Festival fatigue is a very real condition. Many of us could probably quite accurately sketch out a map of the Electric Picnic site with a decent amount of detail before we even got to Stradbally.
That’s why festivals need to evolve and expand as punters become more familiar with them. The Picnic has done that well since Festival Republic came on board, with the standard of production rising across the board. But there can often be a sense that festivals in field have a cookie cutter or repetitive element to them, which is why it’s great to have spaces that feel less familiar (and please, please, please, less branded) than the usual stuff.
The Haunt is settling into the Body & Soul area of Electric Picnic, a weird barn-like-Victorian-blues-dive-bar which wouldn't be out of place in a hidden corner at Glastonbury.
The place is bizarre; large doors opening into a creepy music hall, with leather couches on the right-hand side, a backstage door-opening mechanism that threatens to drop something on a clock (just pay attention to it), the skeletal remains of animals and creepy doll-type things scattered around.
There’s a music policy that could only be described as “eclectic”, surreal posters on the walls, and the ghosts of slide photography utilised as decorations.
Do yourselves a favour, and spend an hour chilling on one of the couches, watching people’s reactions as they cross the threshold.
At the very least, it’s a respite from the cheesy, influencer-baiting branded areas, which scream and shout for attention.
The Haunt doesn’t need flashing lights or shiny wristbands, and it might be one of our favourite spots at the Picnic as a result.
