Fossetts Circus are also back, the longest running continuous circus in the world, to celebrate their 130th year in the business. And putting the Picnic into Electric is the addition of a Cooking Stage in the Spoken Word area... A Michelin-All-Star culinary cast headlined by Rachel Allen, Dylan McGrath (Mint), Kevin Thornton (Thorntons), Derry Clarke (L'Ecrivain) and more to be announced who will not only be doing cooking demonstrations in a purpose built kitchen tent, but debating whether life really is too short to stuff a mushroom in their exclusive Q&As.

Also back this year, by popular demand, is the Hot Press Chat Room which will feature intimate interviews with (and occasional impromptu sessions from!) some of the festival's biggest names. The public interviews are carried out by a crack team of Hot Press writers, including Stuart Clark, Peter Murphy, Paul Nolan and Roisin Dwyer, with fans also being afforded a rare chance to quiz their heroes. Among those who have already been given the Hot Press Chat Room treatment at Electric Picnic are New Order, Flaming Lips, Bloc Party, Primal Scream, Elbow, The Frames, Josh Ritter, The Undertones, Damien Dempsey and many more.

The Southern Comfort Crawdaddy Stage promises to draw out the Mardi Gras fever adding a touch of New Orleans style. The Bacardi B Live Arena also makes a welcome return, as ever showcasing the collaborative works of world class DJ's, musicians, live vocalists and percussionists.

In our endeavours to make Electric Picnic more of a family experience we are introducing a Family Ticket which will permit access for two adults and up to four children. With this ticket families will be able to gain entrance to a new specially designated Family Campsite. They will be asked to register online where, nearer the time, they can also download a small booklet outlining children's activities and programmes as well as useful information on family camping, baby changing facilities, showers, toilets, etc. The "Children's Festival" itself will have its own area and reception for babies, toddlers and children up to 12. It will be programmed with all sorts of creative workshops, kids yoga, chill out space for parents, and games.

This year the festival will also continue developing its green policy to make the festival more environmentally friendly - check www.electricpicnic.ie for updates on how that's progressing along with stats from last year.

The Electric Picnic cogs will continue turning through out the summer revealing more and more of what's in store and enticing you every bit of the way to come run away with it. For further details and updates check www.electricpicnic.ie.

Ticket Info

Weekend Tickets are €240 / Family Camping Ticket is EU480 for 2 adults & up to 4 kids under 12 to access to designated Family Campsite. There are no single day tickets.
Campervan Tickets for access to Campervan Park are €60, available also from the same outlets. Above ticket prices include booking fee & vat and go on sale 9am Friday 28th March from all usual outlets, www.ticketmaster.ie / Credit Card Hotline: Ph 0818 719300 epublic of Ireland / 0870 2434455 UK/Northern Ireland. Phone / Internet bookings are subject to 12.5% service charges. Agents fee is €2.50.

Line-Up So Far

Sex Pistols, Sigur Ros, Grinderman, Franz Ferdinand, George Clinton & The P-Funk Allstars, My Bloody Valentine, Goldfrapp, Christy Moore, Wilco, The Gossip, Duffy, Underworld, Tinariwen, CSS, Tindersticks, New Young Pony Club, Josh Ritter, Lisa Hannigan, Cathy Davey, That Petrol Emotion, The Breeders, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sinead O'Connor, Henry Rollins, The Waterboys, The Roots, Kila, Micah P Hinson, Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Hayseed Dixie, Candi Staton, Juana Molina, Turin Brakes, Faust, Midnight Juggernauts, Tartit, Hadouken!, Silver Apples, Mark Geary, Teitur, Blitzen Trapper, Absentee, Balanescu Quartet, Lou Rhodes, Adrian Crowley, One Day International, The Yard Dogs, Tobias Froberg, Boss Volenti, Dawn Landes, Constantines, Yacht, Lionheart Brothers, Large Mound, Emmy the Great, Foals, Kormac & the BSQ Band, Jape, Noisettes, Dublin Gospel Choir…plus many more to be announced.

Watch www.electricpicnic.ie for updates.