Bat For Lashes was the opening act to the final day at The Electric Picnic. Natasha Khan’s debut album Fur And Gold was nominated for this year’s Mercury Music Prize, and the mellow set amply demonstrated why. The tent where she was playing was filled to capacity of around 2,000 people, and squeezed further by the first downpour of the weekend sending people flying for cover.
Khan herself attributed the bad weather to herself and her band, but it was just as well as so many more people got to see this truly delightful show. Quiet and unassuming it totally caught the mood of the audience and time seemed to float by as people stood quietly listening to every note. A really perfect start to Sunday.
DJ Yoda and Joakim played in the Bodytonic Arena, causing much swaying to their throbbing beats. Opening with a live version I Wish You Were Gone, the crowd of slightly worn out festivalgoers reacted very favourably to the latter’s set. Joakim managed to make it so right.
After a power nap and some very tasty fried rice I was ready for more. As an aside, the food at Electric Picnic stands out as being exceptionally good compared with other festivals. I arrived some way in to the set of another Brighton based band, Fujiya & Miyagi. David Best’s voice wasn’t at all clear – annoying as the very infectious bass line of their songs drifted over a very rowdy crowd but the catchy comical lyrics were rather lost. The Nu-Ravers seemed to have invaded the space too, with glow sticks routinely being hurled at the stage and other attendees. It pissed me off – so I can only imagine how the band felt, being pelted with plastic tubes. Transparent Things was a nice end to a set rendered rather mediocre, given the circumstances.
I decided to forego Primal Scream and just head to the Tir Na gCasta area in the forest by the festival. This area had been set aside for short sets from up and coming Irish DJs, a really postive aspect of the Electric Picnic. The other good thing about Tir Na gCasta is that it runs two an half hours later than the other tents. Robbie Ryan, who does a couple of different nights around Dublin, stood out for me during our trip into the woods that finished up a great night and, for that matter, a great festival.
Electric Picnic MP3s or CDs
Electric Picnic on Spotify
