Electric Picnic Preview – Topping The Bill

Posted on 29th Aug 09 by Aoibheann Maguire | 14

The shindig that put Stradbally on the map, Electric Picnic, is back with a bang. But before you reach for a head-torch in honour of the return of Orbital, or a Hawaiian shirt in homage to Brian Wilson take a while, as I’m sure you will, to sift through the array of downright exotic and extraordinary performances on offer. Kudos where it’s due, the people behind Electric Picnic always come up trumps. Not only do they bring us a stupendous selection of the newest acts each year, they also manage to persuade, defunct, acts to shake off a few cobwebs, as well as keeping us interested by introducing us to bands we’ve never even heard of. But will probably be raving about for years to come. As if that weren’t enough there’s a circus, kids area, comedy and more. …………………………

TOPPING THE BILL

BRIAN WILSON (Saturday)

Brian Wilson was the heart and soul of the Beach Boys. While his brothers were faffing about in their new found fame during the Beach Boys heyday, Brian, whose musicianship began as a child, was immersed in his vision to bring forth new sounds, which earned him the title “the Mozart of Rock”.

His devotion to creating fresh, exciting arrangements trampled down the parameters of pop – breathing new capabilities into the genre. From the California sufin’ themed songs, such as Surfin’ U.S.A, of their early work to the distinguished platinum selling album Pet Sounds, Brain remained the band’s primary creative force.

Now an established solo artist, Brian Wilson, will be treating Electric Picnic to some of his timeless pop gems, as well as his more recent works such as last year’s That Lucky Old Star album.

FLAMING LIPS (Sunday)

Psychedelic rockers, the Flaming Lips, are no strangers to Electric Picnic. The Oklahoma-formed band put on an unforgettable performance, back in 2005, when singer Wayne Coyne took to the stage in a giant bubble –without doubt the best entry to a stage ever.

While Kraftwerk manned their laptops in a nearby packed tent, the Flaming Lips entourage pranced about, outdoors, on stage in Bunny costumes. They’ve an extensive and very experimental discography which makes them the perfect accompaniment to a festival line-up with the, visionary, artist listed above. They’ve a new album, Embryonic, due out in September. Plus they’ve a penchant for song themes about outer-space and robots – what’s not to like?

Q magazine named this band one of the 50 bands to see before you die.

BASEMENT JAXX (Sunday)

You can only fully comprehend Basement Jaxx hit single Where’s Your Head At? When you’ve lost your mates at a festival, you’re over the limit and covered in mud. The Brixton band are not your average dance band – they’re born entertainers.

Their music and their attitude veers towards Latin disco-funk fuelled fun. Their stomping collection of singles from albums Remedy through to Kiss Kash up to Crazy Itch Radio will spice things up nicely, in a Bollywood by Rio via Brixton kind of way.

What’s more? They’re bound to play some tracks from their forthcoming album. Scars is due for release in September with guest vocals from none-other-than Yoko Ono, Santigold,Yo! Majesty and there’s a whisper that Grace Jones might be somewhere on the album too – interesting with a capital I.

MGMT (Friday)

When MGMT played the Ambassador in late ’08 you couldn’t buy a ticket from even the slyest of touts: they didn’t have any. The huge success surrounding Oracular Spectacular has seen this hugely tipped band, in America, in 2007/2008 reach a tipping point worldwide in 2009. Expect the singles Time to pretend, Kids and Electric Feel to add some psychedelic splendour to the last days of summer

CHIC (Saturday)

All together now: Le Freak, C’est Chic. The New York City disco kings, Chic, are going to make everybody dance. They’ll have everyone singing too when they get to, hit single, Good Times. Except for the Sugarhill Gang, from whom they “borrowed” the bassline for the song. Even if you dislike disco, the atmosphere when Chic take to the stage is bound to be electric. It will be hands in the air from Everybody Dance right up to I Want Your Love. Not to be missed.

ORBITAL (Friday)

Exactly ten years ago Orbital were headlining the Homelands festival in Mosney, Co. Meath. In all that time, no act has come along who could blend the punk-political ethos, and the higher state of consciousness electronica, quiet like they did. From their breakthrough release, Chime, back in ’89, and right throughout their career, they’ve gained a dedicated and diverse following. Snivilisation, In Sides and The Middle of Nowhere made it into the top five in the UK album charts. However, all of their releases became, record collector, must-haves especially since the group split in 2004.

They reformed in 2008/9 by popular demand, and to celebrate their 20 year anniversary. The sibling-duo are set to give you a Friday night to remember when they play, this year’s, EP. They’re noted for their high-tech live stage shows, which took dance music to a whole new level in the nineties.

Revered among their peers and never equalled in their genre. Expect the place to be thronged as Orbital spin Laois right to the depts of the middle of nowhere. They didn’t headline Glastonbury, in the 90s, for two years running, for nothing.

BELL X1 (Sunday)

Bell X1 got the token Irish slot at the top, and more power to them. Not only are they a household name in Ireland they’re also rapidly gaining momentum Stateside. Fresh from warming the crowds up for U2 and with a new album Blue Lights on the Runway to plug. The Kildare trio are likely to draw huge crowds from their loyal fan-base on Sunday evening. A combination of clever lyrics, uplifting melodies and the fact that anyone, living in Ireland, knows all the words will culminate to great effect at this year’s get-together.

FLEET FOXSES (Sunday)

It’s hard to imagine a group of hairy men converging and deciding to form a harmonious folk-rock group. But Seattle-based Fleet Foxes did just that, and it made them the indie darlings of 2009. The Guardian went so far as to say that, the sub-pop signed, Fleet Foxes self-titled debut album was a landmark in American music. They seem to attract acclaim and criticism in equal measures for their “baroque pop”. Either way, they’re playing the perfect slot, on the Sabbath evening, when soar heads will need a little softly-spun, choral, soothing.

MADNESS (Saturday)

Ska-revivalists Madness, along with The Specials, were huge in the late 70s/early 80s. The hedy combination of a chirpy offbeat style teamed with Graham McPherson’s (Suggs) affable persona, bound to great success. They promptly shook off their, skin-head, fan-base of their early days, only to flourish to mainstream success.

Their list of hit singles including: Baggy Trousers, It Must Be Love and House of Fun meant that they were rarely out of the charts for the first half of the 80s. Their songs have clearly stood the test of time, as was evident when they brought their back catalogue to a whole new audience, with great effect, at Glastonbury earlier this summer.

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA (Friday)

Last but not least, guitar maestros, Rodrigo Y Gabriela celebrate the launch of their new album and offer an alternative to Orbital on Friday night. The Mexican duo need no introduction, as they’re renowned throughout their adopted home, Ireland, for their franticly fabulous guitar playing style. They’re influences are wide in scope ranging from their first love metal, to the other end of the spectrum – Folk. During performances they tend to hold audiences in the palm of their, remarkable, hands. 

Drop back to Drop-d throughout the week for further previews of Electric Picnic.

Electric Picnic takes place in Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois on 4th, 5th and 6th of September visit www.electricpicnic.ie for further information.

Tags: Basement Jaxx, Bell X1, Brian Wilson, Chic, electric picnic, flaming lips, Fleet Foxes, Madness, mgmt, Orbital, rodrigo y gabriela