Electric Picnic
Stradbally, Ireland
02/07/2011 – 04/09/2011

The earthly, heady vibe of Electric Picnic is as close as the Irish festival scene drifts towards Glastonbury. Stumbling amongst the static shocks of the dance venues and the Tolkien-esque wonder of the Body And Soul Arena, there are times when the intoxicating bass of the spaced out electronica or throwback rumble of edgy traveller folk can whip your brain into a space that seems a damp country mile from the larger stages. For all the atmospherics, though, it’s Jarvis Cocker who steals the show.

Pulp’s classic-drenched, peppy Sunday night headliner is intoxicatingly boisterous, with closer ‘Common People’ preceded by strong hints that the show might be the band’s last. Arcade Fire aren’t far behind, dousing the main stage with staggering visuals backing a sound that takes in orchestral, rock and pure wraithlike bliss-out over the course of a monster set. Further down the bill, Foster The People steal a few hearts in a rampantly catchy show, while Santigold rocks a pantomime horse plus hammer wielding party dancers and Lykke Li’s reflective vocals shimmer with intent. The Drums are in a dark, intense mood, leaving Grouplove to pick up the pieces with a happy-go-lucky display of instantly-lovable summer pop.

On top of a line-up that’s a bit of an indie kid’s wet dream, there’s plenty of compelling local talent on offer, too, Dublin heroes The Cast of Cheers, recently relocated to London, offer up a raging display of infectious math rock, before Belfast’s finest ASIWYFA melt a few faces with their heavy, swirly instrumental post-punk. Ambient electro whizzkid Moths went from high school to an official Interpol remix all in the space of a summer, and has stumbled upon a brilliantly spaced-out sound, while Le Galaxie offer a frantic, bleepy dance off. With midday starts, 4am finishes and more ambiance than a Frank Miller film, the Picnic’s most substantial challenge is simply to cram everything in.

James Hendicott