Five bands to see at Electric Picnic

Sometimes, all you want to do at a festival is jam your heart out and at Electric Picnic you won’t be disappointed. But with so much great music being featured at one festival, who should you go out of your way to definitely see?

We’re sure that liquor might be the deciding factor for some of the revellers but for those 'planning ahead', here are five band suggestions from JOE for this year's Picnic.

Jape

Having originally started as a solo project back in 2003, Jape (now a band) have made themselves quite known on the Irish music scene. Richard Egan, the founder of the band, claimed one of Irelands biggest ‘up and coming’ music prizes at the Choice Music Awards back in 2008.

Jape uses a mixture of instrumentals and samplers to create a hypnotic vibe that entrances the listener. To pin point Japes genre would be difficult but many have called it gothic pop, however that seems a tad dark. We’d just call it great music.

Jape – Electric Arena, Saturday 03, 5.15-6.15

The Minutes

The Minutes have reignited the flame for Irish garage rock ‘n’ roll both at home and abroad. The lads, from Dublin, have secured a name for themselves on the international scene as they’ve already supported acts such as Supergrass, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Phantom band.

Their first album, Marcata, features the track Fleetwood, which was shot on location in Bray, Co. Wicklow and can be noted as one of their greatest tracks. The influential UK magazine Artrocker recently called The Minutes “the greatest rock and roll band in Dublin”. So what more could you ask for?

The Minutes – Cosby Stage, Sunday 04, 2.00-2.30

Trinity Orchestra plays Daft Punk

Originally founded in 1984, the Trinity Orchestra is billed as the only fully student-run orchestra in Ireland. But being billed for Electric Picnic, may not be what the orchestra’s founding fathers would have wanted to hear. The guys throw Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in G minor out the window and swap it for the electronic genius of Daft Punk.

The mixture of classical instruments with modern electric sounds evokes the senses by offering something never heard before. This is certainly one class-ical act. Ahem.

Trinity Orchestra – Main Stage, Saturday 03, 12.30-1.15

The Jezabels

Making their Irish debut at the Picnic this year, The Jezabels are a band that's in it for the music. An Aussie four piece, The Jezabels have made it big back home warming up shows for the likes of Tegan & Sara, Katie Noonan and Josh Pyke, as well as selling out their own shows.

If you’re a fan of what real music sounds like, i.e. instruments and vocals, then The Jezabels seem right up your alley. For a comparison, think of the band Embrace, except Australian. Real good, real music.

The Jezabels – Cosby Stage, Saturday 03, 9.15-9.45

Interpol

One of the bigger acts playing at this years Picnic is the New York City based Interpol. Having an already cult following, Interpol are set to bring their post-punk rhythmic tunes to the valley for what’s set to be an unmissable set.

Their powerful sound echoes the likes of Joy Division and the Editors while their live performances are second to none. Anyone who catches this set will be glad they saw the band at their first EP appearance. Oh, and headlining the Main Stage on Friday isn't too shabby for an Electric Picnic debut, so what more do you need?

Interpol – Main Stage, Friday 02, 10.30-12.00