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Written by Kate O' Hara   
Thursday, 21 August 2008
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Music is not all Electric Picnic is about, as it is just one of a growing number of eco friendly festivals. Working with Cultivate, Friends of the Earth and Ecocom, Electric Picnic has committed to creating a carbon responsible festival which will employ a long term strategy to reduce its carbon footprint. Organisers  encourage Fair Trade and festival goers will be amazed at the huge range of organic stalls, cafés and healthy food options.

For a relaxing drink, the fascinating Bollywood Bar has an interior which was hand stitched in India while the walls are filled with Bollywood film backdrops. The uniquely designed silver chandeliers scatter light across the velvet sofas and floor cushions while drinkers taste exotic cocktails.

Every year at Electric Picnic brings new features, installations and arenas. Festival goers will not be disappointed with the introduction of the Merkabar and An Halla Baile. The Merkabar is a huge 50 foot Geodome with a sweet cocktail lounge while An Halla Baile will feature barn dances, salsa dances and swing bands.

Regular festival goers will be familiar with staple entertainment in the form of the Bacardi B-Bar, the Jazz and World Music Stage, the Pussy Parlour and the Southern Comfort Stage.

Laughter is an essential part of any weekend away, with the festival’s comedy club arena drawing in huge crowds. Hosted by Des Bishop, the International Comedy Club will host acts such as Jason Byrne, Maeve Higgins, PJ Gallagher, Karl Spain, David O’ Doherty and Andrew Maxwell.

Among the other myriad activities to enjoy at Electric Picnic are the 24- hour cinema, the silent disco, the paint-balling range, the cooking stage, the Temple of Truth, the Hotpress chatroom  and very importantly for ladies, the GHD hair and make-up room.

Challenging festival goers to open their minds is the annual Leviathans Debate. Hosted by broadcaster David McWilliams the panel will reflect on the political and cultural legacy of 1968, the high watermark of 1960’s counterculture. Featuring civil rights activist and journalist Eamonn McCann and author Mark Kurlansky, the panel will also explore the relationship between economics and the arts.

Amnesty International are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the festival. As part of this celebration eight of Ireland’s most influential writers including Roddy Doyle and Annie Enright will perform readings and take part in a panel discussion on human rights.

The festival not only offers the chance to listen to the best in new and established music but also provides all round entertainment for families.

The ‘Children’s Festival’ has its own area and reception for babies, toddlers and children up to 12. Young people will be able to take part in creative workshops, kids’ yoga, games and chill out spaces. Fossett’s Circus will also bring its own brand of wacky entertainment to the Picnic.



All sorts of creative outpourings take place at the festival and this year is no different with the Lucent Dossier inter-active circus troupe. The artists encourage the audience to dream and immerse themselves in magic. They claim they will “shoot-off spontaneous water canons, fly down slippery slides and dive into mad alchemic pools of ancient water”.

Electric Picnic truly is a place where music, art and creativity combine to create a magical festival experience. For those with tickets buses will be departing from outside Custom Quay House between 10am and 6pm on Friday August 29 and returning on Monday September 1.


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