Electric Picnic 2007

Republic of Ireland | | 13 September 2007

But with the Gardai out in force attempting to direct traffic, the queues down the motorway are resembling the M25 on a bad day. Festival goers partying on the hard shoulder look happy, those not going to the festival typically miserable. Escaping the motorway, we encounter a local farmer who shares his local knowledge with us and shows us a traffic free route to the festival. However, arriving in Stradbally minutes later, it transpires we’ve arrived at the caravan and camper van entrance only. It feels like we’ve gone through a festival already.

For once Met Eireann manages to get the weather forecast right and as we enter the site the sun splits the sky, so much so that security don’t seem at all phased by the fact we haven't collected our wristbands as we wander in. The site is larger than the previous year, although the capacity remains the same, meaning everyone can wander around freely. The atmosphere is, indeed, electric as people wander from one area to the next, checking out the different bands that are playing and the entertainment available. Food outlets galore line the site and there's not a queue to be seen. Stuffing ourselves on the delicacy of a hog roast we wander in the direction of the bar. Still no queue, but in a bid to help the environment we have to pay three Euro each for a very pretty Electric Picnic memorabilia plastic pint glass. Great idea but not so great after you've had a few and forgotten to bring your plastic pint pot to the bar. However, it's nice to see a greener, cleaner festival site for once, albeit for a price.

With over five stages to chose from and an array of bands, we wander our own separate ways to explore further. The line up catered for everyone from Iggy Pop to the Dublin Gospel Choir, both encouraging maximum audience participation. Heading off to the Body And Soul area, I establish it’s bigger than the previous year and it hosts a new ‘rugby ball’ stage hosting various acts from comedians to acoustic sets. Encountering the wandering leprechauns and artistic characters this is the place to be, especially the two girls in fancy dress walking around with an ironing board causing a stir in the crowd. With a very relaxed crowd and plenty of entertainment, people chill with a pint of pear cider or stretch out having massages.

Off to visit the loos and what a surprise, I've seen many a festival long drop in my time but none as bad as this and not on day one. Although there is loads of room for camping, I wonder what makes people think that camping in between the long drops and the portaloos would be a pleasant experience? I head in the direction of the other camp site and spotting the ‘comfy crappers’ decide to part with my 4 Euro for the privilege of a luxury china toilet, a plentiful supply of toilet roll and a experience ten times better than I would have had otherwise.

Tents of all shapes and sizes were filling the camping grounds accompanied by the bucking bronco offering 100 Euro for the longest rider. This is an opportunity not to be missed and so one of the crew mounts the bull. Ten seconds later and he’s off.

Day two and more happy campers appear. The inflatable church is in full swing with weddings galore, the sun is shining and the atmosphere is surreal. Security decide that we're not allowed to bring alcohol into the site, the rules change daily at this festival. Off to see The Magic Numbers and The Polyphonic Spree and it’s relatively easy to get right to the front of the stage for both bands, the atmosphere heightened by the music and the level of alcohol consumed. The Beastie Boys are a different proposition however. Playing in a packed tent, getting in through the entrance is not being an option so instead we go all Great Escape and crawl under the side of the tent. The crowd is rocking and the tempreture is soaring before the Gardai intervene and the sides of the tent are raised so that we can all breath again. The crowds thicken as the evening progresses with a huge turn out for The Chemical Brothers. The crowds then disperse in the direction of the Silent Disco and Tir Na Gaista for an all night rave.

Day three and there are a lot of blurry eyed campers wandering aimlessly around the site, some more with it than others, the Body And Soul area being a main attraction. Chilling out in the sun, we catch our clutch of comedy before the rain moves in. Moving swiftly on to watch our final day of music, it gradually dawns that it's all coming to an end as the sensible people start to leave as evening shadows. We head in the direction of the circus and Lost Vagueness, splashing our euros faster than we’ve ever earned them. Perhaps the best value for money of the Big Wheel, which offers a welcome sit down and a wonderful view over the site. The lights, the crowds, the stages and the wonderfully illuminated Stradbally Hall are a something not be missed.

Monday morning and the mass exit begins, Gardai breathalising every second car as the hordes reminisce over what a great time was had while  thoughts javelin towards next year’s event. Well done Electric Picnic. We'll be back along with another 32,500 happy festival goers. It’s truly a boutique music festival, in a league of its own.