Alex’s Electric Picnic Picks

I’m not heading to the Picnic this year unfortunately. I didn’t manage to blag myself a ticket and I certainly can’t afford to buy one so, unless a miracle happens, I shall be all alone in a deserted Dublin the weekend after next!

This year there are some great acts playing and my picks and recommendations would be as follows (and I have linked each act to a video for your perusing pleasure):

Friday 3rd september

Janelle Monae – I’d love to see Janelle Monae live. I adore her voice and her live act looks like great fun. Click here to see the diminutive singer channel James Brown during “Tightrope” live on Letterman.

Booka Shade – For a more late night techno kinda vibe, Booka Shade would be my bet. I used to play a breaks remix of Mandarine Girl to death when I lived in London and I think it’s still my favourite tune of theirs. Click here for a listen.

Chew Lips – I love singer Tigs’ voice but am so far not completely sold on the band. I’d be interested to see them live though as sometimes this can convert you! Click here to listen to their track Karen.

Kormac’s Big Band – This is an 11-piece orchestra playing DJ Kormac’s tracks and is a mix of live turntables, samplers, drums, double bass, barbershop quartet, trumpet, clarinet, banjo and live visuals. In short Kormac’s big band is pure awesomeness and must be seen to be believed. Check out a promo vid here.

Saturday 4th September

LCD Soundsystem – Gotta love a bit of James Murphy and given the fact that this is perhaps the last time he’ll play EP as LCD Soundsystem, it’s definitely worth catching him. Click here for my favourite LCD tune of all time.

Hot Chip – I’ve never seen Hot Chip live and would be interested to check them out, especially their new material. Click here for my favourite video of theirs.

Arveene and Misk – These guys are pros when it comes to rocking a dance floor and I’d say their set at EP will be animal! Click here to listen to their amazing Prodigy remix.

Villagers – The Mercury Music Prize nominated band are supposed to be phenomenal live and I would love to see them in front of a big home crowd. Click here to see their video for Becoming a Jackal.

Sunday 5th

Massive Attack – I’ve seen Massive Attack live three times and they never disappoint. Check out the video for Splitting the Atom from the new album Heligoland here.

U.N.K.L.E. Live – Just check out this video of U.N.K.L.E. live at Matter London. They’re a must see.

The one act I would endeavour to see above all else would be Lucent Dossier Experience. I saw these guys perform at the 2007 Electric Picnic and they blew me away. They’re a modern vaudeville troupe, with acrobats, dancers, circus performances, aerial acts, and singers. My jaw was on the ground for most of their performance and I immediately wanted to run away and join the circus. They also have the most amazing costuming which is all made in-house and incredible make-up, all of which combine to enhance the performance and create an amazing atmosphere.