Essential homegrown action.
Electric Picnic is but days away.
You’re either in or you’re out.
With the festival getting bigger and bigger, it can be a touch overwhelming navigating the thing. Planning is key, unless you’re just there to get lost.
In any event, having assembled 10 international acts that you really should go and see, we’ve now done the same, but with the focus this time on Irish.
Get involved…
Dermot Kennedy
But of course.
The man of the moment, and you’ll find him on the Main Stage on Friday night at 9pm.
Now go read our summer long-read with the fellow. He’s got plenty to say.
The Claque
Your perfect post-Billie Eilish, pre-Dermot Kennedy appointment; The Claque take over the Body & Soul main stage at 8.30pm as night begins to fall on Friday.
A band that basically came out of nowhere a few months ago, armed with a pair of superb debut singles and a wondrous way with sound and vision.
Clip via The Claque
Otherkin
Having just announced their shock split after seven years together, Dublin noisemakers Otherkin will make good on their previous Picnic commitment.
OK shows are generally raucous affairs, but their bow at the Electric Arena (Saturday, 4.30pm) has an irresistible taste of bittersweetness to it. Go say goodbye.
Nealo
If all that ruckus proves too much and you’re more into jazz-influenced hip hop with a touch of relatable melancholy, get yourself to the Salty Dog stage at 4.55pm.
Rising MC Nealo is on board, and he’s blazing a trail.
Clip via Doghouse Dublin
Just Mustard
Saturday is a decent day for those from the Emerald Isle, with Dundalk shoegazers Just Mustard set for the Three Made By Music stage.
You’ll catch them and some loud-quiet-loud renditions from their RTÉ Choice Music Prize-nominated debut album at 5.45pm.
The Scratch
Like we said, Saturday is pretty great.
On that same Three enclave you’ll find a delicious fusion of traditional Irish music and good old fashioned metal as The Scratch come together at 6.50pm.
Honestly, if you’ve never heard or seen these guys before, this writer is guaranteeing that you’ll walk away a fan.
Clip via The Scratch
Pillow Queens
Another trip to the floating chaos woodland staple that is the Salty Dog, this time for the ferocious Pillow Queens (Saturday, 10pm).
Bring your mate who says there’s no good guitar bands anymore.
Fangclub
Speaking of useful guitar outfits, Rush locals Fangclub, fresh from releasing a strong sophomore album and opening for the likes of Metallica and Smashing Pumpkins, have the honours of shaking off your Sunday cobwebs at 2pm in the Electric Arena.
Talos
Corkman Eoin French released one of the year’s best back in February with second album Far Out Dust.
Live, the Talos experience is a heightened, sometimes frenzied thing, as sweeping arrangements and dizzying percussion allow French’s hypnotic vocals to take flight.
Get amongst it on Sunday in Rankin’s Wood at 5.45pm.
Clip via Talos
Róisín Murphy
Look, if you think we’re bashing out a recommendations list for a festival and not including the immense, superhuman talent of Róisín Murphy, then we don’t know what to tell you.
Handily one of the most innovative and fearless artists walking the earth, the Arklow native hits up the Electric Arena at 7.30pm on Sunday.
Expert avant-garde majesty and a general epic feeling.
Lead image of Just Mustard via Karl Walsh
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