Electric Picnic: Ones to Watch

Here we are, on the eve of one of the biggest and most impressive festivals of the year; Electric Picnic. The stages are up. The wellies are packed. The tickets are like gold dust. The stage times have been released… and now we’re entirely stumped as to which acts we’re going to see this weekend. Too much choice is a dangerous thing and the prospect of having to pick and choose is positively daunting. So taking the Main Stage out of the equation, we here at DublinConcerts.ie have compiled a list of Ones to Watch, the list of up-and-coming acts that you just should not miss this weekend. And dare we say, it makes quite the packing for EP playlist! Enjoy!

Josef Salvat

This Sydney born singer-songwriter may have only released two songs thus far, but has already been compared to the likes of Lana Del Rey. His latest track ‘Hustler’ is filled with Hollywood grandeur; sweeping strings and cinematic drums. As a songwriter Salvat is disarmingly sensitive. His lyrics are sorrowful and frank, making his brand of grown-up pop music utterly enthralling. He takes to the Body & Soul Main Stage, Sunday at midnight.

Liza Flume

Liza Flume took over our top spot as Irish Band of the Week this past Monday, which was followed by an announcement that she is indeed playing Electric Picnic this weekend, to our delight. She’s a maestro of multi-layered tracks and loop pedals and it’s impossible to resist those charming dulcet tones of her often chilling vocals. You’ll get lost in this lady’s voice, so enjoy. She plays The Ruby Sessions Stage at 9pm on Saturday.

R.S.A.G.

Kilkenny multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Hickey a.k.a. R.S.A.G. released his latest EP in just July of this year but it has been received exceptionally well. According to our reviewers, “the EP is an amalgamation of hard-hitting instrumentals compacting Jeremy’s raw solo drumming talent at the core”. Bring this to a live stage and you’re in for a show. He’s renowned for explosive live sets so make your way down to The Body & Soul Main Stage, Friday at 11.45pm.

Last Days of 1984

Last Days of 1984 are a duo that produce psychedelic beach house music that’s just going to make you move. The band say they’re influenced by synth soundtracks and the sense of euphoria found in 90’s electronic music. This is another band who you will just have to get lost in and I can’t think of a better way to spend an hour of your Friday night at EP. They take to the Body & Soul Main Stage, Friday at 8pm.

The Strypes

Talk about making your big break. In a little of their first year The Strypes have shared stages with acts like Blur and Arctic Monkeys, gained themselves a record deal with Mercury Records and revved it up to provide the soundtrack for the latest Harley Davidson advert. Not bad for four young lads from Cavan, eh? We could go on and on but you should just listen to them yourselves. They take to the Electric Arena at 4.15pm on Sunday.

Hermitage Green

Hermitage Green are an acoustic folk rock band hailing from Limerick. The quintet is fronted by ex-Munster rugby man Barry Murphy and they broke onto the scene with incredible covers of Florence & The Machine, Elbow and Mumford & Sons. They’ve since brought out their own tunes for their EP “The Gathering” and blown us away. They are by far one of the most captivating bands we have had the pleasure of seeing live and are renowned for their instrumental skills. We wouldn’t miss this lot if we were you. They play the Electric Arena at 3pm on Sunday.

MØ

Karen Marie Ørsted better known as Mø is a Danish singer/songwriter who has topped Ones to Watch lists worldwide since the start of this year. Expect a concoction of Grimes-esque electronic beats topped off with a gutsy Scandinavian pop twist. She simply creates electronic pop perfection that we’ve dreamt about for years. She takes to the Little Big Tent at 8.15pm on Sunday.

Mount Kimbie

This is a band that were handpicked by The XX for their own personal festival, Night + Day that took place in London, Berlin & Lisbon this summer. Counting The XX amongst one of your biggest fans is quite the feat and there’s a reason why. They’re positively entrancing live. This electronic duo hail from the UK and come critically acclaimed, an impressive live reputation and can count James Blake as a former member. They take to the Little Big Tent Stage at 9.30pm on Sunday.

David Byrne & St.Vincent

What do you get when you mix a founding member of Talking Heads with a polysemous lyricist and multi-instrumentalist? Sheer genius, that’s what. Never has a collaboration been so intriguing as David Byrne & St.Vincent. Singularly, they’re renowned for the marks they’ve made on their respective genres and together, they’re making new waves beyond what anyone could have expected. This is one that you just simply have to see; words fail here. They take to the Electric Arena at 8.30pm on Sunday.

Should you want more, go check out the full line-up and stage times by clicking here.