THE HIGHS
Unexpected highlight
Becky Hill was an unexpected main-stage highlight on Saturday. Not even heavy rain could stop the crowd from dancing and chanting as the 28-year-old British singer performed an energetic set. Everyone left re-energised.
Best new feature
Freetown is Electric Picnic’s standout new area. Go for a drink in one of its collection of snugs, located along artfully decorated alleyways, and you never know who might serve you — some well-known names popped up behind the bar.
Showing how it’s done award
In the Electric Arena on Friday, Pixes come roaring through like mischief-makers who have gatecrashed their own party and turn a festival Friday night into indie-disco heaven.
Pitching their tent for next year
If Fontaines DC’s passionate, bracing performance (right after Pixies’) is anything to go by, it will be no time before the band are headlining the festival’s main stage.
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Surprising breakout stage
Coca-Cola’s slightly surprisingly named Coke Studio was an unexpectedly strong contender for best stage of the festival, especially early on Saturday afternoon, when James Kavanagh and Maria Lawlor had a tired, hungover crowd dancing and singing along to Abba, Britney Spears and everything in between.
Most pleasurable celebrity sighting
Siobhán McSweeney, who plays Sr Michael in Derry Girls, was spotted wandering around the festival site ahead of her Manifesto conversation, with the comedian David O’Doherty, about her acting career and life after the hit sitcom. When the late-night rain kicked off she likely had the same thought as everyone else: for fecks’ sake.
Best dancing
Pop stars might think their carefully choreographed routines should earn them nominations for this award, but they were no match for the older couple who danced through the main arena on Saturday, holding hands and twirling as they moved.
THE LOWS
Outrageously expensive food
Eating at Electric Picnic could leave a millionaire bankrupt — and wishing some of food had been a lot tastier. Three chicken goujons on a burger bun came in at a whopping €10, a small margherita pizza cost €18 at some locations, and a small basket of chips and curry sauce was €8.
Oddest look
Dermot Kennedy is the perfect Electric Picnic headliner. But what’s with the 1970s-porn-star moustache?
Biggest disappointment
The stormy weather. Friday and Saturday were mainly dry during the day — but at night, boy, did the rain arrive. Broken tents and flooded sleeping bags sent some people to their cars to sleep.
Environmental fail
It was hard to believe the festival bars were still relying on plastic cups, even if they did have a deposit return scheme, to encourage recycling, and use cups made from recycled PET. Surely it’s time to switch to reusable ones at all bars.
Sky-high prices
No festival is complete without amusements, but the Ferris wheel cost €12 for two revolutions. Sure, for that you could almost fly to England — where the London Eye offers much better views and value for money.
Smallest crowd for a main-stage act
The 2pm time slot and the weather went against the Irish brothers Hudson Taylor on Saturday, great as they are.
