LOUISE BRUTON
Who rocked your Electric Picnic today?
The Other Voices Church is a sacred nook for the calm and serene at EP and Talos is preachin’ the gospel to the already converted.
Corkman Eoin French is still but his music swirls and tumbles through the crowd, casting a communal swoon to take hold.
It’s not all about music and food. What’s your best other highlight for the day?
I’m gonna be honest, arriving onsite was such a sweet, sweet relief. A sort of giddiness takes over because most of your mates are still in the office and you haven’t a care in the world. Except, technically, I am working. But out in a field, like a farmer who’s about to milk the bejaysus out of her cows. The cows are craic and by god, I’m gonna milk them.
And away from the obvious heavyweights, who are you hoping to catch on Saturday?
One of my main goals for Saturday is to catch Irish electronic-pop duo Le Boom on the Body and Soul Stage at the ungodly hour of 3am. If you're losing pace at that stage, their energy will give you that whoosh of life you need to see you through and you might just fall a little in love with the pair of them.
What’s the best thing that passed your lips?
I got the wear. That was pretty great. LOL. JK. I did not. Instead, I challenged society’s pressure on young people to pair up and get married when they just could use that wedding money and remain non-committal and feck about at festivals for the rest of their decrepit lives.
PETER CRAWLEY
Who rocked your Picnic today?
Super Silly. They currently have, as we say euphemistically, a select appeal. But that is going to change pronto as more people encounter the effortless bounce of their broken-hearted music, a vibrant melding of wincing soul and lubricious RnB. “It’s going to get vibey,” they warn us. And vibey it gets. A prepossessing and seductive brew.
What’s your best other highlight for the day?
The first crisis you might encounter at Electric Picnic is trying to find somewhere to live, in a reasonably good neighbourhood, without an unnecessarily long commute into music town. I liked seeing people overcoming their instant stress levels amid the confusion of the Jimi Hendrix campsite and working it out together, peaceably. It was particularly heartening to see friends find each other in the sunshine, and remark of their face glitter: “You look so festival.” Festival is an adjective now.
Who are you hoping to catch on Saturday?
Chris Clark, the English electronicist on the Warp label, has a new album out, Death Peak, which asks the harder elements of techno to meet more weightless properties of voice and song. He closes the Little Big Tent from 2am-3am, and his raw power and fizzy visuals always make for good company.
What’s the best thing that passed your lips today?
The Khat a Khat Boat at Kinara Kitchen, still the most spectacular food purveyors at the festival, at a moment when the queue was still bearable.
UNA MULLALLY
Who rocked your Friday Picnic?
It’s more of a “what”: The Haunt in Body&Soul, a Victorian dive bar, creepy, weird and fun, with couches, DJs, and, um, animal skeletons.
And who are you hoping to hit up on Saturday?
Pillow Queens opening the Other Voices stage at 1:50pm.
What’s your best other highlight for the day?
Definitely going to check out some spoken word at The Word stage and the Theatre Stage in Mindfield.
What’s the best thing that passed your lips?
Garlic and cheese home fries in Trailer Park. An obvious choice, but a delicious one nonetheless.
Give us your recovery tips – we all need them now.
There’s a lot to be said for a midday nap to keep your energy up for the closing night. Failing that, poutine from LaLa in Mindfield and a Bloody Mary from the Dark & Stormy bar in Body&Soul.
DEAN VAN NGUYEN
Who rocked your Friday?
Young Fathers at the Electric Arena. Battering drums, booming vocals and wild electronics – the tones and textures coming from the stage were insane. A monstrous cacophony that probably left a crater in the Stradbally turf.
And what’s your best other highlight for the day?
The Off The Ball squad have a series of talks scheduled in the Mindfield: Newstalk Lounge, covering Irish soccer, hurling and more. Appealing for those of us who equate Saturday with sport.
Who are you hoping to catch today?
British grime artist Giggs takes to the main stage early in the day – his battering bears and barbed rhythms will either accentuated or blast away any lingering hangovers from Friday night.
What’s the best thing that passed your lips today?
Jimmy’s Soul Kitchen. The southern style ultimate burger, fries and drink for ¤9 was simple, fresh, tasty and way better than festival food has a right to be. Watch out for that barbecue sauce.
