ELECTRIC PICNIC’S NINTH year has drawn to a successful close with organisers “very satisfied” with how things went.
Described as “smooth running”, the event saw friendly crowds and no major incidents were reported. Although the festival wasn’t sold out, promoters said they were delighted with the turnout with ticket sales “exceeding expectations”.
2013 will mark the 10th anniversary of the gig with organisers already promising “something extra special”. But first, how was 2012 for you?
The music
@conor_pope may have been overstating it but The Cure did play an impressive three-hour set, attracting one of the biggest crowds ever to the main stage. Other musical highlights came from double-headliners Elbow and The Killers, as well as from Gavin Friday and home-grown talent The Villagers.
However, Patti Smith stole the show for many on the Crawdaddy State on Saturday night.
The weather
Revellers swapped their wellies for sunnies as the sun stayed out for the majority of the weekend and temperatures hit the 20s on Sunday. As the festival is more than just the music, the dry conditions were welcomed by those hanging out in other areas such as the Trailer Park stage and Theatre of Food, where Michelin-starred chefs Derry Clarke, Ross Lewis and Paul Flynn cooked for the masses.
The traffic
Although the worst may still be to come later today when camp sites close at 1pm, organisers said their traffic plan has worked “very well”. Apart from minor delays on opening day, local Gardaí in Portlaois have reported no traffic incidents. Inspector Harrington said the good weather conditions proved “an additional bonus”.
For people still at the camp sites and car parks, authorities have advised them to drive with care only when they know it is safe to do so. They have also asked people to make sure they have all their belongings with them.
The star-spotting
Lorraine Keane and Ryan Tubridy in the VIP area on Saturday. Image: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Woodstock legend Michael Lang made an appearance but there were plenty of Irish VIPs mingling with the crowd too. U2′s Bono and wife Ali were spotted watching Gavin Friday on the main stage on Friday night. They returned on Saturday for more shows.
Other well-known faces spotted in the crowd included Saoirse Ronan, Neil Jordan, Cat Deeley, John Rocha, Brian O’Driscoll, Amy Huberman, Rob Kearney, Cian Healy and Ryan Tubridy.
The trouble (or lack of)
A Garda spokesperson told TheJournal.ie that there was little to report from the weekend with just one incident noted in Stradbally.
A 19-year-old male presented himself to Gardaí at the medical tent in the early hours of Sunday morning. After an initial examination, he was transferred to Midlands Regional Hospital where his condition deteriorated. Investigations into the matter continue and Gardaí say the teenager remains in hospital.
Were you at the festival? How would you score the report card? Let us know in the comments section.
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