Brought to you by Electric Ireland.
Get the lowdown on EP.
Are you ready for Electric Picnic? Thousands are set to descend on Stradbally to enjoy the tunes, craic and atmosphere this weekend so we’ve come up with a survival guide to the festival.
One thing that every 90s kid needs to know is that Electric Ireland, the official partner of Electric Picnic, will bring 90s nostalgia and pop tunes to the festival with their ultimate Throwback Stage. That’s something to get excited about.
So what else do you need to know? We’ve gathered together some essential tips and advice to ensure that you get the most out of your Electric Picnic experience.
Don’t forget to take ID
If you’re 21 but look about 15, congratulations. You’re probably going to defy the ageing process better than most of your mates. But you’ll need to bring some ID if you want to get in.
Stock up on medicine
Headache tablets are a must but bring whatever else you think you’ll need, like sun cream, after sun, something for upset stomachs, or antihistamines if you suffer from hay fever. A festival is minus craic if you’re sick or under the weather.
Get there early
Location, location, location – getting a good spot for your tent can make a major difference. Ideally, try and get a spot where you can camp along with your mates but it’s worth getting down early to get some prime real estate!
Pick your tent position carefully
Rule number one: pitch your tent before you start drinking. Avoid areas with portaloos or anywhere near a fence that could turn into an unofficial toilet when people get lazy. Areas near the main walkways can also potentially attract more dodgy types. And it’s probably best to avoid setting up camp beside a huge gang of complete wingnuts, unless that’s the vibe you’re going for.
Say hello to the neighbours
You don’t have to become besties but being on friendly terms with the people around you can make for a more secure “neighbourhood.”
Don’t bring anything you’re afraid to lose
You know what will happen if you do…
Wear the right footwear
Forget fashion and embrace sensible shoes. It’s much better than walking around with damp feet for the weekend and looking good.
Have a plan of attack
Pore over the stage times and work out how you can catch as many of your favourite acts as possible. Any plans will inevitably change on the day but having a loose plan can save you from trying to decipher the timetables after a feed of beer. Print out a timetable to save you wasting battery life on your phone every time you want to check something.
Pace yourself
It’s tempting to go nuts on Friday night but you don’t want to be a casualty for the next two days of the festival. Come Sunday, do you want to be Conor McGregor or Floyd Mayweather?
Don’t be afraid to go it alone
If you’re going with a crowd of friends, it can be hard to get everyone moving at once. If there’s a band you really want to see, be prepared to split up. Otherwise, you’ll end up resenting your friends for making you miss them. Although that doesn’t mean you should abandon friends if they’re in a bad way or need your help.
Manage your phone’s battery
Get your phone festival-ready by changing the settings to squeeze the maximum life out of each charge. Turn off vibrations, dim your screen, turn off GPS, limit notifications, set up battery saver options and knock off any apps that you don’t need. Imagine running into S Club Party at Electric Ireland’s ultimate Throwback Stage and not being able to take a selfie to prove it because your phone has died?
Bring ear plugs
This could be the difference between sleeping and not sleeping. Just think how grateful you’ll be if you’re hitting the sack at 7.30am while some tuneless wonder bashes out Wonderwall behind your head.
Drink plenty of water
This may sound like something your mammy would say but you will actually feel better for it and there’s less risk of ruining your festival with a bad case of sunstroke. At the very least, get plenty in before you start drinking.
Bring spare tent pegs
This could be the difference between a nice, comfy tent and a saggy mess.
Don’t leave your shoes outside
You may not want mud in your tent but leaving them outside is an invitation for some smart-arse to ruin your weekend.
Leave the campsite
Sure, the campsite can be great craic. Just don’t spend your entire festival there and miss all that great music and amazing things to see.
Buy a return ticket
If you’re getting a lift there, happy days. If you’re taking a bus back, make sure you get your ticket ahead of time and leave it somewhere safe. Otherwise, there’s every chance that you could accidentally spend/lose the bus fare home when you’re full of the joys of Spring on Sunday night.
Electric Ireland is the official energy partner of Electric Picnic. And we’re bringing 90s chart sensations 5ive, S Club Party and Jenny Berggren from Ace of Base PLUS a heap of nostalgia-filled fun and frolics, to our ultimate Throwback Stage at Stradbally this September.
Brought to you by Electric Ireland.
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