Electric Picnic 2024 drew 75,000 excited festival-goers to Stradbally, Co Laois, marking the event’s 20th anniversary. But while the music lineup and atmosphere delivered the festival’s trademark buzz, logistical issues—particularly around camping—left some attendees frustrated. Despite these hiccups, the overall vibe of the weekend remained electric, with headlining performances from Calvin Harris, Noah Kahan, and Kylie Minogue making it a memorable experience.

Overflow Campsites: The Biggest Complaint

The rapid expansion of Electric Picnic’s attendance from 50,000 in 2019 to 75,000 in 2024 stretched the camping facilities to their limits. Attendees arriving as early as Friday morning reported that the main campsites were already full, forcing them to walk long distances to set up camp in the overflow areas. Fans like Zoja Skocenova from Kilkenny shared their “awful” experience, saying they spent over three hours looking for a place to pitch their tent.

Kate Mockler from Greystones had a similar experience: “It hasn’t been a good time for us. We are in the furthest campsite as there was nothing left for us,” she explained. Many long-time Electric Picnic veterans noted that this year’s logistical issues felt particularly challenging, but despite the frustration, they expressed excitement for the music lineup and festival atmosphere.

Camping Adjustments and Gazebo Dilemmas

To make room for the massive crowd, festival organizers directed fans to take down gazebos that were crowding the campsite, further frustrating some attendees. Despite this, the spirit of Electric Picnic prevailed, with seasoned festival-goers like Leah Leslie from Dún Laoghaire saying, “It’s gotten massive, but it is still great craic.”

While the overflow campsites weren’t ideal, they became a point of bonding for many festival-goers. Niamh Hogan, another attendee, added, “Even though we were in the overflow area, we still met amazing people and had an incredible weekend.”

The Musical Highlights: Kylie Minogue Steals the Show

As the logistical hurdles faded into the background, Electric Picnic delivered on its promise of world-class music and entertainment. Kylie Minogue’s Sunday night performance was undoubtedly the highlight of the festival. Fans flocked to the Main Stage to witness the pop icon’s show-stopping set, which brought the festival to a triumphant close. With hits like “Spinning Around” and “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” Kylie left the crowd mesmerized.

Other standout performances included Raye, Tom Grennan, and Calvin Harris, whose Saturday night set kept the crowd dancing late into the night. The Wolfe Tones and The Stranglers also brought their timeless appeal to the stage, pleasing a diverse audience.

The Atmosphere: Electric Picnic’s Timeless Appeal

Even with the overflow camping frustrations, many attendees highlighted the unbeatable atmosphere of Electric Picnic. Andrew Emerson, a festival regular from Portarlington, captured the essence of the event: “It’s the buzz off the young people. Everyone is in good form, and there’s loads of energy.” The sense of community, spontaneity, and discovery remained core to the festival experience, making Electric Picnic a must-attend event year after year.

Connie Tobin from Bray expressed similar sentiments, saying, “This is the best festival I have ever been at. It is good vibes all around. You could come a million times and never see all of it.”

Looking Forward: Lessons for 2025

Despite some complaints, Electric Picnic 2024 offered a vibrant weekend full of music, laughter, and shared experiences. The logistical issues, while frustrating, will likely serve as lessons for the festival organizers as they prepare for future events. With its growing popularity, Electric Picnic may need to rethink its campsite management to ensure a smoother experience for festival-goers.

The 2025 tickets are already on sale, and fans are hopeful that next year will see even more improvements in managing the festival’s ever-growing crowd. If Electric Picnic’s history is any indication, it will continue to evolve and delight fans for years to come.

Overflow Campsites Couldn’t Stop the Fun

While Electric Picnic 2024 wasn’t without its challenges, the magic of Ireland’s biggest music festival remained intact. From unforgettable performances to spontaneous connections with fellow festival-goers, Electric Picnic continues to cement its place as a standout event on the summer festival calendar. Here’s to hoping that 2025 brings even more great music, better organization, and perhaps a little more space to pitch those tents!

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