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

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  • Registered Users Posts: 12,266 ✭✭✭✭bodhrandude


    Saturday

    Kneecap (two clips)




    Christine & The Queens.


    Yankari.


    Richie Hawtin.


    Four Tet.

    If you want to get into it, you got to get out of it. (Hawkwind 1982)



  • Registered Users Posts: 12,266 ✭✭✭✭bodhrandude


    My only clips for Sunday as I spent the last of it sitting in the Haunt taking photos, shazaming music (Which I'll feature some of the identified tracks in blog review) and playing the bodhran and eventually falling asleep and getting woken by security and getting kicked out of the Haunt at 4.40 AM and taking my last Picnic photos of Body&Soul before departing to my tent. :)

    Johnny Marr (Two clips).




    Richard Ashcroft.

    If you want to get into it, you got to get out of it. (Hawkwind 1982)



  • Registered Users Posts: 657 ✭✭✭sally cinnamon89


    Seathrun66 wrote: »
    Short term ATN are going for an older demographic. Long-term they're going for the same demographic as EP, which is everyone.

    They're in direct competition, as shown by EP announcements last year and ATN early-birds on Sat before EP get theirs out. Both promoters are aware that only one of the festivals will survive another recession.

    Thus very comparable, I hope both thrive and there are positive points for each but I personally wouldn't take a chance on going to ATN next year. Though if it was on my doorstep, as it is for you Pablo, I'd be there in a heartbeat.

    They’re not competing for the same punters I would say. EP are going for the younger demographic for sure with the recent bookings. ATN is going for the older folk.
    20,000 vs 60,000. It’s hard to see real competition here. EP is the big dog and ATN aren’t going after that. They’re just aiming for the audience that have become put out by EP’s recent move. Example is going free flow.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,300 ✭✭✭Stillill42


    They’re not competing for the same punters I would say. EP are going for the younger demographic for sure with the recent bookings. ATN is going for the older folk.
    20,000 vs 60,000. It’s hard to see real competition here. EP is the big dog and ATN aren’t going after that. They’re just aiming for the audience that have become put out by EP’s recent move. Example is going free flow.

    Jury's out on that. That's their initial pitch but they had an aggressive expansion plan in place till they put the mockers on it this year with the traffic fiasco. They're getting a foothold but even this year, there was much more dance and electronic music in evidence. Walking back to the campsite from the main arena late, dance is all you heard and there was plenty of gangs of young lads/ girls giving it socks. Nothing wrong with that but I think assuming that they're satisfied with the likes of me as the future of the festival is naive.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,523 ✭✭✭Thundercats Ho


    Stillill42 wrote: »
    Jury's out on that. That's their initial pitch but they had an aggressive expansion plan in place till they put the mockers on it this year with the traffic fiasco. They're getting a foothold but even this year, there was much more dance and electronic music in evidence. Walking back to the campsite from the main arena late, dance is all you heard and there was plenty of gangs of young lads/ girls giving it socks. Nothing wrong with that but I think assuming that they're satisfied with the likes of me as the future of the festival is naive.

    I wasn't there, but a mate of mine was, and said the same (boom boom music as he calls it).
    He said in a way it worked out as they were fresh as a daisy each morning as that type of music isn't their thing, but it's in contrast to the picnic where you can roam around till all hours and see loads of different genres catered to.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,346 ✭✭✭Mrs Shuttleworth


    Some scary stories of Friday night in the Main Arena on the FB banter page. One lady was trampled on underfoot and passed out. Saw the pic BodhranDude posted earlier.

    Would really appreciate if someone could explain what might have caused that crush. For those of us who weren't there it's hard to visualise the changes.

    I recall quite a heave of punters at Dua Lipa last year and a bit of a mill afterwards near the Heineken and toilets to the stage left but nothing like what's being described now which is worrying for those of us thinking of buying tix on Sat.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,216 ✭✭✭nc6000


    Would really appreciate if someone could explain what might have caused that crush. For those of us who weren't there it's hard to visualise the changes.

    We got caught up in the crush leaving Billie Eilish. It wasn't nice.

    On Friday there was a barrier running across the main arena parallel to the main stage in line with the sound stage/platform in the center of the arena.

    It meant everyone leaving had to funnel out through the gaps to the side of the barrier, you couldn't just walk out in whichever direction you wanted if that makes sense.

    We got caught up near the barrier having to walk alongside it and when I tired to alert a steward to what was going on he didn't seem too bothered.

    The barrier was gone on Saturday.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,501 ✭✭✭PabloAndRoy


    Seathrun66 wrote: »
    Short term ATN are going for an older demographic. Long-term they're going for the same demographic as EP, which is everyone.

    They're in direct competition, as shown by EP announcements last year and ATN early-birds on Sat before EP get theirs out. Both promoters are aware that only one of the festivals will survive another recession.

    Thus very comparable, I hope both thrive and there are positive points for each but I personally wouldn't take a chance on going to ATN next year. Though if it was on my doorstep, as it is for you Pablo, I'd be there in a heartbeat.

    Those actions you mention are business related (and quite petty imho) rather than operational. We know there is no love lost between these promoters. But it is like comparing a graduate with 2 years experience with a PhD researcher with 15 years experience. That graduate will not be perfect but may progress to do a PhD in the future or move to a job in industry and maintain a solid career in a specialist topic. We just do not know at this stage.

    Both sold out for 2019 and likely both will sell out for 2020. That's not competition. But it is indicative of a (current) healthy market with room for both. Long may they both survive.

    I went to both this year and will again next year because both of them appeal to me and I had a great weekend at both this year and last. Sure, if ATN were in Galway, would I be inclined to pull a caravan all the way up there? I am not sure that I would. But as it is both are within easy reach for me.


  • Registered Users Posts: 19,307 ✭✭✭✭alastair


    I went to both ATN and EP this year. All differences aside, last year’s ATN was a joy, and there’s been EP’s that just fell flat for me. You pays your money and take your chances. I’ll go to both again next year, despite the toll on the body.

    Re ATN and dance music later in the day. It’s not entirely a monopoly. There were non-dance options until 3.00 or thereabouts each night.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,512 ✭✭✭rubick


    Also did ATN and the Picnic this year; we aren't rushing to buy ATN tickets this year (plus we're waiting to see how the Glastonbury lottery works out). We did three festivals inside about 2 months this year (Glastonbury/ATN/EP).

    ATN was great - but we did a stopover on the Thursday in Naas meaning we had a straight run to the carparks for about 10.30am. Still didn't get into the arena until about 1pm, stuck in *that* slope of a lane, battling wasps and people who can't pack trolleys. I wouldn't have rated the experience our friend from Down had - 4 hours travel time and 4 hours in the traffic chaos. She ended up heading home on the Sunday morning because she was so annoyed with the whole thing - and she's a huge fan of The National so missed them the Sunday evening.

    If we're lucky, Glastonbury and EP will do us; if not we might try Body & Soul or go on one of those 'holiday' things people keep talking about.

    We'll definitely be at EP though.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 657 ✭✭✭sally cinnamon89


    Stillill42 wrote: »
    Jury's out on that. That's their initial pitch but they had an aggressive expansion plan in place till they put the mockers on it this year with the traffic fiasco. They're getting a foothold but even this year, there was much more dance and electronic music in evidence. Walking back to the campsite from the main arena late, dance is all you heard and there was plenty of gangs of young lads/ girls giving it socks. Nothing wrong with that but I think assuming that they're satisfied with the likes of me as the future of the festival is naive.

    With the current site the room for major expansion seems very limited - as witnessed this year. Unless they intent to build some new roads straight across portlaw. There was the same numbers of dance stages as the first year if I recall - possibly the addition of the jungle stage in the woods (name escapes me). I’m
    Open to correction but I didn’t feel like there was a greater amount that previous years. Maybe they are aiming for that and if so I don’t see it happening. Ep is the major player and will continue to be for years I imagine.
    Next year is a big one for festivals here - a lot of players in the game with the return of Castlepalooza, new site for Beatyard - ATN fixing issues etc.


  • Registered Users Posts: 10,894 ✭✭✭✭phantom_lord


    Fatfrog wrote: »
    I can't understand why the late KKC gig wasn't in Freetown/terminus!!

    That would have made more sense logistically but I think it was a bit of nostalgia.
    I think it was a throw back, they played their first gig at the body and soul stage six years so.

    There was serious discussion about not having it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 218 ✭✭fish_fingers


    Good post there a while back with the comparison of ATN and EP. However, good comment too that why compare. Can see both sides to it.

    I've now let the cold light of early September settle on my thoughts and sensing the change in weather, I also sense the change in EP for probably the first real time. Don't get me wrong, I saw some great bands over the weekend, but I was nearly on my own, bar some of the people here. There were times, in EP this weekend, that I almost felt alone, looking into the people coming and going. For me, there was a missing clientele, there were plenty of people flocking to the big names, and that's their prerogative. There was a lack of people willing to look under the covers and take a punt on something alternative to the popular. I don't want to stereotype.

    EP have attempted to cater for all, but my fear is that there was a "gig attendee counter" at each act and that they may abandon the alternative. In my opinion, it was shocking that a band could play to less than 30, 40 or 50 people with 57,500 people milling around, no matter who they were.

    There were also a higher number of rude people, those especially who feel that it's ok to make a beeline through the crowd to get to the front, or the back. I also felt the crowd surges and lack of places for crowds to dissipate--that was very uncomfortable.

    I was at ATN and EP this year, and there's a strong possibility that I will only be at one next year. I did the 8 hour trip for ATN from Dublin, but for me, it was special. Alas, what with the expected increase in numbers for next year, I believe that it will not be EP; and I will miss the buildup; but, for the reasons above, I have a similar sentiment that was once written; I think that maybe "The Thrill is Gone".


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,150 ✭✭✭Seathrun66


    They’re not competing for the same punters I would say. EP are going for the younger demographic for sure with the recent bookings. ATN is going for the older folk.
    20,000 vs 60,000. It’s hard to see real competition here. EP is the big dog and ATN aren’t going after that. They’re just aiming for the audience that have become put out by EP’s recent move. Example is going free flow.

    Oh, but they are. Or were until the fiasco this Summer. It'll be interesting to see what capacity they're allowed for 2020.

    They've a ten year deal at the site and increased the numbers from 12,500 sold in 2018 to 22,500 this year (EP never attempted to near-double in size in its early years). The size of the site can supposedly take a much higher capacity and that was probably the original plan but may need to be scaled back until better infrastructure is in place.

    Long-term I'd expect that ATN wish to pass EP in terms of numbers which can easily happen if the former keep expanding and the latter drops in numbers. However the Picnic brand is strong and it'll take a lot to shift it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,150 ✭✭✭Seathrun66


    Those actions you mention are business related (and quite petty imho) rather than operational. We know there is no love lost between these promoters. But it is like comparing a graduate with 2 years experience with a PhD researcher with 15 years experience. That graduate will not be perfect but may progress to do a PhD in the future or move to a job in industry and maintain a solid career in a specialist topic. We just do not know at this stage.

    Both sold out for 2019 and likely both will sell out for 2020. That's not competition. But it is indicative of a (current) healthy market with room for both. Long may they both survive.

    I went to both this year and will again next year because both of them appeal to me and I had a great weekend at both this year and last. Sure, if ATN were in Galway, would I be inclined to pull a caravan all the way up there? I am not sure that I would. But as it is both are within easy reach for me.

    If ATN retain (or increase) the current capacity I'd not be greatly confident of them selling out again. EP will.

    And I respectfully disagree with your analogy. The range of acts varied between the festivals in 2018 and 2019 but they won't if ATN gets up to 40,000.

    I agree re room for both, but if there's another recession there's only room for one. I also fear for Body & Soul.


  • Registered Users Posts: 21 Plush289


    Seathrun66 wrote: »
    If ATN retain (or increase) the current capacity I'd not be greatly confident of them selling out again. EP will.

    I think ATN will comfortably sell out once the first few acts are announced. Almost on Tier 5 now although obviously selling a lot slower than last year


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,924 ✭✭✭Ricosruffneck


    Plush289 wrote: »
    I think ATN will comfortably sell out once the first few acts are announced. Almost on Tier 5 now although obviously selling a lot slower than last year

    I don't think the tier determines how well ATN are doing.

    I reckon they have really small numbers of the lower tiers. POD are imo less customer friendly when it comes to early birds.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,150 ✭✭✭Seathrun66


    Plush289 wrote: »
    I think ATN will comfortably sell out once the first few acts are announced. Almost on Tier 5 now although obviously selling a lot slower than last year

    How many cheaper tickets are they actually selling? Can't be many if finances are tight. Primavera Sound sold their first few tiers early last year but were far from selling out come May. And as before all depends on capacity and what they're allowed. If forcibly reduced they'll have to cut back on intended major acts plus the number of acts.

    On reflection they'll likely sell 20k, maybe 22.5k if allowed that number and they have Thursday entry.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,150 ✭✭✭Seathrun66


    Hey slackers, four days on and still not a hell of a lot of work getting done.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,150 ✭✭✭Seathrun66


    Good post there a while back with the comparison of ATN and EP. However, good comment too that why compare. Can see both sides to it.

    I've now let the cold light of early September settle on my thoughts and sensing the change in weather, I also sense the change in EP for probably the first real time. Don't get me wrong, I saw some great bands over the weekend, but I was nearly on my own, bar some of the people here. There were times, in EP this weekend, that I almost felt alone, looking into the people coming and going. For me, there was a missing clientele, there were plenty of people flocking to the big names, and that's their prerogative. There was a lack of people willing to look under the covers and take a punt on something alternative to the popular. I don't want to stereotype.

    EP have attempted to cater for all, but my fear is that there was a "gig attendee counter" at each act and that they may abandon the alternative. In my opinion, it was shocking that a band could play to less than 30, 40 or 50 people with 57,500 people milling around, no matter who they were.

    There were also a higher number of rude people, those especially who feel that it's ok to make a beeline through the crowd to get to the front, or the back. I also felt the crowd surges and lack of places for crowds to dissipate--that was very uncomfortable.

    I was at ATN and EP this year, and there's a strong possibility that I will only be at one next year. I did the 8 hour trip for ATN from Dublin, but for me, it was special. Alas, what with the expected increase in numbers for next year, I believe that it will not be EP; and I will miss the buildup; but, for the reasons above, I have a similar sentiment that was once written; I think that maybe "The Thrill is Gone".

    I only found this at the non-signposted 3 Stage. Otherwise I thought there were healthy audiences at the other stages, no more nor less than previous years. When there are 27 listed stages (plus other smaller ones in cafes, etc) some acts are going to lose out.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,501 ✭✭✭PabloAndRoy


    Seathrun66 wrote: »
    If ATN retain (or increase) the current capacity I'd not be greatly confident of them selling out again. EP will.

    And I respectfully disagree with your analogy. The range of acts varied between the festivals in 2018 and 2019 but they won't if ATN gets up to 40,000.

    I agree re room for both, but if there's another recession there's only room for one. I also fear for Body & Soul.

    ATN have stated that they are not increasing capacity next year.

    I stand by my original statement that comparison is a bit apples and oranges.

    In 2018 when I was at ATN, I was thinking "B&S are going to feel this next year" and I think they did. I wasn't thinking "I'll bet EP are sh1tting themselves".

    Edit: Campervan & caravan tickets for ATN are showing as "Limited Availability" but when you click through none are available. I think that is pretty indicative of good sales to date.


  • Registered Users Posts: 657 ✭✭✭sally cinnamon89


    Seathrun66 wrote: »
    Oh, but they are. Or were until the fiasco this Summer. It'll be interesting to see what capacity they're allowed for 2020.

    They've a ten year deal at the site and increased the numbers from 12,500 sold in 2018 to 22,500 this year (EP never attempted to near-double in size in its early years). The size of the site can supposedly take a much higher capacity and that was probably the original plan but may need to be scaled back until better infrastructure is in place.

    Long-term I'd expect that ATN wish to pass EP in terms of numbers which can easily happen if the former keep expanding and the latter drops in numbers. However the Picnic brand is strong and it'll take a lot to shift it.

    Same capacity for next year. I would have to disagree - there is large space for expansion on the site but I don’t think they have the financial muscle for anything more than 35,000. I don’t see this replacing EP. The festival republic backing is so strong - in the their ability to book these high tier acts. With the financial woes of POD to factor in too.

    Interesting thought anyway. I would love to see ATN go down the GreenMan Festival way if things. Booking strong mid tier indie acts and giving them a platform - but that’s just me.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,637 ✭✭✭endainoz


    Body and soul didn't sell out this year at all did it? And it had arguably the best weather. Its one I'd love to go to but it's too close to the local folk festival here, can't be giving that up!


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,501 ✭✭✭PabloAndRoy


    Seathrun66 wrote: »
    I only found this at the non-signposted 3 Stage. Otherwise I thought there were healthy audiences at the other stages, no more nor less than previous years. When there are 27 listed stages (plus other smaller ones in cafes, etc) some acts are going to lose out.

    I had at least 4 acts on my list on that stage. I didn't get to see any of those. I know where the stage is as we walked past it Friday coming in but I calculated that by the time I would get up there, there would be a few minutes left in the set and I would then be rushing bak down to Cosby/Rankin's for my next act. We spent most of weekend around the 3 main tents.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,150 ✭✭✭Seathrun66


    ATN have stated that they are not increasing capacity next year.

    I stand by my original statement that comparison is a bit apples and oranges.

    In 2018 when I was at ATN, I was thinking "B&S are going to feel this next year" and I think they did. I wasn't thinking "I'll bet EP are sh1tting themselves".

    Edit: Campervan & caravan tickets for ATN are showing as "Limited Availability" but when you click through none are available. I think that is pretty indicative of good sales to date.

    Don't they always sell before anything else? Unfortunately a tout's favourite too. EP's will be gone by Sat afternoon.

    FR aren't currently worried but a resurgent POD festival combined with a recession (due to Brexit fallout/trade wars, etc) puts EP in a precarious position. budgeting for 60k and getting 50k for a couple of years is a problem.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,512 ✭✭✭rubick


    Jeez, this is a bit grim. Fella that was working at this year's Picnic missing:
    https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/electric-picnic-2019-worker-missing-19568348


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,501 ✭✭✭PabloAndRoy


    Seathrun66 wrote: »
    Don't they always sell before anything else? Unfortunately a tout's favourite too. EP's will be gone by Sat afternoon.

    FR aren't currently worried but a resurgent POD festival combined with a recession (due to Brexit fallout/trade wars, etc) puts EP in a precarious position. budgeting for 60k and getting 50k for a couple of years is a problem.

    It is a relatively recent thing. Seven years ago we bought an EP campervan ticket the week before the event. I think the early sell out of campervans is about 4 years old for EP. I got caught out 4 years ago as I was "I will pick that up later in the year". Was sitting around with my mates at SOFF (late September) and they mentioned that the campervans were sold out. My hear sank. I did pick one up through toutless from a sound cork fellow a week before the festival at face value.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,300 ✭✭✭Stillill42


    I had at least 4 acts on my list on that stage. I didn't get to see any of those. I know where the stage is as we walked past it Friday coming in but I calculated that by the time I would get up there, there would be a few minutes left in the set and I would then be rushing bak down to Cosby/Rankin's for my next act. We spent most of weekend around the 3 main tents.

    But that was the beauty of the new Salty Dog etc access. It was 5 mins from Cosby to the Made for Music stage. Much more accessible than most people seemed to think.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,150 ✭✭✭Seathrun66


    It is a relatively recent thing. Seven years ago we bought an EP campervan ticket the week before the event. I think the early sell out of campervans is about 4 years old for EP. I got caught out 4 years ago as I was "I will pick that up later in the year". Was sitting around with my mates at SOFF (late September) and they mentioned that the campervans were sold out. My hear sank. I did pick one up through toutless from a sound cork fellow a week before the festival at face value.

    I remember pals struggling to get campervan tickets in 2010/11/12 yet several available for hugely inflated prices online. I've never worked out why they don't tie the campervan tickets to general sales tickets to block touts. Lack of interest on FR's part I presume.

    Had I the cash your route is the way I'd go to every fest Pablo. Thursday entry another big bonus and I've never heard my pals have anything negative to say about their campervan festival experiences.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,501 ✭✭✭PabloAndRoy


    Stillill42 wrote: »
    But that was the beauty of the new Salty Dog etc access. It was 5 mins from Cosby to the Made for Music stage. Much more accessible than most people seemed to think.

    Is it really only 5 minutes?. My head always tells that it's miles away even if it isn't in reality.


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