Body&Soul; at Electric Picnic 2016
Now in its thirteenth year at Electric Picnic, the Body&Soul village continues to showcase a carefully-curated array of music, healing therapies, workshops, art installations, decadent spa treatments in an explosion of colour, joy and late-night gatherings, from the intimate to the epic.
Year on year, Body&Soul creates a beguiling landscape of twinkling lights, immersive experiences and enchanting moments of unexpected magic in the fields of Stradbally.
A meticulous mix of music descends on the Body&Soul Stage, Earthship Stage, Peace Pagoda and Bandstand with acts as eclectic as Ezra Furman, one of the most compelling, thrilling and unpredictable performers of the moment whose stage presence is matched only the genius of his tracks and band; the languid, chilled out electronica of Brooklyn based MOTHXR; the featherlight acoustic pop and luscious song-based storytelling of New York’s Eleanor Friedberger; the eccentric, earthy folk of Bristol’s finest This Is The Kit and the ambient/electronica, alt-rock swagger of Belfast’s Girls Names.
Body&Soul is a haven for the musically adventurous and sonically curious. This year, there is bravery and brilliance across all stages, from Island Records’ favourite Whilk & Misky, whose blend of brooding electronics with guitar and throaty vocals fuses folk, electronica, techno and the Blues, to the psych-influenced rock and blissful melodies of Dublin based Overhead, The Albatross.
The flamboyance and vivaciousness of Ninos du Brasil will be known to anyone who has previously caught this Italian duos’ high-octane set before. The increasingly popular Talos, whose voice has been called “arguably the most beautiful in Ireland” will be a treat for fans of ambient singer-songwriters.
The ever-popular Donal Dineen returns once again to Body&Soul, a spiritual home for one of the most respected, daring and visionary artists in Ireland. Irish acts are always central to the bill, strengthened further this year by the alt-wonky pop of Myles Manley, the trad-tinged folk of Carlow brothers Ye Vagabonds, the masterful multi-instrumentalist and one of Europe’s leading drummers R.S.A.G’s and the heart-hitting synth melodies with punk/funk style bass lines of Plutonic Dust.
A Body&Soul gathering wouldn’t be complete without a Mother party. Have your sequins at the ready and prepare for some glittery debauchery with some of Ireland’s best hand-picked DJs. A huge hit at venues and festivals across the country, Sing Along Social joins Body&Soul for another outing of those hits you can’t help sing along to. Other acts set to descend on the Body&Soul village include Toby Kaar, Áine Cahill, Elephant, Ocho, Mario Batkovic and Elm.
An exciting new addition to the ever-changing village is this year is The Haunted Music Hall, a magical and romantic world of vintage sounds and visuals. Using Victorian, Edwardian and early-Modernist inspired art and decor, this immersive antique world will be a dizzying party of great music and non-stop dancing.
Among the many unique experiences at Body&Soul, the Bog Cottage, is a charming retreat for acoustic sessions with jazz, gypsy folk and open mic, while Earth Spirit return to create a beautiful environment using sustainable, natural materials, transforming the Body&Soul village into an interactive, thought-provoking and inspiring space to learn from and engage with. The light installations and carefully selected lineup for the Peace Pagoda creates a weekend long installation of bespoke visuals, electronic music, conversations and cutting edge acts.
By day or by night, Body&Soul is a place to wander and explore, with unexpected surprises around every corner and enchanted nooks and crannies to hide away in. The Immerse Spa Experience will revitalise and heighten the senses, restoring radiance and vitality to festival goers; unwind in an open air hot tub with your loved ones or sink into the healing waters of a seaweed bath.
The legendary DJs in the trees return, while live music, pop ups and installations enchant below. Wander to the Zen Gardens where an array of hand-picked therapists will be offering everything from Indian Head Massages and Tibetan Oracle to Sound Healing. Step into a healing workshop of Tibetan Yoga, AcroYoga, Hatha Yoga and much more.
Follow the lights deep into pulsing heartbeat of Electric Picnic, the Body&Soul Village.
Body&Soul at Electric Picnic 2016 lineup
Body&Soul Stage
Ezra Furman / MOTHXR / Eleanor Friedberger / This Is The Kit / Girls Names
Whilk & Misky / Overhead, The Albatross / Ninos Du Brasil / Prince Rama / FlexFab
DBFC / Blaenavon / Mario Batkovic / The Altered Hours / Plutonic Dust / Talos / Myles Manley OCHO / TooFools / Áine Cahill / White_Mice / SlowPlaceLikeHome / Elm / Elephant
The Dead Heavys / Hilary Woods / John Conneely Inc / Sing Along Social
Frankenstein Bolts / Æ Mak / Ollie Bell / Phil Cosby / Pine The Pilcrow
Ailbhe Reddy / Hvmmingbyrd / Search Party Animal
Earthship Stage
Mother DJs / R.S.A.G. / Toby Kaar / Donal Dineen / ROCSTRONG / Patrick Kelleher
Ye Vagabonds / Barry Redsetta / Neil Flynn / Sack / Automatic Tasty
The Amazing Few / Mutefish / Malojian / Sion Hill / Adultrock / Telephones
Shane Mannion / The Louisiana 6 / Alice Club Night / New Pope / Alright You Restless
The Clandestinos / Black Wing Bird / 5th Element & DoubleScreen / Flecks
Mythill Grim / Vernon Jane / Road Wives / DJ Daire Kelly