Yet again, Stradbally in County Laois is the place to be this weekend as the Electric Picnic Music and Arts Festivals kicks off for three days of festivities. There is truly something for everyone at the Electric Picnic, even if the music is not your thing, there is plenty of opportunities to experience art and comedy, and a various other attractions.

However, this is a music blog, and for that reason this post will provide a list of acts that this writer feels are worth paying a look at while at this years festival.

LAOISE (Body & Soul Stage, Sunday, 3pm)

LAOISE, the stage name of  Galway native Laoise Ní Nualláin, released her Halfway EP back in June of this year, and it instantly became clear that she was an act worth paying attention to. The EP has since received extremely positive views, and her set at this years festival is sure to be well worth a look.

EDEN (Little Big Tent, Saturday, 8:30pm)

Jonathan Ng, the Dublin EDM producer, was already the subject of a post on this site and is easily the act that this writer is most looking forward to seeing at this years festival. An artist of exceptional lyrics and pulsing synths, he is sure to be one of the highlights of #EP2017.

Lewis Capaldi (Cosby Tent, Saturday, 3:45pm)

The talented singer/songwriter from Bathgate has been gathering quite a buzz since his debut single, Bruises, appeared on Spotify and within the first nine days had already amassed nine million listens. A composer of intricate and heartfelt songs, EP is the perfect chance to catch him before he starts to sell out bigger venues.

Booka Brass (Salty Dog Stage, Friday, 12:25am)

Booka Brass Band are a group of eight extremely talented musicians based in Dublin who released their debut album, Chilled Milk, in September 2016. Energetic and charismatic live performers, if you are looking for something to dance to, you can not go too far wrong by paying these boys a visit.

Michael Kiwanuka (Electric Arena, Sunday, 6:15pm)

The 2012 debut LP, Home Again, was widely regarded as one of the standout releases of that year, with critics and fans praising the deep and bluesy voice of Kiwanuka. A similar reaction with greet his second offering in June 2015, Love & Hate. A must see.

 

All Tvvins (Rankin’s Wood, Saturday, 8pm)

Easily one of the best bands in Irish music at the moment, they were by far the stand out performers at this years Indiependence Music & Arts Festival and they are sure to be one of the highlights of Electric Picnic 2017 as well.

MK