Big winners set for Electric Picnic
Some of Youth Work Ireland artists who created the installation for Electric Picnic at the Youth Work Ireland Laois, Electric Youth final in the Dunamaise Arts Centre. From left: Julia Butler, Alab Caymo, Touka Chehadeh, Theophilus Kunene, Kaylah O’Connell and Harry McEvoy. Photo: Alf Harvey
THE Grand Final of Electric Youth 2026 was unleashed on Friday night to a sold-out crowd at the Dunamaise Arts Theatre in Portlaoise.
Following intense semi-final heats held at the Youth Work Ireland Laois head office in July, 13 exceptional acts from across the country competed on 14th August for a coveted performance slot at this year's Electric Picnic.
The four-hour music spectacular saw an energetic, capacity audience singing in the aisles and casting votes, alongside the judging panel, via an interactive online system. Judges Joe Pimenta-Benn, Aisling Enright, Anton Cullen, and Ciara Smyth evaluated a wide spectrum of genres from rock, rap and heavy metal to country, pop, spoken word and traditional Irish music, featuring an unprecedented amount of original material.
The event also featured an interval performance by Welsh Rap/DJ trio 'Back to Basics' Big Josh, Tom And Little Josh from Llanelli, Wales, who joined the showcase as part of their Erasmus programme.
Winners who will perform on the Hazelwood Stage at Electric Picnic are MaryAnn, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow; Paradise Conspiracy from Thurles, Co Tipperary; Mackayla Chloe, Athy, Co Kildare; Fierin J, Ennis, Co Clare and Beomhar from Laois/Offaly, who captivated the crowd with traditional arrangements of and .
These five standout acts will represent the best of Ireland's emerging youth talent when they take the Hazelwood Stage at Electric Picnic 2026.
