Kneecap at Electric Picnic 2024. Photo: Getty The CEO of Electric Picnic has said that he is open to expanding the capacity of the festival for next year’s event. The venue in Stradbally, Co.
Laois already has a capacity of more than 70, 000 people. Speaking yesterday as Electric Picnic 2024 got ready to welcome the final night’s acts on stage, Melvin Benn said; “I’ll certainly talk to the council about whether there’s room for a bit more if there’s demand. I think there will be demand.
“I think the people that are here will have enjoyed it and not many people won’t be back next year”. Mr Benn reflected on the festival’s journey since its first outing twenty years ago. “I don't know that I’m entirely amazed that it’s got this far.
Actually. When we first started we had a vision. I’d say, by and large, where we are now is where that vision is.
“I don't know if we anticipated it being as big as it was and as popular as it is, in that sense, but it feels great,” he added. The headlining artists for Electric Picnic’s 20th anniversary were Noah Kahan, Calvin Harris, and Princess of Pop Kylie Minogue. The festival had no shortage of Irish artists either with CMAT, Lankum, Kneecap, The Wolfe Tones and Bambie Thug all storming the stages.
While next year’s headliner has yet to be announced, the Electric Picnic main-man teased that an exciting collaboration was in the works. “We’re not ready to talk about that but it’ll be good. This particular headliner is very special to me.
“I’ve had a long relationship with this particular one and we’d be in a very good place, were we to have them”. Mr Benn also commented on Kneecap’s watershed performance in the Electric Arena on Saturday. The Belfast rap trio who have made waves locally and internationally led the crowd into a chant of “Free Palestine”.
“Their trajectory is definitely a good one at the moment. It won’t be about an Oscar if they got a main stage offer,” he said. “But they were definitely one of the highlights of the weekend and I don’t think anybody would have seen that 18 months ago.
It has actually been remarkable.” Kneecap weren’t the only group who used their platform to send out a political message. The Mary Wallopers also showed solidarity to the people of Gaza, by decking out the stage in Palestine flags while Andrew Hendy, who plays the banjo, sported a green ‘refugees welcome’ shirt while performing.
Other highlights included headliner Noah Kahan enjoying one of the fair rides before his performance on Friday. And on Thursday, early entry ticket holders broke and set a new world record for the largest Rock the Boat, with 3,700 people taking part. Tickets for next year’s Electric Picnic go on sale on Ticketmaster on Wednesday, August 21 at 9am.
Electric Picnic 2025 will be held between Friday August 29 and Sunday August 31. Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
