Electric Picnic is here again, and Stradbally is once more the setting for Ireland’s biggest music weekend. With hundreds of acts across every genre, deciding who to see can feel like a festival in itself.

to make things easier, we have picked out some of the performances that promise to be unmissable, from homegrown heroes making triumphant returns to international stars ready to light up the Main Stage.The Academic
Friday, 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Electric arena

Getting Friday night well and truly started, Killucan’s finest are Electric picnic veterans, having made their debut as ah-bless young fellas all the way back in 2014. They’ve picnicked three times since and always deliver, so if you’re Electric Arena-bound to see The Saw Doctors (9pm-10pm), get there early to watch Craig Fitzgerald and co – come on, Anything Can Happen is one of the standout Irish songs of the decade! Looking to the future, The Academic are gearing up for the follow-up to their 2023 album Sitting Pretty, date TBC, so perhaps a new song or two will be premiered this weekend. And if you still wont more,well,they have just announced a 3Olympia headliner in October. Harry Guerin

chappell Roan
Friday, 8:00pm – 9:30pm, Main Stage

Chappell Roan’s EP slot is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about performances of the weekend.

The freshly crowned Grammy winner (Best New Artist) is set to get the party well and truly started on Friday evening. Festival-goers can expect a dazzling performance,packed with vibrant visuals and a string of crowd-pleasing anthems from her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.

Cue Pink Pony Club, Hot to Go! and her first #1 hit in Ireland – Good Luck, Babe!

rumour has it fans will also be treated to sneak peeks of material from her upcoming second album.

Music to our ears! Laura delaney

Self Esteem
Friday, 8:15pmpm – 9:15pm, 3Music Stage

English music star Self Esteem, real name Rebecca Lucy Taylor, blew away the audience at her headline gig in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre in 2023, and now she’s back, hot on the heels of her superb third album A Elaborate Woman, to play Electric Picnic’s 3Music Stage on Friday night.

The singer-songwriter has an idiosyncratic, genre-bending and pleasingly maximalist approach to pop music, paired with deeply personal lyrics that resonate with her audience.

Famed for her expertly choreographed, high-energy and delightfully theatrical performances, she’s sure to light up the stage with her hour-long slot. Sarah McIntyre

Hozier
Friday, 10:30pm – midnight, Main Stage

Ireland’s global superstar is back on home turf to open Electric Picnic in unforgettable style.

Fresh from his massive Unreal Unearth world tour, Hozier makes a triumphant re“`html

Electric Picnic 2024: five Acts You Can’t Miss

electric Picnic is back, and this year’s lineup is packed with astonishing talent. From indie rock to electronic beats and orchestral tributes, there’s something for everyone. Here are five acts you absolutely shouldn’t miss at this year’s festival.

Sam Fender
Saturday, 9:45pm – 11:00pm, Main Stage

Sam Fender is one of the UK’s biggest rock stars right now, and his Electric Picnic headline slot is well-deserved. Known for his anthemic songs and powerful live performances, Fender delivers a raw and honest experience. Expect to hear hits like Seventeen Going Under and Hypersonic Missiles in the mix, expect a spine-tingling set that balances raw emotion with euphoric release.

It is the kind of show that will turn a field in Laois into the biggest sing-song in Ireland. SK

Fatboy slim
Saturday, 11:30pm – 1:00am, Main Stage

it’s 20 years since Fatboy Slim – aka Norman Cook of various bands including The Housemartins – made his Electric Picnic debut.

He may be in his early 60s but Cook remains an absolute monster of a DJ and knows how to get a crowd going and give them a cracking night.

fatboy Slim’s been on the go since he adopted the moniker in 1995,which means he brings more than a quarter-century of crowd-pleasing vinyl with him.

Cook holds the Guinness world record for the most UK number-one singles by a musician as a member of diffrent acts – if anyone can keep the upbeat mood after Saturday headliner Sam Fender,Fatboy Slim can.

Awwww… freak out! JB

Noel and Mike Hogan (The Cranberries) with the RTÉ Orchestra
Sunday, 3:30pm – 4:30pm, Main Stage

This is a truly special performance. Noel Hogan, guitarist and songwriter of The Cranberries, will perform with his brother Mike, alongside the RTÉ Orchestra. It’s a unique opportunity to hear The Cranberries’ iconic songs reimagined with a full orchestral arrangement. Expect a moving and unforgettable experience.

The Kooks
Sunday, 6:45pm – 7:45pm, Main Stage

The Kooks are indie rock royalty, and their set at Electric Picnic promises a nostalgic trip back to the mid-2000s.With hits like Naive and She Moves in my Way, they’ll have the whole crowd singing along. Their energetic performance and catchy tunes are guaranteed to get everyone dancing.

Rina Sawayama
Sunday,8:30pm – 9:30pm,Main Stage

Rina Sawayama is a rising star in the pop world, known for her genre-bending music and stunning live shows. She blends pop, R&B, and electronic elements to create a unique and captivating sound. Expect a visually spectacular performance with plenty of energy and infectious beats.