The rain that arrived in Stradbally on Saturday evening wasn’t as bad as forecasted – or as bad as hit other parts of the country – but it did send Electric Picnic goers scattering in all directions.
Madness, the Campden Town band who have been on the go since the 1970s, drew a big crowd to the main stage area during their set at 6pm while the Electric Ireland area was absolutely crammed for the performance of S Club 7.
And despite the rain, which really didn’t amount to a whole lot, there was still a great atmosphere through the site. Pink ponchos were all the rage.
Jimmy Lee’s Juke Joint, which had essentially fell asunder on Friday night during the performance of Portlaoise band Pogueology, was patched up and open for business again.
And word also broke that the same Pogueology had been given a new time and stage to perform – in a place where the ground is unlikely to give way.
They’ll now perform in the Salty Dog on Sunday at 11pm, just before Jack L goes on stage. You can expect a big crowd for that one.
Among those we met on Saturday were Portlaoise Rugby boss Enda Fingleton and big Will Sherlock and their respective families. Will, Enda told us, is set to retire after a stellar career but we won’t take an announcement like that, made at Electric Picnic, as official.
We also came across former Portlaoise Bank of Ireland manager Aine Malone, now back across the border in a role in her native Offaly.
RTE soccer pundit Richie Sadlier was spotted too – indeed a section of the crowd found somewhere to watch Ireland’s World Cup Qualifier clash against Serbia which ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw.
Bumping into Laois hurling guru Michael Boyhan was a big deal also, until we met Kilkenny’s multiple All Ireland winner and All Star Tommy Walsh.
Tommy was on duty for Newstalk’s Off the Ball show but with those duties out of the way he was enjoying the festivities with a group of Colaiste Iosagain teachers, one of them being his brother Martin, who works in the Portarlington school.
Emma Miller was chuffed to meet Niall Breslin – AKA Bressie – the main man with the Blizzards but at Electric Picnic this year primarily for his charity work.
Festival Director Melvin Benn also stopped to chat to LaoisToday and not only appeared interested that it was our first time to cover the Electric Picnic but also happily posed for a photo.
Finally, one man we’ve to give a shout out to us Peter Breslin, the Ballyfin man who is a sales executive in Joe Mallon motors in Portlaoise by day, but was on duty for Kelly Lou Cakes here, serving hot chocolates and cupcakes like a true pro!
While our photographer got these photos, our Snapchat story was also full of the day’s activities and you can check us out there too by adding LaoisToday.
We’ll be back today for more. Enjoy!
