Electric Picnic 2006

Republic of Ireland | | 02 September 2006

Set in the 600 acre grounds of Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois, Electric Picnic has in three years grown from a single day event into Ireland’s first full three day boutique music festival.

Once past the security, which happily seemed to be either oblivious or completely disinterested in the 48 can per person rule, I find my way to my Podpad in which I am lucky enough to be staying. This is my first time in a Podpad and it doesn’t take long to appreciate it when the first of the weekend's forecast showers starts to pour down as I would normally be struggling with a tent. However, after dumping my bags in the kennel-like construction, it's time to go off and explore the festival.

The site itself is split into three distinct areas, plus the camping areas which are scattered about, some accessed via woodland paths, decorated with lanterns, sculptures and assorted artwork which turn the whole place into a work of art. The main arena opens at noon each day, closing when the last band finishes at about 2am and consists of four stages, the comedy tent, as well as more music from the Bacardi B-Live tent, Lost Vagueness, Pussy Parlure plus food and market stalls. New to Electric Picnic this year is the Foggy Notions arena, run by the Irish music magazine of the same name which hosts various artists from around the world.

Also making it's début this year is the Big Tree, the brainchild of Damien Rice, containing various fair-trade and organic food stalls, a “secret tepee garden” along with the stage. The line up of the stage contains many performers who have slots on the bigger stage but are keen to perform more intimate gigs.

Dubbed as a mini-festival within a festival, the Body & Soul Village consists of the chill stage set in a natural amphitheatre and offers artists playing anything from hip-hop to opera, with after hour jam sessions that run well into the early hours. There is also alternative therapy of every imaginable type, an organic café and plenty of chill out areas, making this definitely the place to come when rushing between the other stages gets too much.

As well as all this, the Bodytonic tent plays host to some of the world's greatest DJs, including 2 Many DJs, Andy Wetherall, Krafty Kuts, Larent Garnier, Layo & Bushwacka, Ian Pooley and Coldcut.

With the exploration complete, it's time to see some music. Over on the main stage, Devendra Banhart’s set is in full swing. Banhart’s unique mix of folk and sixties psychedelia attracted the first large crowd at the main stage of the weekend.

Damien Rice has the home crowd in his hands as he plays obvious favourites ‘Cannonball’, ‘The Blowers Daughter’ and ‘Cold Water’ over on the Electric Arena. Bringing a shot out for his band and making a toast before playing bittern ‘Cheers Darlin’’ is one highlight of the set. However, I can’t help thinking that more eyes, and ears, are on the outstanding Lisa Hannigan, whose ethereal voice and diminutive frame reminds me of Liv Tyler’s character in the Lord of The Rings trilogy. Which is ironic really, as Rice himself looks like a hobbit.

Friday night winds up with Massive Attack finishing their European tour. The band need no introduction and immediately have everyone in the crowd entranced and jumping around to a greatest hits set, with an encore including ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ to round of a great first day.

Saturday sees a packed line-up with my day starting off with Michael Franti and Spearhead. Then it's off to Foggy Notions for Minotaur Shock, who penned 'Vigo Bay' for the mobile company 3 advert, followed by Tapes N' Tapes. I manage to catch the end of DJ Shadow's set before heading over to see Bloc Party follow up their recent V Festival appearance with a similarly storming set on the main stage.

Graham Coxon plays his unique brand of geek-rock to a packed crowed in the Southern Comfort Crawdaddy stage, showing he is much more at home outside the confines of Blur. It is Groove Armada who play out the night though, back over on the main stage, playing the Picnic for a second year in the row.

Alabama 3 kicks off my Sunday perfectly, followed by Aberfeldy. Lead singer Riley Briggs gives a master-class in how not to charm an Irish audience when he states the band played in Ireland last month when they supported James Blunt at the Belfast Odyssey. Blissfully unaware, Briggs thinks the ensuing boos are for the mention of Blunt.

After a couple of much needed hours in the Body and Soul village, the music continues with The Rapture kicking off their European tour in style, followed by Rufus Wainwright. I manage to catch a quick glimpse of Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs tearing around the main stage and the Pet Shop Boys playing to a rammed Electric Arena, before having to pack up the Podpad and head back to catch the early flight in the morning.

Due to the camping only policy introduced this year, the festival has a real community spirit which is enhanced by the attitude of everyone taking part; that they are there for one reason, for the craic. As I reluctantly leave I feel that although I had a hectic 3 days, I can't help thinking there is so much of this festival I missed. The security, if a little disorganised, were great, even the well represented Gardai appeared to be having a good time. Electric Picnic is definitely a welcome addition to my festival calendar, As a security guy said after Michael Franti's set; “It doesn't get better than this shite.”