There was Murder on the Dancefloor as English pop sensation Sophie Ellis-Bextor took to the main stage at Electric Picnic 2024 for her picnic debut in Stradbally.

And what a way to get the Electric Picnic party started, Ellis-Bextor rarely stood still during her energetic performance dressed in silver sequins and tassels.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor heads to North America for a tour in the USA and Canada in early September.

Electric Picnic moved to a mid-August slot in 2024, away from it's usual early September placement. Friday saw American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan take to the Main Stage to headline the opening night.

The Grammy-nominated artist performed to a rapturous crowd in Ireland's County Laois, so much so that he took a pit walk at the start of his set.

A set that included Dial Drunk, New Perspective, Northern Attitude and finishing with Stick Season.

Kahan is continuing to tour with upcoming concerts in Berlin on August 27th before heading back to the USA and Canada.

There’s nothing better than a music festival, and in Ireland there is nothing better than the largest festival of them all – Electric Picnic.

Now in its 19th edition, the Electric Picnic has grown and sees the world’s largest headliners (Kylie, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Hozier etc. throughout the years) and some of the most famous artists to ever record music including Debbie Harry, The Stranglers, Grace Jones, Nile Rodgers etc… with its largest ever capacity of 75,000 attendees in 2024.

If the music alone isn’t enough to satisfy your interests then you won’t be disappointed because Electric Picnic is also Ireland’s largest arts festival with more then enough to entertain throughout the weekend.

Now, while most visitors to EP will undoubtedly be enjoying themselves with more than just one pint, vodka etc… here are some things to do in 2024 that don’t involve alcohol.

Sit and enjoy some gospel and choir music in the afternoon sunshine while everyone else is nursing hangover headaches and crawling out of their tents. Previous artists here include the Trinity Orchestra and Irish Women in Harmony.

Ferris Wheel and funfair – what more can you say, the flavour of a visit to a traditional Irish seaside town in summer comes to the Main Arena at Electric Picnic. A Ferris Wheel, merry-go-rounds, spinny things and the smell of popcorn and candy floss.

What on earth could link swimming at the Forty Foot in Dublin and Electric Picnic's Comedy Arena 2024? That would be Ardal O'Hanlon, one of Ireland's best known and surely most loved comedians.

Ireland's largest and most loved festival, Electric Picnic is back again August 16th - 18th 2024 and starring on stage is the incomparable Ardal O'Hanlon. 

Now, what links him to the iconic swimming spot in Dublin Bay, the Forty Foot you ask?

Well, a few years ago the very man set off to find out why the Irish have such a propensity for cursing and made a TV show about it called Holy F***. In one of the segments O'Hanlon investigates how cursing can help with such things as exposure to cold water - like when you jump into the seas around Ireland.

And the show, produced by Loosehorse, used some of my imagery, see credits below.

This same show saw Ardal O'Hanlon interviewing the renowned fan of profanities, Bob Geldof who I photographed at Electric Picnic in 2015.

So, if you're headed to Electric Picnic 2024 then why not stop by the Comedy Arena for a rib-tickling break from your music weekend.

Here is the current line-up for the Comedy Arena at Electric Picnic 2024 including headliners Russell Howard and Katherine Ryan.

Here, Simon Amstell from his appearance in 2014.

It’s coming up to Electric Picnic time again. Ireland’s largest music festival is set to return to Stradbally from the 1st to 3rd of September 2023 with a big line up featuring Billie Eilish, The Killers, Paolo Nutini, Niall Horan, The Wolfe Tones and Rick Astley among others.

All tickets are sold out but you can still get to head to EP2023. 

Every year for the past 13 years Electric Picnic have run the Tour de Picnic, a charity cycle that gives you, and others like you who have missed out on tickets, the opportunity to fundraise for good causes and challenge yourself.

Entry is still open for the Tour de Picnic but you need to be quick as the cut off date for fundraising is the 18th of August.

This year you can partake in an 80km cycle or, for those of us lucky enough not to have shin splints, a 17km run.

The charities supported in 2023 are Children's Health Foundation, ISPCC, and Jack and Jill Children's Foundation.

Each participant will need to raise €450 and in return will receive a three-day ticket to Electric Picnic that includes camping.

All the information is up on the website at: https://www.tourdepicnic.ie/faqs-info

But before you go rushing out to just sponsor yourself €450, you do need to actually partake in and complete the Tour de Picnic before you get your ticket.

Get stretching and good luck!

Tickets for Ireland's biggest music festival, Electric Picnic 2023, will go on sale this week on Friday 9th of December.

Some of the headline acts for EP23 have been announced and include Billie Eilish, Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan.

Find more information on tickets here.

A mostly bright and sunny Electric Picnic, held in the grounds of Stradbally Hall in Ireland's County Laois in September annually, is now over until next year.

I made the return to photograph at the largest festival in Ireland, this year the Picnic was back after missing 2020 and 2021.

Seen here, enthusiastic fans watching Irish band The Coronas on a warm sunny September evening in Ireland's midlands.

Tickets for Electric Picnic 2023 go on sale this weekend.