Electric Picnic: Fishtown, Theatre of Food and a brand new piano stage revealed

Electric Picnic coverage is brought to you in association with Ramsbottom’s Portlaoise

The Electric Picnic Music and Arts Festival is just over two weeks away and organisers have been firing out the announcements in recent days.

On Monday, they revealed that a ‘piano stage’ would be present at the festival for the first time ever.

They said: “Nestled in the beating heart of Croí, for the first time, you will come across a piano. Standing alone.”

Electric Picnic is calling on all pianists, whether you’ve performed in public or simply for your own aural pleasure.

Artists can perform solo or ensemble, with up to four musical accompaniments, you can apply for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at this brand new and unique stage debuting at this year’s festival.

For scheduled performances, in addition to the piano, the space will be equipped with a high-quality four channel PA system with a microphone to support live vocals and three additional instruments.

The multi-channel setup allows musicians to mic up vocals, a violin, guitar, or any other instrument they choose to bring, ensuring flexibility and professional sound.

Melvin Benn, Electric Picnic Festival Director, said: “Electric Picnic is now accepting applications from pianists, singer-songwriters, and musicians eager to become part of the festival.

“Whether you’re a seasoned performer or simply someone ready to share music with the world, this is your chance to be part of something special.”

To apply, submit your details, plus a short video or audio clip demonstrating your ivory-tinkling talents, via Electric Picnic website.

The deadline to apply is Monday August 18, with winning entrants contacted by Thursday August 21.

Voting for the piano stage name is now open and you can choose your favourite ahead of the festival this summer.

• The People’s Piano
• Electric Keys
• The Ivory
• Chromatic
• The Picnic’s piano
• Keys at the Picnic
• The Picnic Piano
• The Ivory & Ash
• The Crescendo Stage
• Wild Keys
• The Grand Stretch

Meanwhile, now in its fourth year, deep in the woods of Stradbally Estate, Fishtown is home to The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow – Circus Tent, three pop up Sideshow Stages and The Heart and Anchor Bar.

The whole town is inhabited by circus, cabaret, burlesque, pole, drag and sideshow walkabout performers – you never know who you may bump into at Fish Town.

The line up has been announced and it includes: Junior Brother – Jerry Fish feat. MayKay – The Frank and Walters – Meryl Streek – R.S.A.G – High Fade – Shobsy – Trad Rave – The Sleeveens – Billy Scurry – Kelly Anne Byrne – The Love Buzz – Delush – Dandelion – David Geraghty (BellX1) – Decks N Drums – The Donnys – Molly Vulpyne Band – The Savage Hearts – Terri Fierce Pole Troupe – Regina & The Queens (Drag Show) – Sideshow Disco – The Kilo 1977 – Dirty Circus – Pontious Pilate & The Naildrivers – Fizzy Orange – The Year Grunge Broke – Simple Things – Hypnic Jerk – Vulture Fun – The Prongs – The Western Wheels – Peer Pleasure – Banyah – Sweets – Worn Out and much, much more.

The Theatre of Food main stage welcomes Ireland’s best-loved culinary personality.

Neven Maguire of MacNean Restaurant will take to the main stage cooking up a storm before delighting us with a live DJ set of his favourite tracks, alongside Ireland’s newest viral sensation Marcus O’Laoire.

Jonny Murphy, aka The Hungry Hooker, will be alongside Michelin starred Galway chef JP McMahon, and The Cupcake Bloke aka Graham Herterich to showcase the best of baking across the isle of Ireland.

A host of Ireland’s culinary extraordinaries will be cooking and exhibiting across the Theatre’s three stages, celebrating all things food, barbecue, and drinks.

In the Drinks Theatre, curated and presented by leading Irish drinks writer Aoife Carrigy, we take a deep dive into Irish drink culture and its amazing producers, importers and promoters.

Kildare’s very own Judith and Susan Boyle will kick the weekend off with a Punches and Cups Cocktail show, before we travel back in time with historians Christina Wade and Donal Fallon to the precursors to the Irish pub.

Come taste delicious pours to showcase solidarity with One Plate for Palestine, Kicky’s, All Apologies and more.

On the Theatre of Food Garden Stage, expect the best barbecue bites all weekend long from Smokin’ Soul hero honchos Pat and Jim.

Across the weekend, guest chefs will deliver the most mouth-watering tastes, including Sham Hanifa, author of the Blasta Book Agak Agak; Ireland’s Chinese food champion Kwanghi Chan; Lily Ramirez, the ultimate authority on Mexican cuisine in Ireland, and there will be echt gaucho Argentinian delights from Killarney’s Tango Street Food.

The Garden Stage will have Filipino tastes from Alex O’Neil and Richie Castillo aka Bahay, and barbecue masterclasses from John Relihan from Pitt Bros, and John Whelan of the Devils Menu.

SEE ALSO – Martina Mulhall: From rucks to rounds – Meet the Laois doctor in Ireland’s second row