Circle these names on your weekend schedule now
One of the best things about a festival as big as Electric Picnic is the huge array of bands and artists plying their wares.
And one of the worst things is trying to narrow down who to go and see.
We’ve helped you out by picking five acts - away from the headliners and the usual suspects - that you really shouldn’t miss…
1. RINA SAWAYAMA [Rankin’s Wood, Saturday , 9.15pm]
She’s far from little-known, but not only did this Japanese-British pop-icon-in-the-making release one of our favourite albums of 2020, but she puts on a hell of a live show, too. When you’ve had enough of indie schmindie lads with guitars, head to Rankin’s Wood for a set of seriously stylish pop tunes to ease you nicely into a big Saturday night. Her new album is released on September 16th, so it's also a chance for a sneak preview.
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2. NAROLANE & GUESTS [Three All for Music stage, Saturday, 2pm]
Three of the biggest names on Ireland’s ever-growing hip-hop scene have united to form Narolane - and they’re coming to get you, EP. Limerick-based Denise Chaila, God Knows and MuRli will play the Three All for Music stage on Saturday with a host of guest names. On their own, the trio are renowned for their progressive, forward-thinking and challenging hip-hop; together, they’re unstoppable. This ought to be a lot of fun.
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3. SILVERBACKS [Mind + Body, Saturday, 8.45pm]
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again - Silverbacks are one of the most underrated (and the best) bands in Ireland right now. The Dublin band have released two superb albums in ‘Fad’ (2020) and ‘Archive Material’ (2022) and are making a splash outside of Ireland, too, after numerous festival dates in Europe earlier in the summer. If you’re into quirky, imaginative alt-rock that’s as funky as it is squally, these are your guys.
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4. KHRUANGBIN [Rankin’s Wood, Sunday, 9.15pm]
If you’re wondering how to pronounce this Texan trio’s band name, it’s ‘krung-bin’. If you’re wondering why you should check them out this weekend, listen to the song above (with Leon Bridges); it’s a good indication of their smoky, soulful, laidback indie/dub/psych-rock vibe they peddle. Known for absorbing influences from some unlikely sources - their debut album was inspired by Thai country music - this’ll be the perfect blissed-out Sunday night vibe you’re looking for.
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5. KYNSY [Three All for Music stage, Sunday, 3.45pm]
One of the most impressive up-and-coming Irish acts we’ve heard in a while, Kynsy aka 24-year-old Dubliner Ciara Lindsey is on the verge of big things - so now’s the perfect time to catch her. Slack indie-pop that bounces and glisten with glints of melody before rolling over to show its scuffed underbelly, her forthcoming EP (produced by Alt-J’s Charlie Andrew) is sure to make her a bigger name.