Lifes a picnic for cavan acts

From playing up a storm to cooking one up, the county was well represented at this year’s Electric Picnic music and art festival.
Most prominent on the music billing were perhaps The Strypes. It’s almost a year to the date since the local four-piece released their debut album, ‘Snapshot’, but their 6pm slot on the Main Stage last Friday, at a time when the festival site hazard rating was upped to ‘slippy in places’ due to the slight drizzle, meant that only the most dedicated made it.

From the furthest reaches of the campsite, a wind-carried ‘What a Shame’ and ‘Angel Eyes’ and it sounded like the band were happily living up to their headline status. ‘The Whereabouts’, meanwhile, fresh from signing an international music management contract with one of the biggest names in the industry, Steve Strange of Strange Management, are following fast in the footsteps of their forebearing brothers in breffni blues ‘The Strypes’.

Ross, Pete, Josh and Evan had played the cosy Crosby Tent and Trailer Park stages in previous years, and without fear, Kingscourt lads Wayne, Evan, Joseph and Dara showed on the Saturday that they’re more contender than pretender with two rift-filled, rip-roaring shows.
To restore a little bit of calm and harmony, Belturbet songwriter, actress, and poet Fiona Maria Fitzpatrick, currently touring with her new trio ‘The Darling Buds’ with singer Orlaith Fitzpatrick and pianist Niamh Currid, were to be found in the comfort of the Cultivate Stage, one of many alternative boutique venues at the festival.

Blacklion celebrity chef Neven Maguire was on hand in the Mindfield area to give his take on modern Irish cooking with MC Gillian Nelis, managing editor of the Sunday Business Post; while the face of Republic of Telly, Gowna man Kevin McGahern, showed why his star is rising so fast at the comedy tent.