Laois’s Electric Picnic wins big at IMRO Live Music Awards 2026
Representatives of the Electric Picnic festival receiving their prizes at the IMRO Live Music Awards 2026.
THE ELECTRIC Picnic Music & Arts Festival, which has taken place in Stradbally, Laois every year since 2004, has received multiple wins at the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) Live Music Awards 2026, including the main prize.
The awards received by the festival include the IMRO Festival Technical Crew of the Year and the IMRO Overall Live Music Award, the ceremony’s top prize.
The IMRO Live Music Awards took place the evening of Tuesday 21 April at the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin.
Hosted in 2026 by Tom Dunne and Rachel Mae Hannon, the awards recognise the venues, festivals, promoters and technical crews who help bring Ireland’s live music scene to life.
The night included live performances from Dave Lofts, Ahmed With Love, BABYRAT, Scullion and DJ Maria Lawlor.
Winners were decided by an IMRO member vote, following nationwide submissions. The prize for overall winner, which went to Electric Picnic, was decided by public vote in partnership with magazine.
Victor Finn, CEO of IMRO, said the organisation is delighted to celebrate the “outstanding achievements” of this year’s winners: “Live music is at the heart of Ireland’s cultural identity, and it is sustained by the venues, festivals, promoters and technical crews who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all possible.
“It is a privilege for IMRO to host these awards and recognise the people and places whose dedication, passion and expertise continue to drive Ireland’s live music scene forward”.
Finn continued by thanking the Guinness Storehouse for hosting the 2026 awards: “As one of Ireland’s most iconic cultural venues, its ongoing commitment to music and live experiences plays an important role in the wider creative community.”
He also acknowledged awards ceremony partners Hot Press, the Louise Duffy Show on RTÉ Radioâ¯1, and Audoo: “We are very grateful for their continued support of live music”, he said.
IMRO administers the performing rights of music creators and publishers in Ireland and internationally.
