We is spoilt for choice in terms of domestic talent at EP, that’s for sure! In addition to heavy hitters like Two Door Cinema Club, Kodaline, The Strypes and The Duckworth Lewis Method the Picnic bill is jammed full of tasty local fare!...

One performance to be missed on pain of death (you may be forgiven if you are stuck in a a portaloo – but that is all) is Le Galaxie. The outfit are a well-oiled festival machine at this stage. Summer activities have included mind-blowing pitstops at Forbidden Fruit, The Westport Festival, Fortstock, Castlepalooza and Indiependence. They are now readying themselves for a Body and Soul arena appearance. The lads are hard at work on their new album. Expect sneak previews!...
Dublin alt-electro five-piece Come On Live Long are ones to catch if you have not already seen them in action. The troupe have released lauded debut Everything Fall which was recorded with Gavin Glass and engineered by Scott Halliday at Orphan Studios, Dublin. Get your mits on a copy fast if you haven’t already!..
Instrumental outfit Overhead The Albatross return to Stradbally after last year’s outstanding performance. The combo are ready to unleash their debut long-player, written over a three-month period in the Czech Republic. The opus follows 2011’s excellent ‘Lads With Sticks’ and ‘Mr Dog’ and last year’s ‘Think, Thank, Thunk’……
Also not a stranger to Laois is Clare’s wonderful Daithi. He returns as a Sony Music Ireland artist with a hit single under his belt, the ubertastic ‘Chameleon Life’. We’re sure that will get the punters going!....
Electro poppers Vann Music have had a spectacular 12 months with stellar appearances at Longitude and Indiependence and a sold-out Academy 2 show. Their Picnic debut should be a spectacle!...
If you require more mellow tuneage head on over to Loughrea folkster Ultan Conlon, whose EP visit follows a string of successful summer dates. These include a knock-out set at Le Cheile, September 27 sees the release of his highly-anticipated album Songs Of Love So Cruel. The first single, ‘Lonely Avenues’, has been gracing the airwaves over the past few months to positive murmurs…..
Purveyor of fine noir rock Jennifer Evans is another must-see sure to delight with an eclectic performance. Her set will no doubt include some fine offerings from recent release Salient Point ….
RSAG has been busy of late bashing skins for Jerry Fish. He also found the time to release the magnificent six-track Rotate EP. Always a wonderful live prospect!
Your psychedelic dance fix will be provided by Darren Moloney and Brian Rice, aka Last Days Of 1984. Their Wake Up To The Waves album (Osaka) was surely one of the finest domestic releases in recent years….
On the subject of fine long-players the Karl Odlum-produced Lions and Gold by Swords also caused quite a stir of late. And yes the absence of a guitarist works people!...
Cork’s Young Wonder bring electro pop magic (and some outrageous headgear courtesy of Rachel) to the rolling hills of Stradbally. Their set is bound to be bejewelled with some fine gems from the rather splendid Show Your Teeth…..
Derry’s Soak blew us all away in the Hot Spot and on stage at Indiependence. We never tire of such a fresh and original talent. Love you Bridie!!
And finally Meteor Choice Music Prize Song Of The Year winner and all-round good guy Gavin James is a must-see on your EP shopping list. This young man’s star is firmly in the ascent. The number of sell-out-show notches on his bed post mean it is almost whittled away to a nub.
And there’s so much more and not enough space!......