The lineup for Electric Picnic 2015 has been announced and it’s not one bit shabby. With a delightful blend of the up-and-comers and old favourites, this is shaping up to be best one yet.
Take it all in as it comes, this is far from the last of it, but it’s a pretty good start…
There is no stopping this star’s meteoric rise to the top since FLORENCE + THE MACHINE delivered her mind blowing performance at her very first Irish gig in a small tent at Electric Picnic ’08. Those lucky enough to see her knew they were in the presence of greatness. Since then she has continued to unleash her ethereal, near operatic live performances across the globe. With the release of her eagerly anticipated third album How Big How Blue How Beautiful, her giddy ascent to the top has been cemented. This September she returns to Stradbally storming the main stage with her power house vocals which are guaranteed to have Florence fans in a frenzy.
Born Slippy electronic duo UNDERWORLD will be helping revellers dance into the wee hours of the night performing epic tracks from the 20th anniversary of their album dubnobasswithmyheadman along with other landmark hits. Having last visited Stradbally in 2011 this is a welcome return for a band who garnered rave reviews for their EP performance and were regarded as one of the ‘must see’ acts that year.
Having first graced the Stradbally stage back in 2007, MANIC STREET PREACHERS need no introduction. Futurology the Manic’s 12th studio album was released in July 2014 and received immediate critical acclaim. They are currently on the 20th Anniversary Holy Bible Tour which will see them take in dates across North America, playing tracks from that album. Manic’s fans will be treated to a blistering set this September, expect tracks from Holy Bible and Futurology.
Sing it back Picnickers!! Seven years after her last solo album Overpowered, RÓISÍN MURPHY is back with a much-anticipated new album early this year. Her appearance at Electric Picnic will debut brand new tracks alongside her armory of dance floor hits. Róisín Murphy gained fame with Mark Brydon as the lead vocalist for UK electronic act Moloko, and in recent years has teamed up with Ibiza favourites Luca C and Brigante, providing vocals for club smashes Invisions and Flash of Light and a collaboration with Hot Natured to create the club classic Alternate State.
The three Australian musical mavericks that make up TAME IMPALA are sure to get Picnickers dancing with their soft, intoxicating rock music from their highly acclaimed second album Lonerism. The psychedelic rock outfit are making their debut at Electric Picnic and will be seriously festival fit after a summer of playing festivals across the world.
HOT CHIP’s festival calendar will see them headline in Europe throughout the summer and they are sure to have Picnickers Ready for the Floor, bringing their upcoming album Why Make Sense? to life in Stradbally this September. The five-piece British electronic band have had a great start to 2015 playing BBC 6 Music Festival so it’s onwards and upwards to their performance at Electric Picnic.
What a great way to kick off your Picnic on Friday night as beloved Scottish indie pop band BELLE AND SEBASTIAN take to the stage headlining the Heineken Electric Arena. Belle and Sebastian are unique, modest, unpredictable and fiercely loved. Expect to be treated to tracks from their recently released album Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance embracing electronic, dance floor–friendly sounds.
THE WAR ON DRUGS are enjoying the biggest year of their career to date, with their latest release Lost in the Dream nominated for Album of the Year 2014 by a raft of different music critics around the world. Led by singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist Adam Granduciel, The War On Drugs fresh from their recent performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, will prove a sure crowd pleaser and quite a trip for Picnickers with their indie rock style of psychedelia and shuddering rhythm sections.
Having stormed the charts with Budapest GEORGE EZRA is sure to get a huge crowd at this year’s Electric Picnic. Ezra found his way onto numerous Ones To Watch 2014 lists and has become a Top Ten staple with his debut album Wanted On Voyage. He is sure to warm the souls of Picnickers with his booming, bluesy voice this September.
Their appearance on David Letterman last March drew them unprecedented attention with the clip of their performance viewed by over 3 million viewers. Since then, American electro pop group FUTURE ISLANDS have made numerous TV appearances across the globe from Jimmy Kimmel Live to Jools Holland and garnered amazing reviews for their live shows. We can’t wait to see them with Seasons on their side this September in Stradbally.
Although there’s actually six of them, JURASSIC 5 are back for more. After a ten year hiatus, the group will bring their renowned party show with them. The Picnic welcomes them back with open arms looking forward to their hip-hop style. We are in for a huge treat.
Synth-pop sensations CHVRCHES are making a very welcome return to the Electric Picnic line-up, considered by many as one of the highlights of 2013. The Scottish three-piece will be treating us to electronic hits from their first album The Bones of What You Believe. Fast becoming festival stalwarts, this electro pop band have perfected their performance for festival crowds. Picnickers will be delighted with the trio blasting their famous dance tracks across the fields of Stradbally.
Great news for Picnickers, RIDE have reunited and confirmed a series of live dates for 2015 including this year’s Electric Picnic. Comprising of singers/guitarists Andy Bell and Mark Gardener, bassist Steve Queralt and drummer Laurence Colbert the group broke up in 1996. With the recent revival of shoegazing acts, the time is ripe for a reunion.
Expert artist and producer, JON HOPKINS makes his Picnic debut this coming September. His latest album, Late Night Tales is a mix series featuring Yeasayer’s I Remember. His past work includes daring remixes for artists such as Coldplay, Moderat, Wild Beasts, Nosaj Thing, James Yorkston, Four Tet and David Lynch; and film scores for directors including Peter Jackson. Ranging from solo acoustic piano performances to explosive, bass-heavy electro sounds, Hopkins is an accomplished talent that still has an unpredictable future yet to forge.
Following a lengthy hiatus, experimental rock trio BATTLES are back in studio and will be taking to the stage in Stradbally this summer to remind us what we’ve been missing. Their last studio album Dross Glop was an overwhelming success welcomed by fans and critics alike and the band is currently working on its third offering. The Picnic will be an eagerly anticipated stop on their festival circuit for fans.
Eclectic rockers MY MORNING JACKET are definitely one to catch this year. With 15 years of festival experience under their belt including sets at Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza and performances at renowned venues such as Red Rocks and Madison Square Gardens, they have earned a reputation as being one the best live acts around. If the Huffington Post is anything to go by then you will find us in the front row “Being at a My Morning Jacket show is being in the presence of true rock and roll……..MMJ’s performance is nothing short of miraculous”- Huffington Post.
Music journalist turned singer-songwriter, JESSIE WARE will be warming the souls of rugged Picnickers with her sultry and sensual live performance this September. She has had a busy few years, with nominations for awards such as the Mercury Prize, MOBOS and the Brits, collaborations with Ed Sheeran, SBTRKT and Disclosure and released a top ten album in 2014. Recently, Irish fans have been treated to performances at Dingle’s Other Voices and Dublin’s Academy, so if you missed her there you can catch her light up the Stradbally stage!
Having disappeared from view for more than a year, DJANGO DJANGO finally emerged from the studio in February to announce their long awaited second album Born Under Saturn due to be released in May. Tipped to head in a heavier dance direction, it is the band’s first album since their astonishing eponymous debut in 2012 which marked them as one of Britain’s hottest new bands and earned them a Mercury Prize nomination.
It’s another first for Electric Picnic with LOW as the Minnesota trio bring their indie rock intimate acoustic sound to the fields of Stradbally. Described by some as ‘slow core Ramones’, fans can expect some wondrous moments as they perform tracks from their current album The Invisible Way.
Aussie rockers POND started out as a collaboration encouraging multiple musicians to play whatever they wanted. Incredibly prolific, since their inception in 2008 they have released an unbelievable six albums, in fact they record albums faster than their label can release them! Their latest offering Man, It Feels Like Space Again is their most focused composition to date. This mirrors their touring efforts, dynamic and enthralling live show, media buzz and essentially, the maturation of a musical career a long time in the making.
TOURIST is the musical moniker of producer William Phillips. Combining emotive sensibilities with innovative production, he incorporates his love for analogue tapes and field recordings with his passion for synthesizers and sampling to create a euphoric but melancholic sound. He is also currently celebrating his first Grammy win having picked up the prestigious ‘Song of the Year’ award in February for co-writing Sam Smith’s huge hit Stay With Me.
Canadian post punk trio METZ released their eponymous debut album in 2012, which earned them enormous critical praise and saw the album shortlisted to the 2013 Polaris Music Prize. This May will see the release of Metz II which is sure to please fans of their post-hardcore style. If you like your music loud then get ready for your ear drums to take some decibels.
Far from what is says on the tin, GIRL BAND are a four piece noise rock band from Dublin. With an album due out later this year they are bringing their unique sound to stages in Stradbally this autumn. Girl Band profess to be influenced by French duo Daft Punk which is noticeable from the danceable bass undertow of their music.
Tipped as one to watch in 2014 by MTV and BBC Radio 1Xtra KWABS, Kwabena Adjepong, is a 24-year-old singer. Having gained a legion of fans including such artists as Jessie Ware, India Arie, Laura Mvula, Emeli Sandé, Plan B and Joss Stone, we can’t wait to experience his R&B and catchy pop fused ‘synth&B’ musical formula which has seen him christened as the new Seal.
Fast-emerging singer, songwriter and producer LÅPSLEY has become one of the most hotly-tipped new UK artists around. The eighteen year old has created a unique sonic identity by mixing sparse, minimal electronic production with gorgeous, emotive song writing to prove she will not be Falling Short in Stradbally this September.
Canadian indie-pop wonders, ALVVAYS, make their Irish debut in Stradbally this September. Described as ‘pristine pop’ their excellent self-titled album has impressed critics and received glowing reviews from all corners of the world!
Although this multi-instrumentalist has been writing songs since the age of five, MARIKA HACKMAN has only been bringing her ethereal vocals to us since 2012. Following a short stint in a covers band with model Cara Delevingne where she played drums, Marika went on to get a record deal at 18 and released her first album We Slept at Last this February.
Many comparisons have been made to 22 year old JACK GARRATT but his voice and musical style are truly unique to him. The multi-instrumentalist brings his mesmerising live show to Stradbally ahead of a string of European festivals and sold out London headline shows. Set to release his brand new EP Synesthesiac in April, Jack Garratt kicked off 2015 on Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 Future 15 for 2015 list.
The list goes on. Get your tickets here…