The first Electric Picnic in three years has kicked off in Stradbally, Co.Laois. Taking place from Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th September 2022, Ireland’s largest celebration of music and the arts returned with a splash, and a show stealing headlining slot from Dermot Kennedy.
Photo: Darren McLoughlin.
A sell out since it was announced in 2020, postponed and postponed again, 2022’s event kicked of a celebration for organisers, performers and its 70,000 attendees alike. With weather reports proving correct, the initial good weather may have give way to torrential rain as the night wore on, however this didn’t dampen the spirits of those on site.
With arrivers spewing onto the vast festival site on the grounds of Stradbally Hall throughout the morning and early afternoon, there was a real buzz in the air for those that had been waiting for the festival’s comeback.
With site improvements made in its absence, Picnickers were treated to a larger arena, repositioned stages and bars, and a greater range of facilities. With the main stage now relocated and open to a wider, vaster audience, this proved a particularly welcome upgrade.
It was arguably Friday night headliner Dermot Kennedy that stole the show on Electric Picnic's first day. Taking to the main stage to a capacity crowd, the Dublin singer songwriter proved not only a hugely popular headliner, but a real coup for organisers to have a homegrown act headlining Ireland’s biggest stage.
Taking in the reception he was receiving, the lost for words performer said; “Hello Electric Picnic. I don’t know what to say. I absolutely, definitely do not know what to say yet”. He continued. “For now I’ll say thank you for so much support for so many years. I’m so honoured proud to be here to share this moment with you”.
Going on to play the songs that built his reputation including fan-favourite ‘Outnumbered’ and Irish number one single ‘Giants’, Kennedy proved an inspired choice to close out day one.
With arrivers spewing onto the vast festival site on the grounds of Stradbally Hall throughout the morning and early afternoon, there was a real buzz in the air for those that had been waiting for the festival’s comeback.
With site improvements made in its absence, Picnickers were treated to a larger arena, repositioned stages and bars, and a greater range of facilities. With the main stage now relocated and open to a wider, vaster audience, this proved a particularly welcome upgrade.
It was arguably Friday night headliner Dermot Kennedy that stole the show on Electric Picnic's first day. Taking to the main stage to a capacity crowd, the Dublin singer songwriter proved not only a hugely popular headliner, but a real coup for organisers to have a homegrown act headlining Ireland’s biggest stage.
Taking in the reception he was receiving, the lost for words performer said; “Hello Electric Picnic. I don’t know what to say. I absolutely, definitely do not know what to say yet”. He continued. “For now I’ll say thank you for so much support for so many years. I’m so honoured proud to be here to share this moment with you”.
Going on to play the songs that built his reputation including fan-favourite ‘Outnumbered’ and Irish number one single ‘Giants’, Kennedy proved an inspired choice to close out day one.
Photo: Darren McLoughlin.
Elsewhere, alt rock pioneers Pixies proved a huge draw in the Electric Arena. The pre-grunge heroes who were a huge influence on Kurt Cobain, ploughed through some of their most well know tracks. Kicking off and instantly igniting the packed marque with ‘Gouge Away’, a rousing ‘This Monkey’s Gone To Heaven’ provided one of the most vocal singalongs of the day.
Electric Picnic 2022 follows one from 2019's event which saw Billie Eilish and Hozier come home, as well as explosive performances from Florence and the Machine and Johnny Marr. Electric Picnic continues on Saturday (3rd September) when Tame Impala and Picture This headline. Sunday’s bill sees Arctic Monkeys and Snow Patrol close out the event.
Electric Picnic 2022 follows one from 2019's event which saw Billie Eilish and Hozier come home, as well as explosive performances from Florence and the Machine and Johnny Marr. Electric Picnic continues on Saturday (3rd September) when Tame Impala and Picture This headline. Sunday’s bill sees Arctic Monkeys and Snow Patrol close out the event.
