Review: Electric Picnic: Friday, September 1st and Saturday, September 2nd: If you're going to brave a wet weekend camping in Laois, there's no worthier trade-off than the best music festival on the Irish circuit.
Lofty praise perhaps but the Electric Picnic's boutique marketing has definitely given it an edge over competitors. Expanded to three days this year, Friday evening was kicked off by Spankrock, whose funky hip hop was not for the faint-hearted PC brigade. Devendra Banhart and his backing band Vetiver converted many who didn't know who they were before Friday. Festivals suit some acts more than others and Antony and the Johnsons, while poignant and on form, seemed unsuited to the main arena. PJ Harvey was without her band and was all the better for it, opening with Oh My Lover to a crowd she held in the palm of her hand.
The typically quiet singer chatted constantly between old (and some excellent) new material. Massive Attack oomphed up the bass as they delivered some polished standards leaving their untouchable Unfinished Symphony for the encore. Horace Andy - a regular collaborator - made an appearance, as an "angel called Elizabeth" turned out to be the luminous Liz Fraser from The Cocteau Twins on Teardrop.
Saturday's proceedings were kick-started by Richie Egan who had a busy weekend, playing with The Redneck Manifesto, and twice as Jape (showcasing music from his much anticipated new album).
Backed up by David Kitt on keys, Egan proved that he's the best thing to happen to Irish music in decades.
We'll never know if the Sugababes' sampling of Are Friends Electric coaxed Gary Numan out of hibernation, but he was far from lethargic in the appropriate setting of the Electric Arena on Saturday.
The amicable crowd were enthusiastic but as soon as the robotic riff of Cars pounded out, the place erupted. Critics of DJ Shadow's imminent album were silenced by his turntable tricksiness while Domino Records' Archie Bronson outfit belted out coarse, infectious rock. The 80s were well represented on Saturday, with New Order and Gang of Four. Bernard Sumner and co were worth it for Blue Monday and Love Will Tear Us Apart, but overall, there was something lacking in their live sound.
Gang of Four were under- attended while their inheritors, Bloc Party, played to a full house, a musical irony in extremis.
One of newest (and best) additions to the festival was the Foggy Notions stage, which played host to a diverse range of acts over Friday and Saturday.
David Edwards aka Minotaur Shock is one of the best things to happen to electronica in years and by all accounts, his aural panorama of was one of the weekend's highlights.
Tapes and Tapes proved they are no Clap Your Hands Say Yeah wannabes and Wales's very own Super Furry Animals fulfilled their much-lauded live reputation.
• A review of yesterday's performances at Electric Picnic will appear in tomorrow's editions
