must see of the day, who I thought started slowly but really picked it up and put on a great gig in the end. The lead singer and @rubick had a hug and I reckon the lead singer is still telling everyone he got to hug the legend that is rubik. Had a good bop with darzog, rubick and @Penfailed. Headed for home after this with the bus dropping me off 20 seconds from brother in laws house, what a service.

SATURDAY

For me this was largely a day of new bands which is indicative of the line up from my perspective. Started with Winemom, easy listening nothing special though I did wonder which of the band member's mother had inspired the name. On then to the Clockworks who I really enjoyed. For me have bits of Fontaines and Murder Capital and the lead singer carries himself like Ian McCulloch of EATB. Think it was this gig I met @HarryTheSpider for the first of many times across the day. Some good chats about the lineup were had. Off to the Clifford's, The lead singer has a brilliant voice and was an enjoyable gig. My next two Cherym and the Big Sleep were filler for me as they were the best of what available and neither did it for me and only lasted a few songs at each. This was followed by the Cardinals who I enjoyed, thanks @Seathrun66 for the recommendation. Went to see Aoife Nilz and the Destruction and had a laugh when one of the singers forgot mics were on and shouted where were you dic*head you are fu*ckin late at the guitarist as he ran in. Band were a nice bit of noise with interesting cover of 99 red balloons. First proper visit to the main stage to see Kasabian who I had not seen since Tom left. Really enjoyed the gig great set list and got the crowd around me going. Apparently though based on subsequent conversations I had with some ladies I got it all wrong listening to the music as should have been admiring Serge's outfit that was unreal???? From one must see to another as I headed to The Waterboys who for some reason I had never seen live. They gave Faithless a run for their money as my gig of the weekend. Thought they were immense, great crowd atmosphere and what a finish with Whole of the Moon and Fisherman's Blues. Kept my promise to myself and caught Mik Pyro in Fishtown. Hadn't listened to him that much but enjoyed the gig, he has some voice and the band were very good. No May Kay this time but Stefan Murphy joined him. Finished the day with The Bonnevilles who make some sound for just two guys. Thanks @Penfailed for the recommendation and you deserved the shoutout from the band

SUNDAY

2024 has not been a great year for me in terms of exercise and the legs were feeling it but Orchard Thieves has great restorative powers (BTW Orchard Thieves Wild is awful). Sunday started with a must see The Stranglers who were brilliant. A warm sunny day, pint in hand, a decent crowd and @thebusher for company with some classic tunes, it doesn't get much better than this. Bushers friend who was there for the first time and sounded like a kid in a sweet shop made me wonder has going for so long made me forget how wonderful it is? From there to one of my finds of the weekend. Spiritual Cramp a guitar laden Californian band that gave their all. Will definitely be listening to them again. From one American to another but different genre with Darnell Cole and the Vibes. Some great blues guitar with good tunes, and merch on sale which was unusual. Over to TP for some reggae (very diverse range of music for me starting Sunday) with the Light runners, small enough crowd until they started the Marley tunes and steadily grew after that. Good fun and definitely won't forget the reggae version of Ride On. Continuing my diverse mix went to Rankins for Artemas who has exploded recently. Much smaller crowd than I expected but clash with the WT explained it. He had a guitarist and drummer which I didn't expect and thought as a result he was better than anticipated but needs to work on his stage presence. Then to Survivor for a bit of Karma Police with intentions of heading to my must see CMAT, however they were so good and crowd so into it could not drag myself away. Without a doubt the best cover band I have ever seen, note and sound perfect. Over to Mindfield to fill a gap watching Zombie (Cranberries cover band) great atmosphere before heading to Kylie. Was delayed getting there as I reunited a young Spanish lad with his lost Airpods, he had smartly put his phone number on the case. Caught about 30 mins of Kylie and that was enough to say saw her heard some tunes I knew and that she was OK live. Caught the end of The Year Grunge Broke with a bit of Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana. Had the place hopping and seemed like good fun. Finished my picnic with A Whole Lotta Zepp who were alright.

Pros

Some great music heard

Great company across the weekend from here

Being told by a girl I looked no more than 39 (I am 52)

Good weather

No trouble seen

Cons

Having to go to many cover bands and filler as options poor at times

Toilets were a disgrace, as was rubbish

New installations has reduced space so felt packed a lot of the time

People with too much drink, see story about my age above

Sister of girl above asking how much botox have I had.

Overall a good weekend but well down on my list of best EPs.

Was intending not to buy a ticket for next year until saw line up but my son got serious FOMO and is going next year and said he would love me to be at it as well so 2 tickets bought yesterday.

See you in 2025

Great review Mucker. Lovely story about the blind girl thinking you were 39.

That hurt. You are banished.

Great review see you in 25