Picnic picks 2009

The 2009 Electric Picnic festival is just hours away at this point and the excitement is kicking in big time. There are plenty acts to catch this year so it's going to be busy but fun and a challenge I am looking forward to.
Here are some acts that I think are must sees over the weekend.


First up is London lad David Morris who goes by the name of Boy 8-Bit while behind the decks and samplers and he has released one of my favourite dance EP's of 2009, Baltic Pine. Expect the Little Big Tent to erupt in some way when he plays this track.

Boy 8-Bit plays the Little Big Tent on the Friday @ 18.00pm.


Kormac's Big Band takes to the stage in the Body & Soul area also on the Friday night and slots nicely between main stager's MGMT and Orbital. Expect a fine mix of hip hop beats, old style swing jazz, a barber shop quartet alongside a full band and special guests, Messiah J & The Expert to all take to the stage in what should be a festival highlight.

Kormac's Big Band plays on the Body & Soul Stage on Friday @ 10pm


There is very little I need to say about Orbital other than this is going to be an EP highlight for many.
Let's hope they don't disappoint on their only Irish gig this year.

Orbital play The Main Stage on Friday @ 10.30pm


I am going to be starting Saturday checking out The xx who have become the hype darlings of '09. After seeing them outside a cramped tent at Field Day last month I am guessing that this performance will be pretty excellent. Their low fi melodic pop sound will please the ears of many after the release of their self titled debut a couple of weeks ago.

The xx play The Electric Arena on Saturday @ 14.45pm


Marina & The Diamonds are next on the must see list this year. This Welsh lass has only released a single, Obsession/Mowgli's Road and an EP, Crown Jewels this year, but her debut album is a highly anticipated release for '09. Marina has also taken to doing a pretty decent live cover version of Late Of The Pier's Space And The Woods but. the big sing-a-long will be for the addictive I Am Not A Robot.

Marina And The Diamonds play The Cosby Stage on Saturday @ 16.00pm


There is a lot of love for Bat For Lashes here and because I have not had the chance to catch Natasha Khan live she is on my must see list this weekend. Both her albums Fur & Gold and Two Suns are excellent and Mercury Nominated so her set should be a fantastic mix of the two alongside a nicely decorated stage set.

Bat For Lashes play The Electric Arena on Saturday @ 19.00pm


Berliner's Whitest Boy Alive are a great addition to this years line up. After the release of Rules earlier this year, the band have been touring throughout Europe and gladly they are stopping by Stradbally this weekend. Their dreamy pop should delight fans and newcomers, before Erland Oye heads back on tour with his other band Kings Of Convenience for the release of their new studio album, Declaration Of Dependence in October.

Whitest Boy Alive play The Cosby Stage @ 19.45pm


Sunday begins with Micachu & The Shapes. Mica Levi and co released one of my albums of 2009 Jewellery back in March through Rough Trade Records. Her use of unorthodox instruments (such a hover, CD Rack and broken bottles) to create her sound have led to her being adored by the music press. A must go see this weekend.

Micachu & The Shapes play The Cosby Stage on Sunday @ 14.15pm


Simian Mobile Disco played a cracking set at the EP two years ago and with a shiny new album just on the shelves Temporary Pleasure, James Ford and Jas Shaw shall undoubtedly have you dancing from the word go.

Simian Mobile Disco play The Electric Arena on Sunday @ 16.15pm


Belgium based duo Aeroplane are at this stage well known for their excellent remixes of Friendly Fires, Grace Jones and MGMT tracks making them the perfect picnic pair.
Their disco and psychedelic pop sounds always create a fun atmosphere and for the third time this month I shall be embracing it.

Aeroplane play the Little Big tent on Sunday @ 18.00pm


Erol Alkan is a DJ supreme, Producer extrodenaire and Remix master and shall be an excellent ending to this years festivities in Stradbally. He keeps kids dancing and if this is what you are looking for then Erol will definitely not disappoint.

Erol Alkan plays the Little Big Tent on Sunday @ 22.00pm