This weekend sees the return of Electric Picnic, Ireland’s largest music festival to Stradbally, Co Laois after a two year hiatus.

Even with an increased capacity and additional competition, Electric Picnic sold out of weekend camping tickets within 30 minutes of going on sale – an indicator of just how culturally significant the festival has become.

With anticipation building for the start of the landmark festival, we here at Dublin People have created a list of our must-see acts across the weekend – some large, some more lesser known.

So without further ado…

Friday

Denise Chaila

Main Stage, 6:45pm

With the weather set to be (hopefully) dry and warm on Friday early-evening, there will be no better place to enjoy the beginning of the weekend by dancing away to Denise Chaila on the Main Stage.

The Limerick rapper and hip-hop artist brings jubilant energy to her live shows which will go down a treat with the still fresh revelers.

With tracks such as ‘Chaila’ and ‘Out The Gaff’ in her repertoire, Denise Chaila is a sure to deliver a cracking set.

Glass Animals

Main Stage, 8pm

Immediately following Denise Chaila on Friday evening, English indie pop-rock band Glass Animals take to the Main Stage.

Known for their poppy dreamscape tunes and some infectious hooks, Glass Animals are the perfect festival band. One that will sure to draw a large crowd.

Mega-hit ‘Heatwaves’ is among the group’s back catalogue as is the ever-popular ‘Gooey’ and ‘The Other Side of Paradise’.

Little Simz

Rankin’s Wood, 8:45pm

Mercury nominated rapper Little Simz plays the Rankin’s Wood tent on Friday evening.

The London-based artist has had a whirlwind few years with her two most recent two full studio albums, Grey Area (2019) and Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021) being met with adulation from critics and fans.

Her ability to mesh clever word play on social and comtemporary issues with catchy hooks and groovy instrumentals makes for an intense stage show and engaging performance.

Saturday

Rina Sawayama

Rankin’s Wood, 9:15pm

The electro-pop extraordinaire Rina Sawayama returns to Ireland riding a wave of hype surrounding her upcoming second album due for release later this month.

The Japanese-British singer-songwriter and her sticky melodies complimented by dance-inspired beats will draw a crowd on Saturday evening as her cult-like status grows.

Keep an ear out for ‘XS’ and ‘This Hell’ among other. Ear worms.

For Those I Love

Rankin’s Wood, 10:30pm

Following Rina Sawayama in Rankin’s Wood on Saturday night is For Those I Love.

Coming off winning the Choice Music Prize for best album of the year, Dubliner For Those I Love, or David Balfe, is riding high.

His self-titled album draws from many different genres and styles – including spoken word and hip hop – but its the celebratory, EDM-influenced tracks that are sure to be a hit with the festival crowd.

The Coolock local is a powerful performer and his set has the potential to one of the highlights of the entire weekend.

Tame Impala

Main Stage, 11:30pm

Aussie psych-rock band Tame Impala are arguably the most anticipated act to play Electric Picnic over the weekend.

The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter Kevin Parker, Tame Impala put on an extraordinary live set containing extravagant light shows and special visual effects.

Breezy summer hits such as ‘I Feel Like I Only Go Backwards’ and ‘The Less I Know the Better’ will bring out even the most casual fan while psych bangers such as ‘Let It Happen’ and ‘Elephant’ will be met with raucous fan approval. Not to be missed.

Sunday

CMAT

Rankin’s Wood, 4:15pm

Coming off a triumphant set at All Together Now, CMAT’s brand of country-pop accentuated with her magnetic personality is sure to draw a large crowd.

One of Ireland’s great young musical acts, Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson’s back catalogue contains such belters, ‘I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!’, ‘Rodney’, and ‘No More Virgos’.

Expect a boisterous sing-along and good vibes all around.

Khruangbin

Rankin’s Wood, 9:15pm

American trio Khruangbin and their brand of surf-psych-funk-rock (and whatever else you want to label them as) hit the Rankin’s Wood tent at 9:15pm on Sunday evening.

Expect a fun, upbeat show littered with some spacey jams and electro-inspired rhythms.

Tracks such as ‘Texas Sun’ and ‘Time (You and I)’ will be fan favourites and show could go down as one the most memorable of the entire weekend.

Arctic Monkeys or Disclosure?

Main Stage, 10:30pm and Electric Arena, 10:45pm

Arctic Monkeys? Disclosure? Indie-rock gods? Or  modern electronic-music icons?

Unfortunately for festival-goers, two of the most eagerly anticipated acts of the weekend clash on Sunday evening with Arctic Monkeys bringing the Main Stage to a close while recently-announced Disclosure play the final slot at the Electric Arena.

I can already hear the debates between groups of friends when trying to agree on where they should be going just before 10:30.

Fortunately, whatever the decision may be, there won’t be many disappointed with both acts set to bring the house down and hopefully, the 70,000+ fans home happy.