Lost brothers added to picnic lineup
The grounds keepers in Stradbally Hall are perfecting the rolling fields in County Laois to welcome a further 21 acts to an already bulging line-up up for Electric Picnic 2015.
Having last played in 2013 , The Boomtown Rats will be making a very welcome return to Electric Picnic. Curiosity resurrected The Boomtown Rats in 2013 and is sure to attract a huge crowd to their set in Stradbally Hall this September. The Boomtown Rats first exploded out of Ireland in 1976 and nearly 40 years later, we know they still don’t like Mondays!
After a string of sell-out shows across Ireland and Europe celebrating the recently released third album Darling Arithmetic which went straight into the number one slot in the Irish charts, Conor O’Brien and the Villagers will be making a warmly welcomed return to Stradbally Hall this September. The set from the only Irish act to receive two Mercury Music nominations is sure to be as stunningly special as always.
New York indie rockers Parquet Courts will be returning to Electric Picnic this year. Since their 2013 performance at the Picnic, the band have been gaining excess with the release of their third studio album, Sunbathing Animal in 2014. The band went on to release their latest album, Live at Third Man Records this March, and are touring Europe later this year.
Acoustic folk trio The Staves last played Electric Picnic in 2012, this year’s outing will see them perform tracks from their recently released album If I Was. Recorded over five trips across the Atlantic to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and produced by Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), If I Was takes The Staves’ original blueprint of sublimely harmonised British indie-folk and gives it an injection of muscle and a much-heightened ambition.
Indie pop New Yorkers MS MR are singer Lizzy Plapinger and producer Max Hershenow. They will be showcasing tracks from their brand new album How Does It Feel this coming September. Picnic fans will remember their super charged 2013 performance, so be prepared for another electrifying edition!
Since the release of his debut EP, Northtown in 2014, American singer songwriter, Shamir has risen to fame and signed with XL Recordings, joining the likes of The xx, FKA Twigs and Adele. With his androgynous vocals and a style described as disco funk with hints of pop, Shamir is sure to be a dynamic and exciting addition to this year’s line-up.
Whirlwind amateur golfers are not the only superstars to hail from the seaside town of Greystones. Electrifying the Picnic once again is Berlin based Greystones native DJ Mano Le Tough. Since his last appearance at Stradbally Hall in 2013, Mano has continued to influence the DJ scene with his self-proclaimed “folkal house” sound. Following the release of Changing Days last year, Mano Le Tough has earned his reputation as one of the hardest touring DJs on the circuit.
Dancing shoes at the ready as Le Galaxie get ready to set the stage alight at Electric Picnic 2015. The ground is shaking underfoot and your fingers are pulled upwards by some invisible but very audible force. Since their debut album, Le Galaxie have replicated this scene across clubs and venues, bars and fields, tents and countries, cities and towns, parties and raves. And in doing so, the band has had a multiplier effect, going from a cult following to a force. All systems are go.
Son Lux was founded by producer-composer Ryan Lott in 2007 and with the recent additions to the band of guitarist-composer Rafiq Bhatia and drummer Ian Chang, Son Lux is now a ferocious trio both live and on record. With a sell-out crowd at his debut Irish gig in the Workman’s Club last year, Ryan Lott is sure to attract a crowd at this year’s Electric Picnic.
Hailing from Dublin and now calling Sweden home; Jape began as the solo moniker of Richie Egan – formerly of Redneck Manifesto - and has evolved over the past six years into one of the most exciting live acts in Europe. 2015 saw the release of Jape's fifth album, This Chemical Sea, the follow up to both of his Meteor Choice Music Prize winning albums. A firm favourite with Irish music lovers this is one not to miss!
Californian punk rockers Girlpool will be storming the Stradbally stage this September for the first time. Made up of Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad, this guitar – bass duo is sure to make enough noise to make you take notice! Expect tracks from their recently released debut album, Before the World Was Big.
The incredibly talented and up-and-coming duo Little Hours have already made a mark for themselves, having sold out numerous gigs around the country and most recently having been a Meteor Choice Music Award nominee for Song of the Year 2014 with their debut single It’s Still Love. 2015 has been a busy year for this Donegal duo writing their debut album and a performing at a string of dates this summer. Catch them before they go stratospheric!
Over seven years The Lost Brothers have proven themselves to be one of the finest and hardest working bands around. With four highly acclaimed albums under their belt they have worked alongside and been championed by the likes of Richard Hawley, Brendan Benson, Lee Mavers and Glen Hansard to name but a few. After a stellar performance at Other Voices in Dingle last December, The Lost Brothers heartwarming set is not one to miss.
After a three year wait, Here We Go Magic return with their fourth album Be Small on October 16th. Picnickers are sure to hear a sneak peak of the long awaited album this September. Praised by Elbow frontman and BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Guy Garvey in a recent BBC documentary, Here We Go Magic are due to set the stage alight.
The London-born, New Zealand-raised, 19-year-old Thomas Stoneman aka Thomston released his first EP School Night in February of 2014. The EP was intended only for an audience of family and friends but after putting it up on Soundcloud, it then was quickly and unexpectedly picked up by international blogs. He followed this up with two further EPs, both receiving major praise. He is taking a break from recording his debut album on the festival circuit making a welcome stop in Stradbally.
It’s been a busy year for 16 year old Declan McKenna following the release of his single, Brazil late last year. He has been getting festival fit this summer taking in Glastonbury and Green Man festival so Picnic fans are in for a treat with his blend of indie pop rock.
Singer songwriter Tom Misch will be gracing the stage at Electric Picnic this year after the release of his most recent single, Sunshine in June. There is much anticipation surrounding the upcoming release of the London based artists second album, Beat Tape 2.
Irish singer songwriter and YouTube blogger Bry will be making an appearance at Electric Picnic this September. Dublin based Bry has had a successful 2015 after gaining recognition from Snow Patrol drummer Johnny Quinn, making him the newest addition to Polar Patrol and touring in Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Legend are seven great musicians and singers dedicated to the life and music of the late, great Bob Marley. This dynamic band, led by the charismatic Michael Anton Phillips (Cheesy) has a pedigree second to none, whose members have worked with such reggae greats as The Mighty Diamonds and Musical Youth. We guarantee you will hear all the classics, with that irresistible reggae groove compelling you to move as if in the presence of Bob Marley himself!
Led by saxophonist and composer Nick Roth, Yurodny perform contemporary settings of traditional music from around the world. Be prepared to have your senses soothed by ensemble of strings and percussion as they ease you into the day ahead. You’ll thank us later we promise!
And last but by no means least where would we be without the Dublin Gospel Choir – the only act to play at the Picnic every year? DGC are probably the only act in the world to collaborate with artists as diverse as Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Riverdance and Damien Rice to Rod Stewart, Outkast, Take That, The Chieftains and Kodaline - and performing as a 100-piece choir with the legendary composer Ennio Morricone. Their performance is favourite amongst fans every year, as weary Picknickers heave their heavy limbs to main stage to endulge in the soulful harmonies that will awaken and re energise the senses.
Jessie Ware has had to cancel her performance at EP. Jessie is no longer able to make this show due to scheduling issues, while she is very disappointed she hopes to be back in Ireland in the near future.
The full Electric Picnic 2015 line-up below, but there is lots more to be announced including Body & Soul, Other Voices, Comedy, Mindfield, Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow, Red Bull Music Academy, Heineken Sound Atlas, Salty Dog and Trailerpark.
Blur – Florence + The Machine – Sam Smith – Underworld – Grace Jones
Manic Street Preachers - Interpol – Róisín Murphy – Tame Impala
Hot Chip – Belle & Sebastian - The War On Drugs - George Ezra
FKA Twigs – Future Islands – Despacio – Chvrches – Jurassic 5
Ride – Jon Hopkins - Paul Kalkbrenner –Yasiin Bey - Battles
The Boomtown Rats - Mac Demarco – Villagers-
My Morning Jacket - MK – Django Django –
Printer Clips – Gavin James – The Riptide Movement – Low – The Staves
MS MR – Parquet Courts - Julio Bashmore – Shamir – Mano Le Tough – Son Lux - Jape
Pond – The 2 Bears – Soak – Tourist – Metz – Girl Band – Dawes – Viet Cong
Here We Go Magic - Kwabs – Alvvays – Marika Hackman – Girlpool - Fat White Family
Hinds – The Lost Brothers - Benjamin Clementine – Wvyern Lingo – Låpsley – Jack Garratt
Shura – Circa Waves – Ben Khan - Curtis Harding – Thomston - Honne – Aquilo
Little May – Kwamie Liv - Fickle Friends – Declan McKenna – Tom Misch – Bry
Legend – Yurodny – Dublin Gospel Choir