Sir, – I noted, with some disquiet, that the Electric Picnic is permitting concert-goers to bring “48 cans per person or less” into the camp-site for the festival weekend. For a three-day event, the full personal allowance equates to 16 cans per day or roughly one per waking hour for the entire weekend – excluding any alcohol bought within the event arena.
Does permitting this level of alcohol consumption accord with sensible drinking practice or promote a pleasant and safe public environment? No, it simply encourages people to drink themselves stupid in the campsites before and/or after drinking in the arena, putting themselves and the rest of us at risk. Following the Swedish House Mafia incident in 2012, alcohol has been banned from Phoenix Park and some other venues for 2013 concerts (outside the arena at least), yet Electric Picnic organisers/promoters seem to think excessive drinking is just part of the fun.
I find it hard to believe the licensing authorities or An Garda Síochána can approve of this . . . and it’s unlikely I’ll be using the campsites. – Yours, etc,
CHRIS KENNETT,
Clandonagh Road,
Dublin 5.