EELS  
Not infrequent visitors to our shores, E’s gang have amassed a loyal following on this island. Continuing to plough the introspective and downbeat alt-rock furrow, Eels don’t tend to disappoint. Known for confronting some heavy subject matter, and with E (Mark Everett to his friends) very much at the helm, their creativity shines light through the darkest of themes. Expect to bear witness to material from his/their tenth studio album, Wonderful, Glorious, released earlier this year and containing some of Eels most optimistic work to date. Musically versatile, both innovative and beguiling on the live stage, Eels are bound to offer a heady dose of earnest indie rock tinged with melancholy during their Sunday evening slot.

CHVRCHES  
One of the freshest prospects to emerge from Glasgow’s fertile music scene, Chvrches are unlike many of their more dour or bittersweet compatriots. Exponents of emotive electro-pop, the group garnered substantial critical acclaim when they emerged on the scene in 2012, making waves with their anthem ‘The Mother We Share’. As a live proposition, last year’s support slot to Passion Pit at the Olympia is fondly remembered, and the EP crowds are sure to make a bee-line to see the trio on Sunday whether it be to rejoice in the accessible synthpop sounds, or simply to see what all the fuss is about. Cross fingers for a fitting slot. With an album due to drop at the end of September, this is a prime opportunity to get ahead of the pack.

CATHY DAVEY   
By now a stalwart of the Irish musical establishment, Dublin’s Cathy Davey also seems part of the furniture at Electric Picnic. As if the gently-lit wooded environs were designed with Davey’s music in mind, the singer-songwriter’s enchanting and intricate music ought to attract large numbers. Catching Cathy perform tucked away on the Salty Dog stage (or separately on the Trailer Park stage, if you prefer) could be a highlight of any punter’s weekend. Lofty in profile and held equally high in regard, there’s been no album since 2010’s The Nameless, though the last five years or so have seen Cathy Davey come in to her own. Electric Picnic will provide just the right atmosphere for delicate, evocative renditions of the likes of ‘Little Red’, ‘Sing For Your Supper’ and ‘Army of Tears’.

LE GALAXIE    
There can’t be many out there now who remain ignorant of the Le Galaxie juggernaut. It’s roughly two years since the simmering hype over everyone’s favourite retro-electro outfit bubbled over in to neon mania, with the Electric Picnic slot of 2011 regarded pretty much as their coming of age and the moment at which the unassuming Dubliners properly entered the public consciousness. Sure, they seem to appear at every festival going, but not without good reason. It will be interesting to see how the group adapt to the more serene Body & Soul arena. And with new material on the horizon, expect Le Galaxie to light up the venue’s renowned natural amphitheatre . Knowingly selecting the best and worst excesses of 1980s/1990s synth-pop, melding it with that era’s pop culture aesthetic, and reproducing it all in a mélange of swooshing sci-fi synthesizers and ambitious but danceable electro beats, this is top drawer retro-futuristic shtick. There’s no chance you’ll come away from this one without a glowstick, traces of somebody else’s sweat and a giddy smile on your face.

DEAP VALLY   
Among the plethora of buzz bands bound for an appearance at Stradbally in 2013, Deap Vally stand out as one of the more engaging live prospects. Returning to Ireland following a fleeting appearance at Whelan’s last year, the duo run a neat line between noisy stylised rawness and Black Keys blues-rock. Like a glorious amalgam of the White Stripes and vintage Karen O, Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards will bring the attitude and will make it loud and grubby. Depending when and where these trendy LA girls are scheduled, it could be the festival equivalent of a caffeine boost before heading off to work for the day. You can see them dust those cobwebs away on Saturday.

WORDS: Killian Barry