Thousands bound for Electric Picnic

More than 30,000 revellers will descend on Co Laois today for the Electric Picnic music festival.

More than 30,000 revellers will descend on Co Laois today for the Electric Picnic music festival.

Bjork, Manic Street Preachers, Chemical Brothers and Primal Scream are among the top acts that will take to the stage tonight, tomorrow and Sunday.

The festival, now in its forth year, has grown from being a one-day music fest to a three-day party encompassing music, the arts and poetry.

However, the Picnic has kept its trademark intimacy intact by realising just 32,500 tickets – all snapped up before the line-up was announced.

The Beastie Boys will do their first Irish show in over a decade, while the recently reformed Iggy And The Stooges will give their only performance in Ireland or the UK this year.

The exciting line-up also includes ex-Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, a hark back to 1980s punk-pop with The Jesus And Mary Chain, cutting edge dance-rock from LCD Soundsystem, and the first ever Irish show by the Damon Albarn-led The Good, The Bad and The Queen.

Meanwhile, the Dublin Gospel Choir will be there to redeem festival-goers’ souls on Sunday morning.

Away from the music there’s a dizzying array of delights including the Body and Soul Village featuring organic food and drink, a massive range of holistic treatments, and an arts and crafts area.

Favourites to return will be the games field for adults and children, Comedy Club hosted by Des Bishop, Bodytonic Arena, and the Leviathan Think Tank – the political debate tent hosted again this year by economist, broadcaster and writer David McWilliams.

The Village Green, complete with Village Hall, will host a right rustic knees-up, with line dancing, daily ceili, gypsy bands, trad sessions, apple bobbing, salsa classes, dancing competitions and a bit of mayhem for all the family, friends and freaks to enjoy.

While art fans can get a break from the madness seeing a stunning exhibition of photos by Irish actress Victoria Smurfit, with commentary by Pauline McLynn.

The photos tell the story of World Vision Ireland patrons and child sponsors incredible journey to a Tanzanian community in the heart of Africa.

However, a stern warning has also been issued to revellers driving to the festival – especially those driving home the morning after a drinking session.

Gardai will be out in force in the area to ensure drink drivers are caught.

A free Festival Survival Guide, produced by drinkaware.ie, tells music fans how to ensure their festival experience doesn’t turn into a nightmare.

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