Stradbally Choir to perform at Electric Picnic

THE Stradbally Community Choir will be making its debut at this year’s Electric Picnic.

The choir will proudly step out on its home turf to perform to thousands of festivalgoers in the Hazelwood area.

By day, in the Hazelwood, you can catch Liam O’Connor who holds the Guinness Record for the fastest fingers on an accordion or listen to Misleor who showcase music from Ireland’s Travelling Community. There will also be music from Sacred Sites, Julie Goo, An Galar Dub, Rageire, The Alcove - Kiss my Grass, Electric Youth, Cahercalla Rebellion, Aine Deane, Coscan Fogues, Strive Theatre, The Crows Old Gold and DJ Nemo.

At the Hazelwood Afterdark there will be songs and stories as Gaeilge.

Bilingual bands and musicians of every genre from Éire agus Chulainn’s traditional offering to Dysania’s “bog-rock”, and from IMLÉ’s hip-hop to Earthmover’s post-rock shoegaze will be performing. As well as musicians such as John Spillane, Bláithín Mhic Chana and Piarais Ó’Lorcáin, Lisa Morray, Jessie and the Veil, Lost West, Earthmover, Little Kings, IMLÉ, Dysania, Fianna Bána, DJ Ferdilicious.

Many of the bands on stage this year have taken part in the Glór Ár Linne development scheme, run by Raidió Rí-Rá with the support of Dublin City Council and Creative Ireland, which provided workshops and entry-points to the music industry for up-and-coming artists creating music as Gaeilge.

Conradh na Gaeilge and Raidió Rí-Rá are proud to present this schedule of Irish language bands and musicians each night from 7pm to midnight at the Electric Picnic with support from Festival Republic.

The all-female lineup returns on Thursday 28 August for the early entry campers with performances from some of Ireland’s up and coming comedians and songwriters, including Liv Masett, Roisin Kelly, Aoife Breathnach, The Kates.

As well as music in the Hazelwood, campers are invited to pitch their tents in the company of other Irish language speakers at the official Gaeltacht Campsite, which has been given further support by Festival Republic this year.

Managing Director of Festival Republic Melvin Benn said: “As the biggest music and arts festival in Ireland, it is important to us that the Irish language has a place at the heart of Electric Picnic.

“Working with Conradh na Gaeilge and Raidió Rí-Rá over the years, we have seen a rise in the number of Irish language artists who perform at Electric Picnic, and this year we’re also seeing a huge increase in the number of people staying in the Gaeltacht campsite at the festival.” The Gaeltacht campsite is limited in numbers and for those who wish to spend the weekend chatting with and meeting people as Gaeilge.

Tickets for this area are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ie/event/1800626A7B910F08. Access to the venue will be via additional security band only with festival ticket.