A guide to Saturday at the Electric Picnic
CROWD PULLERS
Duffy
Having listened to Rockferry countless times since its release earlier this year, we are now forced to say it doesn't matter that in 2003 Duffy was runner-up on the Welsh-language version of Pop Idol. Yes, the album treads a thin line between bespoke, occasionally ersatz kitchen-sink drama (courtesy of Bernard Butler) and just-so Bond themes, but, God, it packs an emotional punch. www.myspace.com/duffymyspace
The Breeders
In which the fractious one from The Pixies gets it together again with her twin sister, Kelley, forgets about the reformed Pixies gigs, records cracking new album, Mountain Battles, and comes back to Ireland for the second time in six months. Did you know that the band name is derived from a derogatory term used by gays to describe straights? Strewth! www.breedersdigest.net
Elbow
Manchester's finest these days? Reckon so, what with lead singer/songwriter Guy Harvey grabbing the attention of the Mercury Prize judges with the band's latest and, to date, best album, The Seldom Seen Kid. Prepare to be stirred big time. www.myspace.com/elbowmusic
GO SEE THIS:Crystal Castles
Futurist noise/electro from Toronto might not seem a good match for the environs of County Laois, but stick with us; this duo (Ethan Kath and Alice Glass) melt fragmented digital-sound pieces with high voltage pop energy. Scary and exciting? You should see them live. Oh, you're planning to? That's alright then. www.myspace.com/crystalcastles
Geroge Clinton & The P-Funk Allstars
At the age of 68, Mr Funkenstein shows no signs of slowing down. Rather, he continues to take the Parliament/Funkadelic blueprints, mix them up like he just don't care, and belt them out as rhythmic tours de force. www.georgeclinton.com
Franz Ferdinand
The darlings of the music press of a few years ago look set to fire up once more with a series of festival and small-venue dates in the lead-up to the release of their new album in early 2009. It wouldn't be wise, though, to dismiss the Scottish band as last year's fad. Word on the slippery grapevine has it that the forthcoming album is a cracker. www.franzferdinand.co.uk
Josh Ritter
Goodbye science degree, hello starling. Ritter is a combination of one-off and chameleon, a singer songwriter from Moscow, Idaho, who can sound simultaneously utterly original and a hybrid pastiche of Dylan and Cohen. It helps that his lyrics are button-bright, and that his charm offensive is off the scale. He's a handsome chap, too. Hate that... www.joshritter.com
Wilco
Anyone out there fancy a mixture of neo-country, blissed-out, unconventional country-rock, mellotron driven pop and - eeek! - free jazz? Guitarist/vocalist Jeff Tweedy has been the constant in Wilco's musical meandering, occasionally a fractious trip influenced by, among other things, excruciating migraines and addiction to accompanying painkiller medication. www.wilcoworld.net
Underworld
We're not too sure that there'll be a massed chorus of "lager, lager, lager" at Electric Picnic, but if there isn't it certainly won't be for lack of trying. Bridging the dance/rock/ psychedelic/pop divide has scuppered many a band before them, but this tight unit seem to have it covered. Purists need not apply. www.myspace.com/underworld
GO SEE THIS:Ra Ra Riot
This Syracuse band have been on the receiving end of plaudits pretty much from the off; college kids with nous and nerve, not unlike Arcade Fire and not unlike The Clash. Think the sound of cello and violin swapping notes with guitars and drums. You like? Thought you might. www.myspace.com/rarariot
STALWARTS
GO SEE THIS:Ulrich Schnauss
Electronica from Germany has a very prestigious reputation (Kraftwerk, Neu, Cluster, Harmonia, Tangerine Dream), but where Schnauss (right) clinches it over others in is his innate sense of flowing melody and his deviously simplistic yet strict structural parameters. In a word? Beautiful. www.myspace.com/ulrichschnauss
Dan Deacon
Deacon has been a visitor to these shores before, so he is aware of how much we Irish just love someone who is fond of dressing in an Oxfam/Enable shop manner that suggests they are either an experimental singer-songwriter or are on the way to their therapist. In other words? Deacon is an oddball - witty, wacky, and perfectly suited to the vagaries of Irish weather. www.myspace.com/dandeacon
GO SEE THIS:The Flaws
It might appear that this Co Louth band have lost some of the momentum that spurred them on to great heights last year with the release of their debut album, Achieving Vagueness, but don't let the relative silence fool you. Stints at festivals at home and abroad have honed (and developed) even further the band's punk/pop sound. www.myspace.com/theflawsmusic
Cut Copy
Four years ago, Melbourne's Cut Copy were deemed also-rans due to the fact that their '80s- obsessed synth-pop failed to catch the whiplash tail end of electroclash. Fastforward four years and the enlisting of LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, and you've got deft dance-rock straddling and (just occasionally, mind) kick-ass choruses. www.cutcopy.net
The Faint
If they come from Omaha, Nebraska, they have to have a Saddle Creek/Conor Oberst connection, right? True to form, Oberst was once in a previous incarnation of The Faint, but his roots/rock stylisms are far removed from this band's rather more underground dance/techno hybrid. www.thefaint.com
The Kills
Midnight Boom is the name of the record, and Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince are the constituent parts of The Kills, a garage rock act that have grease, oil and sweat mixed and smeared across their clothes. The music? Oh, crikey - that's a jagged melting pot of guitar riffs, rock'n'roll clichés, swoonsome melodies, tight jeans, buckle belts and sunglasses. www.myspace.com/thekills
GO SEE THIS:That Petrol Emotion
Unexpected this: one of Ireland's most politicised post-punk bands reform. We'll glide gently past the exact reasons why (although "why not?" seems a reasonable response), but suffice to say that for a band which enjoyed little commercial success in their heyday (1986-90), they remain one of the country's most creative and provocative "contender" acts. www.thatpetrolemotion.com
The Radio
Easily one of the better Irish bands around, The Radio fuse sleek pop with a little bit of grit. Although quiet of late, the band release a new single, Go Radio, at the end of the month. www.theradio.ie
Tindersticks
Possessing what many people describe as a miserable voice (which is surrounded by what many people term miserable music) is hardly deemed to be a recipe for success. Yet Nottingham's Tindersticks (the spine of which remains Stuart Staples) have proved the naysayers wrong more than once, notably so with this year's Hungry Saw album, which is a genuine balm to the system. www.tindersticks.co.uk
Yurodny
Balkan rhythms, gypsy grooves, Middle Eastern spices, Arabic sounds, Mediterranean soul and Turkish airs'n'graces. This Irish-based ensemble act kinda has it sewn up - why go anywhere beyond Europe when you have this lot? www.myspace.com/yurodny
OLD HATS
Black Acid
Death in Vegas's Richard Fearless pulls together a band akin to a punch in the face with a silk glove. Reference points include Diane Arbus, Stooges, Werner Herzog, Velvet Underground, Hawkwind and Bo Diddley. Now that's what I'm talking about! www.myspace.com/officialblackacid
Boss Volenti
Dublin band Boss Volenti released their debut album two years ago, and since then have been blasting out their no-nonsense rock music to all and sundry. Expect new material from their forthcoming album to take pride of place in the set. www.bossvolenti.com
Digital Mystikz
Dubstep production duo Coki and Mala co-host the Brixton nightclub and co-run the DMZ record label. Delivering a level of bass that would stop a moose in its tracks, best be prepared for top-to-toe throbbing and a rattling of the spine. www.myspace.com/malamystikz
The Herbaliser
Specialist label Ninja Tune had a 14-year grip on the coat lapels of these hardy annual Brit-funk merchants, but a label change for their recently released seventh album (Same As It Never Was) has invigorated them to the point where a new lease of life has been injected into them. If brassy, vibrant Sly Stone numbers are your preference, then hightail it to this lot come the end of August. www.myspace.com/theherbz
Arno Carstens
Anyone described as "one of South Africa's most revered vocalists" is bound to be on a hiding to nothing. We detect a cheesy blend of Coldplay and Bryan Adams. Approach with caution. www.myspace.com/arnocarstens
Havana Son
"Son" is the precursor to the modern salsa sound, and Dublin-based Havana Son show their musical chops by integrating authenticity with vitality. A Cuban cigar-shaped cracker, no less. www.havanason.com
REBELS
Grace Jones
Far more famous for her striking features and her live-on- television strops than her trademark half-spoken delivery, the statuesque novelty-act that is Jones (below) has been engaged in various tasks since being declared bankrupt in the 1990s. Tracks from her new album - her first in almost 20 years - will be previewed, while she'll most assuredly be trotting out her better known songs such as Private Life and Pull Up to the Bumper. Yawn, etc. www.theworldofgracejones.com
GO SEE THIS:Cathy Davey
After a hesitant start with her debut, Something Ilk, Irish songstress Davey returned last year with the superlative Tales of Silversleeve; between then and now, she has picked up rave reviews, awards, nominations and more plaudits than is possibly good for someone as down to earth as Davey. Two words: star quality. www.myspace.com/cathydavey
Crash ensemble
And a bang and a wallop to you, too, mister. Donnacha Dennehy's unit is equal parts daft and unlistenable and, you know, quite beautiful and cunning. A perfect fit for the weekend that's in it. www.crashensemble.com
Juana Molina
Us folks in this neck of the world might know Buenos Aires-born Juana Molina as the proud creator of albums that nab various awards, but in Latin America she is far better known as the comedian/actor from the hit shows La Noticia Rebelde and Juana y sus hermanas. A mixture of World and ambient, fire and rain - Molina is the real deal. www.myspace.com/juanamolina
Lisa Hannigan
One time associate and collaborator with Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan looks set to be pitched as the 'One to Watch' for 2009 as she makes everyone anticipate her debut album (which she is previewing material from). If she doesn't get a Choice Music Prize nomination, heads will roll. www.myspace.com/lisahannigan
Mercedes Peon
The pint-sized ball of energy that is Mercedes Peon focuses on similarities between traditional Irish and Galician music, tears them apart and puts them back together again - without so much as a by-your-leave. Cheek! www.mercedespeon.es
GO SEE THIS:Kormac
Yes, the one time winner of the Irish Student DJ Championships still works the decks, but increasingly Kormac surrounds himself with a multi-instrumentalist crew that may or may not - depending on what you believe - include a barbershop quartet and a kitchen sink. The Ticket: always first with the news that really matters. www.myspace.com/djkormac
Santogold
Santi White's music dances between honey and salt; the former New York A&R gal peeked out from behind her office desk and started writing her own songs. The results (as heard on this summer's self-titled debut album) reference dub, minimal hip-hop and new wave - audacious digital rap fused with classy pop. Are we having fun yet? www.myspace.com/santogold
Silver apples
Formed in New York in 1967, the enigmatic, pioneering electronica band went into exile following the poor sales of their 1968's self-titled debut and 1969's Contact. Fast-forward 30 years and the sole original member, Simeon Coxe, crawls out of his shell and carries on the good fight against electro-banality. www.silverapples.com
Tobias Froberg
We've all been there - journalists who aim to give up the game after they've interviewed their heroes. Sweden's Tobias Froberg (right) decided to stop writing and start making music after he interviewed film director Ingmar Bergman. That was in 2003. Five years later, journalism's loss is music's gain: three albums in, a garlanded, acclaimed Froburg is surfing on the crest of a wave. Watch him sway and stay on. www.myspace.com/tobiasfroberg
Teitur
The Faroe Islands don't really have a claim to fame, although singer-songwriter Teitur Lassen might just be its calling card. Nominated for the Shortlist Music Prize in 2004, Lassen has since broadened his creative reach to include co-writes (with Corinne Bailey Rae), collaborations (with contemporary classical artist, Nico Muhly) and duets (with Ane Brun). An all-rounder, then. www.myspace.com/teitur
NEW KIDS
A-Trak
Brother of Chromeo's David, Alain Macklovitch was a mere stripling of 15 when he won the DMC's World DJ Championship in 1997. Since then, he has been a member of The Allies as wel as being tour DJ for Kanye West. Cool kid, cool sounds. www.myspace.com/djatrak
Halves
Post-rock is a much bandied about phrase these past few years, but Dublin's Halves nonetheless engage with the loose genre's more robust themes of aural assault'n'battery and sumptuous, quiet moments. A band of two - well, you know. www.myspace.com/ahomeforhalves
Laura Izibor
There aren't too many Irish soul singers out and about who are actually very good, but Izibor proves the exception to the general rule. We're still waiting for her debut album, though, despite being teased with songs we hear in passing on the soundtracks to likes of Greys Anatomy. C'mon - hurry up! www.myspace/lauraizibor
Antibalas
They're from Brooklyn, their name is Spanish for 'bulletproof', and the dozen or so members weave a polyrhythmic and downright contagious mixture of afrobeat, jazz, funk, soul and latino. A modicum of awe, a little bit of shock and a whole lotta yowsa. www.myspace.com/antibalas
La Rocca
Irish-UK rockers done good shock! La Rocca have passed away some time in the US, all the while sitting back and seeing the royalties come in as songs of theirs fill in minutes on hit US television shows such as One Tree Hill. www.myspace.com/laroccamusic
Large Mound
Possibly the only Irish band to be influenced by the movie Parenthood, looks can be deceiving in the case of Dublin's Large Mound (image-wise, think Superbad crossed with Dazed and Confused). Musically, they rock like a mammyfecker with a migraine. Melodic, too, believe it or not. www.largemound.com
Midnight Juggernauts
Having wowed the good folks at last year's NYC-based CMJ event, Melbourne's Midnight Juggernauts arrive here with punter plaudits aplenty and media-led descriptions that place them side-by side with Berlin Trilogy-era David Bowie and classic Krautrock acts Faust and Kraftwerk. Think off-the-wall synth/electro with echoes of jungle and hints of staccato beats. www.myspace.com/midnightjuggernauts
GO SEE THIS:The New York Fund
Formerly indie rock outfit Cherryfalls, The New York Fund carry a torch for the likes of Teenage Fanclub and The Byrds, which goes a long way in these here parts. It's a Rickenbacker thing, you understand. www.myspace.com/thenewyorkfund
Oppenheimer
It's a sign of the times - a band's existence is enabled by their songs being used on adverts for camera companies and US television primetime programmes such as Ugly Betty. Belfast's Shaun Robinson and Rocky O'Reilly have also embraced the MySpace community and been love-bombed in return. www.myspace.com/oppenheimer
GO SEE THIS:Soha
French-Algerian Soha easily blend jaunty dancehall reggae and jazzy cha-cha-cha as well as seductive blues (think Sade) and upfront equatorial R&B (think a thicker-waisted Amy Winehouse). One of the true finds of the festival. www.myspace.com/sohamusic
Rachel Unthank and The Winterset Northumbrian folk acts rarely break out from the cover of local appreciation societies, but Unthank and her band have garnered multimedia plaudits from the likes of Mojo magazine and the BBC. A Mercury Music Prize nomination this year raised their profile. You can't understand what they say? Join the club. www.myspace.com/rachelunthank
IF YOU HAVE TO...
LiamÓ Maonlai
While still keeping Hothouse Flowers on a reasonably even keel, Ó Maonlai finds time to pair off with roots musicians of many nationalities. The smart busker mentality reigns supreme. www.myspace.com/liamomaonlaimusic
Mornington Singers
A Dublin chamber choir might not seem suitable for what is essentially a rock festival, but, well, versatility is the order of the day, and this lot are nothing if not versatile. www.morningtonsingers.org
Super Extra Bonus Party
The winners of this year's Choice Music Award may have been a surprising (if not odd) addition to the winner's pen, but this Kildare bunch don't add a dash of exotic spice to their musical stew of indie-pop, trance, hip-hop, electro, jazz and, yes really, whatever you're having yourself. www.myspace.com/superextrabonusparty
