Irish summer festival fans can start getting in gear for Electric Picnic after the Stradbally festival this afternoon announced its initial round of acts to play its 2014 edition. The big names on the bill include the likes of Outkast, Beck, Portishead, Chic feat. Nile Rodgers, Paolo Nutini and the Pet Shop Boys.

Others who you can expect to see at Electric Picnic over the weekend of 29th to 31st August will include Lily Allen, Simple Minds, St. Vincent, London Grammar, Metronomy, Slowdive, Foals, The Stranglers, The Wailers, White Denim, Laura Mvula, Annie Mac and more. 

The reaction to the line-up has been mostly positive thus far. A few of the above, such as Outkast, Portishead and Beck, were tipped to be among this year's acts (Note: our preview piece from yesterday shot a pretty respectable 60% with our predictions) but the likes of Lily Allen, Paulo Nutini and Pet Shop Boys are somewhat out of left field. 

Chic feat. Nile Rodgers are regular visitors here, having played umpteen festival dates over the years but the sheer amount of goodwill we as a nation tend to have towards Nile Rodgers ensures that he's not even close to overstaying his welcome. Ever since Outkast announced that they're going to be playing "dozens" of festival dates this year, as well as their non-appearance on the Longitude bill, they were odds-on to be a part of Electric Picnic in what will probably be the most anticipated gig of the weekend.

Beck's new album Morning Phase is getting great reviews (even if we're not completely sold just yet), so we're not too shocked to see him be a part of the eleventh Electric Picnic while St. Vincent's show in tandem with David Byrne left people literally in tears last year and her inclusion is a smart move by both festival and artist. 

Electric Picnic's recent trend of booking a huge act to guarantee some extra Sunday ticket sales (The Killers, Arctic Monkeys etc.) has this year been taken by Paolo Nutini who will likely ensure a gaggle of squealing girls at his set.

The recently reunited Creation Records alumni Slowdive, Bob Marley's band The Wailers and UK new wave icons The Stranglers are this year's set of 'heritage' acts tasked with taking you down the musical memory lane.

As for tickets:

Between March 19th – April 18th
€154.50 if you can prove you’ve been to 3 or more Picnics
€174.50 if you can prove you’ve been to the Picnic once/twice before
€194.50 if you haven’t been before
Family Weekend Camping ticket as above (2 kids U12 permitted per adult FOC)
Sunday Day Tickets; €90 (No camping permitted)

April 19th – July 4th midnight
€194.50 weekend tickets

After July 4th midnight
€229.50 weekend tickets [price remains the same as 2013]

Campervan Tickets for access to Regular and Family Campervan Parks are €60

 

 ELECTRIC PICNIC 2014 PLAYLIST

 

 Also, Simple Bloody Minds are playing!