These are all 100% true...
Electric Picnic is only a couple of weeks away and JOE can't wait to join the rest of Ireland's music fans as we make our annual pilgrimage to Laois to worship at the altar of good music.
We all know who is playing and some of their best tunes but did you know these things about some of the acts playing?
James Murphy
Before the LCD Soundsystem front man became one of the world's most famous producers and musicians he could have been a writer for one of the greatest TV shows ever made.
Murphy, whose immediate family all hail from Cork, was asked to write a 'test episode' of Seinfeld when he was just 22. The DFA record label co-founder said that he simply forgot to reply to the producers' request.
St Vincent
The supremely talented Annie Clark is also ridiculously good at football as seen by this brilliant Ossie Ardiles-esque rainbow flick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmPVAYc131k
Clip via -
Fan Châu Tinh Trì
Clean Bandit
The band's name comes from the literal meaning for the Russian translation of total swine or bastard.
When Jack and Grace were living in Moscow, their landlady used to refer to a friend of theirs as a Clean Bandit, though she meant it affectionately. The name stuck.
Outkast
One half of the band, Andre 3000 (what's cooler than being cool?) is no stranger to Ireland having shot his upcoming Jimi Hendrix biopic in Dublin.
The eagle eyed amongst you may be able to spot the Olympia Theatre, Eustace Street and Dame Lane.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Hu3yHS1A9I
Clip via - MOVIES Coming Soon
Foals
Foals started off as a ‘house-party band’ who arranged their shows exclusively through MySpace. It's no surprise to learn that the houses where they played at were often completely destroyed.
Continuing this theme, lead singer Yannis was once fired from a café in Oxford for putting a toy cow in a bagel toaster. Apparently some girls had dared him to do it and he didn't refuse.
Finally, our favourite thing about Foals was this quote they gave to an interviewer in 2007.
When asked what was their primary concern about their music they answered, “making sure we don’t disappear up our own arses like grey toupee-wearing progmusicians.” We like them.
H.T -
NME
Lily Allen
For those of you that may not know, the singer's brother Alfie Allen is Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. He even inspired this song from his sister. We reckon that he isn't pleased about this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr2Grfi3lFg
Clip via - emimusic
James Vincent McMorrow
The talented Irish singer's first job was pushing trollies in Dublin Airport which he described as "the most soul destroying job ever."
Beck
Probably the best guest that Futurama ever had.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BK50DWlGkQ
Clip via - almightyone03
Hozier
Before the Wicklow man went on to conquer the world he previously dropped out of a music degree in Trinity College to concentrate on writing and recording.
He left his mark at Trinity though... he was the lead vocalist with the Trinity Orchestra who are also playing at Electric Picnic.
Nile Rodgers
The legendary producer and guitarist has collaborated with some amazing artists over the years but his first break was actually as a session musician with the Sesame Street band.
We think it's safe to say that Elmo didn't offer him the same challenge that Chic, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Madonna, Mick Jagger, Pharrell Williams, Disclosure, Sam Smith, Daft Punk and more did.
Blondie
The Debbie Harry led band may have been involved in the most awkward moment in music history.
When Blondie's front woman and guitarist Chris Stein reunited the group in 1996 they did so without two of their former members, Nigel Harrison and Frank Infante.
Obviously bitter, the two men later unsuccessfully sued their former bandmates but this clip at their induction to the Rock n' Roll hall of fame is cringe worthy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KID0wBy6MYI
Clip via - ArtisanNewsService
London Grammar
The Hannah Reid-led trio may have had to recently deny that they were members of the Illuminati but it seems that their love of Ireland and Game of Thrones is undeniable.
Pet Shop Boys
Despite being from Blackpool, Chris Lowe is a huge Arsenal fan as seen by the fact that he produced and co-wrote a song for Ian Wright.
The fact that it's actually ok is testament to the genius of one half of the Pet Shop Boys and not the former Arsenal striker's singing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rebR5V4G5GQ
Clip via - GRASHOOPER RU
Mogwai
Despite not being overly fond of lyrics in their songs, Mogwai are quite outspoken when it comes to the topic of Damon Albarn and Blur.
In 1999, the post-rock band found themselves scheduled to play the King Tut`s stage at T in The Park while Blur headlined the main stage. For the event the Glasgow band printed special t-shirts with message 'Blur: are shite' printed across them.
The Scottish rockers have also described Robbie Williams as "an overglorified f*#kwit".
Sinead O'Connor
It may seem bizarre but she did play the Virgin Mary in Neil Jordan's film 'The Butcher Boy'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwTtzRKV-Hw
Clip via - variousiroiro
HamsandwicH
Niamh Farrell used to be a guest co-presenter on the iconic Dublin station Phantom FM.
Metronomy
The video for Love Letters is directed by Michel Gondry, who's worked with Daft Punk, The White Stripes,The Chemical Brothers to name a few, as well as directing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Be Kind Rewind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riEBi8BJ9Tw
Clip via - Metronomy
Altered Hours
My Bloody Valentine genius Kevin Shields is a fan. He has good taste.
Walking on Cars
Their first gig was in McCarthy's bar in Dingle and they could be the most excited band to ever play at Electric Picnic.
Simple Minds
You may already know that their lead singer Jim Kerr was married to The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde from 1984-1990 but did you know that 'Alive and Kicking' was used in the very first promotional ad for the Premier League?
Try name all of the footballers, it's bloody tough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEAIyH_gDSk
Clip via - johngorman1978
Stephen Malkmus
Despite hailing from California, Malkmus is genuinely a hardcore Hull City fan. The Pavement and The Jicks front-man has been a Tigers supporter since he was working with members of the East Yorkshire music scene.
PS: Xabi Alonso is a massive Pavement fan and this is reason #732 why Alonso could be the coolest man alive.
Glass Animals
The Oxford bands first gig was in the Bookbinders bar near the famous campus. It was also the same venue where Radiohead played their first ever gig in 1991 also.
The Blades
In 1978, the Ringsend band had a six week residency in the famous Baggot Inn bar with another fledging Dublin band, U2.
Dave Fanning, who DJ’d at the gigs, has said that parts of the crowd used to leave straight after The Blades and skipped U2's set.
The 1975
Lead singer Matt Healy's mother Denise Welsh used to be a regular actress in Coronation Street while his dad Tim Healy played Dennis Patterson in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.
